It's been awhile since The NAC ChoGger's last post! He's been busy spreading the word about this year's North American Convention of the Church of God. It's coming up really fast, you know--just a couple of weeks and a couple of days now!

The excitement is building and the anticipation is mounting. There will be nearly 175 conferences to train and equip people for effective local church ministry. There will be at least four community service projects, so that Permeate! (Strategic Value Two: Engaging every individual, church, and agency in the Great Commandments, Matt 22:37-29) can be lived out while folks are attending Camp Meeting. There will be a movie premeire: Courageous, from the makers of Fireproof! We'll celebrate Global Communion once again, and we'll celebrate the commissioning of missionaries. We'll have a candlelight worship service. Don't forget about the Heritage Sing-Along and the southern gospel concert! New this year: a special presentation by CBH called Hymns and Stories from the Chapel.

Did you know that there will be FREE ice cream for everybody this year, as well!?

And don't forget while you're at Camp Meeting to pick up your copy of the NAC Roundup each day. You'll stay informed of special events and news during the convention...plus, you can use it as a souvenir to show your friends back home what they missed. Wait, it's not too late for them...they can come, too! Bring your friends, your family, your whole church, your whole town with you!

Don't forget to follow the NAC ChoGger on Twitter. Also, for most up-to-date NAC news, visit www.chog.org/NAC or find the North American Convention of the Church of God on Facebook and MyCHOG!

NAC Video Blog #3: Summer Plans. Enjoy!

Enjoy this video blog reproduced for NAC 2011!

Check out the newest video blog from the NAC ChoGger. This one is for NAC 2011!

"There is Joy in the Lord" at the Heritage Sing-Along during NAC 2006! The Heritage Sing-Along will be on Tuesday, June 28 in Reardon Auditorium at NAC 2011 after the evening worship service. Enjoy!

What are people saying about the North American Convention of the Church of God? Take a deep breath, and read the following. Disclaimer: People love NAC, so this may take a few minutes!

"These are not very spiritual memories, but here goes: Cotton candy, candied apples, hot summer days, grandparents coming to visit, flags on the stage of the old wooden tabernacle, sawdust on the floor of the tabernacle, singing the heritage hymns, the big red thermometer that showed how much money we had raised for World Missions and how much was yet to be raised, visiting the AU recruiting booth and seeing my Dad..."--Connie Hippensteel (daughter of Robert Reardon), Anderson University Kardatzke Wellness Center

"[The NAC means] having opportunity to speak into the direction that the church of god is going. Many, many educational opportunities! And wonderful times of worship."--Dr. MaryAnn Hawkins, Associate Professor of Christian Ministry, Anderson University School of Theology

“This is potentially one of those big picture times in the life of the church. We have so few opportunities to connect and see ourselves together. The combination of worship, teaching, and thinking together about the church is an opportunity that should not be passed up."--Arthur Kelly, former Christian Education minister, Church of God Ministries

"It's a global event that brings us into fellowship, communion, Christian network, worship, and reunion. It really gives me a look at what the Kingdom will look like. A global community, it's our community."--Jeff Whye, speaker/comedian/Azusa Pacific University Chapel Production

"I like NAC because it keeps me up on where the Church at large is headed. I rub shoulders every day with people I would have never met otherwise. I come home blessed and inspired."--Todd Braschler, Recording artist; speaker

"I especially enjoy the worship services. Singing together with a large crowd of people...hearing the resonance of the voices, singing spontaneously outside on the campgrounds or around campus and being joined by other voices, and friends from all over the country getting together."--Don Billey, Senior Pastor, Main Street Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)

"Each year offers unique opportunities for training and growing in our ability to serve in local congregations and in the Kingdom."--Jeannette Flynn, Florida Church of God Ministries

"One of my favorite parts of Camp Meeting is the utilization of Church of God hymnology and the Hymn Sing."--Arlo Newell, former Editor-in-Chief, Warner Press

"Camp Meeting is a wonderful time to reconnect and meet new people. You can’t put a price on that."--Ann Smith, former missionary

"The North American Convention of the Church of God has always been a time to reconnect with my spiritual roots. The friendships my family has made and maintained are priceless. Through inspirational services, informational conferences and missional opportunities, my Christian discipleship has been strengthened. Whether living in Arizona, Ohio or Indiana, the North American Convention continues to be a priority."--Dr. David Sebastian, Dean, Anderson University School of Theology

“North American Convention has been a great place for families to connect with others around the country for a time of connection and moving toward a greater vision for decades.”--Andy Stephenson, IYC coordinator

"It is important to know that your routine of attending church on Sunday morning links you to a much larger, in fact global body of believers. Seeing, hearing, feeling that connection cannot be replaced by hearing someone describe it, or reading about it."--Scott Martin, Assistant Superintendent, Mountainview International Christian School, Saltiga

