Voice of Hope

Columbia Church of God of Prophecy conducted “Decisions: Reality Check 2009” on October 21 – 24. This year’s inspiration came from a vision given to Joey Sims. The title Decisions came by realizing each of us has choices to make every day that will affect our eternal destination. The emphasis of this walk through drama was about decisions our youth are confronted with – depression, loneliness, cutting, teen pregnancy, and abortion. These were addressed with the fact that God chooses life every time! The decisions of two teen girls were followed to their eternal destination. One died from a botched abortion procedure after having made the decision not to accept Christ in to her life. The audience witnessed her arrival in hell. We were made vividly aware of the torture that awaits a soul that doesn’t make the decision to accept Jesus. The other girl was a sad depressed soul. She carried some hurts and was bound by cutting in an attempt to release pain from her heart. After a fri...

It is Sunday evening as I write this post, reflecting over the past week. It doesn't seem possible that I haven't posted for such a long period of time, so I hope to catch up with this post, and hopefully get back to a daily post beginning tomorrow. On Monday, I posted about the arrival of our second grandchild, Madison Ormie McKinley. Born in Cleveland to Shaun and Stephanie, Madison joins her big sister Reagan to make all of our lives more blessed. On Tuesday, I spent most of the day in Administrative Committee Meetings at the International Offices, and sharing a great time of fellowship afterward with fellow committee members. Of course, I didn't linger too long, because Madison and Regan were waiting to see "Big Daddy." Debra and I stayed in Cleveland until Stephanie and Madison were settled in at home and then we made the return trip to Hendersonville. Thursday was spent in the office trying to catch up on administrative duties, and then Friday was filled...

Madison Ormie is here! Born October 19, 2009 at 1:11 PM weighing 8 lbs and 6 ounces. Mom and baby are doing well. We are so blessed. Madison is our second grandchild, and her middle name is that of her maternal great-grandmother, Ormie Sutherland of Wyoming. Mom, dad, sister and baby are all doing well.

On Friday, I was out of the office early to spend some time at the campground praying and seeking the Lord for several appointment changes. When in these moments of seeking the Lord, I am so blessed to be able to retreat to Camp Hickory Hills for a time of peace, quiet and reflection. Late in the evening, I heard a knock on the door of my cabin and found several of the men from the Keith Street church. They were using the campground for a weekend Father/Son time. I was so happy to see our local churches taking advantage of such a wonderful place, but when they invited me over for ribs (and the trimmings) cooked on a wood fire, I was even more happy! Early Saturday morning, I left the campground and traveled to Big Sandy, Tennessee to visit with the family of Vernor Evans. Many of you may know Vernor's wife, Ruby, who was the Post Mistress for the U.S. Post Office in that city, and her son Gary is a retired Federal Agent with the Immigration Service. Our families go back many...

On October 16, 2009 the Tennessee State Office will be changing over from our analog phone system to digital services. This change will enhance every aspect of contacting the state office and staff. We are anxious to have the new services in place which will hopefully upgrade the services we offer to our churches and related ministries. If you should reach the office during this transition period, please call back a little later. Our hopes are that this will be fully ported by 5:00 p.m. today. In the mean time, here are our various points of contact for your convenience: Bishop's Daily Blog Children's Ministries Website State Evangelist's Website State Offices Website Women's Ministries Website Youth Ministries Website We apologize in advance for any difficulties this may cause.

Visitation for Sarah L. Jones will be tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m: Shackleford Funeral Home 160 W. Cypress Ave Selmer, TN 38375 Sister Jones will lie in state from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Curtis Hill Church in Bethel Springs, TN. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. CLICK HERE for obituary and further information.

When is the last time you gave thought to the subject of spiritual immaturity? If you are a pastor or other ministry leader, chances are you've spoken about this with your peers or supervisor in the last few months. You have wondered how long will it take before the children of God (even leaders) walk in the mature, spiritual path the Lord has desired and required. The great apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, primarily on the theme of the purification of the church, about this very topic, although in a casual reading of the book, one might miss it. I have always found it fascinating that Paul opened his letter this way, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus..." (1 Co 1:2) Yet, when you get past the pleasantries, you can't help but notice his subject in Chapter 3:1, "And I, Brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." My question has ...

I am saddened to announce that Sister Louella Jones passed away at 1:30 a.m. today in Adamsville. Sister Jones had been very sick, and had most recently spent time in the hospital in Nashville before being moved back home under the care of hospice. Sister Jones is the spouse of Bishop Alvin Jones, a minister of many years in Tennessee, who is currently serving as pastor of the Adamsville congregation. Bishop Alvin and Louella Jones are well known and loved by people across Tennessee and beyond. I will post arrangements, once known later this afternoon. Please join me in prayer for the Jones family.

