Congress on Evangelism-Day 1

Day one of the 2009 Congress on Evangelism is finished.  After a stressful drive from Chattanooga in heavy rain, I made it to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, got checked in to my room and wandered to Kroger’s to get a couple of necessities for my time here.

Tonight’s session was worship only, and a passionate worship service it was with the Rev. Tyrone Gordon of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church as our speaker.  His message was “Who gave you the authority” based upon Acts 4 where Peter and John face the Sanhedrin.  

Before and after worship. I had a chance to finally meet Amy Forbus, Mark Winter, Gavin Richardson and  Jay Voorhees of Methoblogger fame and fortune (I look forward to our time together on Wednesday with the Bishop).  I also ran into a number of Holston Conference pastors and several DS’s, so much so that I suggested to one of them that the cabinet must be meeting here.

It has been a little bittersweet being here at the Opryland.  I worked for the parent company for 23 years before moving to Chattanooga 9 years ago and I was part of the opening staff at the hotel in November of 1977.  A lot has changed in just the last decade.

Well, we hit the ground running pretty early in the morning.  I’ll sign off now and will try to give updates as time allows.