Alabama Update August 2014

ALABAMA

UPDATE THE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY

AUGUST 2014

International Assembly Appointments 2014-2016 August 3, 2014 at 5:00pm August 03, 2014 - August 01, 2016 Finance and Administration Executive Director Paul Holt Trans-local Ministry Directors: Global M issions Coordinator: Cathy Payne Leadership Development Executive Director David Bryan M inistry Leaders for Leadership Development (Trans-local Ministers) Director of the Center for Biblical Leadership David Bryan Director of Gordon Conwell & ACTS Consortiums Dr. Héctor Ortiz Center for Biblical Leadership Instructor & Church Historian Adrian Varlack Center for Biblical Leadership Instructor Mark Menke Center for Biblical Leadership Instructor Elias Rodriguez Director of Tomlinson Center David Bryan International Youth M inistry Director Kirk Rising International Children’s M inistry Director Kathy Creasy T. C. Advisory Board David Bryan - Chairman W ade Patterson Don Knoblich Clayton Endecott Morais Cassell Carswell Leonard Steve Spears Abigail Spears-Velasquez Committee Appointments Administrative Committee Sam Clements, General Overseer, Chairman All General Presbyters (Clayton Endecott, David Browder, Stephen Masilela, Clayton Martin, Benjamin Feliz, Gabriel Vidal, Tim Coalter) Paul Holt David Bryan Jeff Davis Llewellyn Graham 1. Kathy Creasy Brian Sutton Biblical Doctrine and Polity Committee Phillip Pruitt, Chairman Delroy Hall Elías Rodríguez Nelson Torres James Kolawole Carswell Leonard Tim McCaleb Finance and Stewardship Committee W ayne Pense, Chairman W ayne Pense Nathaniel Beneby Clint Knowles Angie Zamora Rupert Neblett George McLaughlin Paulette W ilbanks

Global M issions Committee Paul Holt, Chairman General Presbyter (Rotating) Cathy Payne Annette Taylor Ken Dyer Nonito Que Tapio Satila Paulette W ilbanks Churchof God of Prophecy Corporate Board General Presbyters Administrative Committee Members General Trustees General Overseer Sam Clements David Bryan Paul Holt Assembly Task Force Paul Holt, Chairman Eddie Hartman Mike Luithle Joshua Lynn DeW ayne Hamby Michael Hernandez John Payne Gene Browning G.O. Liaison Advisor: Host Overseer of Assembly Site Chief Clerk DeW ayne Hamby National Overseer Appointments Africa General Presbyter: Stephen M asilela Benin, Togo, Gabon, Niger, Equatorial Guinea… … … … … … … … … … … … … .Kadato O. Richard Botswana … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… Phillip Segadika Cameroon … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … … … .. Ekpai Mayeke James Congo {Brazzaville}… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...Mukendi Bitchy Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Chad, CAR… … … … … … … … … … … .Levi Clarke Ethiopia, Djibute … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … ….… Fekadu Ayele Ghana, Nigeria … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… … ..James Kolawole Guinea (Conakry), Guinea – Bissau, Cape Verde, Senegal (Ziguinchor)… … …..Peter Koyea Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … …… .….Koissi Antoine Kenya … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… … …… Cyril Odendo Liberia… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… Ferdinand W eah Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique… … … … … … …… . [Under the supervision of the AAFC] Northern South Sudan, Uganda… … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… … …… James Ntezimana Rwanda, Burundi… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … Redias Nkundabera Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Chad, CAR … … … … … … … Levi Clarke South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho… … … … … … … … … … … … … Nathaniel Botha & Stephen Masilela Swaziland… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Stephen Masilela Tanzania… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… ..Eric Mwambigija National Overseer Appointments Asia, Australia and Oceania General Presbyter: DavidBrowder Australia/SriLanka … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .........................Dennis Casey Fiji Islands… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..........................Daniel K. Gann Hawaiian Islands,Kiribati… … … … … … … … … … … … … … ............................Gary Langley India / Nepal… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ................................David L. Browder Indonesia… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … ...................Peringatan Zebua Korea, Thailand,Japan … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ............................Jung Min Lee Missionaries to Japan -They will serve under Overseer, Jung Min Lee Daniel and Sharon Corbett Jonathanand Lori Corbett Malaysia.........................................................................................................Bathinathan Anthonisamy

