Churches of God Outreach Ministries helps scattered individuals and churches

Encouraging Communication among the Churches of God

CGOM helps scattered individuals and churches

By Renee Steel

The writer is a member of the Tulsa Church of God,
which is affiliated with the Churches of God Outreach Ministries.

TULSA, Okla.--Churches of God Outreach Ministries, which had its eighth annual conference in Tulsa during the last weekend of March, continues its mission of providing literature and services to brethren and other interested people across the United States and in several foreign countries.

CGOM, which began in 1996, capitalizes on common beliefs and goals to inspire people to work together to promote the gospel. Its affiliated congregations also function as a support network, providing opportunity for encouragement and communication among brethren from independent congregations.

During the conference in March, delegates had the chance to share ideas through plenary and breakout sessions. Conference accomplishments included the creation of sound bites for the CGOM Web site to help promote Internet-based teaching.

The delegates named new committee chairmen to the following positions: Julian Cruz of San Antonio, Texas, committee coordinator; Steve Kieler of Fort Dodge, Iowa, who will now answer the 800 number at his home; Lawrence Gregory of Tulsa, chairman of member services; Rick Gawith of Tulsa, chairman of financial oversight (formerly budget); Jeff Henderson of Half Moon Bay, Calif., chairman of outreach; Renee Steel, chairman of marketing; Matthew Steel, master of the CGOM's Web site; and James McBride of Lincoln, England, chairman of the publication committee.

Why independent churches?

CGOM takes its organizational formula from the example of churches in the New Testament era. Those congregations were independent, say CGOM leaders, yet they communicated and cooperated with each other.

The independent churches cooperating through CGOM are not responsible to any hierarchical headquarters, nor are they dependent upon a dynamic personality or spokesman to serve as leader.

The motto of CGOM is "People working together to proclaim the gospel." This is one purpose of the Christian life, to share the good news with others. To that end, CGOM provides resources for use in personal studies and for sharing with others.

What have been the results of this eight-year endeavor thus far? Nearly 250,000 pieces of literature have been mailed to people around the world seeking the truth about the Word of God.

Many resources available

The resources available through CGOM include: Bible-correspondence-course lessons, online sermons, articles on Christian living, booklets, educational information for youths, the magazine New Horizons, a list of churches to visit, and much more. To learn more, visit www.cgom.org or phone (800) 611-8080.

Ministers associated with CGOM are often willing to travel to other congregations for speaking engagements, counseling, baptisms and other means of serving outlying or isolated brethren.

Festival fellowship opportunities

Several Feast of Tabernacles sites are planned for 2004 that are either sponsored by or recommended by CGOM. They include the following, listed here with coordinator, accommodation and contact information.

CGOM-affiliated sites:

Kelseyville, Calif., Jeff Henderson, jchmb@aol.com, (650) 726-3005, (800) 384-0998.
Konocti Harbor Resort lies on the banks of Clear Lake in California. This is north of Napa Valley, surrounded by mountains and lakes. Daily services are set for the resort conference center.

Feastgoers will find many things to do in this area, including glider rides, a water park, fishing, golf, horseback riding and a planetarium.

For reservations contact Konocti Harbor Resort, 8727 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville, Calif. 95451, (800) 660-LAKE (Church of God).
Collingwood, Ont., Canada: Len Labunetz, labunetz@rogers.com, Canadian Church of God, P.O. Box 476, Don Mills Station, Don Mills, Ont. M3C 2T4, Canada, (416) 665-8362.
This year's Feast will take place at the Toronto Ski Club, nicely positioned at the base of the Blue Mountain in Collingwood.

Ministers are determined to deliver inspiring sermons, with two services scheduled on the first day of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day and daily services during the Feast.

Activities will include Bible studies, a fun night, hymn singing, horseback riding, golfing, mountain biking, cycling, rock climbing and treetop walking at 50 feet above the ground to explore the beauty and wildlife of the forest valley.

Sites CGOM recommends:

Lake Texoma, Okla., Steve Kieler, sskieler@dodgenet.com, (515) 576-5743.
"Implementing God's Way" will be the theme. Beautiful Lake Texoma is the perfect place for God's Feast of Tabernacles and a spiritual encounter with God.

Lodge, cabins and campground facilities are available. For reservations call (800) 528-0593 (refer to group No. 7929).
San Antonio, Texas, Julian Cruz, jcruz@ix.netcom.com, (210) 333-7229.
"Rejoice Before the Lord" is the theme of this family-oriented and intimate Feast at which children play an important role in the worship service.

Inspiring sermons will impart a spirit of love.

Major tourist attractions include the Alamo, the River Walk, Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, HemisFair Park, the Tower of the Americas, the San Antonio Zoo and the Japanese Tea Gardens.

For reservations call Comfort Inn Fiesta, (210) 696-4766, and mention group No. 2586.
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Duke Schneider, ddinmo@advertisnet.com, (573) 372-3221, or Bud or Connie Houston, rhouston@dam.net, (573) 392-6677.
The theme will be "Lord, Bind Us Together With Love." Daily services will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The site will feature Bible studies, a women's luncheon, a picnic and fish fry, a variety show, a game night, a pie-and-ice-cream social and other family activities.

For reservations call Baymont Inn and Suites, Lake Ozark, (573) 365-2700, and mention the MMCG Feast.

Visit Mr. Schneider's site at www.mmcg.org.
Mountain View, Ark., Wayne Holmes, holmesfamily@cei.net, (870) 251-2431, or Tim Hall, thall@aristotle.net, (870) 930-0593.
Mountain View offers a relaxing setting. Sponsors plan inspiring sermons and studies, activities and lots of fellowship.

Lunch will be every day, and all activities are funded from festival offerings.

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