Men's Ministries

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
(John 10:10)

Dear Brothers,
Greetings to you through our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. I am writing to inform you that the Men’s Ministries Department at the International Offices of the Church of God of Prophecy will close as of August 31, 2008.

Men’s Ministries is closing at the direction of our General Overseer, Bishop Randall E. Howard. Bro. Howard’s vision for our work at International Offices focuses on two major components: Harvest and Leadership Development. The close of Men’s Ministries is a move away from the paradigm of running all ministries from the top down, and a refocusing of our departmental energies specifically toward leadership development.

Going Forward
The future of this vital ministry now rest in the hands of state/national/regional leaders and our pastors and local Men's Ministries leaders. I want to encourage all of you to go forward targeting the men already in your church and the men of your community. Here are a few good examples of quality men's leadership I've seen in the Church of God of Prophecy recently:

• I met Doug Milliner, Men's Ministries Director for our churches in Virginia, at the Assembly. God is giving him favor in organizing the ministry with the help of district ministry coordinators. God is moving amongst the men state-wide. If you'd like to chat with Doug contact him at DgMin8@aol.com


• Many of our states, regions and nations conduct annual men's retreats. In the state of Georgia, men's director Lloyd Phipps conducted two regional fellowships and one state-wide men's retreat this--all with good attendance and quality content. You can reach him at lgphipps@bellsouth.net.


• Alabama pastor Tim Douglas holds an annual Men's Weekend featuring fishing, a turkey shoot, and great opportunities to worship and fellowship with other men. It happens September 12-13, at the Sterrett, Alabama church. If you would like information about this event or have questions about launching your own local men's event, email Pastor Tim at mailto:DOUGLAS7542@BELLSOUTH%3ENET.

These and other leaders have one thing in common--a heart-felt passion to help men become God's men, mature in Jesus Christ. May this passion be encouraged and multiply throughout our church family world-wide. Let's serve men in Jesus' name.

In Jesus

Mark Menke

".....the LORD hath sought Him a man after His own heart...."

Pelham Has Old Fashion Sunday

Sunday, September 21, Pelham had a great day of going into the past and reliving the good old days. Most of the attendance dressed in "old fashion style". Overseer L. V. Jones was guest speaker with the same message of days gone by, "Rescue the Perishing". The Pelham ladies prepared a meal that was out of this world, even down to the home made ice cream. It was a good day in the Lord. Below are pictures of the contest for the "best dressed".

Bishop Varlack at Harvest Center

Bishop Adrian L. Varlack, Sr. was guest teacher for the Collinsville-Harvest Center Church, Tuesday night, September 16th. There were four churches represented from the district. Brother Varlack did an outstanding job teaching the lesson "Evangelism in The Book of Acts". We were honored to have Sister Varlack also. She is a great lady in the Lord.

The Salvation Army would like to partner with us to meet the needs of Alabama families. They are needing volunteers to:

• Register clients and their families for Christmas assistance. September 29-October 10, must be age 21 -.
• Christmas Warehouse to sort, arrange and bag gifts and toys for children. November 24-26, December 1-6, December 8-13, must be age 15-
• Kettle Bell Ringers at local shopping centers to encourage contributions. November 16-December 24
• Gift Distribution to assist clients in receiving their Angel Tree gifts. Moving bags of toys and assisting clients to their cars with items. December 15-23, volunteers must be 15-.

If you can't volunteer....Adopt an Angel or Host a Toy Drive. For more information or other opportunities, call in Birmingham 205-328-2420 or sign up at www.BirminghamSalvationArmy.org. They can also give you local numbers in your Alabama Areas to volunteer.

Carbon Hill Mortgage Burning

Carbon Hill Church had their mortgage burning on Sunday, September 14th. They worked hard and paid off the church in half the time it was scheduled. The church was full (225 - 250 in attendance) as special singers, Triumphant Sounds from the Sterrett Church of God of Prophecy sung. Overseer L. V. Jones brought the morning message with a great food fest following. Those Carbon Hill people know how to cook and eat! A great and successful day!

