Bishop Elwood Matthews-Died December 15, 2009

Reverend Donald "Elwood" Matthews went home to his beloved Savior Tuesday morning, December 15, 2009.

Elwood was born to Stacy Alton Matthews and Neta Mae Strickland Matthews on September 16, 1929. He was an ordained minister in the Church of God of Prophecy and served as a pastor, International Youth Ministries Director, Public Relations Director, Servicemen's Director, Evangelism Director and as State Overseer of Florida. Bishop Matthews also served as the minister for the Voice of Salvation radio and television ministries. His wife, Roberta Nunnery, was not only his cherished companion but an integral part of his ministry. Elwood and Roberta travelled the world sharing the truth of Jesus Christ, the true Son of God.

Reverend Matthews is survived by his wife Roberta, their only child Kimberly Matthews Palo, Kim's husband Joe Palo and, their two sons Corey Joseph and Matthew Tyler, as well as numerous relatives.

Elwood will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

FROM THE GENERAL OVERSEER

Season of Seeking Coming Soon

On the first 21 days of 2010 the Church of God of Prophecy will mobilize thousands to a time of fasting and prayer. This will be the fourth year that the call has gone out for the Church of God of Prophecy world wide to begin the year seeking God for His guidance, blessings, and power to do His will in this world.

Pastors, Leaders, Bishops, and Lay People we invite you to join in this Season of Seeking God on the first 21 days of January. There are many blessings that come through fasting and the Bible even mentions a few blessings that only come through seeking God in a fast. I am sure we all agree that our world needs the people of God to rise up and call on His name fervently. We will not be alone in this time of prayer and fasting. Many groups throughout many nations are declaring a time of fasting for the first days of this new year. You will not want to miss participating with others inside the Church of God of Prophecy as well as thousands beyond our ministry family as we seek God for great and mighty things this coming year.

"Call unto me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Kids Crusade

Guest: Donna Howard-State Children's Minister
October 17th- 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Birmingham District Event
Sterrett Church of God of Prophecy
Kids ages 3-12
Tons of Fun!

Youth Conference 2009 is Almost Here!

Omega Youth Conference is just one week away! On October 9-11, 2009 youth from across the U.S. and Caribbean will convene at the Sevierville Events Center in Sevierville, TN (Pigeon Forge area) for a time of glorious worship, anointed preaching and teaching, fun and fellowship. It's not too late to register. Rooms are still available at the Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort. Rate of $190.00 per person (4-5 per room) includes 2 night's hotel, registration fees and five (5) meals. Conference only rate is $85.00. For more information or to register, log on to www.operationomega.org or call us at (423) 559-5304/6. We're waiting to serve you!

Disaster Hits Asia/Oceania Area

Please be in much prayer for our Asia/Oceania Region. Disasters have wreaked havoc over these past few days.

Philippines - hit by major typhoon. Wiped out homes and churches of our COGOP fellowship. No loss of lives that we know of. Our National Overseer, Brother Roger Justiniano, is actively involved in Relief Efforts and clean up, of course.

Samoan Islands - hit by major earthquake and tsunami. Entire villages totally wiped out. We still cannot reach our National Overseer, Brother Asalemo Kuka. He lives in the area that has been hit very hard. Do not have a word as to the loss of lives, churches, homes, etc. at this point.

Indonesia - hit by major earthquake. Do not know the extent of the loss at this time. We have been informed that we do have a church and an orphanage in Sumatra, one of the hardest hit areas by this quake.

Prayers, prayers, prayers, and more prayers are deeply appreciated for this area of our world...

Contributions for the relief efforts in these areas are now being accepted. Churches are encouraged to give through the Harvest Partners Ministry as Level 2 support. Individuals are encouraged to give through the Helping Hand Ministry.

Please make your checks payable to: Church of God of Prophecy. You must enter in the for section of your check the designated area you are assisting, e.g.

Philippines - Emergency Relief - 2009 September Typhoon
Samoan Islands - Emergency Relief - 2009 September Tsunami
Indonesia - Emergency Relief - 2009 September Earthquake

Belarus

We want to share with you our good news and plans. And I want to Thank You for your prayers and support of our ministry. We appreciate it so much!

As we write you before we work a lot with children from the orphanage house in Berezino town. Many children from there came to church. In May of this year the orphanage house was closed and some teenagers were needed to stay somewhere before they get to Collage or to the University. Pastor Dima and Lena Sarioglo decided to host two teenage girls Vika and Natasha for few months (from May till September). During the time when they staying at Dima's house they came to Christ.

26 of September Berezino church will have a water baptize of 6 people, these girls Vika and Natasha two of them! It is so great to see the real fruits of your ministry, ministry not of words but the deeds. May God bless pastor Dima and Lena richly. Now Vika entered to the Pedagogical University in Minsk and Natasha to the collage not far from Minsk. And in last Saturday they came to our youth cell group.

We have started our New Year (for us it is not a Calendar Year but a Study Year). We have a lot of students in our church so all activities and all our work we are planning from September, when all students come to the University from their homes. We are praying a lot and thinking about the changing of our structure of church, and raise up spiritually and professionally every field of ministry (Youth, Teenager, Worship, Family's) to bring a lot of fruits from Kingdom of God. First step it is to start a Bible School, where we invited a main pastors of Belarus to teach, we gave them the urgent topics for our people. We expect that all our church will be renewed and grow spiritually, will be united as one body of Christ by Holy Spirit, will get the knowledge, discover the potential and be ready for serving God with their talents. And then we want to make a difference in our town and our country!

Please, pray that God will awake and kindle church passion for active service for Him.

Love and blessings,

Gena

Institute of Children's Ministry