Christian Education is an integral and invaluable

aspect of the mandate and mission of the Christian

church. The history of the Christian church is

grounded upon the teachings of Jesus and the

apostles as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20. "Go

ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all

things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,

I am with you always, even unto the end of the

world."

The early church made Bible teaching part of its

core ministries. “And they continued steadfastly in

the apostles’ doctrine [teaching] and fellowship, in

the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they

did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the

Christ” (Acts 5:42). According to the Ephesians

passage, “It was He who gave some to be apostles,

some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and

some to be pastors, and teachers, to prepare God’s

people for works of service, so that the body of

Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the

faith and in attaining to the whole measure of the

fullness of Christ”(Ephesians 4:11-13).

Paul carried on an active teaching ministry. “For a

whole year they assembled with the church and

taught a great many people” (Acts 11:26). “And he

continued there a year and six months, teaching the

word of God among them” (Acts 18:11).

Teaching is one of the spiritual gifts given to people

in the church (Romans 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28). One of

the qualifications of a pastor is that he must be

“able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Paul instructed

Timothy to take what others had taught him and

“commit these to faithful men who will be able to

teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). The New Testament

clearly portrays the important role of Christian

Education in a local church.

Christian Education may also be said to be a Christ centered, Bible-based process by which the church develops in community, and believers are led to spiritual maturity to engage in the mission and ministry of Christ in the church and in the world. Christian Education is grounded in God’s revelation to us as contained in the Bible. It is a process of bringing individuals from a place of initial belief in the Lordship of Jesus to accepting His rule and reign in every area of their lives. The process continues to take these individuals (who may be regarded as disciples) along a path of growth towards Christian maturity where they themselves begin a path of spiritual reproduction. With the mandate to teach, the Department of Christian Education will be responsible for organizing and administering the educational ministries and activities within the member congregations of the House of God, which is the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, Pillar & Ground of the Truth, Inc. Since the Christian Education Ministry co-labors with other ministries within the church and community with the purpose of giving individuals the opportunity to learn and demonstrate the fullness of Christian love and attributes toward others, the following are areas of ministry covered by the Christian Education Department: the Sunday School, Holy Young People’s Bible Class, Youth Congress and School of Ministry. The Christian Education Department will offer workshops, seminars, conferences, and conventions to help develop effective skills in Christian Education and those striving for a closer walk with the Lord.

CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD ICON

Elder Ruth Vivian Dennison Transitioned to Glory on September 24, 2017

The House of God which is the Church of the Living God, Pillar & Ground of the Truth, Inc. has experienced a great loss with the passing of Elder Ruth Vivian Dennison. Elder Dennison’s service to the Church of the Living God spans back to the early days of Bishop A. H. White. She traveled with him often to churches up and down the east coast. Elder Dennison worked closely with the General Secretary, Sis. Mildred Johnson. She was also an advisor to the Bishops, a pastor, assistant pastor, Foreign Missionary, Foreign Mission President, Church historian, credentials/constitution committee member, Pennsylvania United Diocese Ministerial Affairs Chairperson, well-known teacher, Bible scholar, and the list goes on. Elder Dennison was loved by many, and the following comments were made of her passing: “She was a beautiful woman of God.” “Elder Ruth has been a mother, sister, friend, mentor, teacher, counselor to so many of us…I will never forget the love, advise, and chastisement that molded me today…” “A wonderful woman who wore many hats and all of them filled with God’s precious love.”

“Our church historian and wonderful woman of God.”

“I will never forget years and years ago when she came to Holy Temple church in Pennsgrove when I was a little girl, and talking to her. She is a beautiful woman of God.”

“She was loved by many.”

“My heart grieves for my dear friend Elder Ruth Dennison. I love her so much. She was my first Foreign Mission President…She was beautiful, inside and out…”

“She was an awesome, brilliant, caring anointed woman of God.”

“She was a chosen jewel with such a sweet disposition. She was a very happy and well-rounded soul. She was so devoted to this church/ institution.”

“The love she shared will never be forgotten.”

