Church of God Declares 2015 the ‘Year of the Missionary’
Church of God leaders, including all five members of the Executive Committee, gathered in the World Missions board room for the formal announcement of an intentional focus on Church of God missionaries.
Spanning now till its culmination at General Assembly 2016, the focus is entitled the “Year of the Missionary,” and will benefit the individuals, couples and families who are “career” missionaries representing the Church of God around the globe.
Director of Church of God World Missions, Tim Hill, addresses the gathering at the announcement of the ‘Year of the Missionary’ program.
“Missionaries are ‘sent ones,’ called by God and sent by local congregations,” stated World Missions General Director Tim Hill. “Their calling is to peoples or areas of the world, as well as to the people who team with them in prayerful and financial support.” Hill announced that the plan is part of the Marcelly’s Dream Initiative of Church of God World Missions.
“I am asking God’s people to believe with me for a major step forward on behalf of our Church of God career missionaries,” Hill continued. “It is time to say, like never before, to this special group of people, ‘We are with you.’ It is our desire to do so through intentional and focused actions directed at raising awareness, strengthening the bonds of appreciation, and expanding the attention and sustainability of our career missionaries ministry.”
Hill, who was joined by Assistant Director of World Missions John Childers, took the occasion to make a second announcement, the launching of a trust fund for missionaries.
“One of my dreams is to see the establishment of a million dollar missionary trust fund that will provide emergency assistance and holistic care in years to come.” Hill said. He called upon World Missions accounting manager Ken Blanton who handed Hill a check for $50,000 from the Marcelly’s Dream initiative as the first allocation to kick off the fund.
“I am overwhelmed by this presentation today,” stated General Overseer Mark Williams during the event. “The Year of the Missionary, as well as the establishment of this trust fund, demonstrates our desire to wrap our arms around those who have given themselves completely to winning souls to the kingdom.” Referring to Scripture, Williams praised career missionaries as those, “whose feet are made beautiful by the message they bear.”
Additional information about Church of God missionaries and The Year of the Missionary, can be found at cogwm.org.
Church of God World Missions has been the missionary-sending agency for the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, for more than 104 years. Church of God World Missions can be found in 180 countries and regions of the world serving others.
