Faith News Network

For the first time, the Church of God International General Assembly will be held in Nashville, the capital of the state in which the church was founded in 1886.

During the Church of God International General Assembly, which met last week in Orlando, Fla., a new “online tool box” of ministry helps was unveiled by General Overseer Mark Williams. The new resource was developed through the supervision of the Office of Communications.

Some might think of him as a rival. But nearly 8,000 delegates to the Church of God of Prophecy’s (COGOP) biennial meeting left no doubt that they consider Williams a brother in the Lord as they gave him a rousing welcome as Saturday night’s keynote speaker. And Williams was quick to return the love, calling the newly installed general overseer of the sister church, Sam Clements, “my friend.”

Orlando, FL–The International General Council, meeting during the 75th International General Assembly, moved to give state overseers more time to implement their vision at future appointments by doubling their term of office to four years in a significant vote during Thursday’s session on the Main Hall floor.

The Church of God Historical Commission announced the winners of the Charles W. Conn Historical Writing Award. The 2012-2014 award winners are James M. Beaty for his book, R.G. Spurling and the Early History of the Church of God (Derek Press, 2012), and Rodney Wayne Friend for his article-length publication, A Faithful Servant: Samuel Lavern Peterson (Church of God World Missions, 2012).

Orlando,FL–Church of God General Overseer Mark Williams inducted former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft into the “Order of the Towel” at the conclusion of the Pre-International General Assembly prayer event on Monday. The servant award is given by Church of God Prayer Ministries and Project Pray.