A wrap-up

The North American Convention of the Church of God officially begins this Friday, but activities in the area commence Thursday--and, naturally, convention-goers have already begun to fill up campsites and hotel rooms. As a reminder, the NAC ChoGger wishes to highlight a few notable events.

• THURSDAY: Crist Family in concert at Main Street Church of God (4211 S. Main St., Anderson) at 7 p.m.



• FRIDAY: LIVE Celebration Service in the "red-and-white tent" begins at 8:30 a.m., Friday through Wednesday; Kickoff presentation sponsored by Anderson University at 7 p.m. at Madison Park Church of God



• SATURDAY: Children's Ministry Fair at East Side Church of God (2600 E. 5th St.), 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Celebrating the Global Family of God, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Madison Park Church of God; evening services daily at 7 p.m. at Madison Park Church of God, Youth-In Game Night at Madison Park Crossroads Auditorium



• SUNDAY: worship services daily at 10:30 a.m. at Park Place Church of God; Southern Gospel Concert at 2:30 p.m. at Park Place Church of God; Heritage Sing-Along, 9:15 p.m. at Madison Park Church of God; Youth-In Concert at Madison Park Crossroads Auditorium



• MONDAY: Kid's Place at Hartung Hall, 8:15 a.m. through Wednesday; Little Kid's Place at Park Place Church of God, 8:15 a.m. through Wednesday; Equipping the Church of God's Dreams with Todd Braschler, 8:30 a.m.; Church of God "Facebooker's Luncheon" at Main Street Church of God, 11:30 a.m.; Youth Oasis at Fine Arts Breezeway, 2:15 p.m.; Missionary Commissing in the evening service at 7 p.m.; Youth-In Movie Night (all Youth-Ins same time and location)



• TUESDAY: General Assembly at Reardon Auditorium, Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:15 a.m.; PK/MK retreat--meet at Olt Student Center at 3 p.m.; Youth-In skit night



• WEDNESDAY: School of Missions, Miller Chapel, 1 p.m.; To Save a Life movie premiere for youth leaders and pastors in Byrum Hall; Youth-In Worship Night
  

See program booklet or go online to www.chog.org/NAC for more information and exhaustive list of NAC 2009 activities.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "These are not very spiritual memories, but here goes: Cotton candy, candied apples, hot summer days, grandparents coming to visit, flags on the stage of the old wooden tabernacle, sawdust on the floor of the tabernacle, singing the heritage hymns, the big red thermometer that showed how much money we had raised for World Missions and how much was yet to be raised, visiting the AU recruiting booth and seeing my Dad..."--Connie Hippensteel (daughter of Robert Reardon), Anderson University Kardatzke Wellness Center

Memories to get you in the mood

Get in the Camp Meeting spirit and reminisce with these three personal memories from NACs past!

Paul Yerden, music minister: “I remember the dorms on the camp grounds, the old white tabernacle, the early morning prayer meetings in Byrum Hall with Sister Cotton, raising one million dollars for World Service (the large thermometer), the CBH building on the grounds, hearing Herb Thompson sing, and Dr. Dale Oldham preach every year.”

Lori Salierno, speaker: “One of my favorite childhood memories of Camp Meeting was listening to Ben Reid, going out to dinner, spending time talking with friends, and learning about the Church of God from the older pastors and people who had been in the movement for years.”

Ron Patty, music minister: “One of my favorite memories of Camp Meeting is when we were in an old tabernacle, even before the dome was built. We were having a Camp Meeting service and our quartet, the Christian Brothers, was singing “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy,” and it just seemed like there was a wonderful spirit there. And Dr. Dale Oldham spoke. It was a wonderful, momentous time.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "[The NAC means] having opportunity to speak into the direction that the church of god is going. Many, many educational opportunities! And wonderful times of worship."--Dr. MaryAnn Hawkins, Associate Professor of Christian Ministry, Anderson University School of Theology

Kids want to go to NAC, too!

Kid’s Place is the place that kids go during the NAC. It’s the children’s program at camp meeting. Since its beginning, Kid’s Place has focused on missions around the world. Each year’s theme has centered on one region or nation of the world. Some years have provided a taste of several cultures of the world. The experience is hands-on, the learning is fun, and the worship abounds. Kids have the opportunity to taste foods, play games, and sing songs from other cultures. They learn words from other languages and hear how God is working through all kinds of situations. Kids also get to meet actual missionaries who are in town for NAC. This kind of experience is one that only Kid’s Place provides.

Kid’s Place at this year’s NAC is sure to be better than ever. “Missions: Then and Now” is the theme, highlighting the historical significance of missions around the world as the Church of God celebrates its missions centennial. The learning stations will focus on the wide variety of ways missionaries serve around the world. Kids will learn about specific mission work accomplished in unique ways, such as through medical service, schools, radio, and even through the opening of a bookstore. One of the stations, “Then and Now,” will take a close look at missions as it was a hundred years ago, comparing it to how it is today.

