Canadian Council Meeting at International Offices
Cleveland, Tenn.–Members of the Church of God Canadian National Council are gathered this week for their annual meeting. This year, for the first time, their meeting is being held at the Church of God International Offices.
This council is elected by the members of the Church of God in Canada and while the biannual meeting is usually held in Canada, Assistant General Overseer Dr. J. David Stephens, who serves as executive liaison to Canada, invited the council to Cleveland this year. For several of the members, it is their first time to visit the Cleveland campus.
Standing, L-R: Manley, Banguis, Penny, Georges Moriset, Marc-Elie Moriset, Saffrey. Seated, L-R: Hasmatali, Walker, Houle, Stephens, Bell (click image to enlarge).
Members of the visiting delegation include the three administrative bishops for Canada: Larry Hasmatali, administrative bishop for Canada-Western; Lennox Walker, administrative bishop for Canada-Ontario; and Jacques Houle, administrative bishop for Quebec-Maritime. Other members include Jeff Banguis, Dave Manley, Georges Morisset, Marc-Elie Moriset, Alister Penny, and David Saffrey. Accompanying the group is Dr. Ken Bell, special assistant to Canada and administrative bishop for Pennsylvania. Also attending is Cecilia Laurenzano, administrative assistant for the Canada National Office.
This council also functions as the Board of Directors for International Bible College, located in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
The agenda includes business matters for Canada, and a Special Order of the Day. Dr. R. Lamar Vest, president of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, will be sharing the pastoral cohort program with the members, and Tim Hill and John Childers will be presenting additional partnership suggestions with Church of God World Missions. In addition to business sessions, the agenda will also include a tour of the International Offices facilities.
“We are delighted to welcome our Canadian brethren to the International Offices for their annual meeting,” Stephens said. “I am honored to serve as their liaison. This campus belongs to all of the Church of God and we eagerly anticipate the arrival of delegations like the Canadian National Council. Our best wishes for a fruitful and productive gathering.”
