The Atlantic District of the Wesleyan Church was well represented with an official delegation of fourteen. Grand Rapids Convention Bureau News promoted this great gathering of Wesleyans as follows: "DeVos Place Hosts Largest Convention To Date - major national religious convention comes to Grand Rapids. More than four thousand attendees will come from across the United States and from 52 foreign countries...as far as Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Zambia and Nepal."

All three of our General Superintendents were re-elected to another four year term. Here are some personal highlights from each of them.

Dr. Thomas Arminger highlighted the Wesleyan Church's global ministries over the past four years in relation to its Mission: Evangelizing the Lost, Discipling Believers, Equipping the Church and Ministering to Society. Here are some statistics that bless:

• 224,948 conversions (46% increase)
• Worship attendance 323,068 (13.7% gain)
• 135 New churches planted in North America
• 500,000 People have seen the JESUS Film, with 60,00 responses
• Spanish-language ministries have more than doubled (38-98)
• 705 traditional ministerial students enrolled in Wesleyan Colleges
• 249 women preparing for ministry

Dr. Earle Wilson answered the question, "How can the Church empower the world?" with this pointed reply, "We need a passion that sends us out to set the world on fire. Our greatest need is the rediscovery of Christ. It’s the presence of Christ that makes the Church!" He then called the Church to exalt Christ in everything that is done, by moving forward "in Jesus' name" throughout the next quadrennium.

Dr. David Holdren stated that "Empowerment is a biblical concept. We are power dependent because we are power deficient, "he continued by adding, "As we experience power from God, we are to express power by witnessing to others." He also noted that repentance includes review, resolve, and reform. These lead to transformation into Christlikeness, which is the very heart of holiness. Remember this truth, "As we give praise to God, we will receive power from Him and when the Holy Spirit is allowed to transform us, the change is real!"

The daily business sessions were conducted in a most orderly fashion with great respect given even in differing of opinions. What an inspiration to gather with fellow believers from around the world in the evening rallies filled with powerful praise & worship as well as anointed messages based on the Word. Special music provided by a mass youth choir under director Todd Guy (IWU), brass band, Colleges & University Groups and Aids Orphan Choir form Zambia. Indeed, “Seeing God’s handiwork in our past gives us clues about what He wants to do in our future.”

“A movement of God always involves two armies – the human and the divine. A movement of God always invites the opposition of two enemies – the human and the demonic. So forward movement always requires spiritual leaders to faithfully fulfill their roles and humbly pray for God’s resources.”
~ Wayne Schmidt, Kentwood Community Church ~