Centennial Minutes

Research By Mrs. Ruth Byus

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17th General Conference, August 2-7, 1973
Held at Roanoke, VA,

General Officials:

General Supt. J. Floyd Williams
Vice Chmn/Asst. Supt. R.O. Corvin
Asst. Gen. Supt. R.L. Rex
Gen. Sec. Vinson Synan
Gen. Treas. A. D. Beacham

Vote relocation of Hdqtrs to Oklahoma City: vote of 208 Oklahoma, 206 Franklin Springs NOTE: Another printing showed vote of 268-266

During the last quadrenium, leaders negotiated with Christ Crusaders of America, Inc. with Elder Jesse Winley as General Supt. They are a black group of 5,000 - 6,000 members headquartered in the Harlen in New York City. Affiliation papers were signed.

PH Conference was organized in Korea.

Notes of interest:

• First Missionary Manual was published
• Overseas Literature Outreach
• Theological Education by Extension (TEE) was initation to train National Workers
• Three General Supervisors appointed to oversee the work in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Short-Term Overseas Workers (SOW) program was adopted for College students to give 6 months - 2 years on the Mission Field.
• Lifeliners Youth in Action program was merged with SOW.
• Lay Overseas Volunteer Evangels (LOVE) program developed for skilled layment to serve on the mission fields as helpers to missions staff. They were to be self-supporting.

General Conference in Roanoke termed "one of the most progressive conferences in the history of the church".

Major changes:

• Loyalty program initiated as an incentive for full voting membership in the quadrenial and general conference.
• Instituted four-year election of officials on the conference level. Four-year quadrennial conferences with promotional and spiritual retreats annually.
• Relocation of Internation Executive Offices to OKC
• Department of Church Ministries created to coordinate Lifeliners, Sunday School and Woman's Auxiliary Departments.

Membership: 74,108 in US and 42,600 overseas

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