News
Article by LJ Harry
The first note from the Yamaha piano was the first note heard ‘round the arena as the 84th annual General Conference officially opened on Thursday night, October 16, 2008 in Greensboro. The Assistant General Superintendent, Randy Keyes, said it well when he said, “There is no better way to open up this general conference [than] with an old-fashioned Apostolic service”. And from the worship to the Word, Thursday night was indeed an old-fashioned Apostolic service.
The Assistant General Superintendent of the Eastern Zone, Paul Mooney, announced the appointments and elections which were made during the Business Meetings on Thursday morning. Read about the appointments and elections
For the seventh time since his election, our General Superintendent, Kenneth Haney, stood behind the General Conference pulpit to give his Superintendent’s address. He opened his Bible to Matthew 16 and read the 18th verse which would be the springboard for his message, “The Incomparable Church.”
He preached concerning the Foundation, the Builder, and the Owner of the church. From our fathers to our future, Brother Haney weaved the story of the past, present, and future of God’s church.
Near the conclusion of his message, the “Gates of Hell” which were behind him on the platform, burst open and out came solemn souls carrying placards touting vices such as abortion, gambling, drugs, worldliness, and so on.
As soon as Brother Haney asked “Is there anyone that will storm the Gates of Hell tonight”, people came out of their chairs and stormed the platform. Some of them were so zealous that they pounded the “devils” on the head with the Bible. Once the platform cleared, the altar filled, and the General Superintendent’s service closed in a time of impassioned prayer and praise.