Trask Challenges Church for 21st Century

General Superintendent Thomas Trask opened the 48th General Council Tuesday night ringing out "Seven Challenges for the Assemblies of God as we move into the 21st Century!" He said the church is poised to experience its greatest days. "I believe there is no limit to what God will accomplish."

Trask told the opening night congregation of nearly 11,000 he wanted God to do something so sovereign in their spirits at this convention that they would never be the same. Hundreds moved forward in response for prayer and anointing with oil by members of the General Presbytery.

Preaching from Acts 20:24-31, Trask recounted the tragedy of Korean Airline Flight 007. The craft strayed just a degree and a half at first but the altered course led deep into Soviet territory where the plane was shot out of the sky. "What appeared to be so innocent in its beginning proved to be fatal in its end."

The superintendent called Assemblies of God leaders and laity 1) To remain doctrinally sound 2) To be a people given to prayer and fasting 3) For Christian higher education institutions to prepare young people for an experience with, not just about, God 4) To provide music for all segments of the congregation to worship 5) To evangelize and make disciples in the present harvest, and 6) To be a church Spirit-dependent and Spirit-led. He closed with a final challenge that "as a Pentecostal church...we have the fire of Pentecost!"

The opening service of the convention included greetings from Peninsular Florida District Superintendent Terry Raburn and Superintendent Edward Martinez of the Southeastern Spanish District. Orange County Chairman Mel Martinez welcomed the Assemblies of God to Orlando. Assistant General Superintendent Charles Crabtree "interrupted" the planned order of service to "take seriously" the chairman's request for prayer. The congregation joined fervently as Florida Pastor Dan Betzer led in prayer for Martinez and the area, "not for some kind of legislation. . .but the anointing of the Holy Spirit."

Trask's message followed a video presentation of the Spiritual Life Committee Report. He said the committee's responsibility is to "assess where the church is at and to assess where the church should be in days to come." The report (see page 9) calls the Fellowship to "seize this moment in faith and with renewed commitment," to meet the challenges of "the greatest opportunity in the history of the Assemblies of God" in the power of the Holy Spirit.

After introducing executive officers and recognizing other leaders, the superintendent left the platform to greet "oldest Assemblies of God minister we know of." Daphne Braun, 109, was credentialed by the General Council in 1917. Trask thanked God for Sister Braun and asked God to bless her, adding, "with long life."

Moving through his seven challenges, Trask urged ministers to expound the Word of God. The doctrines of the church are not up for negotiation. The first challenge, he said is to be fully persuaded individually that what we preach and teach is the whole counsel of God. "I beg of you...stay in the Word!" Warning again "a 12-minute snack, a teaser," he declared, "Take 'em to the Word and let God bring forth a divine revelation..."

On prayer and fasting, Trask emphasized: "You will see God visit your assembly and your city if you will pray until!" Strongholds of the enemy are torn down when the church travails. "A praying church moving into the 21st Century is a force to be reckoned with."

In closing, Trask shared a letter from a Kentucky pastor asking for revival prayers. The pastor had encouraged: "Be of good cheer helmsman, point this ship into the wind!"