The brothers and sisters from Mexico North led the entire group in some lively songs in Spanish with a distinctly Mexican rhythm then sang a special of praise in the style of a serenade.   What a blessed way to begin another beautiful morning together.Saturday morning began with a powerful message preached by Rev. Victor George from Trinidad and Tobago. His text was 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 about what prevents us from receiving our promised blessing.  Canaan is symbolic of where God wants us to live by faith and realize the greatest potential He has for us.  The children of Israel did not reach the Promised Land because of five main sins: 1) Lust; 2) Idolatry; 3) Fornication; 4) Tempting God; and 5) Murmuring. Today, we are faced with the same sins and until we are able to surrender these areas to God we will never realize this maximum potential.  The devotional time ended in a time of prayer for each of us to give in love instead of think of our selves and what we can get, to be totally devoted to God, to live lives under the authority of the Word of God, to live in a way consistent with the will and character of God and to stop complaining and start living our lives as a blessed people.

Once again the district superintendents stayed in the ballroom meeting area while their spouses went next door into an adjacent room to meet together.

Dr. Gustavo Crocker met with the district superintendents to discuss models of effective districts and district leaders based upon the study he made and book he wrote together with Dr. Bob Broadbooks, the regional director of the United States and Canada.   They discussed: 1) Why we need districts (Strategy, Synergy and Unity of the Body of Christ and Integrity of the Doctrine); 2) What a district is (and is not); and 3) Six clear areas of development for a healthy district (Missional Clarity, Organizational Effectiveness, Doctrinal Consistency, Intentional Education,  Leadership Development, and Spiritual Depth). The powerpoint was made available in English and Spanish and printed copies of the book in English.

After a coffee break, Dr. Crocker continued with a teaching about the characteristics of a good district superintendent while in the adjacent room, the spouses shared testimonies with one another and Rosa de Saenz reminded them that God had called each of them in ministry and would enable them to fulfill their ministries, each in their own unique way.  She encouraged them to be pastors to the pastor’s spouses in their districts. She exhorted them to not be afraid and to obey the voice of God. The promises of God would follow them as they obeyed His voice and His calling.

Dr. David Wilson led a conversation and training time about credentials and the disciplinary procedures that are required by the Manual and the Judicial Manual.

The afternoon finished with Miguel and Irene Garita discussing stress and marriages. Their ministry in family care was invaluable throughout the week.

Information provided by: Rhonda Slingerland, Missionary for the Church of the Nazarene