Voice of Hope

Just a little earlier today, I learned of the passing of Bishop R.O. Covey. I will post funeral arrangements once I receieve them. Please join me in prayer for the family.

HELLO BRO. MCKINLEY! I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU IF YOU WOULD POST THIS ON THE CHURCH BLOG. WED. NIGHT, 2-25, KEVIN CARVER SPOKE AT LEBANON COGOP TO THE YOUTH. THE SPIRIT MOVED GREATLY AND YOU COULD DEFFINATELY SEE THAT KEVIN WAS LISTENING TO THE LORD!! THERE WERE 70 IN ATTENDANCE. A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE WATERTOWN CHURCH FOR BRINGING THEIR YOUTH AND SUPPORTING! AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT CAME AND RECEIVED A BLESSING!!!! IN HIS SERVICE JACOB YOUNG

Today, I was blessed to meet with our Tennessee Korean-language church coordinators, Pastors Dennis and Young Didion, a new minister and two pastors and discuss our future work. Pastor Windell and Myrna Moore also met with us at my office. The two pastors, one from Nashville and the other from New Jersey shared their past works that have taken them around the world to mission fields including Russia, China, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and too many areas to name here. During our hour and one half meeting, we also conducted a conference call with our North American General Presbyter, Bishop Sam Clements and General Overseer, Bishop Randall Howard. We are privileged to have partners in the harvest with a heart for the lost peoples of the world.

Lakemoore Church in Morristown will host Revival with Evangelist Brian Taylor March 6th, 7th, 8th. This is a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Services Friday and Saturday will be 7:00pm and Sunday Morning service will be 10:30am. Everyone be fasting and praying for a powerful move of God! You will not want to miss this power packed Revival! There will be Special singing for each service. Everyone is invited!

I am posting an email I received about an event at Baggett's Chapel. I would love to add your event to my blog when possible. Just email them to me by clicking here. Bro. McKinley, This past Friday night, Feb. 20th the Baggetts Chapel "Chain Breakers" youth group hosted our first annual Youth Lock-in. The Burns youth group and Drama Team joined us for this event. We had a wonderful time in the Lord. We were blessed to have Ben Longberg and his band lead us in worship with their christian music. The Burns Drama Team as well as Baggetts Chapel "His In Service" performed for the audience. We had approximately 54 people in attendance. The theme for this lockin was "Where is God Taking Me and how is He going to get Me there? We had one young lady accept the Lord as her Saviour and several other needs were met. There was lots of food, games and fun for the entire night. Thanks to everyone who made this a truly wonderful and blessed event. Roger and ...

New Pastor Appointed to Peerless Road Church Pastor Steve Wilson has been appointed as the new pastor at Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy in Cleveland, Tennessee. Pastor Steve began preaching and evangelizing at age 18. In 1993 he married his beautiful wife Lee and they began their team ministry together. Their gifted ministry of singing and preaching has allowed them to serve as the key note speakers and singers for many regional, state, and international youth conferences for the kingdom of God. For many years they served as youth pastors and music directors at the local level before accepting the call to pastoral ministry. They are noted for their innovative approach to ministry. Pastor Wilson is recognized for his unique ability to bring the Bible to life in memorable ways using vivid illustrations mixed with humor and practical life application. His down to earth approach, relevance, genuine love for others, and passion to see them experience a growing relationship wit...

The Gordonsville Family Worship Center will host revival services February 26th through March 1st. Guest minister, Palma Hutchinson will be ministering to the congregation in each of the services. Pastor Bobby & Cindy Peoples invites you to join them at the church, located at: 205 Lancaster Highway Hickman, Tennessee All are invited to attend.

Fields of the Wood Pavillion This past Thursday, our work crew was scheduled to do a preliminary inspection on the Fields of the Wood Pavilion. As we've written before, this pavilion was built, paid for and dedicated by the churches of Tennessee. The pavilion has fallen into bad shape in need of repairs and we've embarked on a fund-raising campaign to raise $12,000 to make it as nice as possible. To date, we've raised over $2,000, so as you can see, we still have a way to go. Bishop McKinley gave the first $100 challenging churches and ministers to match the funds. It is our desire to have this completely renovated (including the restrooms in the pavilion in plenty of time time for our anniversary service the week of June 13th). If you would like to donate, please send your contributions to: Church of God of Prophecy FOTW Project P.O. Box 2319 Hendersonville, TN 37077-2319 Your contributions are completely tax deductible. Thanks for your help!

