Newsletter Date

May, 2017
Volume 1, Issue 1

COGVA NEWS
Volume 4, Issue 8

Write the vision and make it plain on the tablet so that it might be read quickly.
Habakkuk 2:2 (LEB)
Table of Contents:

Ive Been Thinkin

Will Wagner on Track to

2
Bluefield FCOG Calls New Pastor
Pursue Acting Career 3
Christian Women
Connection/Women of
the Church of God
Spring Convention 4 education. He received a
Joynes Road CHOG
Reaches Out To Law
Rev. Perry and Cynthia
Enforcement
Blankenship
Community 5 Counseling from South
Perry and Cynthia
Truth, Love Preached and Blankenship are coming to
the Bluefield, VA. area
Practiced at Pastors
beginning May 1st, 2017.
Fellowship 2017 6 They will be pastoring the
Fincastle First Church of
Floods Devastate Churches,
God. They have served
Communities in Missouri: the Oceana First Church
of God and North Welch
Your Help Needed! 7 Master degree in
First Church of God during
COGVA Budget 8 their time with the First
Church of God
Mark Your Calendars 9 University, and an
organization. They have
also served Bethel
Tabernacle and Little
Pilgrim F.W.B. churches
during their years of
ministry. Perry & Cynthia
have four daughters
Crystal Boggess (27),
Jatana Smiley (25),
Donna Wallace (21), and
Sarah Blankenship (19),
they also have two
grandchildren, Audriana
Martinez (4) and James
Wallace (2) and are
expecting another in July.
Perry Blankenship has
served in numerous
positions within Gods
Kingdom work and has
pursued a life of
Bachelor degree in
Theology from
Andersonville Theological
Seminary, a Bachelor
degree in Pastoral
Florida Bible College and
Theological Seminary, a
Master degree in
Professional Counseling
from Liberty University, a
Master degree in
Business Administration
from Liberty University, a
Education (Emphasis in
Leadership) from Concord
Honorary Master degree
in Divinity from Liberty
Bible College. Perry
Blankenship is the school
counselor at Sandy River
Middle School, he teaches
Development,
Psychology, Sociology,
and Economics for
Southern Community
College in West Virginia.
Perry Blankenship also
holds a professional
counseling license and
does some in home
mental health counseling.
Cynthia Blankenship is
currently working on her
Bachelor degree in
Business Administration
with Liberty University.
Cynthia is an
entrepreneur; she works
with several small
businesses from home.
Perry & Cynthia are
excited about their move
to Fincastle Church and
truly believe that God has
lead them to this
congregation. They plan
to start a recovery
program for the youth,
reach out and connect to
the community in various
ways, and hope to be an
active part of the First
Church of God in Virginia.
Perry has served in both
the West Virginia National
Guard and the Army. He
was active during Desert
Storm and Desert Shield.
Cynthia has worked with
the homeless and gangs
in Albuquerque, NM. And
Memphis Tennessee to
help them find hope in
Gods love and Kingdom
plan. Both bring a variety
of experience and
knowledge to their new
ministry in Bluefield, VA.
 COGVA News
Ive Been Thinkin
I often wonder if Jesus
measures ministerial
success differently than
we do. I am reminded of
the time when He told His
disciples: " "When the Son
of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with
him, then he will sit on his
Dr. Bob Neace, COGVA glorious throne. Before
State Minister him will be gathered all
the nations, and he will
separate people one from
another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from
the goats. And he will
place the sheep on his
right, but the goats on the
left. Then the King will say
to those on his right,
'Come, you who are
blessed by my Father,
inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the
foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you
gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me
drink, I was a stranger and
you welcomed me, I was
naked and you clothed
me, I was sick and you
visited me, I was in prison
and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will
answer him, saying, 'Lord,
when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or
thirsty and give you drink?
And when did we see you
a stranger and welcome
you, or naked and clothe
you? And when did we
see you sick or in prison
and visit you?' And the
King will answer them,
'Truly, I say to you, as you
did it to one of the least of
these my brothers, you did
it to me.' "Then he will say
to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you
cursed, into the eternal
fire prepared for the devil
and his angels. For I was
hungry and you gave me
no food, I was thirsty and
you gave me no drink, I
was a stranger and you
