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Alabama Update August 2014 This is the April 2014 Alabama Update for the Alabama Churches of God of Prophecy.
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ALABAMA
UPDATETHE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY AUGUST 2014
International Assembly Appointments 2014-2016August 3, 2014 at 5:00pm
August 03, 2014 - August 01, 2016Finance and Administration Executive DirectorPaul HoltTrans-local Ministry Directors:Global Missions Coordinator: Cathy PayneLeadership Development Executive DirectorDavid Bryan
Ministry Leaders for Leadership Development (Trans-local Ministers)
Director of the Center for Biblical LeadershipDavid Bryan Director of Gordon Conwell & ACTS ConsortiumsDr. Héctor Ortiz
Center for Biblical Leadership Instructor & Church HistorianAdrian Varlack
Center for Biblical Leadership InstructorMark Menke
Center for Biblical Leadership InstructorElias Rodriguez
Director of Tomlinson CenterDavid Bryan
International Youth Ministry DirectorKirk Rising
International Children’s Ministry DirectorKathy Creasy
T. C. Advisory BoardDavid Bryan - ChairmanWade PattersonDon KnoblichClayton EndecottMorais CassellCarswell LeonardSteve SpearsAbigail Spears-Velasquez Committee AppointmentsAdministrative CommitteeSam Clements, General Overseer, ChairmanAll General Presbyters(Clayton Endecott, David Browder, Stephen Masilela, Clayton Martin, Benjamin Feliz, Gabriel Vidal, Tim Coalter)Paul HoltDavid BryanJeff DavisLlewellyn Graham1. Kathy CreasyBrian Sutton
Biblical Doctrine and Polity CommitteePhillip Pruitt, ChairmanDelroy HallElías RodríguezNelson TorresJames KolawoleCarswell LeonardTim McCaleb
Finance and Stewardship CommitteeWayne Pense, ChairmanWayne PenseNathaniel Beneby Clint KnowlesAngie ZamoraRupert NeblettGeorge McLaughlin Paulette Wilbanks
Global Missions Committee Paul Holt, ChairmanGeneral Presbyter (Rotating)Cathy PayneAnnette TaylorKen DyerNonito QueTapio Satila Paulette WilbanksChurchof God of Prophecy Corporate BoardGeneral PresbytersAdministrative Committee Members
General TrusteesGeneral OverseerSam ClementsDavid BryanPaul HoltAssembly Task Force Paul Holt, ChairmanEddie HartmanMike LuithleJoshua LynnDeWayne Hamby Michael HernandezJohn PayneGene BrowningG.O. Liaison Advisor: Host Overseer of Assembly SiteChief ClerkDeWayne Hamby
National Overseer AppointmentsAfrica General Presbyter: Stephen MasilelaBenin, Togo, Gabon, Niger, Equatorial Guinea………………………………….Kadato O. RichardBotswana …………………………………………………………………………Phillip SegadikaCameroon ……………………………………………………………………….. Ekpai Mayeke JamesCongo {Brazzaville}……………………………………………………………...Mukendi BitchyDemocratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Chad, CAR…………………………….Levi ClarkeEthiopia, Djibute ……………………………………………………………….…Fekadu AyeleGhana, Nigeria …………………………………………………………………..James Kolawole Guinea (Conakry), Guinea – Bissau, Cape Verde, Senegal (Ziguinchor)………..Peter KoyeaIvory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso …………………………………………….….Koissi AntoineKenya ……………………………………………………………………………Cyril OdendoLiberia……………………………………………………………………………Ferdinand WeahMalawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique……………………. [Under the supervision of the AAFC]Northern South Sudan, Uganda…………………………………………………James NtezimanaRwanda, Burundi…………………………………………………………………Redias NkundaberaSierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Chad, CAR …………………Levi ClarkeSouth Africa, Namibia, Lesotho…………………………………Nathaniel Botha & Stephen MasilelaSwaziland…………………………………………………………………………Stephen MasilelaTanzania…………………………………………………………………………..Eric MwambigijaNational Overseer AppointmentsAsia, Australia and OceaniaGeneral Presbyter: DavidBrowderAustralia/SriLanka …………………………………………….........................Dennis CaseyFiji Islands……………………………………………………..........................Daniel K. GannHawaiian Islands,Kiribati……………………………………............................Gary LangleyIndia / Nepal………………………………………………................................David L. BrowderIndonesia……………………………………………….………...................Peringatan ZebuaKorea, Thailand,Japan ……………………………………............................Jung Min LeeMissionaries to Japan -They will serve under Overseer, Jung Min LeeDaniel and Sharon Corbett Jonathanand Lori CorbettMalaysia.........................................................................................................Bathinathan Anthonisamy
Myanmar………………………………………………………......................Chin Kang MonPakistan…………………………………………………………................ Asher Munawar KhanPhilippine Islands ……………………………………………….................. Rogelio D. JustinianoSamoan Islands, New Zealand …………………………………....................…. Asalemo KukaSingapore, Eastern Asia ...............…………………………………..................Dennis HuangNational Overseer AppointmentsCaribbean &Atlantic Ocean IslandsGeneral Presbyter: Clayton MartinAnguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten,St. Martin, Guadeloupe & Surinam.…………….……………….………...Michael GreenawayBahamas………………………………………….……………………..….Franklyn FergusonBarbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent & The Grenadines …………...Edward C. PayneBritish& U .S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao.……….. Whitbourne HutchinsonCayman Islands, French Guiana……………………..…………………………....Clayton MartinGuyana………………………………………………………………………………Earl HigginsHaiti…………………………………………………………………………Jean Claude DorleanJamaica…………………………………………………………………………..….Winston LeithTrinidad& Tobago…………………………………………………………………Maurice JonesTurks& Caicos Islands……………………………………………………...Clarence N. WilliamsNational Overseer AppointmentsCentral America, Mexico, Spanish Speaking CaribbeanGeneral Presbyter: Benjamin FelizBelize ……………………………………………………………………………… Jose E. SomozaCosta Rica ………………………………………………………………………… Alejandro RamosCuba ………………………………………………………………………………Ramon RodriguezDominican Republic ……………………………………………………………….Flavio RosarioEl Salvador ……………………………………………………………...Ismael Ticas ManzanaresGuatemala…………………………………………………………………………. Mario GalindoHonduras …………………………………………………………………………Wilmer FuentesMexico ………………………………………………………………………………Andres HauNicaragua (One Year Appointment)………………………………………….. Jorge MarreroPanama ……………………………………………………………………………...Rupert NeblettPuerto Rico…………………………………………………………………………. Benjamin Feliz National Overseer AppointmentsEurope, CIS and the Middle EastGeneral Presbyter: Clayton EndecottBulgaria……………………………………………………………………………Peter GeorgievBosnia Herzegovina, Italy, Malta, …………………………………………….… Ximo GregorioBelarus………………………………………………………………Henadzi Kernazhitski (Gena)Belgium and Netherlands………………………………………………………..Tedroy PowellCzech Republic and Germany………………………………………………….Clayton EndecottCyprus ………………………………………………………………………….Clayton EndecottAntonios Pastos, Chairperson (for legal matters) Egypt………………………Samir
