The World According To Chris Brewer

From now until Sunday, the Church of God of Prophecy is broadcasting their 95th General Assembly online and the quality is excellent. Kudos to the tech team there for providing a television-quality cast with great audio and excellent video. Only thing I’m not a fan of is their lower thirds…too rainbowish.

The Assembly is live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN and can be viewed at this link.

Enjoy the webcast and keep the COGOP in prayer as they conduct business at this Assembly.

Trying to get this confirmed, but I have just received an email from a friend formerly in leadership at their local COGOP congregation that Palma Hutchinson, longtime International Youth Ministry coordinator at COGOP Headquarters, is on her way out:

Dear Friends:

Warmest greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.

I’m writing to inform you that a new International Director for Youth Ministries will be appointed at the upcoming Assembly. Bishop Howard feels that the time has come for a change in youth leadership and will appoint a new director in August.

What an incredible journey the past ten years have been! I’m so humbled by what God has done in my life. Everything about my Christian journey has been miraculous—my conversion, my call to ministry and the opportunities God has given me for ministry. From those very first tentative steps into ministry God put a deep passion in my heart for young people. He’s gifted me with the ability to engage, build relationships and share the Gospel of Love with young people all over the world. I’ve seen the Lord saved, delivered and poured out His Spirit upon thousands of young people from all language, culture, ethnicity and religious background.

What can I say about my life with you—you who are in the trenches day after day reaching, loving and teaching young people. I honor you. You work so hard—in many cases without resources or much help. But you press on because you also share my passion to see young people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless you and give you a great harvest of young souls.

It has been my pleasure to serve you. Just praying for you everyday has been a great joy in my life. There’s so much more yet to be done. I hope and pray that the next leader will run faster and harder to take youth ministry into the 21st century for the glory of God. I’m sure the Lord will bless him or her to take ministry to youth in the Church of God of Prophecy to greater and greater heights. The best is yet to come!

I don’t know what the Lord has in store for the next chapter on my journey with Him. I’m praying and listening to hear what’s next. I’ll let you know where I end up. In the meantime, if I can help in anyway in the future, please never hesitate to call on me.

Always making a beeline to Jesus!

Palma

If this is legit, congratulations and thanks to Palma for serving and may the Lord bless her in the next stage of ministry in her life. My personal opinion though, is that this move is overdue, and COGOP has needed a fresh face in youth ministries for awhile — particularly one who will focus on ministries for young adults as well. Palma had a great heart for the youth and that was evident — but what was also evident was the lack of execution of many ideas.

My vote for the next YM director goes to Kirk Rising of North Carolina. Watch it happen.

And at any rate, let’s continue to pray for the leadership of the COGOP, that they make wise decisions in their upcoming Assembly as far as polity and appointments go. This could be a major year that the church moves forward and I pray it happens for the membership’s sake.

I received word ten minutes ago that Dave Cabales passed away at 11:05 Wednesday night, August 22, 2007.

Please pray for the Cabales family, as I’m sure you all have over the past few days. Pray for peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Dave has now had the ultimate healing, as he has gone home to be with the Lord. I’m sure going to miss hearing him play his trumpet at State Convention, and watching him illustrate his sermons on canvas as he preached them, bringing them to life.

Man, this is difficult news to take.

Update: A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 1 at 2:30 pm at Westminster Chapel, 13646 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA 98005. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the building project of Kirkland Family Church, 10489 NE 52nd St, Kirkland, WA 98033.

NOTE: We had over 800 people check out the liveblog this weekend. At any given moment, 12 people were viewing the blog. Thanks for checking it out, it was a ton of fun.

Over the days of August 17-19, over 400 people from all across Washington State descended upon the Red Lion Columbia Center Hotel for an awesome weekend of worship, the Word and all the necessary business that made up the 68th Annual Washington COGOP State Convention.

Heritage Ministries Director and Fields of the Wood Representative, Wayne Hall, was the General Headquarters delegate to the convention and really did a nice job preaching to a crowd of over 350 on Friday night. His theme was “Go Into Your Prayer Closet,” and he spoke on the importance of private prayer with the Lord.

Saturday was the only full day of the convention, and the morning session saw nearly 300-350 people at its highest point. Reports were read by various ministry directors, including men’s ministries, women’s ministries and camps. Then Bishop Don Knoblich, Washington state Overseer, gave a great sermon on how everyone is a vital worker in the harvest for Jesus, regardless of their abilities, age, nationality, etc. He asked the membership of each church to “be their pastor’s Force, not his Field.”

