Voice of Hope

This obituary is for one of the family members of our Tennessee Outreach to the Hispanic community at Victory Chapel in Cleveland. The church plant is one of our Tennessee churches under the direction of Brother Cliff Anderson. Fredy Perez Roblero was killed while operating his business in Cleveland. I visited with the family and with Pastor Anderson. This is one of our Tennessee church plants and I am asking all of you to join me in prayer for the family, and for the arrest of the perpetrator(s) of this crime. Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 Fredy Ruben Perez Roblero, 36, a resident of Cleveland and a native of Guatemala, passed away Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. He was the owner of Tienda Perez, a Hispanic grocery store in Cleveland which he had recently purchased from the previous owners. He was preceded in death by a sister, Oralia Perez. He attended Victory Chapel Church with his family. Survivors include his wife, Rosemery Escalante de Perez; sons: Fredi Perez Jr. and Samuel Perez; and daugh...

This morning, we attended the First Assembly Anniversary service near Fields of the Wood in North Carolina. A good crowd was there, including Sister Londa Richardson and her parents, Brother & Sister Allen Davis. Bishop Paul Holt did an outstanding job of organizing and moderating the meeting in the small room, and we heard an excellent message from our General Overseer, Bishop Randall Howard. Dr. David Roebuck Director of the Dixson Pentecostal Research Center was also in attendance with a large contingent of the International Office staff and some from the Pentecostal Holiness Church. I am so thankful to be a part of a great movement of God with such humble beginnings.

As I write, it is about 20 minutes after midnight (Sunday Night/Monday Morning) and though physically tired, I had to share with you about today's services. This morning, Debra and I were at the Peerless Road Church, where I preached in the AM service. The choir did a magnificent job of leading us into worhip, and at the conclusion of the message, the Lord showed up in a special way. What a wonderful refreshing we experienced as the Spirit of the Lord moved on people in the altar service, and as many danced in the Presence of the Lord. Thank God for His wonderful presence. We left Cleveland in the afternoon, and visited with an old friend who is in desperate physical need (a man we pastored years ago). We prayed with him before leaving and left being thankful for the grace of the Lord. This evening, we gathered for our District Leadership Meeting in the plateau region. Dr. Freddie Harding did an excellent job moderating, and the worship was again powerful. There were so ma...

January 26, 2009 @ 10:00 AM First Assembly House Murphy NC near Fields of the Wood □ Welcome by Bishop Paul Holt, Heritage Ministries Director □ Prayer by Bishop Wayne Allen, Fields of the Wood Caretaker □ Reading of First Assembly Minutes by Pastor Don Johnston, Fields of the Wood Worship Chapel □ Congregational Singing coordinated by the Fields of the Wood Worship Chapel □ Comments by Bishop Ben Feliz, Director of Finance, Administration, & Publishing □ Message by Bishop Randy Howard, General Overseer □ Song led by the Fields of the Wood Worship Chapel □ Closing Comments and Corporate prayer of Thanksgiving led by Bishop Paul Holt □ At the conclusion of the service, everyone is invited to join us for lunch at Fields of the Wood in the Burger Mountain Cafe. The meal will not be free, but a 20% discount will be given.

I am pleased to announce the 2009 Tennessee State Convention location will be at the Embassy suites Hotel & Conference Center located at 1200 Conference Center Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. The dates for the convention are: July 10-12, 2009. The Conference Center is visible from I-24 with easy access, surrounded by restaurants and a shopping area. This facility is brand-new and will be a site located in the geographical center of Tennessee, offering a great hotel with onsite restaurants, coffee shops and 21st Century Technology. To view the location click here I hope you will help me get the word out, guest speakers will be announced later, once confirmed. Please join me now in prayer for a great Move of God!