Myanmar… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ......................Chin Kang Mon Pakistan… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ................ Asher Munawar Khan Philippine Islands … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ….................. Rogelio D. Justiniano Samoan Islands, New Zealand … … … … … … … … … … … … … ....................… . Asalemo Kuka Singapore, Eastern Asia ...............… … … … … … … … … … … … … ..................Dennis Huang National Overseer Appointments Caribbean &Atlantic Ocean Islands General Presbyter: Clayton M artin Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Guadeloupe & Surinam.… … … … … .… … … … …… .… … … ...Michael Greenaway Bahamas… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … … … … … ..… .Franklyn Ferguson Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent & The Grenadines … … …… ...Edward C. Payne British& U .S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao.… … … .. W hitbourne Hutchinson Cayman Islands, French Guiana… … … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … …....Clayton Martin Guyana… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… Earl Higgins Haiti… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Jean Claude Dorlean Jamaica… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … ..… .W inston Leith Trinidad& Tobago… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… Maurice Jones Turks& Caicos Islands… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… ...Clarence N. W illiams National Overseer Appointments Central America, M exico, Spanish Speaking Caribbean General Presbyter: Benjamin Feliz Belize … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… … … Jose E. Somoza Costa Rica … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Alejandro Ramos Cuba … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… … …Ramon Rodriguez Dominican Republic … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .Flavio Rosario El Salvador … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … …...Ismael Ticas Manzanares Guatemala… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … … … . Mario Galindo Honduras … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … W ilmer Fuentes Mexico … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … … … … Andres Hau Nicaragua (One Year Appointment)… … … … … … … … … …… … … … … … .. Jorge Marrero Panama … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … … … … ...Rupert Neblett Puerto Rico… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ……… … …… … … . Benjamin Feliz National Overseer Appointments Europe, CIS and the M iddle East General Presbyter: Clayton Endecott Bulgaria… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Peter Georgiev Bosnia Herzegovina, Italy, Malta, … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… .… Ximo Gregorio Belarus… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …Henadzi Kernazhitski (Gena) Belgium and Netherlands… … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … …… … ..Tedroy Powell Czech Republic and Germany… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .Clayton Endecott Cyprus … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .Clayton Endecott Antonios Pastos, Chairperson (for legal matters) Egypt… …… … … …… … … Samir Shehata Rizk Finland… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..Tapio Sätilä France and United Kingdom … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … … W ilton Powell Greece … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .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 W orkers Portugal and Spain.… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... Jose Antonio Gomez Sanchez Russia… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … …… … …… .… ..Misha Murza Ukraine… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… … … … ..Vitaliy Voznyzk State/Regional Overseer Appointments North America General Presbyter: Timothy Coalter Alabama… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...… L. V. Jones Alaska,W ashington… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .....Don Knoblich Arizona,Nevada, New Mexico… … … … … … … … … … … … … …… ..… .José M. Rivera California.....................................................................................................Phillip Pruitt Canada East...........................................................................................W oodroe Thompson Canada W est...............................................................................................W alter Doroshuk Florida..........................................................................................................Robert Davis Georgia.........................................................................................................Billy Adams

Great Lakes Region......................................................................................Timothy Harper (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,W isconsin) Heartland America........................................................................................W ayne Pense (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma) IOU Region.................................................................................................W allace Pratt (Idaho, Oregon, Utah) Kentucky.......................................................................................................Scott Gillum Louisiana, Mississippi....................................................................................H. W ayne Hall Mid-Atlantic Region.....................................................................................Leroy Greenaway (Delaware, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Delmarva Peninsula) Midwest Region.............................................................................................Jesse Yañez (Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska) North Carolina................................................................................................Jeffery Davis Northeast 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, W yoming, North Dakota, South Dakota) Ohio, W est Virginia......................................................................................Fred Lawson Pennsylvania..................................................................................................C.Jay Croyle South Carolina… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..TBA Southeast Region (Spanish)..........................................................................TBA (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee) Tennessee.......................................................................................................E.C. McKinley Texas..............................................................................................................Tim McCaleb Virginia..........................................................................................................Jerry Schall Supervisor to the India Outreach in North America .................................... John W essly National Overseer Appointments South America General Presbyter: Gabriel Vidal Argentina… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..Francisco Alejandro López Paz Bolivia… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..Hilaríon Javier Patón Brazil… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .Hernandes Fernandes F. Chile…………………………………………………………………...Sergio Cedeño Colombia… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …… David Ramon Ceballos Ecuador… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..Benjamin A. Aldana P. Paraguay… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .David Esteban Orozco Peru… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …Rafael Alvino Vargas Uruguay… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .Sergio Ever Garcia Venezuela… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..Luis Ernesto Gómez Harvest Continental Coordinator… … … … … … … … … … … … … Rafael Alvino Recognition of Missionaries Dan & Gwen Miller Fredy Guillen Teri Santos

Sanctification–Terminology, Definitions, and History Fundamentals of The Faith–Raymond M. Pruitt Part II of First Lesson on Sanctification

4. Progressive sanctification. a. The W esleyan position. As we have stated, W esleyans 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."

