1 May 2014CHOGnews

May 2014

In this issueBoldness in Every Season: Helen

Nelson’s Eleventh-Hour Witness, 1

CHOG Convention 2014: Meet the Speakers!, 2

CHOG Convention 2014: Meet the Worship Leaders, 3

CHOG Convention 2014: Reunions, Receptions, and Refreshments, 4

Never Underestimate the Power of a Congregation Challenged, 5

New York Church Outgrows Storefront Church, Dedicates New Sanctuary, 6

Introducing Missionaries Elect, 8-9

Warner University Students Fight Trafficking, Advocate for Needy, 10

Town Hall Meeting Insists, “Go Ahead, Ask Anything!,” 11

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Boldness in Every Season: Helen Nelson’s Eleventh-Hour WitnessBy Becky McCoy

C MYK / .ai

Bold is...leading others to Christ at age 95.

In September 2012, my mother was in the hospital in Indianapolis due to respira-tory problems. On a Friday afternoon, her

health started deteriorating, and we called all the family members, who were able, to come and see her. Mom also felt that God was get-ting ready to take her home. She told all of her children and grandchildren, who were there, just how much she loved them and how she was ready to go be with the Lord. She also asked me to call my brother, Rev. Steve Nelson, who was pastoring in Louisiana. She needed to tell him also how much she loved him and his family.

I will never forget the look on her face. She said to me, “I didn’t know this was going to be so easy!” Then she started singing the song, “Going Home, I’m Going Home” with a smile on her face. She knew my dad, and little brother who passed away at age five, would be waiting for her.

For some reason, which we now under-stand, Mom improved during the evening. The next day, Saturday, she was actually very disappointed that she did not die! She kept asking us why we thought she was still alive. She even had me call my brother and she asked him why she didn’t die. He told her, along with what we had been saying,

continued on page 7

Helen Nelson.

2 May 2014CHOGnews

CHOG Convention 2014: Meet the Speakers!Compiled by Carl Stagner

ATTENTION PA

STORS!

Please forward this e-newsletter as an encouragem

ent to your church.

Did you know that Anne Gra-ham Lotz is the daughter of world-famous evangelist Billy

Graham? Probably. But did you know that this female preacher is considered by her father to be the best preacher in the family? You might know that Marty Grubbs is the son of longtime Church

of God pastor and former CBH speaker David Grubbs.But did you know the senior pastor of Crossings Com-munity Church has a degree in sacred music? Meet the speakers before you hear them!

Anne Graham LotzIn 1999, the New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. She’s been profiled on 60 Minutes and has appeared on TV pro-grams such as Larry King Live, The Today Show, and HannityLive. Her “Just Give Me Jesus” revivals have been held in more than thirty cit-ies in twelve countries, with hundreds of thousands of attendees. Anne, who has authored several books, is the founder and president of AnGeL Ministries. She and her husband, Danny Lotz, have three grown children and three grandchildren. They reside in Montreat, North Carolina.

Michael ThigpenMichael Thigpen is the lead pastor of Celebration Church in Anderson, Indi-ana. He has served in the body of Christ in a variety of ministry areas for almost twenty years. As a former president of the National Inspirational Youth Con-

vention (NIYC), Youth Network Team member, community activist, and edu-cational advocate, Michael stays close to the pulse of youth and family issues. His ministry is geared to all people and fam-ilies. Michael’s greatest joys in his life are his personal relationship with God; the love of his life, his wife Melanie; and their four beautiful children—Brittany, Shekinah, Gianna, and Destinee.

Diana SwoopeDiana L. Swoope began her tenure on the staff of the Arlington Church of God in Akron, Ohio, in 1981. In 2009, Swoope was elevated to the office of senior pas-tor of the church, and is the only female to serve in that capacity since the church was established in 1917. Pastor Swoope is the first female elected as president of the National Inspirational Youth Con-vention of the Church of God, which began in 1938. She is also a member of the Anderson University Board of Trustees. Swoope and her husband Law-rence live in Copley, Ohio. They have three children (Alecia, Allen “Imani,” and Andreco) and four grandchildren (Nyemah, Sophia, and twins, Jeremiah and Micah).