Shehata Rizk Finland……………………………………………………………………………..Tapio SätiläFrance and United Kingdom ……………………………………………………Wilton PowellGreece ………………………………………………………………….National Plurality Team (under the care of GP’s Shared Leadership Team)Israel, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania and Uzbekistan ………GP’s Shared Leadership Team and National WorkersPortugal and Spain.……………………………………………... Jose Antonio Gomez SanchezRussia………………………………………………………………………….…..Misha MurzaUkraine………………………………………………………………………..Vitaliy Voznyzk
State/Regional Overseer AppointmentsNorth AmericaGeneral Presbyter: Timothy CoalterAlabama………………………………………………………………...…L. V. JonesAlaska,Washington…………………………………………………….....Don KnoblichArizona,Nevada, New Mexico………………………………………..….José M. RiveraCalifornia.....................................................................................................Phillip PruittCanada East...........................................................................................Woodroe ThompsonCanada West...............................................................................................Walter DoroshukFlorida..........................................................................................................Robert DavisGeorgia.........................................................................................................Billy Adams
Great Lakes Region......................................................................................Timothy Harper (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,Wisconsin)Heartland America........................................................................................Wayne Pense(Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma) IOU Region.................................................................................................Wallace Pratt(Idaho, Oregon, Utah) Kentucky.......................................................................................................Scott GillumLouisiana, Mississippi....................................................................................H. Wayne HallMid-Atlantic Region.....................................................................................Leroy Greenaway(Delaware, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Delmarva Peninsula) Midwest Region.............................................................................................Jesse Yañez(Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska)North Carolina................................................................................................Jeffery DavisNortheast Region (English).............................................................................TBA(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island,Vermont, Bermuda)Northeast Region (Spanish)......................................................................... Rahadames Matos(Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts,New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia)Northwest Territory.......................................................................................Rick Lee(Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota)Ohio, West Virginia......................................................................................Fred LawsonPennsylvania..................................................................................................C.Jay CroyleSouth Carolina…………………………………………………………..TBASoutheast Region (Spanish)..........................................................................TBA(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,North Carolina, Tennessee) Tennessee.......................................................................................................E.C. McKinleyTexas..............................................................................................................Tim McCalebVirginia..........................................................................................................Jerry Schall Supervisor to the India Outreach in North America .................................... John WesslyNational Overseer AppointmentsSouth AmericaGeneral Presbyter: Gabriel VidalArgentina……………………………………………………..Francisco Alejandro López PazBolivia………………………………………………………..Hilaríon Javier PatónBrazil………………………………………………………….Hernandes Fernandes F.Chile…………………………………………………………………...Sergio CedeñoColombia………………………………………………………David Ramon CeballosEcuador………………………………………………………..Benjamin A. Aldana P.Paraguay……………………………………………………….David Esteban OrozcoPeru……………………………………………………………Rafael Alvino VargasUruguay………………………………………………………….Sergio Ever GarciaVenezuela……………………………………………………..Luis Ernesto GómezHarvest Continental Coordinator………………………………… Rafael AlvinoRecognition of MissionariesDan & Gwen MillerFredy GuillenTeri Santos
Sanctification–Terminology, Definitions, and HistoryFundamentals of The Faith–Raymond M. Pruitt
Part II of First Lesson on Sanctification
4. Progressive sanctification.
a. The Wesleyan position. As we have stated, Wesleyans generally hold that there is a progression from "initial
sanctification" (regeneration) to the moment of entire sanctification when the holiness already begun in regeneration is perfected "by the
cleansing at a single stroke of inbred sin, (which) bring the soul to a constantly existing state of perfected holiness."
