 I want to invite you to stand in the presence of the Lord as we sing together. Some of you may know this, if you do sing on out, if not, you'll catch on and simply go like this. My hope is bill less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust Baptist church in Shreveport, Louisiana, and often in the mornings we would wake up being reminded that Jesus is the one whom we follow, whom we look toward as our guide and as our savior and as our friend. And so we wake up in the morning with our mind stayed on Jesus. I can hear my grandmother, we called her Tutti. I can hear her voice singing in the morning saying, Woke up this morning with my mind and it was, stayed this morning with my mind and it was called Tenimus Espera, just because of Christ's resurrection, we can have hope. Because Christ came for us, can I get an amen? Because Christ came to enter in our journey because He broke the vision of new creation, where there is no death. Well as you are seated, I want to invite you that the Spirit would come. Thank you, Deandre. Welcome. Good morning. It will be another very good day. I look forward to being with you during this day as we continue our agenda. We will adjourn hopefully by the time certain that's pre-owned agenda. That is my intention, which means that I'm going to be moving us rapidly at times and which I try to do anyway, but I'll be doing that. I believe that Cheryl Murphy is going to be giving our prayer, so Cheryl, we gladly welcome you. Good morning. I feel as if the spirit of last night's worship service is still upon us. So as we settle in and begin the work at hand, let us pray. Almighty God, thank you for the gift of today. As we gather in this beautiful sanctuary surrounded by dear friends and colleagues, new friends and committed Christians, we thank you for this sacred time. Today we'll be blessed by the witness of wise and motivating speakers. We will be blessed by the leadership of our bishop and conference leaders. Be present with them that at all times we can see your work, hear your words, and experience your love stamped upon their hearts. Lord, we are grateful to you for the clergy that are serving the many churches in the North Texas communities. The call on their lives to be present and witnessing to all that you are and all that you do through them is the light of Jesus Christ. Lord, we lift up praises for the laity that have taken time from their personal and professional lives to be about the work of our conference. Without their witness, passion, and faithful service, your message would not reach the masses in our cities and communities. Lord may our work, our words, our witness glorify you today. May we be the people, the disciples you need for the holy work at hand. May your spirit be present in every breath, in every step, in every conversation. May your spirit be the witness that we are the hands and feet of Christ here and now. Lord, we lift ourselves to you this day and every day. And all God's people said, Amen.