Voice of Hope

ATTENTION: Today is the deadline for PROXY registrations to be sent to the State Office.  They may be faxed, emailed or mailed, but I need to hear from your local church today. Please do NOT allow your local church to have no voice in the important matters of the International Assembly.

Increasingly, the posts on this blog are announcements of events, reminders of deadlines and obituaries for those who have served so faithfully in our church.  I don’t mind that being the case, in fact, when I started out doing this, it was an effort to get a lot of information out in a hurry to as large a constituency as possible.  Time will be the judge. Often, my job as a pastor (yes, I said pastor) consists of praying for the sick, comforting the bereaved and preparing sermons to share with congregations.  My role as a Presiding Bishop becomes more and more administrative and casting vision as a long-term goal. From time-to-time, well, actually quite often, I ask myself, “are you making a difference?”  I would guess that many of you who read this blog ask yourself the same question. In reality, like the nature of this blog, only time will tell whether we have been effective or not.  But, still it IS a valid questions, and in truth, you are the only one w...

Obituary Hazel Winters Young, age 93, died at home in Mobile, AL, on April 27, 2012 from Alzheimer’s Disease. Born January 9, 1919 in Big Sandy, TN, she lived in Big Sandy, Gallatin and Knoxville, TN before settling in Mobile in her later years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be sorely missed. A life-long member of the Church of God of Prophecy, she worked tirelessly in the local church wherever she lived and gave generously of her time and effort. She is probably known best for her cooking, baking and quilting as well as her quiet, gentle manner. It was her honor to serve others and she was a shining example of selflessness. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Addie Wheatley, her husbands, James Aaron Winters and Rev. Zilvon R. Young, her brothers, Hubert and Carl Wheatley, her sister, Ora Estelle Berry Atchison,   her daughters, Anita Winters and Frances Winters Lawrence and son-in-law, Gordon “Jack” L...

By now, hopefully many of you have attended one of our State Camp Meeting events.  If you are anywhere near Manchester, Tennessee, I invite you to join us on Sunday, April 29th at the local church there.  There will be great singing, fellowship and worship.  To day, these meetings have been in: Memphis, Tennessee Paris, Tennessee Crossville, Tennessee Cleveland, Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Westmoreland, Tennessee Campaign, Tennessee After our meeting in Manchester, there will only be one more of these meetings and that will be in White Bluff, Tennessee at the Crossroads Church. I hope you can join us this Sunday: Manchester Church of God of Prophecy 1609 Fredonia Road Manchester, TN 37355 The church service will begin at 5:00 p.m. WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND!

This is a reminder that the April 30th deadline for Proxy registration is only a few days away.  Each local church needs to select their proxy representative and that individual MUST be registered at the State Office.  Here are the following methods of delivery: Fax:  615-827-0102 Email:  ecmckinley@gmail.com Mail:  Church of God of Prophecy Tennessee State Office P.O. Box 2319 Hendersonville, TN 37077-2319 I look forward to 100% participation from Tennessee Churches. 

Yesterday, I met for about two hours with the pastors in the White Bluff area of Tennessee, where Bishop Gary Riley serves as the District Presbyter.  We had all but a few of the pastors in attendance and I thoroughly enjoyed the time of fellowship and sharing. This is the third of these meetings I have conducted, having met with the Cleveland/Chattanooga area pastors, the Nashville Area Pastors and now this group.  This means that I have now met with almost a half of our pastors in the last few weeks, with the next meeting scheduled for the Manchester area. In these meetings, we discuss the upcoming International Assembly Business reports and a reminder that the Proxy expressions are due in my office on April 30, 2012.  Please help me reach 100% participation in Tennessee by reminding your pastor to send these in.  God bless.

  Erin Church of God of Prophecy Visitation Tuesday 1-8 pm Funeral Wednesday 2:00 pm  

Everyone,   Our youth group Fusion is having a Youth Rally next Saturday night entitled "Laying it all Down "   Special speaker is Rosemary Fisher founder of Recycled Women Recovery Group,A spirit filled lady whom God has pulled from the pits of sin and is now sharing her story with all,she has been on several shows including the 700 Club,letting the world know that they are loved by a living God !!   Team Fusion is growing and is very active working for the Lord and would consider it an honor if you or your youth group could attend.Please be in prayer for a moving of the Holy Spirit on this very special night.  Thanks !!! Steve Boshers Sr. Pastor Wrigley Church of God Of Prophecy  

I am sad to share the news of the passing of Deacon Jim Wyatt of the Erin Church.  Jim passed away yesterday after a long fight with cancer. When I served as the Senior Pastor at the Columbia Church, Jim and his family moved from Michigan, and he served as a local deacon and his wife Mary, who preceded him as an evangelist. Our hearts and prayers go out for Shlo and Mark and the rest of the family.  I will post arrangements when I receive them. Jim was a good man and the church has suffered a loss with his passing, but Jim has fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the faith.

Last week I met with the pastor in the Cleveland/Chattanooga area for a time of sharing.  Tonight, it was the area around Nashville.  It was so good to spend a couple of hours with each other to share common interests. The time closed with prayer.  We are blessed to have such wonderful pastors.  Next one of these meetings will be next week with the White Bluff area pastors.

Heads up!  Registrations are flooding in for the Tennessee Men’s Retreat this weekend.  We are looking forward to another great turnout, and for great times of fellowship, worship and the Word. 

