This year marks the 35th anniversary for Adventist African-Americans Annual Convocation/camp meeting. The yearly tradition was marked by over 1,500 African-American Adventists from all over the North Pacific Union Conference (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Upper Columbia and Washington) and western Canada flooding to rural Camp Berachah, near Auburn, Washington, for fellowship and praise from May 12–15.
The convocation celebrated more than three-and-a-half decades for Northwest Regional leadership and included these highlights: Calvin Preston, speaker; Rebecca Davis, young adult speaker; Ronald Pollard, youth speaker; James Evans, youth presenter; and music by Trevoce', a professional trio from Washington, D.C. "Though the Vision Tarry" was this year's theme.
"In 1977 when the first convocation was held, there were only three churches with less than 600 members, and now there are 3,000 members and 13 or 14 churches," says Byron Dulan, local historian and Washington Conference Community services/personal ministries director. "Convocation has been a time where they come and get their soul fix," he says of the yearly meetings for his black brothers and sisters. Pictured here is Bob Moore, Northwest pastor. Good preaching is an exciting part of Convocation. (Todd Gessele)
"Convocations, like the Regional one strive to forge paths for all races," says Alphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union Conference vice president for regional affairs. The Sabbath meeting drew up to 1,500 people, showing an eclectic mix. (Todd Gessele)
"Convocations, like the Regional one strive to forge paths for all races," says Alphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union Conference vice president for regional affairs. The Sabbath meeting drew up to 1,500 people, showing an eclectic mix. (Todd Gessele)
(Todd Gessele)
Pictured here (from left) are Ramón J. Canals, North Pacific Union Conference vice president for Hispanic Ministries and Alphonso McCarthy, NPUC vice president for regional affairs. The regional affairs position now serves multiple cultures and has paved the way for ethnic groups wishing to have a voice in church ministries. (Todd Gessele)
Convocation provides a chance for area choirs to display talent. Here the Mass Choir performs under the direction of Pattric Parris, North Pacific Union Conference regional affairs administrative assistant. Parris attended the first Convocation and now brings her grandchildren.
Calvin Preston, main speaker for the 2011 Regional Convocation, addresses a 1,500 crowd with charisma typical of the event. Preston is currently the senior pastor at the West End Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Trevoce', a professional trio of coloratura operatic sopranos, were featured singers during this year's Covocation, also providing an afternoon concert.
Music is a large part of Convocation.
Mentoring future black leaders is a large part of Convocation both yesterday and today.
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