Our Recent News

Almost 1,000 delegates were in attendance at the World Mission program at the annual General Assembly of The Church of God at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, N.C.

Mission director Herman Art titled his message to the assembly, "We Have Never Heard That."

It was reported more than $410,000 was raised for missions this past year, including almost $32,000 for Haiti's earthquake catastrophe. More than $31,000 was received in the assembly services...

The gavel sounded for the official opening of the 105th Annual General Assembly of The Church of God on Tuesday evening at Ridgecrest Convention Center near Asheville, N.C., Stephen E. Smith, general overseer, moderating. Flag pledges in different languages and a concert prayer introduced the first session. Some 48 states and 26 countries will be represented during the annual gathering. Already an increase in attendance has been noted.

Wednesday was the beginning of reports from North America and the Caribbean...

The 105th Annual Assembly of The Church of God will commence on Tuesday at the Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, N.C., and will continue through Aug. 22.

The Assembly will focus on the theme "A Glorious Church," taken from Isaiah 60:7, which says, "... I will glorify the house of my glory." All who wish to attend are cordially invited. For those unable to attend, each session will be broadcast live on the church's website at www.thechurchofgod.org.

General Overseer Stephen E. Smith will open and moderate the worldwide gathering with various directors coordinating various sessions and events during the week...

It is with great pleasure that we announce the public release of the new website of The Church of God. Whether you are a member of The Church of God, a new believer, someone seeking answers to life's challenges, or someone simply browsing the Internet, it is our desire that this website will enlighten your Biblical understanding and minister to any needs you may have.

Prior to Christ's ascension into Heaven, He commissioned the Church to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..." (Matthew 28:19). While missionaries and ministers of The Church of God have yet to extend a presence into every nation on earth, the website of The Church of God is able to reach into every nation on a daily basis...

Bishops Herman D. Ard and Ray D. Dupre along with Spanish translator Oscar Pimentel returned to the devastated country of Haiti with funds contributed by Church membership and friends. National Overseer Juan Pimentel and Pastor Antonio from Dominican Republic and National Overseer Guy Vincent of Haiti met them with adequate transportation and a supply of water.

It was with difficulty we pressed our way out of the Port-au-Prince airport with hundreds of people pressing us for aide. Among them were children and crippled and broken people. We were unable to respond to them because of the danger of publicly handing out anything...

From South Africa we flew to the tiny, but beautiful landlocked country of Swaziland. The work there is not large, but our people are faithful to the Lord, to the doctrine, and to the vision of The Church of God. We ministered in all three of our local churches - Matsapha, Esobovini, and Dlangeni.

We were also able to visit a new area named Siphofaneni where the people are responding positively to the truth and message of The Church. It was here that a service was held under the shade of a tree and a Bible lesson about Marriage/Divorce/Remarriage was taught. One sister rejoiced and stated that she had never heard such things in her life before...

At Bible Training Institute, we are experiencing the awe-inspiring presence of God as never before. The sweet spirit of the Holy Ghost is saturating the classes, prayer meetings, devotions, and services. The students and staff are strengthened and refreshed continually by the presence of the Lord. There have been three young men filled with the Holy Ghost, and we have not yet begun our weekend services. Not only is God blessing us with His presence, but He has granted us a record-breaking attendance. We thank God for the 109 students from 18 states who He enabled to be here this year. The following is a listing of the states represented here at Bible Training Institute:

• Arkansas had 22 students...

The Church of God is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Bishop James C. Anders. Bishop Anders received his reward in the early morning of Friday, May 28, 2010. The Church of God wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation for Bishop Anders' many years of service as a local pastor, State/Regional Overseer, and Bible Training Institute instructor. It would be impossible to list every endeavor, which he pursued for the edification of Christ and His Church, but surely God holds the record...

We arrived in Bloemfontein, South Africa Wednesday April, 14 after an all night flight from Accra, Ghana. Field Secretary Jefrey Mangena and Pastor George Smith (minister that just recently joined the Church) met us at the airport. Fellowship was enjoyed and then we were taken to Chameleon Guest House, where we would stay while in South Africa. Plans were made by National Overseer, Bishop Hawkins, with his field secretary for a visit to each of the local churches.

Thursday morning it was breakfast at the Guest House then unpacking and preparations for the service at the local church in Bloemfontein...

Bishops Ard, Dupre and Hawkins visit the country of Ghana on their way to Swaziland and South Africa. After more than 11 hours of flight over the Atlantic Ocean we finally arrived in Accra the capital city of Ghana. It was a blessing to be greeted at the airport by National Overseer Matthew Ogunmola, Pastor Fredrick Agoe, and some of the brethren of the Church. They transported us to the hotel. Fellowship and a meal were enjoyed by all. Then it was back to the room we went for a much needed shower and night's rest.

Our second day in Ghana was filled with visitation to Teshtie a suburb city of Accra and the location of the local church...