We recognize that the same nature of Christ exists in the sanctified believer as in the regenerated, but we believe
it is preferable to make a sharper distinction between the two works of grace, and while Wesleyans clearly distinguish between regeneration
and entire sanctification, we feel they cloud the issue by calling regeneration "initial sanctification", and also by the implication that it is
necessary to have a period of time for progression from initial to entire sanctification. For some, the time element may be necessary but
this possibility should not be locked in and made a requirement for all. Pertaining to those who may require a longer period of time between
regeneration and sanctification, John Wesley describes the gradual preparation of the individual to be sanctified wholly: "A man may be
dying for some time; yet he does not, properly speaking, die until the instant that the soul is separated from the body. In like manner he
may be dying to sin for some time, yet he is not dead to sin until sin is separated from his soul; and in that instant he lives the full life of
love.
Our response is that while we recognize the Scriptural requirement for growth and maturity in the Christian
experience (Col. 2:6, 7), this should not be confused with the crisis experience of sanctification, which by its nature is an instantaneous
and definite act of grace.
b. Sanctification as progressive growth.
A more serious error is the notion of Calvinists, Lutherans, Angelicans, and some Pentecostals whose backgrounds are more
Calvinistic than Wesleyan, that sanctification is a progressive work which takes place gradually from the moment of regeneration.
Representative of this point of view are the following:
Louis Berkhof:
Sanctification may be defined as that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which He delivers the justified
sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works.
A. H. Strong:
Sanctification is that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which the holy disposition imparted in regeneration is maintained
and strengthened.
The Westminster Catechism:
The work of God's free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God and are enabled more and more
to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.
Our response to the theory of progressive sanctification is that it lacks both Scriptural and rational support. As noted elsewhere
in this chapter, the weight of Scripture is clearly in support of the crisis experience, as opposed to a gradual development. Those who
advocate progressive growth, while acknowledging that sanctification is required of all (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:11; etc.), never
answer the most important question of how long does it take to grow into sanctification? This view challenges the efficacy of the blood
of Christ by implying that it is not sufficient to accomplish entire sanctification instantaneously, even though it was sufficient for
instantaneous regeneration. It puts more emphasis on time than on the power of the blood of Jesus. If one person has ever been sanctified
wholly through the progressive route, it has not been revealed to anyone in the Christian world. The sin nature must be put to death if the
new nature in Christ is to triumph (cf. Gal. 2:20). Calvinists and others believe that the sin nature is not rooted out and put off as taught
in Colossians 3:9; Romans 66; etc., but that it is merely suppressed. For example, Wuest's comment on Romans 6:6 is that the believer "has
been permanently delivered from its power, when at the same time that nature is left in him permanently." A. J. Tomlinson counters this
vein of thought on sanctification as follows:
Many seem willing to accept sanctification as a gradual growth, but no one ever yet reached the point that way and could testify
humbly and boldly that "The Lord has sanctified me wholly by His blood and I know my heart is pure." Not a few are trying to
take it by "Substitution," claiming that Christ is made unto them sanctification without any effort on their part. The carnal nature,
that is enmity against God, not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, is still in them; yet declare they are sanctified
wholly as a matter of substitution. What deception! What perversion of Scripture!”
Paul F. Beacham, on the same subject, writes:
Abraham could have whipped Ishmael, and forced him to act religious, but he never could have made him anything except the
son of the bond woman. This is why he was commanded to cast him out. Isaac's birth was according to the promise. . . .
Accordingly, he is the type of the new man. . . new heart received in regeneration. The birth of Ishmael was after the flesh, and
he is a type of carnality or the old man. Isaac's birth was not the expulsion of Ishmael, but it brought a conflict and made it
necessary for him to be cast out. The going out of Ishmael was not gradual and progressive, it was a definite complete act."
The "Finished Work" Controversy
The early Pentecostal movement was severely jolted by an all-out attack against sanctification as a second crisis work. It was led
by William H. Durham, pastor of the North Avenue Mission in Chicago. Durham, a former Baptist, and a popular preacher, who for about
nine years had preached sanctification as a second work of grace, went to Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles in 1907 and returned an
enthusiastic Pentecostal. From that time his views underwent a change, and he determined never to preach sanctification as a second work
again. In 1910, at a Chicago Pentecostal convention he preached a sermon that launched a campaign to propagate his doctrine, which he
called "The Finished Work". The aim of the sermon and the subsequent campaign which followed it was to "nullify the blessing of
sanctification as a second definite work of grace." The gist of Durham's doctrine is summed up in the following quote from his monthly
magazine, The Pentecostal Testimony:
I . . . deny that God does not deal with the nature of sin at conversion. I deny that a man who is converted or born again is
outwardly washed and cleansed but that his heart is left unclean with enmity against God in it. . . . This would not be Salvation.