Prayer Awakening

"Awake to the Young Harvest"

Praise God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Redeemer, and who came to seek and save those who are lost--Psalm 18:46; 68:19, 20; Luke a9:9, 10; Jude 1:24, 25

Thank God for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God for salvation to all who believe. Remember your personal moment of salvation, and thank Him for the privilege to share the Good News of eternal life with others--Romans 1:16, 17: Psalm 40:1-3

Ask God to grant access for the Gospel through the following:

• Open heavens..... to reveal the Gospel--Isaiah 45:8
• Open minds........ to hear the Gospel--Acts 26:17, 18
• Open hearts...... to embrace the Gospel-2 Corinthians 4:5, 6
• Open doors......... to spread the Gospel--Colossians 4:2--4

Pray for God to reveal strategic ways to more effectively share the Gospel and to focus our energies on cultivating relationships with those needing Christ--2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; John 6:44; 17:3

Take a few moments to agree together in intercession for those you know personally who are unsaved, and claim these promises for them--John 14:6; Romans 10:8-11; Matthew 18:18-20

"For everyone who has opportunity to make Jesus their Lord, we (ask Christ to ) bind the blinding spirit of antichrist and loose you Satan from your assignment against those who desire to confess, repent, and accept the gift of eternal life. We confess that they shall see who have never been told of Jesus. They shall understand who have never heard of Jesus, and they shall come out of the snare of the devil, who has held them captive. They shall open their eyes and turn from darkness to light--from the power of Satan to You, God!"

--Germaine Copeland

Pray specifically for Central America and the Caribbean

Prayer Awakening

"Awake to the Holy Spirit"

Praise God as the all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful most-high God who brought the universe into existence with the word of His mouth and who acts on the behalf of His people--Isaiah 43: 10-13; 44:6--8; 46:9, 10; Romans 11:33-36

Thank God for sending His Holy Spirit, who convicts, calls, regenerates, renews, gives gifts, empowers, anoints, comforts, and guides believers toward His purpose in the world, pointing men to Christ and bringing glory to Him--John 16:5-15

Pray the Lord will sanctify and visit His church with a mighty outpouring of His Spirit, igniting her into passionate abandon for Him and His purposes--Psalm 51:10-13; John 17:17-19; Acts 4:31

Intercede for God to release the manifold work of His Spirit among His people, granting wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, fear, and wise judgment to complete the ministry He has ordained for this generation--Isaiah 11:1-4

Believe, decree, and declare that the fruit and gifts of the Spirit will begin to be more fully realized within the Body of Christ--Galatians 5:22, 23; 1Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 12:6-8

"Why does God allow us to spend so much of life in the heat of battle?
Because He never meant for us to sip His Spirit like a proper cup of tea. He meant for us to hold our sweating heads over the fountain and lap up His life with unquenchable thirst."
--Beth Moore

Pray specifically for Asia, Australia, and the Oceania Region.

Pastor's Intensive Tentative Schedule

Friday
5:00 Dinner

6:30 Welcome, Devotional

7:00 Session I Raising L.E.A.D.E.R.S

8:15 Break

8:30 Session 2 1-Story

• Your Testimony
• Salty Speech
• Witnesses
• Trust God
• Developing Your Mission Statement
• Samples of Mission

Statements of Others

• Mission Statement from the International Office
• Beware of a Conflict Within Your Story
• Your Time Line

9:45 Dismiss

Saturday

7:00Breakfast

8:15 Devotional

8:30 Session 3 2 Relationship

• Relationship Is The Key
• Tools to Consider

New Grandbabies

Jackie and Wanda Cleveland, pastor of Montgomery, are the proud first time grandparents of Jonathon Lakyn Cleveland. He was born on August 14th to Candiace and Jeremy Cleveland.


Natalia Vivian Howard was born August 27th to Jacqueline and Jaraid Howard. Her grandparents are Donna and Ben Howard. Donna is State Ladies' Ministry and Ben is pastor at Odenville.

