The Great Multitude

Ron Hamilton, Conference Minister

Excitement is growing as we approach the time for the 2024 annual gathering that will be held in Rhode Island from July 31 – August 2.  The theme for the gathering is “The Great Multitude”.  This theme is based on the great teaching of Revelation 7:9-10.

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.” 

Heavenly worship is Christ-centered, celebrating salvation that is available to all who believe and join the family of faith.  The Scripture is clear.  This family is large and diverse.  It includes people from every nation, tribe, people, and language.

Fifty years ago, Coca-Cola shared a commercial that included the words, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony).”  We all know that Coke couldn’t do it.  No politician or ideology can do it.  No hero or star can do it.  But Jesus can!  The great multitude in heaven is, and will eternally be, a large and diverse group of people worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

One of the Guiding Values of the CCCC is, “A Membership Reflective of the Harvest Field’s Diversity.”  We have a unique opportunity to build a large and diverse family of believers in this generation.  The world has come to our doorstep.  Our mission field includes people from different nations, tribes, people groups, and languages.

One of my favorite memories of an annual gathering was when we formed a conga line to dance to the music of the choir from our church in Portland, Maine.  These African immigrants encouraged us to worship the Lord in any way that we found appropriate.  The spirit of celebration was exciting and passionate.  We trust that this will be the spirit of our annual gathering this summer.

We are privileged to have Mathew John as our main plenary speaker this summer.  Mathew is the Senior Pastor of the Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California.  This church is developing a new generation of ministry in one of the most diverse cities in our nation.  Mathew is uniquely gifted to speak to us on our subject and has prepared messages that will inspire us to serve the Lord in this generation.