"Some come for the great preaching. Some come for the great music. Some come for the LIVE Ministries tent. Some come for a family vacation. But for whatever reason they come, they will experience something greater than what they ever thought they would experience."--Jamie Conkling, Vision of Hope Quartet (LIVE Ministries Celebration Services)

"NAC is an incredible chance to meet and connect with people. It is an opportunity to grow and learn about ministry and what others are doing around the country."--Andrew Gale, Missions Director, Church at the Crossing (Indianapolis, Indiana)

"Over the past years, NAC has been a place of encouragement for me. As a young pastor, I love meeting the people of the church from around the world. Getting to hear the stories and the journeys God has given others throughout their ministry makes one excited about their own to come."--Josh Deeter, former IYC intern, current Pastor of Student Ministries at Riverchase Community Church (Birmingham, Alabama)

“So what do we do? We sing twenty or so of our great heritage songs. Just great singing! Which of our songs will we sing this year? Well, you’ll have to come and see. But you will know them and will enjoy them. The sound of fifteen hundred voices singing lustily—sometimes devotionally—is wonderful.” --Dr. Robert Nicholson, Anderson University President Emeritus

"The North American Convention of the Church of God is an experience where today meets tomorrow, where heritage creates hope, and the people of God discover anew God's call to share the love of Jesus Christ with each other and the world." --Dr. Kerry B. Robinson, Senior Pastor, East Side Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)

"NAC has always been a time I look forward to because it is a time where the church across the world can come together. The church is about relationships and NAC has been the reason for many of the close friends that I have made and kept in contact with throughout my life."--Chris Green, Anderson University 2010 graduate

"Sharing with so many in honest worship, especially the Wednesday night candlelight service, is truly spectacular."--Tyler Cookston, recent University of Louisville graduate

“NAC provides the opportunity to meet new people and to develop relationships based on shared experiences… and the convention reminds us of who we are, where we've been, and, most importantly, where we are headed. When we spend a few days worshiping, praying, and serving alongside one another, we develop a collective sense of what God is doing among us, and we carry the vision back to our congregations.”–-Abby Smith, Church of God missionary to Colombia

“Me and my family attend because it is important to our lives. One way or another, my parents have attended as often as they could since 1960's. What keeps us coming back is the friendships we've made, the many contacts we make and the links my children make with the Church of God. We enjoy being part of and also witnessing the ongoing history of our church. I feel basically we are all human beings, with very similar universal needs: food, shelter, love, God... Anything I attend to and my family, in Anderson, we have a use for as we work in Guatemala.” – Isai Calderon, Church of God leader in Guatemala

“I attend because it’s a good habit that rewards me well. The word says ‘forsake not the assembling of yourselves.’ I am enriched and encouraged by my brothers and sisters in the faith. I love the sense of belonging and community. I also enjoy the worship services and conferences. My kids enjoy the recreational facilities on the campus. I think NAC is an experience the whole church should enthusiastically embrace.”--Chuck Myricks, Chief Operating Development Officer, National Association of the Church of God

“I loved Kid's Place and all the activities we did, and we made so many friends.”-–Daniel Rider, recent Kid's Place attendee

“I come year after year because it is a break from routine, an opportunity to see family members and friends from the past, and attend wonderful services and interesting conferences. I try to attend conferences on Christian education and church finance, but there are conferences on so many topics, it can benefit anyone and everyone. I look forward to it each year and would miss it terribly if I were unable to come.”--Lynette Cookston, lay leader, Cornerstone Church of God (Erlanger, Kentucky)

“We enjoy visiting with family and friends that we seldom see otherwise. Heritage Sing-a-Long is at the top of our list, as is the excellent preaching. We arrive on Thursday or Friday to be sure we do not miss the program hosted by AU. It is always very good. . . We find people to be friendly, kind and helpful on the campus wherever we go. We plan to come for as long as we possibly can.”--Betty Tacia, long-distance NAC attendee, West Side Church of God (Phoenix, Arizona)

“If you do not attend Camp Meeting, you will miss the infusion of courage and life that is necessary to face ministry demands. Camp Meeting could make the difference between getting burnt out and finishing strong. You will want to make this year’s NAC a priority!”--Lori Salierno, Celebrate Life International

Summertime and Camp Meeting. The two really do go together.

I have so many fond memories of waking up on cool (sometimes a bit warm) summer mornings at NAC, whether on the campground or in a dorm, and looking outside to see the familiar summer characteristics. Seeing the rays of sun coming through the giant trees on the Anderson University campus signaled to me that it was almost time for breakfast.

My family and I went to breakfast with my cousins on the campground occasionally. Other times, we went to breakfast at the Olt Student Center, where we were sure to get our fill of the all-you-can-eat hot buffet.

