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