Tag Archives: multi-ethnic

Restored and Resolute: Pastor’s Painful Past Redeemed for Purpose, Promise

Posted on December 4, 2019 by chogministries | Comments Off

Pastor Ray Hodges preaching the gospel at Resolute Church.

By Carl Stagner

Ray Hodges had personal experience with church; he’d never had personal experience with the risen Christ. Growing up Catholic, he’d acknowledged the existence of God but would confess there was no relationship with Jesus. Even when he began attending the Iglesia de Dios (Church of God) with his girlfriend, it was the kindness of the people, the lively music, and the relatable preaching that he came to know and love. Without the foundation of Christ in his life, the allure of drugs and parties soon became too much to bear. Thankfully, the patience and persistent prayers of his wife and pastor over Ray’s fifteen-year addiction paid off when Jesus Christ gloriously redeemed his painful past for a future of purpose and promise. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Central

Tagged addiction, addiction recovery, barber, Bill Banda, church growth, church multiplication, church plant, church planting, Corpus Christi, drug abuse, drug addiction, drugs, ethnic, Gilbert Davila, Hispanic, intervention, life change, Michelle Hodges, mistakes, multi-ethnic, multiculural, multiplication, pain, past, patience, persistence, personal, prayer, Ray Hodges, recovery, redemption, Resolute Church, restoration, story, testimony, Texas, transformation, TX, unconditional love

English + Spanish + Arabic = 3 Congregations Under 1 Roof

Posted on November 6, 2019 by chogministries | Comments Off

Pastors Tim Gould, Huber Maxwell, Mounuir Soliman leading prayer.

By Carl Stagner

While race, language, culture, and politics are just a few of the things that often keep people apart, at 14400 Northwest Freeway just off US Highway 290 in Houston, Texas, Jesus Christ brings people together under one roof. Houston First Church of God, Houston Primera Iglesia de Dios, and Arabic Christian Church offer weekly ministries separately in English, Spanish, and Arabic, but each of these Church of God congregations come together for different purposes throughout the year. One recent example of such unity took place in early October when the three churches gathered at the table for their annual “International Feast.” Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Central, Give Life

Tagged Arabic, Arabic Christian Church, bilingual, community, cross-cultural, culture, David Rivera, Don Bergstrom, eat, eating, Egypt, Egyptian, English, ethnicity, food, Houston, Houston First Church of God, Huber Maxwell, hurricane, International Feast, Jesus Is the Subject, language, languages, Middle-Eastern, Mounuir Soliman, multi-ethnic, multicultural, partnership, potluck, Primera Iglesia de Dios, race, Sarah Mathewes, Spanish, Texas, Tim Gould, translate, translation, TX, unity, WY, Wyoming

Pastors Partner to Plant Urban Church, Reach Diverse Demographic

Posted on August 12, 2019 by chogministries | Comments Off

Josh Wagner (left); Keith Spencer (right).

By Carl Stagner

Two are better than one, especially when it comes to church planting. Perhaps nowhere is this more abundantly clear than at United City Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Josh Wagner and Keith Spencer share the pastoral responsibility. Yes, one pastor is white and one is black, and this is intentional—they’ve set out to be a diverse congregation; leadership must reflect the congregation they want to be. But it’s not a forced partnership. A common mission binds the dynamic duo, and they don’t just love each other with the love of Christ—they like each other! By learning each other’s strengths, passions, and gifts, they’ve discovered how to maximize their unusual but effective leadership for the glory of God and the betterment of their city. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God

Tagged Anderson University Chorale, Ann Brandon, Camp Warren, church multiplication, church plant, church planter, church planters, church planting, dechurched, demographics, diverse, diversity, friendship, IL, Illinois, IN, Indiana, Indiana Ministries, Indianapolis, Josh Wagner, Keith Spencer, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multiethnic, multiplication, Nonni Wagner, partnership, serve groups, social groups, soul groups, team, unchurched, United City Church, unity

Louisiana Church Planter: “The Struggle is Real”

Posted on August 6, 2019 by chogministries | Comments Off

Stephen Nelson at Awaken’s Easter Egg Dash and cupcake giveaway.

