The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's annual gathering, the General Assembly, was held in Washington, D.C. this year, June 28-29.  The theme was "Free to Be the Presence of Christ" and around 3500 CBF folks from across the country and world came together for worship, learning, and spending time with friends.  Several of us from church went to be a part of it including the Yees, Jen, and Mary Beth.  It was a great week of seeing lots of friends and fellow ministers, former pastors, CBF West friends, and getting to meet lots of new people as well.  The times of worship were awesome, especially the commissioning service in which several missionaries were officially sent out and the joint worship service with the American Baptist Convention.  There were lots of break-out sessions about lots of topics facing the church and the world and how we can be the presence of Christ in the midst of all that goes on.  It was an uplifting time and made me proud to be a part of a movement like CBF.  

It was also fun to take some time to see some of our nation's capitol including the Holocaust Museum, the momuments, and the White House just to name a few.  I think we all forgot how much you have to walk in DC, I know I did!  

Overall it was a really good trip and if you're even thinking about going next year, you should do it.  We are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves and surrounded by so many brothers and sisters doing God's work all over the world.  Next year, the General Assembly will be in Memphis, TN- make your plans now!  You can worship and see Graceland in the same trip.