This has been a great week across the State of Tennessee. Yesterday, I was able to spend the whole day in the office catching up on administrative work and interviewing prospective pastors for Tennessee. God is definitely up to something. This coming weekend, we will be gathering at the Pine Grove Church in Crossville for our continued series of District Leadership meetings, and I am thrilled at the turn out, and the worshipful congregations that have gathered in our previous meetings this year, but I am looking forward to the gatherings to complete the stae tour. I hope to see you there! It is time to push beyond the ordinary, to do the extraordinary, empowered by the Power of the Holy Spirit. I believe there is a stirring in the hearts of God's people, and soon we will see a hunger among our younger people in our church. As one of the "old-timers" I am going to do everything in my power to see their dreams of a move of God to come to pass. While it happens, we d...

Yesterday, I made the appointment of Pastor Dennis and Young Didion coordinators for the Korean-language work in the State of Tennessee. We are looking forward to seeing new Korean-speaking congregations planted as the new doors of opportunities are opened among us.

I received word a few-minutes-ago that the mother of Pastor Richard Neal has been taken to the hospital. Brother Neal is still waiting on an update on her condition. I am in Cleveland, but one of our ministers, Jeff Jones has gone to be with the family in Hendersonville and check on her condition. Please join me in prayer for this special need

Yesterday I received word that Pastor James Blackmon (Oakwood-Chattanooga) underwent open-heart surgery. I visited with him last night, and was able to pray for him. He was sitting up with his family. Please join me in prayer for Brother Blackmon.

At a little after 5:00 a.m. this morning, Debra and I made the trip back to Cleveland, this time to attend the funeral services of a friend at the Keith Street Church. Doris Marie Tolbert Gary was born October 3, 1931 and was promoted to Glory January 14, 2009 at the age of 77. The services were officiated by Dr. Dan Kurbis, Bishop Richard E Davis and Pastor John A. Stone. There were many others who participated in the services, including a loving remembrance by her son Pete Tolbert. Many of you know that Sister Gary was preceded in death by Bishop Johnny Tolbert and Bishop Charles Gary.

On Sunday morning, I had the privilege of ministering at the Peerless Road Church in Cleveland. The Lord blessed in a special way during the altar service, for which I am grateful. Immediately after the morning service, I left Cleveland and drove to our third District Leadership meeting, this one hosted at the Lakeside Church in Westmoreland. Bishop F. Leon Graves, the District Presbyter moderated the service which was filled with lively worship. After sharing the message, the altar response was powerful, with many needs met. The worship team outdid themselves, as usual. Special thanks to all in attendance (a full house) at the meeting. Our next District Leadership Meeting will be next Sunday evening at the Pine Grove Church in Crossville. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

t is a little after midnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning and I just arrived in Cleveland to prepare for services in the morning (Sunday). I wanted to take just a moment to post a message about funeral services today. This morning, I arrived in Michie, Tennessee for the funeral of Connie "Horner" Lawson. The church was full! An amazing thing considering the blowing, cold weather. The services were beautiful as Pastor James Lawson spoke, along with Sister Horner's children and friends. Dr. Roy Bennett, the pastor of the Michie church preached an magnificant sermon and the services were closed by a song from Perry Horner and a prayer by Kay Horner. The graveside services were officiated by Dr. Bennett, and I spoke a few words, followed by encouragement and a prayer by Dr. H.E. Cardin. Again, I am so impressed by the love shown from our family. There was a large group of Peerless Road Church members and staff (Perry & Kay Horner are members there) along...

The Roberts Tabernacle church will be hosting Revival Services from January 25-28, 2009. Services will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday night and at 7:00 P.M. on Monday through Wednesday night. The church is located at 1801 Fairfield Rd, Westmoreland, TN. For further information, contact the church office at (615) 644-3824

"By His Grace" will be available for weekend revivals, concerts and special events beginning Feb 1, 2009. "By His Grace" includes a blended style of traditional/contemporary praise & worship, special music and the Word in every service. We don't care what size the congregation, God has a plan for all! We look forward to a mighty move of the Holy Ghost! Visit our website @ www.byhisgrace.faithsite.com for bio's and reference listing. Contact Gary Baker @ 615-313-0612 or 931-553-8301 or garybyhisgrace@bellsouth.net for booking information! Join us in prayer for revival in America! God bless you! "By His Grace" Ministries Sammy Rye, Evangelist 925 Owl Hollow Road Clarksville, TN 37040 931-553-8301 615-532-1294

