IT HAPPENED AT THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Louis F. Morgan
ALTHOUGH THE International General Assembly exists to conduct the official business of the Church of God, the large gathering of people creates opportunities for unique happenings and making memories. Everyone has a story to tell as the human dimension of joys, sorrows, and personal experiences become intertwined with Assembly travel and activities. The Assembly becomes a place where members from across the globe share life experiences together.
In the early days, individuals traveled to the Assembly by train and found housing with local church members in the area, often sleeping on the floor under homemade quilts and bedding. Many slept in the bed of trucks or wagons, arranged hay bales to create makeshift rooms, or set up tents around the North Cleveland Church and later at the Assembly Auditorium across the street, where the early Assemblies met. Delegates gathered around fires to cook their meals and share their food with others.
Bonnie Jones Brannen began attending General Assemblies as a child. She remembered when the spring behind the North Cleveland Church dried up during an Assembly. Delegates camping there relied on that spring water to drink and use for cooking. Brannen’s mother—the pioneering evangelist and pastor, Lula Jones—gathered some delegates together and prayed for God to open the springs. Brannen’s mother instructed her to remove some small twigs and branches from the dry creek bed as the group began to pray. By the next morning, the previously dusty ditch was flowing with fresh spring water.
Through the years, and especially in days of meager income, church members made great sacrifices to attend the Assembly. Laity and ministers alike set aside money each month specifically so they could attend the next General Assembly because of the spiritual refreshing and fellowship they experienced with their extended Church of God family. One of many examples is Reverend A.W. Brummett, who saved money to attend his first Assembly in 1938 and arrived with only $5 for the whole week. Yet, that allowed him to stay at the Chattanooga YMCA and eat all he needed during the week.
In the early days, individuals traveled to the Assembly by train and found housing with local church members in the area, often sleeping on the floor under homemade quilts and bedding. Many slept in the bed of trucks or wagons, arranged hay bales to create makeshift rooms, or set up tents around the North Cleveland Church and later at the Assembly Auditorium across the street, where the early Assemblies met. Delegates gathered around fires to cook their meals and share their food with others.
Bonnie Jones Brannen began attending General Assemblies as a child. She remembered when the spring behind the North Cleveland Church dried up during an Assembly. Delegates camping there relied on that spring water to drink and use for cooking. Brannen’s mother—the pioneering evangelist and pastor, Lula Jones—gathered some delegates together and prayed for God to open the springs. Brannen’s mother instructed her to remove some small twigs and branches from the dry creek bed as the group began to pray. By the next morning, the previously dusty ditch was flowing with fresh spring water.
Through the years, and especially in days of meager income, church members made great sacrifices to attend the Assembly. Laity and ministers alike set aside money each month specifically so they could attend the next General Assembly because of the spiritual refreshing and fellowship they experienced with their extended Church of God family. One of many examples is Reverend A.W. Brummett, who saved money to attend his first Assembly in 1938 and arrived with only $5 for the whole week. Yet, that allowed him to stay at the Chattanooga YMCA and eat all he needed during the week.
World Events
Societal crises have impacted Assemblies from time to time. In 1918, an influenza pandemic afflicted 25 percent of the United States population and claimed the life of more than 30 million worldwide. Many Church of God members died from the illness, including Mrs. Bennie Terrell, a Georgia student enrolled at Bible Training School, and Reverend Howard Juillerat, also of Georgia and a young leader of great potential. Because of the danger due to the influenza outbreak, the Church of God was forced to cancel the Assembly of 1918—the only year a scheduled Assembly has not been able to convene. Similarly, a polio outbreak in 1941 altered the normal Assembly schedule. Although the meeting was not canceled, it was limited to male members who gathered for only two days to conduct the business of the Church. Then, in 1943 and 1945, governmental restrictions on travel because of World War II limited the Assembly. In 1945, only ordained bishops were invited to attend originally. However, with the announcement of the end of the war only a few weeks prior to the Assembly, travel restrictions were lifted. Almost 2,000 delegates attended that meeting, which was held at the Church’s Bible Training School in Sevierville, Tennessee. More recently, the International Executive Council postponed the 78th International General Assembly from 2020 to 2022 in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. |
VACATION AT THE ASSEMBLY
DELEGATES ANTICIPATE gathering together from one Assembly to the next, and the Assembly often serves as a vacation opportunity for ministerial families and other delegates. As such, local attractions provide incentive and entertainment for those not engaged in the business discussions or for those who want to spend a few extra days in the host city.