Marty GrubbsMarty Grubbs graduated from Ander-son University in 1981 with degrees in sacred music and religious studies, and recently celebrated thirty-two years on staff at Crossings Community Church, twenty-eight of them as senior pastor. Crossings has changed significantly over the past thirty-two years, growing from a congregation of 145 to more than six thousand people now actively partici-pating each week. Crossings Clinic and Crossings Community Center have pro-vided over $11 million in medical, vision, and dental services since their inception in 2005, and have provided tutoring, counseling, and free legal services to the

community. Marty has served on vari-ous state and national boards, including Anderson University, LifeChurch.TV, and Water4. Marty and his wife Kim have three children and welcomed their first grandchild this summer.

Dave StoneDave Stone is the senior pastor of South-east Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he preaches to twen-ty-one thousand people each weekend. Dave Stone has been the senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church since 2006 and on staff at Southeast since 1989. He is married to Beth and they have three children: Savannah, Sadie, and Sam. Dave is passionate about families and has recently released a book series called Faithful Families.

Reggie McNealDr. Reggie McNeal serves as the missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas, Texas. Reggie’s past experience involves over a decade as a denominational execu-tive and leadership development coach. He also served in local congregational leadership for over twenty years, includ-ing being the founding pastor of a new church. Reggie has lectured or taught as adjunct faculty for multiple seminaries, and his work extends to the business sector—including the Gallup Organiza-tion. Reggie has authored several books, including A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders (Jossey-Bass, 2000) and Get Off Your Donkey: Help Somebody and Help Yourself (Baker, 2013). Reggie and his wife Cathy make their home in Columbia, South Carolina.

It’s not too late to register for the Church of God Convention at www.chogconvention.org! There you’ll also find an event schedule, lodging information, promotional materials, and more.

3 May 2014CHOGnews

Church of God Convention 2014: Meet the Worship LeadersCompiled by Carl Stagner

If you’re a musician, you know that a high F above double high C is pretty high. Church of God vocalist Sandi

Patty is known for such glass-shattering high notes, but did you know she was born in Oklahoma? Sandi will join Sidewalk Prophets, Alanna Story, and Ashmont Hill at the Church of God Convention 2014, as part of a stellar lineup of God-given talent. Which of these artists are regularly fea-tured on K-LOVE radio? Which come from the largest Church of God congregation in America? Which group’s name is really a fusion of the names of the two founding members? Read on to find out and get to know your worship leaders before you join them in Oklahoma City this June.

Sandi PattyWith five Grammy awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold records, and eleven million units sold, Sandi Patty is simply known as “The Voice.” Sandi is the most-awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, with forty Dove Awards. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and recognized as an Indiana Living Legend in 2007. She has released more than thirty albums, includ-ing The Edge of the Divine (2010), her latest Dove Award–winning album. Sandi is also the author of several books, including the bestseller Broken on the Back Row. Sandi and husband Don have eight children. After many years in Indiana, Sandi has returned to the Sooner State. Sandi and Don reside in Oklahoma City.

Sidewalk ProphetsBest-known for hits like “The Words I Would Say,” “You Love Me Anyway,” and “Live Like That,” Sidewalk Prophets have established a powerful presence for themselves on the contemporary Chris-tian music scene. In 2010, they won the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, and in 2011, they were nominated for a

Dove Award as Group of the Year. In 2013, Sidewalk Prophets announced their first Christmas release, Merry Christmas to You. The band comprises lead singer Dave Frey, lead guitarist Shaun Tomczak, rhythm gui-tarist Ben McDonald, bassist Cal Joslin, and drummer Justin Nace. Founding members Dave and Ben are Anderson University alumni. Tune into K-LOVE and other con-temporary Christian radio stations and you’ll be sure to hear Sidewalk Prophets.

Alanna StoryAnna Hodge and Ally West have had a love for music since they were very young. As these sisters grew in their walks with God, they found music to not only be their response to the things they experienced—both painful and beautiful things—but also a way to connect to the heart of God and help others do so. In 2008, Alanna Story officially began and formed into a family, comprising Ally’s husband, Stephen (elec-tric guitar); Anna’s husband, Ben (drums); and Joel Burkhead (bass), whom the girls consider a brother. Having grown up in a Church of God pastor’s home, they now minister at youth conventions and wor-ship gatherings across the country, even as they continue to lead worship each week at

Madison Park Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. Ally + Anna = Alanna Story.

