Registration Opens for General Council in Anaheim

As the 57^th General Council is now less than 10 months from opening, there’s a palpable excitement surrounding the return to southern California, for the first time in more than three decades, and the home of the Azusa Street Revival.

Few, if any, of those attending the original revival or even the 1983 General Council in Anaheim could have imagined the worldwide growth of Pentecostalism and the Assemblies of God, as the AG alone has grown to nearly 70 million adherents.

GC17 (General Council 2017), to be held Aug. 7-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, will endeavor to continue that passion for the Great Commission as vision is cast for the future.

Registration for GC17 is now open and there are some important changes from previous years that should be noted.

One of the most significant changes taking place for GC17 is that the business sessions will begin on Tuesday afternoon. This differs from the long-standing tradition of beginning on Wednesday.

Another major change is the return of the National Youth Convention, which will be held in conjunction with GC17 at the convention center, but have its own evening services. Senior Director of Youth Ministries Heath Adamson, world evangelist Robert Madu, Fearless LA Lead Pastor Jeremy Johnson, and Fuller Youth Institute Executive Director Kara Powell will be among the speakers, with Fearless BND leading worship. The youth convention, Fine Arts Festival, Ambassadors in Mission (AIM) events, and GC17 conclude with the shared Fine Arts Festival Celebration Service on Friday evening.

“God has been speaking to countless ministers, leaders, and laypeople across denominational boundaries of the pouring out of His Spirit and a great awakening soon to sweep this country,” Wood states. “I believe GC17 will experience that outpouring!”

The Influence Conference, which will begin Monday afternoon of the General Council week with breakout sessions, also has a full slate on Monday night and Tuesday morning. The conference, which is included in the cost of GC17 registration, will feature speakers such as author and prominent women’s conference speaker Priscilla Shirer (who also starred in the hit Christian movie War Room); Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Saddleback Church Senior Pastor Rick Warren; National Community Church Lead Pastor Mark Batterson; minister and master storyteller Dick Foth; and lead pastor of River Valley Church, Rob Ketterling.

Speakers for GC17 will include Wood, AG World Missions Executive Director Greg Mundis, AG U.S. Missions Executive Director Zollie L. Smith, Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris, GT Church Pastor Bryan Koch, missionary evangelist Jason Frenn, Freedom Church Pastors Kendall and Starla Bridges.

A pleasant surprise for past attendees of General Councils will be the registration fee. For GC17 the fee has been greatly reduced, as pre-registration through Sunday, August 6, 2017, is just $50. On-site registration is $70.

“Start making plans today to join with thousands of other Assemblies of God member in Anaheim as we encounter God together and seek His guidance to further His kingdom,” Wood urges. 

For additional information or to register for General Council or the National Youth Convention, visit the General Council website (generalcouncil.ag.org). 

Dan Van Veen

Dan Van Veen is news editor of AG News. Prior to transitioning to AG News in 2001, Van Veen served as managing editor of AG U.S. Missions American Horizon magazine for five years. He attends Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri, where he and his wife, Lori, teach preschool Sunday School and 4- and 5-year-old Rainbows boys and girls on Wednesdays.