Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/157113
•pg_30-43_ICI__BMT_pg3-58 8/12/13 10:07 PM Page 43 R e l i g i o u s R ev i e w BOOK MARKS In Heaven is Real But So is Hell, internationally renowned speaker, author and mystic Vassula BY PATRICE A. KELLY Ryden takes the reader into the supernatural world, where she has experienced the hidden forces that affect every moment of our lives. It features her amazing encounters with both good and evil forces, and reveals profoundly important messages for all humanity, largely hidden until now. Sometimes harrowing, but filled with hope, it answers many of the questions that people have been asking for thousands of years, and also offers a glimpse into God's love and justice, and of what is soon to come. Greece-based Ryden has spoken in 79 countries to millions of people. Heaven is Real But So is Hell is her first book release in America. Heaven Is Real But So Is Hell carries a strong message of hope and is a book of awakening for all seekers of truth. The book shows how we can recover our moral integrity and rediscover our connection to God. WORD & DEEDS The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) met June 18 - 22, 2013 in Denver, CO at Cherry Hills Community Church for its 33rd General Assembly. General Assemblies are the annual gatherings of the EPC, where church representatives vote on committee recommendations and reports, vote on presbytery overtures, and conduct other business of the denomination. There were also workshops and times of worship and prayer during the gathering. The theme of the 2013 Assembly was "In Christ Alone," taken from John 14.6. The agenda included a vote to form the Great Plains Presbytery in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, and the election of Bill Dudley, senior pastor of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, TN as Moderator. Workshop speakers included Mark Mittelberg, author of Becoming a Contagious Church, Dr. Nancy Grisham, author of Thriving, and Garry Poole, author of Seeker Small Groups. Wednesday's workshop also included an exclusive taped presentation by The Case for Christ author Lee Strobel. Preaching at worship services during the week were Dr. Greg Livingstone, former U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong, current Moderator Ken Roberts, host church Pastor Jim Dixon, and Jim Noble. This was a record-setting General Assembly for the EPC. More than 1,100 people from around the world gathered in Denver, including 620 voting commissioners and 35 exhibitors. Also in attendance were more than 60 EPC missionaries, and fraternal guests from Reformed bodies in Argentina, Brazil, India, and Kazakhstan. For more information, go to www.EPC.org. CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 1-5, 2013, "COGIC AIM Convention," Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland. Contact Supt. Linwood Dillard (910) 947-9300 for information. July 3-5, 2013, "Full Gospel Conference – Road to 20," Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky. Contact (87) -909-7915 for information. July 8-11, 2013, "18th Annual E. K. Bailey Preaching Conference," Concord Church, Fairmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas. Contact Aquila Allen at (214) 2389-8170 for information. July 9-14, 2013, "Holy Convocation 2013," Go Tell It Ministry Network of Churches & Partners, Adoba Hotel, Dearborn, Michigan. Contact Pastor Gilbert Vaughn at (313) 579-2800 for information. July 11-13, 2013, "Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference 2013," Sounds of Victory Ministries & Earl Bynum Ministries, Inc., The Mount, Chesapeake, Virginia. Contact (855) 680-4422 for information. July 13, 2013, "A 25th Silver Anniversary Overture of Double Honor," COGIC 3rd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Freeport, New York. Contact (5160 623-9466 for information. July 15-18, 2013, "Tawawa Christian Education Congress 2013," AME 3rd Episcopal District, Denison University, Granville, Ohio. Contact Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young at (614) 575-2279 for information. July 16-20, 2013, " 24th National Holy Convocation 2013," United Covenant Churches of Christ, Sheraton Premiere Hotel at Tyson's Corner, Tyson's Corner, Virginia. Contact (877) 978-6489 for information. July 21-26, 2013, "Children 4 Christ Camp – From Sinner to Winner," Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Assemblies, Hallowed Hills, Zanesville, Ohio. Contact Dr. D. W. Cummings at (304) 2338899 for information. July 23-26, 2013, "2013 International Holy Convocation," Mt. Calvary Holy Churches of America, Inc. (MCHCA), Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, Washington, DC. Contact Bishop T. Cedric Brown at (202) 529-4547 for information. July 24-26, 2013, "CME Florida Region Annual Conference," CME, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, Florida. Contact Rev. Dr. Vanessee J. Burns at (407) 295-4931 for information. July 26-28, 2013, "Vajrapani Family Camp," Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), Vajrapani Institute and Retreat Center, Boulder Creek, California. Contact Giselle Tsering at (800) 531-4001 or (u)tara@cruzio.com(eu) for information. July 27-August 1, 2013, "AME Connectional Lay 33rd Biennial Session," EMEC, Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. Contact Sister Anita Rankin at (850) 580-1400 for information. July 30-August 4, 2013, "Dancing Preachers International Conference," Dancing Preachers, Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. Contact Pastor Sabrina McKenzie at (877) 716-7117 for information. August 1-3, 2013 "Viva La Woman Conference 2013," Martha Munizzi Ministries, UCF Campus, Orlando Airport Marriott, Orlando, Florida. Contact (407) 834-5620 for more information. August 2, 2013, "Gospel Superfest Battle of the Bands," Unity Media Limited, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee. Contact Dr. Bobby Cartwright, Jr. at (800) 219-0337 for information. August 3, 2013, "Women of Destiny Conference," Fresh Aroma Ministries, All Nations House of Prayer Church, Irving, Texas. Contact Prophetess Mwaka Twagirayesu at (314) 814-4601 for information. August 3-10, 2013, "NCGCC 80th Annual Session," National Continued on page 48 B M & T ••• July/August 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 43