A Taste of New England
by Terry Shanahan, Northeast Region Minister
Taste and see that the LORD is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in him! (Psalm 34:8)
There was no ice cream on Monday night! Except the ice cream on the apple crisp, which followed clam cakes, which followed New England Clam Chowdah! A taste of New England was how we started the 66th Annual Conference in Warwick, Rhode Island. This was after we had an amazing worship time and communion with our Conference President, Rev. Paul McPheeters. What a joyful crowd trusted in the Lord that night!
Each morning at six-thirty, we walked quietly through the hotel to join in a circle of brothers and sisters who passionately wanted to come into the presence of the Lord together. We were led in the office of Morning Prayer, with songs and silence. What a blessing to be able to join with others at that early morning time to praise God and petition Him as one.
The early morning daily business meetings were well attended! People came to celebrate what the Conference is doing and to welcome many new pastors and churches into our fold. So many faces to see and friends to greet and hugs to exchange. People used their free time to visit the beaches, the mansions and historic Rhode Island. Over a hundred children and youth spent their time being led by a great team.
We came together to learn from Ed Stetzer all day Tuesday. We had lunch together — more time to visit and share with our friends. On Wednesday we had testimonies from people who have experienced the Conference’s ministry in the three areas of our ministry priorities, Church Multiplication, Church Development and Conference Care. We grabbed a bag lunch and met in small groups to talk about what we had heard.
Wednesday afternoon found us trying to decide among so many workshops. We were very blessed by the teaching that went on in that time. Wednesday night we gathered for worship again. Our brother Jason McConnell blessed us with his humility and wisdom about rural ministry. And we ended the night with the African Choir from Portland, Maine. Everyone danced — and I mean everyone.
Thursday morning we ended our time together with worship led by our Conference Minster, Dr. Ron Hamilton. AND Music — We were so ministered to by the music — Kenny Laughters and his group brought us into worship together over and over again.
What a great week! What an awesome Conference. And oh, how we were able to taste and see that the Lord is good. I can’t wait to be together again in Rochester, New York, July 20-23 2015.