The Homeoing Service for Elder Ruth Dennison will be on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Sanctuary Church of the Open Door, 5923 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA where Bishop Audrey Bronson is Pastor. Viewing is from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the Wood Funeral Home at www.cwoodfh.com. Calls may be made to Deacon Jacob Dennison @ 215-473-2238 or Sis. A. Jewett @ 484-343-1660.

Poem of Life

Life is but a stopping place, A pause in what’s to be, A resting place along the road, To sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, But never meant to stay… Our destination is a place Far greater than we know. For some the journey’s quicker, For some the journey’s slow. And when the journey finally ends, We’ll claim a great reward, And find an everlasting peace, Together with the Lord.

National Youth & Music Conference “Experience The Shift”

The National Youth & Music Conference (NYMC) convened on Monday, July 24, 2017 to Friday, July 29, 2017 at the Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg, MA.

During the NYMC, there were workshops, Bible Trivia, Oratorical contests, king and queen walk, and an abundance of musical presentations.

NYMC The Church of the Living God was well represented at the Great Wolf Lodge.

The features at Great Wolf Lodge included: swim, splash, and slide throughout the 84-degree indoor water park—perfect for toddlers to teens and moms and dads, too; themed suites; 5 dining options; fitness center; story time; Forest friends; unlimited WiFi, and kids activities.

Berean School of Ministry

The Berean School of Ministry (BSM) housed in Grace Temple Church of the Living God, 300 Pine Street, Steelton, PA was restructured. Bishop Ivy A. Hopkins is the Founder and Campus Director, and Rev. Dr. Geraldine Crystal is the Campus Dean. BSM is organized to fulfill the vision of Jesus Christ given to the church in Matthew 28:18-20 to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unti the end of the world.” BSM held its Open House on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Temple Church of the Living God.

BSM classes that began on August 5, 2017 are “Prayer (Power Praying) and “Living the Faith.” Elder Laura Turns-Thomas, Pastor of Gates of Zion Church of the Living God, is teaching “Prayer;” and Rev. Jamey Carter, Pastor of Love Church of the Living God, is teaching “Living the Faith.”

Pastor Jamey Carter

Pastor Laura-Turns Thomas

BSM’s relationship with Chesapeake Bible College & Seminary (CBCS) in Ridgely, Maryland allows BSM to award units of study for courses taught at the School of Ministry and issue a Certificate of Completion. CBCS can then convert these units of study into credits (for a fee). CBCS has the legal right to grant religious degrees, which are for personal growth and advancement in Christian ministry. A great incentive for the students is the fact that CBCS may use the students’ “Ministry Experience” toward helping them get a degree. Students will develop a portfolio of their significant accomplishments and acquired learning. The Personal Learning Portfolio is a review of the comprehensive learning students have acquired during their church and life experience. The Personal Learning Portfolio will be reviewed by the Campus Dean and forwarded to CBCS. CBCS will evaluate and advise the student of the credits earned. The following student has recently received a “Bachelor of Biblical Studies” degree.

CBCS has been in Christian Education for over 40 years and has over 1,400 graduates world-wide. The degrees they aware are Diploma, Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctors degree in Biblical Studies, Christian Counseling, Religious Education, Worship Theology, Messianic Jewish Studies and Theology.

UPCOMING EVENT

The General Assembly is the Annual Conference of the House of God, which is The Church of the Living God, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc. The business of the General Assembly shall include receiving of both written and financial reports, acting upon reports from standing and special committees, approval of new legislation, consecration of Bishops and sending out of Foreign Missionaries, election of General Officers, and disciplinary actions where necessary. The General Assembly shall also be a time of spiritual renewal for the Church of the Living God, prayerful fellowship, study of the Word of God, and specialized Christian training. All sessions of the 88th General Assembly, convening Monday, October 16, 2017 through Sunday, October 22, 2017, will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel at SeaWorld, 10100 International Drive, Orlando, Florida.

Intercessory prayer will be held throughout the General Assembly.

The Ministry of the Word on Monday, October 16, 2017, at the 7:30 p.m. session will be presented by Bishop Henry Jeans.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. is the Church Auxiliaries Session. The Assembly will hear reports from the Home Mission, H.Y.P.B.C., Sunday School, Mother’s Board, Benevolence, Evangelist, and B.W.W.S.C.

