Report # 6 General Superintendent Report:

Need 631 to elect

Duarte: 613 votes
Crocker 118
Valvassoura 50
Bowling 39
Graves 29
Verne Ward 20

I was wrong! One more ballot. My guess is that after the first election, the dynamics will radically shift. It is interesting that the North American delegates have dropped. Whether that will continue after the first non-North American election will be interesting to see. We will see depending on how Crocker and Valvassoura do in the first vote after the election of Duarte.

Ballot 7

959 valid; 639 to elect

Duarte 783

New GS!! The Assembly continues a standing ovation for several minutes. The African delegation literally hoisted him up on their shoulders in jubulation. He is having trouble making his way toward the podium because of the depth of emotions of his followers continue to surround and embrace. him. The group of the delegation surrounds him as an African song breaks out in the background. Duarte moves to the platform and warmly embraces the General Superintendents with a strong hug. Honestly I am fighting tears back from my eyes as the acapelo African melody now rings over the convention before Dr. Jim Diehl announces Dr. Duarte elected as a General Superintendent.

Here is his acceptance speech:

"My elder sister told it to our parents; and they chose for the youngest child the Nazarene school that had just arrived. It was later when I became a teacher at that very school at an age that I would not be allowed to sign the official documents; the pastor would sign for me. As I went for my first pay, I heard the conversation between the church treasurer, Fabia and the pastor. And I understood that I had embraced a missional church. And this is what a missional church gives you. (applause). It gives you someone who does not feel adequate, but who has no right to say no to the Lord. (applause) During 31 of the 44 years that I have been part of the Church of the Nazarene, it has always been the case that the church teaches me how to serve. That all I know, and that's all I can do, is to serve. I am willing to serve you. (applause) Thank you very much for trusting me; thank you for trusting the mission that you invest in; thank you for trusting Africa (applause).

He has shifted languages now in expressing thanks.

The rest of the votes are read. I have no idea what while happen from there. Dr. Duarte has taken a seat at the table with the Board of the General Superintendents. He has no jurisdiction, but he is immediately embraced.

Next Ballot will be ballot #2 for the 38th General Superintendent. This keeps the codes from before. Write in ballots are valid at any time if a name is not on the compiled list -- this allows the ballot to remain open as required by the Manual. All ballots are completely open.

Report on GS Ballot

Needed to elect: 635

Crocker 251
Bowling 153
Valvassoura 118
Graves 85
Ketchum 33
Seaman 30
Verne Ward 29
Bustle 24
Vassel 21
Benefiel 20
Sarmiento 17
Saenz 14
Jossie Owens 13

It will be interesting to watch what happens between Crocker and Bowling and Valvassoura. Crocker's votes jumped up again substantially -- which suggests that some of those voting for non-Americans shifted their vote to him. Bowling was elected four years ago, but declined the position after election because of his obligations at Olivet and fund raising. I don't know anything about Valvassoura. Jossie Owens with 13 is the highest woman; Carla Sundberg was not far behind, if the Assembly decides that a woman GS is important to the church. Ketchum is a conservative candidate from middle United States. The next ballot will be interesting and set a trend.

Meanwhile, you'll have to follow the results at other sites. I need to catch a plane and fly back to San Diego. Obviously this ends my live blogging, but I will follow the actions of the Assembly and try to blog daily on my observations, along with other events in life.