Fast To Awakening 2009

Once more this year the leadership of the International Offices invite the Church of God of Prophecy family all around the world to join us in a Fast for Awakening 2009 as we begin the New Year. It has been a great strength infusion over the past two years to begin the New Year with 21 days of fasting and seeking God for His blessings over our efforts to answer His call and carry His gospel forward in the world. This year I cannot imagine beginning the year without such a season of seeking and hunger for God.

The most pronounced lesson that we have learned over the last two years has been that Christ is the head of the church and that we can do nothing without Him. Amazingly the most simple lessons seem to be the ones that keep returning as new revelations along the journey. Just as our flesh bodies are the frail temples for our soul and spirit to use, the church here on earth is the frail vessel for Christ to fill and then work through to accomplish His will in the world.

I know of no better way to welcome and to empower Christ's filling and working in the church than through fasting and prayer. So this January we are looking forward to another wonderful season of setting aside our desire for food and lifting high our desire for His will to be done and His presence to lead our ministries fresh and new. Fasting has always been a means of pressing our flesh cravings down, a form of crucifixion, and seeking Christ's presence and power. In a real way we are joining Christ in Gethsemene saying, "Not my will but thine be done."

With this understanding that we are the vessels and Christ is the treasure that fills us and empowers us, we can all declare that we need God in our areas of outreach and ministry. In the broad scope let me point you to our three Core Values as we consider fasting and seeking God for the first 21 days of 2009. Prayer, Harvest, and Leadership Development are the three values God has laid on our hearts from the General Presbyters' table.

Prayer
Perhaps we could ask God to raise up a mighty prayer hunger for God and His personal touch throughout out ministry area. There are so many aspects of application for this great value, revival, renewal, awakening, empowering, leading, etc.

Harvest
Perhaps we could pray that God will work with us, in us, and through us to see where He is opening ministry opportunities and to carry us into those divinely prepared ministries. Again, many harvest goals could be mentioned for prayer.

Leadership Development
Perhaps we could seek God to raise up an army of harvesters and ministers to reap in this glorious season of harvesting around us. The list will span from developing new emerging leaders, to fortifying our current consistent and strong leaders.

Also as we pray here in the United States we will be joining the Awakening America movement that is led by Bishop William Wilson. Material for information about the Awakening America season of fasting can be easily found at their web site or by contacting the International Center for Spiritual Renewal. We are not alone in this season of seeking. Many other ministries have felt the tug of the Lord on their hearts to seek Him early for this year of ministry. Let's remember the promise of God from Jeremiah as we join together for this Fast for Awakening 2009, "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things that you do not know." As we seek God together I am expecting great and mighty things to come from God.

Florida Coast Regional Ladies' Retreat

"Awake The Day Dawns"

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we belived. Romans 13: 11 KJV

Ladies started arriving at beautiful Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida November 21st. and did not leave until the 23rd. What a time they had! I heard several say they would like to stay another day.

The attendance dropped a little from last year but the expectation and excitement were just as high. Sister Cathy Payne and her staff were ready from day one. They ministered to and encouraged those in attendance. God met many needs and changed many lives this week end.

On the way out, whether they were new retreaters or the old stand-bys, they were heard to say "We are already planning for next year".

We all left this retreat feeling more awakened and determined that we would not let the cares of this life luge us to sleep, but stay alert, working and watching for His Return.

Cottondale Community COGOP

Our church in Cottondale made the Tuscaloosa news in the paper. Click on the web site below.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20081113/NEWS/811130281/AP

North America Overseers Appointments Announced

We are pleased to announce to our church body the appointment of two new overseers for North America. On January 1, 2009 Timothy Coalter will assume the responsibility of overseer of South Carolina and Woodroe Thompson will assume the responsibility of overseer of Canada East.