After the morning session adjourned, people prepared for the afternoon sessions. I wasn’t there for those but reports I heard was that Bishop K taught a great class on why membership in the church is important, and New Horizons Pastor Frank Smith taught one on why stewardship is important for church leadership.

The Saturday evening sessions are usually the most anticipated of the entire convention, and this one didn’t disappoint. Well over 400 people (some accounts say we may have very well tipped the scale at 500) were in attendance for a wonderful service led by State Youth Director Shelly Symonds.

The worship was inspired and blessed. Sumner’s youth group did an interpretive dance to a song titled “Who Can Stand Before the Lord” and it was great. In a very timely sermon, Shelly implored our youth to get involved in their churches, and the elders of the church to reach out to the youth. When she asked everyone under the age of 30 who wanted a blessing to stand in the front of the convention for prayer, over half the attendees to the service that night responded. We were then led in a powerful time of prayer in which one person under the age of 30 was paired up with someone over the age of 30 to pray for them.

Personally, for me the prayer time was amazing. Paul Symonds, Sherry Johnson and Chris Knoblich all prayed with me during the altar call. It was great especially with me moving out in a week, that these three prayed for my peace of mind, safety on my trip and for God to open doors before I even arrive in Springfield. Sherry told me a word from the Lord, and it was basically for me to have peace of mind and go forth with boldness because I have turned back to God’s will, and He will open the doors for me.

After the youth service, we heard from Spanish Field Secretary Samuel Munoz and Ethiopian Overseer Fekadu Ayele. These men are great men of God who are doing a great work in their respective congregations.

The youth Afterglow followed the service, and we watched some videos created by each youth group. Some were funny, one was serious (New Horizons, again), and we also heard some good music by our young people.

Sunday morning was a great service as well as Bishop Hall issued a departing challenge for us, “The Three Keys of Successful Reaping.” We then had a prayer time, and afterward Bishop K announced the 2007-08 State appointments. A time of prayer followed that and then we adjourned for the weekend.

What a great Convention this was. Not only was it good to see everyone again, but it was great to see the Spirit move and hear from the Lord this weekend. Definitely a great end to a good summer for the COGOP, and also a great end to my time here in Washington COGOP before I move to Missouri.

(Refresh post for updates and photos throughout the weekend. A running photo gallery can be found here.)

Sunday, August 29
Morning Session

12:43 - It’s definitely been fun doing this liveblog and I’ve hoped you all enjoyed it. I’m gonna go up and pray with some folks, and hang out here in Tri-Cities for a bit. Tonight I will probably post a review. God bless and thanks for joining us today!!!

12:42 - Bishop and Sis. K are going to pray for the pastors and appointees.

Bishop K announces the convention is now closed.

12:38 - Of interest is the fact that Paul Arnold is of course still the pastor at Tri-Cities, but will be on leave for three months.

Prayer of consecration for all ministers.

12:36 - Check the WA COGOP website for Pastoral Appointments. I can’t type THAT fast.

12:32 - State Appointments are as follows:

Secretary to Overseer - Mary Knoblich
State treasurer - Dolores Huff
Spanish Field Secretary - Samuel Munoz
Cell Ministries - Allen Cabales
Sunday School/Heritage - Bill Elders
Women’s - Sherry Johnson
Youth - Shelly Symonds
Children’s/State Evangelist - Kelly Lane
Overseer’s Care Coordinator - Frank Smith
State Music Coordinator - Pam Murkerson
Youth Camp Coordinators - Bob & Donella Gaines
Sr. Camp - Shelly Symonds
Jr. Camp - Chris & Siu May Knoblich
Young Adult Camp - Bill & Cindy Davison
Pee Wee Camp - Kelly Lane
Men’s - Frank Smith
Adult Retreat - Don & Mary Knoblich
Seniors - Darlene Symonds
Stewardship Ministries - Mary Knoblich
Webmaster/Lamplighter - Rob Judd Jr.
CBL/Director of Evangelism - Don Knoblich

12:30 - Prayers once again for Dave Cabales. I personally implore everyone to keep praying for Dave and Kaye. Not seeing them at convention is a tough thing.

Bishop K saying that Dave Cabales will be stepping down from his longtime position as state music director, and thanking him for his years of service. Truly a changing of the guard to come.

Also thanking Sis. Betty Snodgrass for being here as well.

12:27 - Bishop K thanking everyone who was involved with the program. Still to come is the pastoral appointments.

