Hurricane Katrina-Churches Back And On Their Mission

Rev. Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in east New Orleans, and Rev. Calvin W. Woods Jr., pastor of Greater Liberty Baptist Church in New Orleans, were both pastoring when Hurricane Katrina flooded their churches.

The massive flood created an exodus of biblical proportions from New Orleans. People scattered across the country. Since then, some are returning and rebuilding.

Franklin Avenue Baptist held services for two-and-a-half years at First Baptist Church of New Orleans, which had not been flooded in the storm. Luter's predominantly black congregation made many friends during its time sharing facilities with the predominantly white First Baptist. "It was a good testimony," Luter says. "A lot of good came out of it."

Before the hurricane, Franklin Avenue Baptist had 7,000 members attending three Sunday services. Attendance is back up to 3,500 at two services now, Luter says. The church moved back to its restored worship facility in April 2008.

Greater Liberty at 1230 Desire St. in the Upper Ninth Ward, was four to five feet deep in water after the hurricane. "We've been back and going strong," Woods says.

Before the hurricane, Greater Liberty had 600 to 800 members attending in two Sunday services. Now there's one service, with about 300 to 400 people.

"God has blessed us to recover and impact our community," Woods says. "We've restored houses, provided low rent in the community."

The neighborhood has struggled to overcome crime and joblessness, but the church has made a difference, he says.

"Before we got back, it was dreary and empty," Woods says. "It revitalized our community. If the church is present, it's a huge difference in that community. It's a social activity and spiritual development."

Woods said the Upper Ninth Ward is about 90 percent occupied, while the harder-hit Lower Ninth Ward remains about 90 percent unoccupied.

Greater Liberty Baptist and Franklin Avenue Baptist, which is in the Seventh Ward, are about two miles apart. Woods recently preached at Luter's church.

"God blessed both of us and brought us back." Woods says. "We saw God bring us through this situation, so we know he can bring us through any situation." (Excerpts from Birmingham News--Greg Garrison reporter)

Are you making a difference in your community? Think about it! God is bigger than our situation!

Invasion 2010 Video At Parrish Church

Transition of International White Wing Messengers

Today the General Overseer's Office and Communications Department announced a number of transitions coming to the International White Wing Messenger Department of the Internatiional Offices.

Beginning January 2011, the White Wing Messenger (English) and International White Wing Messengers will merged into one department offering a single magazine translated into multiple languages.

For the past four years, the Administrative Committee has been seeking budget areas where the offices might "streamline" their functions to enable better stewardship of resources and harvest funding. The merger of these two departments is one area that will accomplish this and could result in an annual savings of nearly $100-$125,000.000 to the International Offices. In addition to the monetary savings, this merger will help unify the message of our printed magazines so that this "voice" of the International Offices is consistent in casting vision and promoting our core values.

Leading the White Wing Messengers will be DeWayne Hamby, current Publications Coordinator and Managing Editor of the White Wing Messenger (English). DeWayne came to the International Offices last April from Strang Communications, one of the leading Christian publishing companies where he served as Assistant Editor for Christian Retailing magazine. He is a Lee College (University) and Tomlinson College graduate, having majored in Communications with a minor in Bible with concentrations in Newswriting and Communications Theory and Research. DeWayne has been a life-long member of the Church of God of Prophecy, and has served a variety of international, state and local ministry positions, including Assistant Editor of the Church's youth magazine, Victory, for the International Youth Ministries Department.

Diana Garcia, current Editor for the International White Wing Messenger, will continue serving in her role until October 31, 2010. We applaud Diana and her leadership of the International White Wing Messenger Department. Diana's passion, drive, and enthusiasm have resulted in consistently excellent magazines that have touched ministry around the world.

Hanny Vidal, Assistant to the International White Wing Messenger Editor, will assist with the transition of the department until December 31, 2010. Hanny will be involved in assisting her husband, Bishop Gabriel Vidal who is presently transtioning to the office of South American General Presbyter.

As a result of this merger, White Wing Messenger subscribers can expect to see changes to the magazines, including greater diversity of international writers and for international subscribers, greater representation from the International Offices in the articles and information presented.

We are grateful for the advancements made to all versions of the White Wing Messenger, both English and International, over the past decade. We look forward to the future of these magazines as we launch into this new phase, which we anticipate to bring greater impact for the mission of the Church of God of Prophecy.

Tarrant's 50th Anniversary

Tarrant City Church of God of Prophecy celebrated 50 years of ministry Saturday, August 21, 2010. The church was organized in 1960 by Bishop Earl Sutton.

There were many families present representing their loved ones that were members in the years when the church began. These may have died and gone to

their

reward but they have not been forgotten by the Tarrant church.

Bishop Phil Smith and wife Peggy came from North Carolina to represent their father Hubert Smith. Also, Emmett and Doris Reese were there to speak for their father Bishop B. A. Reese. These were some of the former pastors that served this church well.
Overseer L. V. Jones commended this body of believers for all the hard work and labor that has gone into providing this community with the Gospel of Christ.

Under the leadership of Pastor Judy Lyles and her husband Robert this church is an example of what Christ would be doing if He were here today. Ministering and showing love to all people.

Playing By The Rules Is Not Legalism

To those of you who play golf, you must have been captivated by the results of the PGA championship played yesterday.

Dustin Johnson was leading the prestigious tournament by one stroke coming into the last hole of the event. The course was littered with more than 1,000 sand traps. On the 18th hole, he grounded his club (touched his club to the ground before swinging) in a questionable sand trap. But, alas, according to the rules, he was penalized two strokes and, rather than winning, he finished tied for fifth.

The point is, in spite of the disappointment, Johnson violated a rule of golf. It was not legalism, but it was a mistake in judgment that caused his failure.

In our roles as pastors-to-pastors, our team is constantly dealing with clergy persons who break the rules of effective ministry. Their misadventures are not played out before a national television audience, but, in time, will most likely be revealed. The Apostle Paul admonished, "In the sight of God...keep his commandments without spot or blame" (1 Tim. 6: 13, 14).

Man, did I ever feel for Dustin Johnson! But, in the end, he did ground his club in a sand trap and lost his chance to win a major golf tournament. You just can't blame it on legalism---in the end, he broke the rules.

As God's called-out men and women, we must play between the lines. When we venture outside, it will usually cost us. Paul says, "Watch your life closely" ( Tim. 4:16). The camera may not be watching, but the One on the throne who calls us is---and He wrote the "rule book."

Congratulations to the PGA winner Martin Kaymer from Germany.

H. B. London, Jr.

Vice President

Pastoral Ministries

Focus on the Family

Vision 2020

To find out more about Vision 2020, the ten-year strategic plan presented at this year's International Assembly, click http://www.cogop.org/576191.ihtml

Be a Part of Rebuilding Haiti

Tim McCaleb, is getting a team together to go on a work trip. This team will help in rebuilding our churches and orphanage in Haiti. If you are interested click below to view more information including a list of upcoming project dates. http://cogop.org/page.aspx?id=581134

Assembly Pictures

Another General Assembly has come and gone. If you missed it ....click on this web site and view some pictures. Click http://www.facebook.com/cogop?v=photos