CATEGORIES
NEW JERSEY FOR JESUS CHRIST
Jonathan Olavarria serves as pastor of The Hub Church in Jersey City, New Jersey, a ministry of the Church of God of Prophecy since 2016. Jonathan has served in various ministry roles including summer camps, youth, children, Christian education, pastoral care, and evangelism. Pastor Jonathan is also a vice principal with Newark Public Schools. He and his wife, Noemi, have been married since 2012 and have been blessed with two sons, Adrian and Benjamin.
First to Join Pioneers and Planters
Michael Edwards is pastor of Orange Grove Church in Charleston, South Carolina. A fourth-generation bishop, he is the grandson of former General Overseer M. A. Tomlinson and great grandson of A. J. Tomlinson. Bishop Edwards is a graduate of Tomlinson College (1979). He and his wife, Cindy, have been married more than 45 years.
Celebrating God's MIRACULOUS PROVISION
We are always excited to share the testimonies from the nations of the miraculous provisions of God. Rejoice with our family as they celebrate.
CARING FOR KIDS IN CRISIS Children and Depression
Depression is a common and serious medical illness. It is real, it happens, and it is treatable. Society has put a stigma on mental illness, and as the salt and light of the world we must put an end to that stigma.
The Significance of Planting Churches on New Ground
Bishop Chin Kang Mon is the national overseer of Myanmar. Bishop Chin has planted numerous churches throughout the country. One of our newer nations, Bishop Chin has 35 churches, 3 missions, and 1,550 members under his care as well as three orphanages. One of his greatest accomplishments is the establishment of South East Asia Mission College. Bishop Chin writes, The ultimate objective of this college is to prepare, equip, and train his people to be effective workers of God in Myanmar and beyond. Its vision is to adequately produce and multiply planters, evangelists, missionaries, and cell-leaders. SEAMC graduates and students are enthusiastic in different fields of ministry in Myanmar. There have been 425 graduates from SEAMC and 75 percent of graduates have been serving the Lord as missionaries, evangelists, pastors, and association/church key leaders in Myanmar. Fifty percent of the graduates have been serving the Lord in new mission fields among unreached people groups.
HOW PENTECOST CAME TO ANEGADA
Bishop Adrian L. Varlack, Sr. became a committed follower of Jesus Christ at age 14 in an island-wide revival in his native Anegada, British Virgin Islands. He has been an ordained bishop since 1972 and has spent 48 years in international missions promotions, church administration, preaching, teaching, and writing for the Church of God of Prophecy, including three years as overseer of Canada, where he supervised 40 pastors. He has traveled and ministered in over 90 nations and territories. September 1999, Varlack joined International Leadership Development and Discipleship Ministries as a member of the faculty of the Center for Biblical Leadership and served as an instructor for 19 years. At the 2006 International Assembly, he was also appointed church historian, and in September 2018, consultant to the general overseer. He lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, with his wife of 54 years, Janice Smith Varlack, also of the British Virgin Islands. They have seven children, 25 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
FACING FORWARD
Pioneers and Planters in Central and South America
Our Leaders on Mission
Marsha Robinson is the Communications department publications coordinator for the Church of God of Prophecy International Offices. She is the managing editor of the White Wing Messenger, Mensajero Ala Blanca, and Le Messager a L'Aile Blanche. She is an ordained Church of God of Prophecy minister and actively works as a community chaplain.
The Will to Serve
Wilson J. Rodríguez is from Nicaragua. He is a 22-year-old member of the COGOP in Nueva Guinea, a city in southeast Nicaragua. Under the leadership of his national supervisor, Bishop Jorge Marrero, and his local pastor, Uriel Mejia, Brother Wilson serves the church in youth, children's, and discipleship ministries as secretary and assistant treasurer. He also has his own ministry collecting food to distribute to those in need.
Time in the Bank
You might think that money is the most valuable currency in the world. All of society seems to run by cash or card. However, it’s not the change in your pocket that’s your most valuable possession. It’s something even more sacred— and I guarantee you, you’re rich in it!
ONE CHILD FUND
Like everyone else this past year, many of the ministries of Global Missions were challenged with the effects of the pandemic.
The Essentials Ephesians 6:11
When you’re headed out the door, you grab the essentials: shoes, jacket, backpack, armor … wait, armor? Yes, that’s right! The Bible instructs us to put on a full set of armor every day.
The Person and Work of the Holy Ghost
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Prepare for Invasion
Bishop Fred S. Fisher. Sr., served as the fourth general overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy as well as an evangelist, state overseer, general presbyter, and pastor. He has a B.A. in History and Religion and a Masters Degree in Public Counseling. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, Betty.
Disciplined Discernment
Dr. Wallace Pratt is the regional overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy in the COGOP IOU Navajo Nation region. He was born into a Church of God of Prophecy family and has been a Christian and a member of the Church from an early age. He serves the Lord and the Church as an administrator, teacher, evangelist, and a pastor to the pastors in his region. He is married to Judy Pratt and has two daughters and five grandchildren.
