By Jim Lyon
Embracing the gospel of the kingdom has often been reduced to a simple and straightforward decision—a climactic choice “to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.” To be “saved” (and persuade others to become so) has pervasively been the focused target of much of American Christianity. Sometimes, this ambition has emphasized “church membership,” baptism, or an “altar call” as the end game. Continue reading
Comments Off on Regional Conventions 2020: The Way of Jesus
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged California, Church of God Regional Convention, Indiana, Jim Lyon, New York, Regional Conventions 2020, regionals, The Way of Jesus
Worship at the Fairfax Regional 2018.
By Carl Stagner
Church of God pastors and laypeople who descended on Fairfax, Virginia, and Safety Harbor, Florida, in September were the last to experience the impact of the Church of God Regional Conventions this year. By no means, however, were they disappointed. They were, in fact, the first to hear featured speaker Kevin Earley and regional guest speaker Brad Lomenick. The tested strategies and insights of host pastor Rod Stafford were only available in Virginia, and the deeply personal dare to dream came only from host pastor Terry Rolen in Florida. Jo Anne Lyon and Jim Lyon spoke at all five Regionals, but instead of tired, overdone messages, they brought refined words, fresh with content, anecdotes, exhortations, and inspiration. After the third 2018 Regional, the events took a three-month hiatus. But based on the new life breathed into the Movement this September, it was a busy summer for the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
Comments Off on Fairfax, Safety Harbor Regionals Last but Not Least!
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged 2018, Bayside Community Church, Brad Lomenick, camp meeting, Campmeeting, Celebration Church, Columbia, Embrace Life, Fairfax, Fairfax Community Church, FL, Florida, Give Life, Hear Life, Jim Lyon, Jo Anne Lyon, Kevin Earley, Maryland, MD, NAC, Paul McAllister, Receive Life, regional conventions, regionals, Rod Stafford, Safety Harbor, Tampa, Terry Rolen, VA, Virginia
Pastor Kevin (far right) with his family.
By Carl Stagner
Much of the Movement knows Kevin Earley. He’s served as senior pastor for the past nine years at the church in Detroit founded by Dr. James Earl Massey. For the past three years, he’s served as the president of the National Inspirational Youth Convention (NIYC). He serves on the board of directors for Anderson University, and he authored the book Every-Member Ministry: Spiritual Gifts and God’s Design for Service, a valuable church resource published by Warner Press in 2013. But many may not know the story behind Kevin’s call to ministry and the journey that brought him to such positions of widespread influence in the Movement today. Continue reading
Comments Off on Kevin Earley: Aspiring Psychiatrist, Banker Becomes Pastor Instead
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged Anderson University School of Theology, call, calling, camp meeting, Campmeeting, CHOG Convention, community, Dad's ministry, Detroit, Fairfax, feature, FL, Florida, Kevin Earley, Life Fairfax, Life Safety Harbor, LifeFairfax, LifeSafetyHarbor, Metropolitan Church of God, MI, Michigan, outreach, personal, profile, Regional Church of God Convention, regional convention, regionals, Safety Harbor, school, speaker, VA, Virginia, vocational ministry
Fairfax Community Church baptism celebration.
By Carl Stagner
On September 18 and 19, Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Virginia, will host the fourth Church of God Regional Convention of the year. Though they look forward to this opportunity to welcome a cross-section of the Movement to their campus, their day-to-day ministry will not come to a halt. At any given moment, life-giving ministry is made possible somewhere in the world because of this congregation. Their work with refugees at home and abroad, the twenty churches they’ve planted or restarted across the globe, and their bold neighborhood-by-neighborhood reclamation in and around the nation’s capital, are only three of numerous areas of incredible impact. Convention-goers will be inspired to see and hear more of Fairfax’s story in person with their stellar staff, but a recent interview with Pastor Rod Stafford offers the entire Movement a glimpse of just how they give life to their city, state, country, and world. Continue reading
Comments Off on D.C.-Area Church to Host Fourth Regional Amid Incredible International Impact
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged 2018, CHOG Convention, Clarksburg, culture, D.C., District of Columbia, Fairfax, Fairfax Community Church, global, international, LifeFairfax, Maryland, MD, missional, missions, refugee, refugee crisis, regional convention, regionals, Rod Stafford, VA, Virginia, Washington
The fellowship at First Church on Tuesday was sweet.
