Speakers

Preachers

This year's worship experiences feature an all-Disciples line up of preachers to bring the Good News of God's redemptive love to the Disciples Assembly.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Cynthia HaleCynthia L. Hale
Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church
Decatur, Georgia
Read Cynthia's Bio

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Douglas B. Skinner
Senior Minister, Northway Christian Church
Dallas, Texas
Read Douglas' Bio

Friday, July 31, 2009

Sharon WatkinsSharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Read Sharon's Bio

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Frank ThomasFrank Thomas
Senior Servant, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
Memphis, Tennessee
Read Frank's Bio

Music

Bill Thomas Bill Thomas
Assembly Music Director
In addition to coordinating and directing the music of the Assembly, Bill also will lead a worship band of gifted Disciples musicians. Read more about Bill.

Worshipful Work Speakers

Worship Leaders

Ayanna Johnson Ayanna Johnson
1st Vice Moderator
Ayanna will open the worshipful work of our business sessions, leading us in prayer and reflection to start each day. Each morning a different speaker will follow her reflection, and address what it means to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
Read Ayanna's Bio
 
Newell Williams Newell Williams
Moderator, President of Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas
At the close of each business session, Newell Williams, will present "Historical Reflections on Stone-Campbell Spirituality in Recognition of the 200th Anniversary of the Declaration and Address" to the gathering.
Read Newell's Bio
 
Robert Alvarez Robert Alvarez
2nd Vice Moderator
Robert Alvarez will preside over the business portions of Assembly. Alvarez is president of a commercial real estate company in Fayetteville, Ga. and is a member of Aposento Alto Christian Church in Forest Park, Ga.
Read Robert's Bio
 

Wednesday Afternoon

The Chalice A business session will begin the official work of the Assembly in Indianapolis, with General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins delivering the State of the Church Address as one of the first reports of the Assembly.

Thursday Morning

Rick Lowery Richard H. Lowery
First Testament scholar, interim dean at Lexington Theological Seminary
Rick Lowery will unpack the pair of scriptures upon which our theme is based. (Gen.2:4-10, 15 and Rev. 22:1-5)
Read Rick's Bio

Friday Morning

Eliki Bonanga Eliki Bonanga
General Secretary and Legal Representative of the Community of Disciples of Christ of the Congo (CDCC)
Eliki Bonanga will help us understand how our actions make a difference in creating a sustainable future in our neighborhoods and around the world.
Read Eliki's Bio

Saturday Morning

Jose Morales José F. Morales
Pastor
Morales, a Chicago-area pastor and young adult who came to Disciples from a Pentecostal background, will remind Disciples that the early passion of the Disciples revival movement still burns in our hearts ready to burst into revival flame again.
Read Jose's Bio

Sunday Morning (Worship In Congregations)

For the Healing of the Nations The Disciples community will be invited to participate in worship at  Indianapolis area congregations. View a list of participating congregations.

Sunday Afternoon (Closing Concert and Communion)

Disciples will close the 2009 General Assembly in the company of the other two streams of the Stone-Campbell movement: the Churches of Christ and the Christian Churches – as well as guests from across the Central Indiana area. Join in an experience of communion that honors this shared heritage as we celebrate together the 200th Anniversary of Thomas Campbell’s signing of the Declaration and Address.

Headlining the Concert portions of the event will be accomplished gospel music artists: Donald Lawrence, Indiana’s own folk phenomenon, Carrie Newcomer and the world-renown Indianapolis Children’ Choir.

Donald Lawrence

Donald Lawrence
Grammy-winning Gospel Artist
Read Donald's Bio

 
Carrie Newcomer Carrie Newcomer
Nationally Known Folk Singer
Read Carrie's Bio
 
ICC Indianapolis Children’s Choir (and the Children of the General Assembly)
World-renowned Chorus of hundreds of children. Directed by Josh Pedde.
More About The Indianapolis Children's Choir

Learning Track Guest Leaders

J. Matthew Sleeth J. Matthew Sleeth
"Serve God Save the Planet" author and Christian environmentalist
Featured in: It’s Not Easy Being Green - Learning Track - Friday & Saturday
Read Matthew's Bio
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)