Recently I was in a gathering with several pastors on our district. I asked the questions, “What do you look for in a District Assembly?” I posed the same question about General Assembly. The answers were: District Assembly is like a district family homecoming; it’s a time of celebration of what God has done in the past year; it’s a time of looking back and looking forward at the same time; it’s a time of vision casting. It was interesting that our discussion of General Assembly was much the same but on a larger scale. Instead of a district family gathering, it was a world wide gathering of Nazarenes. Two phrases that resurfaced were “unity and diversity” and “a time of celebration.”

On June 4-6, 2009 we will be gathering in El Paso, Texas for the 96th New Mexico District Assembly and Conventions. This will indeed be a time of celebrating the victories God has brought this past year. We will hear testimonies of struggle and success; we will hear about miracles that God has brought about by His mighty power. This will be my 166th district assembly. Each one is unique and wonderful. We will participate in inspiring worship services with hymns and choruses in praise to God and hear challenging messages by our General Superintendent, Dr. Jerry Porter. Recently I learned of two events in the life of our district family that I would like to share with you.

On June 24-July 2, 2009 the 27th General Assembly and Conventions will be held in Orlando, Florida. The General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene is held every 4-5 years. Although there have been as many as 25,000 to 30,000 Nazarenes gathered from around the world at this event, approximately 1,000 are elected delegates from 151 plus world areas.

I can personally testify that General Assembly is a thrilling and exciting experience. This General Assembly will be the 15th I have attended since 1952 (although I don’t remember much of that one.) To be a part of a Nazarene corporate gathering of brothers and sisters from around the globe worshipping together, meeting and greeting each other and fellowshipping in the bond of love is a foretaste of heaven.

I hope that many of you New Mexico district Nazarenes will be able to attend both of these extraordinary events. I look forward to seeing you there.

Dr. J. Fred Huff

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