Invitation · 2012-03-21 · Rhonda LOWRY currently serves as an adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at the David Lipscomb University Institute of Leadership - Nashville, Tennessee.

Invitation

We invite you to attend the 17th World Convention under the theme “Together in Christ”. This will be a very special event as we put aside those things which have traditionally divided us and come as one family to worship and celebrate our oneness in Christ.

For those resident in the United States this will be the first opportunity to host the World Convention in 16 years. Nashville is a central location, a beautiful city with wonderful facilities which will help visitors from near and around the world to feel at home.

The 17th World Convention promises to be a memorable event as we have gathered together some of the best communicators available across our Churches. The four key note speakers are Cynthia Hale founding pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church (DOC) in Decatur, Georgia, Bob Russell former Senior Minister of Southeast Christian Church (CCCC) in Louisville, Kentucky, Mike Cope preaching minister at Highland Church of Christ Abilene, Texas and World Convention

President Dr C. Robert Wetzel President of Emmanuel School of Religion. We also have three outstanding Bible Study leaders, Ajai Lall executive

director of Central India Christian Mission, B.J. Mpofu former president of the Associated Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe and Rhonda Lowry from David Lipscomb University, Nashville. Each will bring a fresh and unique approach to our studies. We will also have a stimulating range of workshops on offer each day.

On Saturday evening we will share in a wonderful musical evening reflecting the diversity of our global family and celebrating the wonderful talent with which God has blessed the Church. A special feature will be a showcase of some of the talented Christian song writers and musicians resident in Nashville.

Sunday we will share in a magnificent time of worship as the convention draws to a close. A feature this year will be the “Great Communion”, the first communion service in a year of celebrations to mark the bicentennial of Thomas Campbell writing the “Declaration and Address” one of our founding documents.

We hope you will join us in this wonderful global celebration.

PRESIDENTC Robert WETZEL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJeff WESTON

The 17th World Convention will focus on the theme “Together in Christ” based on John 17:23. Keynote speakers will focus

each day on being one in Christ.

Dr. Cynthia HALE is the founding Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, a dynamic congregation that began with just four people and in 14 years has grown to over 4,500. Dr. Hale is widely recognized for her gifts as a preacher and has been recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the greatest black women preachers in America.

At just twenty-two years of age, Bob RUSSELL became the Pastor of Southeast Christian Church - Louisville, Kentucky. Today that small congregation of 120 members has become one of the largest churches in America with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006. Bob retired from Southeast in June 2006. An accomplished author, Bob has written over one-dozen books. He also has a weekly column in The Lookout, a magazine printed by Standard Publishing.

Mike COPE has been the Preaching Minister at Highland Church of Christ - Abilene, Texas, since 1991. Before that, he preached seven years at the College Church in Searcy, Arkansas. For six years he edited 21st Century Christian magazine, and since 1992 has been the co-editor of Wineskins magazine. He teaches Bible classes for freshmen at Abilene Christian University and writes regularly in his online journal.

Dr C. Robert WETZEL is President of Emmanuel School of Religion - Johnson City, Tennessee. He has a long record of distinguished service in Christian higher education. He was Academic Dean of Milligan College from 1970 to 1976. He was instrumental in the founding of Springdale College within the Federation of Selly Oak Colleges in Birmingham, England, and from 1980 to 1991 was Principal of this ministerial training school for the Churches of Christ in Great Britain. Dr. C.R.Wetzel is serving as President of World Convention for the 2004-2008 term.

Speakers bio’s

Ajai Lall is the founder and Executive Director of Central India Christian Mission. This mission has established over 600 Churches in 25 years. They also have a children’s home, school of nursing, hospital and Pastor’s training school. The literature ministry of CICM is an aid to pastors and churches around the world. Ajai is a respected evangelist.

Rhonda LOWRY currently serves as an adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at the David Lipscomb University Institute of Leadership - Nashville, Tennessee. Rhonda is married to Randy Lowry President of David Lipscomb University. Rhonda completed her M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary. She has become a widely sought-after speaker and has taught at Fuller and Pepperdine Universities. Many years affiliation with different universities, plus years of motherhood, informal personal minister, and fund-raiser uniquely prepared Rhonda for her work at Lipscomb University.

B.J. MPOFU is headmaster of a large non-denominational independent Christian School in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. B.J. is a former President of the Associated Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe and currently serves as member of the board at Harare Christian College and as a trustee at Dadaya High School. B.J. is the incoming President of the World Convention.