did not welcome me,
naked and you did not
clothe me, sick and in
prison and you did not
visit me.' Then they also
will answer, saying, 'Lord,
when did we see you
hungry or thirsty or a
stranger or naked or sick
or in prison, and did not
minister to you?' Then he
will answer them, saying,
'Truly, I say to you, as you
did not do it to one of the
least of these, you did not
do it to me.' And these will
go away into eternal
punishment, but the
righteous into eternal life."
(Math 25:31-46 ESV)
When discussing success
in ministry, it might be
good to define the word
and clarify at what it is we
desire to succeed. An
online Oxford dictionary
defines success as The
accomplishment of an aim
or purpose. In the
referenced scriptures,
Jesus gave us an aim or
purpose. Meeting the
needs in our community.
Often the challenge for us
is to not misconstrue
Jesus expectations of the
church with a worldly or
secular view of success.
Page 2 of 10
If we are not careful,
church leaders can
become more focused on
tangible measures of
success like the three
Bs of buildings, bodies,
and bucks. While it is true
some tangibles make it
easier to accomplish the
goals of successful
ministry, these tangibles
should never supersede
the goal I believe Jesus
had in mind when He told
us to minister to the least
of these To be
successful in ministry, we
must have the mind of
Christ, be willing to
minister to those who are
different than we are,
using our resources to
help others, and be
willing, not only to share
physical resources, but
always provide
opportunity to share
eternal truths with those to
whom we minister. A few
chapters later, after the
resurrection and just
before His ascension,
Jesus gave us the Great
Commission of making
disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have
commanded you. And
behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the
age." (Matt 28:19-20
ESV). It is not enough we
minister to the physical,
we must also be
(Continued on page 10)
 Page 3 of 10
Will Wagner on Track to Pursue Acting Career
The Wagner family has
been burning up Interstate
81 between Smyth County
and Washington County
for the past year. Will
Wagner, son of Pastor
William and Julia Wagner
has been involved with
The Barter Youth
Academy in Abingdon,
Virginia. The Academy is a
program for kids ages 8-18
who are looking to learn
more about theater, acting,
singing, dancing and the
overall workings of the
theater. Will has been
involved with Troupe,
which is an audition based
part of the Barter Youth
Academy. He has had the
privilege to have roles in
productions of High School
Musical, The Curious
Savage and A Midsummer
Nights Dream. He will
undertake practices for his
next role as Cosmo in Thursday (in the summer
Singin In The Rain
beginning in June.
The Barter Youth
Academy allows all of their
students to perform on an
actual theater stage to
present their studied roles.
The Barter Main Stage,
Barter Stage II, The
Lincoln Theater (Marion)
and The Paramount
(Bristol) are just some of
the venues which
productions are set so that
families and friends can
come out and support the
students as they perform.
During the school year, the
Academy presents Spring
Workshops in February,
Fall Workshops in
September and Summer
Musicals Workshops in
June.
Will enjoys every aspect of
the Barter Youth Academy
and never once complains
when it is time to take off
for Abingdon. He doesnt
seem the mind the forty
minute drive there from his
home every Saturday
(during the school year)
and every Tuesday and
months) to go to practice.
This acting experience for
Will has been unbelievable
and what he has learned
at each and every lesson
is truly priceless. Will has
known since he was a very
young child that he wanted
COGVA News
to be a performer. He has
been putting on shows for
his family even before he
could walk. He never really
has had a shell to work his
way out of, in that he is
fortunate. But it does take
courage and dedication to
learn what he does;
memorize all of his lines,
the dance moves, stage
cues, etc. and then get on
a stage with so many
people watching and do Will Wagner
your part as if no one is
even there.
The bond that Will has
developed with the other
students is very deep. It
means a lot to be with
other kids who get you,
who understand your
passion, who love what
you love. He has been so
fortunate to be a part of
The Barter Youth
Academy and Troupe. He
hopes that he may
continue with acting it as
long as he can and then
take what he has learned
from this program to
college and then develop a
long career in Theater,
stage and whatever else
God may see for him to
have.