Ashmont HillNoted for its mix of modern and clas-sic designs, Boston’s historic Ashmont Hill district has long earned the adula-tion of admirers for its architecturally diverse makeup. Interestingly, that very same approach of embracing innovation while revering past styles has earned the band Ashmont Hill similar acclaim. The group has produced three albums that have topped the Billboard Gospel Album charts: Ashmont Hill (2008), Your Masterpiece (2010), and The Maze (2013). Phil Thomp-son, April Joy Thompson, and Deborah Bullock—children of Gideon Thompson, pastor of the largest Church of God con-gregation in the country (Jubilee Christian Church, Boston, Massachusetts)— together with Wil Bullock, make up this stellar con-temporary-Christian-meets-gospel music group.

It’s not too late to register for the Church of God Convention at www.chogconvention.org! There you’ll also find an event schedule, lodging infor-mation, promotional materials, and more.

4 May 2014CHOGnews

CHOG Convention 2014: Reunions, Receptions, and RefreshmentsBy Carl Stagner

Behind the lights, sound, big-name speakers, and programming of the Church of God Convention

2014, is a family. When Church of God people gather together from coast to coast, inevitably some saint will address another as sister or brother. Even Bill Gaither recognized the family nature of the church in his classic “Family of God” tune. When the Church of God plans a convention, it’s impossible for the family members to mingle, reacquaint, and make special connections without opportunities for shared experiences. Thus, there is now a list of reunions, receptions, and times of refreshment (and refreshments).

Pre-Convention Events

Regional Coordinator MeetingGlobal Missions of the Church of GodThursday–Friday, June 19–20, 2014By InvitationContact: Kathi Sellers at KSellers@

chog.org

SHAPE (Sustaining Health and Pastoral Excellence)

Annual National Steering Committee Meeting

Saturday–Sunday, June 22–23, 2014 By InvitationContact: Paul Dreger at PDreger@

chog.org

New Missionary TrainingGlobal Missions of the Church of GodSaturday–Sunday, June 21–22, 2014 By InvitationContact: Kathi Sellers at KSellers@

chog.org

Church of God Foundation Board Meeting

Saturday, June 22, 2014By InvitationContact: Jeff Jenness at jjenness@

servantsolutions.org

Regional Pastors Annual MeetingSunday, June 22, 20146:00–8:30 pmBy InvitationContact: Timothy West at timothybwest

@me.com

Monday, June 23

Mid-America Christian University (MACU)

Free Barbecue Dinner4:30 pm3500 S.W. 119th Street, Oklahoma CityRSVP by June 2Contact: Morgan Alsip at 405-692-3244

or malsip@macu.edu

Tuesday, June 24

Qara: Church of God Clergywomen Breakfast

7:00 amMimi’s Cafe3015 W Memorial Road, Oklahoma CityReservations Required, $10Reservations: Nichele Washington at

nlwashington@anderson.edu

Christian Women Connection (CWC) Luncheon

12:15–1:45 pmRoom 241/243, Crossings Community

ChurchReservation Required, $15RSVP by May 31Contact: FrontDesk@wchog.org

Military Chaplains Luncheon12:15–1:45 pmCrossings Community ChurchBy InvitationContact: David Erb at DErb@chog.org

Young Pastors Forum and Lunch12: 15–1:45 pmRoom 250, Crossings Community

ChurchHosts: Matt Anderson (McDowell

Mountain Church, suburban Phoenix) and Steve Southards (Indian Creek Church, suburban Kansas City)

Contact and sign-up: Becky Arthur at BArthur@chog.org

University Presidents DinnerTuesday, June 24, 20144:45–6:00 pmCrossings Community ChurchBy InvitationContact: Becky Arthur at BArthur@

chog.org

Wednesday, June 25

Anderson University Reception Honor-ing Dr. David Sebastian

4:45–6:00 pmCrossings Community ChurchRegister at: www.anderson.edu/alum-

ni/events/sebastian.htmlContact: AU A lumni Of f ice at

765-641-4100

It’s not too late to register for the Church of God Convention at www.chogconvention.org! There you’ll also find an event schedule, lodging information, promotional materials, and more.