Beginning with the third Assembly in 1907, Cleveland, Tennessee, served as host for delegates 24 times. In 1934, the Assembly was moved to Chattanooga, and by the early 1940s it had moved to other major cities located predominantly in the South. However, even when the Assembly was held in Cleveland, delegates often stopped in Chattanooga to enjoy its numerous parks offering panoramic views of the Tennessee River. Picnics and photographs atop Umbrella Rock at Lookout Mountain were popular attractions for Assembly delegates.
In 1954, the first of six Assemblies met in Memphis, Tennessee. There delegates enjoyed walks along the Mississippi River, the famous local barbeque, and observing the legendary “duck march” to the fountain at The Peabody Hotel.
In more recent years, one of the most anticipated locations for the Assembly was San Antonio, Texas. Despite the heat, delegates enjoyed scenic boat rides on the waters forming the San Antonio River, strolling along the River Walk, and sampling Mexican cuisine. Since 2021, the Assembly has convened on several occasions in Orlando, Florida, where many local amusement parks and other attractions are available to entertain delegates and families.
Beginning with the third Assembly in 1907, Cleveland, Tennessee, served as host for delegates 24 times. In 1934, the Assembly was moved to Chattanooga, and by the early 1940s it had moved to other major cities located predominantly in the South. However, even when the Assembly was held in Cleveland, delegates often stopped in Chattanooga to enjoy its numerous parks offering panoramic views of the Tennessee River. Picnics and photographs atop Umbrella Rock at Lookout Mountain were popular attractions for Assembly delegates.
In 1954, the first of six Assemblies met in Memphis, Tennessee. There delegates enjoyed walks along the Mississippi River, the famous local barbeque, and observing the legendary “duck march” to the fountain at The Peabody Hotel.
In more recent years, one of the most anticipated locations for the Assembly was San Antonio, Texas. Despite the heat, delegates enjoyed scenic boat rides on the waters forming the San Antonio River, strolling along the River Walk, and sampling Mexican cuisine. Since 2021, the Assembly has convened on several occasions in Orlando, Florida, where many local amusement parks and other attractions are available to entertain delegates and families.
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Personal Milestones
With so many people attending the General Assembly, it is not surprising that it has provided an occasion for milestone events in the lives of many delegates. For instance, some couples have met and even made marriage proposals during the Assembly, and countless ministers spent their honeymoon there. The 1940 General Assembly included two weddings. First was the wedding of James Ernest McCullough and Jimmie Lou McClure, parents of longtime Lee University librarian Barbara McCullough. Assistant General Overseer R.P. Johnson officiated their ceremony backstage of the Assembly platform just prior to the evening service on October 3. Two days later General Overseer J. Herbert Walker Sr., married James Slay Jr. and Ruby Reynolds during the Friday evening youth service. The Minutes chronicle their wedding ceremony, beginning with Eva Mae LeFevre singing “I Love You Truly” before their exchange of vows. Venna Ray and Alonzo Justice were married during the 1946 Assembly in Birmingham at the famous statue of Vulcan, located on the summit overlooking downtown and near the auditorium where the Assembly was held. Although numerous marriage proposals had occurred at the statue, Birmingham locals believed it was the first wedding to take place there, and a local shop owner even picked flowers for Venna to hold during the wedding. Oklahoma native Edmond Stark and his new bride Pearl Pickel are among many who spent their honeymoon at the Assembly. She previously had served as a missionary, and Edmond also felt God calling him to Africa. While on their honeymoon at the 1937 Assembly, the couple sensed the Holy Spirit prompting them, so they presented themselves to the Missions Board. They set sail for Angola, West Africa, as Church of God missionaries six months later. Less than a year into their missionary ministry, Edmond became ill with malaria and died. Among some of his last words to Pearl were, “We are here for Jesus’ sake and I am glad.” Others who spent their honeymoon at the General Assembly include G. Dennis McGuire, former general overseer, and his wife, DeRosa Hodges. They married on August 6, 1966, and honeymooned in Memphis while participating in Assembly events. Getting to the Assembly, however, proved challenging. According to DeRosa, “While driving to Memphis, the windshield wipers stopped working, and our brakes on the car quit working. We called the hotel to let them know we would be late arriving, but after we got there we discovered they had given away our room.” Undeterred, DeRosa convinced the desk clerk at the Hotel King Cotton to give them a room, which was a suite and more spacious than their original reservation. “But Dennis was on the Teller Committee that year, which meant he was busy for three days and nights counting votes by hand. Then, most evenings, we had friends and family stop by to see our huge room at the hotel. That’s how we spent our honeymoon,” she joked. Yet, through the years, the McGuires have found it special to spend many anniversaries at the General Assembly with their extended Church of God