Prayer Group Visits International Offices
Cleveland, TN–March 7, 2017—A group of 32 people from five states spent the day in southeast Tennessee, remembering and praying over the ministries of the Church of God.
The “Agree 17 Prayer Campaign” was led by Church of God Prayer Coordinator Doug Small. The day-long event was sub-titled, “It all started with a prayer meeting,” referring to the August 19, 1886 gathering of a handful of believers at the Barney Creek Meeting House, about 100 miles from Cleveland, and regarded by church historians as the birthplace of the Church of God.
The primary purpose of the campaign was to demonstrate a deliberate emphasis upon prayer for the personnel who lead the Church of God International Offices on a daily basis. Headquarters for the Church of God have been located in Cleveland, Tennessee since 1906, while other ministries, which began in later years, also maintain offices in the Southeast Tennessee city. Those include Pathway Press, Lee University, Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and numerous other ministries with roots in the Church of God.
The delegation began their day with a guided tour on the International Offices campus, which includes the World Evangelization Center, Discipleship and Education Center, and Leadership and Communications. After gathering back at the World Evangelization Center, the prayer group received instructions on specific prayer emphases and disbursed back across campus. They met and prayed with personnel for over an hour in their workspaces.
General Overseer Tim Hill, left, accepts a letter of affirmation from Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland.
At 11:00 a.m. the on-campus event concluded with special introductions and prayer for the City of Cleveland. Guest of honor for the ceremony was Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland, who has been in office since 1991 and is the city’s longest tenured mayor.
“The impact of the Church of God is definitely felt in this city,” Rowland stated at the ceremony. “You (Church of God) bring economic blessings, but the greatest contribution is the presence of the Holy Spirit anointing men and women who go from this place and follow our Lord’s Great Commission.”
“Through the years the Church of God has exhibited a powerful presence that gives comfort and inspiration to our citizenry,” Mayor Rowland continued. “Your faithfulness has not wavered in over a century and it is my prayer and pledge that our great partnership continue for centuries to come.”
The group gathering at the 11:00 am ceremony included International Offices employees and all five members of the Executive Committee. General Overseer Tim Hill greeted the audience and made a special presentation to the mayor. First Assistant General Overseer Raymond Culpepper introduced the mayor, while Third Assistant General Overseer David Ramirez prayed a prayer of dedication between the city of Cleveland and the Church of God.
Mayor Rowland concluded his remarks by saying, “To God be the glory, for we know who holds the future for both the City of Cleveland and the great Church of God.”
