Voice of Hope

This week, Debra and I were scheduled to minister at a Pastor’s Retreat in South Dakota.  This was our first visit to the area since we moved from the Northwest Territories Region (MT, ND, SD, WY) in 2002.  We have been looking forward to seeing the people we worked four years with and also looking forward to meeting the new ministers and companions who have began ministry since we left nine-years ago. Our flight was to leave on Saturday afternoon with a plane change at Denver, Colorado.  Storms had moved through the mid west earlier in the day which wreaked havoc with flights all over, but at check in we were informed that the backlog was clearing up and we would make our flight to Denver with just enough time to spare to get to Rapid City, South Dakota on time. We had just returned home from Washington, D.C. the day before and were so worn out from the travel. It was a relief that we would make our flight, and to be quite honest with you, I had plans to sleep on t...

This past Saturday the Childrens Ministries Department in Tennessee had a wonderful training event at the Lebanon Church of God of Prophecy where Larry Meadors serves as pastor. I received a this report from Kim Batson today: “We had a great Children's ministry training at Lebanon today.  We had 52 children's ministers from 16 churches represented.” I am so thankful for Kim Batson’s vision for ministry and for the commitment and dedication to children that is growing throughout our churches. 

Greetings Overseer, The dates for the International Presbytery Meeting and Assembly have changed! We have decreased the Assembly by one day, with it starting a day later than usual. The new dates for the Assembly are July 25-29, 2012 (Wednesday through Sunday). The timeline now looks something like this: Wednesday, July 25 – Opening of the Assembly Sunday, July 29 – Close of the Assembly Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. SHAUN MCKINLEY Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer | Director of Communications ___________________________________________________ CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY INTERNATIONAL OFFICES OFFICE OF THE GENERAL OVERSEER Glorifying God through Prayer, the Harvest, and Leadership Development Randall E. Howard, General Overseer P.O. Box 2910 Cleveland, TN 37320-2910 Receptionist: (423) 559-5100 Direct Phone: (423) 559-5103 Fax: (423) 559-5108 E-mail: smckinley@cogop.org Web: www.cogop.org Become a COGOP Facebook Fan... http://www.facebook...

When I was a child growing up in the church, it was a common practice to hear on a regular basis the basic prominent doctrines taught by our church.  Along with these 29 important truths, I also was constantly reminded of what was known as “Advice to Members.”  One quick way to find out who has been around the Church of God of Prophecy for any length of time is to used that term and watch their reaction. As a child I thought the “advice” was right up there with Moses on the mountain and surely the apostles themselves read them at the Jerusalem council of Acts 15.  Later, when I entered adulthood, I began to think of them as “foolish.”  As a young minister, I agreed to abide by them and even teach them to others.  Now please understand, I didn’t totally embrace all of them, but because I wanted to be a good minister I followed them.  You see, there is a principle of submission that is necessary, especially when we are new converts. After I had been in th...

Just a few-weeks-ago at the 2011 Tennessee State Convention, we honored six of our ministers who made the decision to retire from pastoral ministry.  I am taking the opportunity to mention each by name, as another way of honoring their service to our churches. Bishop C.C. Winchester has served the church in many ways over the time of his ministry, most notably as a State Overseer and then as a pastor. Bishop Richard A. Neal, Sr. has served as a pastor, District Presbyter and campground manager and coordinator.  He continues to serve as a State Trustee for the Church of God of Prophecy and will be assisting with further implementation of our mentoring program in Tennessee. Bishop Richard Lovvorn has served as a pastor in Tennessee, and before that as a deacon in the local church.  Bishop Vernon Caruthers has served as a pastor in Tennessee, most recently at the Campaign church. Bishop Lamar Dotson has served mostly in the Manchester area of Tennessee. Bishop ...

Children's Ministry Training Lebanon Church:  1001 W. Spring Street in Lebanon Registration begins at 8:30am Training will be 9am to 3pm $10 per participant.  Every 4th person from your team is free. No charge for Pastors or local churches who currently do not have an active children's ministry.+ To register please email Kim Batson at kim.batson@comcast.net I need everyone to contact me by August 15th so I can know to plan for food.  Thanks so much. Kim Batson

I am so pleased to announce that our we are undergoing a much-needed facelift to our website. Shaun McKinley, a communications expert is helping to make the site more navigable and adding new features. I am thankful for his help and I know you will be pleased too. I encourage you to check back often. The address is www.tncogop.org