12:23 - Bishop Hall has concluded his departing challenge with a message for us all to turn to the harvest and touch lives for Christ.

12:17 - Now standing for prayer as we will all join hands and pray.

12:10 - Preaching now about “Three Keys to Successful Reaping: Passion, Power and Performance.”

12:06 - Hi Mom.

12:02 - Getting ready for the Departing Challenge now. He’s giving some figures about population, etc.

11:58 - Talking about membership now. My mind wandered off and wondered what if we had a Roller Coaster at FOW that depicted COGOP history. It would start at 1903 then start climbing, then about 1980 or so it would do the freefall, and by 2007 would keep climbing again.

11:44 - He’s REALLY pumping up Fields of the Wood. The place in front of our table is becoming a traveled trafficway toward the door. People coming and going.

11:41 - Bishop Hall is promoting Heritage Ministries, formerly the Church of Prophecy Marker Association.

11:36 - Technical difficulties! Our team is right on it though, here we go.

11:33 - Bishop Hall is now addressing the Convention. “We must not forget our heritage.” Giving a short visual tour of Fields of the Wood. Sounds like a place I’d actually like to visit sometime.

11:25 - Bishop K is now introducing Bishop Hall, who will give the departing challenge. Turning the microphone over to Bishop Hall now.

11:19 - People still greeting the Knoblich’s. Wonderful worship with “There Is a Fountain.”

11:07 - In a massive show of support for the Knoblich’s, everyone from the convention are going up and giving their offering to plates set on the stage, then greeting them with hugs and words of support. KFC Worship Team is playing the offertory music.

10:59 - Carol has just pointed out that Bishop K was appointed to the North American General Presbyter Sam Clements’ advisory council.

10:50 - Worship was great! Songs included “Shout to the Lord” and “Sing Over Me.” Now Carol Dillard is giving the offertory and we may also be accepting in new members soon from what it sounds like.

10:28 - Worship time with KFC Church.

10:22 - Bishop K introduces his wife as “Sister Knoblich.” He’s definitely showing us that this convention is all business.

Sis. K is now pumping up Adult Retreat. Seems like we’re hearing from all the auxiliary ministries this morning.

Joel Senior has just pointed out to me that there is a caffeine injection station by the sound booth for all convention participants. Pastors have been among the first to receive the drug intravenously.

10:17 - Kelly Lane is pumping up Children’s Ministries. Her presentations are creative, but not nearly as wild as my dad’s when he was Children’s Ministry Director. I think my Dad smoked rocks before he got on stage. Kelly, just has a very vivid imagination.

10:02 - Children’s Ministries are now going to do a presentation.

9:54 - We are going to pray for the folks going on the Philippine mission trip. These guys are headed out in a few days.

9:44 - Lead usher, Pak Keung Wong, is handing out white envelopes for a love offering for the guest speaker Wayne Hall. He came by our booth and said “It’s a love offering for me,” with a huge grin on his face. I love Pak Keung.

9:43 - Sherry Johnson is pumping up Women’s Ministries and giving a Ladies’ Retreat report. 87 women attended this year.

9:39 - While we’re still waiting to get underway this morning, let me point out that there is an astounding number of people here with personal technology devices here…laptops, PDAs, etc. The presence of Wi-Fi at the hotel helps.

Now we’re getting underway…9:40 and Bishop K is speaking now.

9:32 - KFC Worship Team singing “I Will Sing a New Song.” They’ve been singing this for 5 minutes.

9:30 - KFC Worship Team still offering the musical prelude; we’re waiting for things to kick off here this morning. People still filing in — it’s really good to see how in every service we’ve had, the youth/young adults of the state are filling the front rows.

There are significantly fewer people this morning, as is usually the case. Many people leave early Sunday morning for whatever reason. The weather today may be playing into that as well, it’s dreary and rainy outside for the first time out of all the times I’ve been to the Tri-Cities.

9:21 - The Kirkland Family Church worship band is playing some wonderful modern renditions of old-school hymns. Got the guitars wailing, horns a-blowing and the guy on the piano is rocking. Drums kickin’, bass kickin’, it’s awesome. There will definitely be a meeting in the air and I want these guys to play my way to heaven.

9:17 - From all indications it looks like we may actually be starting at 9:30. People are still filing in as we speak.

9:07 AM - Welcome everybody to our last day here at the Washington COGOP State Convention. Yesterday was an amazing day of worship, the Word, and awesome fellowship — during the youth service we had over 400 attendees and one report said we closed in on the 500 mark. Praise God for that.

