Day One of Loud Cry 2026: A Movement United to Finish God’s Work

Day one of the 2026 Loud Cry International Convocation at Camp Blue Ridge in Clayton, GA, has come to an end—and much more is still to come in the days ahead. We were blessed to break bread together with brothers and sisters from all over the country, to pray together, worship together, and engage with one another in meaningful fellowship. The spirit of unity was evident throughout the gathering, reminding us that it is part of God’s will for believers to gather for strength, encouragement, and spiritual renewal through camp meetings.

Pastor James Milam and Attorney Jonathan Zirkle, vice president and president, respectively, of Loud Cry International, gave the welcome and challenged the audience to take this event as a personal season of training and equipping in order to better serve and prepare for the Latter Rain and the finishing of God’s work.

Dr. Conrad Vine, our first keynote speaker, gave a sobering and encouraging message about the life and ministry of Jeremiah and the parallel experience that the faithful will have to endure: hardships, rejection, cancellation, imprisonment, ridicule, being spoken evil of, and much more. Yet despite the opposition, God was with Jeremiah, and he faithfully delivered his message—not embellishing it or watering it down, but proclaiming it exactly as God gave it to him. [1]

He likened the faithful Seventh-day Adventists of this generation to Winston Churchill’s famous phrase: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Dr. Vine’s message was about how God often uses a faithful minority to accomplish a major work in critical times. [1]

As I observed the many ministries represented and the heartfelt engagement of the worshippers throughout the first night, I found myself reflecting and praying, “Lord, is this just another camp meeting, or is this the rising of a movement—a body of end-time, present-truth reformers united in the third angel’s message, who will help finish Your work in the power of the Holy Spirit?”

I truly believe that it is the latter. To meet various ministry leaders representing a wide range of missions and to know that we are united here for one purpose—equipping the saints to help finish the work—is deeply impactful, especially given the challenges facing Adventism today. There is much talk of unity, but not always in present truth. There is much activity, but not always centered on giving the final message of mercy to the world. At this camp meeting, however, it was evident that many recognize we are living in a solemn time in earth’s history and that there are deliberate efforts being made to proclaim the third angel’s message, together with the first and second, to the world.

Sister White described the final movement of God under the showers of the Latter Rain as follows:

“By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given” (Great Controversy, p. 612).

“When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together, and present to the enemy a united front” (Evangelism, p. 693).

Two points are emphasized here: first, thousands of faithful people will participate in this work; and second, their efforts will be united and selfless. God has been waiting for this kind of movement—one whose emphasis is on present truth. I believe that this Loud Cry International Convocation, along with other camp meetings taking place around the world, represents something unique and special. God’s final end-time movement will be greater than any one person or any single ministry.

I believe that the spirit witnessed here thus far has exemplified unity in the third angel’s message, unity in present truth, unity in seeking the righteousness of Christ—both imputed and imparted—and unity in the glorious prospect of finishing the work in this generation. Brothers and sisters, all I can say is that present truth is alive and well. Present truth is not dead. And soon, if we remain faithful, those who stand firmly for present truth will triumph under the showers of the Latter Rain.

“The bulwarks of Satan will never triumph. Victory will attend the third angel’s message. As the Captain of the Lord’s host tore down the walls of Jericho, so will the Lord’s commandment-keeping people triumph, and all opposing elements be defeated” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 410).

Sources

[1] https://www.youtube.com/live/yJCu6O_uPkc?si=yjxVU3WaRhRat3Eu