Friday was filled with convention activities [with the exception of lunch at Propylaeum, which I blogged about yesterday].
Morning activities began at 9:00 a.m. with two back-to-back SDMI plenary sessions. The speaker from the American Bible Society continued the challenge to help people encounter Jesus personally.
I ordered Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Yum!
On Saturday, nearly 1,700 children in grades 1-6 participated in the 2013 Children's Bible World Quiz. The Convention Center was bustling with kids who had memorized and internalized God's Word.
The SDMI Convention concluded on Friday, and Sunday morning was the "official" opening of the 28th General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene. General Superintendent, Dr. Jesse Middendorf gave the morning message.
A "Keep Calm" sign for one of the convention workshops.
After lunch, there were two workshops to attend, then we returned to the Convention Center for an evening service at 7:00 p.m.. Afterwards we walked to P.F. Chang's China Bistro for a late dinner.
I ordered Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Yum!
[Photos courtesy of P.F. Chang's]
On Saturday, nearly 1,700 children in grades 1-6 participated in the 2013 Children's Bible World Quiz. The Convention Center was bustling with kids who had memorized and internalized God's Word.
My cousin, Valerie, and her family traveled to the convention from Tampa, Florida. Her granddaughter participated in the quizzing, and won a silver medal. I met up with Valerie in the Exhibit Hall.
The music in all the services was outstanding with a live orchestra...
and talented singers.
The Orpheus Choir [from Olivet Nazarene University near Chicago, Illinois] sang in the Friday evening service.
By Sunday morning all the General Assembly delegates and guests had arrived and the Indiana Convention Center was transformed into a huge church sanctuary. Below is what 20,246 Nazarenes under one roof, from 159 world areas, looks like! Several Nazarene churches projected the broadcast to their congregations.
Large screens suspended from the ceiling were strategically placed throughout the convention assembly area so everyone could see the happenings on the platform close-up. When the thousands of voices joined together in singing, it was a glimpse of what Heaven will be like when the redeemed sing unending praises to our Lord and Savior. I definitely want to be in that great choir!
Large screens suspended from the ceiling were strategically placed throughout the convention assembly area so everyone could see the happenings on the platform close-up. When the thousands of voices joined together in singing, it was a glimpse of what Heaven will be like when the redeemed sing unending praises to our Lord and Savior. I definitely want to be in that great choir!
7,000 Nazarenes watched the live-streamed services throughout the week from their homes in either English, Portuguese, or Spanish.
One of the highlights was communion at the conclusion of the service. How grateful I am to Jesus for being the sinless, sacrificial Lamb of God on Calvary's Cross, so the debt of my sins - and the sins of all mankind - could be forgiven.
[photos courtesy of nazarene.org]
It was an awesome service, and I'm grateful to my district for allowing me the privilege of being a delegate.
When the service was over, we checked out of our hotel, and met my cousin and her husband for lunch at Olive Garden, before heading home to Michigan.
It was the end of five great days in Indianapolis, Indiana. Now to put into action the inspirational things I learned! The next General Assembly will be in 2017, in San Francisco, California.
An inspiring conference and some cousin time, too! Sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you had such a great and spiritually profitable time -- and I love that it ended with communion!
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