By Carl Stagner

Church planting is not for the faint of heart. Attendance ups and downs are normal. Emotional peaks and valleys come standard. Starts and stops are rocky, and twists and turns are plentiful. It’s a roller coaster of an experience and, as Stephen Nelson of Awaken Church, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, explains, “The struggle is real…but God is faithful!” With candor and confidence, Stephen opens up a window to the challenging but life-changing world of church planting as he’s experienced it over the past few years. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Southeast

Tagged Arkansas, Awaken Church, barriers, candor, challenges, church growth, church multiplicatoin, church plant, church planter, church planting, college ministry, community outreach, evangelism, growth, healthy churches, healthy growth, LA, learning curve, learning experience, lessons, Louisiana, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multiplication, Natchitoches, parachute plant, Shelly Nelson, slow growth, Stephen Nelson, testimony, the struggle is real, Tom Planck

Rejuvenating the Church of God in New England

Posted on December 17, 2018 by chogministries | Comments Off

Peace Dale Church of God (Rhode Island) elders in fellowship.

By Angela Sagesse

The Church of God in New England consists of ten congregations dispersed between Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. All six states that comprise “New England” consistently are ranked within the top ten of the nation for having the lowest church attendance, thus making this the least-churched area of the country. Yet, the New England Church of God is wanting to turn that around! Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Northeast

Tagged Angela Sagesse, diversity, mission, multi-ethnic, multicultural, New England, Northeast, northeastern, Peace Dale, Peace Dale Church of God, region, regional, regional ministry, rejuvenation, revitalize, Rhode Island, RI, state ministries, turnaround, unity, update, vision

A Multicultural Colorado Church’s Bivocational Advantage

Posted on June 28, 2018 by chogministries | Comments Off

The congregation at their centennial in 2017.

By Carl Stagner

In August 2008, Bobby Washington returned as senior pastor to East Denver Church of God in Denver, Colorado, along with his wife Regina. In the mid-1990s, they’d given pastoral leadership to the youth ministry there, soon after graduating from Mid-America. It’s not been easy doing ministry in the heart of the city, but it’s been a tremendous blessing. It’s also not been easy being bivocational, but they’ve found the payoff to be both eternally rewarding and incredibly practical. Meanwhile, the church continues to reach across the cultural spectrum, with flexibility otherwise unavailable if Pastor Bobby had insisted on a full-time position. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Give Life, Western

Tagged Affordable Computer Solutions, bi-vocational, bivocational, Bobby Washington, CO, Colorado, community, computer, Denver, diversity, East Denver Church of God, food bank, food distribution, Godside Ministries, IT, life skills, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multiethnic, outreach, racial reconciliation, Regina Washington, unity

All About Jesus in Alaska: Palmer Pastor Celebrates Unity, Mission

Posted on June 13, 2018 by chogministries | Comments Off

Nora and J. R. Stepp in scenic Alaska.

By Carl Stagner

One year has passed since J. R. Stepp became the first black pastor of a predominantly white congregation in Palmer, Alaska. But to Palmer Church of God and Pastor J. R., it’s really no big deal. While they certainly acknowledge the effective witness of multicultural ministry, they’re most concerned about the advancement of the kingdom. Simply put, they’re too busy preaching the gospel in word and action to spend time thinking about their unique situation. As the Spirit convicts and compels the Church of God movement to reconciliation and greater unity, Palmer Church of God offers a glimpse of what it looks like when Jesus is truly the subject. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Give Life, Western

Tagged AK, Alaska, community, ethnicity, J. R. Stepp, Jesus Is the Subject, Jim Lyon, Leonora Stepp, love, missional, multi-ethnic, multicultural, Nora, Northwest, outreach, Palmer, Phoenix Regional Convention, race, racial reconciliation, unity

