Delegates began arriving in the city of San Antonio, Texas days before the Monday, August 4 evening opening service of the 72nd Church of God International General Assembly. Hundreds were involved in transforming the Alamodome into a business and worship venue, while across I-35 in the Gonzales Convention Center, even more were erecting exhibits, preparing rooms for special events, placing signage and preparing for hundreds of teenagers to compete in Teen Talent.

On July 2, Jack Nkandu (Zambia), Ephraim Fotso (Cameroon), and I left Yaoundé for the Equatorial Guinea border to meet with the pastors from that area. Since the driver wanted to reach the city before night, he made use of the excellent road and drove faster than he should have.

POWDER SPRINGS, Georgia – Trinity Chapel in Powder Springs, Georgia will conduct two 25th Anniversary Celebration Services on Sunday, September 7th at 9:00 am and 11:15 am. The theme for September 7th will be “Celebrating 25 Years: Leaving a Legacy of Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness.”

Dr. Bryan Cutshall announces a conference in Cleveland, Tennessee at the T. L. Lowery Ministry Center on September 27th, 2008 entitled “Leading While Bleeding.” All Pastors and Ministry leaders in any area of ministry are encouraged to attend this conference.

By Stephen Strang, publisher, Charisma

On August 16, the same day that Michael Phelps set a world record at the Olympics by winning his eighth gold medal, Sen. John McCain went for gold at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., while Pastor Rick Warren set his own world record.

Jamaican Chaplaincy training group

On June 23-27, 2008, Bethel Bible College hosted its first Chaplaincy training program in the history of the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica, with an overwhelming response of sixty seven delegates (67).

Pastor Harold Bare and Laila needed time away. Good things are happening, but distance affords reflection, rest, prayer, and perspective. Not having been to the Northwest of the United States they chose this location. In speaking with Bishop Baker of Virginia they shared their desire to meet and encourage some pastors as they traveled.

“Walking in the Spirit…Together” was the theme for the highly anticipated Thursday night World Missions service. The service kicked off with national workers and missionaries carrying the flags of the world in the Parade of Nations. Special music and inspirational videos were incorporated into the service to generate an appeal for career missionaries.

The Don Moen Company has announced the acquisition of MediaComplete, publisher of MediaShout, the market leader in media presentation software for the Church.