Salvation . . . means a change of nature. . . . It means that all the old man, or old nature, which was sinful and depraved and which
was the very thing in us that was condemned, is crucified with Christ.
It should be noted that Durham's break with the Wesleyan view of sanctification was over the emphasis on the second work of
grace teaching, not over the nature of the work accomplished in sanctification. For about nine years he had preached the Wesleyan doctrine,
and when he revised his stand after the Azusa Street baptism, it was against the second work doctrine. His attacks on the second work do
not go on to renounce the Wesleyan interpretation of infused sanctification, in contrast to the Reformed imputed or positional sanctification.
For years he had preached the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification. If he had meant to abandon that view of what happens in
sanctification, it follows that he would have said so. I do not find any reference where he ever indicated that he had changed his mind on
that point. On the contrary, in referring to terms which relate to the depraved nature of man, such as "inbred corruption", "the bent to
sinning", "inherited tendency to evil", "the roots of bitterness", etc., Durham said, "The question is not whether these terms are correct,
believe those which are quoted from the Scripture at least generally do refer to the nature of sin; but the question is, whether a real saved
man who is really born again has all this left in him." In the next paragraph, he adds, "I denied and still deny that God does not deal
with the nature of sin in conversion. I deny that a man who is converted or born again is outwardly washed and cleansed and his heart left
unclean with enmity against God in it”. He taught the same infused nature of the sanctifying work, only now he taught that it all happened
at once in conversion. Later in the same article, he wrote: "God in conversion brings a man into Christ and makes him holy by washing away
all his sins, inward and outward, and giving him a new, clean heart, thus making a new creature of him It seems to this writer that he
confirms our thesis nearer the end of his article: "Four years and four months ago God baptized me in the Holy Ghost, and from that day
to this, I could never preach a sermon on the second work of grace theory. I had held it for years, and continued to do so for some time,
but could not preach on the subject again. I could preach Christ and could preach holiness as never before, but not as a second work
of grace,"
Durham's view on "finished work" was strongly rejected by all of the main Pentecostal leaders and organizations such as A. J.
Tomlinson, William J Seymour, Charles F. Parham, J. H. King, C. H. Mason, and Mrs. Florence Crawford. His greatest support came from
"among the urban independent and unorganized churches and missions, which by then numbered in the hundreds across the nation," It was
to these uncommitted independent Pentecostals, some of them with Wesleyan leanings, but most from the Calvinistic tradition, that a call
was sent out in December, 1913 for "A General Convention of Pentecostal Saints and Churches of God in Christ." The invitation was signed
by M. M. Pinson, A. P. Collins, H. A. Goss, D. C. O. Opperman, and E. N. Bell. The keynote address, preached by M. M. Pinson had as
its central theme, "The Finished Work of Calvary". While no formal doctrinal position was adopted in that first meeting, the "Preamble
and Resolution on Constitution" which was adopted implied support for the Durham view on sanctification, in that only salvation and the
baptism in the Holy Spirit were mentioned. Sanctification was not named in that document. William W Menzies writes:
So, the birth of the Assemblies of God, as the first major attempt to organize the various Pentecostal missions in the new revival,
carried with it the strong influences of Keswickian and Baptistic theologies. The first chairman, E. N. Bell, was a Baptist who
received the Pentecostal experience in Durham's North Avenue Mission in Chicago.
Other Pentecostal bodies which grew out of the Keswickian and Baptistic theologies, and which omit sanctification as a crisis
experience, include: the "Jesus Only" movement led by Frank Ewart, Glenn A. Cook, et al., which split off from the Keswickoriented
Assemblies of God, and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, organized and led by Aimee Semple McPherson. The "finished
work" attack on the doctrine of sanctification rent the new Pentecostal movement and brought about much heated controversy which did
great injury to the work. A. J. Tomlinson wrote:
During those years the Pentecostal people were enjoying unity and fellowship, and the power fell everywhere this glorious doctrine
was preached. Yes, sir, these all taught the same doctrine and how God did honor the message! There were scarcely any divisions
among the Pentecostal people until Dr. Durham and others began teaching what they called, "The Finished Work of Calvary"
doctrine.
Since then, see what has happened. As soon as men and women began to renounce their former teaching under which they received
their glorious experience, the devil began dumping his great cargo of deception and delusions into the minds of many of these once
happy souls, and fanaticism has run rampant among Pentecostal people until the name has become a reproach and disgrace.
As long as the Pentecostal people held firmly to the one doctrine justification, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost
as three definite experiences the work ran on smoothly and spread rapidly.
What is it today? Division! Division ! Division! But there is a great crowd of people that have been holding to the blessed old
doctrine. . . . The battle is still on and sanctification is the great target; but she has stood the tempest, storms, and battles of many
centuries, and will never break down. Nor can she be dethroned while the ceaseless ages roll.