Children's Ministries Training Opportunities International Director Kathy Creasy in Tennessee Author: Kim Batson I wanted to share a wonderful opportunity coming to Tennessee. We will have One Day Children's Training Intensives coming to Middle and West Tennessee. Kathy Creasy, International Children's Minister will be in Tennessee sharing with us. March 28th at Crossroads Church in White Bluff, Tennessee and April 25th at Abundant Grace Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Please see registration form below. Save $10 per person if application is received by deadline. My desire is that we will "Raise the Bar" in our Children's Ministry in 2009. Your Children's Ministry is worth an investment of $30 per particpant. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity right in our back yard. Any person who works in Ministry to Children in your local church would benefit. I look forward to seeing you there. For further information, please contact K...

The MainStay Suites Hotel and Conference Center was the setting for the 2009 Tennessee Marriage Retreat. There was a great response to the retreat this year, with fifty couples more than last year. As always, Debra McKinley did a wonderful job in putting the program together, and moderating the three day annual gathering in Tennessss. Special guest speaker, Pastor Duke Stone (Hickory Valley Community Church) presented a fascinating study on the book of Habakkuk, and gave a storng personal testimony to finalize his presentation. The Tennessee State Staff assisted in the weekend, along with the Tennessee Marriage and Family Committee. There was a great sense of worship and entering into the Presence of the Lord as the Joshua Dasher and the Keith Street Ministries worship team performed in their usual excellence. Many of the couples have commented, "this is the best retreat I've ever been to!" This year's theme was "Fireproof your Marriage" f...

Brother Mckinley Would you please post this on the blog? Please pray for my son, Chris Walker, he has been having back pain for about 1 or 2 years now, he has been to the doctor several times and they didn't think it was any thing to worry about. Last week he ask them to do a MRI and they did. They sent him to a doctor in Nashville today. He told him there was something on his spine but he wasn't sure what it was, that he thought itcould be either a tumor or multiple myeloma. He is 28 years old, him and his wife have three children ages 2,4, and 6. Please pass this on to all of the pastors and please pray that God will heal him and also save his soul. Thank you and God Bless Geneva Carter Pastor at Livingston

What a wonderful week of revival services in Columbia as our passion and fire for God was rekindled. The week was power-packed from the beginning, when four individuals gave their lives to Jesus Christ on Sunday morning. On Tuesday night, God spoke a divine word to the men of the church about answering the call and responsibilities of leadership. The men gathered together arm in arm in the altar praying, and the Spirit of God moved in an incredible way. It was a wonderful experience; God did an awesome work that night, and the seeds that were sewn in the men will sprout in victory in the weeks and months to come. Our services ended on Wednesday night - a night of victory. Sometimes you just have to put Satan in his place, and that is what we did that night. Once again, the altars were full, and following the altar time, seven individuals were baptized in water. All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD!!! It was a great week of victory and revival. Please help me pray for our Columbia church an...

PER BERT AND DONNA (CREEL) BROOKS, 02/10/ 3:30 P.M. THE INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO BROTHER A.J. CREEL'S VISITATION AND FUNERAL IS AS FOLLOWS: Brother A. J. Creel's visitation will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the North Rome Church of God, 1929 North Broad Street, Rome, Georgia. The funeral service for Brother Creel will be held "immediately" following the visitation. The family sincerely apologizes for any confusion or inconvenience. Kathleen Patterson-Lowry North Rome Church of God Sanctuary Class

Dear Fellow Labors, Warm Christian Greetings. I heard through Diane Flowers last evening that Bishop A. J. Creel had been put on hospice. When I called the home this morning, Bishop creel had already passed away. The lady whom I spoke with at the Creel home shared with me that his viewing will be tonight at the North Rome Church of God from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Bishop Creel's funeral will be Wednesday evening at the North Rome Church of God at 7:00 PM. Please keep the Creel family in your prayers. I'm sure that flowers, cards, calls would be greatly appreciated. Bishop Creel has been a prominent minister/leader and served as the State Overseer of Georgia for many years. Blessings, Bishop Adams P. O. Box 370 Lizella, GA 31052 Office (478) 935-6880 Fax (478) 935-6888 E-mail gacogop@aol.com Web www.GACOGOP.ORG

Last night churches gathered from East Tennessee for our annual Leadership meeting. A great spirit prevailed, and the worship by the local church was great! District Presbyer, Bishop R.D. Ledford did an outstanding job of moderating the conference, and just before the evening message, my daughter, Lindsey ministered in song. Testimonies have already come in about the life-changing moments experienced during the sharing of the Word and the altar service. Interestingly, after the service was over, and many had left the church, the Spirit of the Lord was there in such a great way thatthat people were still going to the altar, lingering in God's presence. We are grateful for the move of the Lord and expecting more!