family. Even death has impacted individuals during the Assembly. At least two funerals have been included as part of the Assembly—the funeral for the infant child of J.B. and Mertie Ellis at the 1921 Assembly and the funeral for 23-year-old Mamie Varnell Lee in 1920. Mamie, who lived near Cleveland, Tennessee, had been married to Roy Lee for less than six months and baptized with the Holy Spirit for two months. General Overseer A.J. Tomlinson conducted her funeral in the new Assembly Auditorium constructed near the North Cleveland Church. Of Mamie’s death, F.J. Lee wrote, “Her request was for Brother Tomlinson to preach her funeral. Her greatest desire to live was that she might be a light to her relatives, that they might be brought to the Lord, those who knew not God” (Evangel, November 20, 1920, p. 3). The passing of General Overseer F.J. Lee in 1928 is one of the most notable deaths to have occurred during an Assembly. As the Assembly convened, Lee lay on his deathbed unable to participate. Despite his desperate situation, Assembly delegates continued to have faith in a possible recovery and created the office of assistant general overseer, with S.W. Latimer elected to fill the position. The Assembly then reelected Lee as general overseer, which historian Charles W. Conn later noted as “the greatest tribute the church could offer him and an eloquent testimony to its utter confidence in him” (Like a Mighty Army, 1996, p. 243). Nonetheless, just before the Assembly adjourned on Saturday, October 28, J.P. Hughes rushed to the stage to announce the general overseer had passed away, which elevated Latimer to the office of general overseer. The esteemed church leader J.B. Ellis Sr. died during the 1946 Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama. Ellis had been a minister for 48 years and served in numerous administrative positions, including state overseer, member of the Executive Council, and superintendent of education. During the Assembly’s Friday evening youth service, he offered a prayer. The following evening Ellis died peacefully in his sleep as his son, A.L., was driving him from the Assembly to his home in Alabama City, Alabama. The Minutes reported the Assembly’s mourning of his passing: “To attend our General Assemblies has to some seemed next to heaven, so it is exceedingly fit for one of our oldest ministers to take his leave from here to go to heaven. Since God has seen fit, during the days of this Assembly, to remove our precious Brother J.B. Ellis, Sr., to the other land we hereby resolve that it will be fitting and proper for this Assembly body to stand in a moment of meditation in his memory, and by this resolution extend to the members of the Ellis family our deepest sympathies” (A. 1946, p. 42). |
ARRIVING FOR THE ASSEMBLY
On my way to Cleveland, I met soldiers from off the battlefield, making their way to the Assembly. The further we went towards Cleveland, the greater the joy. Finally the flagman came through the car and called out, Cleveland. Our hearts began to leap and bound. When we got off the train, the Home Mission Gospel Car, and several others were ready to carry us to the Evangel office. People began to shake hands, shout and talk in tongues. We went directly to the Evangel office. After registering and leaving an offering for the Evangel building, we stood and listened at Brother Llewellyn give an introductory address concerning the Evangel, how it started and how it had increased. As we listened in awe-struck silence, the tears of joy began to steal down our cheeks. Thank God for the white winged messenger and for the untiring efforts of our General Overseer, Brother A.J. Tomlinson.
After this we went upstairs (to the upper room) and had songs of praise and shouts of triumph. I am sure our visit to the Evangel office has created a greater love in our hearts for the Evangel, and causes us to appreciate the great workings of the church more than ever before. Thank God for our visit to the home of the Evangel. When service closed in the upper room, we went to the church where the introductory address was given by Brother McLain. As he stood there and defended the great Church of God, the people could hardly hold themselves. Shouts and cries and amens were heard from almost every man and woman in the audience. The glad faces, sunny smiles and shouts that I saw and heard that first night will ever live in my heart as a sweet benediction shedding its hallowed influences over me. Oh, glory! I imagine myself there now. --C.A. Churchill (A. 1919, pp. 50-51) |
Food and Entertainment
No matter where the Assembly is held, an anticipated highlight is the opportunity to eat and shop—whether at local restaurants and stores near the meeting venues or within the conference facilities. In the early days, it was common for vendors to set up booths outside the auditorium to sell food and other goods to delegates. When the first Assemblies convened in Cleveland, local merchants and church members could be seen selling items, particularly food, from automobiles and tables set up under canopy umbrellas. Today’s conference centers have their own food service, and other vendors purchase booth space from the Church in which to sell their items, most of which are materials to help equip individuals and congregations with their spiritual development and ministry. In recent years, the merchandise has become more diverse. Many now enjoy perusing booths selling purses, shoes, and jewelry—quite the contrast from earlier days in our movement.