Today we are going to hear from either Bishop K or Bishop Hall, then we will hear a departing challenge and re-affirmations of pastoral and leadership appointments. I will post those at the time they are announced.

As far as traffic on the site over the weekend, we’ve had over 350 people each day viewing this site for updates on Convention. 43 already this morning…glad you all could be with us.

We are in the musical prelude right now and will begin within the next ten minutes.

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In a move to gain more visibility for my COGOP videos, I’ve started uploading videos to my YouTube channel. I’ll upload every video I shoot for church events to YouTube, since it’s easier to use than Brightcove and more people visit YouTube on a daily basis anyway.

The first video I’ve uploaded is a quick montage of the GenArise youth and young adult groups helping clean up Elizabeth Park in Washougal, in late April. Enjoy!

Over the past week, I’ve been praying about an upcoming event that New Horizons’ youth and young adult groups plan on participating in within a couple of weeks.

Let me set a background…NH purchased the former Washougal School District office last year and has since been unable to occupy it, because of what I am told are violations of building and fire code. Because of this, many members of NH are upset and frustrated that they don’t have a building to call their own, and they feel they are being unfairly targeted by the city of Washougal. The general response I get when I talk to anyone at NH about the situation is that God wants them at the corner of 25th & A Street…it’s a “strategic location” being so close to downtown and all.

That being said, the big thing the church folks are planning to do within the next couple weeks is a “Jericho March” throughout the streets of Washougal.

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It’s that time of year again, where we all count down to the biggest event in the Washington State COGOP — Senior Camp.

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, teens from all over Washington state will converge on Millersylvania State Park near Olympia for what promises to be a great Senior Camp 2007. Shelly Symonds, in her 8th year of directing the camp, has themed this year “Passion Isn’t Pretty,” keeping in line with the youth ministry theme of the year, “Passion Lives Here.”

Of course with the theme, “Passion Isn’t Pretty,” you can imagine the week is going to be pretty intense spiritually. By just looking at the theme, I personally think of how God instructs us to get a bit dirty with our faith, and by dirty I mean getting outside our comfort zones and really showing a desperate world the love of Jesus. It is going to be a great camp, so get ready.

31 days until Senior Camp 2007 starts!!!

External links:
Washington State COGOP Homepage
Summer Camp Application (you need this if you’re going to Junior, Senior or Young Adult camp)

While I attended the Washington State Youth Convention in Kirkland on Friday with my friends from the church I currently attend, my friends at the church I formerly attended (Lakeside COGOP) in Newport News, Virginia, were reeling over a disturbing and unexpected development.

Rick Ashworth was removed as the pastor of the Lakeside COGOP during a business conference at the local church on Friday, and an interim pastor was appointed on the spot to replace him. I don’t know any details of the situation, and I refuse to speculate as to what has been happening, as I no longer live there and am not privy to any “insider” information. What I do know is that the whole situation sounds rather shady, and is the culmination of a long-standing battle between groups with separate agendas at Lakeside. From what I have been told by multiple sources, when the Virginia state overseer, Robert Davis, removed Pastor Ashworth, he did not provide any reason for it.

Even though I’ve voiced my personal displeasure with Lakeside since I returned from Iraq one year ago, the people of that church are still my brothers and sisters in Christ, and many of them are still friends of mine. It is pretty clear they are shaken by the situation right now, and I ask everyone that reads this post to pray for everyone involved in the current developments at that local church.

That being said if anyone wishes to comment on the situation I will provide an open forum in the Comments section of this post for that purpose. Otherwise simply please be in prayer for our COGOP family in Newport News, Virginia.

I’m pleased to announce that “Soul Seekers,” a video that New Horizons Church produced in conjunction with their youth group for Camp Wa-Ri-Ki, is now available for viewing/download on my site. It took me awhile to upload it as I only had a dial-up connection until moving into my apartment.

It’s a large download but those of you with high-speed connections should be good to go.

View the video now! (QuickTime, 10:08, 156 MB)

Credits
Writer/Director - Leah Cain
Camera - Dan Browning
Grip/Audio - Daniel Birch
Editor - Chris Brewer
Actors - Cris Birch, Adrienne Birch, Chris Brewer, James Ells, Anna Marshall, A.C. Ribeiro, David Salas, Pastor Frank Smith, Joan Stricker

Shot on location in Camas and Washougal, WA