Voice of Hope

The program for the 2009 Tennessee State Convention is now available online. If you would like to view or download and print a copy, simply click here to be taken to the online publication.

I've just learned the visitation and funeral arrangements for Ethan Polston, the grandson of Pastor(s) Ray and Linda Farley (Monterey, TN). Cookeville Funeral Home 695 Buffalo Valley Road Cookeville, Tennessee 38501 Phone: 931-528-1044 Fax: 931-528-1281 Viewing will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Reverends Bobby Floyd and David Corley will be conducting the funeral service.

The June and July editions of the Tennessee Connections newsletter is now available for downloading at our state website. You may view them by clicking here to be taken to the resources section of our website .

Tennessee State Convention Highlights FRIDAY 7:00 P.M. Opening Service Music: Convention Worship Team Special Musical Guest Message by: Bishop Felton M. Smith, Prelate, 1st TN East Jurisdiction COGIC SATURDAY 9:00 A.M. Business Session Convention Worship Team Drama presentation: Chickamauga Loop Praise Team Message: Bishop E.C. McKinley, Presiding Bishop of Tennessee 12:30 P.M. Ladies Luncheon (Ticket required) 2:00 P.M. Youth Session 7:00 P.M. Music by the Convention Worship Team Drama Presentation: Battlefront Ministries Message: Catherine Payne, International Director of Women's Ministries 10:00 P.M. Youth Afterglow SUNDAY 9:00 A.M. Unfinished Business Honoring our Ministers Consecration and Ordination Final Challenge by Bishop E.C. McKinley, Presiding Bishop of Tennessee NOTE: CONVENTION FOR KIDS WILL BE CONDUCTED DURING CONVENTION: Friday and Saturday night

Ethan Polston, 15 year old grandson of Pastor Ray and Linda Farley (Monterey) was killed this morning in a tragic car accident. Please be in prayer for his family during this very difficult time. In the Body of Christ, we share and grieve together. Arrangements will be announced when completed.

My dear friends, I am so happy that you stop by on a regular basis for updates on the events taking place in Tennessee. Our state is filled with precious, loving people who desire to follow the Lord and find His will for their lives. Of course, there might be one or two "knot-heads" but they probably don't attend our churches. As we approach the final weeks before the convention, all of us at the State office are working hard to complete preparations to make this a most memorable convention. Today, I am sharing a few needs, hoping you can help us "fill in the gaps" of information needed. 1. Deceased minister/spouse acknowledgments . In an earlier blog post, I asked for you to help me ensure no one is overlooked in this very special moment. You have responded, and many of you sent pictures and short biographies about your loved one. I am putting out the call once more with this simple request: If you know of a Tennessee Bishop, Deacon, Lay Minister or th...

Tonight, I spoke with Amanda Moore concerning her husband, Sgt. John Moore. He is currently in Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Many of you have followed John's story on our blog, and from multiple email prayer chains. Shortly after a reception was given for John and Amanda at White Bluff, Tennessee, John developed a high fever and was rushed to the Army hospital at Fort Campbell. He was later sent via medical flight back to Walter Reed, where his left leg was amputate below the knee. John and Amanda are one of the most resilient couples I have ever known. Their spirits have been high even though this has been a long process of recovery. Today I learned that he has developed blood clots in one of the lobes of his lungs, and he is being aggressively treated by the medical staff at Walter Reed. John is in serious need of prayer now...and his wife is there supportive of him, and she needs our prayers too. This is a VERY special couple to us, and they have many frie...

Today, I attended the funeral services for Bishop Arthur Murry, our pastor at Manchester, Tennessee. Pastor Murry had served the churches of Shiloh and Manchester for the Church of God of Prophecy in Tennessee. Brother Murry was a great man of God, a blessing to everyone he came into contact with, and a excellent pastor. Our loss is heaven's gain. I hope you will all join me in prayer for the Murry family and the transition of the Manchester church to their next pastor.