We have presented this historical sketch of the doctrine of sanctification in order to give the reader a clearer perspective of its
importance in the Pentecostal movement, and how the forsaking of the crisis experience caused great confusion and division within
Pentecostal ranks.
Conclusion:
In this chapter we have attempted to put the doctrine of sanctification as a second definite work of grace in focus by noting the
Scriptural terminology of the doctrine, and by examining various interpretations of what it means to be sanctified and how it is achieved.
We followed the historical development of the doctrine from the New Testament Church to its great revival during the ministry of John
Wesley. Then, we saw how Methodism underwent profound changes during the last three decades of the nineteenth century, almost
completely abandoning the doctrine as Wesley had taught it. Consequently, great numbers left Methodism and formed holiness groups
which took sanctification as their cardinal doctrine. Then, with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost at the turn of the century, and the rise of
the Pentecostal movement, many people went from holiness to Pentecost, bringing the holiness theology pretty well intact with them, and
adding the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues. For several years, from the outpouring of the Spirit in
Los Angeles to William H. Durham's campaign against the doctrine of crisis sanctification, there seemed to be widespread harmony among
Pentecostals. But Durham's "finished work" doctrine brought great division within the movement, and several separate churches were
formed during the early years of the twentieth century which were Pentecostal in nature, but differed mainly on the doctrine of
sanctification, though of course there were other differences as well. But this doctrine seemed to be the main battle-ground.
Next month the beginning lesson Sanctification–A Second Definite Work of Grace.............
A l e x a nder City: Our fatherswere presented awonderful program bythe children and given asmall gift. Specialt h a n k s t o o u rChildren’s Churchleaders, Justin andKeshia Peters for allthey do working withour children.Chickasaw: Summerhas arrived here on thecoast. Vacation time ishere. Our youthenjoyed going to campand making memories thatwill last a life time. What ablessing to have a beautifulplace to go. The Lord hasblessed over the years sothat our young people canhave a fine place and enjoythemselves. The staff isawesome too! We arelooking forward to ourGeneral Assembly andpraying God’s will in allthings. Our excitement ishigh as we count the days when Saints gather from allover the world to meet andgreet one another. As theSpirit of the Lord moves inour hearts and we worship, it will be wonderful. Elba: I know this is a littlelate, but I want to thankevery one that prayed andparticipated in our revival. God blessed from the firstday and throughout theweek. The Spirit moved inour mist with healing ofdepression, back injuries,and many other illnesses. One sister was healed ofdepression she had sufferedfor several weeks. Otherswere touched for familyhealings and for the needsof loved ones. The HolySpirit spoke to us withmessages for our need of a
closer walk with the Lord. We appreciate the support ofour Group Leader, BishopMorris Bates and his wife,pastor of the COGOP inDothan, also, Bishop F. J.Weber and his wife, pastorof the church in Opp,Alabama. Their anointedmessages were uplifting toall. What a wonderful God,and what a great time to beHis servants. Pray for us inElba.Fayette-North Pointe: Wesponsored 8 youth at campthis month and they cameback excited about theirexperiences with the Lord. We recognized all our youthand 2 graduates this yeargiving them certificates forall their accomplishments. We also recognized all ourfathers for Father’s Day. Greenpond: Lord we honorthee. Our revival withBrother Bryan Baysingerhas been outstanding. God’spresence was manifestedeach night. Souls weresaved and many sharedtestimonies of healing andrenewals. Linda Young wasthe speaker for Ladies’ Day. The topic “Breaking EveryChain” was very inspiring asshe encouraged each lady to
break every chain and befree. Clint Chase was thespeaker for the Men’s Day. Father’s Day was observedwith twenty-three fathershonored. A special gift waspresented to the oldest,youngest and the father withthe most children present. Each father was presented agift of appreciation. Thefather serves a very specialrole in the family. ThankGod for all fathers that haveblazed the trail for theirfamilies. Many fathers havegone to their reward, butwill never be forgotten. The4 of July program andth
celebration was awesome. God has blessed this greatnation, the “land of the freeand home of the brave”. Aspecial thanks to all of themen and women that havemade it possible to celebratefreedom and independence. All veterans in attendancewere honored. The Seniorshad a fun filled trip to theTuscumbia and MuscleShoals area. Lunch wasenjoyed at the RattlesnakeSaloon. Activities includedvisiting the Coon DogCemetery, The Wall and apicnic at Spring Park. Thetrip ended with a Light and
Water show at SpringPark. Twenty-five werein attendance. The funand fellowship was thebest ever.Haleyville-Pathway:We have been workinghard to raise money tosend our pastor, Brotherand Sister Fell, to theAssembly. Work isgoing ready well on thechurch. We are excitedabout get t ing thebalcony ready to moveinto. We thank God for workers that step up
