New Graduates Commissioned During MIP Weekend
Cleveland, TN–A long-standing tradition of “sending forth” graduates of the Church of God Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) took place on May 19-20.
Over 1,500 attended the Saturday morning commissioning service, including the Church of God International Executive Committee, International department head leaders, administrative bishops, MIP coordinators, supervising pastors, graduates and their family and friends. General Overseer Tim Hill ministered during the service. The North Cleveland Church of God worship team and choir led in worship. Hill led in a commissioning prayer for all graduates as church leaders surrounded the platform and altar area to lay hands on the graduates
General Overseer Tim Hill exhorts MIP graduates during the May 20 Commissioning Service (click photo to enlarge)
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MIP graduates attended from North American, Canada, Hispanic Regions, Romanian Territories, and the Bahamas. According to Dean of Ministerial Development Dennis Page, this was the first MIP Commissioning Celebration where MIP graduates from the Romanian Territories participated in the commissioning service.
As part of the weekend, MIP Coordinators and Supervising Pastors were recognized for 5, 10 and 15 years of service.
General Overseer Hill and the Executive Committee participated in a MIP Leadership Seminar on Friday morning attended by administrative bishops and MIP state coordinators. Led by Director of the Division of Education Dr. David Ramirez, the theme was The Calling of a New Generation. Presenters included Director of Ministerial Development Dr. Michael Reynolds, Page, and a discussion panel including administrative bishops Stan Holder (Delmarva-DC) and Raymond Burch (New Jersey), Johnny Sawyer, MIP State Coordinator for Western North Carolina, and Travis Gore, MIP State Coordinator in Virginia.
The new program, Calling and Ministry Studies for Students, was introduced at the seminar and the commissioning celebration services. This new ministerial development process will target high school and college aged students from 14 to 24 years old. The new study will lead to the opportunity for younger generational leaders to be credentialed. A new book, Called, that will provide a study of six principles of ministry, was introduced and released during the seminar. The program will begin this fall.
On Saturday morning, there was a “Meet and Greet” fellowship before the graduates walked in for the commissioning service. Executive Committee members, administrative bishops, and international department heads/leaders were able to meet many of the graduates and spouses during this time. Banners from several states/regions were positioned throughout the room for graduates to have the opportunity to talk with administrative bishops about opportunities to serve in active ministry.
Deena Querry ministered during a Friday night Celebration Service with special music and worship provided by the Lee University Evangelistic Singers. Querry is Senior Pastor at Living Waters Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California.
