Voice of Hope

We leave the year 2012 thankful for the many blessings of the Lord in our lives. The worldly prognosticators claimed the world would end on December 21, 2012, but as we can all clearly see, that did not happen.  The year ends with the United States going over the "fiscal cliff" and the news media breathlessly reporting every rumor that is released from the U.S. House, U.S. Senate or the White House.  Everyone seems to be in a panic...except God. The sun rose this morning in the east and it set in the West, just like it has for thousands of years.  The winds blew in their circuits and the seas followed their currents.  It is the same as always.  Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter will continue as it has throughout the earth's history. We continue to pray for our servicemen and servicewomen protecting freedom around the world and we continue to pray for peace to come as God's Will is done. We also look forward into a New Year, filled with great expectations...

We are saddened to announce the passing of Sister Alene Massingale. The family will be receiving friends at Sharp's Funeral Home in Oliver Springs, Tennessee on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 from 6-8 p.m., with the funeral service at 8:00 p.m.  The burial will be at 11:00 a.m. January 2, 2013 at Estes Cemetery in Coalfield, Tennessee. Sister Massingale is the mother of retired pastor Luther Massingale and Clinton Pastor Russell Massingale.  Will you please join us in prayer for this family?

I was privileged today to participate in funeral services for Bishop Thomas F. Hale, Jr., retired Tennessee pastor. The visitation last night was well attended, probably in the hundreds showing respects to Brother Hale and his family. Today, Pastor Eddie Kilgore (Crossville), Londa Richardson (State CFO) and I were privileged to share our thoughts about a great man of God who made a difference in so many lives.  As always, the staff at Hood's Funeral Home in Crossville did a great job, and accommodated every request. A large group also attended the graveside services.  It was encouraging to see so many of our fellow pastors in attendance, as they offered their support and prayers.

I am thrilled to share some good news with you about our website and blogging for the church in Tennessee.  This holiday season, my son Shaun McKinley helped to set us up with a brand new look.  If you would like to be one of the first to preview it, just go to  www.tncogop.com  and click on the different links. Anyone who knows my son, is well aware of his abilities in the field of public relations, marketing and communications in general.  Please pass the word on to your friends. I am proud of Shaun and his hard work for our churches.  Eventually, all web addresses for the Tennessee State Offices of the Church of God of Prophecy will point back to this site, so go ahead and bookmark the page and check back daily. God bless you! E.C. McKinley

We always have mixed feelings when we make announcements such as these.  On the one hand, we are saddened at the passing of another saint of God, but on the other, we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  We mourn with the family, but we rejoice with the angels that another saint has made it home. Brother Hale made a difference for so many people, and was committed to the Gospel of the Lord, as well as the ministry and message of the Church of God of Prophecy. Here are the  arrangements: Thomas F. Hale, Jr.   Age 86, of Crossville, TN Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012   Visitation: 6:00 - 9:00 Friday, Dec. 28   Location: Hood Funeral Home   Burial: Crossville City Cemetery   Arrangements by: Hood Funeral Home

Many of you know Pastor Thomas Hale (retired) from his long pastorate at the Crossville (Stanley Street).  He was recently placed in a nursing facility in the Crossville area as his health has continued to decline. I learned today that he has gone home and is receiving Hospice Care.  Brother Hale is a mighty man of God that has committed his life to the work of God.  Please join me in prayer for him.

Sister Bonnie Akers (wife of Pastor Jessie Akers) is still in serious condition at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.  Due to one of our pastors suffering a massive heart attack, I stayed an additional night in Cleveland. I asked Pastor Larry "Bubba" Meadors (Lebanon, TN) to go to the hospital this morning (12/4/2012) to visit with Bro & Sis Akers and have prayer.  I am thankful for Pastor Meadors willingness to help me with this load. Please continue to pray for Sister Akers.  It is a little after midnight and Debra and I just returned home. I plan to visit the Akers family later today (12/5/2012).

I visited Pastor Jerry Moates today at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga.  I was able to see him at the 4:00 p.m. visitation time.  Spent about 10 minutes with him and prayed for him.  His short-term memory is still affected but he is resting. I also visited with his family in the CCU waiting area and found them in good spirits considering the situation. Please continue to pray for him.  He is stable but facing open-heart surgery.