The following workshops will be conducted on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• IRS Compliance/CLG Finances, facilitated by Elder Ralph Vanlow & Deacon Richard Pelzer

• Internet Ministry Power, facilitated by Elder Dr. Charmaine Coulter

• Allied Health, facilitated by Elder Tanya Hubbard & Elder Barbara Jones

• School of Ministry, facilitated by Evangelist Iris Janine Johnson

The Ministry of the Word on Tuesday, October 17,

2017, at the 7:30 p.m. session will be presented by

Bishop Levora Davis.

The following workshops will be conducted on

Wednesday, October 18, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. –

12:00 p.m.

• Holiness: It’s More Than What You Wear,

facilitated by Elder Daniel Brown

• The Paradigm Shift of the Church: The

Church and Politics, facilitated by Elder

Lorraine White

• Grant Writing, facilitated by Dr. Lisa Smith

• Documentary From The Hole in the Wall

(from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), facilitated

by First Church of the Living God

The following workshops will be conducted on

Wednesday, October 18, 2017, from 1:30 p.m. –

4:00 p.m.

• Internet Ministry Power, facilitated by

Elder Dr. Charmaine Coulter

• Allied Health, facilitated by Elder Tanya

Hubbard & Elder Barbara Jones

• Basics of Grant Writing, facilitated by Elder

Keith Hoylman

• Ministry to LGBT Community, Elder Eric

Sherman

The Ministry of the Word on Wednesday, October

18, 2017, at the 7:30 p.m. session will be presented

by Bishop Bertha Jones.

The following workshops will be conducted on

Thursday, October 19, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00

p.m.

• IRS Compliance/CLG Finances, facilitated

by Elder Ralph Vanlow & Deacon Richard

Pelzer

• Holiness: It’s More Than What You Wear,

facilitated by Elder Daniel Brown

• The Paradigm Shift of the Church: The

Church and Politics, facilitated by Elder

Lorraine White

• Ministry to the LGBT Community,

facilitated by Elder Eric Sherman

• Consecration Workshop (MANDATORY FOR

BISHOPS AND ADJUTANTS), facilitated by

Deacon George Ward

***

1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

OFFICIAL BUSINESS SESSION

The Business Meeting is open to ALL registered

delegates.

The Ministry of the Word on Thursday, October 19,

2017, at the 7:30 p.m. session will be presented by

Bishop James Sherman, Executive Administrator.

Friday, October 20, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. –

12:00 p.m. - Holy Consecration Service for

Bishop-Elect Carolyn Glenn.

The Ministry of the Word - Bishop Carlton

Williams.

Florida Atlantic Diocese Reception

will follow.

***

MEETING WITH PASTORS

Friday, October 20, 2017 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

***

The Ministry of the Word on Friday, October 20,

2017 at 7:30 p.m. session will be presented by

Bishop Ivy A. Hopkins, Vice President General,

Presiding Prelate of PA United Diocese, and Pastor

of Grace Temple Church of the Living God.

***

Bishop’s Wives, Widows & Spouses Council Brunch

Saturday, October 21, 2017 - 12:00 Noon

ANNUAL MESSAGE By

Bishop Theodore Brown, President General Saturday, October 21, 2107, at 7:30 p.m.

***

General Sunday School on October 22, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (all classes).

***

The Ministry of the Word on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service, will be presented by Bishop Preston Raper.

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH “I find it grounding and centering to begin my day in silent prayer. Before my feet hit the floor, I get still in my bed, and I put my full attention on the inflow and the outflow of my breath. I breathe in God and breathe out fear. I breathe in love and breathe out judgment. I breathe in happiness, and I breathe out worry. I breathe in perfect health, and I breathe out dis-ease. I breathe in trust, and I breathe out doubt. It’s a beautiful way to commence my day.”

-Michael Blomsterberg

NOTE: To submit items for the quarterly Newsletter, please e-mail Dr. Crystal @ crystge@comcast.net. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.