Depending on my age at that point, my sister and our cousins prepared to go to Kid's Place. Kid's Place was a blast. Especially the "world's fair" or "market" area (pictured above, 1992). It was fun to walk around what was similar to a trade show or a carnival, but for kids. And we didn't have to walk around with the parents. To top it all off, we were on VACATION! We were far away from home and we all had a good time every day. Part of that excitment was rooted in the unfamiliarity of everything--the sights, the smells, the people, the restaurants, the thunderstorms!

When I was too old for Kid's Place, I discovered the giant red-and-white tent. I'd frequently heard music in that tent and thought it sounded good but hadn't really paid attention to it until later. Then one year, I stumbled by and heard southern gospel music. I love southern gospel music, and this was a quartet (Vision of Hope) singing! Then I heard everybody in the tent sing (with joy!) "A Child of God." Wow! I can't believe I missed it all those years. For many years in a row, I made sure to get a spot close to the front in the LIVE tent. I even got to help out on the piano a few years. And, oh, the preaching. We heard pillars of the faith in that tent that I thought could only be heard in the evening services: Gerald Marvel, Lori Salierno, Jeanette Flynn, Richard Mansfield, Mitchell Burch, and so on. Wow!

Sometimes, we kids would walk around the Dome (Warner Auditorium) after Kid's Place and listen to the conclusion of the adult morning service. We kids could really be kids at Camp Meeting. There was nothing like it. Running around the campground, running around campus, running around the Dome...great fun!

And then it was lunchtime. Ahhhh, summer mornings at Camp Meeting. Incomparable.

NEWS! Anderson University's Friday night special presentation this year at NAC will be Rev. Charles Myricks' musical, Paul!

Chuck Myricks is a part of the leadership of the National Association of the Church of God (West Middlesex, Pennsylavania, and he is the Minister of Finance and Development at Arlington Church of God in Akron, Ohio.

According to an article on Anderson University's Web site, this complete stage musical features gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock to tell the story of the life of the apostle Paul.

Reviews of this musical have been excellent. The NAC ChoGger, for one, really looks forward to this presentation!

SPEAKERS AND WORSHIP LEADERS FOR NAC 2011:

Speakers

Saturday evening: Hosea Anderson
Sunday evening: Steve Arterburn
Monday morning: Stephen Birch
Monday evening: MaryAnn Hawkins
Tuesday morning: Judy Weeks
Tuesday evening: David Colp
Wednesday morning: Mark Jackson
Wednesday evening: Jeff Frymire

Worship Leaders

Evenings at Reardon Auditorium: Mick Gilliam

Sunday evening, Monday evening, Tuesday evening at Park Place Church of God: Fred Harting (traditional worship)

Monday morning at Park Place: To be determined.

Tuesday morning at Park Place: Nathan Stewart

Wednesday morning at Park Place: David Coplin

Are you familiar with the movie Fireproof? How about Facing the Giants, or Flywheel? From the makers of these three incredibly powerful films comes Courageous, a movie about fathers--from a Christian perspective. Reviews have already placed this movie above the rest.

And the North American Convention of the Church of God will bring it to you first! Don't wait for it come out in theaters--come to NAC 2011 and preview Courageous for your church and community. Discover why others are raving about the potential impact this film may have on families everywhere. Learn how a film such as this, like the three films prior, can be used as an effective outreach and discipleship tool for local congregations.

Visit the film's Web site for a synopsis, video clips, and much more. NAC 2011 is June 24-29 in Anderson, Indiana.

Check out a story about three lives that God touched at the North American Convention of the Church of God at http://www.chog.org/ today, or here for a direct link to the article. God still works miralces at the North American Convention of the Church of God, even in this generation. Transformation and life-change do still happen at Camp Meeting. You should plan to attend this year and just see how God might touch YOUR life.

NEWS TIDBIT: The Doctrinal Discussion at NAC 2011 (Monday, June 27) will be on the controversial subject of politics. Guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Ron Fowler from Akron, Ohio. Come on out and get a sense of how Christians might best respond to political differences in the Christian and secular world.

Also, Global Communion will take place once again during Camp Meeting this year. Look forward to a global expression of unity as we take the bread and the cup and remember Christ's sacrifice for us. Praise the Lord!

The AU School of Theology is planning another exciting and practical element to be included in this year's NAC (June 24-29 in Anderson, Indiana). In the planning stages is a preaching clinic.

From the Seminary Synopsis: "While not all the pieces are firmly in place, the SOT will host an opportunity for seasoned or new preachers to understand the role of sermon delivery. A few presenters already confirmed for this clinic are Dr. Guy Brewer, associate professor of pastoral theology and Dr. Kimberly Majeski, assistant professor of biblical studies, both from the AU School of Theology, and Dr. Jeffrey Frymire, preaching fellow, Princeton Theological Seminary."