Through the years, many life experiences and happy memories have been made by our fellowship together. It is one of the aspects that makes the Church of God special. We are more than Christians who share a common faith; we are a global family who enjoys celebrating life together. Between Assembly years as we minister in our respective locations, we often are made glad when remembering happenings at the Assembly, and as those delegates to the first Assembly in 1906, we await with anticipation the next Assembly for an opportunity to make new memories.
No matter where the Assembly is held, an anticipated highlight is the opportunity to eat and shop—whether at local restaurants and stores near the meeting venues or within the conference facilities. In the early days, it was common for vendors to set up booths outside the auditorium to sell food and other goods to delegates. When the first Assemblies convened in Cleveland, local merchants and church members could be seen selling items, particularly food, from automobiles and tables set up under canopy umbrellas. Today’s conference centers have their own food service, and other vendors purchase booth space from the Church in which to sell their items, most of which are materials to help equip individuals and congregations with their spiritual development and ministry. In recent years, the merchandise has become more diverse. Many now enjoy perusing booths selling purses, shoes, and jewelry—quite the contrast from earlier days in our movement.
Through the years, many life experiences and happy memories have been made by our fellowship together. It is one of the aspects that makes the Church of God special. We are more than Christians who share a common faith; we are a global family who enjoys celebrating life together. Between Assembly years as we minister in our respective locations, we often are made glad when remembering happenings at the Assembly, and as those delegates to the first Assembly in 1906, we await with anticipation the next Assembly for an opportunity to make new memories.
TEEN TALENT
ENVISION A high-energy atmosphere with bright lights, loud music, and thousands of youth participants and other guests singing and cheering. This is Teen Talent. For more than 50 years, the Church of God has sponsored Teen Talent to affirm the talents and abilities of youth and provide them with opportunities to develop and utilize their gifts within the Church and for the glory of God.
Teen Talent began in 1962 as a program of the National Sunday School and Youth Department (now Youth and Discipleship) when Cecil B. Knight was director and Donald S. Aultman was assistant director. Previously, the department had sponsored a National Bible Quiz competition won in 1958 by Jack Scarborough of Florida and Sharon Browning of West Virginia in 1960. The first Teen Talent competition included Bible and music, and the winners were Reginald Daniel of Florida (Bible Quiz), Billie Roberts of Florida (Song Leading), Charles Novell of Virginia (Instrumental), Mary Ann Orndorff of Arizona (Vocal), and the Soddy Youth Choir of Tennessee (Choir).
In the formative days of Teen Talent, youth from local churches participated in competitions at the district level, with winners advancing to their state or regional competitions. From there, winners of the state/regional competitions participated in the national competition, held consecutively with the biennial General Assembly. While the General Council met in business sessions, state and regional Teen Talent winners engaged in competitions before panels of judges in meeting rooms throughout the conference facilities.
At the end of the week’s competition, participants were recognized during the Assembly’s youth service. They entered the auditorium marching behind their respective state/regional banners as delegates clapped and cheered. Winners were announced from the stage, and some winners in the music division performed their winning selections during the service.
Beginning in 1982, the awards ceremony was conducted after, instead of during, the youth service. This increased the enthusiastic, high-energy atmosphere. Winners raced to the stage where, accompanied by their state/regional youth director, they received a trophy and exuberant cheers and applause.
In 1986, the first winner outside the U.S.A. was announced—Joel Steve Gokool of Canada winning the Bible Reading competition that year. Between 1988 and 1992, a separate Hispanic Teen Talent was conducted to include Hispanic youth from the United States and other countries. The first winners for this competition were Enrique Ortiz of the North Central Spanish Region (Vocal Solo Male), Lucy De la Garza of the South Central Region (Vocal Solo Female), and Augustine Morena of the South Central Region (Instrumental Brass). However, in 1994, the competition was united to become fully international in scope, with Irina Kamenska of Bulgaria winning the Mixed Media section of the Art division that year.