W e 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 W esleyans 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 W esley 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 W esleyan, 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 W estminster 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, W uest'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. W hat deception! W hat 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 W ork" Controversy The early Pentecostal movement was severely jolted by an all-out attack against sanctification as a second crisis work. It was led

by W illiam 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 W ork". 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 W esleyan 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 W esleyan 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 W esleyan interpretation of infused sanctification, in contrast to the Reformed imputed or positional sanctification.

For years he had preached the W esleyan 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, W illiam 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 W ork of Calvary". W hile 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. W illiam 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 W ork 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.

W hat 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.

W e 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.

W e followed the historical development of the doctrine from the New Testament Church to its great revival during the ministry of John W esley. Then, we saw how Methodism underwent profound changes during the last three decades of the nineteenth century, almost completely abandoning the doctrine as W esley 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 W illiam 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 W ork of Grace.............

A l e x a n der City: Our fathers were presented a wonderful program by the children and given a small gift.

Special thanks to our Children’s Church leaders, Justin and Keshia Peters for all they do working with our children.

Chickasaw: Summer has arrived here on the coast. Vacation time is here.

Our youth enjoyed going to camp and making memories that will last a life time. What a blessing to have a beautiful place to go. The Lord has blessed over the years so that our young people can have a fine place and enjoy themselves. The staff is awesome too!

We are looking forward to our General Assembly and praying God’s will in all things. Our excitement is high as we count the days when Saints gather from all over the world to meet and greet one another. As the Spirit of the Lord moves in our hearts and we worship, it will be wonderful.

Elba: I know this is a little late, but I want to thank every one that prayed and participated in our revival.

God blessed from the first day and throughout the week. The Spirit moved in our mist with healing of depression, back injuries, and many other illnesses.

One sister was healed of depression she had suffered for several weeks. Others were touched for family healings and for the needs of loved ones. The Holy Spirit spoke to us with messages for our need of a

closer walk with the Lord.

We appreciate the support of our Group Leader, Bishop Morris Bates and his wife, pastor of the COGOP in Dothan, also, Bishop F. J. Weber and his wife, pastor of the church in Opp, Alabama. Their anointed messages were uplifting to all. What a wonderful God, and what a great time to be His servants. Pray for us in Elba.

Fayette-North Pointe: We sponsored 8 youth at camp this month and they came back excited about their experiences with the Lord.

We recognized all our youth and 2 graduates this year giving them certificates for all their accomplishments.

We also recognized all our fathers for Father’s Day. Greenpond: Lord we honor thee.

Our revival with Brother Bryan Baysinger has been outstanding. God’s presence was manifested each night. Souls were saved and many shared testimonies of healing and renewals. Linda Young was the speaker for Ladies’ Day. The topic “Breaking Every Chain” was very inspiring as she encouraged each lady to

break every chain and be free. Clint Chase was the speaker for the Men’s Day. Father’s Day was observed with twenty-three fathers honored. A special gift was presented to the oldest, youngest and the father with the most children present.

Each father was presented a gift of appreciation. The father serves a very special role in the family. Thank God for all fathers that have blazed the trail for their families. Many fathers have gone to their reward, but will never be forgotten. The 4th of July program and celebration was awesome.

God has blessed this great nation, the “land of the free and home of the brave”. A special thanks to all of the men and women that have made it possible to celebrate freedom and independence.

All veterans in attendance were honored. The Seniors had a fun filled trip to the Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals area. Lunch was enjoyed at the Rattlesnake Saloon. Activities included visiting the Coon Dog Cemetery, The Wall and a picnic at Spring Park. The trip ended with a Light and

Water show at Spring Park. Twenty-five were in attendance. The fun and fellowship was the best ever.

Haleyville-Pathway: We have been working hard to raise money to send our pastor, Brother and Sister Fell, to the Assembly.

Work is going ready well on the church. We are excited ab o u t ge tt ing the balcony ready to move into. We thank God for workers that step up when the call goes out to help us. We have a new young man that is answering the call from God. God bless you Brother James England.

Poarch: Poarch enjoyed being in service with Brother and Sister Stanton and friends. We appreciate the great support of our district and had wonderful services.

Brother Stanton preached outstanding messages.

