Voice of Hope

On behalf of the Tennessee State Staff we pray that this will be the most joyous new year for you and your family. We pray that you will be blessed beyond measure and that you will walk in faith, power and anointing. Happy New Year 2016

Pastor Steve and Lisa Boshers (Wrigley Church of God of Prophecy) is walking on cloud nine tonight.  Their daughter Kendall Wilhoite and her husband Cameron were blessed with the arrival of their new daughter. Emersyn Reese Wilhoite was born at 2:27 pm. She is 8lbs and 20 inches long! As the proud mom and dad say, "She is the most beautiful girl on the planet! We are blessed!! "

Run the race before us "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but  this  one thing I do,  forgetting  those  things  which are behind, and reaching forth unto those  things  which are before," (Philippians 3:13) I have a shelf full of bibles.  Multiple translations, some more than one of the same translation, but from different publishers, because the foot notes are different.  But I have one bible that stands our for different reasons.  It is a King James Version bible with a red leather cover that is held together by duct tape.  The pages on the inside are worn and tattered, and some of the pages are soaked with tears of sorrow, conviction, joy and triumph. When this bible is laid on the desk and you look at it from the side, it doesn't take long to notice that while the whole bible is worn, the New Testament is much more so. The reason is simple; I've spent a whole lot of time in the New Testame...

Today is December 26, 2015 and it starts the countdown to December 25, 2016, our next Christmas Day.  We were blessed to have all of our immediate family with us for Christmas Day and in a few days in Pigeon Forge to spend time with my extended family from Indiana. Now we jump back into the work of building the Kingdom of God with a hopeful heart for our people across the State of Tennessee. In a few-short-days we will join the Church of God of Prophecy world-wide in a time of protracted prayer and fasting. District Meetings will be especially rich in fellowship, worship and the Word, dates and locations will follow in the next blog message. #Cover22 will be launched at each district meeting as well as a new training opportunity from the Tennessee School of Practical and Advanced Studies. We look forward to RAISING THE BAR together

God's desire for the Christmas season is that the whole world would be filled with love, joy and peace.  During this season, our desire for you is the same.  We pray that God would supply all of your needs and that His grace and mercy would overflow in your life.

It has been quite a while since a contribution was made to our blog site.  There are a few reasons for that, however the primary reason is one of time...or should I say the lack of time?  With communication traveling at light speed, we realize that it is just plain hard to catch up. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat are only a few of the multitude of ways we stay in touch today.  While I value the ability to get information out quickly, I also realize it robs us of something very important, something essential for leaders.  What is it?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  It is the act of taking time to think before we text/type/tweet.  This leads to strained relationships and unnecessary hurt. Most folks probably do not realize that the service called Twitter was invented from the idea of emergency service calls over two-way radio.  You know, like police, fire, ambulance.  Speaking in what is know as "ten-code," is somethin...

"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." (1 Timothy 18:19) Yesterday, I wrote about the inspiration of the Bible. I personally believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God which reveals to us God's Will for mankind. I do not believe it "contains"  the Word, rather I believe it "IS" God's Word. In 2015 that somehow seems to be a shocking statement to some in the church. No, not from the pew of the church, but from the pulpit of the church. Pseudo-intellectuals chip away at the Bible's authority on a regular basis. Here is an example: The preacher says, "now what the Bible really meant to say is..." My simple answer is this, "the Bible says EXACTLY what the Holy Spirit "breathed" into the c...

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It disturbs me when I hear so many ministers attempt to diminish and degrade the Word of God.  They make light of the stories of faithful heroes of the Scripture and do their best to diminish and marginalize these men and women whom Hebrews Chapter 11 declares the "world was not worthy." For every problem we face in life, there is an answer recorded in its inspired pages.  It should be cherished, read and used as life's road map to heaven. If you are one of those ministers I am referring to, do yourself a favor.  Drop to your knees, repent before God, asking His forgiveness for our arrogant mockery of all that is holy. I believe God's Word with all of my heart.  After all, I am staking my eternal future on it.

Obituary for Perry Craig Pearson Sensitive, loyal, brilliant, adventurous, one-of-a-kind, 17 year-old Perry Craig Pearson of Johnson City, Tennessee, went to his heavenly home on Monday, July 27, 2015. Perry was born on May 8th, 1998, a son of Craig and Rachel Slagle Pearson. Perry was preceded in death by his maternal great grandmother, Mary Martha Davis Slagle, on May 26, 2015. He is survived by his loving family: parents, Craig and Rachel Pearson, sister, Rayanna Pearson, and brother, Jonas Pearson; grandparents Marvin and Sara Slagle of Johnson City; grandparents John and Sue Pearson of Stevensville, MT; “Aunt” Nichole, great-grandfather Ralph Slagle, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Perry has friends from BSA Troop 35 and ETSU University School who will miss him sorely. Perry enjoyed computer gaming with his friends, movies, music, trivia, reading, bicycling, roller coasters, and the outdoors. A service to celebrate the life of Perry will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday,...

Please join me in prayer Pastor Marvin Slagle and his family. Marvin's grandson Terry Pearson has passed away at the age of 17, near Dayton Ohio. More information will be forthcoming.

Friday, July 31- 6:30 PM Saturday, August 1- 5:00 PM "Then he said to me, 'Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live." Ezekiel 37:4-5 Camp Hickory Hills Dickson, Tennessee

The Weathers Family Today we welcome a new pastor to  Tennessee Church of God of Prophecy (Official) , coming from Michigan. Pastor Chris and  Sara Weathers  along with their family Ana, Rachel, Victoria and Jordan. I know you will find the people at Lakeside Church to be warm and welcoming to you. We look forward to working alongside you in this great harvest.