Speakers bio’s cont...

Why should you come to Nashville ?

Nashville, Tennessee has been chosen as the host city for the 17th World Convention. Known around the world as the home of Country Music, Nashville is the home of the World Convention global office and central to the history of our churches. Most of the significant sites of the movement’s history are within reasonable driving distance of Nashville. It is also home of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society which houses the largest collection of artifacts of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Nashville is home to David Lipscomb University one of the finest universities of the non instrumental Churches of Christ. For those with an interest in the history of the Stone-Campbell Movement there couldn’t be a more central location to visit.

Music is central to the life-style of Nashville but not all that there is to experience. The beautiful full scale reproduction of the Parthenon in Centennial Park is well worth a visit. Inside the Parthenon is the Cowan art collection - the cities permanent art collection. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts also offers a magnificent collection of art. The Carl Van Vechten Gallery at Fisk University houses the Steiglitz collection. This collection has more than 100 works of 20th century artists including Cezanne, Picasso, Renoir and others. At Belle Meade Plantation you can gain an insight into pre-civil war life in Nashville and African American relations. For those interested in Civil War history Fort Negley was the largest and most important fortification built by Union troops after their occupation

Nashville Convention Centre

of Nashville in 1862. The Civil War Battlefields south of Nashville at Franklin are also well worth a visit.

For those with an interest in music Nashville is the place to visit. It doesn’t matter what your taste, we have it all in Nashville from the Country Music Hall of Fame, to B.B. King’s Blues Club, to the $120 million Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville has music for all tastes. For those with an interest in Christian Music Nashville is the home of the Gospel Music Association. Many great composers, artists and recording studios are based in Nashville and you can visit and experience many of them. Not to be missed is the great array of music that will be shared at the World Convention. A highlight will be our overseas performers, but also the home grown talent including our high quality accapella worship.

Nashville Convention Center on Commerce Street is the venue for our convention. This location is central in the downtown area and close to shops, restaurants, the famous Broadway, Second Street district and the Cumberland riverfront. Directly opposite the Convention Center is the historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

It will be summer and you can expect an average daily high around 90 F / 32C and low around 69 F / 21C.

Nashville is within 600 miles of 50 percent of the U.S. population and thus provides easy access. The Nashville International Airport is serviced by most domestic carriers. For overseas visitors you will most likely have to clear Immigration and Customs at another U.S. entry point but should find a range of options for connecting flights to Nashville. The airport is approximately 10 miles from the city center, public transport is available.

For those traveling by road three major interstate highways (I-40, I-24, and I-65) pass through Nashville and offer good easy access.

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Accommodation: We have a range of accommodation options available. For the latest prices and bookings contact our housing agent the Nashville Convention and Tourist Bureau. The venue for pre-convention events such as the Global Women Connecting Conference, Disciples of Christ Council on Christian Unity meeting, World Convention Global Leaders Forum and the Australian World Convention Dinner will be the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Metro Center. This hotel will also be the venue for our youth program and many of the meal functions over Convention. The Millennium are offering their rooms with full American breakfast buffet, complimentary airport pickup and drop-off and shuttle service to and from the convention center for $99 single, $106 double, $113 triple and $120 quad per night. You will also have full access to the health and fitness center and free car parking. This will be the best hotel accommodation

deal in Nashville over the Convention period. You can book by telephone: (800) 457-4460 Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm. Fax: (615) 313-1310 or visit our website, click on the link and book on-line. You can also book via the Millennium’s own Website: www.millenniumhotels.com/nashville and enter the group code WCCCC where prompted.

For additional hotel options please contact the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau beginning September 8th. You will be able to book your hotel rooms online by visiting www.visitmusiccity.com/wcccc or Visitor Assistants are available by phone Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm CST, at 800-657-6910 or 615-259-4700 to assist you with lodging reservations and Nashville information.

Youth Program: Running concurrent with the main Convention program will be our Youth Convention. This will be conducted at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. The program will include some great worship and study as well as building house frames for Katrina victims.

Nashville Accomodation

Nashville Accomodation cont...

A special children’s program will also be conducted each day of Convention. This will be conducted at the Nashville Convention Center. A baby nursery will also be available.

Meals: There will be some special meal functions during Convention such as; Women’s and Men’s Luncheons, Minister’s Lunch and the Australian Dinner, there will be a charge for each of these events. The Convention registration fee does not cover the cost of any meals.

