''The law of truth was In his mouth and Iniquity was not found In his mouth
Mai 26     Te shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8 32     \
—-^£  .^    ^»—«™»i  ____ I
Q
VOLUME XXIX, NO. \
.O.G.I.C. HEADQUARTERS, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
MAY, 1993
PRESIDING BISHOP CONDUCTS SAINTS PILGRIMAGE
After the fiscal work of the General Assembly
was completed. Bishop Louis H. Ford invited the
delegates to go on a pilgrimage Ol course, his
destination was Lexington. Mississippi to preview
the opening of the new Deborah Mason Patterson,
Multi-Purpose Building. This coming September,
the saints w ill dedicate the sanctuary and have the
fust official Mason Week celebration in the building. Dr Frank Ellis, chairman ol the assembly his
staff and the nearly 600 delegates made the pilgrimage by bus While in Lexington, each person
was treated to a look at the building from top to
bottom. The\ found that the structure was nearly
9591 lini shed.
The entire General Board ot Bishops made the
pilgrimage and played host to the various special
guests assembled People came from around the
Mississippi area to witness the occasion The
mayor of Lexington. Mississippi, Mrs. Fannie
L to R John Hoover. Plumbing Conlnu tor. Marvin
Williams, /- la n n al Contractor. Tony Rodger s
Building Contractor and Alex Howard General
Contractor
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
CONDUCTS APRIL
MEETING
April is a special month on the saints' calendar
ol events Again the saints journeyed to Memphis.
Tennessee, lo conduct the annual fiscal session.
Certainly a lot of other items were on the agenda
but this year's collection ot the national report was
the primary goal. The reporting bishops proved to
have all the enthusiasm necessary that made leading financial reports exciting. It seemed that most
jurisdictions reported over their quotas. A record
total of more than 3.2 million dollars were collected.
This yeai's delegation was considerably sinall-
ei. In recent years elections have created record
delegations. Bishop W. W. Hamilton. General
Secretary ot the Church had the registration
Cothran gave words of great blessing.  The business community was represented by Mr. William
Ellis, president of Holmes County Bank.
Greetings were given by the general leadership of
the Church. Elder Solomon Williams, chairman of
the National Pastors and Elder Council lauded the
accomplishments of Presiding Bishop Ford  Elder
Jerry Macklin, Superintendent of the International
Sunday School Department spoke in behalf ot the
auxiliaries ot the Church.   Bishop W. L. Portei
spoke of the struggle and how great this day is in
our history Mother Mattie McGlothen was absent
but was represented by the Department of
Women's Hospitality Leader. Supervisor Freddie
Bell.
When Presiding Bishop Ford stood before the
saints he looked out over the 1000 seat sanctuary
and praised God. The beautifully decorated building, featuring stained glass windows, natural
woods, hanging lights and freshly painted walls is
wonderful to behold.  Bishop took time to intro-
l)r  frank Flit s
Bishop Ford in new building
duce the persons who have labored closely with
him to achieve the erecting of such a grand building. He declared the building will be a cornerstone
in his vision of a reopened Saints College. The
Chief Apostle spoke of the purchase of the near by
land and adjacent properties, and stated that the
Church now has all available land in the immediate campus area. After the bishop spoke warmly of
the late fathers and mothers who pioneered the
Church, he introduced some of the remaining pioneers.
When the celebration of the initial service was
done, the Presiding Bishop invited the entire delegation downstairs for a meal. This was a historic
gathering because the new dining area had never
been used before. After all was said and done, the
pilgrimage was well worth the trip.  The saints
went home with the news that our Deborah Mason
Patterson Multi-Purpose Building was officially
open.
situated and the assembly passsd through smoothly.
His siatI ot iegistrars were ready and focused.
Delegates were being registered even before the
annual repast, which is hosted by Presiding Bishop
Ford The repast was a lovely affair of food and
fellowship. The dining hall in Mason Temple was
overflowing. The saints were greeted with wonP
of encouragement from the officials of the Church.
The night went well and each person left for their
places of abode for the opening of the assembly
the next morning eager to do business.
Dr. Frank Ellis, the chief official of the assembly, asked lor a timely conducted business meeting. The Vice Chairman, Bishop C. L. Sexton and
the officers were ready and on time. Elder G.
Wesley Hardy certified the house and the 1993
Spring Call Meeting began. Dr. Ellis was his normal deliberative self and gave the delegates a sense
of order and business he hoped to achieve. The
assembly started with Bishop W. W. Hamilton
reading the minutes from the last meeting and the
agenda was presented to the delegates. On the
Continued on page 5