Please join us in prayer for the Patterson family of Westmoreland, TN. Bob Patterson passed away today after a struggle with cancer. Bob's wife just retired as the long time treasurer of the Westmoreland and was acknowledged at our state convention. Bob's sister is  Donna Creasy , the wife of Pastor Glenn Creasy of our Hartsville, TN church. Visitation is Friday after 3:00 pm and the funeral services are at 3:00 pm on Saturday at the Woodard Funeral Home in Westmoreland.

Dear Friends, It has been quite a while since I've posted something to the blog page that I have used for several years.  As we draw closer to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, it seems as if there is not even one moment to spare, and the work continues to grow. We had a wonderful Tennessee State Convention at the Omega Center International in Cleveland, TN.  Everyone involved in the preparation and presentation of the convention did a great job and I appreciate their sacrifice and effort to make this a great event. God bless each and every one of you. E.C. McKinley

There is an air of excitement at Camp Hickory Hills today, as campers and staff arrived for the first of the summer camps.  This week is Senior Camp hosting the upper-teen age group.  Please join us in prayer for each and everyone. Our goal is to provide a safe and loving environment for all of those participating, and that they will be spiritually enriched.  The record reflects that in this past year, more people were converted in the camps than in all of our local churches combined.  What does this say?  It says that these camps are invaluable tools that will help increase the Kingdom of God. Thank you for your prayers, we look forward to a great summer. To learn more about our Camping Ministry go to  http://camphickoryhills.org

We are saddened to announce the passing of Bishop Woodrow Forsythe, retired minister.  Bishop Forsythe served for many years at the Mayland, Tennessee Church.  More information will be posted later today. In the mean time, please pray for Sister Wilma and the rest of the family.

Tonight a large group of worship leaders and pastors gathered at the Emerge church in Lebanon, Tennessee for a special teaching event featuring Tony Sutherland.  Tony is a part of the team at the Free Chapel Church in Georgia, where Jentzen Franklin serves as Senior Pastor. Tony did a great job of presenting relevant materials.  The conference will continue tomorrow, and Tony will be ministering on Sunday morning at the Emerge Church. Pastor Larry and Kelly Meadors have done a great job in organizing the event.

Last evening I was pleased to attend the first of six classes on Creation vs Evolution, taught by Bishop Mike Burton.  Mike is a long time minister in the Church of God of Prophecy and holds both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in the field of Geology.  He also works as a geologist for the Tennessee State Government. Mike's approach was impressive to me personally and was filled with thought-provoking information that I had never heard before, which is interesting because I've studied this subject off and on for 30 years. The classes are taking place at the Crossroads Church in White Bluff, Tennessee on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  It is not too late to get involved and we would love to have you attend.

Beginning on March 2, 2015 at Crossroads COGOP in White Bluff TN starting at 6:00 pm and ending at 9:00 pm, TN COGOP will be offering a six week class discussing and comparing the beliefs and facts concerning the creation account of God and the naturalistic man-made view of evolution.  In this study, the class will explore the creation and flood accounts of the Bible as described in the KJV and compare that account to the current curriculum taught in our public school system . This class will delve into various topics such as the scope and duration of the Noah’s flood.   In this study we will explore how Noah’s Flood has affected the current geologic condition of the earth and if evolution is a viable alternative to the study of geology and biology.  This class will include a brief overview of the Gilgamesh Epic and whether or not this Epic is more viable than the biblical flood account as described in Genesis.  As this class progresses, we will review the various...

Thomas Jefferson His Portrait is on the Two Dollar Bill. Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started  learning very early in life and never stopped. At 5, began studying under his cousin's tutor. At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French. At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages. At 16, entered the College of William and Mary. Also could write in Greek with one hand while writing the same in Latin with the other. At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe. At 23, started his own law practice. At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the  Rights of British America" And retired from his law practice. At 32, was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence. At 33, took three years to revise Virginia's ...

Obituary for Bishop Richard Eugene "Gene" Davis Jim Rush Funeral Homes 220 Wildwood Avenue, S.E. 2600 North Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN 37311 Phone 423-472-4555 Fax 423-472-2012 February 8, 2015 Bishop Richard Eugene “Gene” Davis, age 82, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Saturday evening in a local hospital. Bishop Davis was the son of the late Gladys Mae Ivy Davis and Clarence R. Davis Sr. His brother, Clarence R. Davis Jr. also preceded him in death. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran serving in the Korean Conflict. He was a retired minister with the Church of God of Prophecy with over 45 years of Service. He pastored in Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Bishop Davis served as State Overseer for Eastern Canada, Ohio, South Carolina and Florida. He also served as Regional Overseer for the State of Tennessee. Later on he worked at the General Headquarters for the Church of God of Prophecy serving as Sunday School Literature Editor and the White Wing Messenger Editor. He al...

Mr. Odie H. Spears  87 of Westmoreland, TN passed away Thursday, January 29, 2015. Funeral services for Mr. Spears will be held Monday, February 02, 2015 at 1:00 PM from Lakeside Church of God of Prophecy with Bro. Leon Graves, Bro. Ron Spears, Bro. Mike Creasy and Bro. Gerald Graves officiating. Interment will follow in Sumner Memorial Gardens.  Pallbearers will be Jeff Graves, Stacey Graves, Scotty Graves, Josh Graves, Spence Creasy and Angela & (Chad) Fields.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Graves, Caleigh Graves, Taylor Graves, Alec Creasy and Connor Graves. Visitation will be:  Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Woodard Funeral Home and Sunday, February 01, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Woodard Funeral Home and Monday, February 02, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Lakeside Church of God. Mr. Spears was retired as an Assistant Grocery Store Retail Manager at Smith's Cee Bee Store after over 24 years of service . ...