7,000

The approximate number of people who eat meals provided by session food service each day.

Focus on Pastors

“We want to profile and affirm our pastors; to let them know how valuable they are to our church,” said evangelist and administrator Mark Finley in introducing the morning feature, Focus on Pastors.

Dwight Nelson, pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan, was the first speaker for the fiveday focus on the importance of pastoral leadership. Nelson addressed those who are not in pastoral roles by saying, “If you have influence, you’re a spiritual leader.” Citing the example of Jesus, he continued, “Shepherding is at the heart of all spiritual leadership.”

The session concluded with Nelson responding to questions about pastoral leadership from Mark Finley and Gerald Karst.

Other speakers at the 11:00 a.m. service will include Darren Croft, Hyveth Williams, Don Leo Garilva, and Israel Olaore. For archived recordings of the presentations, visit www.hopetv.org/media-library.

Prayer Stop

The General Conference office of Women’s Ministries sponsors a Prayer Room in Convention Hall C, Room 107. The room is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., according to Dawn Reynolds, coordinator. The room is staffed by volunteers from each division of the world church, and features two formal presentations about prayer each day, one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m. The room is open for anyone who wants to have a quiet place for prayer.

Going the Extra Mile(s)

When Adventist Review GC Bulletin number 2 grew from a 32-page to a 48-page edition, the chartered private plane that was hired to fly the Bulletins each night from the publishing house in Hagerstown, Maryland, to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta was not permitted to carry the additional weight. That’s when Review and Herald Publishing Association employee Matt Faver offered his services. Saturday night at midnight, Faver hit the road to Atlanta, driving the extra 20 percent of the delivery in the Review and Herald van 644 miles, arriving at the Georgia World Congress Center at 10:30 a.m.

Service With a Smile

Desiree Nichols, of Dallas, Texas, and Terrance Halonie, of Cambridge, Minnesota, are two of about 80 wait staff who guide diners in the convention center dining area. They work for Levy Restaurants, and are earning money for tuition and mission trips. Nichols attends Master’s Commission in Memphis, Tennessee, and is training to be a worship leader. Halonie is training at Cutting Edge Ministries for a career in youth ministry.