By Dr. Bob Crick

I know all of you have been praying for Dr. John Nichols, CEO of The Lazarus Foundation, and previous Care Ministries Division Executive Director. A better way to identify Dr. Nichols is as the “grandfather” of our Church of God Care Ministries. Care pulsates throughout his mind and heart; and his call to touch a world in need has powerfully impacted the Church.

The Church of God International Offices continues to monitor updates from all affected regions of Hurricane Gustave. Operation Compassion has moved into the region to assist in the relief effort and has offered the following updates:

By J. Lee Grady

When I began making regular ministry trips to Nigeria a few years ago I learned that a peculiar Nigerian minister named T.B. Joshua was causing quite a stir in that country.

For years religious leaders have debated the strategies for effectively preparing seminary students for ministry. Even though congregational (or clinical) work in pastoral ministry is widely regarded as invaluable to pastoral formation, academic study and established curricula remain the primary context for thinking about the teaching and learning of ministry.

Early last week when Hurricane Gustav came to life in the Caribbean few people paid any attention to what would quickly develop into a killer storm. Even as a tropical Storm, Gustav packed a horrible punch that devastated life and property in the Caribbean. As Gustav made landfall on the island of Hispaniola, it was evident that Haiti was going to have to deal with the ferocity of another sizeable storm.

The American Bible Society is pleased to announce the release of The Amazing Bible Factbook for Kids, its latest title for young readers. A respected worldwide distributor of Bibles, the American Bible Society has developed a comprehensive Bible resource for kids that parents, grandparents, and teachers can trust.

Delegates have begun arriving in San Antonio, Texas for the 72nd Church of God International General Assembly. This is the fifth time the bi-ennial event has been located in the city of the famous Alamo.

Rev. W. David Lanier

Rev. William David Lanier, former state overseer and church leader, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2008 in Cleveland, Tenn.

People line up outside of ADC for distribution

Several weeks ago, Make-A-Wish Foundation contacted Operation Compassion about fulfilling a wish for Marisa Monbrod whose leukemia was in remission.