Bishop RE Howard, General Overseer - Church of God of Prophecy

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Local Church News First Deaconess for the State of Georgia Geneva Bowman Byrd In the last chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul gave kudos to various people who assisted him in his ministry. In verse one, he singled out by name Phoebe, one of the first deaconesses mentioned in Scripture: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me” (Romans 16:1, 2 NIV). In his letter to the young minister, Timothy, Paul laid out the requirements for deacons and deaconesses: “Deacons [Deaconesses], likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons [deaconesses]” (1 Timothy 3:8, 9 NIV). According to Strong’s Dictionary, the Greek word for deacon is diakonos (dee-ak’-on-os). It is probably from an obsolete diako: to run on errands; an attendant or a waiter at tables; or in other menial duties. It is used specially as a Christian teacher and pastor; technically, a deacon or deaconess. In the King 30 WWM APRIL 2010 James Version of the Bible, it is translated as deacon, minister, and servant. On Sunday, December 27, 2009, the Rossville Church of God of Prophecy ordained Geneva Bowman Byrd as the very first deaconess for the Church of God of Prophecy in the state of Georgia. Her Deaconess Certificate number is 2009-0001. From 1955 to 1995, Sister Byrd served alongside her deacon husband, Clarence Byrd, for 40 years at the East Ridge, Tennessee, Church of God of Prophecy. She completed all terms of the Bible Training Institute in 1975. After transferring her membership to Rossville in 1999, she completed all the requirements for a Certified Teacher including the Foundations Course. The local church set Sister Byrd forth as deaconess in October 2009. In writing my recommendation to Georgia State Overseer Bishop Billy Adams, I said in part, “Geneva Byrd has been doing the ministry of a deaconess for over 40 years. She assisted her husband, Clarence Byrd, in every aspect of his calling as a deacon.” Normally, there is a period of a year serving as a trial deaconess, but due to her prior training and experience and the fact she had completed the Foundations Course, she was immediately set forth as a deaconess. The wording of the Deaconess Certificate states in part, “She is to complement the office of the bishop or pastor. She may serve in the temporal needs of God’s work, such as coordinating relief to the poor and needy. She may conduct church business affairs and conferences when officially authorized by the pastor or overseer. She is to teach and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She may serve in baptism, administering the Lord’s Supper, and washing to the saints feet. Both biblical and historical records confirm that she is to service alongside and in harmony with the bishop or pastor as a servant to the congregation.” Sister Jean Byrd, as she likes to be called, has definitely been a tremendous blessing to the Rossville local church and pastor, serving as the church clerk and treasurer, a substitute Sunday school teacher, a member of the Finance and Stewardship Committee, and now as a deaconess. When her pastor asked Sister Byrd about serving as a deaconess, she initially told him that she, at 83 years of age, she was “too old to serve.” He replied, “Better late than never!” Article submitted by Dr. Douglas R. Stephenson Chaplaincy Ministries Director Rossville, Georgia Testimonies I received confirmation at Ladies Retreat at Barkley Lake. In the spring, they found a large mass on my pancreas. I went through many tests. There was no fear on my part. I had gotten up one morning and felt a heavy load; I couldn’t carry the load, it was so heavy. I lay before the Lord and told the Lord, “Lord, I don’t know what this load is, but I can’t handle it; I give it to You.” I didn’t know at that time my healing took place. I went through the tests, and the doctors said that there was no cancer there. I felt so good within my body. I went to Lake Barkley in November and feasted on Dr. Renfro’s message. I went at lunchtime, gave him a hug, and told him what they had found on my pancreas. These were his words: “You had cancer, but God healed you.” That was my confirmation I needed. I have told everyone I see that God healed me of pancreatic cancer. I am 71 years old; this shows that there is no age with God. I thank Him every day and cry every day because that could have been my death warrant. God is good all the time; all the time, God is good. —Pat Hooker
A Gospel Singer’s Report There was an awesome presence of the Lord at my concert at the Crown Heights Church of God of Prophecy in Brooklyn, New York. I said, “The presence of the Lord is mighty in the house,” and I asked for all who were sick to stand and lift their hands in faith. Then, I went into the congregation and prayed for several individuals. Two days after the concert, I received a telephone call of a healing testimony. I was informed that a woman who was at the concert had been the victim of a motor vehicle accident several months earlier and had suffered spinal cord injuries. In His Presence SUBSCRIBE TODAY! YES! I want to subscribe to the White Wing Messenger: Enclosed is my payment for . . . Bundles! BISHOP Charles Edward Collins; Alvin, Texas; October 18, 2009; licensed minister for 59 years. MINISTERS Brazil Kelly; Belton, South Carolina; January 22, 2010; licensed minister for 65 years. Mary M. Goin; Bucyrus, Ohio; January 31, 2010; licensed minister for 57 years. Velma Joyce Moore; Austinville, Virginia; January 9, 2010; licensed minister for 21 years. At the concert, this woman had said to her friend, “There are too many people here, and she [myself] will not touch me,” so she stood and lifted her hands. This woman testified that immediately she felt a tingling in her fingers, which ran down her arm to her back, and there was a loud, cracking sound. The people standing closest to her heard the cracking sound and asked, “What is that sound?” The woman responded, “That’s my spine, and the pain is gone.” This dear lady was healed by the power of God! This same woman and her husband were having marital problems and were in the process of going through a divorce. The husband of this woman Curtis Lee Music; Alma, Georgia; January 8, 2010; licensed minister for six years. Juan de Jesus Sanchez; Dominican Republic; January 29, 2010; licensed minister for 29 years. MEMBERS Michael C. Metaxas; Cleveland, Tennessee; January 23, 2010. Ines Ortiz; Newark, Delaware; October 12, 2009; widow of Reverend Frank Ortiz. Ruby Traficanto; Sodus, Michigan; December 25, 2009; she was a member of the Church for more than 70 years. called his wife’s friend and thanked her for taking his wife into Brooklyn. He affirmed that the “woman who left here yesterday evening was not the same woman who came back home in the night.” He mentioned that the next morning, he would visit the attorney and cancel the divorce papers because he had got his wife back. Monday morning came, and the husband went and did just as he had promised. Not only was this woman healed from her spinal cord injuries and pain, but her marriage was restored by the powerful hand of God! We serve a mighty God! —Dawn McDowell, Brooklyn, New York New Churches Green Acres, Florida; organized on November 7, 2009; Pastor José de los Santos. Minneapolis, Minnesota; organized on November 8, 2009; Pastor Luis Rodriguez Luna. Brigham City, Utah; organized on January 17, 2010; Pastor Jesus Sandoval. West Palm Beach, Florida; organized on January 17, 2010; Pastor Jeffrey Webb. o One-year subscription ........ $18 o Church Bundles: Minimum of 5 @ $10 each o Two-year subscription ........ $36 (Examples: 5/$50; 15/$150; 20/$200) o Gift subscription ................. $18 Increments of 5, ONLY! NAME _________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________ CITY _____________________________________________ STATE ________________ COUNTRY _______________________________ ZIP CODE _________________________ PHONE ________________________ E-MAIL _________________________________ o VISA o MASTERCARD o DISCOVER o AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD # ____________________________________________________ EXP. DATE ________________________________ SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe: online—wwm.cogop.org; phone—(423) 559-5114; or mail to . . . White Wing Messenger • P.O. Box 2970 • Cleveland, TN 37320-2970 WWM APRIL 2010 31
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Bishop RE Howard, General Overseer - Church of God of Prophecy

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