Timothy Coalter and his wife Kelly were married in 1979 and began their ministry that same year serving as national evangelists for two years. Following those two years they went into the pastoral ministry and have served in that role for the past 27 ½ years. The pastorates have included Marion, Ohio, two years; White Oak, North Carolina, three years; Winston Salem, North Carolina, one year; Harvest Ministries in Roanoke, Virginia, sixteen years; and Peerless Road, Cleveland, Tennessee for the past 5 ½ years.

Brother Coalter attended Tomlinson College receiving an Associates Degree in Business Administration; he has done undergraduate studies through Liberty University and is presently pursuing a Master of Arts in Church Ministries with an emphasis in Ministry Leadership at the Church of God Theological Seminary. He presently serves the International Offices on the Tomlinson Center Board and the International Office Ministerial Review Board.

The Coalters have two daughters, Amber and Robyn; and one son, Corey. Their daughter Amber is married to Jason Williams and they have one granddaughter, seventeen month old Grace Kelly, and they are expecting their second child in April 2009. Daughter Robyn is married to Chris Vernon. Their son Corey serves our country in the United States Navy.

Bishop Coalter states, “South Carolina has a rich heritage, a good name, and a promising future. Kelly & I are honored to be partnering with the ministry and churches of this great state to advance the cause of Christ."

Woodroe W. Thompson was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica and later moved to Kingston, Jamaica. In 1980 he migrated to Hamilton, Ontario met and later married Pauline Jacqueline Williams in 1983 and they relocated to Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. He was very active in his local church and pursued theological studies with the School for Advanced Biblical Studies in Toronto. He attended Sea forth Secondary School in Kingston, Jamaica and is presently pursuing his Master of Divinity at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto. He began his licensed ministry in 1989 and he and his wife have served as pastor at Kingston, Ontario and presently are pastoring at North Park Worship Centre in Brampton, Ontario. This church has just celebrated their 15 Anniversary at their present location which has grown from 60 to just over 500 in attendance. They are now holding two worship services on Sunday mornings. Pastor Thompson has also served as district overseer and National Youth Director for Eastern Canada.

Pastor Thompson has traveled to Cameroon, Kenya, Jamaica and the United States sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Thompsons have two sons, Adrian Woodroe and Christopher Roland and one granddaughter, Mya Adrianna Thompson. Mya was born with a rare liver cancer, but through much prayer she is cancer free today and is a healthy toddler.

"Please join me in prayer for both of these new overseers and their families as they transition into new responsibilities."

Sam Clements
North America General Presbyter

Sister Jones birthday

Today the Office staff celebrated Sister Jones birthday. She is such a blessing to all the staff. Always willing to help and do whatever is needed at the moment. We all went "STIX" and enjoyed a great celebration meal.

Munford-Silver Run Deacons Ordained

Sunday, November 9th was a wonderful day for the Silver Run church. The Spirit and God's presence were truly real as Willie Sam Boyd and Roger Maffett were ordained as church Deacons. The church recognized their faithfulness and dedication through the years of serving. Overseer L. V. Jones, with the help of Pastor Charles Boyd and Deacon Carson Jerkins prayed the Ordination Prayer. The attendance was 40's - 50's with the families coming to show honor and respect to their loved ones being ordained. It was truly a milestone in the history of this church. We pray God's blessings upon Silver Run.

Harvest Celebration

Sunday, November 2, Anniston-Praise and Worship had a day of Harvest Celebration. They gave praise and honor to God for what was accomplished this past year. Pastor Smith led his people in praise as each leader told the good things that God had done.

Some of the congregation dressed in old fashion clothes and the ladies prepared a feast after the morning service. What a day of "thanksgiving"! Thank you Lord for your blessings on me....

70th Anniversary

Short Creek celebrated their 70th Anniversary on October 19th. Friends and former pastors were present to remember and tell of the "good old days". The ladies had a meal that would feed the congregation two to three times over.

That afternoon there was a singing with the Short Creek singers and also special singers Kevin Barrett and his niece Jennifer. It was a wonderful day with an attendance of 105.

Pastor Shane Pate is to be commended for his leadership.