Rev. Arnetta McNeese Bailey
Brings God's Word To Our Ladies
Listening Intently!
COGVA News Page 4 of 10
Christian Women Connection/Women of the
Church of God Spring Convention Rachel Baez
As I sat in the foyer, laughter. The women and Gordon Road worked
greeting the ladies from gathered again on very hard to make this
across the state of Saturday morning for a weekend enjoyable. It
Virginia, there was so breakfast that was was evident from the
much excitement in the prepared by some of the decorations to the food.
air. Between 65 and 70 men of Gordon Road One sister wrote, What
women gathered at Church of God. As the an inspirational and
Riverside Church in morning service began, wonderful convention! I
Fredericksburg from the there was a definite sense was truly blessed by the
east and from the west for of Gods presence in our Word of God from our
the annual CWC/WCG midst. It was evident that speaker, the songs, food
Spring Convention. God was meeting us and and the fellowship with our
changing us. We sisters. You and the
Shout for Joy was the
concluded the weekend sisters and brothers from
theme for this years
with a banquet that was Riverside and Gordon
spring convention and
enjoyed by both men and Road churches, were so
was cohosted by Gordon
women. hospitable. What an
Road Church of God and
awesome time!
Riverside Church. Rev. Elections for new state
Dr. Arnetta McNeese officers were held before Some women always hate
Bailey, Executive Director the Saturday service to see the spring
for the Christian Women began. We were honored convention end and so
Connection in Anderson to have Sister Arnetta made plans to stay an
was the guest speaker for install and dedicate our extra night. These ladies,
the weekend. She state officers. Shirley along with our guest
encouraged and Williams, Sharon Short, speaker attended and
challenged us. Sister Carolyn Ansley and Dr. enjoyed the Sunday
Arnetta reminded us that Velma Green have been morning service at Gordon
having joy is a choice and installed as officers. Road before heading
that we have much to be Racheal Baez, Alice home.
joyful about. We need to Noblin, Kathy Neace,
We look forward to the
change our attitude to Doris Smith and Geanna
2018 spring convention
gain altitude became a Walker dedicated
which will be held April 20-
catch phrase for the themselves to serve until
21 at Roanoke First
weekend. the next election.
Church of God. Save the
The weekend began with The planning committee date and plan to come!
the annual business from Riverside Church
meeting on Friday
afternoon. Following the
evening service, there
was a time of
refreshments, fun and
Installation of Officers
 Page 5 of 10 COGVA News

