Voice of Hope

Each year, the Church of God of Prophecy world-wide enters a special time of prayer, fasting and seeking for the Lord's intervention into the ministries of our church.  There are a multitude of resources available from our International Offices.  Simply go to www.cogop.org and follow the links. In Tennessee we will begin our District Meetings where great emphasis will be placed on the necessity of Spirit-filled living.  All around us, there are multitudes of people perishing without the hope we have embraced. I challenge each and every church to be involved.  Join us as we seek the Lord for His Presence in our churches and ministries throughout this great State.

My family and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Each year, Bishop Robert and Ruby Ledford host a Chritmas breakfast for the leadership and their spouse in upper East Tennessee.  Debra and I were privileged to be with them again this year at the breakfast at the Arrowhead Church in Knoxville. We count it an great honor and privilege to serve among such faithful servants of God.

The IRS has announced New Mileage Rates for  The IRS has announced that the optional mileage allowance for owned or leased autos (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will decrease by .5¢ per mile to 56¢ for business travel beginning in January 2014. This rate can also be used by employers to reimburse employees tax-free under an accountable plan if they supply their own autos for business use and to value personal use of certain low-cost employer-provided vehicles.   The rate for using a car in 2014 to get medical care or in connection with a move that qualifies for the moving expense will decrease by .5¢ to 23.5¢ per mile. The rate for charitable driving remains unchanged at 14¢ per mile.

Friends, I found a few minutes this afternoon to sit and collect my thoughts.  It seems as if our lives have been in a whirlwind since spring of 2013.  As many of you know, our State Convention in Murfreesboro was a wonderful event, and that the Lord ministered in such a very special way.  I will always be thankful for God's Presence in our meetings, whether they are small committee meetings or large events like State Conventions or International Assemblies. As we left the convention, our faces were set straight ahead for the wedding of our daughter Lindsey. She had a marvelous wedding and it was a privilege to celebrate with Lindsey and Andy in their life together.  During all of this time, Lindsey has stepped up her ministry efforts and had preached in multiple churches.  One thing that is heart-warming to me is that she and Andy are being invited to our local churches and beyond to other states.  Most recently, the PowerHouse event was an overwhelmin...

Bishop McKinley, Sister Carroll's arrangements are as follows: Visitation Monday 5-9 and  Tuesday 1-9 at Vanderwall funeral home in Dayton. The funeral is  Wednesday at 4  at the Vanderwall funeral home. I also sent you a Facebook message with these arrangements. Bless You My Brother, Eric ISent from my iPad

I am saddened to report the sudden passing of Sister Devonnia Carroll of the Dayton Church.  Devonnia served alongside her husband, the pastor, Rev. Bob Carroll.  I will post arrangements when received.  Please join me in prayer for the family.