5 May 2014CHOGnews

Never Underestimate the Power of a Congregation ChallengedBy Johnny Creasong

When the Pekin First Church of God accepts a challenge, they accept it in a big way.

While many congregations support mis-sions, the central Illinois congregation has taken on the support of a mission-ary on every continent through the Living Link program. Now in its third year of raising funds, the Pekin First Church of God supports Dwayne and Kara Goldman in Australia, Jon and Karen Lambert in Ecuador, Ernie and Lori Nicholas in Kenya, John and Jodie Ackerman in Haiti, and Gary and Gwen Bistritan in Micronesia.

Recently, the Bistritans visited the church. As they shared their work and preparations to return, they told how, after more than twenty years of being based in Guam, they had moved to the island kingdom of Yap to help establish a Christian school. The great need was to teach the students to read and write English. The Yap government wanted its students to know the English language and was even encouraging students to enroll in the Yap International Christian School, directed by the Bistritans. The problem was that the school’s library was small and the whole country had few children’s books.

As Johnny Creasong, senior pastor of the Pekin First Church of God, closed the service, he looked into the faces of the children present and said, “I believe we could help that situation. I want the children to go home and pick out some books you no longer read and bring them for the children of Yap. In addi-tion, let’s provide copies of Egermeier’s Bible Story Book (published by Warner Press) for the families of children as they pass from kindergarten to first grade!” Pastor Creasong thought that perhaps a couple dozen children’s books would be collected.

Never underestimate the power of a congregation challenged! One parent not only got books from home but also a large number of children’s books donat-ed by The Hope Chest, a local thrift store. Some children brought books well-worn, but still intact, while oth-ers purchased new books. Two cases of Egermeier’s Bible Story Book rounded out the Yap book drive, for a total of 3,023 books that would be shipped to Yap.

The challenge of getting the twen-ty-seven boxes of books to Yap also appeared to be insurmountable. Once again, a challenge was brought to the congregation for funding to send the books. When the final count was made, more than three times the amount was given in just one week. Pastor Creasong

said that he has never had to ask people to stop giving before! The extra funds will be sent to assist the Yap school in paying for customs and fees. While the shipment will take up to two months to arrive in Yap, the church’s donation will quadruple the size of the school’s library.

Pastor Creasong says, “It’s just anoth-er way the Pekin First Church of God is helping people hope.”

Gary and Gwen Bistritan serve as mission-aries for Global Missions to Micronesia. CarolAnn North, who has served since late summer 2013, will conclude her assignment to Micronesia in late May 2014. For more information about Church of God mission-aries and missions projects, visit www.chogmissions.org.

Pastors and children praying over the books that would be sent to Yap.

6 May 2014CHOGnews

New York Church Outgrows Storefront Church, Dedicates New SanctuaryBy Carl Stagner

The view from the corner of Sutter Avenue and Warwick is markedly different today than

it was in 1965. Since 1965, the Church of God of East New York has exercised bold love in their neighborhood for the cause of Christ. They call this kind of minis-try B.L.O.C.K., which stands for Boldly Loving Our Community with Kindness. After decades of exemplifying bold love, God has blessed this storefront church with a brand new sanctuary. Today, passersby can’t help but notice the new construction which, for them, represents renewed vitality and hope for a commu-nity that others have simply written off as a lost cause.

For the Church of God of East New York, moving into a new sanctuary did not mean relocation. Through the ups and downs of the neighborhood around them, the church has remained con-stant. The new building, next door to the two-story-with-basement catering and dining hall that housed the congre-gation from the beginning, enters a new era of ministry with a facility dedicated

on Sunday, April 13. “We are blessed to be able to continue to have the cur-rent building right next to the new one to utilize for church and community ministries,” Pastor Clifton McDowell explains.

