Ladies Day 2008

(CLICK ON IMAGE FOR POSTER TO PRINT)

Eight weeks from this weekend, hundreds of ladies will gather at Camp Hickory Hills for Tennessee Ladies Day.

Applications have been mailed and all are encouraged to register early. This year's guest speaker is Sylvia Staten from South Carolina.


We are anticipating a powerful event where the GLORY of the Lord will fill the house!


Please plan to join us April 25th & 26th (and bring a friend.)


Londa Richardson

Prayer request for the Martin Family

I learned yesterday of the passing of R.C. Martin, the brother of our pastor at the Birchwood church. In his early fifties, this came as quite a shock to the family. Please join me in prayer for the family.

Passing notice - Carol Howell

I am saddened to share the information that Carol Howell passed away this morning. She had been struggling with failing health for some time. Carol is no stranger to most folks in Tennessee, as she has worked at our International Offices, and managed one of the White Wing Bookstores. Here husband Dan has be the announcer and producer for Voice of Salvation for many years, and is well known in the Chattanooga area as a local television personality.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Friday and the services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the Keith Street Church, located at 4000 Keith Street in Cleveland, TN

Please join me in prayers for the Howell family.

General Assembly Theme - 2008

Grimsley Church

This morning, Debra and I ministered at the Grimsley church, where Jerry and Jewell Payne serve. We received a wonderful welcome, and the folks there were so kind to us. After the morning service, we shared a great meal with the Paynes, Julia and the girls at their home in Clarkrange.

Many of you will remember that Jerry underwent a liver transplant over one-year-ago, and he is doing marvelous! We are so thankful for the Lord's help and His mercy! God bless.

Couple's Banquet

Tonight (Saturday) Debra and I were honored to be the guest for a couples banquet at the Columbia church. Many of you may know that we served as Senior Pastor there for eight years, from 1990 to 1998. It was good to see so many old friends, but to make some new ones as well.

Also in attendance were Michael and Ann Willingham, who are there for a revival meeting starting tomorrow morning and ending on Wednesday night.

It was a great time of fellowship and we were blessed to be there. Just as soon as the meeting was over, we got in the car and headed to the plateau, where we will be ministering in the morning at the the Grimsley church.

Update on John Payne

Greetings All,

Well, this has been a whirlwind week and God is so good.

John did well through a lengthy surgery yesterday and
Dr Winger gave us wonderful assurances that all is well.
In surgery they removed about 7-8 inches of colon around
the tumor.

John was up and walking by 11:00 last night and has already
been up twice today to walk around the third floor block.

Thank you for your prayers and love. We have been overwhelmed
by the support and encouragement that has come to us over
the last couple of days. Yesterday several came to pray with us
and several stayed all day to just be with us through this.
We are so blessed to be part of this amazing body of Christ.
We are so blessed to be hidden in the love and care of our
Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for continuing to remember us in prayer and thank
you again for your love and care, both of which are certainly
being experienced.

Blessings,
Cathy

Children's Ministries Intensive

Every Year, one of the best programs offered by the Church of God of Prophecy is the Institute of Children's Ministry, conducted in Cleveland, Tennessee. I encourage every children's worker to attend the conference. You will enjoy great fellowship, and will receive some of the top quality instruction anywhere.

I've included this video presentation from our CM department to give you an idea of what the conference offers. I try to attend every year, and only miss it when I am taken away for other church business.

Please boost this to your friends, and everyone involved in Children's Ministries at your local church.





CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON TO VIEW THE VIDEO

Marriage Retreat Highlight

I just couldn't resist sharing this little video clip of one of the Marriage Retreat "Superstars." During this session, several of the men were selected to show their romantic side to their "lady." This is one of our friends from Alabama!





CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON TO VIEW VIDEO

Only three more district meetings...

I find it hard to believe that we are almost finished with February, and spring is just around the corner. Since January 1, 2008 there have been numerous events that have kept us all moving, and only a few more until it slows up a bit.

In March, we will have our final three District meetings, as we will gather at the Hickory Valley church in Chattanooga, at the North Hills church in McMinnville and will conclude the series of meetings at the Tullahoma church.

I do hope to see you at one of these final three meetings if you've missed the rest. God is certainly doing something wonderful among us, and we are hearing of new members being added to the church on a regular basis.

I am so thankful, and honored to be working with such wonderful people in Tennessee. We love you!

