Pentecostal Research Center Opens "Living Word" Exhibit

The Church of God Historical Commission and the Hal Bernard Dixon, Jr. Pentecostal Research Center, officially opened its latest heritage exhibit, celebrating 125 years of the Church of God.

“Living the Word” is the latest in a series of exhibits which have been on-going at the PRC since 1996, according to Dr. David Roebuck, director of the PRC, which is located between the campuses of both Lee University and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Since 1996, heritage displays have been a destination attraction at the Church of God General Assembly exhibit halls. They have then been set up at the PRC following the Assembly, remaining on public display.

Guests enjoy the Living the Word exhibit

Living the Word commemorates 125 years of Church of God history, first celebrated in 2011. The exhibit was placed on display at the 2012 General Assembly last summer. In addition to the display, the historical account of the Church of God, Living The Word, was released. Registered members of the General Assembly received complimentary copies of the volume, as did guests at the exhibit unveiling last week.

The document is a magazine style publication which captures Church of God ministries since 1886 when R. G. Spurling established the Christian Union in a mill house in Monroe County, Tennessee. Rarely seen photographs and timelines bring to life more than a century of God’s blessings and the faithful labors of ministers and members. Chapters focus on the divisions of the Church of God: world evangelization, care, discipleship, education, and support ministries. This brief history is ideal for new members, as well as anyone who loves the heritage of the Church of God. Hard copies are available for purchase athttp://www.pathwaybookstore.com. It can be viewed online atwww.cogheritage.org under the resources tab.

Special guest for the unveiling was Second Assistant General Overseer J. David Stephens who addressed the gathering saying, “It is fitting that this display is here…We are the successors of Church of God heritage and it is our responsibility to be stewards of it.”

Floyd Carey, chairman of the Historical Commission, offered a dedicatory prayer.

The exhibit will be on display until next summer.

Church of God News

Fields of the Wood

R. G. Spurling Grave

2013 Annual Meeting

2013 Annual Meeting

2013 Annual Meeting

2013 Annual Meeting

The Society normally meets on the fourth Thursday of May each year.  However, this year the meeting has been changed to May 30, 2013, 10:30 AM at the First Assembly House.

Annual Meeting

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Historical Society of Church of God Movements to meet Thursday, May 30, 2013

R.G. Spurling will be topic of discussion

The Historical Society of Church of God Movements announces its upcoming 12th annual meeting for Thursday, May 30, 2013. This year’s theme is “A Study of R.G. Spurling: His Legacy and Influence” and focuses on the founder of the Christian Union, which later gave rise to the various Church of God groups prominent in Pentecostalism. The meeting will be held near Spurling’s home area at the “First Assembly House” adjacent to Fields of the Wood at 10000 Highway 294 near Murphy, North Carolina.

Special presentations will be provided by Dr. James M. Beaty and Dr. Jackie Johns. Beaty, author of the recently published biography of R.G. Spurling and professor emeritus at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, will provide an overview of the life and ministry of R.G. Spurling. Johns, a professor at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and pastor of New Covenant Church of God in Cleveland, will present on the continuing influence of Spurling’s book, The Lost Link. (Individuals may access The Lost Link online at: http://cogheritage.org/original_documents/).

The event is free to the public and lunch will be available for purchase at the Fields of the Wood Café. Following the presentations and a brief business meeting of the Society, the group will travel nearby to the gravesite of R.G. Spurling for the conclusion of the day’s events.

The Historical Society of Church of God Movements began in 2002 in order to provide opportunities for representatives of the various denominations that use the name Church of God to better understand both common and unique aspects of our history and heritage. Society President Dr. Louis Morgan notes, “Membership is open to anyone and currently includes representatives from the Church of God of Prophecy, Church of God Mountain Assembly, Church of God, United Methodist Church, and The Church of God.”
Current officers of the Society are Dr. Louis F. Morgan (Church of God and Lee University), President; Robert George (Bradley County Historical Society), 1st Vice President; Cary Ryan (The Church of God), 2nd Vice President; and Don Brock (Church of God of Prophecy), Executive Secretary and Treasurer.

2013 Annual Meeting

The public is invited to the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements.

May 23, 2013