How do I register? There are two registration options. 1. You can register on-line by going to our web site www.worldconvention.org and clicking the on-line registration button. You can pay with a credit card or mail in a check after registration. 2. You can complete the mail-in registration form in this brochure or from our web site www.worldconvention.org. Complete the form and mail it with your check to 1279 Brentwood Highlands Dr Nashville, TN 37211 USA. Special discounts apply until the end of 2007.

Who do I contact if I have any questions about attending the World Convention? World Convention Office: Email: [email protected] Phone: (615) 331 1824 Fax: (615) 331 1864 Mail: 1279 Brentwood Highlands Drive Nashville, TN 37211 USA

How do I register?

Program

Wednesday July 309.30am Registration Open9 am - Noon Half Day Tour9.30 am Global Leaders Forum1 - 4pm Half Day Tour7 - 9 pm Opening Worship at the Convention Center - Speaker Cynthia Hale9.15pm President’s Reception

Thursday July 317 - 8 am Early Worship at the Millennium9 - 9.45 am Worship at the Convention Center10.15 - 11am Bible Study with Ajai Lall11.15am - 5pm Workshops7 - 9 pm Worship - Speaker Bob Russell9.30pm Late Night Club

Friday August 17 - 8 am Early Worship at the Millennium9 - 9.45 am Worship at the Convention Center10.15 - 11am Bible Study with B.J. Mpofu11.15am - 5pm Workshops12.30 pm Minister’s Lunch7 - 9 pm Worship - Speaker Mike Cope9.30pm Late Night Club

Saturday August 27 - 8 am Early Worship at the Millennium9 - 9.45 am Worship at the Convention Center10.15 - 11am Bible Study with Rhonda Lowry11.15am - 5pm Workshops12.30 pm Women’s and Men’s Luncheons7 - 9 pm Saturday Celebration9.30pm Late Night Club

Sunday August 3Worship with local Churches—transport available2pm Closing Communion Service - Great Communion Celebration Speaker Dr C. Robert Wetzel

Monday August 4 Post Convention Tours

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:23New International Version (NIV)

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Registration form

Name/s:(1) First...........................................................Last..................................................................................

(2) First...........................................................Last..................................................................................

Children or family youth attending:

........................................................... ...........................................................

........................................................... ...........................................................

Address: ..................................................................................................................................................

City: ........................................ State: .....................................................Postal Code:......................

Name you would like on your nametag:.......................................................................................

Telephone:...........................................................

Email:...........................................................

Local Congregation:...........................................................

Registration Fees: (Fees are per person.)

There is no registration fee for children up till age 12 years attending with parents.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be a program fee for children who share in the children’s

program to cover costs.

2007 FEES1. Paid before end of 2007 180.00 US

2. Full Registration (paid in 2008) 200.00 US

Spouse paid when registering with partner 110.00 US

Youth Registration 13—25 years 110.00 US

Seminarian 110.00 US

Family (2 Adults and own Youth)1. Paid before end of 2007 380.00 US

2. Full registration (paid in 2008) 420.00 US

2/3rd World Countries

1. Paid before end of 2007 60.00 US

2. Full registration (paid in 2008) 65.00 US

Method of Payment:

Check/cheque............or Credit Card...........

(Cheques payable to World Convention in US dollars only.)

Name on Card: .............................................................................................................................

Card Type: Visa...................Mastercard.................Discover................Diners Club...............

Card Number: ...............................................................................................................................

Expiry Date:................. /.................Signature:...........................................................................

Amount: $...........................................................................

PLEASE MAIL THIS FORM TO: World Convention Registration 1279 Brentwood Highlands Dr Nashville, TN 37211 USA

Don’t Miss These Exciting Programs

Youth ProgramThe Youth Program will be conducted at the Millennium

Maxwell House Hotel.

* Great Music and Worship

* Enlightening Bible Studies with people who know what they are talking about.

* Help build a house for Katrina victims with Crossroad Mission.

* Fantastic fellowship and fun.

Children’s ProgramConducted daily at the Nashville Convention Center

* Fun games and activities

* Outings to places of interest

* Great Bible lessons and songs

* Lunch provided each day

Global Leader’s ForumThis exciting program will take place on Wednesday July

30 from 9.30 am till 4.pm It will be conducted at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.

* Hear about the exciting things that are happening around the world

* Network with overseas visitors

* Lunch will be available at a reasonable cost