Marriage Retreat

The emails have been coming in from across the state about our recent marriage retreat, and coupled with the evaluations, it seems that the retreat was a tremendous success! We are so grateful that the Lord visited with us in so many special ways.

I want to publicly thank Mike and Anne Willingham, the retreat committee, Paul & Barbara Holt, John A. & Judy Stone and Winston and Vernetta Reid for their hard work and contributions to the success.

Josh Dasher and the worship team absolutely excelled our best hopes for each session, and as always, Londa kept the books right. Shaun & Stephanie McKinley helped is with much of the behind the scenes work that was done, as did so many others.

Finally, it goes without saying that Debra McKinley exceeded her normal imaginative self. Zorro wants to publicly thanks Grace Love for the marriage counseling session!

God bless all of you, we are looking forward to a great retreat next year.

Special prayer request

I received this request for prayer from our International Women's Ministries Director, Cathy Payne. I have received her permission to post this so we can all join our faith together for a need for this very special man.

Hey Brother E.C.

John and I would like to share a special prayer need for our family. After a colonoscopy on John last week, a polyp which was removed and biopsied was determined to be cancerous. We went for a consultation with a surgeon yesterday and John has been scheduled for another colonoscopy tomorrow, to scope and mark his colon with surgery planned for Thursday, February 21, to remove the portion of diseased colon.

We are believers in the faithfulness of our Father and we know that this diagnosis is no surprise to Him. Our hearts are trusting in His love and care and we trust His direction. Please pray for God’s guidance as we follow him in this continued journey of faith.

We want to thank those who have already sent emails assuring us of your prayers and support, and for those who will stand with us in faith as you read this now. We have been strengthened by prayer support and we are already using the Word as our first line of faith.

We are also thankful to the Lord that He has the confidence in us to allow us to travel this journey with Him. We have preached and lived faith all of our lives and we are now grateful to walk this season in His mercy and grace.

Because of surgery, John will surely miss some of the retreat season, a reality that will affect me probably more than anyone else.

Please join us in prayer, and thank you for your love and support.

Blessings,
Cathy

A new convert?

I just learned, that we may have converted a "roll-tide" Alabama fan! You decide.

Marriage Unmasked

The Tennessee Marriage Retreat is in full swing, and the Lord has been blessing in a wonderful way! Last night, the ministry of Mike and Ann Willingham connected with hungry hearts, and the prayer time was especially rich.

This morning's session was another powerful one, and the service tonight was more like "campmeeting" than retreat. In fact, someone made the commenter, we came for a retreat and church showed up.

There was dancing, running the aisles and people slain in the Spirit as a real move of the Spirit was swept through the conference room. Peoples needs were met and the Lord did a powerful work.

Tomorrow promises to be another great meeting, and we are looking forward with anticipation!

Open letter to our pastors...

This letter is intended for our Tennessee Pastors. If your pastor does not have the internet, or does not read this blog, please help me by printing this out and giving it to him/her. Thanks.

February 14, 2008

Greetings Pastor,

In a recent mailing from the General Overseer’s Office, you received word that the proxy system will be implemented at the upcoming 2008 International Assembly. This system, which was accepted in the 93rd International Assembly (2004), was intended to help our Assembly business sessions effectively reflect the involvement of our global Church membership.

Since this system is new, I felt the need to provide you with an overview of the steps to comply with the Proxy System guidelines, as well as some additional useful information, as provided to us by the General Overseer’s Office.

Steps for Implementing the Proxy System

1. In March, it is recommended that you set aside time to introduce to your church the items being discussed at the Assembly. These times should include a presentation of the items being discussed, a time for dialogue, and a time for prayer. In addition to the items being discussed, you should introduce the proxy system to your church and give opportunity for questions or dialogue. There are many valuable tools available online at www.cogop.org to assist you as you educate yourself on this system, with new items being added regularly.

2. By March 31, 2008, you will need to submit your “Proxy Pre-Registration Form” to the regional/state office. At this point it will not be necessary for your church to have come to a decision concerning the business items. You will have only had to come to agreement as to who will serve as your proxy. Upon receiving your pre-registration form, we will verify that the form has been completed correctly and will compile and forward our state’s information to the North American Presbyter’s Office. This flow of information is being implemented in each area of the world to ensure continuity and a quick processing of all pre-registrations.


3. Your church’s proxy representative should receive confirmation from the General Overseer’s Office by June 15, 2008. Along with this confirmation will come instructions for registering once the proxy representative arrives to the International Assembly, final drafts of the Committee Reports (if any adjustments have been made), and a proxy expression form on which you and your church treasurer will mark your intended first expression for each report.