On Sunday evening, folks from the Chattanooga/Cleveland district met at the Peerless Road Church for our annual Camp Meeting.  We were bless to have our General Overseer, Bishop Randall Howard and so many other of our International Offices personnel in attendance, and a good turnout of the churches. Special thanks are in order to Bishop A.J. Coalter, the District Presbyter for that area and to Pastor Brian Sutton and the PRC for their help in arranging and hosting the gathering. The Dayton Church children/youth worship/dance teams blessed the entire congregation, as did Sister Benson from the Keith Street church. The highlight of the evening for me was the altar service when people spent time, genuinely seeking the Lord's favor as we "dig out" the wells and find pure, springing water! God has blessed and favored us with wonderful leadership at the local level and I am privileged to serve alongside them.

I just learned of the passing of Sis Elaine Surratt, long-time member at the Lenox church. Please join me in prayer for this family and for the local church. I will post information as I receive it.

Earlier today, Pastor Terry Swaw, Crab Orchard, Tennessee underwent surgery at St Thomas Hospital. Debra and I sat with Heather during surgery. He did well, I checked in a few-minutes-ago and he is home, doing well.

I received word this morning that Barbara Creasy's youngest brother has passed away. Barbara serves alongside her husband Pastor Bob Creasy at our Clarksville (English Language) church. I spoke with Pastor Creasy this morning and this is the information I have at this moment. Bobby Hensley Winchester, KY Scobee Funeral Home 219 West Lexington Ave. P.O. Box 16 Winchester, KY 40391 Phone: (859) 744-2422 info@scobeefuneralhome.com - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

With deep sadness, I share with you the passing of Brother James Hartley of the Big Sandy, Tennessee church.  I have incomplete details at this time, but apparently he passed away this morning.  Brother Hartley was a regular licensed minister in the Church of God of Prophecy and was known for his deep humility. I will pass on information about visitation and services as soon as the information is available.  Please join me in prayer for his family.

As I write today’s blog post it is Thursday…Maundy Thursday to be exact.  It is a day that is celebrated throughout Christendom each year during Holy Week.  It has a lot of different names, but I have always chose the traditional one, “Maundy” This is the English derivative of the Latin word Mandatum.” This is the first word in John 13:34, “ "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos."  or in English "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement made by   Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) It was on this day that Jesus gave a commandment not just for those present, but to all who would believe in Him.  This mandate of loving one other as He has loved us is possibly the hardest one to follow…maybe not for you, but it is for me.  This is the fifth day in Holy Week and is a day that we remember the day when Jesus washed the disciple’s feet (which is not very appealing) and gave this g...

This Saturday, April seventh start at 10:00 am with an Easter Egg Hunt over 10,000 eggs! Stay for games, prizes and more for kids of all ages. There will be guest speakers and live music all day, and we will finish the day with an Easter parade in the evening. There is something for the whole family! 10000 Highway 294 Murphy, North Carolina 28906 fotw@cogop.org 828.494.7855 ========================= FOR OUR HISPANIC BRETHREN = Celebración en la Resurrección Campos del Bosque! Este Sábado, abril séptimo comienzo a las 10:00 am con un Easter Egg Hunt de más de 10.000 huevos! Estancia de juegos, premios y mucho más para los niños de todas las edades. Habrá oradores invitados y música en vivo durante todo el día, y vamos a terminar el día con un desfile de Pascua al atardecer. Hay algo para toda la familia! 10000 Carretera 294 Murphy, Carolina del Norte 28906 fotw@cogop.org 828.494.7855

BIOGRAPHY Jesup, Georgia Rev. Charles “Hubert” Flowers, 60, of Jesup, GA, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012, in the Memorial University Health System in Savannah, GA, after an extended illness. The Wayne Co., GA, (personal testimony) native was an old country boy, born and raised in South Georgia. I was a Logger/Trucker by trade, Jesus glorious saved me behind the steering wheel of a Mack truck on April 29, 1980. I accepted the call into the ministry while attending my first year of the Church of God of Prophecy Bible Training Institute in Cleveland, TN, in May of 1981. I accepted my first pastorate in April of 1988, during my pastoral years I pastored two churches in Georgia and two churches in Tennessee. With the exception of accepting Jesus into my life, the greatest decision by far was marrying my beautiful wife, Geri. We have two great kids, Tina and Chuck. They’re both married to the greatest daughter-in-law and son-in-law a father could hope for. Together they have given us four ...

This Saturday, April 7th beginning at 10:00 am with an Easter Egg Hunt of over 10,000 eggs! Stay for games, prizes and much more for children of all ages. There will be guest speakers and live music throughout the day, and we will end the day with our Easter pageant at sundown. There's something for the entire family! 10000 Highway 294 Murphy, NC 28906 fotw@cogop.org 828.494.7855 While there, check out the remodeled Pavilion....this was upgraded by the people of Tennessee Please help us spread the word.

Tonight I am requesting special prayers for Pastor Hubert Flowers, who served as a pastor at the churches of Bethel Springs and Pelham Valley. He is in critical condition at a hospital in Georgia. His family has requested your prayers tonight, not only for Pastor Flowers, but for his family as well. Please help me pass this request on.

Okay...now its the boys turn. This is going to be a great time at Camp Hickory Hills (no girls allowed). Just The G.U.Y.S. Young Men's Retreat Ages 11-18 Early registration cost is $35 - Deadline April 21 Late walkin $45 Friday and Saturday May 11th and 12th, 2012 Camp Hickory Hills Registration begins at 5:00pm on Friday For more information contact Todd Turpin or Mike Jennette Experience a deeper relationship and closer walk with Christ as well as having FUN! There will be classes, activities and a Friday evening worship service! Activities include: Outdoor Laser Tag, Self Defense Course, Compass Course and much more! SEE YOU THERE!