A note from Pastor Verlin Thornton, at Restoration Fellowship Church in Murfreesboro: Youth revival Oct 23 - 25, 2009 Bro. Tim Farmer will be the Evangelist. A praise team lead by Glynis Varlack Algood will lead the worship on Friday night. Kevin Carver and the praise team from Lakeside will lead on Saturday night. For further info, interested parties may call me at 615.893.1819.

This week would have been my father's 83rd birthday. Without fail, I remember my parents birthdays and spend parts of the day reflecting on their influence in my life, and what it might be like if they were still alive. While it can provoke a sense of melancholy on those days, it also tends to help by being reflective on their lives. My father was a simple man. As a child growing up in the depression era, he only finished the sixth grade. Working to help support the family seemed to be more important than an education. I was always amazed that my dad had a large dose of common sense to make up for whatever he may have lacked in classroom time. I would like to think that some of that common sense may have been passed on to his children. While reflecting on my own life, I found myself thinking about the Apostle Paul, and the relationship he had with a young preacher by the name of Timothy. For some-time-now, I have been studying the book of First Timothy on a word-by-word basi...

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Erickson to serve as the pastor of the Abundant Life Church of God of Prophecy in Crossville, Tennessee. Pastor Ronnie & Theresa Tackett accepted a church in Arkansas. Please join me in prayer for the Ericksons and the Tacketts.

Over the past weekend, Debra, Lindsey and I attended the Operation Omega youth conference at Sevierville, Tennessee. Trevor and Aileen Reid and their staff did a wonderful job of program preparation and the crowd was blessed in a special way. This conference featured several well-known artist who led in worship and anointed preaching and teaching. We are blessed to be surround by such wonderful, talented leaders in the younger generation and publicly cheer them on as they pursue the Lord. May God bless each of you.

I spoke with Bishop Alvin Jones (Pastor at Adamsville) and learned that Sister Jones may be moved to Adamsville tomorrow or Tuesday to a skilled-care facility. I am asking that you continue to help us pray for the entire Jones family. May the Lord bless you.

At the second day of the Operation Omega Youth Conference in Sevierville, Tennessee. Great crowd and ministry going on. Be sure to check the website for a link to a live-stream. Warren Barfield and Ricardo Sanchez tonight. Message by Chris Weathers. To watch go to: www.operationomega.org

The Operation Omega Youth Conference is being broadcast live at: www.operationomega.org -- Posted from my iPhone

Friends, This last week I had to use a PC for a little while (yuk) and I am afraid I may have missed some emails....if you've sent anything in the last week, please re-send it and I apologize. I am back to Mac and there is peace in my world.

You are invited to a district Youth Fellowship at the Cookeville Church of God of Prophecy on Saturday October 17th at 4:00 P.M. State Evangelist, Tim Farmer will be speaking. Gale McClain Cookeville C.O.G.O.P. 931-261-5482 gmcclain@frontiernet.net

We just finished our 2010 Marriage Retreat Committee meeting. Special thanks to: Debra McKinley Paul & Barbara Holt Steve & Lee Wilson Winston & Reid John A. & Judy Stone We're looking forward to the retreat, February 12-14 2010 at MainStay Suites in Pigeon Forge, TN

Hello everyone- The camp website is up and running. Feel free to spread the word. This will act as our one stop experience for all things at the campground. We plan on keeping it up to date not only with Youth Camp information, but also Ladies Day, Men's Day, POWERHouse and any training days we have at the campground. You can check it out at www.camphickoryhills.org Jeff

POWERhouse 2009 Your Tennessee Youth Retreat is going to be dynamite this year! Packed with God's presence, special guests, and great giveaways, we are getting ready for an explosion. The theme for POWERhouse 2009 is “REVELATION!” We all need God to reveal Himself in our lives, and He has a revelation for each young person! Special Guests: o International Youth Director, Trevor Reid o Pastor at Peerless Road Church, Steve Wilson o Tennessee Youth Director, Tim Farmer o Recording Artist, Warren Barfield o Worship Team, Onyx Youth Ministry The POWERhouse Flyer is currently in the process of being designed and is expected to be printed this week. Look for your church's POWERhouse promotional packet to arrive in the mail next week. You can also visit the new TN Youth Ministries website, www.tncogopyouth.org , to view and print the flyer, application, and promotional slide which will all be posted soon.

Just a few-minutes-ago, I learned that Sister Hazel Guire, a retired minister and church planter has suffered a fall and has been hospitalized. She will undergo surgery tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. I am asking for everyone to remember Sister Guire and her family in your prayers, and please ask your church to pray. I will keep you updated as I learn more information tomorrow.

Sister Jones is critically ill and has been hospitalized at Cenntennial Hospital in Nashville. Please pray for her family, specifically for Pastor Alvin Jones (Adamsville). -- Posted from my iPhone