There were three pastors nominated for moderator: Archibald Allison, Larry Westerveld, and Jeffrey Landis. After the nomination speeches, balloting was to take place though electronic voting devices but they did not work; paper ballots were provided for the delegates. Jeffrey Landis, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in San Jose, Calif., was elected as moderator.

The 80th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is meeting at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, from June 5-11, 2013. This is the first OPC General Assembly in California in 23 years, and the first time it has been held in northern California.

Retiring Moderator Tony Curto convened the 80th General Assembly and preached the sermon for the opening worship service. The stated clerk, the Rev. George Cottenden, called the roll and declared a quorum was present with 139 commissioners.

It was reported that a shipment of supplies for the GA had been sent on a train that derailed earlier in the week; the Arrangements Committee announced that the supplies had arrived the morning the GA was to begin.

There were three pastors nominated for moderator: Archibald Allison (Presbytery of the Dakotas), Larry Westerveld (Presbytery of Philadelphia), and Jeffrey Landis (Presbytery of Northern California). After the nomination speeches, balloting was to take place though electronic voting devices but they did not work; paper ballots were provided for the delegates. Jeffrey Landis, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in San Jose, Calif., was elected as moderator.

Pastor Landis has pastored Covenant since 1986. After graduating from Reformed Bible College with a BRE, he continued his education at Westminster Seminary in California earning both MAR and M-Div degrees. He has also completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Reformed Theological Seminary. Landis and his wife Donna have two adult sons, Ben and Joel.

Before the GA recessed its first session, overtures, communications, complaints, and judicial appeals were officially presented to the assembly. The docket for the meeting was adopted.

Members of the assembly were elected to one of 13 Advisory Committees to consider and recommend action on matters during the course of the assembly. The various committees will meet Thursday morning to examine the business of the Church. Then the work of the Assembly will begin Thursday afternoon as the various committees bring their reports before the commissioners.

David Graves is pastor of Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Penn.