The excitement and anticipation continues to build as we prepare to celebrate and worship our Lord in the first-ever Global Communion Service of the Church of God, Sunday, June 22, 7:00–9:00 pm (EDT). Tens of thousands of people from around the world have signed up to participate. Hundreds of churches from across North American and more than twenty-five other countries will all join together to take the bread and the cup as we celebrate unity.

Church of God Ministries announces the Partnership with Possibilities Offering. The generous donations from individuals and churches for this offering directly support church planting, church growth, and pastoral leadership development.

“In 2007 our partners helped plant 52 churches,” said John Newton, church multiplication coordinator for Church of God Ministries. “Looking forward into 2008–2009, we have committed to give significant financial help to church planting partnerships in ten different regions across the country. The Partnership with Possibilities offering is a great way for individuals to contribute directly to church multiplication.”

In January 2008, the Hong Kong Church of God (HKCOG) moved into its new building located on the main street of the Hong Kong suburb of Tai Wai. It was the end result of a three-year effort to raise the funds for the 30 percent down payment on the $1.2 million property. The purchase of the building, making the HKCOG property owners for the first time, was challenging because Hong Kong is one of the world’s most expensive cities in which to purchase property. In addition, the Hong Kong Church of God is a very young church: 80 percent of the church is under the age of twenty-six. Finances have always been a challenge for this young church, but the level of commitment has been outstanding. Fundraisers have been known to yield as much as $10,000 (U.S.) in one shot. But the new building simply would not have been possible without the greater Church of God.

The Church of God at Gambrills, Maryland, which is involved with the Church of God coaching initiative, has experienced firsthand that unexpected things happen when you extend the love of God to those around you. The church recently held a car wash in an attempt to reconnect with and serve the Gambrills community. Numerous volunteers from the church gathered their buckets and rags, made signs that read, “Car Wash For $1.00,” and opened for business.

Fireproof (www.FireprooftheMovie.com), the new film from the creators of Facing the Giants and Flywheel, will premiere at the North American Convention of the Church of God in June. And those attending the convention are invited to the movie's showing. 

The producers recognize the importance of providing pastors, lay leaders, and their spouses with a preview of this powerfully emotional story about a firefighter and his fight to rescue the heart of his wife and save his marriage before its general release to theaters this fall. Those who attend the premiere will receive a DVD with ministry resources to help build and strengthen Christian marriages.