| Report On the 2009 PCAF National Convention |
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I just returned home from the National Convention in L. A. It was for me a sort of “return to the scene of the crime” because the last time we were in Los Angeles for convention was in 1987, which was the year and convention in which I was ordained. Bishop Elzy W. Young was the presiding Bishop at the time. It will always be one of the more memorable conventions for me. Three presiding Bishops later, the P.C.A.F. is in many ways a much different organization than it was then. Many changes have taken place over the years. Some good, some not so much, depending, I guess, on your perspective. One thing that has remained a constant over the years is the wonderful fellowship that exists among the saints of this organization. It was much in evidence at this years convention, which I think if you ask anyone who attended, had a truly blessed atmosphere, free of the tensions that have been evident at some recent conventions. This is due in no small measure to the mindset of our current spiritual leader. Bishop J. E. Moore called upon the churches to give a day to fasting leading up to the meeting. This carried over to the 6:00 AM prayer meetings held each morning of the convention. I haven’t seen the 6 o’clock prayer this vibrant in I don’t know when. Each morning there was the sound of weeping interspersed with times when the weeping would give way to roars of praise as the saints interceded, and prayed together one for another. These early morning prayer times have been, for as long as I can remember, shepherded by one of the unsung heroines of the P.C.A.F., Evangelist Ethel Dudley of Detroit, Michigan. The preaching line-up boasted two notable nationally recognized preachers in Dr. Marvin Sapp, and Bishop Noel Jones. In addition to these we enjoyed anointed preaching from several of our own preachers who demonstrated that the P.C.A.F. is not a whit behind when it comes to having outstanding preaching. I hope to be able to make the entire line of convention preaching available via iscapostolic.com media. Bishop Moore’s Sunday morning Presiding Bishop’s pastoral sermon “Amenable To Discipleship”, was one for the records as he set the tone for the stance this organization is called to take in these challenging times in which we live. He admonished us that ours is not a gospel of weakness, but of the power that comes only by holy living. Let us lift up our leader in continuous prayer to God. Bishop Lambert Gates, our assistant presiding Bishop, went above and beyond his usual great preaching at Wednesday’s ordination/consecration service. He titled his message “Running from Destiny”, in letting us know that we cannot go back to where we came from. He even threw in a lesson on modern apostolic history. You have to get the tape if you weren’t there. I was there and I still had to get to it so I could hear this classic sermon again. Consensus among those in attendance at this convention seems to be that this was one of the best conventions on record. I am asking that the PCAF Illinois constituency to set the wheels of the Illinois State Council in motion as we get behind our Diocesan and former presiding Bishop D. Rayford Bell in welcoming and hosting next years convention, which if the Lord wills, comes back to Illinois for the first time in quite a long time. I can’t wait. Because of Calvary! Bishop Franklin PS. Don’t feel too bad. A 75% off sale on Rodeo Drive sent me scrambling to the Alley. |