DISCIPLESHIP: Every Believer's Call
Kathy Creasy served as the International Children’s Ministry Director of the Church of God of Prophecy from 1992 until 2017 when she was appointed COGOP Executive Director of Leadership Development and Discipleship. She earned a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education. She also has a certificate in Children’s Ministry from Lancaster Bible University. Kathy’s passion is to work with God in developing leaders.
Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, and the Spiritual Disciplines
In Matthew 28:19, 20, Jesus instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.
A Different Spirit
Simon Rock ministers in the COGOP in Erlangen, Germany and is academic dean of THS, a theological school that is passionate about equipping the next generation of leaders. He holds a MA in Biblical Studies from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He is married to Mutave Rock and has two daughters, Cara and Talitha. He is passionate about leading people deeper into the things of God.
A CALL TO TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
Bishop Adrian L. Varlack, Sr. became a committed follower of Jesus Christ at age 14 in an island-wide revival in his native Anegada, British Virgin Islands. He has been an ordained bishop since 1972 and has spent 48 years in international missions promotions, church administration, preaching, teaching, and writing for The Church of God of Prophecy, including three years as overseer of Canada, where he supervised 40 pastors. He has traveled and ministered in over 90 nations and territories. September 1999, Varlack joined International Leadership Development and Discipleship Ministries as a member of the faculty of the Center for Biblical Leadership and served as an instructor for 19 years. At the 2006 International Assembly, he was also appointed church historian, and in September 2018, consultant to the general overseer. He lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, with his wife of 54 years, Janice Smith Varlack, also of the British Virgin Islands. They have seven children, 25 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The Power in Loving Your Church
Love is the most powerful force in the universe. The power of love enabled Jesus to lay down His life for the church. In Ephesians, Paul said that Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. If Jesus so loved the church, so should we. There is power in loving your church. The future of your church depends on you walking and serving in the power of that love. If you love your church, you will do all you can to see it succeed. It will cause you to do something tangible to help your church in its time of need. But love has a cost.
Wonder-Working Vessels of Grace
Dr. Cathy Payne coordinates Global Missions Ministries for the Church of God of Prophecy internationally, where Cathy has ministered in more than 100 nations. Cathy obtained a Masters of Divinity from Pentecostal Theological Seminary and is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry program with Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She is also working toward a Doctor of Philosophy degree with Bangor University in South Wales, UK. Cathy and John have one son and five grandchildren.
Her Price Above Rubies
Lillie Duggar was born on April 8, 1896 and passed from this life on May 15, 1980. The years in between these two dates tell an extraordinary story of a woman’s dedication to the Lord and commitment to serving others. On February 17, 1919, after traveling from Harriman, Tennessee, Lillie arrived in Cleveland to start working at the world headquarters for the Church of God. She came to serve as a bookkeeper and subscription clerk.
TEACHING KIDS ABOUT SANCTIFICATION
Have you ever been in a room talking or teaching and suddenly your audience, family, or friends look at you with a puzzled look on their faces because of something you said? The word “sanctification” can cause quite a bit of questioning and confusion, not only to children but to adults; it is, after all, a pretty big, unusual word. Sanctification is a significant part of our vocabulary as believers, and our children should be introduced to this term from a young age so their understanding and experiences can work hand in hand. A child’s understanding grows and develops over time. As you teach kids about sanctification, it is important to remember that they too are growing spiritually and repetition, reinforcement, and grace are all necessary tools that you need as you instruct.
Things to Do for Mother's Day
No one knows you quite like your mom. She’s seen you at your worst, your best, and everything in between—and she still loves you! Moms across the globe work around the clock to provide for and nurture their families, often with little recognition or a “Thanks, Mom!”
A Mother's Pain
Jessica McCaleb Oldham is originally from Tennessee. She has been married to her husband, Van, for 14 years, and together they have four daughters. She homeschools and works part time as a nurse anesthetist in Nashville.
Preaching to Kids
Melissa Minter is the children’s pastor at Central Community Church in Chatsworth, Georgia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Math and Science from Lee University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. Melissa and her husband Scott serve on the International Children’s Ministry Task Force. She is the proud homeschooling mom of Laura, age 8, and Leah, age 7.
Resurrected Hospitality Luke 24:13–4 8
Caleb Rackard is an ordained minister in the Church of God of Prophecy. He serves as the senior pastor of Boaz COGOP and the associate pastor at Harvest Center COGOP in Collinsville, Alabama. He is currently enrolled at Spirit and Life Seminary, pursuing a Diploma in Wesleyan-Pentecostal Ministry. He lives in Collinsville, Alabama, with his wife Hannah, who serves with him in ministry, and their daughter, Suzannah.
CARING FOR KIDS IN CRISIS Part One: Children and Anxiety
Recently, the publication Reader's Digest printed a list of words added to our daily vocabulary since the world began battling the COVID-19 virus.
CONNECTIONS
One Child Fund Update
Celebrating God's Miraculous Provision
Over the past few months, we have witnessed an explosion of gospel ministry, resulting in an increase of new church plants and construction of worship centers among the nations.