Joynes Road CHOG Reaches Out To Law Enforcement


Truth, Love Preached and Practiced at Pastors Fellowship 2017
By Carl Stagner
Another Pastors
Fellowship has come and
gone, yet its impact on
those who attended, the
movement, and the culture
remains. As it always
does, this years gathering
of pastors and laypeople
at First Church of God in
Winchester, Kentucky,
featured dynamic doctrinal
preaching and
wholehearted singing of
heritage hymns. The
fellowship was as sweet
as the iced tea, and the
moments of prayer were
powerful and potent. What
really left a lasting
impression, however, was
the way these men and
women of God responded
to the Spirit. When word
got out about the
devastating floods
wreaking havoc across
Missouri, directly affecting
Church of God brothers
and sisters, Gods love
turned into action.
On the heels of the annual
business meeting of
Pastors Fellowship on
Tuesday, May 2, 2017, the
truth these pastors preach
with conviction Sunday
after Sunday was put into
practice. Ushers were
recruited and an
unplanned offering was
taken up in light of the
flooding disaster
overwhelming the state of
Missouri. Exemplifying the
generosity they encourage
COGVA News
once a week from their
pulpits back home, they
gave $1,522 for Church of
God Disaster Relief.
Bob Neace, who spoke
during the second morning
session on Tuesday,
perhaps captured the
sentiment best: If Christ
loved the church, I ought
to lover her, too! Part of
loving Gods church, part
of living out the unity we
preach and teach, is taking
care of our sister churches
in times of trouble.
Photographs were
displayed of First Church
of God in Doniphan,
Missouri, underwater as
prayers and gifts were
offered without hesitation.
It was a poignant moment
for many, and a collective
response that required no
discussion, deliberation, or
debate.
In a changing world
marked by such crises and
uncertainties, as well as
shifting values and relative
truth, Pastors Fellowship
2017 championed truth
that is eternal. Isnt it http://www.pastorsfellowsh
great to know that, in a
constantly changing world,
we serve a God who never
changes? speaker Charlie
Heater exclaimed. Other
speakers also emphasized
eternal truth on subjects of
historical significance to
the movement. Nathan
Leasure, Bill
Konstantopoulos, Gerald
Page 6 of 10
Rudd, Danny Goins,
Church of God Ministries
Handel Smith, and Jessica
Hall shed light on a variety
of topics, but consistently
pointed to the answer
found only in Jesus Christ.
There is no one like
Jesus, Danny Goins
insisted in a sermon about
and sanctification and holy
living. As Bob Neace
explained eternal truth
about the church, he
reminded all within the
sound of his voice that it
is still Jesus who is head
of the church! Speaking Dr. Bob Neace Addresses
Pastor's Fellowship
about the kingdom of God,
Handel Smith confessed
Thy will be done, not
mineJesus, you are the
king! Navigating the
subject of end times,
Jessica Hall proclaimed, I
want to always be pointing
people to Jesus Christ!
May our words and our
actions always point
people to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the subject.
Learn more about Pastors
Fellowship at
ipchog.org. Learn more
about the Church of God
movement at
www.JesusIsTheSubject.o
rg. To donate to Church of
God Disaster Relief, visit
www.JesusIsTheSubject.o
rg/disaster-relief/.
(Article credited to
https://chognews.org/2017
/05/03)
 Page 7 of 10
Floods Devastate Churches, Communities in Missouri: Your Help Needed!
UPDATE, May 9, 2017:
Church of God Ministries
Disaster Relief has just
sent $5,000 for flood relief
in Missouri as cleanup
efforts have only just
begun at First Church of
God in Doniphan,
Missouri. Initial
assessments suggest
repair costs could exceed
hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Thats why your
help is still crucial. Donate
today! Church facilities,
including the parsonage,
were insured, but
indications are that as little
as 15 percent of the total
repair cost will be
covered. Renovations are
underway in the Family
Life Center so the
congregation can resume
worship at the church
property (currently, the
congregation is meeting at
another local church)
before the sanctuary
repair is complete.
WORK TEAMS: Missouri
Ministries of the Church of
God has reported that
they will be helping to
schedule groups in the
next week or so. Supplies
of water, gloves, and more
are needed. Please
contact Missouri Ministries
for more information at
573-265-8545 or visit
www.cogamo.org/contact/.
Some locals say theyve
never seen it this bad.
Reports indicate that
between six and twelve
inches of rain fell across
parts of Missouri over the
past week, with several
more inches expected.
Homes and businesses
have been destroyed
during this ongoing
disaster, which has
already claimed two lives.
Water levels rose to
record highs at fourteen
different locations along
the states rivers, even
breaking a few records
held for more than a
hundred years. A few
hundred roads were shut
down, and many remain
closed. Unfortunately,
Church of God
congregations have not
escaped the waters
wrath.
First Church of God in
Doniphan, Missouri, was
one of the hardest-hit.
According to Pastor Larry
Earl, their family life center
was submerged under
seven feet of water.
Offices, including his, are
a total loss. In the
sanctuary, the grand
piano was turned upside
down and the organ was
moved from the front of
the room to the back.
Ceiling tiles came down
throughout. Pastor Greg
Mason and his wife Tina,
who have lived in the
parsonage, are also
dealing with the total loss
of their homeand
everything insideas
water crested above their
roofs edge.
While flood waters have
come within a few inches
of other Church of God
COGVA News
buildings in Missouri
without significant
damage, these locations
are not out of the woods
yet. Numerous families
and individuals of Church
of God congregations
have also been affected to
one degree or another. In
an e-mail update from
Missouri Ministries of the Flood Waters at FCOG,
Church of God, state Doniphan, MO
administrative pastor
Howard Megill
acknowledged that there
may be damage to
churches that simply has
not yet been reported. In
fact, total assessment of
damage may not be
possible until the flood
waters recede. But you
dont have to wait until
flood waters recede to act.
Donate to Disaster Relief
right now.
As more information Flood Damage Inside FCOG
becomes available, Doniphan, MO
Church of God Ministries
will pass it along to you. In
the meantime, please
continue to pray for
Missouri.
Consider a generous
donation to the Disaster
Relief Fund. Give online at
give.JesusIsTheSubject.or
Flooding at FCOG,
g/disasterrelief or mail Doniphan, MO
your donation to Church of
God Ministries, PO Box
2420, Anderson, IN
46018; please note that
your gift is for Disaster
Relief, Project # 45.04502.
(Continued on page 10)
 Page 8 of 10

