GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—A 10-day gathering of members of The Wesleyan Church is being billed as the largest religious convention in Grand Rapids' history, according to the Associated Press.

More than 4,000 Wesleyans are expected to descend upon DeVos Place, Grand Rapids' new convention center, for the international conference of the evangelical Protestant church.

According to Wesleyan.org, the 400,000-member denomination includes about 3,600 churches in more than 40 nations, including more than 1,700 in the United States and Canada. Some of the denomination's largest congregations are located in western Michigan, including Kentwood Community Church, Grand Rapids; Daybreak Community Wesleyan Church, Hudsonville; Spring Lake Wesleyan Church, Spring Lake; and Central Wesleyan Church, Holland. More than 9,000 Grand Rapids-area residents attend Wesleyan congregations.

"Exalting Christ and Empowering the Church" will be the theme of the six-day event, which will gather over 500 representatives from 53 countries in the quadrennial business and inspirational meetings of The Wesleyan Church denomination.

During the daily business sessions, delegates will elect the Church's officers and consider changes to its bylaws. Evening inspirational rallies will be open to the public and will feature well-known speakers such as Leonard Sweet, author, futurist; and E. Stanley Jones, Professor of Evangelism at Drew University.

Invited guest Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, director of World Hope International, an international compassion ministry affiliated with The Wesleyan Church, will highlight that ministry's work in combating the world AIDS crisis.

Dr. Robert Black of Southern Wesleyan University will review significant events in the history of the denomination, including its fight against slavery, its hosting of the first women's rights convention, its standing as the first North American denomination to ordain women, and its continuing endeavor to preserve basic human rights.

Featured speaker Rev. Luis D. Martinez, a gifted Wesleyan evangelist ministering in South and North America, represents the growing ministry of our church among Hispanic people.