By Carl Stagner
The first day of the Church of God Regional Convention in Columbus, Ohio, is now history, and the second day is now underway. Nearly five hundred people have enjoyed the numerous teaching sessions, electives, and meetings, as well as the incredible hospitality of First Church of God. Under the leadership of the praise team at First Church, convention-goers have experienced the presence of God in powerful ways—and neither the event, nor the Spirit’s active role, is over yet. As Day Two of the Regional Convention continues, many are still reflecting on the blessings of Day One. Continue reading
Comments Off on Columbus Convention Opening Day “Spirit-filled,” “Tremendous,” “Great!”
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged Ben Hardman, CARE, Church of God Convention, Columbus, fellowship, First Church of God, Gravity Leadership, hospitality, Jim Lyon, Joe Cookston, Kimberly Majeski, Life Columbus, LifeColumbus, OH, Ohio, regional convention, regionals, Spirit, Timothy Clarke, worship
Ben Hardman speaks at the Philadelphia Regional in 2016.
By Carl Stagner
“I have always believed everyone needs a Paul to pour into you, a Timothy to pour into, and a Barnabas to encourage you.” Ben Hardman’s words come from personal experience. Returning to the Regional Conventions this year—all five of them—the featured speaker hasn’t always lived up to this aspiration. He knows how difficult it is to lead well, make disciples in a 21st-century culture, and balance the needs of self and family. But out of his struggles, he’s celebrated numerous successes and gained a wealth of insights on the ground. The co-founder of Gravity Leadership and host of the leadership training workshop “Making Disciples in the Way of Jesus” at each Regional Convention 2018, Ben’s unique combination of life experiences has captured the attention of Church of God pastors across the country. Continue reading
Comments Off on Heart of a Shepherd: Convention 2018 Speaker Pours into Pastors, Leaders
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged Arizona, AZ, balance, Ben Hardman, camp meeting, Campmeeting, CHOG Conventions 2018, Columbus, conference, discipleship, Fairfax, FL, Florida, Gravity Leadership, leadership development, life, making disciples, methods, ministry calling, mission, missional, OH, Ohio, OK, OKC, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Regional Conventions 2018, regionals, Safety Harbor, shepherd, shepherding, Susan Hardman, training, VA, Virginia
Don Wilson
By Carl Stagner
Four families composed Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) when it began in 1982. It didn’t take long, however, for the church plant to outgrow the pastor’s Phoenix-area house, and numerous temporary sanctuaries in the years since. A movie theater, strip mall, school, and a giant tent were among the gathering places of CCV attendees until they were so numerous that one location couldn’t contain the crowds or their enthusiasm to take the gospel across the whole metropolitan area. In 2017, Don Wilson accepted his new divine assignment to channel what he’s learned to help other local churches and pastors thrive. Now the chance to hear from Don is available to the Church of God, an upcoming opportunity you won’t want to miss. Continue reading
Comments Off on Influential Phoenix Church Founder Brings Fresh Perspective to First Two Regionals
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention
Tagged Arizona, AZ, CCV, CHOG Convention, Christ's Church of the Valley, Don Wilson, OKC, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, regional conventions, regionals, speaker
By Carl Stagner
Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Columbus, and Fairfax. The Regional Convention makes a stop at these four locations before it ever gets to Safety Harbor, Florida. But the event in Safety Harbor will be no afterthought; neither will be the opportunity to hear from the Lord through his servant Terry Rolen. The lead pastor of Bayside Community Church looks forward to hosting the grand finale Regional Convention next year, September 25–26. While much of the movement won’t wait until then to receive, hear, and embrace all God has for them through next year’s Regional Conventions, those who do—and those who choose to visit more than one location—won’t be disappointed. Continue reading
Comments Off on The Last Shall Be First to Hear Convention 2018 Speaker Terry Rolen
Posted in All Church of God, Church of God Convention, Southeast
Tagged 2018, Bayside Church, Bayside Community Church, camp meeting, Campmeeting, Church of God Convention, FL, Florida, host church, Life 2018, ministerial calling, pastor, profile, regional convention, regionals, Safety Harbor, Terry Rolen
