74th Annual Diocese Convention

Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas delegates to convene in Lafayette for COCHUSA Southwestern Diocese convention, June 25-29

(LITTLE ROCK) – The Southwestern Diocese of the Church of Christ (Holiness) USA, will hold its 74th Annual Diocese Convention June 25-29, at the Hilton Hotel Lafayette, 1521 W. Pinhook Road, in Lafayette. Bishop Vernon Kennebrew, of Little Rock, Ark., is the presiding bishop.

The theme for this year’s convention is “Freed to Live for Christ” with Romans 6:22 as the theme scripture. This will be the first time the regional convention has been held in Lafayette. More than 600 delegates are expected to make an economic impact of nearly $350,000 on the downtown area.

During the four-day convention, attendees representing nearly 50 congregations across Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas invite the public to attend free events during the weekend. Highlights of the convention include:

Wednesday, June 25

7 p.m.: – Stage play, “Let the Church Say Amen,” will focus on how well do church members really know one another.

Thursday, June 26

7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. –  Home Bank will sponsor a Networking Breakfast in the Vermillion Room of the Hilton Lafayette, for businesses who provide goods and services to churches.   Lafayette area businesses will be able to meet pastors and church leaders from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. To attend, email flt1southern@yahoo.com.

1 p.m.  –  Workshops, “What Makes Marriage God’s Way” and Workshop, “Homosexuality: The Struggle Without and Within”

Friday, June 27

8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  –  National Brotherhood Men’s Ministry Session, featuring speaker Rev. Ben Groover

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  –  United Christian Women’s Ministries sessions, featuring speaker Dr. Florencetta Gibson on “The Family in Crisis: The Church as a Respite.”

Saturday, June 28

8:30 a.m.  –  “Prayer Fitness” led by Bishop Vernon Kennebrew

9 a.m.  –   Diocese Youth Bible Quiz Challenge,

1:30-5 p.m.  –   Children’s Learning Center (ages 3-11) Workshops, “Freedom versus Chaos” adult session and “Hope & Change:  Obamacare for Your Church” Young Adult Ministries (YAM) session

Sunday, June 29

11:00 a.m.  –   The Official Worship Service of the 74^th Annual Southwestern Diocese Convention featuring a parade of District Flags, Grand Procession and annual address by Presiding Bishop, Vernon E. Kennebrew of Little Rock, Arkansas

Early Morning Intercessory Prayer and Evening Worship Services will be held daily at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Other convention highlights include youth Bible Quiz-style tournament, oratorical and music contests featuring classical music pieces performed by teens.

“We look forward to meeting the rest of the ‘Great’ Southwestern Diocese to Lafayette,” said Kennebrew, pastor of Christ Temple Cathedral in Little Rock. “It’s always a joy to fellowship with believers and we will use this time to reaffirm our belief that God is pleased with holy living.” Kennebrew is also the national president of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. with congregations across the U.S., Dominican Republic, Haiti and Honduras.