Voice of Hope

Margie M Bice Mrs. Margie Trivett Bice, age 90, of Elizabethton, TN passed away Friday, December 16, 2016 in the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital. A native of Poga, TN she was the daughter of the late (T.L.) Lackey and Oda Guy Trivett. Mrs. Bice was a homemaker and was a teacher during World War II at Elk Mills School and Charity Hill School. She was a member of Heartland Fellowship for sixty-nine years where she served as Church Clerk and Treasurer and leader of the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary for many years. Mrs. Bice enjoyed camping, hiking, sewing, quilting and crocheting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Bice; a son, Johnny Bice; sisters, Gladys Lund, Mildred Treadway and Ruby Trivett and brothers, Roy Trivett and Oscar Trivett. Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Charlotte Pate and husband Gary; Nancy Bennett and husband Lester, all of Elizabethton; Freda Russell and husband Joe, Chapmansboro, TN; fou...

The following information was received from our North American Presbyter: Dear Overseer and Pastor; "I would like to make two exciting announcements involving Barna Group and COGOP. The first is that Barna is launching a major initiative focusing on pastors in early 2017, including a live event and national webcast on Thursday, January 26, 2017.   We would love for you to participate in the event in person or online.  It is for pastors, church staff, elders and others who support today's churches. Many of you are probably familiar with Barna.  If not check out their website. If you scroll about halfway down on the homepage, you can subscribe to Barna Update--a free resource for periodic email updates about Barna's research into faith in culture in America.  Barna Update currently has nearly 90,000 subscribers, about half of whom are pastors. The second is that COGOP is partnering with Barna to engage, on your behalf, in the same "state of pastors...

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity as Debra and I have traveled across the State of Tennessee.  We have already had three dinner meetings with our pastors in three districts, which means we have enjoyed the company of about twenty-five percent of our pastors.  It is amazing how some casual conversation, laughter and fellowship can lift your spirits. We have some of the most wonderful people serving our churches in Tennessee and I am privileged to serve them.

Well, it's been another one of those days and it's still 10:30 a.m.  After a night of very little sleep and minor illness, I just decided to get up early and get some things done.  Ahead of schedule is what I was thinking, but avast my plans have gone awry already. Once arriving at the office, I noticed that none of our equipment was working.  Printers wouldn't print, copiers wouldn't copy, server had a blue screen of death.........had a what?  Yes a blue screen of death.  For a couple of days the staff has been working hard around here to take care of normal responsibilities, but to also prepare for our PowerHOUSE Youth Conference at Camp Hickory Hills, and guess what they need?   Right, ALL OF THE ABOVE. So, since early this morning, I have been troubleshooting equipment which means none of the advantage of an early start was realized, there is no help in sight and I feel a little stuck.  If not for police reports, SWAT teams, broken dreams and g...

It has been some time since I've posted to this particular blog.  There are any number of reasons, but suffice it to say, the work continues to grow and need additional care.  This past week, my family and I left for our annual vacation.  This year found us in Disney World in Florida.  During the week, I had to leave the family to travel to a Leadership Summit in Akron, Ohio, a trip that took me four days.  We drove to Orlando and arrived on Saturday, then I flew out on Sunday morning for the beginning of the conference on Monday.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday found me at Grace Church at the Bath Campus (really, the name of the little town is Bath) with me flying back to Orlando on Wednesday, and due to Delta Airlines missing their schedule, I was really late getting in Wednesday night.  The vacation resumed on Thursday, and we left Florida on Saturday, returning home on Sunday.  Needless to say, it really wasn't much of a vacation for m...

There is only ONE correct answer to the problems of life.  Do you know the answer?

Charles William “Bill” Vanhoozier age 70 a resident of Cleveland passed away Sunday May 8, 2016 at the family residence. He was the son of the late Joseph and Lorena Mae Jones Vanhoozier and was also preceded in death by his brother John Robert Vanhoozier and a sister Helen Hagy. Bill was a minister, pastor and evangelist with the Church of God of Prophecy for over 40 years. He attended Covenant Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and he loved people and especially his grandbabies. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Lily Vanhoozier, his daughters Renee Stine and her husband Gary of Clear Spring Maryland, Rhonda Travis, Katina Blackwell and her husband Eddie, Christine Cabrera and her husband Jeff all of Cleveland, 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, brothers Melvin Vanhoozier of Cleveland, Roger Vanhoozier of Charlotte Hall Maryland, his sisters Ruth Hypes of Virginia, Dorothy Jamison of Boonesboro VA., and Joan Steele of Knoxville Maryland, also...

Greetings Tennessee Church Family!  Just in a few short months the 99th International Assembly will begin in Orlando, Florida. The last few Assemblies I have served on the Assembly Task Force to oversee the ushers, greeters, and security teams. One of the main focuses of my task, is to recruit many people to cover the locations and times of our needed volunteers to serve near 10,000 International delegates of the Church of God of Prophecy. With so many friends across Tennessee, I am asking for any of our people who will be at the Assembly and can serve for multiple services to please go to our website to register as a volunteer. From this registration we will schedule the three sessions each day.  As we are blessed to have the International Assembly not only in the United States but in the southeast, I ask that you consider the great privilege of serving our global church family during this international reunion. I promise you will be blessed during your time! Go ...

1.  Please help us pray for Leona Cox who has been hospitalized this week.  Leona serves alongside her husband, Pastor Donnie Cox at the Pelham Valley church. 2.  Please help us pray for Barbara Creasy who has been hospitalized this week.  Barbara serves alongside her husband, Pastor Bob Creasy at the Clarksville church.

Dr. Freddie Harding Earlier this year, Dr. Freddie Harding resined his position as District Presbyter of the Plateau Region after serving faithfully for almost 12 years.  The State of Tennessee has been blessed by the faithful service of both Dr. Harding and his wife Juanita.   After much prayer and consideration, the Presiding Bishop and the District Presbyters have selected Bishop Terry Swaw to serve as the new District Presbyter. Bishop Terry Swaw Bishop Terry Swaw began his ministry in 1995 White Bluff Church of God of Prophecy now Crossroads Church, and served as District Youth Director under the leadership of Bishop Eugene Weakley. Bishop Swaw received his first pastoral appointed to Waverly COGOP in September 2002 and West Nashville COGOP in 2005.  The Swaw Family Bishop Terry Swaw, his wife Heather, their two children, Andrew and Sarah Grace reside in Crab Orchard, Tennessee where Bishop Swaw continues to serve as Sr...

Wow!  That's all I can say about the MOMENTUM retreat held this past weekend at Camp Hickory ( camphickoryhills.org ) near Dickson, Tennessee.  This "young-men's retreat was blessed with powerful sermons from Eric Washburn, Jeff Jones, Phil Minter.  The worship was equally compelling and encouraging.  I was given the opportunity to bring the retreat to a close on Sunday morning. Special thanks to the Matheny family for meal preparation and to the directors for their planning.  More will follow, and lots of photos are available at camphickoryhills.org 

Heirline in concert Easter 2016 Weekend! Saturday, March 26 @ 6 PM Sunday, March 27 @ 10:30 AM GreenRidge Church of God of Prophecy 1936 Greer Road (Hwy 257 W)  Ridgetop, TN 37152 Pastor Sammy Rye and congregation invite everyone to join them for a special Easter weekend of great southern gospel music featuring: Heirline!   A special love offering will be received during both services. Contact info: Pastor Sammy Rye:    931-553-8301 or 931-249-8623  Church: 615-851-9500            God bless you!