Leaders of the U.S. Assemblies of God will be meeting on May 12 with the Executive Committee of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship to continue plans for a joint gathering in Indianapolis, Ind. On August 8-10, 2000, the 2000 Celebration will attract representatives from Assemblies of God fellowships around the world. At the same time, the World Assemblies of God Fellowship will hold its third triennial Assemblies of God World Congress.

In 1997, the U.S. church's Executive Presbytery, through General Superintendent Thomas Trask, extended an invitation to the World Assemblies of God Fellowship to join the 2000 Celebration.

"The World Assemblies of God Fellowship coordinates a World Congress every 3 years, so they were already planning to meet somewhere in the world," explained the Rev. Michael Messner, administrative assistant to Trask. "Rather than duplicate our efforts, the goal has been to consolidate and bring these groups together. Dr. David Yonggi Cho, who chairs the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, received our invitation and took it before the Executive Committee, which responded enthusiastically."

The World Assemblies of God Fellowship will be holding its Congress meetings on Monday and Tuesday, August 7 and 8. The opening service of the 2000 Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday night.

An outgrowth of the joint gatherings, Messner believes, will be relationship building among delegates from Assemblies of God fellowships around the world. Delegates from overseas will be visiting the land where the Assemblies of God was born. Stateside Assemblies of God members will have the opportunity to meet delegates from countries they have prayed for and where they have financially supported missions outreach.