Cleveland, TN–The upcoming 2019 Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) Commissioning Celebration marks a special time in the history of MIP as the celebration will feature the 40th Anniversary. The services will be conducted at the North Cleveland Church of God on May 17 and 18, 2019.
In the past forty years, more than 25,000 candidates and spouses have completed the MIP, and more than 7,000 pastors have served as supervising pastors throughout the world.
The idea for MIP was birthed by Dr. Robert E. Fisher while he was the administrative bishop in Hawaii between 1967-1974. It was further developed during his tenure as administrative bishop in Delmarva-DC, and was launched as an official program from the International Offices in 1978 under the Department of General Education.
Current Secretary General of the Church of God, Dr. John Childers, is a graduate of the MIP, as well as Larry Hasmalati, Vaughn Matthews, and Tommy Powell, who are administrative bishops with the Church of God. Former directors of MIP include Dr. James D. Jenkins, Dr. H. Lynn Stone, and Dr. Larry G. Hess. The MIP is currently coordinated internationally by Dr. Dwain Pyeatt and in the United States by Dr. Donald G. Bennett within the Church of God Division of Education.
In this year’s MIP Commissioning Celebration, General Overseer Dr. Tim Hill will preach on Saturday morning, May 18 and lead in the Commissioning of the MIP candidates and spouses. Dr. Michael Reynolds, director of Ministerial Development, will preach on Friday evening, May 17.
For more information about the MIP Commissioning Celebration, go to https://cogmip.org.