Illinois Conference Update, May 22, 2009

To follow is the text version of the Illinois Conference Update, May
22, 2009.  (by Norma Gregory)

Chicagoland Convocation

Last Sabbath was the annual Chicagoland Convocation. For the first
time, we met on the campus of Wheaton College. Our featured speakers
were Mark Finley, vice-president of the General Conference, Adrienne
Townsend, who is a U.S. Navy chaplain, and Dick Stenbakken, formerly
Director of Adventist Chaplains Ministries for the General Conference.
Over 2800 people were in attendance for this high day. The Edman
Chapel, which seats 2400, was full with many people standing in the
back for the worship service. The wonderful thing was that the crowd
stayed through the entire day.
Many people went out of their way to express their appreciation for
the whole day – from the opening service to the outstanding meals to
the evening recreation.
This convocation kicks off our yearlong evangelistic project for
Chicagoland which will culminate at our May 15, 2010 Chicagoland
Convocation when Mark Finley again will be our featured speaker.
There were many people who worked with Elder Kyoshin Ahn to make this
day such a success and we thank them. Not only was there much work but
also much prayer went into this meeting. God indeed blessed us. We
were also impressed with the kind hospitality of the staff of Wheaton
College. They could not have been more gracious.

Akita Campmeeting

Our next big conference event is the Akita Campmeeting on June 14 – 20
at Camp Akita. Our guests include Dr. Philip Samaan who will be
speaking about Evangelism and Discipleship. He teaches religion at
Southern Adventist University. Dr. Stanley Patterson will speak on
principles of Christian Leadership. He is an associate professor of
Christian Ministry at Andrews University. Lincoln impersonator, Chris
Small, will do a dramatic narrative entitled Abraham Lincoln’s Faith.
At the Akita Campmeeting all of the camp recreational activities also
take place including horseback riding, tubing, swimming, canoeing,
archery, crafts, hiking, etc.
It strikes me that in the current economy one thing that may be scaled
back in family budgets is the family vacation. For you the Akita
Campmeeting is an especially good option. With your camping tent and
equipment your family can come and enjoy all that this week has to
offer and we will charge you less than $50. If you choose to eat in
the dining hall, of course, that would be additional.
Camping is a great option. I did it myself at Akita Campmeeting last
year. Your kids will love the experience. Come and join the other
families who have made this part of their tradition. You can make a
reservation by phone (630-856-2874) or on online at
www.illinoisadventist.org.

Farewell to the Barnetts

You may have heard by now. Elder Ed Barnett, our conference
ministerial director, has accepted a call to be the president of the
Minnesota Conference and will be leaving us in a few weeks.
It has been a blessing to have Ed and Shirley with us for the past
three and a half years. In that short time they have found an enduring
place in hearts and lives. They will go but our prayers will go with
them.

Day of Prayer

We are still receiving reports from around the conference as to how
congregations celebrated the Day of Prayer on May 2.
Prayer is not confined to these single days of prayer that come along
occasionally. Rather we designate these days to uplift the essential
role of prayer in our spiritual growth – individually and corporately.
I hope that the good things that happened in your church on that day
will tug your heart toward prayer.
I would also express appreciation to Ed Barnett and the Prayer
Committee for their role in promoting this Day of Prayer.

Walter Wright Memorial Service

Tomorrow, Sabbath, May 23, is the memorial service for Elder Walter
Wright, former president of the Lake Union. Several weeks ago he lost
his five-year battle with cancer.
The service for Elder Wright is being held at the Kettering, Ohio
Seventh-day Adventist Church at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). It will be
live-streamed audio and video on the Lake Union website:
http://lkuc.netadventist.org/.

ASI International Convention

The theme for this year’s ASI (Adventist-Laymen’s Services and
Industries) is By Knowing Him. The convention will be held in Phoenix,
Arizona on August 5 – 8. For more information, visit their website at
www.asiministries.org.

3ABN Campmeeting

The spring campmeeting for Three Angels Broadcasting Network will
feature sermons on the 10 Commandments. It will be held next week on
May 27 – 30. The keynote speaker will be Pastor C. D. Brooks.

SEEDS ‘09

This annual church planting event will be held on the campus of
Andrews University June 8 – 13. For more information visit
www.nadei.org or call 269-471-6706