The Longer I Serve Him

During morning devotions, this song was brought to my memory. It was such a blessing that I wanted to share it with you:








Since I started for the Kingdom,
Since my life He controls,
Since I gave my heart to Jesus,
The longer I serve Him,
The sweeter He grows.

Chorus
The longer serve Him, the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

Ev'ry need He is supplying,
Plenteous grace He bestows;
Ev'ry day my way gets brighter,
The longer I serve Him,
The sweeter He grows.

Chorus
The longer serve Him, the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

21 Days of Seeking Renewal

For the first 21 days of the New Year of 2010 we are inviting all that the Spirit will call to join us in the greatest Season of Seeking that the COGOP ministry family has ever participated in. We are not alone, in that many ministries around the world will be seeking God at the same time. Let the heavens open for millions of sincere and hungry believers seeking God for great things as we start a new decade of ministry for His Glory!

The needs are great at every level. That is beyond doubt. But I stumbled across the data below and it gave me a new perspective on seeking Him at this moment in our journey as a movement. Look at this information about the COGOP journey.

It took:

50 years to reach 100,000 members, (1903-1953) [2,000 per year]
25 years to reach the 200,000 member mark, (1978) [4,000 per year]
16 years to reach the 300,000 member mark, (1994) [6,250 per year]
4 years to reach the 400,000 member mark, (1998) [25,000 per year]
Only 2 years to reach the 500,000 member mark, (2000) [50,000 per year]
Only 2 more years to reach 600,000 members, (2002) [50,000 per year]
Four more years to reach one million members, (2006) [100,000 per year]
Four more years to reach 1.5 million members, (2010) [100,000+ per year]

As I saw the accelerating trend of God’s work in this ministry I gained a new motivation to seek Him. By the grace of God, by the help of the Holy Spirit, and by the sovereign hand of God in His harvest reaping, this humble movement has been called to join many others in reaping hundreds of thousands of souls in the greatest Kingdom building effort the world has ever seen. We are part of God’s snowballing effect for His Gospel spread and His Glory revealed on planet earth. It will not be by might or by power but by the Divine work of God in our ministries.

Yes there are needs, but from this point of reference I am motivated to enter God’s presence anew for this new decade so that we may run on with God in what may be His Great Last Days Work. Our eyes have not seen and our ears have not heard what glorious things God is going to do in this generation. The testimony above reveals we have been greatly helped by God to participate in something wonderful. But the future will be even more awesome as we fully give ourselves and ministries over to our Harvest Focused Savior.

Join us this January as we seek God to begin this decade of Harvest.


Bishop Randall E. Howard, General Overseer

Annual District Leadership Meetings Begin

The state-wide District Leadership Meetings are about to begin in Tennessee. I am excited about the great things ahead, and the opportunity to share what God is speaking to my heart.

The first meeting is scheduled for January 3, 2010 starting at 6:00 p.m. and will include our West Tennessee churches in the Districts of Bishop Robert Wier and Bishop Clayton Mahan.

This year, we are changing locations to the DoubleTree Hotel in Jackson. The hotel is located at 1770 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, TN 38305.

Everyone is invited to attend, and we expect the meetings to last two to three hours. In past years, these have been great meetings with wonderful fellowship, and we are looking forward to seeing you there.

Additional Information:

Jackson, TN (1/3/2010)
White Bluff, TN (1/10/2010)
Westmoreland, TN (1/24/2010)
Crossville, TN (1/31/2010)
Knoxville, TN (2/7/2010)
Cleveland, TN 2/21/2010)

All services begin at 6:00 p.m., with the District Presbyter in charge. Locations will be announced on the blog, so check back often.

Merry Christmas from Church of God of Prophecy - Tennessee

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end..." (Isaiah 9:7)

The prophetic words of the prophet were fulfilled two-thousand-years ago when Jesus was born. We pause during this Christmas season to remember the promise of God. We pause with thankful hearts to acknowledge the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we pause to give thanks for you. Our hope and joy is that this will be the most wonderful Christmas for you and your family.

Remember, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."

Sincerely,

Bishop E.C. McKinley and the Staff
Church of God of Prophecy - TN

Headed home

As I write today, Debra and I are traveling North on I-75 on our way home. We were out of the state over the weekend to attend the memorial service for Bishop Elwood Matthews, who passed away this last week in Florida.

It was nice to see such a large representation there from the International Offices and multiple other ministries. Everyone on the program did a wonderful job and we were all blessed, especially by the comments of his family.

Sister Roberta was faring well, although it was obvious that she is heartbroken from this event.

The service was streamed live from the local church where the memorial service was held, and I understand that DVD's of the service will be made available for a very small cost (mostly postage).

I ask you to continue to pray with me for Bishop Matthews' family, and that we will live up to the strong legacy he has passed on to our generation.

Bishop Elwood Matthews Memorial Webcast

As you may have already heard, Bishop Elwood Matthews, renowned evangelist and former General Appointee in the Church of God of Prophecy passed away this week in Florida.

Debra and I are planning on attending the memorial service to be conducted Sunday, December 20, 2009 in Titusville, Florida.

I learned today that the memorial service will be streamed live on the world-wide-web for those who would like to view the services.

The webcast will begin at 5:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)and may be accessed by visiting the website www.findnewlife.com.

I will also post reports of the memorial services.

Let My Spirit Go!

Archival footage of Bishop Elwood Matthews

Front Page of Cleveland Banner -- Bishop Elwood Matthews

There is a great article on the front page of the Cleveland Daily Banner about the ministry of Bishop Elwood Matthews. To read it click the following link:

http://www.clevelandbanner.com

Arrangements for Bishop Elwood Matthews

We are saddened to inform you that former general appointee, Bishop Elwood Matthews passed away this morning. Below you will find the details of his memorial service which will be held on Sunday.

Please feel free to inform the ministry in your area of Bishop Matthews’ passing and forward this information if you wish.

Elwood Matthews Memorial Service
Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
New Life Fellowship
6755 South Washington Avenue
Titusville, Florida 32780


For those wishing to send a card, Sister Roberta Matthews may be contacted at the following:

Roberta Matthews
7420 North U.S. Highway 1
Unit 206
Cocoa, FL 32927


Thank you for your prayers for the family during this time of loss.

Shaun McKinley | Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer