Cleveland, TN–Church of God Multi-Cultural Ministries has announced plans for the 15th Biennial International Fellowship Conference, to be held July 15-18, 2015 at North Cleveland Church of God.
The Biennial International Conference was originally established several years ago by Church of God Black Ministries to encapsulate and celebrate the ministry of African descent within the Church of God, USA and Canada.
“Since the 75th International General Assembly last year when Black Ministries and Multi-Cultural Ministries were amalgamated, this year’s conference will not only highlight Church of God African descent but will highlight the ministry of all Multi-Cultural Ministries within the USA and Canada,” said Director of Multi-Cultural Ministries Dr. Ken Hill. “The members of the Multi-Cultural Ministries board want this to be a conference that will highlight and express ethnic and cultural diversity within the Church of God.”
The conference opening service will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 15 with keynote speaker Dr. R.C. Hugh Nelson, Sr., Senior Pastor of the East Flatbush Church of God in New York. Bishop Nelson will bring a wealth of knowledge and a powerful message to kick off the four day event.
Hill went on to say that this year’s conference includes not only praise and worship, fellowship, lectures and nightly worship services, but several events and recognitions made possible through partnerships with other organizations. On Thursday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. there will be a special recognition of Bishop H. G. Poitier, which will be held at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, one of the partnering organizations. The honor for Bishop Poitier, who served the Church of God Colored work from 1949-1964 as secretary-treasurer for the Church of God, will be the highlight of a Legacy Celebration hosted by Assistant General Overseer for the Church of God, Dr. Wallace J. Sibley.
Prior to the Legacy Celebration, five presenters will address topics of Financial Management (Church and Ministers Reporting, Budgeting, Church and Ministers Loans and Investments, and Retirement). Presenters will include Dr. Raymond D. Hodge, Director Business and Records for the Church of God International Offices; Lynn Golden, Manager Pathway Credit Union; Dr. Clayton Watson, President/CEO Church of God Foundation; Dr. Art Rhodes, President Church of God Benefits Board; and close with Dr. David Roebuck, Director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center lecturing on “Reclaiming a Legacy of Racial Inclusion.”.
That evening at 7 p.m., Bishop Brandon Porter, Senior Pastor of Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ, COGIC Presidium and General Board Member, will be the keynote speaker in a service to be held at the North Cleveland Church of God.
In another demonstration of partnering agencies and ministries, Cross Pointe Church of God Good Samaritan Medical Clinic along with Lee University School of Nursing will provide a free medical screening clinic to be held on Friday, July 17 at North Cleveland. It will be led by Bishop Phillip P. Bonaparte, MD who founded the highly successful New Hope Medical Clinic in New Jersey and supported by Julia Fraser, PA, Reverend (Army Major) Marlene Lucus, MRN, Pernellin Evans, BSN and Bishop (Retire CSM) Woodrow Jarrett. In addition, Lee University will sponsor a tour of the university for the first 50 high school students who are entering the 10th grade or higher.
Coinciding with the medical clinic, four presentations will be made that morning as part of a plenary session beginning at 9:00 a.m. They include, Bishop James McIntyre, Sr. – “Staff and Leadership;” Bishop Philip Bonaparte, MD – “Medical Awareness for Healthy Living;” Dr. Beverly Sargent – “Play Therapy and The Soul;” and Bishop Fijoy Johnson – “Cultural Diversity in Ministry.”
A 10:30 a.m. general session will feature a keynote message delivered by Dr. Wayne Solomon entitled, “Racial Unrest Within America.”
A highlight of the weekend events will be the All Nations Service, scheduled for Friday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m. with special guest speaker, Church of God General Overseer Dr. Mark Williams. On this night not only will flags be flown representing over 50 nations within the United States and Canada; Church of God World Missions is also partnering with the conference and General Director, Dr. Tim Hill and Multi-Cultural Ministries Director, Dr. Ken Hill, will make a special announcement to help support the hospital building project in the Congo called “Compassion Congo/Hospital” (mission project #102-9401).
On Saturday, July 18, the conference will conclude with a 9:00 a.m. message from Dr. Doug Small with Alive Ministries/Project Pray and a keynote address from Evangelist Joycelyn Barnett of Healing the Harvest International Ministries, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Two ticketed events are also being offered which require an advance purchase or RSVP prior to the event. These include a Friday afternoon (12:30) banquet at North Cleveland Church of God and a “Young Adult Extravaganza,” hosted by Bishop Daniel Vassell at 10:00 p.m. Friday following the service.
Bishop Ken Hill said, “There are many moving parts to this conference and we want everyone to be able to access all the details via our website, www.cogmcm.org. Or please contact Dianna Akers, Executive Assistant and Conference Coordinator at 423.478.7337 (office) or dakers@churchofgod.org.”
For more information, please click on the following links and special announcements:
Dr. Mark Williams – https://www.filemail.com/d/zbwgjhkphvqghss [1]
Dr. Tim Hill – http://www.mediafire.com/download/7mdwvi12uqiksgi/Hill_Multicultural_Conference.mp4 [2]
Flyer on Bishop H.G. Poitier (download)
http://www.cogmcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Dedication-Flyer-Poitier.pdf [3]