WELCOME MESSAGE FROM DAVID WELLS

“We – The Called”

General Conference – May 13-15, 2024, Niagara Falls Convention Centre

On behalf of the General Executive and my fellow executive officers, I welcome you to General Conference 2024. We are very grateful for the sacrificial preparation and warm welcome offered by superintendent Jason Small and our Western Ontario District (WOD). Team members from WOD have worked in collaboration with our International Office working group to ensure GC 2024 will be memorable and impactful.

Memorable and impactful goes with Niagara Falls, doesn’t it? From the time my wife, Susan, and I first visited “the Falls” in the 1970s until now, the sense of being overwhelmed by an atmosphere of awe and power never went away. It was at that time in our lives that we were responding to the memorable and impactful call of God that both of us had experienced in our youth. God had captured us to be and to do what we were called to do. Our sense of shared calling grew. Fast forward a few decades—well, maybe not so fast—and here we are today, with you, as fellow pursuers of our Lord’s calling on our lives.

This calling is not for us alone. This time together is designed to equip us to help others, especially those younger than ourselves, and those with no sense of God’s call on their lives, to come to a place where the Lord captures them with their memorable, impactful call to Him and the purpose they are designed for.

At GC 2024 we will focus on the vision we share with many in the global church that “EveryOne” would have the opportunity to hear and respond to the call to follow Jesus. The calling on developing the next generation of children, youth, and young adults through discipleship and mentorship will also be at the core of our time together.

Clearly none of this can happen if prayer and a deep spiritual life is not central, with every church a “house of prayer.” Marked by vitality, they multiply and are effective in mission in Canada and globally. GC 2024 will feature strategic hubs built around these themes as we interact in environments of mutual sharing of challenges, opportunities, and resources. Our pre-event gatherings for Next Gen leaders and our Multiply Network will prepare the way to engage these themes.

We are “The Called,” and we take our Lord’s call to those we are sent to. I welcome you as we prayerfully gather in “the Falls” for this memorable and impactful time together.

     — David Wells, General Superintendent

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM JASON SMALL

Western Ontario District Superintendent

Welcome to General Conference 2024! The theme is “We – The Called” and the Western Ontario District is delighted to host you in iconic Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is a special place that attracts over 30 million visitors each year. The falls has a unique and rich history. The word “Niagara” means “an overwhelming thunderous torrent or flood,” and the falls are very symbolic as a backdrop for our conference. We are believing that God will overwhelm us with a thunderous move of the Spirit. Niagara Falls has been a community of risk takers both in business and in show business. People have attempted feats that were thought to be impossible. It has been the focal point for power generation and scientific breakthrough with companies like Tesla. It has also been known for its celebration of love as “the honeymoon capital of the world.” We are believing that God will move in power, and that people will be inspired to attempt the impossible near a backdrop of love.

We are carefully planning each detail of this conference so that it will be a key moment for our Fellowship. We are excited to begin with two special pre-conference gatherings. We are connecting those with a heart for multiplication, and also, for the first time, we are also hosting a special pre-conference event for all young leaders. Please make a way for all your young pastors to be there. I would encourage all who want to be inspired around church multiplication to prioritize that pre-conference gathering. As the main conference begins, our first night will kick off with a huge a party you won’t want to miss at the beautiful Table Rock Centre overlooking the Falls. It will truly be an exceptional night in the most unique location.

Conference sessions will be held at the beautiful Niagara Falls Convention Centre, only steps from the Falls. We have planned engaging speakers and Spirit-led worship. We are also excited to prioritize pouring into our pastors’ families this year. Our kids’ ministry team is preparing unforgettable experiences for our kids that will push them in their faith and call as well as being a heap of fun. We are believing that this will be a time of transformation for the families of our pastors and global workers.

I personally am very thankful that our executive officers have chosen to have as part of this conference a focus on the calling of God. Now more than ever, we need to walk in step with the Spirit and be attentive to the call He has placed over our lives. Then we need to go forth and inspire others to discover it and live it out in their lives.

If you can schedule an extra day or two in Ontario, the region has beautiful places to visit. With world-class culture, tourism activities, and shops in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, there is plenty to see and do right near the conference venue. You could also take a quick trip to Toronto. It’s May, so the Maple Leafs usually don’t make it to the second round ;( but you can go to a Jays game. Also close by are the CN Tower, Canada’s Wonderland, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are so many fun things for families to discover.

Carla and I are excited to host you and we are looking forward to great moments of fellowship and celebration. Please let us know how our WOD team can serve you as we enjoy General Conference together. May the Lord bless us as we seek Him together at General Conference 2024: We – The Called!

Looking forward to being together.

     — Jason Small, WOD Superintendent