Central Latin American

Historic 72nd Prayer & Bible Conference Convenes in Albuquerque 

Some 700 district leaders, pastors, and church members from across south and central districts of the Assemblies of God Fellowship, met January 6, 7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the 72nd Prayer and Bible Conference. Begun in 1938, the first “Convention and Bible Conference” was held at Childress, Texas, involving four districts, including the former “Texico” District led by Superintendent A. C. Bates, organizer of the first conference. Bates’ expressed purpose for this conference was, “to encourage ministers and laymen alike to wait in the presence of God until they be endued with power from on high.”

James K. Bridges, former General Treasurer for the General Council of the Assemblies of God and steering committee chairman of the 72nd conference, notes that he was privileged to serve as pastor to A.C. Bates during Bates’ final years on earth. “I had opportunity to hear the heart of this Pentecostal patriarch and listen to him express his passion to maintain our Pentecostal doctrines and experience. He loved the spontaneous moving of the Holy Spirit in the services exalting the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is noteworthy also that this was the first conference in its 72-year history to meet in a Hispanic church, Casa Del Rey, a beautiful facility where Ruben A. Guajardo serves as senior pastor. Additionally, the conference that has been sponsored by nine districts for the past several years is now called the 11-District Prayer and Bible Conference as two districts, the Central and Gulf Latin American Districts, have affiliated with the conference. Those district s are led by superintendents Dennis Rivera and Gary Jones respectively.

Working closely with Bridges on the Albuquerque conference were New Mexico District Superintendent Kenneth George and Secretary Treasurer Mike Dickenson. Other members of the steering committee include the following district superintendents: Larry Moore, Arkansas; Dennis Rivera, Central Latin; Gary Jones, Gulf Latin; Richard Dubose, North Texas; Frank Cargill, Oklahoma; Joe Paul Granberry, South Texas; and Robert Slaton, West Texas; Doug Fulenwider, Louisiana; W.L. Davis, Mississippi; and Don Steiger, Rocky Mountain.

Powerful preaching of the Word was presented by Assistant General Superintendent Alton Garrison, Pastor Ruben A. Guajardo, and James K. Bridges. Each delivered clear and inspiring challenges to the hearts of listeners. Stirring music was presented during the conference by the choir and worship team of Casa Del Rey Church; Melvin and Kathy Suttle of Roswell, New Mexico; a choir from Las Cruces First Assembly; and Ransomed, a traveling group from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Kermit Bridges, president of Southwestern Assemblies of God University, led a dynamic time of prayer Wednesday morning structured around the four cardinal doctrines. Prior to the mid-morning preaching service, the ministries of the National Prayer Center were presented as well. Resources were made available to participants throughout the conference.

On Wednesday afternoon, inspiring testimonies of divine healing and God’s comfort and sustaining grace were presented by Gary Chapin, executive secretary treasurer for the South Texas District; Clyde Johnson, senior pastor of Calvary Temple Assembly of God in Albuquerque; and J. Don George, senior pastor of Calvary Church, Irving, Texas. Afterward, many attendees came forward for prayer. God’s presence was powerfully felt.

Regarding the conference, Bridges states, “We must keep the 21st century Church as close to the Book of Acts and the Early Church as we possibly can. I believe the Prayer and Bible Conference is a God-given instrument in these last days to encourage our churches and ministers to set aside time in the Word and prayer to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, empower us, guide us and exalt the Lord Jesus through us in this en d-time age.”

John Maempa, Director, National Prayer Center, in Albuquerque

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August 3-7, 2009 / Orlando, FL