4. Upon arrival to the International Assembly, the proxy representative will register. During registration, they will submit their intended first expression form and receive materials that will be used during business session expression times.
5. Business sessions will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday of the Assembly. These sessions will include the presentation of the Committee Reports, times for discussion, and opportunities for proxy expression.


I do hope this will help you as we move into uncharted territory. May God bless you.

Sincerely,

Bishop E.C. McKinley
Tennessee Presiding Bishop



ADDENDUM

Useful Information Concerning the Proxy System

• Remember, in order for your church to give an expression during business sessions, you must submit a Proxy Pre-Registration Form. This form was mailed to you, along with the Committee Reports. As pastor, it is recommended that you serve as the proxy representative; however, this is a decision that should be brought before the church for discussion during a called church conference. If you are unable to attend the Assembly, then your church may register someone else. It is recommended that as an alternative to the pastor, the National/Regional/State Overseer serve as the local church’s proxy. In addition, it is recommended that churches with multiple proxies send only one representative holding all of the church’s proxies.

• During business sessions, any covenant member in attendance may participate during discussion times. At the conclusion of discussions, the floor will be closed to further discussion and the proxy representatives will make their expressions. Should there be a need for further discussion once an expression has been made, the Moderator will reopen the floor for discussion, which will again include any covenant members present.


• The selected proxy representative is required to cast their expression based on the desires of their local church during the first call for expression. After the first expression, the proxy is at liberty to change their expression if concerns are addressed during discussions or if it is necessary to come to agreement. On each item being presented, proxy representatives will have the options to select Yes, No, Abstain, or Submit.

• Should it become necessary, your church may select a new proxy representative after one has been pre-registered. However, changes will only be granted if the necessary change results from a pastoral change, death/illness of selected proxy, or inability of the proxy representative to attend the International Assembly. A “Change of Proxy” form is available online or by calling the General Overseer’s Office at (423) 559-5103.

You play a vital role in the Proxy System implementation process. As with any new system, there will certainly be challenges. In advance, thank you for all of your help and for guiding your church through this new process.

Chaplaincy Training at the International Assembly

The Church of God of Prophecy Chaplaincy Ministries will be conducting twelve hours of Chaplaincy Training Classes August 10 & 11, 2008 as an add-on to the International Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee. Chaplains Don Yancey and Richard Guy, both from Arkansas, will be the primary instructors. The classes will be held in the Renaissance Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee beginning at 4:00 P. M. on Sunday, August 10th and will end Monday evening, August 11th. Location TBA. Each person to complete the program will receive a Certificate of Training. Registration cost is $30 per person. You can register online at www.ichaplains.com and then send your check for registration, along with your name, address, telephone number and email address to: Chaplaincy Ministries, Church of God of Prophecy, 35 Dee Vue Lane, Rossville, GA 30741.

This course is designed for pastors, ministers and church workers who are serving their communities as chaplains or who plan to establish a chaplaincy program in their local community. Those completing this practical, relevant training will be given basic information which will create the interest for additional training and a desire to begin their own local chaplaincy ministry to their communities in such settings as hospitals, nursing homes, law enforcement agencies, jails and prisons, public safety, hospice associations, rescue missions, etc.

For more information contact Dr. Douglas R. Stephenson, Chaplaincy Ministries Director at 423-432-2715 or 706-866-6575 or email me at drstep@aol.com.

ADDITIONALLY,

The Church of God of Prophecy Chaplaincy Ministries will be conducting a four hour Chaplaincy Orientation on Friday afternoon, August 15, 2008, during the Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee. The Orientation will be held in the Renaissance Hotel, beginning at 1:00 P. M. and will end at 5:00 P. M., location TBA.

Five (5) areas of the Chaplaincy will be presented by chaplains representing each of these ministries: Prison/Jail Chaplaincy; Hospital/Hospice Chaplaincy; Fire Chaplaincy; Law Enforcement/Police Chaplaincy; and the Military Chaplaincy. They will provide answers to the following questions: How does one become a chaplain? What are the qualifications? What does a chaplain actually do during a typical day? What are the challenges and the benefits of serving as a chaplain?

For more information contact Dr. Douglas R. Stephenson, Chaplaincy Ministries Director at 423-432-2715 or 706-866-6575 or by emailing me at drstep@aol.com.