Dear Friends, Sister Doris Gary passed away this week. Many of you in Tennessee (and beyond) know Sister Doris, as she has been in ministry for many, many years. Doris is preceeded in death by her first husband, Bishop Johnny Tolbert, and by her second husband, Bishop Charles M. Gary. Visitation and funeral services will be at the Keith Street Church, 4000 Keith Street in Cleveland, Tennessee. Visitation will be Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a short time of visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday prior to the funeral services. Remember, the times given are Eastern Standard Time.

The funeral arrangements for Consuelo Horner Lawson are as follows: Family visitation, funeral service, and burial will all be held at the Michie, TN Church of God of Prophecy on Saturday, January 16th. Visitation from 12:00 - 1:45 PM Service at 2:00 PM Burial in church cemetery immediately following service Memorial Funeral Home in Corinth, MS is in charge of the arrangements. Browder's Florist (friends of the family) 1622 Shiloh Road Corinth, MS 38834 662-286-5292 Ms. Lawson had also requested that memorials be sent to: Church on the Rock c/o Pastor Kenny Duke 2690 Villa Woods Lane Granite Falls, NC 28630

I received the following information concern the brother of Gary Riley, our District Presbyter and pastor of the Crossroads Church in White Bluff. Please join me in prayer: Jerry Wayne Riley, age 63, of Portland, passed away January 13, 2009, at his residence. He was born in Sumner County on May 18, 1945. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Simpson Riley of Portland; sons, Kevin (Mitzie) Riley of Portland, Jeremy (Chuana) Riley of Cross Plains; grandchildren, Joshua, Heather, Patrick, Kaylin, Blake, Kyle, Hailley, Tanner, Austin, and Madison; parents, Louell and Josephine Riley of Gallatin; brothers, Gary Riley of White Bluff, Glenn Riley of Hendersonville; sisters, Judy Bolding of Gallatin, Jeanette Barton of Gallatin. Visitation will be 12 p.m., until 9 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2009, and 12 p.m., until 9 p.m., Friday. Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2009, at Wilkinson & Wiseman Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Riley officiating. Interment w...

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 and the funeral service will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. The funeral (and visitation) will be at: Curry's Funeral Home 416 N. Sampson Avenue Dyersburg, TN 38024 (731) 285-2242 Officiating: Bishop Clayton Mahan, District Presbyter Bishop Eugene Weakley, Former Tennessee State Overseer Bishop E.C. McKinley, Tennessee State Overseer Please join us in prayer fo the Robbins family

Early this afternoon, Sister Shelia Robbins passed away at Dyersburg, Tennessee. Shelia's husband, Jerry serves as the pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy in Dyersburg. I spoke with Brother Robbins on the telephone twice today, reminding him that his church family in Tennessee (and beyond) are praying for him and his family during this time in his life. Pastor Robbins, his family and the local church have been examples of love, kindness and the grace of God in action. Please join me in prayer for Jerry and his family, I will be posting details of the funeral services tomorrow just as soon as I receive them from the family.

CLICK THE IMAGE ON THE RIGHT FOR A POSTER-SIZED IMAGE

Hello everyone, I just wanted to get the word out about a part time youth pastor position. If you know of someone intersted please let me know: Johnston Community Church (Church of God of Prophecy) Part Time Youth Pastor Position Available Selma, NC Send resume or if you would like more information please contact us via church website www.jcchurch.com Thanks! Kenny Lee

