The North American Christian Convention (1927–2018) was an annual summer convention supported by churches, colleges, institutions, and missions programs associated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ, mainly across the United States, but also in other parts of the world. First started in 1927, it grew gradually over the years in both attendance and location. The NACC was held annually after 1927 until the end of that decade; the deprivations brought about by the Great Depression and the dislocations caused by World War II contributed to its being held only three times in the 1930s and four times in the 1940s; it was an annual event from 1950 to 2018. Ministers from churches across the United States came and spoke at the event, as well as other well-known speakers and authors of the Christian community. The NACC Mission statement was "the connecting place providing ideas, inspiration, and identity to New Testament Christian Churches and their leaders." Philosophically this organization gives all their credit to Jesus Christ.[1] It was replaced in 2019 by the spire.network conference.[2]

Events

Adults

Adults were able to participate in three main events: the main session, bible studies, and workshops. The main session was a time of praise and worship, sermons from guest speakers, testimonies, and a time to get to know other people. The bible studies allowed adults to get together with small groups and fellowship one on one. The workshops also allowed adults to choose from various classes in which to learn and grow.[3][4]

Teens

Teens were involved in the same events as adults but on a level where they could have fun and grow spiritually at the same time. They had a main session with worship from high energy, world-renowned bands, guest speakers, talk sessions, and entertainment from comedians and performance groups.[5]

Children and Toddlers

The NACC also had programs for young children. A day camp allowed children to have fun in groups with others their age. Each small group or camp unit was led by an adult leader who provided games and a learning environment. Daycare (Wee-One-Wigwam) was available for young toddlers and babies.[6]

Bible Bowl

First introduced to NACC at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Convention in 1965, the Bible Bowl drew teens and kids in grades 6–12 every year to compete in scripture memorization and other bible events. It also allowed teens and kids to fellowship with each other and grow through bible studies, guest speakers, and prayer groups. In 2001, Bible Bowl became independent from the NACC and started its own national program as it grew, with separate competitions and events.[7]

Minister and Spouse

This event focused on bringing spouses closer to each other and with God. It was a time where a husband and wife could get away to relax, laugh, smile and enjoy a few days of peace. Guest speakers and talented artists allowed for fellowship and fun while events such as hiking, golfing and shopping let husband and wife enjoy their time away.[8]

Leadership

The NACC Board of Stewards, Committees, and Staff members all ensured adherence to the NACC Mission and supported the NACC through prayer, attendance and commitment to personal financial support.

Staff

The NACC main office was in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Staff were about 7 to 10 members who acted as project managers. They included:

  • Managing director – handled day-to-day operations, finalized contracts, and managed the facility plans
  • Business administrator & church relations – handled the financial matters
  • Special events & workshops coordinator – planned & set up the ticketed & non-ticketed meals & receptions, as well as the workshops
  • Children's convention and marketing/promotions coordinator – coordinated the children's planning committee and the publicity & marketing materials
  • Information Technology Coordinator
  • Registration and office services coordinator – managed registration and customer service on-site, and many other things
  • Executive administration and program/production manager – worked with all the leadership committees and implement the main programming.

There were a few supporting cast members outside the office, like the person who coordinated the Student Convention, and the partner that handled the registration and hotel reservation data entry.

Board of Stewards

The Board of Stewards consisted of ten members who are the past President, current President, President-Elect, on average 6 members and the current NACC Executive Director. The ten of them come together and have these duties to accomplish. First, they Set and review corporate policies. Second, they worked to provide review and accountability to the Executive Director and the NACC Staff. Ensure fiscal satiability, including but not limited to, setting budgets and raising funds. Approve the venue and cities for NACC events. Then lastly they focus on long-range and strategic issues.[9]

Continuation Committee

The Continuation Committee consisted of on average 120 members including all eligible past Presidents who represent the Christian churches and churches of Christ across the United States and Canada. They are a group who served as a support system and gave advice to the executive committee and the Board of Stewards. They served a three-year term in this position. These members are from all over the country, they came together every October before the next summer convention and met in the city that it was going to be held at. During the October planning meeting they assisted the executive committee plan for the future NACCs by providing guidance on potential speakers, workshop topics, and workshop leaders.

