Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a childis given: and the government shall be upon hisshoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful,Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlastingFather, The Prince of Peace. Indeed His name isWonderful! Little wonder the song goes, “It’s themost wonderful time of the year.”

We, born again Christians, understand that while thetree-lighting, house-painting, window-dressing,gift-giving, cake-baking, festive-eating, cheerful-greeting and carol-singing are all part of the season’s niceties, it is Jesus who makesChristmas truly wonderful. It is much more than cliché to say Jesus is the reason for the season.

The Official News Bulletin, Church of God of ProphecyTRINIDAD & TOBAGO

CHRISTMAS EDITION, 2009

The T&T Messenger is published by the Church of God of ProphecyTrinidad & Tobago

Postal Address:P.O. Box 7310, Cunupia, Trinidad

National Overseer:Bishop Maurice A. JonesTel: 868 775-3291; Tel/Fax: 665-6997E- Mail: cogoptt@gmail.com

International Offices:Cleveland, Tennessee, USA.

General Overseer: Bishop R.E. Howard

From the Desk of the National Overseer

Caribbean Youth Conference,January 29-31, 2010, Grand Sheraton, Bahamas

Leader of Leaders Program, COGOP North America andEnglish Caribbean, February 9-20, 2010, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, USA

Women’s Retreat, April 23-25, 2010, Victory Heights BibleCampsite. Special Guest Speaker: Evangelist Sylvia Staten, COGOP North Carolina, USA.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

MessengerT&T

“The Rio Clarochurch deserves

special mention”

UPCOMING EVENTS

96TH INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY, JULY 27-AUGUST 1, 2010GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, USA

This Christmas edition of the T&TMessenger is the first issue since ourNational Convention in July. Let me,therefore, use the opportunity to express

Season’s Greetings

Work in progress at Rio Claro church building with assistance from our brethren of Harvest Partner churches in Sheridan and Cornersville, Indiana, USA.

INSIDE OF CHURCH BUILDING

The 51st National Convention, Church of God of Prophecy, Trinidad & Tobago, was held from July 9-12 at the Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School Auditorium, Couva.

Theme of the Convention was “Awake to Righteousness.” Special guest speaker was Pastor Daryl Clark of ABBA’S House Church of God of Prophecy, Washington, DC, USA. He was accompanied by his wife Agnes.

NATIONAL CONVENTION 2009

From the Desk of theNational Overseer

or repeat my gratitude and apprecia-tion to all who assisted or contributed in making the convention a blessing and a success.

Coming out of the convention, we have implemented a couple ofactivities: Regular monthly pastors’ meetings and Pulpit Ministry Training at two locations - North and South. PMT in Tobago will be conducted no later than the second quarter of 2010. We are grateful to Pastor Leroy Burke for playing a major role in developing the curriculum and coordinating theprogramme. In addition to Pastor Burke and I, other instructors are Bishop Kelvin Ramkissoon, Pastors Ramnarace Ramlogan and Sylvester McMillan, and Suresh Balram. Roy Seebaran is class President in the South and Adrian Clement in the North.

In August, Pastor Elvis Williams and I visited St. Vincent and conducted a one week crusade at Victoria Village. Dozens of people responded to the altar call. We pray for God’s continued blessinga upon Pastor Joseph Samuel, his family and congregation. We also used the opportunity to visit relatives we had not seen in many years.Earlier in the month, I was privileged to minister at Bethel Community Church at Carlsen Field. Led by Pastor

Derek Batson this church is associated with the Church of God of Prophecy and the relationship will beformalised early in 2010. In greeting the National Convention, this ministry veteran clearly stated that he was directed by the Lord to become a part of the Church of God of Prophecy. The membership is in the hundreds and they have already started using the name “Bethel Community Church of God of Prophecy.” I also visited the spacious new location of theScarborough, Tobago church: Recon-ciliation and Restoration Ministries.

The Rio Claro Church deserves special mention. Organised in May 2008, the work is progressing. The building is well appointed and should be fully utilised from Christmas 2009; and the membership is growing. On a recent visit I was thrilled to see the eagerinvolvement of the children, youth and even the adults. We are very grateful to Bishop Robin Balram and COGOP Rockville, Maryland, USA for their generous contribution to the Rio Claro church. Our Harvest Part-ner churches in Sheridan and Con-nersville, Indiana, led by Bishop Rich Barker and Pastor Jeremiah Barker

respectively, have gone beyond the call of duty in assisting Rio Claro. I am pleased to see the high level of dedication demonstrated by Pastor Michael Ramkhelawan with goodsupport from his wife and newleadership team.

Mayaro is a few miles away from Rio Claro and we have been approached to take responsibility for a Sunday school which attracts scores ofyoungsters on Sunday afternoons. With the obvious potential for a church plant, Bishop Pooran Sankar has put plans in train to ensure a regular presence. The distance is a challenge and much prayer is needed. Roy Seebaran serves as an interimcoordinator with assistance from some of the churches in SouthTrinidad.

To God be the glory for all Hisblessings in 2009!