Last night, Debra and I were privileged to meet with the Cleveland/Chattanooga area pastors for our annual fellowship dinner.  We had a great time together and enjoyed one another's company. As we were leaving the restaurant, Pastor Jerry Moates (Athens, TN) suffered a massive heart attack. Edwina Dasher (a nurse who is our Union Grove Pastor's Wife) performed CPR, she was assisted by others, 911 emergency services arrived and picked up on the CPR and actually shocked his heart several times.  Several of the pastors remaining all prayed and two of our pastors  (Brian Sutton PRC Church and Eric Washburn Springplace Church) worked together in getting family information together so that I could call and notify the family.  Special thanks to Shaun McKinley in the General Overseer's office for supplying family phone numbers. I left as soon as possible and arrived at the Skyridge Hospital in Cleveland, where I was informed that Pastor Moates had been taken to...

New Eyes: Dirt Is Dirty : While preparing to teach a class on humility my mind was brought to the story of Jesus washing His disciples' feet in John 13. I grew up in ...

W. M. (Tommy) Queener Tuesday Dec. 4, 2012 Viewing: 6-9 pm Jim Rush Funeral Home 2600 Ocoee Street NW Cleveland, TN 37311 Wednesday Dec. 5, 2012 Viewing: 12-1 pm Celebration of Life: 1 pm Spring Place Church of God of Prophecy 2600 Spring Place Road SE Cleveland, TN 37323 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are being accepted for missions. Please send donations to the Marion Street Church of God of Prophecy 3182 Marion Street Fort Myers, FL 33916

Hello Friends, With a heavy heart I share the news that Brother Willard Queener, father to LaJuanna Bagley, passed away early this morning.  Brother and Sister Queener have been staying with Todd and Juanna over the holidays, and Brother Queener had not been feeling well the past few days.  His passing is quite sudden and unexpected for the family. Brother Queener is a former appointee and current pastor of the Fort Meyers, Florida church. Arrangements will be forthcoming in a few days.  Thank you so very much for your prayers for Todd, LaJuanna, Emilei, Ethan, Sister Queener, LaJuanna's brother Shane, and the rest of the family.  Shaun McKinley Director of Communications Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer Church of God of Prophecy International Offices P.O. Box 2910 Cleveland, TN 37320-2910 (423) 559-5103 (423) 559-5108

Hello Bro. Mckinley, wanted to see if you would share this on the blog. I was convicted @ International Assembly to lose some weight and take better care of myself. I told this to the congregation and another lady had a dream a week earlier that the Church went on a diet. Over 40 of our members signed up for the Biggest Loser Challenge and we weighed in today. I will report back with the results. In Christ,  Mike Jennette

The BattleFront Ministries Team is scheduling Evangelistic services in our  Cumberland Plateau Churches (In a recent 3 day revival, around 50 were saved and 26 baptized with the Holy Ghost) Contact Shaun & Ginger McCormick --- Church of God of Prophecy Ministers --- call: (931) 761-4488   or  email:  pray4u@blomand.net They will be a blessing to your church !                   For any other information,  contact "Freddie" Harding   call:  (931) 260-1966    or  email:   drharding@me.com

Pastors, THANK YOU for your support of the Books for Haiti Blitz. We are nearing our deadline; December 31 st  to have all money turned in for the books for our Ca-Ira Orphanage in  Haiti .  This will be a huge blessing to the children & staff of the orphanage. Response has been GREAT!!  Once again you are proving that  Tennessee  leads the way in  Mission giving. If you have not started a drive for the books it is not too late.  The upcoming holiday seasons are a great time to give your congregation an opportunity to be part of this outreach. So many churches have surpassed their original goal.  No matter what you mail in, it will be greatly appreciated.  Many congregations have incorporated their children’s, women’s, & youth ministry in this project. Sis.  Londa has given me offering total updates and I am hoping to report each church progress in January.  If you mailed in money for one book ...

9:15am Here's a note from Pastor Steve Boshers of the Wrigley, TN Church. "Can you help me get word out about an upcoming youth service at Wrigley? Dec. 19 at 7 PM we will be hosting a Youth Explosion night with Bro. Larry "Bubba" Meadors being the guest speaker. Want to make sure all our local area youth groups are invited. Thanks Bishop !!" Hope the area youth will e able to attend.

Today is a very special day across the United States, at U.S. Military bases and diplomatic posts and by expats who are living in other nations. In the last few decades, some academics have tried to take away the true meaning of it by calling into questions the founding of our nation.  Their continued march toward a completely secular society may succeed in school books and in classrooms, but it they will never be able to take from the hearts and minds of grateful people who remember that it is God's blessings that have made this nation great. Our forefathers had a clear vision of what was necessary for a prosperous nation that would be a blessing to the world and not a curse.  They knew that a reliance on the Creator of this universe was an absolute necessity.  As with the attempt to change the meaning of this holiday in the minds of our citizenry, revisionist historians have tried to re-write the history, the motives and even the character of those brave souls who...

