Seventh-day Adventist retirees from across America and as far away as Bermuda converged on La Sierra University in August for their 24th annual convocation sponsored by the North American Division.

The five-day event was held in the University Church and other facilities on the campus were utilized for breakout sessions, housing and meals. Two hundred attended during the week, 500 on Sabbath.

National director for the past nine years, Jack Harris of Portland, Ore., ended his service at this session and handed over the responsibilities to a former president of the Southeastern California Conference, Steve Gifford, now living in Keene, Texas.

The North American Division (NAD) retirees’ office sponsored the annual event. Heading up the division contingent was Del Johnson, associate treasurer of the NAD and director of retiree affairs for the church.

Convocations are held every year on a denominational college or university campus. Next year the session will convene at Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tenn., from July 5 to 9.

Heading the long list of inspirational speakers at the convocation was Lonnie Melashenko, director/speaker of the Voice of Prophecy, who spoke on Sabbath morning.

Other speakers included George Brown, former president of the Inter-American Division; William Loveless, retired pastor of the Loma Linda University Church; John Brunt, pastor of the Azure Hills church in Grand Terrace; and Steve Gifford, the incoming national coordinator of retirees.

University updates were given on Sabbath afternoon by Dr. Larry Geraty of La Sierra and Dr. Richard Hart of Loma Linda.