when the call goes out tohelp us. We have a newyoung man that is answeringthe call from God. Godbless you Brother JamesEngland.Poarch: Poarch enjoyedbeing in service with Brotherand Sister Stanton andfriends. We appreciate thegreat support of our districtand had wonderful services. Brother Stanton preachedoutstanding messages.Sterrett: We’ve had aw o n d e r f u l t i m e o ffellowship at Sterrett. Wetook time to “Honor” all ofour 47 fathers that werepresent. Also, honored thefaithfulness of two of ourchurch fathers, Brother PeteHoward and Brother BuddyHoward. There were manythat shared stories andspecial moments, also, a video was featured for bothof these men. Following theservice, we had a fish fry byBrother Calvin Howard andfamily. Some were at campbut we still had 206 inattendance for service andmore came in time to eat. We welcomed JonathonBorden and his family as ourguest speaker. He is apersonal friend that attended
school with Sister Patsy inHamilton. He served as ayouth pastor in MuscleShoals before accepting aposition to do missionarywork in a private school inJerusalem. He has recentlyaccepted a new position asschool p r inc i pa l inBethlehem starting this fall. He shared his desire to trainMuslim and Jewish kidswith “the love of Jesus” andhow we are to love ourneighbors. He followed hispresentation with a messageon the Good Samaritan. Wow! The Holy Ghostblessed those in the altarsand we worshiped the Lordtill after 1:00. We shared adinner at the church andmany stayed over sharingand listening to Jonathonshare what was going on“Behind the Walls” inJerusalem. It was a real eyeopening experience. Thenews does not tell the realstory. We left the churchabout four only to havemany come by theparsonage for morefellowship and to attend ameal that night, to hear andshare what we could do tohelp. He shared a personalstory how a Muslim studentmoved from a Muslim toa theis t to Chr is t ianexperience. This processmeans they forsake theculture of the family andbegin to open themselves tothe leading of the Spirit ofGod. (True Commitment). Many other stories wereshared of how the Love ofJesus is spreading in theMusl im and J ewishcommunities. They are ourneighbors! Thank God forHis blessings and the worldwide harvest! Pastor Gann
Happy Hill Church ToPeru, S. A.
June 10-19 a team ofYouth along with our youthpastor, Kari and Gi Gi Byrd,and adult sponsors went toPeru. A total of sixteenministered daily with manylives changed. Only heavencan tell just how many. At a special service in theFederal Prison, Rio Seco atPirus Peru, where the youthsang and Patrick Suttonpreached, three younginmates came forward andaccepted Christ as theirpersonal Saviour. As thepastor of the group, I wasprivileged to organize a newchurch at a place calledIgnacio Escudero SullanaArea of Peru with thirty-onemembers. It was a joyoustime sharing the Word andcelebrating with this newcongregation. We installeda pastor and treasurer withthe laying on of hands. Many other wonderfulexperiences were received by all our youth.Pastor Curtis Sutton
North Central Alabama Sunday evening thechurches of North CentralAlabama enjoyed our AreaGathering (District Service)at the Summerbrook church. Pastor Steve Barber andchurch did an outstandingjob of hosting both theservice and the time of foodand fe l lowship t ha tfollowed. We enjoyedsinging from across the area,as well as, ministry from ouryouth and children fromseveral of our churches. Bishop Ortiz and SisterOrtiz were our guest for theevening and it was such anhonor to have them with us. Brother Ortiz brought a
powerful word on guardingour heart so that we do notmiss the call of God on ourlives. I was told thatattendance was 122. It wassuch a joy to see thebuilding packed and thepeople from all over ourarea. Our next AreaGathering will be at theHazel Green church onAugust 24 . As well, weth
will be having a Back toSchool event on August 23rd
at the Mastin Lake Church. With the help of God, wedesire to unite for ourcommon pu r pose . . . toproclaim the name of Jesusin North Alabama!Josh Lynn, Leader
True North BirminghamDistrict
The True NorthBirmingham District cametogether July 13 , for ath
“Missionary” service. Wewere honored to have PaulZagre and his family fromNiger, Africa. It was anawesome service. BrotherZagre shared how he wasraised as a Muslim butbecame a Christian, and howhe had to make a decision atthe age of 10, to be aChristian and leave home orstay Muslin and remain withfamily. He chose to be aChristian and shared howGod provided for him atsuch a young age. It was anawakening of how blessedwe are to live in the UnitedStates, to be free to worshipa true and living God. Wewant to thank Dr. Pruitt forh i s k i n d n e s s a n dinterpretation of Portuguesefor Brother Paul’s wife,Deborah. Dr. Pruitt alsoinformed us that this wasBrother Paul’s second timeto preach in English.
Awesome night in the Lord.Judy Lyles, Leader
Freedom ChapelEddie Mitchell
What an amazing nightinside the fence at HamiltonAged and Infirmed prison! God poured Himself out onall of us again in FreedomChapel. I carried in notesfor one message and Godc h a n g e d d i r e c t i o n scompletely. The worship,which the men in white arer e spons ib le for andprayerfully select, waspowerful and by the secondsong, “How Great Is OurGod”, people were comingup for prayer. The messagenotes I carried in will keepfor some other time, becauseGod spoke to us insteadfrom Isaiah 6 and we got tospend a solid hour and a halfin the glory of His presence. Thank You, Lord! I got an email today fromthe prison Chaplain askingabout the possibility ofFreedom Chapel praise teamrecording!!! Please be inprayer for this opportunityfor the men to minister toothers outside the fence. Before long everyone maybe blessed by the singingand playing of these brothersin white. God continues tobreak chains, set the captivesfree, and change familytrees!