This past week, we began an annual series of dinner meetings.  Debra and I look forward to and enjoy spending time with our pastors and their spouse.  We catch up on important dates and just spend times of fellowship. Our first of these meetings was at the Farmer's Market in Dickson, where Bishop Gary Riley serves as our District Presbyter.  There was a great group in attendance and we enjoyed our time together.  Most of our pastors in that section were in attendance. We are privileged to serve with anointed men and women of God in the great State of Tennessee.

The last few weeks have added to what has already been an amazing journey of faith.  Debra and I have traveled over 3,000 miles in our car and there are still several dates ahead of us before we stop for a couple of days. The protective hand of God's mercy has obviously covered us and at times, it's entirely possible that protective angels have worked a little overtime. I am so thankful to work in the great harvest the Lord has given us and count myself privileged to serve alongside such dedicated, competent ministry professionals.  Only the Lord knows the countless thousands of lives that are touched by the ministry teams in Tennessee. In the next few days, I will be posting updates on the travels, victories and disappointments that have been a part of this journey.  I invite you to check back every day to catch up on the happenings. May the Lord bless you.

Early this morning, Brother Lovell M Riley a member at the Gallatin, Tennessee Church of God of Prophecy went to heaven.  Brother Lovell is the father of our District Presbyter, Bishop Gary Riley. For as long as I have known Brother Lovell Riley, he would always tell me how old he was going to be.  For example, when he was 90-years-old, he would say, "I'm going on 91."  When he was 91-years-old he would say, "I'm going on 92."  I think you get the idea. The newspaper will say Brother Lovell Riley 94-years-old.  He would have told you, "I'm going on 95,"  But I have to tell you....this afternoon is is "going on forever!"  Death has lost its sting and the grave has lost it's victory. Please help me pray for his family during this time.  God bless

Good Afternoon, In just a few months we will be having the 2 nd annual event for the Just the Guys Retreat at Camp Hickory Hills. In today’s time as you know many young men do not have any father figure or Godly Men in their lives, and they TRULY need this!! I am looking for volunteers, teachers, and mentors for this event. I am asking for everyone to be in prayer and if you feel that you can help in anyway please let me know. Email me at tpturpin@me.com This event will be from Friday Night (March 8 th ) through Sunday Morning (March 10 th ). Activities and Events are as follows (in consideration), but not limited too: ·          Archery ·          Self Defense Courses ·          First Aid Training ·          Compass Course ·          Markmanship · ...

www.clevelanddailybanner.com John M. Cassidy, 76, a resident of Cleveland, went to his final resting place, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. He was born on Oct. 29, 1936, in Lancaster, S.C., and was the son of the late Zellie Irene Cassidy. His brothers: Fred Thomas Cassidy, James Alexander “Bill” Cassidy and Glenn Allen “Buddy” Sutherland also preceded him in death.  He was retired from Cleveland State Community College. He led the Monday morning gospel singing at the Senior Center for more than 10 years. He was the chair for the Committee on Aging and former chair of the Cleveland Chapter of AARP. He was a deacon and long-standing member of the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy.  Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Martha M. Cassidy; his children, Jeff L. Cassidy and his wife, Regina, of Murfreesboro, Gayla Brewer and her husband, Ray, of Chattanooga; his sisters: Ellen Ann Calfee and Glenda Gay Shroyer and her husband, Frank, all of Cleveland; and several cousins,...

www.clevelanddailybanner.com Betty Jane Waggett, 92, a resident of Cleveland, went to her final resting place on Nov. 2, 2012. She was born on May 11, 1920, in Southview, Pa., and was the daughter of the late Nettie Hallam Bell and William Bell. Her husband of 64 years, the Rev. Aaron R. Waggett, her sisters: Grace McVay and Arlene Dabney; and her brothers: William Bell and Owen Bell also preceded her in death.  She was a retired minister with the Church of God of Prophecy with 40 years of service. She served our Lord in various positions as a pastor of a church, missionary, children’s director and a youth director.  She was an accomplished Real Estate agent who won an award for being a “Million Dollar Seller.” She loved poems and writing them and published her own book of poems.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She left this world with a cheerful heart bound for heaven. She left behind a family who loved...

Babbie Mason will present on songwriting and creativity during the Create conference.  Babbie is a Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter, television host, author and speaker who has appeared at Billy Graham Crusades worldwide, Women of Faith  Conferences, The Grammy Awards and Carnegie Hall.  She has shared the platform with Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and George Bush, Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan, General Colin Powell, Steve Forbes and Jeff Foxworthy.  You will find her songs, hymns and spiritual songs among the pages of the world's most famous composers in church hymnals, musicals and choral octavos.  CREATE is custom-made for those individuals in the church, both vocational and volunteer, that communicate. These individuals communicate in many ways, from a pulpit or through graphic design, they may connect via social media or lead a worship service experience.  Regardless of the ...