Huntsville Mission

Brother Hoyt Holcomb wrote that he had joined with a minister from the Church of God to have an outside service at one of the housing projects. There were 72 in attendance, 12 adults and 60 children. He said they played games with the children before service and after service they served pizza and candy to everyone. And he says....now for the good news...nine (9) people testified to receiving Jesus into their hearts as their Savior. To God be all the praise--He is so very good!

Prayer Awakening

"Awake to Our World Mandate"

Praise God as the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Hosts, our shield, our fortress, our deliverer, our stronghold in the day of trouble, our strength, our song, and our salvation--Psalm 91: Exodus 15:1-3

Thank God that He has spoiled principalities and powers, putting them to an open shame on the cross of Calvary--Colossians 2:6-15

Decree and declare that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and that many thousands, blinded by their own wrongdoing and held captive in spiritual bondage to dark powers, will experience His brilliant light as it comes bursting forth with salvation and healing power--John 8:12; Isaiah 42:6, 7

Pray and petition God to hold back darkness, to silence, cause to sleep, and make impotent those physical and spiritual powers standing guard over the tombs of false religion. Ask Him to extend the time of light so that it will pierce into lives held in deception, bringing them forth to resurrection hope, truth, and eternal life--John 12:35, 36; Matthew 28:1-4; I Samuel 26:12

Believe God's kingdom will come and His will be done in our individual lives, families, cities, states/provinces, nations, and the whole earth even as it is in heaven, and nothing will hinder His hand. He is able to make wars and terrorism cease, bringing peace to nations that are in turmoil--Matthew 6:9-13; Daniel 4:34, 35; Psalm 46; Isaiah 2:3, 4

Pray specifically for Africa

Prayer Awakening

"Awake To Great Revival"

Praise God as El Shaddai, the Lord Almighty who pours forth life, and as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner and focal or rallying point--Genesis 17:1, 2: Exodus 17:14, 15

Thank God for His enduring mercy and grace and for His ability to "give life to the dead and call things that are not as though they were"--Romans 4:16--24; Psalm 36:5-7; 63:3, 4

Pray and weep for those so weakened by the troubles and cares of life that they have lost their vision; let go of their faith; fallen into places of fear, hopelessness, doubt, and disbelief; and are on the verge of lying down in defeat; ask God to transform them bringing restoration--Psalm 138:7, 8; 73:23-26

Ask God to send a refining fire to cleanse the Body of Christ of any hindrances to mighty move of God and transforming revival--Malachi 3:1, 2; Titus 2:11-14

Intercede for all churches and Christian ministries in your community and worldwide, which will play a vital role in people being loved, drawn into the kingdom of God, trained in the Word, and led into new realms of worship--Colossians 3:1-17

When asked how to start a revival, Gypsy Smith answered, "Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself, and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk marker. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on."

Pray specifically for North and South America.

Prayer Awakening

"Awake to Our Foundations and Calling"

Praise God for His sovereignty over the whole earth, every nation, race, and language--Revelation 4: 11, Isaiah 40: 18, 21-26

Thank God for the supernatural favor, abundant blessings, and strong foundation upon which the church has been founded--Psalm 105: 1-5; Mark 3: 13-15; Acts 1: 8; 2: 1-4

Petition God to divinely cover every aspect of our lives with His anointing, guidance, and protection, asking that He continue to establish His church on a firm foundation of truth as the Holy Spirit enlightens His Word and reveals (unveils) areas covered by man's tradition or enemy opposition to unity--John 16: 13-15; Psalm 133

Believe God to call, anoint, inspire, and engage a generation of mighty intercessors, worshipers, ministers, and servants to be used of Him to lose the bands of wickedness and prepare for Christ's return--Isaiah 58: 6-12; Romans 8: 28-30

Surrender to the Holy Spirit, submitting fully in new and fresh ways to the Lord, releasing Him to fulfill His purposes for your life as He positions people throughout the world to bring completion to His plan for the knowledge of His glory to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea--Psalm 24: 1-6; Habakkuk 2: 14

Wait before the Lord, listening for His voice and direction from the Holy Spirit; remember to thank God for hearing and answering our prayers---Psalm 25: 5; 27: 14; 62: 5-8

Pray specifically for Europe, Middle East, and CIS.