Nevada-Utah Conference African-American ministries hosted its annual convocation in September at the Bennion Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah. The convocation theme, “That I May Know Him,” spun into the question, “Do You Know Him?” over and over again.

No less than 250 people gathered to take part in the annual occasion. Friday afternoon, a 42-passenger bus arrived from Las Vegas just in time for the soup-and-salad supper. The Salt Lake Central church family prepared five meals over the three-day period to accommodate the meetings.

“This convocation was a healing one,” said Dr. Kingsley Palmer, coordinator for Nevada-Utah’s African-American ministries. “It was a spiritually invigorating, unifying experience which challenged all of us to go deeper in our relationship with Jesus.”

Pastor Eric Betts of the Present Truth church in Las Vegas, Nev., opened the ceremonies with an inspiring message about three storms that will soon overtake the church. His sobering words set the tone for spiritual revival.

Pastor Benjamin McPhaull, a student at Andrews University Theological Seminary, shared his testimony with the youth from the perspective of a preacher's kid. McPhaull admonished the young people to hold high the banner of Jesus Christ.

“Loving people is our greatest calling,” said James Haynes, associate pastor of the Abundant Life church in Las Vegas. “Our job is to preach the gospel and let the Holy Spirit do the rest,” he said. Haynes tag-teamed the Sabbath school lesson along with David Richardson and Anthony Jackson of Salt Lake and Las Vegas, respectively.

Bobby Mitchell, director of regional ministries at the Pacific Union Conference, led the early morning power hour. He emphasized the importance of having the indwelling Holy Spirit to know Christ.

“He sure makes it clear,” said Sunny Daud, a member of Salt Lake Central church. “It is time for us to really to get ready for the Second Coming.”

The keynote speaker, Abraham Jules, D.Min., pastors the City Tabernacle Adventist Church in New York, N.Y. “If we really believed the ‘end of the book,’ we would be filled with joy because we know that Jesus has already won the victory for us,” Jules said. “Joy is not based on your circumstances; it is based on the relationship that you have with your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Gospel singer Cathy Townsend, from the windy city of Chicago, Ill., was the guest soloist for the convocation, along with the Caday Sisters and a group from the youngest church in Las Vegas, New Life.

Palmer was encouraged by the attendance. Since last year’s convocation, the Samoan group of Salt Lake joined regional ministries. The Tongans also had a hit with their popular cinnamon buns baked in coconut milk.

“I always look forward to the fellowship of convocations,” said Pastor Earl Peters, Central Salt Lake. “It is a lot of work, but it really is a wonderful experience for everyone to enjoy.”