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Friday, July 03, 2015

Religious convention draws thousands to downtown SA



Visitors from 200 countries flock to Seve­nth-Day Adventist Church convention

POSTED YESTERDAY, 6:10 PM

UPDATED YESTERDAY, 6:30 PM





 

By Myra Arthur
Anchor/Reporter


SAN ANTONIO - Up to 70,000 people are expected to visit the Alamo City from July 2-11 for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church General Convention Session.

The event will draw believers from 200 countries to discuss the business of the church and gather as a faith community.

“I can’t believe it! It looks like an Adventist town,” said Nokutla Dlodlo, from Liverpool, England. “Everywhere you see the banners of the Adventist Church. I really feel at home here.”

"Our great reputation is just going to get even greater with much more knowledge of the wonderful hospitality of San Antonio," Dave Peterson, executive vice president of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Costin Jordache, vice president for communication of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, said San Antonio was chosen to host the convention because of its history, culture and logistics.

“Which are to have a large coliseum type environment where you can seat 70,000 and a convention center very nearby and a whole lot of hotel rooms,” said Jordache.

San Antonio police are providing security for the event and patrolling the River Walk and downtown areas. Traffic officers are also helping direct the increase in traffic.

“I think that this convention will send a message to others that we are the place to come,” said Peterson. “The new convention center is going to improve that even more."

“Walking down, I was thinking 'It's going to be like that in heaven!' Seeing all these lovely faces, all these different people! I think its a taste of what’s to come,” said Dlodlo.

The Alamodome will host the roughly 70,000 attendees for the convention meetings. The convention lasts through July 11.



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