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The Assemblies of God General Council This Year Will Boast Several Firsts

In just a few short months, thousands of people from across the nation and around the world will travel to the Mile High City, Denver, Colorado at the Pepsi center, for the 51st General Council of Assemblies of God. It is expected more than 20,000 Assemblies of God constituents will gather August 2-5 for this biennial meeting.

While this meeting occurs every 2 years and takes place for "business, inspiration, motivation, information, and fellowship," it is also "just plain fun," states AG.

This General Council provides several ‘firsts’ for the Fellowship. This marks the first time all of the evening services will be televised live from a General Council. The Inspiration Television networks will air these services, as well as a tape-delayed airing of the Fine Arts Celebration service on Saturday, August 6.

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Coverage of the event includes it being televised live over Inspiration Networks. Visit www.insp.com to check the availability of these telecasts in your area. In addition, the Council Today is the daily newspaper published on site and will be posted on the Assemblies of God website so all can visit www.ag.org and read business decisions and other activities at the General Council. In addition radio reports will be available each day via the website.

This council marks the first time that licensed ministers will be able to participate in the business sessions by casting ballots. This is a tremendous opportunity for a new generation of A/G ministers to contribute to their Fellowship.

A Celebration of Ethnicity is scheduled for Friday afternoon, August 5. In addition to the Celebration, there will be a Hispanic Ministers Conference Monday and Tuesday (August 1, 2), which gears towards Hispanic ministers working with Hispanic congregations or target groups within the U.S. It will focus on innovative ways to reach the next Hispanic generation.

"The Assemblies of God has a very strong, large ethnic denomination," Juleen Turnage, Director of Public Relations told The Christian Post. There are forty-seven language groups that AG ministers to, and the General Council will be holding different seminars for pastors and ministers among these different language groups.

This year, voting delegates in Denver will elect the general superintendent, general treasurer, executive director of U.S. Missions as well as all non-resident Executive Presbyters.

In addition to elections, delegates will vote on dozens of resolutions which will effect changes in church policy and programs, including recommendations coming from the Vision for Transformation which the Fellowship has been undergoing for more than 2 years. Positions on current theological issues or social concerns also are discussed and adopted or rejected.

The business transacted at a General Council sets the future course for the Assemblies of God. "General Council ties us together. As the Fellowship continues to grow by adding new churches and members, we find the biennial General Council increasingly becomes the vehicle that ties us together."

There are times of prayer, worship, and preaching by outstanding ministers. This year’s speakers include: John Lindell, Lazarus Chakwera, Thomas Trask, Dan Betzer and Bryan Jarrett. Thousands will unite in corporate worship and praise. Each evening's plenary session will focus on worship and ministry of the Word. Early Morning Prayer times unite hearts.

General Council provides complete information with over 300 exhibits offering services for every aspect of ministry. Reports and goals for the continuing Vision for Transformation will be highlighted throughout General Council. There also will be reports of what God is doing through missions around the world and at home.

Children and teens participate through Kids Council and the National Youth Convention, and the 2005 Fine Arts Festival. Jay Risner, an outstanding children’s pastor in Colorado, as well as Bibleman, the popular children’s stage show, will also be present to entertain children. Some 15,000 teens are expected to attend the National Youth Convention, and culminate in a youth rally on Friday evening.

Workshops, luncheons, and seminars target specific groups with information and challenges for the future. There will be meetings for district leaders, home and world missionaries, women, writers, educators, evangelists and many others. Alumni from Assemblies of God colleges will also gather for fellowship.

"Should Jesus tarry, future leaders and members of the Assemblies of God will look back on the week in Denver as one of the most significant in their lives," states AG.

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