Two weeks ago I went to a theme park in Orlando with my spiritual son Paul, who was visiting me for my birthday. We went to SeaWorld to enjoy Manta, a roller coaster that restrains riders face down while jerking them around at 56 miles an hour. I was ready for the ride of my life, but then I did something really, really stupid.

You may think my 10-year-old son is moderately tone-deaf when you listen to him sing, but he only rivals his father in our household when it comes to being a music lover. His interests are not broad, but laser-focused on one genre: Christian rap.

August 2, 2016–Cleveland, TN—Just ten days after they were confirmed at the July 22 International General Assembly business session in Nashville, the newly-elected members of the 2016-2020 Church of God International Executive Committee gathered for their first formal meeting as a leadership body.

The 2016-2020 Executive Committee gathers for their first formal session on August 1, 2016. From left: Tim Hill, John Childers, David Ramirez, Raymond Culpepper, J. David Stephens (click on photo to enlarge).

Four of the five Committee members were newly-elected last month. They are General Overseer Tim Hill, First Assistant General Overseer Raymond Culpepper, Third Assistant David Ramirez, and Secretary General John Childers. J. David Stephens was returned for a second four year term at second assistant general overseer. Hill and Culpepper have both served on previous Committees. Hill was secretary general (2004-2008) and first assistant (2008-2012), while Culpepper was general overseer from 2008-2012. This is Culpepper’s second stint as first assistant having served previously from 2004-2008. Ramirez and Childers are members of the executive committee for the first time. Ramirez is the first Hispanic to be elected to the Church of God’s highest leadership body.

The Committee met on Monday, August 1 and worked into the evening hours through an agenda of items under the leadership of General Overseer Hill.

While not meeting in formal session until yesterday, the Committee has had numerous informal gatherings over the last two weeks in regards to decisions involving portfolios, personnel, office locations, and Covenant Teams. The assistant general overseers and secretary general each lead a Covenant Team consisting of a group of state/regional overseers for whom they advocate. In addition, each member is assigned divisions of departments/ministries at the International Offices for which they serve as liaison. Portfolio assignments include Raymond Culpepper: Care Ministries, Ministerial Advocate; Stephens: World Evangelization; Ramirez: Education; and Childers: Support Services, Communications and Discipleship.

On the Cleveland, Tennessee campus, Hill and Culpepper have offices in the Leadership and Communications Center, Ramirez is located in the Discipleship and Education building, while Stephens and Childers have office suites in the World Evangelization Center.

The International Executive Committee convenes at least once a month in the Leadership and Communications Center. The International Executive Council, of which the Executive Committee is part, meets three times a year. The first meeting is scheduled for September 27-30, 2016 in the Executive Council chambers.

Amid recent flooding and landslides in Myanmar, workers supported by Gospel for Asia (GFA) evacuated many villagers to higher ground and safety using the organization’s Galilee Boat. GFA-supported workers also provided villagers with relief items, including rice and water.

As I write, I am finishing up the first on-campus installment of a D.Min. (Doctor of Ministry) program at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky.

The well-known verse in Romans 10:8-10 says that all who believe with their hearts and confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead shall be saved. It seems fairly easy for us to trust that when we say this prayer and receive Jesus, we have eternal life in Him. And this is for ALL who believe!

August 1, 2016–Cleveland, TN—Lee University President Dr. Paul Conn has completed an historic 30 years as its president. Conn was appointed by the Church of God Executive Committee on August 1, 1986 to serve as the school’s 18th president. He has served more than any previous leader, the closest being his father, Charles W. Conn, who led the school from 1970-1982.

As the culture wars continue across the United States, a leading Australian public relations specialist who deals with churches and faith-based organizations across the world has urged American churches not to be afraid to speak out about their values.

More than 10 million people now turn to the Digital Bible page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DigitalBible) for their source of daily Bible encouragement. The page that is operated by United Bible Societies combines Scripture verses on the major themes of the Bible with captivating visual imagery. Twelve volunteers from every continent manage ministry aspects like personal prayer and counseling done through the site. The page was started in February 2009 by the Bible Society of New Zealand, but today encouraging Bible verses are posted in 5 languages: English, Afrikaans, French, German and Tagalog.