09/30/2026
What a fantastic national AG Senior Adult Conference we had last week in Branson! Far beyond our widest expectations - thanks to ALL those who made the trip to the Hilton Hotel Convention Center! (and thanks to Suzan Scott from Global Univ for serving as our Conference photographer! Loads of excellent pictures.)
From the first session on Monday night through the Sight & Sound production of "David" on Wednesday afternoon, we sensed God's presence among us.
Let me recap some of what happened:
• Coming from 39 different states, we saw 1,022 seniors registered; our 3 general sessions at the Hilton Convention Center averaged 942 in attendance.
• Huge thanks to our incredible speakers – Martha Tennison, Rick Ross, and Ruthie Oberg; each of them was used of the Lord to encourage and challenge us to be the “renewed” senior adults God wants us to be. (We also enjoyed Cynthia Wood’s dynamic short sermon she shared just before Martha preached. Two ladies preaching the Word, one a 14-year old, the other an 84-year old! We were blessed.)
• Thanks also to worship leaders, Ron and Paula Kelley; our special musical guest, Dan Parotti; and former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft for leading us in that inspiring Hymn Sing on Wednesday morning.
• We’re also grateful for the presenters and panel members who led our breakout sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and thanks to all of you who attended the sessions. We set attendance records there also, with an average of 719 people attending breakouts each day.
• We are very thankful for the way the Convoy of Hope team welcomed about 700 of us to their campus in Republic on Tuesday; the tours and the lunch were excellent. It was an honor to interview Hal Donaldson as he shared the amazing, supernatural story of Convoy. As of this date, our total for the Convoy offering, counting cash, checks, credit card giving, and 36 of you who made faith promises is $101,344. Thank you for your generosity!
* We hosted 200 widows & widowers after the Tuesday night session - thanks to AG Execs Doug Clay, Rick Dubose, & Brad Kesler for being there and loving each person there. (Grateful to Marlene Craft, Cindy McKinley, and their teams for helping with the gifts!)
• We capped off the Conference by attending the Sight & Sound theatre production of “David” with over 900 of you. What a thrilling afternoon – the last song was so good, we wanted it to last forever!
For those who chose not to attend the Convoy event, or perhaps were unable to attend because of the limited seating, we would still welcome any gifts for Convoy of Hope you desire to give. You can give two ways:
• By sending a check made out to: GCAG (General Council of the AG), designated to account #020706 (STL – Convoy semi), and mailed to: GCAG, 1445 N Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802
• Or online giving – go to: giving.ag.org and make sure you notate Account #020706 and Convoy semi
• If you have any trouble with the online option or have any questions at all, feel free to call Craig Wilson at our national offices at 417-862-2781, ext. 2141.
• Hal Donaldson has already let us know that in the coming year or so, there will be a new COH semi that will have words on the cab that will say, “Partially paid for by the Assemblies of God SENIOR ADULTS!”
At the conclusion of the Wednesday morning general session, an important announcement was made regarding future leadership of the national AG Senior Adult office. Here is some background info that may help:
Late last year, Sherilyn and I shared with the AG executive leadership that we felt the time was approaching when we needed to hand the baton of the SA leadership to someone else, perhaps someone a bit younger. In January of this year, we shared this news with our district/network Sr Adult leaders, plus made things public through various announcements on social media.
We have served 54 years within our AG fellowship in various positions, and have been honored to serve in each place, as a pastor, a professor, or a district or national leader. It is now time for us to simply be “ambassadors for Jesus” without any official titles. We will stay active in our local church – Central AG in Springfield, lead a small group in our home, stay active in the life of Maranatha Village, the retirement community where we live, plus hang out at Evangel Univ as much as we can, attending concerts, sporting events, and recitals. We love both the young and the not-so-young!
We have 3 children and 9 grandchildren, none of whom live near us. They live in Colorado, Texas, Alabama, New York City, and England. We cherish the time to visit all of them a bit more often!
We are very pleased with the selection our AG leaders have made in naming Dr. JIMMY and RENATA WHITE as the next Sr Adult national leaders. Jimmy already works in our AG offices, serving as the Director of Adult Discipleship. Since the SA role is part-time, he will actually be serving in both capacities.
Dr. Jimmy was raised in Florida, but most of his pastoral ministry has been in Arkansas. In fact, over the past year, he has been serving (remotely) as the Dir of Senior Adults for the Arkansas District.
His undergraduate academic degree is from Nelson Univ (SAGU), and his graduate degrees (M.Div. and D.Min.) are from Oral Roberts University.
Jimmy and his wife, Renata (a school teacher), have been married for 37 years, have 3 married children and 5 grandchildren (one more on the way!).
Jimmy White is a gifted leader who has a skill set and gifting that will serve the Sr Adult department very well, with the capacity not only to lead Sr Adult leadership meetings well, but also to create excellent resources for local SA leaders. Good days are ahead for the national Senior Adult Department.
If you desire to encourage Jimmy in this new role he will assume on October 16, his office email is: [email protected]
As announced at the conclusion of the Conference last week, the dates for the next national SA Conference are October 2-4, 2028 (our conferences are every 2 years), once again to be held in Branson, MO. Should the Lord delay His return, we hope to see you there! Please mark your calendars.
(Thanks to our amazing Events Services team - Tim L, Janell C, Sheila M, & Tim W....to Beth Qand the AG Store...to Danette Richardson and our amazing volunteer ushers, greeters, & hosts...to Elly M, Sabrina S, and Susan K in our Adult & Family offices.)
II Cor. 4:16 – Therefore we do not lost heart. Thought outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being Renewed Day by Day!
Stay strong in Jesus…and don’t be grouchy! Be filled with God’s Spirit and let His love be reflected in your life. You are loved and appreciated.
