Faith News Network

The Latin American Intercultural Seminary (SEMILA) in Ecuador, South America, is a Church of God educational institution with Associate Missionaries Nestor and Donata Duque serving as president.

Dr. Donnie Smith, executive administrator for the Church of God Division of Care, passed away on June 9, 2018. Funeral arrangements have been received for the visitation and services.

Church of God World Missions Director Dr. David M. Griffis and Field Director for Europe/CIS/Middle East Dr. Stephen Darnell have announced that a church has been started in the nation of Andorra. This is now the 185th country of the world in which the Church of God has a presence.

Church of God International World Missions Director Dr. David M. Griffis and Assistant Director Dr. M. Thomas Propes are making an appeal to members and friends of Church of God World Missions for emergency funds that are desperately needed to help the area surrounding the Fuego volcano in Guatemala.

The Smoky Mountain Children’s Home has launched a project to build a new state-of-the-art residence on the Sevierville, Tennessee campus. The project is being funded by Sevierville business leaders, Ron and Betty Ogle.

Currently the campus provides eleven cottages as a home away from home for youth ages 12-21. However, the cottages were constructed during the 1960s and initially built for younger children. The present leadership has sensed a need to build a new residence for 21st century young people, which would include a computer lab, prayer room, media area, large kitchen for more resident involvement in food preparation and an activities space for art and creative work.

Executive Director Dr. Walt Mauldin stated, “We are hoping this cottage will serve as a 21st century prototype for other cottages to follow.” Costs for the building project are estimated at $500,000. Architectural layout and design will be provided by Bill Denton of Sevierville, the architect who designed the iconic sphere of the 1982 World’s Fair in downtown Knoxville. Excavation will begin later this summer 2018, with construction to begin in the fall. A dedication is scheduled for the spring of 2019.

Mauldin added, “Ron and Betty Ogle have been an integral part of the SMCH ministry for a number of years. Ron serves on the Care Division board of directors, and Betty has the longest tenure of any member of the SMCH board of directors. They both have a heart for the children’s home and continue to positively impact our campus.”

A sequence of proposals had to be approved prior to an official announcement, which included the SMCH Board of Directors, the Care Division Board, the Church of God International Executive Committee and final authorization from the City of Sevierville.

Smoky Mountain Children’s Home is in hopes of building an additional cottage provided by local community support, as well as church assistance. For more information about how you can help, please contact Dr. Walt Mauldin at 865.453.4644.

A mandated “Further Study” report on the “Meaning and Usage of the Term Bishop” in the Church of God will be a topic of discussion and debate at the upcoming 77th International General Assembly set for Orlando, Florida, July 31-August 3, 2018.