People from across the United States, the islands and several countries are on their way to attend the Assembly of The Church of God, which is to be held at Ridgecrest, N.C., just east of Asheville, N.C., Aug. 21-26.

The meeting will be moderated by General Overseer Stephen E. Smith. This will be the 107th General Assembly since the original group was organized.

Prior to the convening of the assembly, the International Youth Camp will be held at Lutheridge Conference Center, near Asheville, Aug. 17-20. Several representatives and staff members from Cleveland will attend the four-day youth-training event.

The Tuesday evening service will officially open the assembly with flag and Bible pledges in the English and Spanish languages. An hour of prayer will follow a message by Delbert Bock of South Dakota before adjournment for the evening.

Wednesday’s program will include a message by Ted Cogburn, of Alabama, Brandon Allen of Mississippi, and Mike Grobe of Louisiana. General Field Secretary Robert F...

The Church of God is the "light of the world."  This may sound like a presumptuous and arrogant statement, and indeed it would be if it were not for the fact that Jesus Christ Himself made the declaration.  We are the light because He said we are the light.  Of course, we are not the light in the same sense as Christ, for we read of Him, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).  The Church of God has no light or life in and of itself, but only as it receives these from Christ.

The role of the Church is that of proclaiming the gospel of Christ through both preaching and living the gospel.  But the light we share goes beyond merely speaking the Word and living Christ-like lives, for the gospel of Christ is the gospel of power.  Through the Holy Ghost living in and operating through the Church we have a divine agent that speaks to men's hearts, convicting and convincing them of their lost and sinful condition and of their need to accept Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives...

The official opening of the 2011 Annual Assembly of The Church of God was announced by Stephen Smith, general overseer, on Tuesday evening at Ridgecrest Convention Center near Asheville, N.C.

Flag pledges and prayer led the first service which was attended by representatives from the United States and several countries. Gene Hopkins of Alabama preached the opening message followed by an hour of prayer. The program and sermons were built around the theme of the assembly, "... from glory to glory."

Delegates from the Cleveland area were on program Wednesday morning. Shanna Weekes, Spanish translator, and A.L. Harris of Tunnel Hill, GA, both spoke. Progress reports from North America and the Caribbean Islands were given by Robert F. Strong Sr., the general field representative.

Another local minister and pastor, E. Roger Ammons, directed the evangelism program on Saturday afternoon...

The 106th annual Assembly of The Church of God, which has its general headquarters in Cleveland, will commence on Tuesday at the Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, N.C., and will continue through Aug. 28.

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

The Assembly will focus on the theme "from glory to glory," taken from 2 Corinthians 3:18, which says, "...even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Smith says, "...it must become our priority to go from 'glory to glory' deeper and richer and fuller with God. Complacency is our enemy. Time is short and we must stir ourselves to move onward and upward into the full glory God has prepared for his church."

Flag and Bible pledges will be given after the official opening. Gene Hopkins of Alabama will preach a message on prayer followed by an hour of prayer by assembly delegates...

In 1903 The Church of God came forth from darkness with the assurance that she would receive the light and glory of God, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee" (Isa. 60:1). Our light has indeed come, meaning God has revealed his doctrine and his plan of salvation to the Church. We are not wandering in darkness, as others, but basking in the blessings of divine truth and in the revelation of God's divine plan to gather all His children into the one Fold and prepare them for the rapture.

In addition to receiving the light, we are told God's glory would rise upon the Church. When the divine presence moves in our midst souls are saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost. Bodies are healed and miracles are witnessed. How glorious and wonderful that we are privileged to enjoy God's glory in the Church. But the prophecy of Isaiah continues further, "For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon th...

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). This applies to the sisters of The Church of God. Such was the occasion on Aug. 20 at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina when the Women's Missionary Band of The Church of God met for the annual luncheon. Betty Bishop of Alabama is the general coordinator of the church's mission auxiliary.

There were more than 200 women in attendance, representing many states and countries. Comments heard included, "The banquet room was beautiful and the food very good, but most importantly was the sweet spirit that prevailed."

According to the ladies, they are joined together by the love shared for the missionary work. "This love is our heartbeat through the year," one said, "and is shown through our missionary activities."

The highlight of this event was the speaker, Missy Hawkins, wife of Bishop Robert J...

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.

On Friday after the address to the assembly by General Overseer, Stephen Smith, reports were given by representatives from Africa, Asia and Europe including Kenya, the Congo, England and India. The India representative told of conditions and the suffering of their nation.

In temperatures of more than 120 degrees, he told how a young blind boy rode the train where many died from heat - survived the trip to church service...

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 evening program featured a message by Melvin Byers Jr. of North Carolina, the director of the Church of Prophecy Marker Association.

Ray D. Dupre of Nashville directed the Thursday morning sessions which highlighted the church's magazine, "The Evening Light," and the Bible Training Institute program. The 2010 BTI Choir was featured on the program...

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.

Prior to the Assembly's opening, the International Youth Camp is convening at Ridgecrest beginning Saturday. Delegates from countries around the world will gather for a few days of training in the different aspects of the camping ministry. The IYC services can be viewed nightly at 7 p.m. online at the website as well.

Tuesday evening after the official opening, Carol Stables of Virginia wi...

We are pleased to announce that the 105th Annual Assembly will be held at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, NC. Dates of the General Assembly will be August 17-22, 2010. International Youth Camp will be held at the same location on August 14-17, 2010. Everyone is encouraged to make plans now to attend this time of worship and celebration as we conduct business as The Church of God.

All who plan to attend the Assembly are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible. As we humbly seek God's favor and direction, we can experience His manifold blessings. Begin praying now in expectation of a mighty move of God's Spirit at the 105th Annual Assembly.