People ask us very often about Riverdale's HIM - Holiness in Ministry Conference. The most common question is "When are they going to start it back up?"
I have good news for you. After a hiatus of several years Riverdale Assembly is hosting HIM again this year. I know it is going to be exciting, educational and fun. We are not able to attend but we would love to be there. HIM falls on Allentown this year and we could not bring ourselves to miss Allentown, especially since we will miss it next year for City Reach.
The early bird registration date has past but it is definitely not too late to make plans to go. If you have ANYTHING to do with ministry at all there will be something for you there. I know you will enjoy the classes and services and learn a whole lot in the process. You can read the information about the conference below, including the history of HIM or you can go directly to their website HERE.
We love the Riverdale folks and we would love to be a part of HIM 2015. Maybe we will be able to go next time. If you go, you will not find any more friendly people in the world.
Davy
Holiness In Ministry Conference 2015!
IT’S GO TIME
March 10 – 13*
*Stay through the weekend for a chance to experience and participate in the following:
The Father’s House (Saturday 11am), Barbeque Dinner $ (Saturday 3pm), Sunday School (9:45am), Morning Worship (11am), Jr Church (11am), Sidewalk Sunday School Truck (2pm), Evening Worship (7pm)
Register TODAY for this exciting and empowering conference!
3 Days of Training and Inspiration.
Live Mass Choir Recording.
Includes session outline packet, lunch and dinner Wed – Fri
Early Bird Special!
- NOW through February 16 – ONLY $99!
- After February 16 through March 8 – $119
- After March 8 and at the door - $139
Bringing a group? Call today for group pricing! 559-867-3503
HIM Conference Introduction
In the early 1980’s, Jim and Darla Davis, music directors at the Riverdale Assembly of God in Riverdale California, were looking for ways to improve the music ministry. They soon realized after attending several music events that most of the conferences were hosted by mega churches in large metropolitan cities and by other denominations. They felt overwhelmed and out of place.
A dream was born and in 1991 the first Holiness In Music Conference was held using the Riverdale High School Auditorium. Thirty-five people from other churches signed up for the classes. In 1998 the name was changed to Holiness in Ministry Conference and the focus was expanded to include the whole ministry of the church encompassing youth, bus ministry, children’s ministry, puppets, Christian education, Sunday school, etc.
At the last HIM Conference in 2005, nearly two hundred registered and returned to their home churches with a renewed fire in their hearts to accomplish more for the Kingdom. Since then, the church has built a new 900 seat sanctuary and continued in ministry to the local community. The world has changed and the new HIM Conference will attempt to address these changes without losing sight of the fact that the Gospel is still the same!
Riverdale is a small western dairy town of 2500 people. Yet here in the middle of nowhere is a strong Pentecostal church of 450 with a large youth group, a bus ministry that averages over 130 kids and adults each week, a Christian school with 140 students, and a church that is still full on Wednesday nights. The goal of the HIM Conference is to open the local church ministries to you and say….you can do it too!
The highlight of the conference has always been the live recording of the conference choir. The HIM Mass Choir is composed of the Riverdale Sanctuary choir, Ambassador Youth Choir, and registrants from many other churches. The majority of these songs are original and have been recorded by many soloists, groups and choirs including Gold City, Sue Dodge, Lifeway and Prism Choral Club.
Many of the songs have been used and translated into native languages in Taiwan, Russia, Brazil, India, France and the Philippines. We hope to see you this year at the HIM Conference! We are looking forward to a great time of inspiration, fellowship and encouraging each other for the work of the Lord!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is Riverdale?
Riverdale is located about 25 miles south of Fresno, California in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
How Much Does it Cost to Register?
- Early registrants can take advantage of a discount until the the 15th of February – $99
- From February 16th until March 8th – $119
- March 9th (and at the door) – $139
What is the Seminar Schedule?
Format will consist of three or four classes simultaneously. You may attend the class of your choice. Some sessions will be recorded and available for purchase. Handouts will be given out for most classes that can be added to your binder for easy reference after the conference. More details are listed below.
What About Lodging?
Nearest Motels are located in Lemoore, CA (Best Western, Travelodge & Motel 6 have special rates for HIM attendees, just ask. $65 – $75) Many of our church families will be opening their homes for out of town guests. Please call the church office if you are interested. Most homes will also provide transportation during the conference.
Can I Bring my RV/Trailer?
The church has 6 full hookups (50 amp) available on a first come, first served basis.
Are Meals Provided?
Due to the lack of restaurants and fast food diners in Riverdale, the ladies of the church will be providing lunch and dinner for all registrants Wed – Fri. Continental breakfast will be available for purchase at the church each morning before the sessions.
Transportation?
If flying, suggested airports are fresno (30 minutes from Riverdale), San Jose (2 ½ hours), San Francisco (3 ½ hours), Los Angeles (4 hours). We can provide transportation to and from Fresno, San Jose and San Francisco airports. Please call the church office before booking flights to confirm that we can coordinate your transportation. If you are staying in a motel, you will most likely need a rental car.
MASS Choir Participation?
Singing in the HIM Mass choir is an exciting finale to the week. Many participants do not have a choir in their local church so it is a great opportunity to join the 120+ voices in worship on Friday night. A “Live” recording of the choir, featuring new original material, will be available by late spring. The conference binder will include lyrics and chord charts to make it easy to take your favorite songs back to your home church.
NOTE: If you would like to sing with the Mass Choir, please contact the office to receive access to the parts tracks that will be available online. There will only be three rehearsals during the conference so you will need to be familiar with the material before you arrive.
Sightseeing?
Those who wish to take advantage of beautiful California (Riverdale doesn’t exactly fit this description!), will find the giant Redwoods and Yosemite two hours to the east and Pacific coast two hours to the west. San Francisco is also worth a visit, especially if you are using the San Francisco airport. Some people arrive early or stay after the conference to visit these popular destinations.
DAILY SCHEDULE (NOTE: Subject to change.)
TUESDAY
- 6:00 PM – Registration
- 7:00 PM – Welcome & Introduction
- Upper Room Fellowship (after service)
WEDNESDAY
- 8:00 AM – Orientation
- 8:30 AM – Session #1
- 9:15 AM – Session #2
- 10:00 AM – Session #3
- 11:00 AM – General Session
- 12:30 PM – LUNCH
- 1:30 PM – Session #4
- 2:15 – 3:30 PM – Mass Choir Rehearsal
- 4:00 – 5:30 PM – DINNER
- 7:00 PM – KID’S NIGHT!
- 9:00 PM – Upper Room Fellowship
THURSDAY
- 8:30 AM – Session #5
- 9:15 AM – Session #6
- 10:00 AM – Session #7
- 11:00 AM – General Session
- 12:30 PM – LUNCH
- 1:30 PM – Session #8
- 2:15 – 4:30 PM – Mass Choir Rehearsal
- 5:00 – 6:30 PM – DINNER
- 6:00 PM – Pastor’s Dinner (off campus)
- Set up for Live recording (all evening)
- 6:00 – 10:00 PM Youth and the young in heart (Riverdale High School Gymnasium)
FRIDAY
- 10:00 AM – General session
- 11:30 AM – LUNCH
- 12:30 – 2:00 PM – Mass Choir final rehearsal
- 6:00 PM – HIM Mass Choir “Live” Recording
- Upper Room Fellowship (after recording)
Any Additional Questions about the HIM Conference?
If you have any questions about the HIM Conference not covered here or are having issues registering? Please contact us at (559) 867-3503