Tips For Abundant LifeCarolyn Guyton
Keep the peace. We live
such busy, hurried lives that
we often lose sight of what
is truly important. We live
with stress instead of peace.
We rush from one place to
another without noticing the
beauty of God’s nature or
the joy of relationship. I
would like to share a couple
of tips for living in peace.
* Keep your mind on God.
Isaiah 26:3 says that we can
have perfect peace. How?
By keeping our minds on
God. “Thou wilt keep him
in perfect peace, whose
mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.”
That is a promise I want to
claim – daily.
* Monitor your peace
level. When we overextend
ourselves with too many
r e spo n s i b i l i t i e s a n d
activities, we know it
b e c a u s e w e f e e l
uncomfortable and our
peace begins to wane.
Joyce Meyer, in her book,
Making Good Habits,
Breaking Bad Habits,
recommends setting an
“overload alarm.” She
states, “Protect your peace
by refusing to overload your
schedule. As soon as you
start to feel pressure to do
more than you know you
can peacefully, let that be
your overload alarm.”
When the alarm goes off,
you know it is time to say
no and get your schedule
under control.
Seek every day for the
abundant life that only
comes from God.
For free e-book, subscribe
to Live! mailing list at
l iveyourfullest l ife.com
facebook.com/liveyourfulle
stlife; [email protected]
Harvest Partners
Belarus Mission
Dear Friends,
Allow me to share with you
the latest events happening
in our missionary life.
A few weeks ago, I received
a call from a brother asking
me if I would like to
minister in a daycare for the
disabled. (This is a place
where people bring disabled
adults in the morning before
work and then pick them up
after work to take them
home for the night.) At first
I could not understand the
question for many other
questions raced through my
mind, “What do you mean
serve there? Who has given
us permission to serve
there? Who made this
contact to get me in?”
This brother answered,
“You have a personal
i nv i t a t i on f r om t he
administration of the
nursing home! They want to
meet you!”
“How do they know about
us?” I asked.
It turns out that one of the
disabled men who goes there
began fellow shipping with
believers from our new
church and has now been
faithfully attending our
church. This man, Oleg,
s h a r e d w i t h t h e
administration about the
church, how God changed
his life and filled his life
with meaning. The
administrator was shocked at
how Oleg’s life had changed
for the better and became
very interested in getting to
know us. So she invited us
to hold a concert at this
daycare for adult invalids.
I prayed fervently, asking
God what I should say to
these people and how we
should bring the Gospel to
this place. God set it all up!
Two sisters from our church
in Siberia who have been
ministering in nursing homes
for the disabled in Russia for
more than two years now
came to visit us. They have
been having great success
and brought much needed
experience at just the right
time! Our guests arrived on
Monday night, and already
Tuesday morning we
ministered together at the
home. It was an awesome
time! Our hearts; desire was
to share the love of Jesus
with them! We believe that
God’s love changes
everything! God’s love
delivers us from loneliness,
heals wounds of the soul,
and leads a person to eternal
life. We were able to meet
and talk with everyone, sing
together, play games, and
have a wonderful time
together. I was able to
b e c o m e q u i t e w e l l
acquainted with the director
of this home. She was very
open and invited us to come
again. At the end of our
ministry time, we gave each
one small gifts of sweets,
fruit, and juice which our
congregation has been
specifically collecting for
these people. Everyone was
very pleased and enjoyed the
fellowship and gifts.
I believe this to be the
beginning of the first
mission project in our
community. We are not
many, but we believe that
through service to others,
God will bring salvation to
this place and build us as a
team!
Please pray for the
following areas:
* for this daycare for the
disabled and the people
who are there.
* for the team that will be
ministering there.
* for a release of the gifts
of the Holy Spirit.
* for more revelation and
vision regarding this
ministry.
Love in Christ,
Dmitry, Irena, Paul and
Melanie Kavaleuski
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prayer Line with Dr. Wessly
Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Dial 712-432-1690
STATE WEB SITES
A l a b a m a U p d a t e B l o g :
W W W . a l a b a m a u p d
ate.blogspot.com
Alabama Web Site: alcogop.org
Youth-Tim Beck Web:
w w w .exper iencehydrate.com
www.hydrateministries.com
ÈÈÈÈ
AVAILABLE FOR REVIVALS
Rodney Bridges, 707 4 Street SE,th
Ft. Payne, AL, 35967; 205-317-5642.
Joey Dobbs: Member of Sterrett
Church of God of Prophecy.
Telephone (205)746-3017.
Earlean Emerson, P O box 1863,
Hamilton, AL 35570. Telephone
(205) 921-5637.
Christine & Curtis Englebert, 111
Woodland Road, Dora, AL 35062
Telephone (205) 648-2871 or cell #
2 0 5 - 2 7 5 - 1 1 9 9 .
[email protected]. Fill in
for pastors also.
Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 30
Cordova, AL 35550; 205-388-1087 or
388-3129. Fill in for pastors also.
