USA Missions Conducts Successful Senior Adult Retreat
The Special Projects Office of Church of God USA Missions recently conducted its 28th annual National Senior Adult Retreat, the Smoky Mountain Jubilee, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, April 24-26, 2018, with a total of 1,312 gathered for the event.
Born in the hearts of Bishop W. C. Ratchford and the late Dr. Bill F. Sheeks, during their leadership tenures in the former Evangelism and Home Missions Department, this annual gathering of seniors (age 50 and older) has collectively attracted some 40,000 people since its inception.
The retreat is designed as a time for senior adults to get away from daily routines, including children, grandchildren, and part-time jobs, in order to just enjoy friends, food, fellowship, and a festival of worship and entertainment.
This year’s Jubilee opened with an evening of Gospel music featuring one of the upcoming young Southern Gospel trios of our day, Three Bridges, together on stage with one of the Church of God’s most beloved groups, The Churchmen.
“What made this concert unique,” said James E. Cossey of USA Missions, “is that Jeremie Hudson of Three Bridges is the son of Harold Hudson of The Churchmen. Thus, father and son trios, with both father and son being credentialed Church of God ministers, performed and ministered on stage together. In was a powerful and memorable event.”
On Wednesday, scores of senior adults from all across the nation competed in music, creative art, and creative writing in the National Senior Adult Talent Competition. Designed very similar to the Church of God’s Teen Talent competition, each delegate to the Gatlinburg competition was already a certified winner from his/her state or region. Each state or regional office is encouraged to conduct state or regional competitions prior to the Jubilee and then certify their winners to the national competition.
“The Church of God has always been blessed with tremendously talented individuals, and this competition featured some of the best of the best,” Cossey stated.
Wednesday night’s worship service featured Lynda Randle, a regular on the Gaither Homecoming Series. Randle blessed the congregation with more than a half-hour mini-concert that was both dynamic and Christ-honoring. Among the songs she shared were her trademark songs, God on The Mountain, Sheltered in the Arms of God, and Walk With Me.
“The congregation could hardly contain itself as Ms. Randle, solicited a ‘volunteer choir’ of Jubilee leaders and guests to help back her up on an upbeat, hand-clapping spiritual,” Cossey expalined. Among the “volunteers” were General Overseer Tim Hill, USA Missions Director Mitch Maloney, and Special Projects Coordinator Cossey.
Following Randle’s music, Church of God retired minister J. Carl Hart, preached a timely and appropriate message. He called on older adults not to become idle in the work of the Kingdom, but to use their experiences and their knowledge and become mentors and coaches to younger generations.
A highlight of the Wednesday night service was a special tribute given to retiring Jubilee Director Cossey, who has led the Smoky Mountain Jubilee for the past six years, serving longer in this capacity than any previous leaders. A proclamation of appreciation was read by Dr. J. David Stephens, Assistant General Overseer, on behalf of the entire International Executive Committee. Cossey and his wife, Myrlene, received a number of special gifts throughout the evening, including a desk clock, a Mont Blanc pen and, on behalf of Mission North America a new Martin guitar, a gift that Cossey’s Jubilee staff suggested. Cossey, who has served in the USA Missions Department since 2012, has announced that, following the 2018 General Assembly, he will transition from administration into a ministry of coaching, consulting, and evangelism.
Thursday morning’s finale included the awarding of the plaques for the talent competition winners, as well as the Superlative Awards that included, Senior Adult Ministerial Couple of the Year, Senior Adult Lay Couple of the Year, Senior Adult Single of the Year, and the most prestigious award, National Senior Adult of the Year. Hundreds of dollars of door prize money were given away throughout the three days of the retreat, with the Grand Prize ($500 complements of the Church of God Foundation) drawing taking place at the end of the Thursday morning session. Just prior to the drawing, the Jubilee attendance joined in celebrating America and honoring our Veterans, a moving tribute that was concluded by The Churchmen singing their classic song, Statue of Liberty.
The next Smoky Mountain Jubilee National Senior Adult Retreat has been confirmed for April 9-11, 2019, again in Gatlinburg.
