News From General Council

There are about 26,000 people at the General council this year. About 12,000 are with the NYC and the Fine Arts Competition. There were about 4,000 ministers registered to vote in the meetings. The rest were visitors.

We elected George O. Wood to the office of General Superintendent, taking the place of Thomas Trask who resigned. My love and thanks go to Brother Trask for his work and kindness as Superintendent. Then we elected Alton Garrison as the new Assistant General Superintendent to take the place of Charles Crabtree who also chose to step down in mid term. Our love and thanks also go to Brother Crabtree for his service. John Bueno was elected for another term as director of World Missions. John Palmer, who will be speaking at our men's retreat in September was elected to the office of General Secretary, vacated by George Wood when elected as Superintendent. (Is everything clear to you now?)

Today we had some historic "firsts," in the Assemblies of God.
1. Beth Grant, the wife of missionary David Grant, received 266 votes for the office of Assistant General Superintendant which was vacated by Charles Crabtree. As the voting continued names were removed. She remained in the final top three candidates. We were historically, never closer to electing a woman to a national, executive leadership position.
2. Zollie Smith was elected a few years ago to represent the Assemblies of God Black Fellowship on the Executive Presbytery. We voted several years ago to create this position to give ethnic representation on the Executive Presbytery. Today for the first time, the General Council, that is the general voting body, and the largest voting body, of the AG voted in an African American to one of the top leadership positions of the fellowship! He was elected to the position of Director of United States Missions, known as Home Missions. This was held by Alton Garrison the last two years. Brother Garrison vacated this office when he was elected as the Assistant Superintendent earlier in the day.

Here is what brought tears to my eyes today! First, when the election of Zollie Smith was announced a roar of applause and shouts of excitement rose from the council floor! That is not the normal response. Second, when he approached the podium to accept the position, usually a stayed and very humble act, he shouted with excitement, "We are going to reach America for Jesus Christ!" Again, shouts of praise and applause filled the room in a roar.

It was so awesome to see young church planters and young pastors throwing their hands up in the air in praise, approval, and agreement like at a football game or baseball game, excited to follow their new leader in the battle for America. In that moment, I have never been more proud to be a part of a General Council. It was so cool, that though most of the crowd was and is white, they are ready to follow the lead of the new Home Missions Director who also oversees church planting.

Well, tomorrow it is back to Washington, for the purpose of turning our town and school district upside down for Jesus!