Out of the “Intercession” portion of the Church of God World Missions’ “Finish Challenge,” comes a process where individuals can join thousands of others in praying for the Global Harvest and the completion of the Great Commission.
In the recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the Church of God Benefits Board, the entity charged with managing the Ministers’ Retirement Plan, much discussion centered on encouraging new members, especially younger ministers, to join the retirement plan.
To assist the local church in their children’s ministry, Church of God Youth and Discipleship has some exciting plans for the coming months. To recognize children’s workers who have served long term in children’s ministry, a Shepherd’s Cup award is presented annually at the FOCUS Children’s Ministry Conference, this year convening in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 5-7.
In December, the Church of God Division of Education launched its newly developed Mobilize specialization on Marriage and Family. Administrative Bishop Fred Abbott invited the division to present the Mobilize Local Leadership Development program at the Hawaii Ministers Meeting and Christmas Fellowship. This is the first time the Marriage and Family specialization has been introduced and explained in a pubic venue.
The gathering together of almost one thousand Pentecostal pastors and denominational leaders in Fayetteville, North Carolina on January 5-7, 2015 for ENCOUNTER 2015 has been likened denominationally to what took place in Memphis, Tennessee on October 18, 1994. On that date, the previously almost all-white PFNA (Pentecostal Fellowship of North America) was dissolved, and a new, inclusive organization, PCCNA (Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America) emerged in its place—consisting of membership from multiple races. As Pentecostal leaders from various races and denominations washed one another’s feet, that historic meeting was dubbed, “The Memphis Miracle.”
No Limit is the theme of the 21st annual FOCUS Church of God Children’s Ministries Leadership Training Conference to be held March 5-7, 2015 at the Marriott Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Guest speakers for 2015 include Brian Dollar, of High Voltage Ministries. JumpStart 3 will be teaching scripture through contemporary and relevant music styles. Ben and Christine Christensen will entertain and minister through clowning, mime, and drama. His Little Feet, an international children’s music ensemble, will remind those in attendance of the call to the children of the world. Larry and Gina Bean will lead the conference delegates in worship. In addition to the variety of workshops, there will also be SMT’s, Specialized Ministry Tracks, providing an in-depth series of workshops. In these series of workshops, participants will have the opportunity for more in-depth training on specific areas of ministry. Becky Fischer will lead training on teaching children about the supernatural. Dale Hudson will lead training on leadership for Children’s Pastors. John Tasch will teach on limitless creativity.
In January 1994 at an interdenominational children’s ministry conference, nine local-church Church of God children’s covenanted to help advance Church of God ministry to children.
In September of that year, a two-day children’s leaders retreat was held near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Twenty-seven children’s leaders from nine states met and formed Children’s Pastors Fellowship, which later became the National Children’s Leaders Association.
In 2011, the name of the fellowship was changed from National Children’s Leaders Association to Children’s Leaders Association. The purpose for the name change was to be inclusive of many of the international leaders who are a part of this fellowship.
On May 13-15, 1995, the first national children’s ministries conference, called “For the Kids!” drew 300 people to a three-day event in Asheville, North Carolina. This annual conference, now called FOCUS Children’s Ministries Conference, has continued annually for 21 years. It has expanded to include middle school leaders, as well as Spanish speaking delegates. There are 32 workshops, four general sessions, and several workshops which begin before the initial conference general session. Each general session includes a variety of elements, including worship, entertainment, inspiration and fellowship.
To register, go to www.cogyouth.org or call 423.478.7229. FOCUS is a ministry of CLA, Children’s Leaders Association, and Church of God Youth and Discipleship.