COGVA Budget -Summary of COGVA

Expenditures
August 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017
Aug-Oct Nov-Jan Feb-April
Categories Budget 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr
Expenses Expenses Expenses
1000 State Office
1100 Business Office $3,500.00 $905.49 $856.34 $494.33
1200 Insurance $14,800.00 $3,491.00 $110.50 $3,449.00
1300 Office Manager $14,437.50 $3,609.36 $3,609.36 $3,609.36
1400 Income Taxes $3,320.00 $879.82 $879.81 $784.12

Subtotal $36,057.50 $8,885.67 $5,456.01 $8,336.81

1500 Chair $800.00 $- $- $58.52

2000 State Minister

Reimbursement Fund $16,050.00 $1,423.05 $3,627.89 $2,109.81

Subtotal $16,850.00 $1,423.05 $3,627.89 $2,168.33

3000 Executive Council/Standing Ministries

3100 Executive Board $800.00 $- $- $-
3200 Ministry of Church Service/Credentials $300.00 $38.20 $57.85 $-
3300 Ministry of Christian Education $75.00 $- $- $-
3400 Ministry of Evangelism $50.00 $- $- $-
3600 Ministry of Program $2,000.00 $24.32 $765.64 $-
3800 Ministerial Fellowship $100.00 $- $- $-
3900 Church Property Team $75.00 $- $- $-

Subtotal $3,400.00 $62.52 $823.49 $-

5000 Property and Maintenance

5110 Camp Bedford
5110 Caretaker $5,000.00 $1,250.01 $833.34 $-
Health Insurance $840.00 $210.00 $140.00 $-

5120 Campground Expenses (Maintenance) $1,000.00 $- $- $-

Capital Improvements $750.00 $- $- $-
 Page 9 of 10 COGVA News
Vehicle Maintenance $300.00 $- $- $-
Camp Bedford Mkt/Advertising $500.00 $- $- $-

5140 Utilities $6,000.00 $968.59 $1,125.86 $555.76

Subtotal $14,390.00 $2,428.60 $2,099.20 $555.76

5200 Camp Christi

5210 Caretaker $26,565.12 $6,641.28 $6,641.28 $6,641.28
5220 Health Insurance $7,000.00 $1,788.00 $1,788.00 $1,788.00

5250 Utilities $14,000.00 $4,739.58 $2,325.52 $2,088.69

5260 Maintenance $4,000.00 $- $350.00 $700.00
Camp Christi Mkt/Advertising $500.00 $- $- $-
5270 Capital Improvements $750.00 $- $- $750.00
5280 Vehicle Maintenance $500.00 $- $- $-
5300 Legal Fees $500.00 $48.50 $104.36 $129.75
5400 Ministry Expenses $300.00 $- $-
Christmas Bonus $1,300.00 $- $1,300.00 $-

