Make NAC 2009 a vacation!

So we're in not-so-good economic times. You may be feeling it in your wallet. Perhaps you and your family are limited to the number of trips and vacations you can take this summer. I've heard many say they just can't make it to Camp Meeting because they're going to be "out of town" on that weekend, or they're going to be working that week, or they've planned their family vacation over those particular days in June.

Why not consider NAC your summer vacation? A road trip (or cross-country flight) with spiritual benefits? Is it really such a wild idea? Consider planning ahead to attend Camp Meeting: the perfect mix of relaxation, fun, and spiritual growth!

You know, NAC isn't just a convention! It's Camp Meeting! Are you concerned your kids won't get the chance to camp out this summer? Pitch your tent under the stars on the Church of God campground in Anderson. Pull up your trailer next to that old shade tree. Grill those burgers and roast those marshmallows to your heart's content! Fellowship with campers around you, enjoy spontaneous singing of praise songs and camp songs, and delight in the water games and other Family Day activities nearby! Then, in the early evening, take a short jaunt over to Madison Park Church of God and experience incredible worship with people from all over the world! It truly is an experience like none other!

Perhaps this summer, it's time to plan your summer around NAC. You'll leave refreshed to an extent far beyond that of any expensive cruise or beach-side resort stay. And, you won't regret it!

To register for NAC 2009, visit www.chog.org/NAC today!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "NAC is an incredible chance to meet and connect with people. It is an opportunity to grow and learn about ministry and what others are doing around the country."--Andrew Gale, Missions Director, Church at the Crossing (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Something for everyone

NAC 2009 will have something for everyone. This means YOU should come.

For children: Kid's Place, afternoon activities, evening childcare

For youth: Evening events/concerts, daily conferences, service project, afternoon activities (ex. water games) planned by the same people that brought you IYC!

For adults: Numerous workshops and conferences, special worship services, training, networking

For everyone: Morning and evening worship services featuring music by the some of the best musicians in the church of God; and preaching, by some of the best preachers in the Church of God!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Over the past years, NAC has been a place of encouragement for me. As a young pastor, I love meeting the people of the church from around the world. Getting to hear the stories and the journeys God has given others throughout their ministry makes one excited about their own to come."--Josh Deeter, IYC intern

Heritage Sing-Along continues strong

With each passing year, the Heritage Sing-Along at NAC has attracted larger and larger crowds. After only a couple of years after the event's inception, the crowds exceeded the 550-person capacity at Byrum Hall, prompting a move to Park Place Church of God. After only a couple of years there, it moved to Reardon Auditorium. Now the event--led by Paul Yerden, Robert Nicholson, and Dean Schield--draws more than 1,500 people. Notable guests have included Bill and Gloria Gaither; the late Dr. Robert Reardon; Ron and Carolyn Patty; and Jim Hill, who wrote “What a Day That Will Be.”

Paul Yerden is delighted that the Heritage Sing-Along has been such a success. “They get to sing these songs in a large crowd, in four-part harmony. We don’t jazz it up or put a contemporary beat to it. I think we sing them the way we remember singing them.” Paul adds, “The event belongs to the people.”

Even young people can enjoy the Heritage Sing-Along. “Hearing these songs and all the parts is something new for them,” Dean Schield explains. “Young people want something new, and this is new. They come with the idea it will be boring old hymns, but they hear the energy and really appreciate and enjoy it.”

Don't miss this year's Heritage Sing-Along, which will take place for the first time in the intimate, well-lit setting of Madison Park Church of God, on Monday night during the North American Convention of the Church of God, June 26-July 1. The event will begin promptly at 9:15 p.m., following the evening worship service.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “So what do we do? We sing twenty or so of our great heritage songs. Just great singing! Which of our songs will we sing this year? Well, you’ll have to come and see. But you will know them and will enjoy them. The sound of fifteen hundred voices singing lustily—sometimes devotionally—is wonderful.” --Dr. Robert Nicholson, Anderson University President Emeritus

NAC 2009 worship: something for everyone

Over the past several years, worship leaders such as Curt Ferrell, Kendyl Terry, Steve Williamson, and Clint Dunn have faithfully led the saints into worship at NAC. The worship leader for NAC 2009 is Carma Wood. She is currently the worship arts pastor at Park Place Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. She has more than eight years of experience as a worship music pastor, many more years leading music as a layperson, and nearly a lifetime of passion for music and worship.

Church of God worship leaders such as George Skramsted, Paul Yerden, Dean Schield, and Fred Meadows have influenced Carma greatly in her ministry. She also understands the wide demographic present at NAC each year, and she insists there will be something for everyone: "We're trying to seek God's direction for music that transcends style. Sure, the nuts and bolts of the issue are still the use of contemporary music and traditional hymnody, and we're going to use them together." She underscores that the primary goal of the music is to foster worship and lead each heart to a personal encounter with God. And she wants anyone who can sing to participate in the Camp Meeting choir this year, so spread the word!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The North American Convention of the Church of God is an experience where today meets tomorrow, where heritage creates hope, and the people of God discover anew God's call to share the love of Jesus Christ with each other and the world." --Dr. Kerry B. Robinson, Senior Pastor, East Side Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)

Morning service venue change

The morning services of this year's NAC will be held at Park Place Church of God, adjacent to the Anderson University campus. Church of God Ministries desires to be better stewards of the funds God provides, and thus the rental of chairs, lights, and sound equipment got to be too much. Reardon Auditorium was the most likely alternative, until the news that 5th Street would be completely torn up for construction during NAC was released.

Morning services at Park Place (501 College Dr.) will begin at 10:30 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the convention. An EASY way to remember where activities will take place: All daytime events will take place at Anderson University; all evening events will be held at Madison Park Church of God, only a short drive south of AU off of Scatterfield (Rt. 9). Madison Park's address is 6607 Providence Dr. in Anderson.