Executive committee

The Executive Committees were made up of thirteen members including the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, on average 6 members two local arrangement committee Co-Chairs, National prayer chair, and the NACC Managing Director. The main role the executive committee was to plan and put in order all the NACC programs for their appointed year.

Presidency

The President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer were chosen three years before their convention summer. The current President formed a Nomination Committee in the spring before the new president was elected. After the possible candidates were nominated, the committee prayerfully chose who would fill the new presidential board. The President provided leadership and approved all recommendations for the NACC event. He served as the primary NACC representative to the constituency through travel, writing and speaking engagements.[10]

Conventions

Year Dates Location President
2018 July 26–28 Indianapolis, Indiana Drew Sherman
2017 July 27–29 Kansas City, Missouri Gene Appel
2016 July 12–15 Anaheim, California Dave Stone
2015 June 23–26 Cincinnati, Ohio Mike Baker
2014 July 8–11 Indianapolis, Indiana Tim Harlow
2013 July 9–12 Louisville, Kentucky Matt Proctor
2012 July 10–13 Orlando, Florida Rick Rusaw
2011 July 5–8 Cincinnati, Ohio Dudley Rutherford
2010 July 6–9 Indianapolis, Indiana Ben Cachiaras
2009 August 11–13 M & S Retreat Stephen and Lisa Sams
June 30 – July 3 Louisville, Kentucky Jeff Stone
2008 July 1–4 Cincinnati, Ohio Cam Huxford
2007 August 21–23 M & S Retreat Tom and Kay Moll
July 3–6 Kansas City, Missouri Alan Ahlgrim
2006 June 27–30 Louisville, Kentucky David Faust
2005 August 16–18 M & S Retreat Howard and Marsha Brammer
July 12–14 Jacksonville, Florida Howard Brammer
June 28–30 Lexington, Kentucky Howard Brammer
May 24–26 Corona, California Howard Brammer
2004 July 5–8 Phoenix, Arizona Dick Alexander
2003 July 8–11 Indianapolis, Indiana Bob Russell
2002 June 24–27 Columbus, Ohio Barry McMurtrie
2001 June 26–29 Tampa, Florida Tom Ellsworth
2000 July 11–14 Louisville, Kentucky Don Wilson
1999 July 6–9 Denver, Colorado Wayne Shaw
1998 June 23–26 St. Louis, Missouri Dennis Slaughter
1997 July 1–4 Kansas City, Missouri Sam E. Stone
1996 July 2–5 Dallas, Texas John Caldwell
1995 July 16–20 Indianapolis, Indiana Marshall Hayden
1994 July 5–8 Orlando, Florida Wally Rendel
1993 July 6–9 St. Louis, Missouri Charles E. Cook
1992 July 14–17 Anaheim, California Ken Idleman
1991 July 9–12 Denver, Colorado David McCord
1990 July 10–13 Kansas City, Missouri Richard D. Hogan
1989 July 11–14 Louisville, Kentucky R. Allan Dunbar
1988 July 5–8 Cincinnati, Ohio David Corts
1987 July 14–17 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Dale McCann
1986 July 6–10 Indianapolis, Indiana Kenneth A. Meade
1985 July 9–12 Anaheim, California Knofel Staton
1984 July 10–13 Atlanta, Georgia David L. Eubanks
1983 July 26–29 St. Louis, Missouri Floyd Strater
1982 July 27–30 Kansas City, Missouri E. LeRoy Lawson
1981 July 7–10 Louisville, Kentucky Calvin L. Phillips
1980 July 8–11 Seattle, Washington Dennis R. Fulton
1979 July 24–27 St. Louis, Missouri Robert C. Shannon
1978 July 11–14 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Ben Merold
1977 July 5–8 Cincinnati, Ohio Wayne B. Smith
1976 July 6–9 Denver, Colorado E. Ray Jones
1975 July 8–11 Detroit, Michigan Russell F. Blowers
1974 July 23–26 Anaheim, California Thomas W. Overton
1973 July 10–13 Indianapolis, Indiana W. F. Lown
1972 July 11–14 Cincinnati, Ohio E. Richard Crabtree
1971 July 6–9 Dallas, Texas Marshall J. Leggett
1970 July 7–10 St. Louis, Missouri William S. Boice
1969 July 8–11 Detroit, Michigan Douglas A.Dickey
1968 July 9–12 Cincinnati, Ohio Burris Butler
1967 June 28 – July 2 Tampa, Florida L. Palmer Young
1966 June 28 – July 1 Louisville, Kentucky Hugh F. Sensibaugh
1965 June 22–25 Tulsa, Oklahoma Russell L. Martin
1964 July 7–10 St. Louis, Missouri Leon H. Appel
1963 June 26–30 Long Beach, California E. H. Chamberlain
1962 June 26–29 Lexington, Kentucky Wm. Harold Hockley
1961 April 20–23 Wichita, Kansas Robert O. Weaver
1960 July 12–15 Columbus, Ohio Edwin G. Crouch
1959 June 24–28 Atlanta, Georgia Olin W. Hay
1958 July 9–13 Portland, Oregon Reuben L. Anderson
1957 May 1–5 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Lester H. Ford
1956 May 8–11 Louisville, Kentucky Harold W. Scott
1955 Apr 25 – May 1 Indianapolis, Indiana James Van Buren
1954 June 23–27 Long Beach, California Francis M. Arant
1953 April 22–26 Canton, Ohio Harry Poll
1952 April 30 – May 4 Tulsa, Oklahoma Ernest E. Laughlin
1951 April 25–29 Springfield, Illinois Joseph H. Dampier
1950 April 26–30 Indianapolis, Indiana Ard Hoven
1948 April 21–25 Springfield, Illinois Orval Morgan
1946 May 8–12 Indianapolis, Indiana William E. Sweeney
1942 October 14–18 Indianapolis, Indiana Dean E. Walker
1940 October 9–13 Indianapolis, Indiana P.H. Welshimer
1937 April 21–25 Springfield, Illinois T. K. Smith
1933 June 21–25 Springfield, Illinois O. A. Trinkle
1931 June 17–21 Lexington, Kentucky J. E. Henshaw
1929 October 9–14 Canton, Ohio P. H. Welshimer
1928 October 10–14 Kansas City, Missouri Wallace Tharp
1927 October 12–16 Indianapolis, Indiana P.H. Welshimer

