CATEGORIES

HOW TO MANAGE FEELINGS: Form-Function Interdependence

DR. ICHAK ADIZES explores the relationship between feelings and breath, and feelings and posture. He looks at their interdependence, and how to use this awareness to improve our state of being and our level of happiness, as well as the analogous functionality of organizations.

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.

Sharing God's Word from My Heart

Londa Richardson is the chief financial officer and corporate board secretary for the Tennessee Church of God of Prophecy. She is also manager and rental liaison for Hickory Hills Retreat and Conference Center in Dickson, Tennessee. Londa began preaching at 17 years of age and is a licensed COGOP minister. She runs highly successful retreats for the adults of Tennessee as state director of Thrive. She has pastored five churches and held state leadership positions in four states. She has been a city clerk as well as the president of both a local ministerial association and a chaplain’s association. Londa and her husband, Dwight, have been married 51 years and have two sons, Jeremi and Tyler, and three granddaughters, Laken, Eden, and Noa.

Jesus, Center of the Sermon A David and Goliath Case Study

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.

Thus Says the Lord

Dr. Elias Rodriguez is a member of the faculty and instructor for the Center for Biblical Leadership. He has served as pastor and traveled and taught extensively throughout Latin America, Western Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, North America, and Africa. He has been a member of the Church’s Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity since 2006 and serves as its secretary. Dr. Rodriguez earned a Master of Divinity degree from Church of God Theological Seminary (now Pentecostal Theological Seminary) in 2007 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2014.

The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1–9 MSG

Treasures in Jars of Clay

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). What a privilege it is to preach and teach from God’s Word!

UNITY IN A WORLD OF DIVERSITY

BRIAN JONES explores unity in a world full of challenges and diversity. Through different analogies and his own personal experience with meditation, he finds effective ways to achieve unity through the silence of the heart.

Spirituality

DR. ZACH BUSH is a renowned, multi-disciplinary physician and educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, the environment, and our interconnected future. Here he extends this worldview into the spiritual realm and the field of consciousness, so as to co-create a sustainable and regenerative future for all of us, and understand the role of humanity in the greater scheme of things.

Women & Spirituality

Mirabai Bush is the author of Working With Mindfulness, co-creator of Google’s “Search Inside Yourself” program, cofounder of the Center for Contemplative Mind and Society and a founding board member of the Seva Foundation. She teaches contemplative practices, and has facilitated retreats, workshops and courses on spirit and action for over 20 years. To commemorate International Women’s Day, Mirabai spoke with Purnima Ramakrishnan on March 6, 2021.

Katara McCarty – Exhale

Katara McCarty is the source and inspiration for Exhale, a well-being App for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color. In December 2020, she was interviewed by Mamata Venkat about her life-long journey creating resources for some of the most marginalized people in society, and her approach to spirituality.