Regard ing the church ’s bold expression of love in the community, McDowell says it’s all about “show and tell.” He explains, “We are called to ‘show and tell’ the gospel. Our goal is to show the love of God in our community through practical acts of kindness and concern, and then tell the gospel verbal-ly one-on-one. What that looks like is cleaning, or shoveling the snow in front of, neighbors’ homes. It means sponsor-ing community health fairs, providing free medical screening, back-to-school barbecues with free school supplies, outdoor family movie nights, free smoke detectors, community carnivals, purchasing items for the school in the community we’ve adopted, setting up prayer booths to pray for people, hold-ing children’s Bible clubs in community parks, serving Thanksgiving dinners,

providing Christmas gifts for families in shelters, and just walking through the community talking with people.”

Clifton McDowell ’s ministry at the corner of Sutter and Warwick has also been longstanding. Seeing lasting growth and ultimately reaching this milestone has not come without head-aches. Yet the medicinal properties of

Ribbon-cutting ceremony during the dedication of the new sanctuary for the Church of God of East New York.

continued on page 7

7 May 2014CHOGnews

McDowell’s joy in Christ has sustained him and enabled him to patiently trust the mysterious hand of God.

“It has required patience and trust that the Lord has been, and is in, con-trol even when things were difficult and discouraging. My wife and I understand why the Lord does not usually give us all the details or steps involved in accomplishing what he calls us to do—we might hesitate in taking those first steps. We’ve learned that everyone who starts will not finish with you because they move on to other things when you need them most to help finish. We’ve also learned that while there will always be those who neither support nor want what God is doing through the congre-gation in an innercity community like ours, there will always be those God will use to help get it done.”

Though sometimes slower than we’d like, discipleship and church growth

are not mutually exclusive. McDowell has learned this firsthand. “We have found that the deepest growth hap-pens in a person’s life through healthy, intentional one-on-one relationships and small group experiences. Since the church is the people, there is no real church growth without providing opportunity and challenging people to grow in their faith.” McDowell adds that personal evangelism must be

emphasized and exemplified.Exciting days are ahead for the

Church of God of East New York. McDowell anticipates God’s best. “Our prayer for the church going forward is that it will continue to grow deep and wide as we focus on reaching and lifting people towards the purposes God has for their lives, that we as a congregation will see ourselves—and the people in our lives—the way the Lord sees people.”

The new building stands prominent at the corner of Sutter and Warwick.

New York Churchcontinued from page 6

“Mom, God is just not finished with you yet.” She felt she was “finished” and was ready to go home!

That evening, a respiratory nurse came in to give her a breathing treat-ment and told my mom that she reminded this nurse of her grandmoth-er. A bond between the two of them developed right then. My mom asked her, as she did every nurse, if she was a Christian and part of the Lord’s team. The nurse didn’t know what to say, so mom proceeded to share with her how easy it was to accept Christ. Nothing happened at that time, but Mom had planted the seed.

Mom would ask just about everyone she came in contact with if they had a relationship with Christ and were ready to meet him. She felt very strong about this. She did not want to go to heaven

without knowing that she had shared the love of God and how to become a Christian with everyone she could.

On Sunday evening, while I was at the hospital, this same nurse with whom my mom had shared Christ came into the room. We thought she was there to give my mom another breathing treat-ment. “No,” she said, “I came to join the Lord’s team!” My mom shared with her the plan of salvation and how easy it was to give your life to Christ. She accepted Christ into her heart and I will never forget what happened next. The nurse knelt down beside my Mom’s hospi-tal bed and my Mom prayed the most amazing prayer with her. Her voice became strong and you could feel the presence of God in the room. What an amazing experience! That is why God was not finished with her yet! At the age

of 95, God had used her to win another soul for him!

On Thanksgiving Day 2012, God took Mom home. She had completed her tasks here on earth. It was so hard for us to let her go, but we knew she was ready and her life was complete. I believe when Mom reached those gates of heaven, and my dad and brother were waiting for her, that God said, “You’ve been faithful. Welcome home, my child, well done!”

