Dear Ministry Partner/Leader,

Leaders are initiators!

To initiate by definition is: to set going by taking the first step, to begin.  Words that are synonymous with initiate are: start - begin - commence - institute - open - lead off.  That sounds like a leader.

As a leader, you set the pace, you determine to a large degree the level of momentum of your team, church, or ministry.  There is a part of me that does not like being the initiator because of the weight of responsibility that accompanies the role.

On the other hand, it is the challenge of the role and the weight of that responsibility that MOTIVATES me as a leader.  Actually for me the Holy Spirit uses this to stir up the gift of God that is in me to fulfill my calling as a minister and a leader.

One of the things that make a leader who he or she is and actually charges him or her up is the same thing that may weigh others down.  Leaders tend to be the happiest when they are casting vision for new ministry or re-casting vision for a "new way" to do existing ministry.

On your mark, get set, initiate…

Thanks for your partnership in leadership.  Together we are building the Kingdom of God in Virginia.

Bishop Corder

EVANGELIZING

1. The one thing that the Bible emphasizes more than us loving God and People is that God loves us.
2. Your motivation to and the purpose of learning, serving, worshipping, giving, reaching, reading, praying, etc. is to grow relationally more in love with God and People (Mt. 22:36-40).
3. You not only are saved by grace, but you grow by it too.
4. Don't trample all over the Great Commandment (love God, love people) trying to obey the Great Commission (go and make disciples).
5. Love your neighbors--your literal neighbors--the ones you have, not the ones you wish you had.
6. Focus on Jesus, His cross, His resurrection, and His Kingdom.
7. God cares about your whole life, not just your "spiritual life."
8. Love other Christians who go to different churches (or no church at all) and who aren't like you.
9. Pray with your Bible open.
10. Find a Christian mentor.

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EQUIPPING
 

Equippers Conference . . . The recent Equippers Conference was a big success - but it would not have been without everyone's participation!  Thank you to everyone who came to take part in this dynamic day of training. The twelve tracks (linked to their handouts) included:

01 - Pre-Conference Track with Ben Hodges - Reaching the Millennials
02 - David Gosnell - Discipleship
03 - Randy Turpin - Prayer
04 - Fred Garmon - Leadership
05 - Jason York - Youth Ministry
06 - Keith Duncan - Worship Ministry
07 - Brad Lewis/Jeff Padgett - Technology
08 - Rhonda Parris - Young Adult Ministry
09 - Dennis Watkins - Legal Issues
10 - Randy Clay - Church Treasurer
11 - Big Day - Ben Hodges
12 - Paul Dietzel - Children's Ministries

Comments after the conference that were received included things like: 

• "A great value for only $30."
• "This was not a vanilla conference - but had a variety of choices!"
• "Have more of these events, it was outstanding!"
• "The knowledge I received was priceless."
• "The presenter was tremendous, an expert in his field, and knew how to connect with his audience."

Thanks for your partnership.

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ENCOURAGING

Engage Journal . . . Engage is now online—go to www.cogengage.org. The current and back issues are available. This journal provides you with a wealth of material for sermons, lectures, and outreach strategy.

Future issues of Engage will feature articles on discipling youth, Sunday evening ministry, community relationships, and special days (Easter, etc.). If you know a pastor who sponsors a unique activity in one of these areas, please share the information with the Engage staff (cfisher@churchofgod.org and loyddcarey@comcast.net).

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EMPOWERING

Empower 2012 (Camp Meeting week) starting June 13, going through June 19, will be held in three regions and hosted by four different churches.

Southwest Region: We will begin on Wednesday night, June 13, in Pulaski Church of God (The Refreshing Center) with two days and three nights in Pulaski. Nightly guest speakers will be Kevin Wallace (Senior Pastor, Ooltewah, TN); Cliff West (State Evangelist); and David Griffis (Third Assistant General Overseer). The morning speaker at Pulaski, June 14 and 15, will be Senior Pastor Darrell Waller of Winchester.

Coastal Region: The evening of June 16, we will hold service at Chesapeake, Kingdom Life and Sunday night, June 17, we will be at Newport News, World Outreach Worship Center. Our night speaker in both of these coastal churches will be Perry Stone (International Evangelist).

Northeast Region: Monday night, June 18, we will be hosted by Richmond, Victory Tabernacle with night speaker Senior Pastor Sam Luke of Richmond. We will close out the week of services Tuesday, June 19, in Richmond with morning speaker, Mark Walker in both morning services and Evangelist Gary Taylor as our night speaker.

More details about area hotels and downloads are available on our website: www.vacog.org/campmeetings_new.php.


Other Events to Remember. . .

• Youth Camps, June 25 - July 19
• General Assembly, July 24-27
• Ministers Meeting, October 1-2