The Clerical Collar-Wearing Pastor Who Planted a Church at Age 77

Posted on May 14, 2018 by chogministries | Comments Off

Pastor Dick Ogle

By Carl Stagner

Dick Ogle’s preferred daily dress is clerical attire—characteristic among some denominations, but certainly not common in the Church of God. Funerals are one of his primary methods of outreach—unusual, but surprisingly potent. Perhaps the most unconventional thing about this eighty-eight-year-old pastor is that he came out of retirement at age seventy-seven to plant a church in Hoisington, Kansas. Today, First Street Church of God is a healthy, growing, multi-ethnic congregation that proclaims the gospel with boldness, and sings straight out of the hymnal. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Central, Give Life

Tagged age, Chaplain, choir, church planting, clerical attire, clerical collar, community, creativity, Dick Ogle, diversity, First Street Church of God, funerals, Hoisington, hymns, Kansas, KS, multi-ethnic, multicultural, outreach, prison ministry, retired, retirement, Richard Ogle, senior, traditional, unconventional

Gathering Connects, Trains Young Leaders Across Europe, Middle East

Posted on June 1, 2017 by chogministries | Comments Off

Photo: Multinational prayer at the gathering.

By Carl Stagner

Across much of Europe and the Middle East, evangelical Christians compose only 0.25 to 4 percent of the population. While young Christians in North American have been given the opportunity to experience worship and fellowship with thousands of other believers—such as IYC—many Christians across European and Middle Eastern countries have never been in the same room with more than a dozen young adults who share their faith. The presence, support, and comradery of other believers is often a breath of fresh air among those for whom isolation is the norm. The second gathering of the Three Worlds Leadership Network commenced in beautiful Switzerland in early May this year, bringing with it that much-needed breath of fresh air. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Global Strategy

Tagged 3W, 3W Leadership Network, 3WLN, Audrey Langford, Christy Kihm, community, cross-cultural, Daniele Santonocito, Europe and the Middle East, Europe-Middle East, gathering, Global Strategy, Greg Weins, international, Joe Webb, Ken Oldham, Matt Anderson, Missionaries, missions, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multinational, Switzerland, Three Worlds, unity, young adults

ONE Gives Students Glimpse of Heaven, Desire to Change the World Together

Posted on April 27, 2017 by chogministries | Comments Off

By Carl Stagner

Some had likely never worshiped in Spanish before. Others had probably never experienced firsthand the high-octane energy of urban gospel. History suggests that few had likely ever been in a setting where three cultures converged in the name of Christ. But that’s exactly what happened at the first-ever ONE event, which took place at Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 21 and 22. The result was a glimpse of heaven and a renewed desire to change the world together. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Youth Ministries

Tagged Adam Rentas, Andy Stephenson, CATC, Church at the Crossing, community service, Concilio Hispano, convention, diversity, Gleaner's Food Bank, high school, Hispanic Council, Humberto Mena, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, International Youth Convention, IYC, Kevin Earley, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multiethnic, National Inspirational Youth Convention, NIYC, ONE Event, Ramon Rivera, students, teenagers, teens, Tim Quainoo, unity, worship, youth

Mississippi Church Adapts to Cultural Shift to Reach Community

Posted on April 26, 2017 by chogministries | Comments Off

Photo: Pastor Trey locks hands and hearts with basketball ministry youth.

By Carl Stagner

The culture of your community has shifted over the past five, ten, perhaps twenty years. The shift may have been gradual, but somehow you feel blindsided. Your church probably has three choices: adapt with the culture, relocate to another culture, or continue a futile fight against it. Adapting to the culture doesn’t mean changing the message or compromising principles; only the methods change when Jesus is the subject. Crossroads of Life Church of God in Byram, Mississippi, had to make a decision as they watched their community’s culture shift dramatically, largely over the past decade alone. But they’ve chosen to stay put, and they’re certainly glad they did. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Southeast

Tagged basketball, Byram, change, community, cross-cultural, demographics, diversity, family, gym, Jesus Is the Subject, leadership, Mississippi, MS, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multiethnic, outreach, sports, Trey Hammond, unity, visitors, welcome