This year, Kid’s Place will be held in Hartung Hall on the Anderson University campus, Monday through Wednesday (June 29–July 1) from 8:15 AM to noon. Kindergarten grads through fifth-grade grads are encouraged to attend. There will also be Little Kid’s Place in Park Place Church of God for children from three to five years old who are potty trained and not yet in kindergarten. For more information, visit www.chog.org/KidsPlace. See this year's program book for many other opportunities for children taking place at NAC 2009.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The North American Convention of the Church of God brings together people from so many states and even overseas countries. It is a chance to worship and fellowship with the broader church. It can be a wonderful, inspirational time. There are conferences, special interest sessions, training events and, of course, the nightly services with preaching and music."--Paul Yerden, music minister

Three brief NAC testimonies

Sarah Blake was recently prompted by God at NAC. “I had been considering going to seminary for several years,” she explains, “and was prompted to begin the process because of something that happened at NAC 2006. I attended a seminar given by David Neidert called ‘The Seven Questions of Jesus.’ The final question was the question Jesus asked Peter: ‘Do you love me?’ I had done one of my devotional writings on this passage a couple of months prior. The revisit was very convicting concerning the fact that I was sitting on the fence about seminary. I realized that if I was going to ‘feed sheep,’ I needed to equip myself to do so.” Sarah will be graduating from the Anderson University School of Theology with her Masters of Divinity this coming August.

God has used the North American Convention to strengthen and equip Tim Means throughout his life. “I would say that I have definitely been restored many times while visiting NAC. I have attended NAC for all of my life and I take pride in the fact that I am a third-generation pastor that has attended. I have grown up through Kid’s Place and the youth-ins.” This year, Tim will be attending NAC for the first time as a full time youth pastor at the First Church of God in Saint Elmo, Illinois.

Pattie Jantz Thompson and her family regularly finds renewed strength for the ministry while attending NAC. “We have always found the commissioning of missionaries to be a renewing of purpose for us. The lighting of candles in expressing our unity, as well as the testimonies of how God is working around the world, revitalizes our passion for ministry.” She continues, “It helps the minister, or the lay person who may serve a small church all alone, refresh and renew. It also helps us carry the message that we are not alone in serving Christ back to those congregations. This is why we travel across the country to attend.” Pattie will be traveling from Elk City, Oklahoma to attend this year’s NAC.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is potentially one of those big picture times in the life of the church. We have so few opportunities to connect and see ourselves together. The combination of worship, teaching, and thinking together about the church is an opportunity that should not be passed up."--Arthur Kelly, Christian Education, Church of God Ministries

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)

Why should I attend NAC this year?

Why attend NAC this year? Why not next year? Why wasn't last year the year to attend? What makes the 123rd North American Convention of the Church of God the convention you should plan ahead to attend, set aside funds for and anticipate with much enthusiasm?

• Because there has never in NAC/Church of God Camp Meeting history been a gathering of international guests and missionaries such as what is planned for this year.

• Because, as Carma Wood, the NAC 2009 worship leader, explains, "This is a unique year for the world and the United States. The things that we're dealing with are unique. It's a unique year for the Church of God and the convention, with the missions celebration and venue changes. God shows up in a dynamic way when we're feeling maxed out and stretched."

• Because Kid's Place (the NAC children's program) is the place for kids this summer: to have fun, rock out in worship, draw closer to God and learn about other cultures.

• Because Andy Stephenson (of IYC) and the youth ministries team at Church of God Ministries have thrills, powerful worship experiences and unique opportunities in mind for the youth.

• Because the music and preaching highlight some of the best of the Church of God movement.

• Because "once in one place at one time, people travel across continents and oceans to celebrate the hope and life we have found in the Church of God," Pastor Jim Lyon, of Madison Park Church of God, explains.

• Because, "if you do not attend Camp Meeting," as Lori Salierno, of Celebrate Life International, warns, "you will miss the infusion of courage and life that is necessary to face ministry demands. You will miss out on seeing old friends and making new acquaintances. Camp Meeting could mean the difference between getting burnt out and finishing strong." Lori insists, "You will want to make this year's NAC a priority!"

Welcome!

Hey everybody!


This is a blog, created by me, the NAC ChoGger, dedicated to spreading the word about the 123rd North American Convention of the Church of God (NAC 2009), slated to take place June 26 through July 1, 2009. ChoGgers* and non-ChoGgers alike are encouraged to attend! After all, if you belong to Christ, you are a part of the church of God--and we want to see you in Anderson, Indiana this summer for a massive gathering of God's people. If you don't know God or haven't been to church much, or at all, this is still the event for you to attend! Especially if you've never been to a church convention or camp meeting, you can't miss out on this experience--you never know what will happen when you get a bunch of the family of God (like thousands of people!) together in one place! Powerful worship and preaching, exciting conferences for all ages, service opportunities, reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones from all across the fruited plain (and around the world!), make this event something worth attending!


See http://chog.org/Events/NorthAmericanConvention/tabid/581/Default.aspx for more information! The picture shows the spectacular candlelight (er, uh glow stick!) service we had at the conclusion of last year's convention.

*A Christian who attends, or once attended, a Church of God congregation affiliated with the Church of God Reformation Movement based in Anderson, Indiana--affectionately called a ChoGger!