Subtotal $55,415.12 $13,217.36 $12,509.16 $7,992.26

Total Expenses $126,112.62 $26,017.20 $24,515.75 $23,158.82

Total Income $23,974.31 $26,553.97 $23,936.93

Difference $(2,042.89) $2,038.22 $778.11

Mark Your Calendar

May
21-26 Indoor Camp Meeting/Mountain Empire District hosted at Chilhowie FCOG
24th -26th, Wellons Street CHOG (Suffolk) 7:30pm, nightly.
Speaker : Rev marion Thomas, associate minister, Joynes Road Church of God
June
28th July 1st Middler Camp grades 1-5
July
10th 15th Junior and Senior High Camp
30th August 5th COGVA State Camp Meeting Worship Evangelist: Rev. Jimmy Crumbley, Preaching Evagelist: Rev.
David Hall (This is a change from previous anoouncements as Rev. Mitchell Birch had double booked himself for the same
time period.)
September
27 29 JRCOG Fall Revival, Conference, and Annual CWC Day; 7:30 nightly with Rev. Mikki Merrit, Pastor, New Cote
Brilliante Church of God, St. Louis, MO and Presiding Elder. National Association of the Church of God,
30th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, JRCOG - Fall Conference, Rev. and Mrs. Mikki Merritt, followed by fellowship lunch TBD
October
1st 11:00am JRCOG Rev. Mikki Merritt, Speaker 4:00 pm, JRCOG Annual CWC Service, Rev. Carol E. Merritt, Speaker.

Church of God
in Virginia
Ive Been Thinkin (Continued)
concerned with the eternal
well-being of the soul, and
4704 Roanoke Road
couple our desire to go
Christiansburg, VA 24073
good in the world with a
PHONE: desire for souls to be
(540) 268-2040 brought into the Kingdom
FAX:
of God. Many great
(540) 268-2040
organizations provide a
wealth of good for our
E-MAIL:
brobob4691@gmail.com world, but only one entity,
the church, bears the
responsibility of coupling
cogvaoffice@gmail.com
good works with the
message of salvation from
sin and the promise of
eternal life.
Floods Devastate Churches, (Continued)
Gifts to the Disaster Relief
Fund at Church of God
Ministries are used to
respond to needs
identified on the ground.
All gifts to the Disaster
Relief Fund are used for
Were on the Web!
See us at:
About the Church of God in Virginia
www.virginiachurchofgod.com The Church of God in
Virginia consists of 50
churches across the
Commonwealth and
according to current
CHURCH OF GOD IN VIRGINIA
4704 Roanoke Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Lizzie DeArmond, one of
our hymn writers for the
Church of God, wrote the
following words: In a
cheery way let me toil
each day, helping others
lovingly, with my work well
done at the set of sun,
when my King shall call
for me. May He find me in
my place, when my King
shall call for me, with a
loyal heart doing well my
part, when my King shall
call for me.
disaster relief domestically
and internationally at the
discretion of the Disaster
Relief Committee. For
more information about
the Church of God, visit
needed/
accounting serve over
2,500 constituents each
Sunday Morning. Our
current State Leadership
consists of Chair - Rev.
Page 10 of 10
May it be our desire to be
successful in ministry by
Christs standards.. Let us
not look to impress those
around us, but to be
pleasing to the Father, so
that, when He calls us
home, we might be found
doing well our part, when
our King shall call for us
and we anticipate hearing
the words of Jesus
spoken to us as He says,
Well done, my good and
faithful servant.
www.JesusIsTheSubject.o
rg.
(Article taken from
https://chognews.org/2017
/05/03/floods-devastate-
churches-communities-in-
missouri-your-help-
Dick Gilbert , Vice-Chair
Rev. Henry Haskins,
Secretary Sister. Cathy
Atkins, and State Minister
Dr. Bob Neace.