Youth to Participate in Historic Unity Event this April

Posted on February 9, 2017 by chogministries | Comments Off

By Carl Stagner

It’s at the core of who we are. We preach about it. We sing about it. We read books about it by pioneers of our movement. But we don’t have a flawless record of living it out. The perfect love which unites us all in Jesus must translate to how we function as individual churches and as a movement. A new generation is rising up in the Church of God less connected to “the way we’ve always done it.” They are challenging the status quo; they are daring to do things differently. They’re setting the example for the rest of us as they come together in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 21–22 to worship under one roof. No, it’s not the International Youth Convention. No, it’s not NIYC. And no, it’s also not a youth convention of the Concilio Hispano. It’s ONE gathering, hosted by all three groups, that your church’s youth group won’t want to miss. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Youth Ministries

Tagged Andy Stephenson, CHOGY, Church at the Crossing, Concilio Hispano, conference, convention, functional unity, high school, Hispanic Council, Indiana, Indianapolis, IYC, Kevin Earley, middle school, multi-ethnic, multicultural, NIYC, ONE Event, Ramon Rivera, relational connectivity, student ministries, students, together, unity, youth, youth ministries

A United Church for a Divided World: An Illinois Snapshot

Posted on November 18, 2016 by chogministries | Comments Off

gatheringplace_il_marriageretreat_forweb

Photo: Gathering Place Church of God marriage retreat.

By Carl Stagner

Remember that slogan? “A United Church for a Divided World.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to be just a slogan, and it doesn’t have to only represent a theme of days gone by. For The Gathering Place Church of God in Fairview Heights, Illinois, it represents present reality. They’re the product of two churches coming together; that is, a predominantly black church and a predominantly white church. While the rest of the world is busy arguing over this, that, and the other, this unified church across the Mississippi River from St. Louis is preoccupied with communicating Jesus to a lost and hurting community. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Central, Great Lakes

Tagged Eric Livingston, ethnic, Fairview Heights, Frederick Wright, functional unity, Gathering Place Church of God, Illinois, Jesus Is the Subject, merge, merger, multi-ethnic, multicultural, race, racial unity

Neighboring Churches Partner to Host Town Hall on Racial Unity

Posted on August 3, 2016 by chogministries | Comments Off

First_TallmadgeOH_RacialUnityEvent_hosts_FORWEB

Photo: Pastor Bryndon Glass and Pastor Josh Deeter

By Carl Stagner

It’s been on the news. It’s all over social media. People are talking about it. Matters related to race are once again hot-button across the country, whether or not we want to admit it. Lives have been forever altered on all sides of the issue. The headlines elicit disgust, disbelief, painful sorrow, and sheer outrage. The pundits and politicians are quick to air their opinions, but we the church know that the wisdom and solutions for such a complex subject can only come from above. After the tragic events unfolded in Minnesota, Louisiana, and Texas over the first week of July, Pastor Josh Deeter of First Church of God in Tallmadge, Ohio, knew the church could not stay silent. By the end of the month, this resolve culminated in an event at the church that brought together a predominantly white church, a predominantly black church, and the community. Continue reading →

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Posted in All Church of God, Great Lakes

Tagged Bryndon Glass, community, First Church of God, forum, Josh Deeter, multi-ethnic, multicultural, Ohio, race relations, racial unity, racism, Reconciliation, SPAN Ministries, Tallmadge, Town Hall

Tag Archives: multi-ethnic

Restored and Resolute: Pastor’s Painful Past Redeemed for Purpose, Promise

English + Spanish + Arabic = 3 Congregations Under 1 Roof

Louisiana Church Planter: “The Struggle is Real”

Rejuvenating the Church of God in New England

A Multicultural Colorado Church’s Bivocational Advantage

All About Jesus in Alaska: Palmer Pastor Celebrates Unity, Mission

The Clerical Collar-Wearing Pastor Who Planted a Church at Age 77

Gathering Connects, Trains Young Leaders Across Europe, Middle East

ONE Gives Students Glimpse of Heaven, Desire to Change the World Together

Mississippi Church Adapts to Cultural Shift to Reach Community

Youth to Participate in Historic Unity Event this April

A United Church for a Divided World: An Illinois Snapshot

Neighboring Churches Partner to Host Town Hall on Racial Unity

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