Planning continues for Indianapolis gathering

Departmental leadership from across the Assemblies of God Headquarters in Springfield, Mo., met yesterday to continue preparing for the Third Triennial World Assemblies of God Congress and 2000 Celebration to take place in Indianapolis, In., next summer. The August 7-10 international gathering of Assemblies of God leadership, clergy and laity is now less than 10 months away.

Assistant General Superintendent Charles Crabtree emphasized that the Assemblies of God is not to be the central focus of the gathering, but rather "the God of the assemblies."

The Rev. Michael Messner, administrative assistant to General Superintendent Thomas Trask, outlined two key areas of emphasis-laity and youth. "We want the laity to have a unique experience of coming together and having God meet with them," he said. "We are desperate for God to do something fresh and new." Referring to the thousands of young people anticipated, Messner stressed the need of a divine calling on their lives. "There could be more missionaries in the making at Indianapolis than are currently in service."

Various departments at Headquarters are taking leadership roles in preparing for Indianapolis. The Rev. David Boyd of the Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC) is heading up a children's program to take place concurrently. Lillian Sparks, national director of Women's Ministries, is mobilizing women to serve as altar workers. Department personnel with wide experience in organizing the Fellowship's biennial General Councils have been assigned to a spectrum of oversight committees.

But throughout the planned events in Indianapolis, there will be an overarching commitment to allow the Holy Spirit to minister, Crabtree emphasized. "We want a fresh anointing," he said. "We must hear from God if we are to effectively take the gospel into the whole world in the next century."