Bonnie Akers has been released from the hospital and is recovering.  Please continue to pray for her recovery. Also, please pray for all of those who are traveling to and from the TeamUP conference in Kansas City this week.  Last night, Bishop Randy Howard delivered a powerful and timely message, this morning Dr. Tim Harper will be speaking about the importance of family.

I just received a phone call from Pastor Jessie Akers of the Winchester church.  His wife has been admitted to Southern Tennessee Medical Center in Winchester.  Please join me in prayer for her recovery.

Many of you know that I was mentored by several wonderful men of God, one of them, the former State Overseer of Tennessee, Bishop Eugene Weakley. Those of us who spent any time at all around the Bishop were very familiar with some of his favorite quotes. One of my favorites was, "preacher, if you don't come apart every once in a while, you'll fall apart." His meaning was simple, ministers need a little time off every once in a while, or the stress and load of the work will overwhelm you. This last week, I took the Bishop's advice and "came apart" to spend time with my family and to recharge the batteries of ministry. I'm not sure Disney World is the best place in the world to unwind and relax, but it is the favorite place in the world for my family. I tried my best to keep up with them, but often had to just say, "I'll catch up with you at the next place." In those times of waiting, or catching up, I had a lot of time to think and...

Hubert Vernon Alexander, Sr., 87, of Dyersburg, died Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Dyersburg Regional Medical Center. He was a retired maintenance mechanic for Goodyear, member of Dyersburg Church of God of Prophecy and an U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with Bro. Jim Spivey officiating. Burial will be in Dyer County Memorial Gardens. The family will receive visitors from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Alexander of Dyersburg; two daughters, Sheila Walker and husband, Danny, of South Fulton and Sharon Davidson and husband, Claudie of Polk Station; five sons, Vernon Alexander and wife, Virginia, of Union City, Milton Alexander and wife, Susan, of Mumford, William Alexander and wife, Amy, David Alexander and wife, Sherry, and Mark Alexander all of Dyersburg; three sisters, Ellen Patterson of Dyersburg, Ann Snow of Arkansas and Rosella Alexander of Memphis; four brothers, Clif...

I am saddened to report the passing of one of our great Tennessee Deacons.  Brother Hubert Alexander went home to be with The Lord at about 4:30 a.m. this morning. Brother Alexander's son, Pastor Vernon Alexander serves as Senior Pastor of our Union City Church in West Tennessee.  Please join me in prayer for this precious family during this difficult time.

It is now October 2012.  Of course you didn't need me to remind you of that little tidbit of information, but BECAUSE it IS October, it is time to consider setting/revising your Housing Allowance for all ministers. Often, there are changes in your cost for housing, whether you live in a parsonage or rent, or own your own home. I would suggest you check out the many resources available both online and at your local bookstore to be sure you are in compliance with IRS regulations. Always AVOID these type decisions based on facts and not fiction. SPECIAL NOTE: The minister's housing allowance is not retroactive, and MUST be set in advance.  That's why it is good to think about it NOW. Be sure to have the housing allowance set in writing and maintain a copy in your personal records.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of the new Senior Pastor at the Crown of Life Church (Memphis area).  Here is a brief introduction to Pastor Tidwell and his family: Pastor Perry Tidwell has a passion for God’s word coupled with a love for God’s people. Called to the ministry in 1988, Pastor Tidwell began his ministry as a youth evangelist in Arkansas, and  took his first pastorate in 1998.   Pastor Tidwell is a third generation minister in the Church of God of Prophecy, and has a great desire to see the Church move forward! Pastor Tidwell and his wife Angie have six children (5 daughters & 1 son) and thank God that their Children are very involved in the ministry.  In 2005, Pastor started a ministry working with individuals (and their families) with drug and alcoholic problems.   Pastor Tidwell and his wife, also enjoying traveling, and sharing evangelistic praise & worship seminars with other congregations....

Make plans now to attend.  I received this information from our Communications Director today. The following information has been released today concerning the dates and location for the 98th International Assembly. Certainly more information will be made available as the Assembly draws near. 98 th International Assembly July 30 – August 3, 2014 Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Convention Center Orlando, Florida http://www.rosenshinglecreek.com/ More information will be released in the summer of 2013.  Registration and Reservations will open on September 1, 2013.