Sterrett: We’ve had a wonderful time of fellowship at Sterrett. We took time to “Honor” all of our 47 fathers that were present. Also, honored the faithfulness of two of our church fathers, Brother Pete Howard and Brother Buddy Howard. There were many that shared stories and special moments, also, a video was featured for both of these men. Following the service, we had a fish fry by Brother Calvin Howard and family. Some were at camp but we still had 206 in attendance for service and more came in time to eat.

We welcomed Jonathon Borden and his family as our guest speaker. He is a personal friend that attended

school with Sister Patsy in Hamilton. He served as a youth pastor in Muscle Shoals before accepting a position to do missionary work in a private school in Jerusalem. He has recently accepted a new position as school principal in Bethlehem starting this fall.

He shared his desire to train Muslim and Jewish kids with “the love of Jesus” and how we are to love our neighbors. He followed his presentation with a message on the Good Samaritan.

Wow! The Holy Ghost blessed those in the altars and we worshiped the Lord till after 1:00. We shared a dinner at the church and many stayed over sharing and listening to Jonathon share what was going on “Behind the Walls” in Jerusalem. It was a real eye opening experience. The news does not tell the real story. We left the church about four only to have man y c o me by t he p a r s o n a g e f o r mo r e fellowship and to attend a meal that night, to hear and share what we could do to help. He shared a personal story how a Muslim student moved from a Muslim to a t h e i s t t o Ch r i s t i a n experience. This process means they forsake the culture of the family and begin to open themselves to the leading of the Spirit of God. (True Commitment).

Many other stories were shared of how the Love of Jesus is spreading in the Muslim and Jewish communities. They are our neighbors! Thank God for His blessings and the world wide harvest! Pastor Gann

Happy Hill Church To Peru, S. A. June 10-19 a team of Youth along with our youth pastor, Kari and Gi Gi Byrd, and adult sponsors went to Peru. A total of sixteen ministered daily with many lives changed. Only heaven can tell just how many. At a special service in the Federal Prison, Rio Seco at Pirus Peru, where the youth sang and Patrick Sutton preached, three young inmates came forward and accepted Christ as their personal Saviour. As the pastor of the group, I was privileged to organize a new church at a place called Ignacio Escudero Sullana Area of Peru with thirty-one members. It was a joyous time sharing the Word and celebrating with this new congregation. We installed a pastor and treasurer with the laying on of hands.

Many other wonderful experiences were received by all our youth.

Pastor Curtis Sutton North Central Alabama Sunday evening the churches of North Central Alabama enjoyed our Area Gathering (District Service) at the Summerbrook church.

Pastor Steve Barber and church did an outstanding job of hosting both the service and the time of food and fellowship that followed.

We enjoyed singing from across the area, as well as, ministry from our youth and children from several of our churches.

Bishop Ortiz and Sister Ortiz were our guest for the evening and it was such an honor to have them with us.

Brother Ortiz brought a

powerful word on guarding our heart so that we do not miss the call of God on our lives.

I was told that attendance was 122. It was such a joy to see the building packed and the people from all over our area.

Our next Area Gathering will be at the Hazel Green church on August 24th . As well, we will be having a Back to School event on August 23rd at the Mastin Lake Church.

With the help of God, we desire to unite for our c o mmo n p u r p o s e . . . t o proclaim the name of Jesus in North Alabama!

Josh Lynn, Leader True North Birmingham District The T r u e No r th Birmingham District came together July 13th, for a “Missionary” service. We were honored to have Paul Zagre and his family from Niger, Africa. It was an awesome service. Brother Zagre shared how he was raised as a Muslim but became a Christian, and how he had to make a decision at the age of 10, to be a Christian and leave home or stay Muslin and remain with family. He chose to be a Christian and shared how God provided for him at such a young age. It was an awakening of how blessed we are to live in the United States, to be free to worship a true and living God. We want to thank Dr. Pruitt for his kindness and interpretation of Portuguese for Brother Paul’s wife, Deborah. Dr. Pruitt also informed us that this was Brother Paul’s second time to preach in English.

Awesome night in the Lord.

Judy Lyles, Leader Freedom Chapel Eddie Mitchell What an amazing night inside the fence at Hamilton Aged and Infirmed prison!

God poured Himself out on all of us again in Freedom Chapel. I carried in notes for one message and God changed directions completely. The worship, which the men in white are responsible for and prayerfully select, was powerful and by the second song, “How Great Is Our God”, people were coming up for prayer. The message notes I carried in will keep for some other time, because God spoke to us instead from Isaiah 6 and we got to spend a solid hour and a half in the glory of His presence.

