CGP General Overser Howard Awarded "Alumnus of the Year" Award by Church of God Theological Seminary

My Alma Mata, the Church of God Theological Seminary, has announced a very deserving Alumnus of the Year Award for 2008, Bishop Randall Howard, General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy. Although I knew of this ahead of time, now that it has been released, I am delighted to add my congratulations.

The ceremony took place Saturday, May 31, 2008 during the seminary's annual commencement ceremony.

Dr. Steve Land, Seminary President, said, "Bishop Howard is a man who is an example of a person who has prayed his head down into his heart."

Bishop Howard gave personal honor to many of the instructors who contributed to his education at the Seminary. He went on to share, "when I think of the alumni of the Theological Seminary all around the world, I have met them in Europe, I have met them in Asia, Indonesia, Latin America - it is a prestigious body of men and women who are out on the field doing miraculous things for God and for the Gospel. And so to arrive at this podium today is humbling and I feel undeserving. I think of Jesus' words in the Gospel of John, 'Man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven.' Surely in someway I represent that great body of ministry leaders that are flowing out of this Seminary that are doing a glorious work for the kingdom of God and for the Body of Christ."

Bishop Howard continued to say, "I do declare in testimony today that it was the Holy Spirit in these faculties, in this institution, and in the cause of this institution, that has helped to bring transformation to my life. I commend and recommend this Seminary with highest regards. Your passion to lift and center the banner of Pentecost has know placed ... this institution on the cutting edge of Heaven's activity today. The Spirit is falling from Heaven on every corner of the earth."

Dr. Dennis McGuire, General Overseer of the Church of God, various faculty and board members of the Church of God Theological Seminary, ministry leaders and support personnel from the Church of God of Prophecy International Offices and members of the Howard family, were in attendance.

http://www.cogts.edu/

Only 15% of Pastors Consider Missionary Outreach A Top Priority

Leaders of the Church of God Theological Seminary and World Missions teamed up this week to celebrate the annual Seminary Missions Week, turning the spotlight on the missions calling of the church.

"Our work is cut out for us," said Bill George, coordinator of education for World Missions. "A recent national survey of pastors indicated that only 15 percent of them considered missionary outreach to be one of the top priorities of the church. We believe the Bible gives it much higher precedence."

The weeklong observance, planned by Dr. Grant McClung of the seminary faculty and a committee from the school and the missions office, included a panel discussion in the Tuesday chapel service, a luncheon on Wednesday, and a preaching event in chapel Thursday. Displays depicting missions ministries remained up near the chapel throughout the week.

Roland Vaughan, general director of World Missions, spoke in the Thursday chapel on the subject, "Finishing the Great Commission." He told students and faculty that it now seems possible within the coming few years to ensure that the message of the gospel will have reached all people throughout the world. This would not have been doable until now, but advances in technology and people movement have made it possible, he said.

The Tuesday panel explored the dimensions of the church's mission and included a focus on local church outreach and foreign missions activity. Panelists were Carl Caffrey, pastor of evangelism and discipleship at Westmore Church of God; Kirk Walters, pastor of missions and discipleship at Mount Paran North church in Marietta, Georgia; Brenda Hughes of the Bradley Initiative for Church and Community; and Dan Howell of the Center for Spiritual Renewal.

A special missions project was the collection of books for a Bible institute in Mongolia. Two June graduates, Bayarjargal Gombosuren and his wife, Mendbayar Nansandorj, will return to their home country and set up the new training school.

Dr. Steven Land, president, hosted a luncheon of seminary and missions leaders and students from other countries who are studying at the school. "Our partnership with World Missions helps us keep a focus on the importance of having a world vision," he told the participants.

[Source: Church of God World Missions]

Dr. Kim Alexander Elected SPS President

At the 2008 annual meeting the Society for Pentecostal Studies, Dr. Kimberly Alexander, a professor at the Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee, was elected Second Vice President of the prestigious organization.

The election starts a succession of leadership beginning at next year's meeting where Dr. Alexander will become first vice president and program chair for the 2010 meeting. At the 2010 meeting she will become president and deliver the President's address at the 2011 meeting. From now until 2012 she will serve on the Executive Committee and have various responsibilities depending on her office. She has been serving as the Interest Group Leader for the History Interest Group.

Dr. Alexander currently serves as Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at the Church of God Theological Seminary.

Dr. Terry Cross, dean of the School of Religion at the Church of God's Lee University, just completed his year as president of SPS and delivered the president's address at the meeting held last month in Nashville.