General Council Convenes in Columbus

Adherents from the U.S. Assemblies of God will meet at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, this week for the Fellowship’s 60th General Council.

The General Council is the biennial business meeting for the church, which is part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, with over 85 million members. There are nearly 3 million adherents in the U.S.

Business sessions at which delegates will elect officers, hear reports of church ministries, and adopt resolutions begin at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern) Wednesday, Aug. 2, and continue through Friday, Aug. 4. Delegates are comprised of licensed and ordained AG ministers who are present and registered for the convention. In addition, every General Council congregation may send one delegate to participate in business sessions.

Doug Clay, general superintendent of the U.S. Assemblies of God, will deliver the keynote address at the first service of the General Council on Wednesday morning. Other highlights include George Westlake III, and Austin Westlake speaking on Thursday morning, with a prayer and testimony service featuring, Greg and Sandie Mundis, Mike and Darla Rakes, and Chrissy Toledo Friday morning.

Even before the biennial gathering officially opens Wednesday morning (Aug. 2), attendees will meet for pre-General Council sessions and a leadership conference that begins Tuesday, Aug. 1. Speakers for the one-day Influence Conference include Glyn Barrett, Kris Dillard, Linda Seiler, Alberto Bello, Tim Parke and others.

Students, parents, and sponsors will participate in the National Youth Conference this week at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Youth will be involved in numerous activities, including National Fine Arts Festival, community outreach, and nightly services at Nationwide Arena. The week culminates with the Fine Arts presentations and awards, Friday, Aug. 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Online viewers may follow the Influence sessions, GC business, and GC and National Youth Conference services via livestream at GeneralCouncil.org. A full backstage experience will begin 30 minutes prior to each service. Archived videos will be posted as they become available.