International Executive Council Completes January Session
Cleveland, TN—The regularly-scheduled January meeting of the Church of God International Executive Council (IEC) took place this week at the Leadership and Communications Center.
The agenda for the Church of God governing body, whose members consist of the Council of Eighteen and the General Executive Committee, included preliminary discussion of items to be placed before the General Council at the upcoming General Assembly (GA18). This event is slated for July 31 – August 3 of this year at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The IEC read through items brought before them by the General Council Agenda Committee (GCAC), a group which meets prior to the IEC session and makes recommendations on items submitted for consideration of placement on the agenda. Final decisions for agenda items will be made at the April 2018 IEC session.
On Tuesday evening, the IEC attended a celebration dinner with leaders at Lee University to recognize the school’s 100th birthday. Lee University began on January 1, 1918 as Church of God Bible Training School. The entire year of 2018 has been designated as a year of celebration, commemoration, and vision casting for the future of the denomination’s first educational institution. General Overseer Tim Hill presented a resolution of recognition and appreciation which read in part, “The leadership of the Church of God International Executive Committee and Executive Council recognizes the significance of the Lee University imprint in the realm of Christian higher education; and that the Church of God commissions and prayerfully launches the next century of Lee University to be one of Spirit-led equipping pf the next generations, and that the hand of God continues to guide its vision in finishing the Great Commission.”
On Wednesday morning the IEC joined with members of Prayerborne, a special group of retired ministers, spouses and widows who pray together every Wednesday for the needs of the Church. The powerful session lasted nearly an hour as needs and special prayer emphases were brought before the intercessors.
Members of the International Executive Council lay hands on church planters who shared their testimony with the group (click on photo to enlarge)
A Special order of the Day on Wednesday included an update on the progress of Church Planting initiatives. IEC member Sean O’Neal reported on funds received and dispersed from the Church Planting Bank and introduced Mitch Maloney, director of USA Missions, the department overseeing church planting efforts. Maloney presented six recently-launched church planters, each of whom addressed the Council with their testimonies. The pastors have planted churches in such locations as Washington, D.C., Tempe, Arizona, and Huntsville, Ala. The presentation ended with prayer over the church planters.
The IEC also heard scheduled reports concerning budget and financials, upcoming events, such as the 77th General Assembly, and an update from Art Rhodes, president and CEO of the Church of God Benefits Board. Rhodes briefed the IEC on the effects of expected changes from the recently passed tax reform measures. He also gave a report on the positive year of earnings for clients enrolled in the Benefits Board program.
“The hand of the Lord is upon the Church of God, and I am so glad to be a part of what God is doing through this great ministry right now,” General Overseer Hill stated in a brief Facebook greeting. “We need your prayers and support and we thank God for you.” To view Hill’s message as well as other updates from the Executive Council, visit facebook.com/coghq, or churchofgod.org.
The International Executive Committee will meet again on April 24-26, 2018.