Children’s Ministries Training in Morristown

Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and baseball diamonds were in abundance this past weekend as twenty-eight children’s ministers, Sunday School workers and pastors gathered at the Lakemoore Church of God of Prophecy in Morristown for the Children’s Ministries Grand Slam Event. Those participating experienced training in five keys areas; Leading A Child to Christ, Effective Teaching Tools, Partnering with Parents, Developing Kid Ministry Teams, and Implementing Child Safety Programs in the Church. The training was done by Shaun McKinley, Children’s Ministries Director for East Tennessee.

On participant commented, “Thank you for providing this much-needed day of training. My ministry will improve and never be the same as I use what I’ve learned here today.”

Special Thanks to Pastor Robert Carpenter and the Lakemoore Church for hosting the event and providing lunch for all of the participants.

Shaun McKinley | Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer

Church of God of Prophecy International Offices
P.O. Box 2910
Cleveland, TN 37320-2910

Receptionist: (423) 559-5100
Direct Phone: (423) 559-5103
Fax: (423) 559-5108
E-mail: shaun@cogop.org
Web: http://www.cogop.org

Our members suffering in Kenya..

From the General Overseer: Prayer Call for Kenya

Everyone involved would have hoped that the disruptions in Kenya would have ended by now. So after days without hearing any word we have received a clear report from our overseer in Kenya, Bishop Cyril Odendo. I would like to ask all members and friends of the COGOP to pray intensely for the restoration of order and peace in Kenya. Here is some of the report received today.

Bishop Odendo writes:
I will address the issues under the following headings.

A) DEGENERATION OF PEACE
The fighting, deaths and eviction of people, which previously affected Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western Kenya, Nairobi and the Coastal Provinces has not only continued unabated but has also engulfed the Central provinces where organized but outlawed Mungiki gangs are killing non-residents mercilessly.

The death toll which stood at 600 people has according to the government, which is keen on saving its face, gone up to 1000 people. Nearly one million people are camping in areas purported to be safe like, the police stations, yet these have become the targets of killer gangs and the police are also known to be taking sides in the situation.

B) CHURCHES CLOSED OR DESTROYED
Nearly all our churches have closed in Trans Mara ,Timboroa , Naivasha, Kisii and parts of Nairobi, Nakuru and Migori. Many of our members have been forcefully evicted from their houses, property destroyed or stolen and some of our members are confirmed dead.

Whereas it is nearly impossible to travel by road in Kenya, some organizations are making arrangements for transport and security to evacuate their people from these hostile areas. In as much as Red Cross is overwhelmed by the growing number of needy people, there is a lot of hostility in the camps and many threats on their lives.

Bishop Odendo goes on to report about Health Hazards due to the lack of civil services and government controls; Forced Evictions putting some members, believers, and innocents out from homes; Starvation in parts of the nation; Evacuation of Members who are in the most desperate areas; and sadly Funeral Arrangement Costs.

Clearly the situation is no better and the collapse of government has created greater problems that are spreading over the nation. Please respond to this call for prayer for restoration of peace in the nation of Kenya. All who wish to donate for emergency relief may give offerings specifically for the Kenya Crisis. Local churches may send their offerings through Harvest Partners and Individual donors may address their offerings to Helping Hands.

Send your donations to:
Church of God of Prophecy
Global Outreach Ministries
"Kenya Crisis"
PO Box 2910
Cleveland, TN 37312
(423) 559-5100
retha@cogop.org

Reaching Beyond Tennessee

FROM MICHELLE BROOKS-YOUNG

I wanted to share with you the email sent to me this morning. (see below)

As of right now we have raised $8993.93 for Peru. And it just keeps on coming in. Diana made her list of 10 givers, she listened to the Lord and he has supplied the $1000.00!!! To God Be the Glory. Last Sunday a lady shared with me that she wrote a check for money that she did not have, but he Lord told her to be obedient and she was, that very week before her check to Peru cleared the bank; she said the amount she gave was multiplied many times over. Another young couple wrote a check for $400.00 but he Lord told them to write another one for $500.00 God still speaks, and if we obey He will show himself BIG!!!!

I’m just about to bounce off the walls this morning to the GREATNESS of my Savior!! Celebrate with us today as we see the hand of God moving in Lebanon to bless the lives and futures of those in Peru!!!

Woo Hoo!!!!

Michelle

ICM - Middle Tennessee

To God be the Glory for 48 Children's Ministers in Middle Tennessee attending the ICM at Lakeside on Saturday.