More details will be determined as time progresses. Check with the AU School of Theology for information (www.anderson.edu/sot).

Have you experienced the coming together of believers from all over the world for worship, learning together, and fellowship? That's, in part, what the North American Convention of the Church of God is. It's Camp Meeting, and Camp Meeting is an experience like none other.

Perhaps you attend a church with 5,000 or more in attendance over weekend services. You worship with a local body of believers that numbers more than have attended recent NACs. But what you don't get at your local church is the representation of folks from so many different places and unique circumstances. What a privilege to hear stories of ministry that varies from region to region and church to church! What an experience to worship together with folks of all different cultures! What tremendous expression of unity! What a powerful witness!

There is no other experience like Camp Meeting. If you've not tried it, I suggest you give it a whirl. If you've not been back in several years, why not return? NAC is celebrating its 125th year this June! Mark your calendars for June 24-29. Anderson, Indiana is not the most exciting city on the planet, but when the Church of God gathers together to worship the Lord, you might just experience the most excitement you've ever had in your heart--in your spirit!

Visit www.chog.org/NAC for registration information. Don't forget, the North American Convention of the Church of God is on Facebook! Also, The NAC ChoGger is on Twitter (NACChoGger).

Something for everyone. Yes, the North American Convention offers something for everyone. Do you like contemporary Christian praise and worship music? NAC's got it in Reardon Auditorium on the Anderson University campus. Do you prefer traditional music and hymns? NAC's got it in Park Place Church of God.

Do you have children? NAC is kid-friendly. Consider the annual Kid's Place experience, which has been drawing children back to NAC year after year for spiritual learning and fun! Family Day on Saturday is intentionally designed to promote family togetherness, not only of the immediate kind, but also our broader, family of God!

What about youth? NAC offers Youth-Ins and other special activities planned and orchestrated by Andy Stephenson (of the incredible International Youth Convention of the Church of God) and his IYC interns. In the past, Christian bands such as Sonicflood and the Sidewalk Prophets have prompted passionate worship among the students. Acclaimed Christian comedian, Darren Streblow, has provided clean entertainment for the youth, as well. YOUTH OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!

Are you a pastor or an associate? Conferences of all kinds will be available that intentionally target the areas of need dealing with ministry. Are you in youth ministry? NAC's got what you need! Are you in children's minsitry? NAC has historically offered conferences and an all-day Children's Ministry Fair.

So if you're coming to NAC to reunite with friends, to make new friends, to be inspired, to get equipped for ministry, to worship in unity with thousands of other believers, to learn, to dig into God's Words, to have fun, to connect with people who share common experiences in the Lord's work, to explore missions opportunities--then you'll find just what you need.

June 24-29 is NAC 2011. Plan ahead to attend!

News! The acclaimed Mick Gilliam, worship pastor for many years at East Side Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, will be leading worship in Reardon Auditorium each night of Camp Meeting. Those who attend NAC 2011 will be blessed to worship under the leadership of Mick Gilliam, whose experience and heart for worship is evident in his music-making and lifestyle.

Mick is member of the Worship Planning Team for the NAC Task Force, and member of the Society for Church of God Worship. You may remember the variety of styles he incorporates into worship services, and the jazzy arrangements of familiar tunes often heard during preludes, offertories, and postludes.

In other NAC news, Church of God Ministries is planning to develop a video presentation of the Five Strategic Values of the Church of God and highlight one congregation per Value that is fully engaged in the practice of that Value. NAC 2011 attendees will be blessed to hear the stories of tranformation taking place in across North America: stories of the Great Commission (Ignite!), stories of the Great Commandments (Permeate!), stories of God's work in finances (Free!), stories of spiritual-gift emphasis (Cultivate!), and stories of unity and connection (Refresh!). You won't want to miss this!

Reminisce with me...NAC 2009. This was my first Vlog, informing folks that the NAC venue for evening services in 2009 was going to be Madison Park Church of God in Anderson. Enjoy!

Check out the new article at the Church of God Web site about NAC 2011!

The holiday season has passed and now it is time to start thinking about summer plans! Have you marked NAC 2011 (June 24-29) on your calendar? Have you planned ahead so that you can get time off work to attend? Plan now, and getting the time off might be a relatively easy task.

Is it worth the planning and the time off? Absolutely! Consider the life-change that historically occurs during the North American Convention. Consider the increase in effectiveness of your ministry that could take place because of your attendance at the many conferences related to your Kingdom work! NAC wants to help you and your church be effective, and especially this year, to be poised to Permeate! the culture for Christ!

Make it a vacation--one with physical and spiritual rewards! Anderson, Indiana is rich with Church of God history, and features interesting sights such as the mounds at Mounds Park. Much more about Anderson-area tourism can be found here. Indianapolis has much to see, as well. Learn more here.