Pride (the good kind). Amazement. The inspirational bonds of a forever family. A fresh wonder and awe for the Holy Spirit's transforming power. Celebration. Thanksgiving for the spiritual momentum of Global Partners. Praise to God for the privilege of seeing His mighty Hand at work around the world. These are just some of feelings for those of us who had the opportunity to gather at the Festival of Missions in Grand Rapids, MI (June 18-19).

As our General Director, Dr. Don Bray, led us through this event we were served a very well planned and thorough international buffet of God's blessing on The Wesleyan Church over the past four years. It was noted that in 1993 The Wesleyan Church had a presence in 38 countries, but that by the end of 2003 God had expanded His influence through us to a total of 80 countries! While the majority of this expansion was the result of careful prayer and planning on the part of Global Partners, it was celebrated that some of these new fields have come about as a result of the missionary spirit within our own mission fields! Two small mergers have also taken place during the past quadrennium with the addition of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand and the Standard Church of America. The Standard merger brings with it the addition of two significant African fields in Ghana and Egypt.

There were many highlights worthy of note. Both of the main rallies began with a Parade of Flags representing all the nations in which The Wesleyan Church fulfills the Great Commission. It was very moving as the national church leaders carried their respective flags and declared the name of their corner of God's vineyard. It was easy to feel a deep emotional and spiritual connection with these great men and women of the faith.

A personal highlight included the opportunity to re-connect with missionaries and national leaders God has used our district to encourage through construction and ministry teams. Many of these leaders were people with whom I had only exchanged emails or phone calls in the past. A report of this nature can never adequately relay the tremendous respect and inspiration these people bring to The Wesleyan Church.

The rallies and sessions were peppered with an array of video highlights and testimonies from various fields and church officers. These were very well done and the amount of preparation and care given to present these exciting updates was both unexpected and appreciated. One testimony in particular stood out to me. A man from Azerbaijan shared through an interpreter of his journey to faith in Christ. I listened with pride as I thanked God for sending people like JM (name removed for security reasons) to reach this former Muslim with the Gospel. The director of the Turkic-Arabic fields shared how in the last quadrennium 80 Karis people have received Christ and been baptized (many of them in bathtubs because of the dangers of persecution).

World Hope International had funded a special choir for the Festival and General Conference. This 15 member children's choir was composed of Zambian AIDS orphans. Each boy and girl was from a Wesleyan family and was being cared for by the support of World Hope due to the loss of both parents to HIV. Their ministry both in word and music left us all with a great sense of urgency for what the brother of Christ called "faultless religion". The Wesleyan Church needs World Hope as we answer God's cry in Matthew 25:40.

On another musical note, due in large part to the leadership of Scott Olson as our Mobilization Director, the entire Festival was favoured in worship and concert by "Denver and the Mile High Orchestra". This world class, big band jazz style stretched us into a new comfort zone with their very unique and fresh approach to the good old hymns of the Church.

It was my privilege to represent the Atlantic District at the first District Missions Directors' event held in nearly six years. This breakfast was a meaningful time of networking as we were given a full introduction to the heads of each department for Global Partners. Jon Steppe served as the MC for this event. The explanation of the structures and systems, which exist to serve our districts and local churches, was very helpful. What most affected me was the level of passion these men and women have to fan the flames of the Great Commission through the North American church. We are truly blessed to have this godly team of gifted leadership.

Ellen and I also enjoyed the program during the World Hope dinner, which was emceed by Dr. Joanne Lyons. This high-energy presentation included a variety of updates and praise notes. The work of World Hope Canada and World Hope Australia was also briefly highlighted. Another international spotlight was the “Kiwi Café” hosted at Kentwood Community Church. This three-hour event gave all those in attendance an opportunity to mingle with the nine members of our new church in New Zealand. Their National Superintendent, Rev. Richard Waugh, is a true leader and has a great vision for church planting across the many cultures of New Zealand.

I’m certain as we gather at District Conference there will be further comments made regarding our Tenth General Conference. However, there were two major memorials adopted which directly impact the life of our missions movement. After 30 years, the Provisional Conference of the Wesleyan Holiness Caribbean Church was granted full status as a General Conference. Another major step in the maturation of our mission movement was the adoption of Memorial 465, “Charter of the International Conference of The Wesleyan Church”. This new charter, once adopted by the Philippines General Conference, will dawn a new day of our partnership with our brothers and sisters in The Wesleyan Church worldwide. This significant restructuring is best summarized in Article two of the charter:

“6505. Article 2. Purpose. The International Conference shall give spiritual and ecclesiastical oversight to The Wesleyan Church worldwide by:

1. Providing a forum for the development of a global vision, strategy, and coordination of Wesleyan ministries around the world.
2. Speaking to the global issues affecting the International Church including evangelism, education and compassion ministries.
3. Maintaining compliance to The Essentials of the Wesleyan Church.
4. Providing time for celebration, worship, and the world recognition of the advancement and challenges of the International Church.
5. Granting approval for an Established National/Regional Conference to move to full General Conference status.
6. Granting approval for mission units or National/Regional Church conferences to advance to an Established National/Regional Conference.”

In my judgment, the adoption of this charter was the most significant act of the Tenth General Conference. It is invigorating and inspiring to be part of a denomination with such focused vision and representative accountability. Praise God for His vision through Global Partners for “Transformed Lives and Powerful Churches”!