Assemblies of God Council Opens Today

The 56th General Council of the Assemblies of God, representing over 3 million adherents in the U.S., opens today at the Orange County Convention Center. Approximately 20,000 persons are expected to attend the meetings. 

Inspirational meetings for adults and youth, with simultaneous programs for children, will begin at 7 p.m. tonight in the Orange County Convention Center. Business sessions where delegates will elect officers, hear reports of church ministries and adopt resolutions begin Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 8:30 a.m. and continue through Friday, Aug. 7. 

Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God (U.S.) will give the keynote address at the first evening service of the General Council. Other speakers for the week include Assistant General Superintendent Alton Garrison (Wednesday morning); Claudio Freidzon, pastor of 30,000-member King of Kings Church in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Wednesday evening); and Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop, Church of God in Christ (Thursday). A Celebration Service will be held Friday, Aug. 7, recognizing top Fine Arts participants. 

Guest speakers will also be featured throughout the week at various events, including Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California, John Ashcroft, 79th United States Attorney General, and AG General Treasurer Doug Clay.

Daily news and updates will be available online at generalcouncil.ag.org and through the “GC15” mobile app. The business sessions and evening services will be available live on this website and mobile app. Archived sessions should be posted within hours of the ending of each live session.

The General Council is the biennial business meeting of the Assemblies of God, one of the largest Pentecostal groups in the world with over 67 million members. This meeting is for the U.S. Assemblies of God, which has over 3 million members and adherents. 

The 56th General Council convenes in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 3-7, 2015. Over 20,000 church members are expected to gather at the Orange County Convention Center for activities during the day, as well as for evening services Tuesday through Friday.