Boost your witness. Register for the Church of God Convention at www.chogconvention.org. The Church of God Convention is sched-uled for June 23–26, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

#BeBold2014

Helen Nelsoncontinued from page 1

8 May 2014CHOGnews

Introducing Missionaries Elect

NAME: Joshua and Audrey Weiger

COUNTRY: Germany

ASSIGNMENT: Joshua will head up a network that supports youth leaders in Europe and the Middle East as well as youth. Audrey will use her business and management skills to assist in the ministry with women caught in sex-trafficking and in organizational and administrative work for the Three Worlds region.

DATE OF APPOINTMENT: April 22, 2014

STATUS: Career Missionaries TERM OF SERVICE: Three years

TARGET LEAVE DATE: Fall 2015

INTRODUCTION: Josh and Audrey Weiger fell in love with Jesus and God’s people early. That love now calls them to mentor young Church of God leaders in Europe and the Middle East, and to serve people caught in human traffick-ing, helping them to build healthy and sustainable lives.

Their motto is: “Love God, Love People.” They are passionate about bridging generations, building up young leaders, equipping others to fulfill their God-given dreams, and using business as mission to provide for God’s people.

“We believe that life is often perplex-ing, but that God is big enough to handle our questions and the circumstances life throws at us. God will bring about God’s kingdom on this earth through us, as followers of Christ. What a gift we have in our relationship with God and with each other.”

“We enthusiastically accept the call to join the Three Worlds team.”

Audrey was born in Ohio and worked recently for Anderson University admissions for eight years. Her under-graduate work in communications (public relations), Christian ministries, and German, as well as her MBA, were done through Anderson University. She ran a nonprofit organization, Bound For Freedom, with friends from college, making and selling handmade journals. Proceeds went to organizations that supported women with HIV/AIDS and women emerging from sex trafficking.

Joshua was born in Maryland and

moved to Alabama at the age of eight. He’s pastored students and families at Park Place Church of God for seven years. He completed his undergradu-ate studies in Christian ministries at Anderson University and interned in two youth ministries and with the Inter-national Youth Convention, helping to plan and coordinate IYC 2008.

Audrey and Joshua are the parents of the delightful Emma and are expecting their second child in the fall of 2014.

PROJECT # 42.10094

Joshua and Audrey Weiger with daughter Emma.

9 May 2014CHOGnews

Introducing Missionaries Elect

NAME: Steven and Peggy Beverly

COUNTRY: Sri Lanka ASSIGNMENT: Teaching and train-ing pastors and leaders and developing strong relational ties.

DATE OF APPOINTMENT: May 8, 2014

STATUS: Career Missionaries

LENGTH OF SERVICE: Two years

TARGET LEAVE DATE: Fall 2015

INTRODUCTION: Steven and Peggy Beverly grew up together in Kansas City, Kansas. They lived around the corner from each other, and even rode the school bus together. Steven’s father, Sethard Beverly, pastored Third Street Church of God, and Peggy’s father was a construction entrepreneur. Neither Steven nor Peggy knew that God would bring their paths together after thirty years.

Steven graduated from Anderson Uni-versity and, after teaching journalism in the Cayman Islands, became the associ-ate editor of Vital Christianity magazine. Steven would go on to become a jour-nalism instructor at Ball State University and then editor of ONEvoice! magazine, before assuming his current position as marketing manager at a museum.

After studying at Emporia State University in Kansas, Peggy attended Rhema Bible Training College, where she felt a call to missions. With the sup-port of her brother, pastor of Hillview Church of God in Kansas City, Kansas, Peggy’s call to serve took her on mul-tiple trips—to Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya,

This 48-hour program is offered 100% online. This degree is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, one of only six fully online professional degrees in North America. Students from across the globe have benefited from this intentionally designed degree program. Why not join them?

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Nepal, Thailand, and Israel. She is cur-rently itineration specialist for Global Missions.

When Steven and Peggy met again in 2006, their rekindled friendship turned to love, and the two were married in 2007. Both had a heart for missions and desired to answer God’s call on their lives. They have served together on short-term assignments in Catadupa,

Jamaica, and in Poza Rica, Mexico, while making plans to pursue a career missionary assignment. After meeting with Don and Caroline Armstrong at the Global Gathering in 2013, Steven and Peggy felt God’s call to serve in Sri Lanka.