Thank You, Lord!

I got an email today from the prison Chaplain asking about the possibility of Freedom Chapel praise team recording!!! Please be in prayer for this opportunity for the men to minister to others outside the fence.

Before long everyone may be blessed by the singing and playing of these brothers in white. God continues to break chains, set the captives free, and change family trees!

Tips For Abundant Life Carolyn 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 responsibilities and activities, we know it because we feel 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 liveyourfullestlife.com

facebook.com/liveyourfulle stlife; cguyton2@att.net

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 invitation from the 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, shared with the 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 G o d ’ s l o v e c h a n ge s 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 become quite well 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

Line with Dr. Wessly Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 AM Dial 712-432-1690

Prayer

STATE WEB SITES Alabama Update Blog: 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 . e x p e r i e nc e hy dra t e.c o m www.hydrateministries.com ÈÈÈÈ AVAILABLE FOR REVIVALS Rodney Bridges, 707 4th Street SE, 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 . cenglebert2871@charter.net. 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 SPECIAL PROGRAMS: James Adkins, P O Box 921, Collinsville, AL 35961-0920, Telephone (256) 524-3130.

Anita Falkner Parker, 3615 Moody Pkwy, Moody, AL 35004. Telephone (205) 640-6207.

Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 30; Cordova, AL, 35550; 205-388-1087 or 388-3129.

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 3rd , to Stephen and Whitney (Falkner) Henderson.

DEDICATION Tarrant: Brantley O’Neil was presented for dedication by his parents, Courtney and Robert Eckert.

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 KnowlesF & S Committee member Joshua Lynn–

DEATHS Anniston-Praise & Worship: Ruth Mullinax left this life on July 1st.

Elkmont: Sister Debra a member at Elkmont and Sunday School teacher passed away in her sleep July 8th.

Mentone: Judy Gorman passed away July 4th.

Mentone: Joanne Crowes mother, Lorene Nelson, passed away July 11th.

Red Bay: Elsis Woodham was called home June 25th.

Trinity Worship: On July 1st, God called Tommy Jett home.

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 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

September 23 Thompson High School October 14 Hamilton, MS K-12 MS September 26-27 Ladies Conference Camp Boothe October 24-25 Men’s Conference Camp Boothe November 6-9 Gordon-Conwell Seminary Camp Boothe December 31January 3 Winter Conference “The New American Revolution”

”…Having done all, to stand firm. Stand...”

Eph. 6:13

Stand 2014

Women’s Conference

September 26 – 27

LOCATION Camp Boothe 3111 Grey Hill Rd. West Blocton, AL 35184 COST $45 per person

Director: Elizabeth Knowles Email: psalmist70@gmail.com

Evangelism June Church Statistics Taken from Church Reporters and Pastors Reports 1.Saved

2.Sanctified

CHURCH

PASTOR

Bessemer-Hopewell Calera-Harvest Chapel Carbon Hill Cottondale Dothan Fayette-North Pointe Gadsden Greenpond Hackleburg Haleyville-Pathway Hamilton-New Heights Jasper-Airport Road Leesburg Poarch Robertsdale Sheffield-Cliff Haven Tarrant Twillytown

Gary Linkous James Simpson John Butler Ron Martin Morris Bates Brent Smalley Shane Pate Bill Noe Clint Knowles James Fell James Clanton Leland Lowery Tim Douglas Patsy Pritchett James Caples Neal Wright Judy Lyles Donnie Stanton

3.Holy Ghost

4.Baptized

EVANGELIST

5.Added to Church

1.

1 1 1 7 2 4

Don Stanton

5.

2 2 1 2

2

3 5 2

7 1 1

69 497 869

4.

1 8 1 10 2

MINISTERS REPORTS FOR JUNE Ministers Reports Sermons Homes Visited

3.

2 5 1

MINISTERS NOT PASTORING Bryan Baysinger Anita Falkner Angela Fell

2.

ALABAMA UPDATE Church of God of Prophecy P.O. Box 707 A Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0707

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No.256 BESSEMER, AL

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Sympathy to our Ministers Families

Eulice Cockrum August 12, 2014 Deceased pastor, John H. Cockrum’s wife

Jean Palmer July 7th , 2014 Judy (James) Wallace’s mother

Nancy Shepherd July 20, 2015 Deceased husband, Billy Shepherd’s wife Pastored in Alabama and Mississippi

Charlotte Wallace July 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 C======================================= SUBSCRIPTION BLANK Enclosed is $ for a year subscription ($7.00 per year) to the Alabama Update.

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