We’re home!

We finally managed to make it home.  It sure felt good to sleep in my own bed!

All in all I took over 5,000 pictures last week and have around 3,000 that I’ll be forwarding to Zondervan (yes that means that 2000+ pictures didn’t turn out well).  Additionally, I’ll be posting a number of additional photos on this blog along with some recollections on the 2007 National Pastors Convention.  It was a wonderful week and I’m thankful for the opportunity to volunteer at such a great event.  I can’t wait for next year!

Make sure to keep checking back or subscribe to the RSS feed for the blog – I’ll be posting here for at least a few weeks, probably longer.  If you’re interested in any particular pictures – post a comment and let me know!

The internet is TOO popular!

The response to the NPC Digital Cafe’ has been overwhelming and even though they’ve added another router it’s proving difficult to get connected.  The Cafe’ is literally PACKED all day.   So, before I get bumped off (I’m not going to use a connection that a pastor might want) when the Cafe’ fills back up after this general session – here are a few pictures from the last 24 hours:

Afternoon Sessions – Day 2

It’s probably just me; I think attendance was higher today than yesterday. There are A LOT of pastors and ministry leaders here; based upon my walk around this afternoon to the various sessions it certainly seems like more are here, or at least attending the afternoon sessions. Shane Hipps’ session entitled “The Gospel According to Electronic Culture: Why Changing the Methods Always Changes the Message” was so full they were sitting outside the door listening in. Here are some pics from todays sessions:

Digital Cafe’ – National Pastors Convention 2007

I’m back in “hiding.”  Hiding behind the curtains in the NPC Digital Cafe’ that is . . .

One of the new features at the National Pastors Convention for 2007 is the NPC Digital Cafe’. Attendees can relax on comfortable sofas, enjoy a cappuccino, watch a Nooma, watch The Making of the Bible Experience (DVD), listen to The Bible Experience on an available ipod, register to win a FREE ipod and, of course, connect to the FREE high speed wireless internet. The NPC Digital Cafe’ is a definite “hit” and is almost always busy. There’s also a FREE massage, your’s for the asking – although you may have to wait in line!

As I’m regularly transferring pictures from my digital media to my laptop I set up office (so to speak) in the storage area behind the NPC Digital Cafe’. My desk is a wooden shipping box and I’m able to keep my equipment charged and ready while staying “out of the way” so to speak. All things considered – I’m thrilled with the accommodations!

If you’re here at the convention – don’t miss the Digital Cafe’ – it’s a great place to relax a bit, take a nap (I’m serious, just find a comfy sofa and let your head bob a bit – kind of like I used to do in church when I was a kid!), or just grab a tasty drink. If you’re really lucky (ha, ha) you might even see me!

Here are some pics – pardon the “graininess,” it’s a bit darker in the NPC Digital Cafe’ and I have been trying not to use my flash.

After the Late Night Comedy – I’m tired . . .

No posts late last night after the comedy session. The comedians were great . . . I was simply too tired. I got back to my room about 11:45pm and barely remember crawling into bed. I feel a bit better this morning, although I’m definitely tired. I suppose it’s a combination of the 3 hour time difference (versus Michigan) and yesterdays 16 hours of work. Mind you, I’m not complaining. I’m having a great time here at the National Pastors Convention and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to volunteer. Not to mention, having a back stage pass, as the NPC official photographer, is cool too!

Here are a couple of shots from last night . . .

Now I’m off to catch this mornings Connect Groups prior to General Session #3 this morning at 9:45am. I’ll be back!

A mistake becomes my new desktop wallpaper

I wasn’t paying attention to the aperature setting on my camera and I really over exposed a shot of the front of the convention center.  I decided to keep the photo and simply cropped the edges to clean up the image a bit and added a border.  Here’s my new desktop background (click on the image to see a full size version)

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Main stage complete . . . almost

Just over seven hours after we started the main stage is complete except for a few drapes in front of the stage.  A few of the areas can’t be draped until after the sound checks are complete, something they’re working on now.

It was quite amazing to see the main stage transform from a simple raised platform at 8:00am this morning into a dramatic stage with stunning lights and amazing sound!  I’ve never been quite so far behind the scenes of a production like this and although my muscles are reminding me that I’m not 20 any longer, the experience was fun, insightful and elightening.

One thing that truly impressed me were the other volunteers.  People from Iowa, Pennsylvania, Minneapolis and a myriad of other states as well.  All coming to San Diego on their own dime to volunteer at the National Pastors Convention.  Zondervan is generous in providing lodging and per-diems for all the volunteers, yet the spirit of giving is readily apparent when you talk to those that are giving of their time and often their vacations to give back to God.  People from all walks and backgrounds; non-denomonational, reformed, christan reformed, baptist, lutheran, berean and many others too.  An impressive group of people that I’m proud to serve with.

They tell me that we’ll be able to finish the main stage in about two hours . . . in the mean time I’ll be taking some more photos and getting ready for the main sessions that start tomorrow.  By the way – if you haven’t heard yet, don’t miss the webcast of the general sessions – they’re bound to be memorable!

Fog in San Diego

The fog rolled in this afternoon around 4:00pm and provided an early darkening of the skies. We finished up the main stage setup and I returned to my photography detail around 5:00pm. Most of the shots I was trying to get were inside and the fog outside really reduced my light in the bookstore and registration areas. In the end I wasn’t able to capture many good shots.

We headed out to dinner around 7:00pm and were joined by some of the Zondervan staff and a few more volunteers at The Cheesecake Factory. All in all we managed to get 17 people from the convention seated on their patio and enjoyed a nice dinner. We left immediately after dinner as our son was falling asleep at the table (he’d worked hard today!). Another day in the books . . .

A few volunteering photos . . .

Stuffing information packets for the attendees.

More information packets being stuffed (completed packets are being stacked on the table in the rear of the photo . . . nearly 2,000 in all when complete.

Superbowl Sunday came to us thanks to the hotel staff . . .

LIVE from San Diego, It’s the 2007 National Pastors Convention!

We’re live online today! After four days of limited connectivity I’m online in the NPC Digital Cafe’. I’ll get caught up on what’s been going on over the last few days, although for now suffice it to say we spent two days sight-seeing and yesterday and today have been filled with setup functions. NPC officially begins today with registration open at 9:00am. The bookstore is already bustling . . . understandable as Zondervan and InterVarsity Press are selling virtually all of their books at 50% off; a great deal for attendees and us voluteers!

This morning began with a general meeting for the Zondervan staff and volunteers. Shortly after 8:00am I joined about 15 other volunteers and Zondervan staffers in unloading the semi for the main stage setup. I’m back to the main stage shortly to continue working with the crew from DB Productions.

The conference is going to be great! There are some fantastic speakers and great specialty sessions too. I’ll be covering as much as possible while snapping photos of virtually everything. Stay tuned and check back often – I hope to be posting every few hours with updates.