Report: 2011 Global Leadership Conference
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:23
THE CALLING was the inspirational theme for the 2011 Global Leadership Conference held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garden Grove, California. For the opening session on August 21, 2011, the 575 participants of the GLC from all six populated continents of the world gathered for a Sunday Morning Worship Service with our sister churches from Phoenix, San Diego and Los Angeles.
With 1,171 in attendance, the singing was absolutely phenomenal! After several songs, the first SoldOut News Network (SONN) was unveiled, which on a regular basis will serve to unite all of the disciples in the movement by informing us how the Spirit is working among our family of churches, as well as when He opens new nations for the gospel. After this came the moving reinstatements of Cory Blackwell, DJ Comisford, and Blaise & Patricia Feumba to once again be recognized as Evangelists and Women’s Ministry Leader in the Kingdom of God. For communion, the Feumbas brought us all back to the cross focusing on Jesus’ plea, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” For the contribution, Raul & Lynda Moreno – the leaders of the Sao Paulo Mission Team – challenged us to a greater financial sacrifice motivated by the dream of the evangelization of the nations in this generation. After this, we had four more Kingdom Appointments – Tyler & Shay Sears and Mike & Brittany Underhill were recognized as Evangelists and Women’s Ministry Leaders respectively.
After a short break, Michael Williamson of London preached an incredible sermon entitled, Worthy Of The Calling. Then, the Lord allowed us to witness 10 amazing baptisms! Most moving to many was the baptism of Victor & Sonia Gonzalez’s tenth and last child – David! Afterwards was the send-off of the Third Crown of Thorns Mission Team – Sao Paulo. The mission team members – Raul & Lynda Moreno, Tyler & Shay Sears, Malcom Abbott, Margie Flores, and Joey Underhill – were presented with semi-precious stone globes that were mounted on wooden bases – “upside-down!” (Acts 17:6 RSV) Then, in honor of our God, we went to our knees, as the three shepherds of the movement – Nick Bordieri, Michael Kirchner and Tony Untalan – came forward to lay their hands on and pray over the team.
To close this historic service, many were in tears as Lu-Jack Martinez led us in the “International Version” of the Glory Song. This hymn gives the account of God’s movement beginning in Boston in 1979 and then moves on to describe its rebirth in Portland in late 2006. The final words of the song were shouted in jubilation by the entire crowd, “The world was evangelized in our day!”
Sunday evening, the GLC attendees gathered for a delicious “Kingdom Banquet!” At the conclusion of our meal, Chris & Kerri-Sue Adams and Tim & Lianne Kernan were appointed Evangelists and Women’s Ministry Leaders. Afterward, though it had been a long day, everyone listened intently to the keynote address, The Calling.
On Monday morning, we divided into three workshops: Church Leaders – At This Level, Current Interns – Fight The Good Fight, and Those Who Aspire To Leadership – Dreamers. In the afternoon were two smaller workshops for those serving in Administration and the CyberMinistry. On Monday evening was the next General Session for the seminar. So exciting were the Kingdom Appointments of Vic Gonzalez Jr., Coltin Rohn and Jay Shelbrack as Evangelists in God’s modern day movement. Following this was the Cyber-Ministry Presentation, in which Ron Harding – the Lead CyberEvangelist for the movement – awarded mounted shofar horns to three of our sister churches’ Evangelists and Web-Deacons for the most effective websites among our family of churches. Ron also recognized Tim Kernan, as our movement’s newest CyberEvangelist. Then, Nick & Denise Bordieri lifted our hearts with their MERCYworldwide Presentation. To close the evening, Andrew Smellie of New York City delivered a thrilling message, The Calling Of The Twelve.
On Tuesday morning were the Men’s and Women’s Programs. Respectively, Cory Blackwell preached the sermon, Calling Us To Account, and Elena spoke on the theme, Calling On The Name Of The Lord. Then, we gathered for one last General Session. Here, I was privileged to honor Chris Broom as the first of prayerfully many Missions Evangelists! Then Chris delivered one of his best sermons, Called To Walk In His Steps. He inspired us all with THE CALLING to be like Jesus and “walk on water!”
Other events prior to the GLC included: the two day meeting of the Central Leadership Council on Thursday and Friday, the special Women’s Ministry Training Session on Saturday morning and afternoon, and the Shepherds Fellowship With Hors D’ouvres – where 31 Shepherding Couples from all around the world gathered on Saturday evening. Also, during the afternoon break on Sunday was the prospective Paris Mission Team Lunch. For overseeing this excellently organized event, a special thanks goes to Tim Kernan, who served tirelessly and with great enthusiasm as the Director of the Global Leadership Conference.
Prayerfully, as each disciple returned to their home, on each heart was the conviction that to be in God’s movement meant that He has “called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) Then, after one becomes a baptized disciple, God continues to speak even louder. Though His voice may not come from a burning bush or from a bright light on the road to Damascus, we must realize that He has a unique destiny, an individual CALLING for each disciple. Therefore, when we hear His voice, let us respond without hesitation to THE CALLING with the same spirit as Isaiah when he answers God’s question, “Whom shall I send?” Let us shout to the heavens, “Here am I! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) And to God be all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise from all the nations!
