Church of God of Prophecy Receives Special Honor From PCCNA and World Vision For Relief Efforts

Bishop Sam Clements, General Presbyter of North America, and Bishop Paul Holt, Executive Director of Finance and Administration for the Church of God of

At the annual meeting of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) held in Cancun, Mexico, the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) was recognized for its “unprecedented” contributions to fighting malaria in Africa.

Bishop Sam Clements, general presbyter for North America, and Bishop Paul Holt, executive director of finance and administration, were on hand to receive a commemorative plaque from PCCNA Chairman Dr. Jeff Farmer and World Vision Vice President Don Golden.

“(The Church’s) effort was majestic,” Farmer remarked. “Over $193,000 was donated to purchase 32,167 insecticide-treated bed nets, which will protect and save the lives of nearly 65,000 children.”

PCCNA, which exists to provide a framework for fellowship, dialogue, and cooperation between the various Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations, currently has more than 30 participating organizations, including the Assemblies of God, the Foursquare Church, the Church of God and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Farmer reported that participating organizations have raised more than one million dollars for mosquito bed nets in Africa.

“It was beautiful to see the whole Pentecostal body of Christ unite to slay the giant of malaria,” Farmer added. “We are winning the battle—malaria cases have reduced dramatically in Africa over the past years.”

Bishop Holt, who oversees global missions for the COGOP, said the award was a “surprise” and expressed gratitude to leaders and members in local churches that ran with the vision.

Dr. Jeff Farmer, Chairman of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America

“It sparked a spirit of stewardship in young people because there was a cause they could get behind,” he said. “I was amazed at how creative our churches were in coming up with ways to raise money, whether children’s ministries or youth ministries. World Vision sent each one a net so they could see what they were raising money for.”

Bishop Clements, who serves as general presbyter for North America and spokesman for the seven general presbyters leading the organization, recognized the vision of former General Overseer Randall E. Howard who initially pushed the malaria campaign last spring. He also thanked the “sacrificial giving of members who were moved with compassion.”