Welcome to Wichita: Church of God Convention Kicks Off in Kansas

Posted June 20, 2017

In All Church of God, Church of God Convention

By Carl Stagner

Today we get to see what all the buzz has been about. Today we get to experience a gathering of people boldly committed to Christ, determined to take back what hell has stolen. Today we, the Church of God, make history as we gather as a movement for the first time ever in Wichita, Kansas. Starting today, for four days, we once again realize the collective potential of God’s power at work as we move together. This week we will be reaffirmed that, truly, we are better together. Before we get too far down the road, however, let’s take a look at what Tuesday, June 20, has to offer.

Pre-convention training at the DoubleTree Hotel (minutes from Central Community Church) includes a variety of options, some of which require advance registration. For several months Church of God pastors and board members were invited to sign up for the CARE Seminar, for example. CARE, which stands for Clergy Advocacy and Resource Effort, is made possible by a Lilly grant, and is designed to help churches address economic issues facing pastoral leaders. Joe Cookston leads the seminar, which begins at 9:00 AM CDT .

After challenging the Church of God to reimagine discipleship at venues across the country for the 2016 Regional Conventions, Ben Hardman returns to us this year with more insights and tools only available through the Gravity Leadership. The conference is from 9:00 to 1:00. Also seeking to strengthen leaders is James Bryan Smith, who will lead a pre-convention training time from 10:00 to 11:45. See program book for locations and details.

A Chaplain seminar, CHOG Table outcomes, and an event to promote healthy churches will take place during the afternoon. Whatever you do today, don’t miss the town hall meeting with Jim Lyon, originally inspired by his book Go Ahead. Ask Anything. The question-and-answer session will take place in Salon 1-2 at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Celebrate Jesus with the world-renowned Gaither Vocal Band, beginning at 7:00 tonight. Paul Sheppard, dynamic speaker and pastor from the Church of God in Fremont, California, will deliver God’s Word afresh and aplenty.

No convention could be what it is without a covering of prayer. Committed to seeking the Lord first every day during Be Bold. Reclaim. are several individuals who have agreed to unite in prayer every morning at 8:00 in Room 118 at Central Community Church, beginning today. You’re invited to join them and thank God for their intercession. Slept in past 8? Join us at 10:00 in the K Chapel at Central Community Church for a pre-convention prayer gathering, led by CBH ViewPoint cohost Jennifer “J. J.” Wilson.

As a reminder, all General Assembly sessions (8:00 AM CDT, Wednesday through Friday) and the Wednesday and Thursday evening sessions (7:00 PM CDT) will be streamed live at www.chogconvention.org and www.JesusIsTheSubject.org.

Join the conversation and post your convention-related pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the official convention hashtag, #Reclaim2017.

Thank you for joining us in Wichita. For more information, visit www.chogconvention.org or download an electronic version (PDF) of the convention program book at https://www.jesusisthesubject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017_chog_convention_program-guide-web.pdf.

#Reclaim2017