The 24th Session of WOA General Assembly Commences with Opening Service

The 24th session of the World General Assembly commenced with an opening service on the morning of October 29th in Immanuel Chapel in Dover, New York.   

Pastor Gerardo Francis Helguero, the representative of Olivet Assembly North America, delivered the intercessory prayer to begin the service, "Let us every heart united with You Lord, and may You make people You called to understand Your predestination deeply."

Pastor David Chang delivered the sermon based on the theme of the gather: Romans 5:8. He gave thanks to God for calling the assembly only by the grace of God. He said during the General Assembly, that leaders have the opportunity to remember than think about their calling.  

"We are standing here because we are called. As a minister, this was a challenge that came to me. Apostle Paul gave his testimony three times in front of these great people like Kings and Emperors. It was his opportunity to impress these people with his great intellect and his ability to communicate with great understanding. But he explained very simply how he used to kill and persecute Christians, but how Jesus called him even in the middle of his sin. This is what I can proclaim, is the even though I am a sinner I am standing here because of grace."

"Truly, we deserve the eternal death that comes from sin. We are very undeserving to be sitting here. Each time I find myself receiving a more precious commission. I am here to be a display of God's grace. Only when we see what it is we truly deserved, what Christ saved us from, can we see the true awe of God's grace."

"As we come to this place, I hope that we can each be a display of Gods love. It is most visible when sinners and people who don't deserve love are then loved. We need to have this amazement towards Gods grace, only then can we only praise Him and have joy in His presence. We are not here because we are so great, or because we are so good, but because we were the worst. This is what we can boast about. We can all boast in our position. " 

After the conclusion of the sermon, Pastor Gerardo Francis Helguero explained some announcements about the organization of the assembly, as the conferencing will be divided between the two campuses for OU and Mission. Parking was communicated as well as the process for each meal. The conferencing will begin at the second part of the day, and leaders are encouraged by the graceful beginning message.