Division of Care Adds Ministries
Cleveland, TN–First Assistant General Overseer Dr. Raymond F. Culpepper has announced the addition of three ministries to the Church of God Division of Care, joining others that make up the division focusing on benevolence, compassion, and relief.
“The bridge from the Church of God to a hurting world is the Division of Care,” Culpepper, who also serves as director of the division, stated. “These ministries are a natural fit and will bring an even more comprehensive ministry approach to all facets of outreach for the Church of God, whether it be in times of natural disasters, family crises, or benevolence.”
Coming under the umbrella of the Division of Care is Men and Women of Action, an independent ministry that is “boots on the ground” in construction and disaster relief. It was previously an entity of Church of God World Missions. Phil Thompson leads MWOA, which recently constructed a new corporate office in Cleveland.
Also joining is Southwest Indian Ministries (SWIM), led by Samuel Salyer and located in Gallup, New Mexico. The ministry helps encourage and train local Native American evangelists by offering seminars and assisting with fund raising and events.
Peniel Ministries, a residential drug and alcohol treatment center with deep roots in the Church of God, is now part of Care. Located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Peniel is led by its founder Dr. Marion Spellman.
SWIM and Peniel are being placed under a Church of God division for the first time. These ministries join others previously under the Division of Care, which include the independent relief organization Operation Compassion, led by Kelvin Page; Chaplains Commission, directed by Richard Pace; Ministerial Care / SpiritCare, coordinated by Tim Maness; Ministry to Israel, led by Director Michael Utterback; Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, located in Sevierville, Tennessee and directed by Walt Mauldin; and the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center, also in Sevierville, under the direction of Pamela Kay Overbey.
“We are pleased to welcome these ministries to the Care Division,” Culpepper stated. “The Church of God has a strong heritage of ministry in these areas and I look forward to the effective contributions these organizations will bring.”
Departments and ministries in the Church of God are categorized into divisions, which include Education, Discipleship, World Evangelization, and Support Services. Each is led by a member of the Church of God International Executive Committee.
To learn more about the ministries of the Division of Care, visit churchofgod.org/divisions.