From our family and the NationalOffice to our General Overseer,Directors and Staff at theInternational Offices; GeneralPresbyters; State, National andRegional Overseers; Harvest Partners, Pastors and Ministers, Leaders,Brothers and Sisters; Friends - To you and your families, have awonderful Christmas and aprogressive New Year.

The Men’s Ministries program literally brought the Convention to its feet with an explosive march

21 Senior Citizens honoured at Rambert’s Anniversary ServiceTwenty one senior citizens of Rambert Village were honoured by the Church of God of Prophecy for their invaluable contribution to the community. The elders, all 80 years plus, were given awards by Pastor Ramnarace Ramlogan during the 27th Anniversary Service of the dedication of the church building held on November 29, 2009.

Mikela Panday, Parliamentary Representative, as well as the President of the Rambert Village Council, Victoria Franklyn, brought greetings to the honourees.

A ribbon cutting exercise was also done by the Pastor’s wife, Chandra, and the main builder, Liston Ramkisoon, to formally open an extension of the church building, valued at approximately $100,000, which was raised through contri-butions from church members and corporate citizens.

Bishop Maurice Jones, National Overseer, delivered the sermon and advised other organisations to follow Rambert’s example and honour their elders.

GBB UPDATEGospel Bulletin Board 2ndChristmas Celebration held on December 6, 2009, NewTestament Church of God,Montrose, Chaguanas.

Gospel Radio, a GBB productionSundays 7:00 - 10:00am, U97.5 FM

7th Anniversary Celebration,May 2010. Special Guest Speaker:George Barna, Founder of theBarna Group, California, USA, a market research firm specializing in studying the religious beliefs and behavior of Americans, and the intersection of faith and culture.

The Family Indemnity PlanFrom Cuna Caribbean Insurance Society Ltd

The Family Indemnity Plan (FIP) is an additional benefit now available to members of the Church of God of Prophecy.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The FIP is a group life insuranceplan that provides a level cash benefit in the event of death of an insured person.

• Allows for a decent send off for a family member.• Members can choose the plan that best suits his or her needs.• No medical examination orquestions.• Lifetime insurance coverage.• Payments for claims are made within two (2) days.• It is a final expense plan andcovers up to six (6) family members between 1 and 76 years of age.

Call 775-3291 or 684-6727 formore information.

Some of the 21 elders who were honoured at Rambert’s Anniversary Service. In Back Row is Chandra Ramlogan and Pastor Ramnarace Ramlogan along with Bishop Maurice Jones and Maureena Jones.

Bottom Photo: Pastor Daryl Clark (Inset) ministering at the 9th Annual Men’sRetreat, October 16-18, 2009, Sunset Beach Resort, Mayaro.

T&T MESSENGERManaging Editor: Bishop MauriceA. Jones

Editing andLayout:Suresh Balram

Office Assistant: Melissa Seetan

NEWS FROM OUR LOCAL CHURCHESBishop Kelvin Ramkissoon and his wife Sara, celebrated their 30thWedding Anniversary on December 8. Bishop Ramkissoon is anAdministrative Assistant to the National Overseer, a District Overseer and Pastor of the Hillpiece church. Also celebrating 30th WeddingAnniversary this year were Bishop Keith Forde and Angelina Forde and Pastors Motilal and Zalina Ramcharitar.

RADIO MINISTRY“Moment of Change” 98.1FM1st & 3rd Wednesday, 9.30pm.

The following local churches have their own radio programmes:St. James, El Dorado, Princes Town, St. Charles; plus “Sound the Trumpet” with Minister Leroy Burke.

EVANGELIST DEXTERJAMES ON THE MOVE Apart from authoring at least 10 booklets and involved in radio ministry, Pastor James ofWarriors Assembly COGOP,New Grant, has been doing extensive ministry work overseas, especially in the Leeward and Virgin Islands.

HARVEST PARTNERSA special “thank you” to all our Harvest Partners who continue to support, financially andotherwise, the work in Trinidad & Tobago.

PROUD FINALISTCongratulations to Abeana Hall, wife of Pastor Carlus Hall, for reaching the finals of the“Making of the Music Minister.” The finals were held at FaithAssembly. Arouca. Abeana also ministered at the 2nd Annual Christmas Celebration of the Gospel Bulletin Board onDecember 6, 2009.

WISE WORDSMost of us miss out on life’s big prizes, the Oscars, the Nobel, but we’re all eligible for life’s small pleasures: A pat on the back, a full moon, a great meal, aglorious sunset. Don’t fret about copping life’s grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights.

The Praise and Worship Team led by Pastor Elvis Williams contributed significantly to the success ofConvention 2009

Bishop Ramkissoon and wife Sara

The Barrackpore Mission (see photo below) which started in May 2008, is on its way to be established as a church in the first quarter of 2010. Presently, attendance averages 40 adults and 25 children. Pastor of the Penal church, Nazirdeen Hosein, is the Mission Leader.

Pastor Hosein together with his wife Chandroutie (photo inset) ministered in Guyana for two weeks during the month of November 2009. Ministry points included Enterprise, Lusignan, Mon Repos, Victoria and Eccles.

BARRACKPORE MISSION