I am writing with an urgent prayer request for one of our local church members, serving in the United States Army in Iraq. Bro. John Moore, is a member at Crossroads in White Bluff, and is a sergeant with a Stryker brigade serving in Iraq. He was injured in a road-side bomb explosion yesterday morning their time while on patrol in a town northwest of Baghdad. Both his ankles were broken in the blast. They have operated on him and will be sending him to the army hospital in Germany sometime today we understand and after that we are not sure. He did call his wife Amanda this morning to let her know his condition. Please remember this family in your prayers. John is 27 years old with a precious wife Amanda and two little girls Bryanna and Ashley. Again, this is ONE OF OUR OWN church members, please join me in prayer

On Sunday evening, ministers and laity of our churches in the Western part of Tennessee gathered at the Holiday Inn conference center for our annual gathering. There was a great crowd on hand, and we were blessed by the fellowship. Almost all of the state staff were on hand for the meeting, and information was shared concerning our work in Tennessee. The worship team was led by Bishop Clayton Mahan and we were blessed by the vocal ministry of Randy Crowder. Bishop Robbie Wier assisted in the moderation of the meeting. Well over 200 people were in attendance at the meeting, which was concluded by special prayer for Pastor Jerry Robbins and his wife Shelia, and an ordination service for our newest minister, Alette Shapley. We are thankful for the participation of our precious folks in West Tennessee. The next meeting will be this coming Sunday evening at the Crossroads church in White Bluff, Tennessee at 6:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

On Sunday morning, Debra, Lindsey and I were blessed to participate in the first anniversary services at the Empowered Ministries Church in Dickson, Tennessee. The church was filled with an expectant crowd and it was wonderful to see many who were there one-year-ago, as well as the new folks that have become a part of the ministry there since then. The service kicked off with the youth dance team making a special presentation and was followed by praise and worship led by an able worship team. Those of you who read our blog on a regular basis know that we organized the church one-year-ago with 72 members, and on Sunday the attendance was 144. I was thrilled to see such a large crowd, and when I commented about it, was told that a few Sundays ago there were above 220 in attendance. Pastor Mike & Rhonda Jennette and the staff there are doing a wonderful job as they reach out to the community and beyond. Congratulations Empowered family!

On the first 21 days of January 2009, let the Church of God of Prophecy unite together in prayer. Jesus has told us, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:19, 20). As God calls prayer warriors together across this body of ministry, we will be activating this great promise of Christ. In addition to our unity in hunger to seek God together, we can unite in agreement on specific needs as well. Here we offer you one simple prayer focus for each day of the 21-day fast. May we feel the sweeping surge of grace as on each day we unite on one simple need. Saints, I know that God is going to hear us in our hunger and in our unity. Based on this knowledge, I claim 1 John 5:14, 15 as our victory even before we pray our first prayer in this 21 days. "And this is the confidence that we...

Pastor James Huff (Liverworth, TN) was hospitalized this week for a surgical procedure. He subsequently suffered a stroke that has left him partially paralyzed. I am requesting your prayers for Bro Huff and his family at this difficult time.

This coming Sunday night, ministers and laity in Western Tennessee will be gathering at the Holiday Inn Convention Center located at 541 Carriage House Drive in Jackson. Bishop Robbie Wier and Bishop Clayton Mahan will be moderating the evening services and the State Staff will be on hand to book speaking engagements and share dates of importance with you at their tables. Bishop E.C. McKinley, Tennessee State Presiding Bishop will be delivering the message. We do hope you will join us. Date: January 4, 2009 Time: 6:00 P.M.

You can now join the Heritage Ministries Association (formerly CPMA) online. http://webapps.cogopmedia.com/forms/HM_Member_Form.html Information for those who join online will be forwarded to the local church listed on the form. Please help me spread the word. Have a blessed and Happy New Year! Paul Holt Heritage Ministries Director International Assembly Operations Coordinator Church of God of Prophecy International Offices PO Box 2910 3720 Keith Street NW Cleveland TN 37320 Receptionist: (423) 559-5100 Direct Line: (423) 559-5135 Fax: (423) 559-5216 Email: pholt@cogop.org or spaulholt@charter.net