There were 11 different churches who took the opportunity to invest in their Children's Ministry Teams.
A huge Thank You to Bro Leon Graves and the Lakeside Church for being such a gracious host.

My prayer is that Children's Ministry in Tennessee will never be the same after hearing Kathy Creasy share from her heart.

Keep watching for more training opportunities for Children's Ministry in Tennessee.

- Kim Batson

Marriage Retreat Notice

Friends,

Today, we learned that the hotel has found four more rooms for this weekend's retreat.  Our attendance is well above last year (maybe as much as 30% above) and there is a lot of excitement about the retreat.

If you want to attend, there are only these four rooms left in the towers.  We will have no more after this, so we will make the connection until they are gone.  You may call the office at 615-824-3563.

Again, once these rooms four rooms are reserved, there are no more.  We hope to see you there.

Keith Street Marriage Retreat Concludes

I had every intention of posting last night, but circumstances prevented me, I apologize.

Yesterday at the KSM marriage retreat, the morning session was great. The couples were so kind and accommodating, and there was a lot of free time built into the session. Last night, there was a karaoke session, the featured such notables as Dolly Parton, Cher, Martina McBride, Etc., Little did I realize how much talent there is at the KSM church.

This morning our class time ended with prayer and good fellowship. What a wonderful group of people! Thanks to Jerry and Evelyn Adams for including us in this special event.

Keith Street Marriage Retreat

Tonight was the first session of the marriage retreat in Pigeon Forge hosted by Keith Street Ministries. Debra and I are honored to serve as guest speakers for this years retreat. Jerry & Evelyn Adams have done a great job of organizing this event, and there is a great turnout of couples from their church.

We look forward to ministering tomorrow and Sunday. I look forward to posting tomorrow evening about events here.

Remember, the Districts 1 & 2 Leadership meetings will be at the Arrowhead church at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday night.

Storm fallout - special needs

As far as I've heard, our people in Tennessee have for the most part been spared death or serious injury from the storms that came through Tennessee earlier this week. There has been some minor damage to properties, but the Lord helped our folks.

Just a few minutes ago, I had a conversation with Pastor Glen Creasy at Hartsville and he informed me that much of the massive damage was done immediately around the church properties there. The gas plant that exploded is about one mile from the church, and the devastation there was tremendous.

Brother Glenn said that rescue workers and other support agencies have set up shop in the area and are trying to help the people of the stricken area. He further stated that they had been storing things up for a rummage sale to help with church expense, but with so much need, they are going to try to open the church up for people in need.

Since they are so close to the majority of the work, the church could be used more effectively if the power was to be restored. I asked about a generator, and Glenn shared that he has requested one, but that request has been buried in the massive amount of pressing issues.

I told him that I would post on this blog tonight to see if someone may have a generator that could be used to help the people there. A commerical-grade generator would be the ideal, and would help to open the church up for the devastated community.

Brother Glenn can be reached at this phone number: (615) 644-3228

I do hope we have someone who can help their need at this time. May God bless you!

Storms across the southland

Friends,

I am issuing this open letter post today in an attempt to check up on our folks across the State of Tennessee (and the rest of the south). The storms were fierce in Middle and West Tennessee and dozens are feared dead.

I have heard from our Presbyters in Northwest Tennessee, Bishop Clayton Mahan that to his knowledge our people were spared, and we have heard from our Middle Tennessee (Nashville area) Presbyter, Bishop Leon Graves that they were spared, although devastation was all around.

If you are a reader of this blog and you know of any damage to our churches or members, or any injuries or deaths associate with our churches, would you please email me by CLICKING HERE? Let us pray for, and lend a helping hand to our neighbors around us during this time of devastation and trial.

The Political World

Late into this evening, the reports were still coming into the news stations about the winners and losers of the political primaries in Super Tuesday. Like many of you, our whole family made the time to do our civic duty and vote.

While we were watching the returns on television, our weather alert radio went off warning us of storms in Tennessee, sweeping from west to east, with severe winds, and tornadoes in some parts of the state. As of now, we do not know how this might have affected any of our people in Tennessee, however, I was struck by an odd thought.

While the winds of political change (the buzz word of the day) are sweeping our nations, natural forces were sweeping our state. Regardless of which one of these events stirs your fancy, the thought came to me that there is one constant for which we can all be thankful.

Regardless of which political party rules, and no matter rain or shine, God Himself watches over those who love Him. He cares about us so much that He can't take His eyes off us....and which ever wind is blowing, God loves us! What a comforting thought. God bless.