Following news of a tragic shooting that left two dead in a Central American church, Church of God General Overseer Mark L. Williams has issued a call for prayer. The incident happened in a Church of God of Prophecy congregation in a Guatemala City suburb called La Perez Guisasola, when a gunman burst into the Saturday evening service, killing two and wounding several others.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the National Clergy Christian said,

Church is boring for most because the power of God has vanished from many congregations … there is a lack of desire to pursue Him in the pulpit as well as in the pew. Like Samson, they “know not that the Spirit of the Lord has departed” (cf. Judge 16:20).

Bill Donohue comments on the way Church critics are reacting to Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment:

The Church of God laments the horrific and senseless tragedy that happened in Charleston, South Carolina. Wednesday evening men and women gathered in church for Bible study and prayer when they were brutally killed by an apparently hate-filled young man, according to a statement by Dr. Mark L. Williams, the denomination’s executive leader.

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.

My father Leonardo Aquino Corpus Sr. once wielded a bolo knife – a Filipino style machete used by farmers and warriors in the Philippines. He waved his bolo knife in the dark wee hours of the morning looking for my ghostly tormentor. I was a toddler who tried to climb into bed between him and mom. He leapt out of bed in his underwear when I told him I was scared of the boogie-man.

“That Christians of any ethnic group have been slain while praying — not overseas but right here in our nation–should drive us all to our knees.” — Preston Parrish, CEO, Corporate Chaplains of America

While seeking direction from the Lord in prayer, Church of God World Missions Director Tim Hill was impressed to begin a special emphasis on finishing the Great Commission in the land where Jesus lived and ministered. This birthed the Israel Initiative for Church of God World Missions. It will focus on ministry to all peoples of Israel, seeking to show the love of Christ without regard to culture or heritage of peoples in Israel.