Teen Talent has expanded beyond the Bible and Music divisions to include divisions for Art (since 1972), Creative Writing (since 1974), Drama (since 1984), and Multimedia (since 2008).
Beginning in 2011, Teen Talent has been held independently from the Assembly. The week-long competition and awards ceremony attracts more than 4,000 participants and guests internationally and is hosted at Lee University, which also provides a block party and worship rally.
At the 2013 Teen Talent competition, judges’ remarks and scores were managed completely wirelessly and digitally for the first time. Outdoor sporting competitions, including Cross Games and Battle of the States, also were incorporated. Many of the award recipients were youth from outside the continental United States. Along with trophies and bragging rights, the thrill of winning Lee University awards scholarships went to many of the winners.
Teen Talent is more than a competition. It is a strategic effort of the Church to affirm youth and their abilities, challenge them to develop their potential, and provide them with an opportunity to express their creativity. It also offers an occasion to meet and fellowship with other Church of God youth, connecting them with their global Church family.
Teen Talent began in 1962 as a program of the National Sunday School and Youth Department (now Youth and Discipleship) when Cecil B. Knight was director and Donald S. Aultman was assistant director. Previously, the department had sponsored a National Bible Quiz competition won in 1958 by Jack Scarborough of Florida and Sharon Browning of West Virginia in 1960. The first Teen Talent competition included Bible and music, and the winners were Reginald Daniel of Florida (Bible Quiz), Billie Roberts of Florida (Song Leading), Charles Novell of Virginia (Instrumental), Mary Ann Orndorff of Arizona (Vocal), and the Soddy Youth Choir of Tennessee (Choir).
In the formative days of Teen Talent, youth from local churches participated in competitions at the district level, with winners advancing to their state or regional competitions. From there, winners of the state/regional competitions participated in the national competition, held consecutively with the biennial General Assembly. While the General Council met in business sessions, state and regional Teen Talent winners engaged in competitions before panels of judges in meeting rooms throughout the conference facilities.
At the end of the week’s competition, participants were recognized during the Assembly’s youth service. They entered the auditorium marching behind their respective state/regional banners as delegates clapped and cheered. Winners were announced from the stage, and some winners in the music division performed their winning selections during the service.
Beginning in 1982, the awards ceremony was conducted after, instead of during, the youth service. This increased the enthusiastic, high-energy atmosphere. Winners raced to the stage where, accompanied by their state/regional youth director, they received a trophy and exuberant cheers and applause.
In 1986, the first winner outside the U.S.A. was announced—Joel Steve Gokool of Canada winning the Bible Reading competition that year. Between 1988 and 1992, a separate Hispanic Teen Talent was conducted to include Hispanic youth from the United States and other countries. The first winners for this competition were Enrique Ortiz of the North Central Spanish Region (Vocal Solo Male), Lucy De la Garza of the South Central Region (Vocal Solo Female), and Augustine Morena of the South Central Region (Instrumental Brass). However, in 1994, the competition was united to become fully international in scope, with Irina Kamenska of Bulgaria winning the Mixed Media section of the Art division that year.
Teen Talent has expanded beyond the Bible and Music divisions to include divisions for Art (since 1972), Creative Writing (since 1974), Drama (since 1984), and Multimedia (since 2008).
Beginning in 2011, Teen Talent has been held independently from the Assembly. The week-long competition and awards ceremony attracts more than 4,000 participants and guests internationally and is hosted at Lee University, which also provides a block party and worship rally.
At the 2013 Teen Talent competition, judges’ remarks and scores were managed completely wirelessly and digitally for the first time. Outdoor sporting competitions, including Cross Games and Battle of the States, also were incorporated. Many of the award recipients were youth from outside the continental United States. Along with trophies and bragging rights, the thrill of winning Lee University awards scholarships went to many of the winners.
Teen Talent is more than a competition. It is a strategic effort of the Church to affirm youth and their abilities, challenge them to develop their potential, and provide them with an opportunity to express their creativity. It also offers an occasion to meet and fellowship with other Church of God youth, connecting them with their global Church family.
Louis F. Morgan, Ph.D., is professor and director of Library Services at Lee University.