SPEAKING AND SPECIALPROGRAMS:
James Adkins, P O Box 921,Collinsville, AL 35961-0920,Telephone (256) 524-3130.Anita Falkner Parker, 3615 MoodyPkwy, Moody, AL 35004. Telephone(205) 640-6207.Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 30;Cordova, AL, 35550; 205-388-1087 or388-3129.
BIRTHS
Happy Hill: Tinly Ann was born in
the month of May to her parents, Heth
and Heather Bulgett.
Odenville: Reagan Delaine was born
June 3 , to Stephen and Whitneyrd
(Falkner) Henderson.
DEDICATION
Tarrant: Brantley O’Neil was
presented for dedication by his parents,
Courtney and Robert Eckert.
DEATHS
Anniston-Praise & Worship: Ruth
Mullinax left this life on July 1 . st
Elkmont: Sister Debra a member at
Elkmont and Sunday School teacher
passed away in her sleep July 8 . th
Mentone: Judy Gorman passed away
July 4 . th
Mentone: Joanne Crowes mother,
Lorene Nelson, passed away July 11 . th
Red Bay: Elsis Woodham was called
home June 25 . th
Trinity Worship: On July 1 , Godst
called Tommy Jett home.
AUGUST PASTORS/WIVES
BIRTHDAYS
Jeremy Beard
Janice Butler
Lavonda Curtis
A. L. Henderson
Kenneth Humphries
Robert Lyles
Bobby Ray Patterson
Brenda St. Clair
Chris Tanner
ANNIVERSARIES
Gary and Freda Archie
T. J. and Wendy Armstrong
Wayne and Amy Christmas
Leslie and Lavonda Curtis
Ben and Donna Howard
Dennis and Tammy Inman
Clint and Liz Knowles
Joshua and Crissy Lynn
Bobby and Connie Patterson
Philip and Diana Pruitt
Neal and Neva Wright
ASSEMBLY APPOINTMENTS
Clint Knowles-
F & S Committee member
Joshua Lynn–
2016 Task Force member
Philip Pruitt–
BDP Chairman and State Overseer of
California
Steve Spears–
Tomlinson Center Board member
John Wessly–
Supervise & Coordinate Indian
Community Ministry in North
America
Congratulations to all of these.
COMING EVENTS
Hydrate Campus Tour
September23 Thompson High SchoolOctober14 Hamilton, MS K-12 MS
September26-27 Ladies Conference
Camp BootheOctober24-25 Men’s Conference
Camp BootheNovember
6-9 Gordon-Conwell Seminary
Camp Boothe
December 31-
January 3 Winter Conference
“The New American
Revolution”
Stand 2014 Women’s Conference
September 26 – 27
”…Having done all, to stand firm. Stand...” Eph. 6:13
Director: Elizabeth Knowles Email: [email protected]
COST
$45 per person
LOCATION
Camp Boothe 3111 Grey Hill Rd.
West Blocton, AL 35184
EvangelismJune Church Statistics
Taken from Church Reporters and Pastors Reports
1.Saved 2.Sanctified 3.Holy Ghost 4.Baptized 5.Added to Church
CHURCH PASTOR EVANGELIST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Bessemer-Hopewell Gary Linkous 2Calera-Harvest Chapel James Simpson 5Carbon Hill John Butler 1Cottondale Ron Martin 2Dothan Morris Bates 1 2Fayette-North Pointe Brent Smalley 1 1Gadsden Shane Pate 1Greenpond Bill Noe 7 2 2Hackleburg Clint Knowles 2Haleyville-Pathway James Fell 4Hamilton-New Heights James ClantonJasper-Airport Road Leland Lowery 1Leesburg Tim Douglas 8Poarch Patsy Pritchett Don Stanton 1Robertsdale James Caples 10Sheffield-Cliff Haven Neal Wright 2 3Tarrant Judy Lyles 5Twillytown Donnie Stanton 2
MINISTERS NOT PASTORING
Bryan Baysinger 7Anita Falkner 1Angela Fell 1
MINISTERS REPORTS FOR JUNE
Ministers Reports 69Sermons 497Homes Visited 869
ALABAMA UPDATE NON-PROFIT ORG.Church of God of Prophecy U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 707 A PAID Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0707
Permit No.256 BESSEMER, AL
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Sympathy to our Ministers Families
Eulice CockrumAugust 12, 2014
Deceased pastor, John H. Cockrum’s wife
Jean PalmerJuly 7 , 2014th
Judy (James) Wallace’s mother
Nancy ShepherdJuly 20, 2015
Deceased husband, Billy Shepherd’s wife
Pastored in Alabama and Mississippi
Charlotte WallaceJuly 17, 2014
Ricky Wallace’s wife and James and Judy Wallace’s
sister-in-law
The Alabama Update is the official monthly
publication of the Church of God of Prophecy in
Alabama. Yearly subscription rate is $7.00.
Statements in this publication referring to the Church
of God have reference to the Church of God of
Prophecy. Articles and news briefs submitted for
publication must be received by the fifth of the month
for publication, and should be sent to: Alabama
Update, PO Box 707, Bessemer, AL . 35021-0707.
L. V. Jones, Editor
Billie Ruth Jones, Assistant Editor
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