PROJECT # 42.10004

Stephen and Peggy Beverly.

10 May 2014CHOGnews

Warner University Students Fight Trafficking, Advocate for NeedyBy Doris Gukich

WU Social Work Students Go to Capital

On April 8, Warner University social work majors traveled to Tallahassee, Florida, to attend

the National Association of Social Work-ers Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) with other social work students and professionals from across the state. Warner University students advocated for groundbreaking legisla-tion in areas such as child welfare and human traff icking. They met with legislators and attended committee meetings where important bills were being proposed. As the morning came to a close, students met with Warner University alumna and board member Senator Denise Grimsley. The social work majors learned the importance of advocacy and the necessity of repre-senting the voice of the vulnerable and oppressed in our state.

WU Enactus Team Wins TrophyWarner University Enactus attended their first national competition and won “Rookie of the Year” for their league at the U.S. Enactus Convention. Enactus is an international nonprofit organi-zation that brings together students, academic leaders, and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial actions to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

The Warner University Enactus team members are involved in four local projects for the 2013–2014 school year: Operations Backpack, community gardening plots, Lake Wales Literacy Academy, and Applied Images.

PURPOSE. PURITY. POWER. PEOPLE.

July 5–8, 2014

Nashville, TN

www.iyc2014.org

Guided by academic advisors and business experts, the student leaders of Enactus create and implement com-munity empowerment projects. The experience not only transforms lives, but it helps students develop the kind of talent and perspective that are essential to leadership in an ever more compli-cated and challenging world.

Warner University is located five miles south of Lake Wales, Florida. The endorsed agen-cy of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) was founded in 1968 by Church of God, pas-tors and laity. For more information, visit www.warner.edu.

11 May 2014CHOGnews

Town Hall Meeting Insists, “Go Ahead, Ask Anything!”By Carl Stagner

©2012 Kevin Spear www.kevinspear.com kevin@kevinspear.com

“Hey, Son. I’d like to talk to you about self-control

right after I �nish this bag of chips.”

On June 21, 2011, Jim Lyon released a groundbreaking book audaciously titled Go

Ahead, Ask Anything. In response to a poll that captured both local and national data, Go Ahead, Ask Anything sought to biblically answer the top ten answers to the tough questions of life. Since his selection for general director of Church of God Ministries, Jim held a town hall meeting at the Global Gathering, embarked on a listening tour to hear from the Church of God in the United States and around the world, contributed to several articles and publications, and issued an open letter on Facebook and CHOGnews.org in which he reflected on the first one hundred days in office. At this year’s Church of God Conven-tion in Oklahoma City, Jim continues to encourage dialogue and open exchange in another town hall meeting.

Our heavenly Father declares in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (niv). Church of God Min-

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istries wants you, too, to perceive God’s vision for the church. In this transition period of leadership in the Church of God, much has changed as a new day is dawning. The Town Hall Meeting, scheduled for 3:00 pm cdt on Monday, June 23, is designed to further enhance communication and keep ministers and laypeople informed. While there may not be sufficient time in the business ses-sions of the General Assembly for every question, the Town Hall Meeting offers additional opportunity.

Do you have questions about the future of the Church of God? Would you like to better understand God’s vision given to Jim for the movement? Perhaps you’d like to hear more about what Jim has learned on his listening tour.

“Many years ago, in what now seems like a previous lifetime,” Jim recounts, “I imagined myself pursuing a career in pol-itics. I stood for election to public office in the early 1980s. I once even served as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives. During those days, I would find myself peppered with ques-tions from my constituents. People in crowds large and small want to know what their legislators think, why they voted in this way or that, and whether or not things will be done differently in the future. I quickly discovered that the process required me to hone my own per-spectives and values; every question was like a scrub, forcing me to decide who I was, what I believed, and how I would solve problems.” As Jim underscored in a CBH release regarding the book, “Go ahead. Ask anything. Really!”

Would you like to order a copy of Jim’s book? It covers a range of topics, including homosexu-ality, illegal immigration, death, and sexual temptation. Order your copy today by contact-ing CBH at 800-757-8439 or ASuer@chog.org.

CHOG Fast Fact