Today was Ladies' Day at the conference with sessions held for the Women's Missionary Federation.

The evening service tonight was lead by Rev. Al Pinno and a message from God's Word shared by Rev. Jim Johnson.  Rev. Johnson shared from the book of 2 Chronicles on the theme of the Conference:  "God's Word Is Our Heritage."

Following the message, Rev. Robert Lee opened the Conference by sharing Hebrews 4:12-16 with the attendees.  After sharing that portion of Scripture, Rev. Lee announce the appointments to the following Committees:  Journal Committee, Credentials Committee, Press Committee, Tellers, and Parliamentarians.

Following the announcement of the appointment of committees, Rev. Lee called upon the Commission of Evangelism to come forward as the new Director of Evangelism, Rev. James Rasmussen, was commissioned.

Rev. Lee announced that the Conference was officially opened and will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, June 18th with devotions.  The first item on the agenda will be the adoption of the agenda and the election of the 1999 Nominating Committee. 

The Thursday afternoon resolutions reaffirmed the AFLC's stand on the Bible as being the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God and "our heritage position 'that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to sinners as a forensic or judicial act of God, or to be declared righteous;   this means that it is reckoned to our account by faith.'"

Rev. Robert Lee was reelected with 94% of the votes cast for his third three year term as AFLC President.  Rev. Eldon Nelson, a Pastor from Wilmar, Minnesota,  was reelected as Vice President with 90% of the 390 votes cast.

Other events of the day included:  Adoption of the Conference Agenda, Election of the 1999 Nominating Committee, Reports of the President, Co-ordinating Committee, AFLC Foundation, Chaplaincy Ministries, Director of the ARC, Financial Reports, Family Camp reports, and Budget Analysis Committee report.

Nominations and voting took place for positions on the Missions Corporation, the ARC Corporation, and the Schools Corporation.  Nominees were selected to be presented to the Corporations to fill various positions on the respective boards of each Corporation.  *See note below.

Nominees were selected to be submitted to the Missions Corporation to serve on the Home and World Missions Committees.

Reports were received from the Chairman of the World Missions Committee and from the Director of World Missions, Rev. Eugene Enderlein.

The evening service tonight was a Missions Festival put on by the National Women's Ministry Federation with a powerful message on prayer shared by Rev. Paul Nash, Home Missions Director for the AFLC.

NOTE:  Please see the forthcoming Lutheran Ambassador for complete election results.

Committee #3 for Missions and Evangelism presented their report and resolutions were adopted.  Some of the resolutions highlighted the need to thank and praise God for the people involved in the ministries of Missions and Evangelism.

A report and update for the Bible School Building Project, Vision 2004, was present by David Borg, Chairman of the Schools Corporation, and Rev. Tonnes Pollestad, Project Director.  Rev. Pollestad shared a video presentation and explained the process currently underway with the City of Plymouth, MN.  An emphasis was placed on the importance and necessity of keeping this project as a matter of prayer and dependence on the Lord.  (Note: if you would like more information on this project please contact the Vision 2004 office at vis2004@aflc.org.)

A report of the Missions Corporation Annual meeting was presented.   Other reports received were from the Chairman of the Board of Publications and Parish Education, the Director of Parish Education, and the Chairman of the Christian Academic Education Board.

Elections were held to select one Pastor and one layman to the Commission on Evangelism, but a majority vote was not attained, thus another election will take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 20th.  Five members were elected to serve on Committee #3 for the 1999 Conference.  *see note below.

Election results came in for the position of Secretary of the Association Free Lutheran Congregations.  The new Secretary is Rev. Brian Davidson.

The afternoon session concluded with reports from the Chairman of the Youth Board, the Free Lutheran Youth (FLY) Board, and the Director of Youth Ministries for the AFLC.  An emphasis was placed on the importance of prayer and evangelizing the youth of our country and the world.

Tonight's evening service was a layman's service lead by Mr. Michael McCarlson with a message on the Law and Gospel from Ephesians shared by Mr. Jon Dryburgh.   It was a wonderful time for the lay people at the conference.  It was followed by a time of sharing and testimonies.  Praise to the Lord for all the work He has done in the lives of each person represented here at the Conference.

NOTE:  Please see the forthcoming Lutheran Ambassador for complete election results.

Reports were received from Committee #4 dealing with Publications, Parish Education, and Youth Work.  Resolutions were passed to encourage continued prayer and financial support of these departments. 

Elections were held to elect members to the Board of Publications and Parish Education, the Christian Academic Education Board, and the Youth Board.   Elections were also held to elect members for Committee #4 for the 1999 Conference.   *See note below.

A second election was held to elect a laymen's term to serve on the Commission on Evangelism.  *See note below.

Reports were received from the Chairman of the Stewardship Board, the Chairman of the Board of Pensions, and Committee #5 dealing with Stewardship and Pensions.   Resolutions were passed to praise the Lord for the works of these two Boards.   Other resolutions passed included encouraging our members to "pray, seeking the Lord of the harvest to supply all means necessary to carry out His will."

Elections were held to select members to the Stewardship board, the Board of Pensions, and to serve on Committee #5 for the 1999 Conference.  *See note below

The afternoon session began at 1:30 p.m. with Devotions.  Reports were received from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Dean of the Seminary, the Dean of the Bible School, the AFLBS Alumni President, and a report from Committee #2 dealing with the Schools.  Resolutions were passed praising God for His abundant blessings upon Bible School and Seminary students and faculty for the various ministries represented.  A resolution was passed concerning the Bible School Building Project, Vision 2004.  The resolution was to approve Phase One of Vision 2004 with construction to begin 75% of the cost has been raised in cash or Pledges.

Other elections held:  Committee #2 for the 1999 Annual Conference, the Colloquy Committee for 1999, and 2 members to serve on the Budget Analysis Committee.   *See note below.

Other reports received included a report from the Schools Corporation, the Chairman of the Colloquy Committee, and a report from Committee #1.

General Resolutions were adopted authorizing the AFLC Secretary to draft letters of appreciation to be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Zumbrota, MN for their hosting of the Conference, to the Red Wing High School for providing an excellent facility for us to have the Conference, and to the City of Red Wing, MN for their hospitality.

Rev. Robert Lee adjourned the Conference at 4:25 p.m. with prayer.   The 1999 Annual Conference of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations will be hosted by Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Tonight's evening service was Youth Night at the Conference, hosted by the Youth Ministries Department of the AFLC.  Two summer ministry teams from the Association Free Lutheran Bible School (AFLBS) shared in the worship service by providing special music.  They are the Ambassadors and the Majesty Team.  The message from God's word was shared by Wade Mobley, a 1997 graduate of AFLBS.

NOTE:  Please see the forthcoming Lutheran Ambassador for complete election results.

The second Worship Service began at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Tom Gilman as the Worship Leader and Dr. Francis Monseth, Dean of the Free Lutheran Seminary, bringing a message from God's Word.

Convention speakers were Lynn Wellumson, author of the WMF's 1998 Bible Study Joy for the Journey.  Pastor Tim Hinrichs, Missionary to the Czech Republic, was the Wednesday afternoon speaker.  Pastor Paul Nash, Director of AFLC Home Missions, spoke for the Thursday evening Mission Festival Service.   After which a reception was held in honor of the retiring Executive Secretary, Karen Knudsvig of Buxton, North Dakota.