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...

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