[11]

Volunteers

The President, Vice President, Committee members, and Board members (who had a great part in planning this event) were all volunteers. The Tech teams, teachers of the different workshops, people who watch the kids during the sessions and behind the scenes people are all volunteers. Most of them dedicated one week every summer to attend this event and were volunteers at it. Without the help of volunteers this event would not have been as large and effective as it was.[10]

Location

In 1927 the NACC had its first annual summer event in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then it was held in 20 other cities across the United States. It was usually held in the Midwest as approximately 85% of the New Testament Churches are in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. The average attendance was 8,000–12,000 for an average of three and a half nights. When the location was moved outside of the Midwest, attendance dropped as much as 50%.[9]

Support and partnership

Churches and Christian organizations from all across the United States funded the NACC. The supporting churches helped the NACC reach out to people all over the world who come to the event. Donations ranged from $200 a year to more than $30,000 a year. Supporting churches included Discover Christian Church in Dublin, Ohio and Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia. The NACC also partnered with many Christian colleges such as Atlanta Christian College and Cincinnati Christian University, and other organizations like Good News Production International and CMF International. The NACC raised money and support for the program by holding an exhibition every year.[12]

Exhibition

The exhibition allowed for hundreds of organizations such as churches, radio stations, colleges and other Christian organization to set up booths during the event and share what their school or program had to offer.

References

  1. ↑ Edwin V. Hayden (1989). North American Gold: The Story of 50 North American Christian Conventions. College Press Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8990-0376-4.
  2. ↑ "About Spire Network". Spire Network. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ↑ "Adult Program | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ↑ "Home | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on August 7, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ↑ "Student Convention | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ↑ "Children's Convention | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ↑ "Enom Status".
  8. ↑ "Highlights | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on October 17, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. 1 2 Diane Albrecht Executive Administrator Assistant & Program Manager at the NACC office in Cincinnati, Ohio
  10. 1 2 Vocational interview with former committee member Dr. Ruth Reyes
  11. ↑ "Past & Future Events". North American Christian Convention. Archived from the original on April 27, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ↑ "Supporting Churches | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 21, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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