I just learned that our pastor at Manchester, Bishop Arthur Murry passed away at about 5:00 a.m. today. I am posting the information here concerning arrangements. Central Funeral Home (931) 723-77742812 Hillsboro Hwy Manchester, TN 37355 Visitation 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. June 20, 2009 Funeral at 2:00 p.m. June 21, 2009 I am asking you help us in prayer for the Murry family during this difficult time in their lives and for the local church.

What a great day we had at the 75th Anniversary Homecoming for the Church of God of Prophecy in Clarksville, Tennessee. Among the special guests were former pastors, Windell & Myrna Moore, and Pastors Dennis and Yung Didion. We also were honored to have Mayor Carolyn Bowers, County Trustee Brenda Radcliff and Senator Tim Barnes. Senator Barnes delivered a joint resolution honoring the Clarksville church, and the North American Presbyter Sam Clements sang as part of a trio. We were happy that Linda was with Brother Clements and that Senator Barnes two sons were there as well. After the morning message, we had a great meal in the fellowship hall and and under the canopy outdoors. There was large crowd in attendance, and the Lord blessed in a special way. I am also grateful to the Clarksville church for purchasing a brick at the "Pathway of Legends" Walkway at the "Wings of Liberty" Military Museum at Fort Campbell with my name and military assignments. I ser...

Today, Debbie, Lindsey and I attended the Heritage Ministries Program at Fields of the Wood in North Carolina. I was privileged to participate in the program and thankful for the great job Bishop Paul Holt and his staff prepared for everyone today. I am including a small portion of the program here. God bless.

Pastor Arthur Murry (Manchester) is in the ICU after suffering what may have been a ruptured aneurysm. I am requesting you join me in prayer for him. Also, Sgt John Moore has been returned to Walter Reed Medical Center in special need of our prayers.

Tennessee State Convention Special Request Hendersonville, TN - June 12, 2009 -The Biennial State Convention of the Church of God of Prophecy is scheduled for July 10-12, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I am writing today with a reminder of the convention, but also to enlist your help. Each convention, we honor those who have passed away since the last State Convention, and this year will be no different. I am putting together a special video presentation to honor our ministers and their spouses who may have passed since July 2007. If you have a photo of one of the following individuals, I would like to include them in my presentation. If you would like to participate in this special project, please email a copy of the photo, along with their name and I will do my best to insure they are included. It is possible that there are others who I have not listed here, and have been inadvertently left off the li...

Debra, Lindsey and I were blessed to visit the Columbia church last Sunday morning, where I filled the pulpit for Pastor Gary Clements who was out-of-state. This was a great time of catching up with old friends, and the opportunity to meet some new ones. We are so thankful for the Lord's mercy, and for having the opportunity to return to a pulpit I filled for eight years. God bless the folks at Columbia.

Last Saturday a reception in honor of Sgt. John Moore was held at the Crossroads Church in White Bluff, TN. Many of you will remember that we requested prayer all over the state earlier this year after John was gravely wounded in a roadside bomb attack just outside Baghad, Iraq. John underwent numerous surgeries and extensive physical therapy at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was just recently transferred to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. There was a large crowd in attendance, as John was honored, along with his family. I was privileged to say a few words about John's commitment to duty, honor and country, and to express that our prayers and love for this family who has sacrificed for the freedoms we all enjoy. Special thanks to all who have prayed for John, and we reqeust you continue to pray for his healing and recovery. Pictured here with me here are my wife Debra, John and Amanda Moore

Please click on the link below to read a nice article in the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle about Sunday's services. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200906060500/LIFESTYLE/906060302

Dear Friends, As we draw closer to the State Convention, I have been spending more time to prayer and searching for the Lord's will. For that reason, I have not posted here, nor updated our state website at www.tncogop.org for the last while. I apologize to those of you who check here on a regular basis. In the next day or so, I will be updating information, so please check back soon.