Voice of Hope

Mary Kathleen Hagood, 90, of Chattanooga, died Saturday, November 26, 2011 in a local hospital. Mrs. Hagood was a member of Oakwood Church of God of Prophecy and has been a licensed minister since 1955. She worked for the Children’s Home in Cleveland from 1968 to 1974. She was the wife of the late, Freddie Welch Hagood and was also preceded in death by a son, Robert Hagood, seven brothers,and parents, Porter and Emma Reynolds. Survivors include her daughter, Miriam ( Harry) Gossett, Chattanooga; seven grandchildren, Holly (Justin) Kitchens, Rick Gossett, Debra (Randy) Stallings Kathy Madert and Cindy Green, eleven great grandchildren, Riley Kitchens, Madeline Kitchens, Sophie Stallings, Ashley Cooper, Zachery Cooper, Misty (Stephen) Potter, Caleb Gossett, Phillip Gossett, Sarah Gibson, Daniel J. Kitchens and Christopher Kitchens, several nieces & nephews. Services will be held Thursday at 12 Noon in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Mitchell officiating. Interment will be ...

On November 18th, close to 350 youth and youth workers arrived at Camp Hickory Hills for POWERHouse. This years challenge was SaltLight. Friday night's opening service focused on the challenge to be catalysts for revival and how God had created us for such a time as this. In particular, focus was given to the call to repentance spoken by the LORD through the prophet Joel (Joel 2: 12-17). We were reminded to "Return to the LORD with all your heart", "Rend your heart and not your garments", "declare a holy fast" and for the leaders to call out to the LORD to "Spare your people". A final challenge was give to be the church that added thousands to the church daily. Saturday opened with classes focusing on being the kind of church Christ can use. Classes covered our response to current events (David Brown), our Identity in Christ (Jay Johnson) and Holiness (Lindsey McKinley). Jason Dasher brought the message challenging the youth to be the ...

Friends, Debra and I have posted a Thanksgiving greeting to you. CLICK HERE

Please join me in prayer for Jean Thornton who is undergoing surgery today at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Jean serves alongside her husband pastoring the Pelham Valley church.

This weekend, Camp Hickory Hills hosted the annual PowerHouse event sponsored by the Tennessee Youth Ministries Department.  Well over 300 teens and young adults gathered for a time of worship, sharing of the Word and fellowship. As usual, Jeff and Kimmy Jones led their staff to a successful event.  Special thanks are in order to al the teachers, ministers, staff and the musical guest, “One the Bright Side,” from Knoxville, Tennessee. The Church of God of Prophecy is dedicated to raising up the next generation of leadership and preparing them for the future.

As a reminder, the new income tax year will begin on January 1, 2012. The IRS does NOT allow churches to set a parsonage allowance for their pastor retroactively. That means between now and January 1, 2012, this amount should be established by the local church conference and passed in regular order. A copy of this action must be kept as a part of official church records and the minister should keep a copy of the action in his/her personal records. The amount of parsonage allowance should be reviewed at regular intervals throughout the year to make sure it is set as close to the actual amount possible.

I am saddened to share the news that our General Presbyter for Africa, Bishop Sherman Allen has passed away after a battle with cancer. This was a great leader in the work of God, and an effective encourager. He was a blessing to me personally, having known him a little better the last few years working with the Administrative Committee. Please join me in prayer for his family tonight.