Sonshine Network Ministries IPHC Conference
June 23-25, 2010
Orlando, Florida
It was my honor to preside over the historic session of the Sonshine Network Ministries Conference held at the Hilton Alta Monte in Orlando, Florida. Of particular note was the deeply appreciative spirit of the conference for retiring Bishop and Mrs. Clifton Smith.
After serving ten years in World Missions in Europe and six years pastoring in West Palm Beach, Florida, Clifton Smith was elected in 1994 as the Conference Superintendent. When he took office the conference had about 10,000 members. Sixteen years later the conference has nearly 60,000 members, making it the largest IPHC conference in terms of membership.
In early September of this year this conference will officially divide in half with about half the churches and membership becoming part of the Hispanic Sonshine Network Ministries, a new conference with nearly 30,000 members with Joaquin Mercado as the Bishop.
The conference began on Wednesday night with Bishop Smith preaching his farewell sermon. The sermon was a powerful reminder of the love and grace of God. Strong in theological truth, the outgoing Bishop spoke of the core components of the Gospel message.
On Thursday night the delegates gathered from 6-7pm for a nice reception honoring the Smiths. I was very pleased that the four OMCs from World Missions Ministries and their spouses, along with Dr. and Mrs. Harold Dalton, were present as part of this honoring of Bishop and Mrs. Smith. From 7-8:45 the Conference had various speakers honoring the Smith’s as well as presenting outstanding gifts of appreciation.
The Conference business began on Friday morning with 200 delegates present. In the session Rev. Ray Willis was elected on the first ballot as the new Superintendent. Rev. Donavan Tinsley was elected Assistant Superintendent, and Rev. Hector Bermudez, Jr. was elected Secretary-Treasurer. During the business three received ministers license and ten were ordained.
On Friday night Bishop Willis preached his inaugural message as the new Superintendent. Speaking from Ephesians and Colossians, he powerfully reminded the delegates of how we are united together as “joints and ligaments” needing one another as part of the larger IPHC family and kingdom of God. There was a wonderful presence of the Lord as the Bishop cast his vision for the conference.
[Editor's Note:We are grateful to Bishop Doug Beacham for this outstanding report of the Sonshine Network Conference, formerly known as the Florida Conference. It is apparent that we will see a lot of changes in conference leadership throughout our denomination this year. I wish to salute Bishop Clifton and Marion Smith for their many years of leadership in the church. I, for one, will greatly miss them at conventions and General Conferences.]
Posted on
Thu, July 8, 2010
by Hugh Morgan