Dear Friends: Unless there is a miracle soon, it would appear that my Dad is in the final days/weeks of his life. Over the past weekend, he received two blood transfusions. He has been accustomed to having this done every 10 to 40 days. The Doctor has informed Dad that he is out of options and is recommending hospice. Under hospice, there would not be the availability of blood transfusions. Without divine intervention, he cannot live long without them. I will be going to Crossville in a bit to visit with Dad and take care of some related business for Mom. Mom is very weary, but her spirits are good. Barbara’s Dad is also now bedfast and not eating. He is experiencing abdominal pains and vomiting. He has pancreatic cancer and was given six months to live back in July 2006. He is already under hospice care and his condition continues to deteriorate. Barbara’s Mom is also in bad condition and is only hanging on because she feels that her husband needs her. She needs a touch fro...

The Arrowhead Church in Knoxville will be providing a livestream of the District Leadership meeting tonight (February 8, 2009). We hope those who cannot be there in person will join us. You can go to the link by clicking here.

Today, I watched a live video feed of the PowerHouse Youth event at the Knoxville Arrowhead church. This is a great way to keep up with events as they happen. Special thanks to Bishop Terry Barnwell and his staff for making this available. Our District meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) tomorrow, February 8, 2009. You can watch the event by going to the Arrowhead church website and clicking on the link: http://www.arrowheadchurch.org There will be a time of worship followed by special singing and then I will be sharing the message. We invite you to attend or watch the event live. God bless. NOTE: You may find the message archived at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1132574

We are anxiously looking forward to the 2009 Tennessee State Convention, praying for and expecting a great move of God. I have created a website to keep you up-to-date on announcements, programs and other relevant information. I invite you to check it out by clicking here

This week I had the opportunity to minister to our Curtis Hill and Bethel Springs churches during a joint revival. It was wonderful getting to know Pastor Richie Horner (Curtis Hill) and his family, and Pastor James Lawson (Bethel Springs) and his wife. The Lord was so good to us during our time together. Each service seemed to take us deeper in our commitment to serving our Lord. During each service, the Lord had a fresh, relevant, and challenging word for His people. Night after night, the church refused to let things get in the way of their blessing. The altars were filled with men and women crying out before the Lord for the blessings of God. Both churches found themselves excited, yet broken and burdened for their families, friends, neighbors, and community. God’s people became more and more sensitive to his leading and his calling with each night that passed. I’m excited about what God did and what He is going to continue to do at Curtis Hill and Bethel Springs. I’m praying to he...

Received the following update: Thanks for all your prayers. Rylan is doing very well. Blood pressure is stable. He's breathing on his own. Infection is going away. Doc says still may be three or four more days. Thanks again for all of your prayers. Thats one thing about cogop that we will never lose. When a Family member needs prayer the rest of the family gets on there knees and gets busy about the buisness of prayer. Love and miss you guys. Jerrod Jammie Madison Rylan

Although the news media has not stated much about Tennessee being affected by the Ice Storm, due to the mass damage to other states, there are issues in Tennessee also. Both the Ridgely and Lenox church areas were hit by the ice storm last week. The town of Ridgely and the church were without electricity for 36 to 48 hours in the frigid cold and some longer than that. Some of the elderly members were taken into shelters in Dyersburg and others had relatives who took them into their homes. We were unable to have church Wednesday night January 28 and services were cut short on Sunday February 1 by the power going off again. After the power was restored to the church it has been being used by those who are still without eating and bathing facilities. A group from a half-way house and others were able to use the gym showers. There are approximately ten families in the Ridgely church including the Pastor that still does not have electricity at this date one week later. Cell p...

There will be a supper and singing February 21st at The Shelbyville Church Of God of Prophecy on West Lane Street beginning at 5pm.Supper is at 5 and be be at a charge of $6. Roast beef will be on the menu this month Singing will start at 6pm Featured singers will be "The Servants Quartet" (Brian Smothermon's new group) among with others Everyone welcomed

I am again receiving reports from all over Tennessee about a move of God taking place. This is exciting, and to hear that very small churches are adding new members and our ministers baptizing new converts. I do believe the Lord is moving in a fresh way!

I just learned from District Presbyter, Bishop Freddie Harding that he received five new members into the church at Pikesville yesterday. This is a very small church, one that has struggled to keep going in recent years, so I'm sure you can see this is GREAT NEWS!

Please join my in prayer for 3-month-old, Rylan Whittington, grandson of our Abundant Life, Bishop Ron Tackett. He is suffering from RSV and has suffered the collapse of one lung, low blood count, and has been given blood transusions. Rylan is also on a ventillator, in the children's hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. The family has asked we share request.