Heritage Day - June 13, 2009

HERITAGE DAY AT THE PARK

It’s Heritage Day at the Park! Heritage Ministries and Youth Ministries have teamed up to bring the entire family, friends, youth and church groups together on June 13, 2009 at Fields of the Wood in Murphy, NC in the great Smoky Mountains. Everyone from the east, west, north and south is welcome.

There will be something for everyone, young and old, including:
· Great contemporary & southern gospel music
· The Great Heritage Race
· Baptismal Service
· Games for everyone
· Special guest speakers and presenters
· The best burgers on sale at the Burger Mountain Café (or you can also bring your own picnic lunch if you prefer)
· Guided tours of the park
· And much, much more!

Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2009. This is a free event. No admission fee is required.

Fields of the Wood
10000 Hwy. 294
Murphy, NC 28906
www.fieldsofthewood.net
(828) 494-7855

We are looking for music, drama and dance groups to participate in our afternoon spectacular. Please contact Paul Holt at (423) 559-5135 (pholt@cogop.org) or Aileen Reid at (423) 559-5304 (areid@cogop.org ) if you would like to participate or for more information. See you at the park!

New Sign at Fields of the Wood

The new sign on Hwy 294 at the entrance of Fields of the Wood. This provides us a marquee to promote park events and includes promotion for the Gift Shop and the Cafe.

I would like to thank Don Johnston for submitting these photos. . .

News from Fields of the Woods

1. The Church of God of Prophecy in Tennessee is raising money to make repairs on the park pavilion. I was able to meet with the construction team last Thursday and the project is slated to be complete by Heritage Day on June 13, 2009.


2. Some repairs were recently made to the Psalms of Praise wall.


3. Work has begun on the arch at the bottom of Ten Commandment Mountain. It was in dire need of some stucco repair and paint. This project should be completed soon.


4. A new sign promoting the park, the gift shop, and the cafe is currently being installed in front of the park on Hwy 294. This should be a real attention grabber to those that are driving by!


5. The plane that was once on display at the park is currently getting some clean up and a face lift. We hope to have it on display again soon.


6. The All Nations Cross has been without flags for some time. Banners have been ordered and they will be on display from Easter to the end of November.

7. New Fields of the Wood brochures have been printed and are available. If you would like some brochures, please contact me at pholt@cogop.org.


A special thank you to our Fields of the Wood staff for all their hard work!


Blessings,


Paul Holt

2009 - 100% in Heritage Ministries Memberships

1. West Blocton, AL
2. Covington, LA
3. New Harvest in McComb, MS
4. Miami (No. 1) FL
5. Gallatin, TN
6. Crossroads in White Bluff, TN
7. Jamestown, IN
8. Maben, MS
9. Decatur, AL
10. Bamberg, SC

More Churhes Reach 100%

I would like to commend the following churches for reaching 100% for 2009:

Gallatin, TN
Crossroads Church in White Bluff, TN
Jamestown, IN
Maben, MS
Decatur, AL
Bamberg, SC

Great work!

Paul Holt
Heritage Ministries Director

Miami No. 1 Church of God of Prophecy

I would like to congratulate the Miami No. 1 Church of God of Prophecy in Miami FL. They are now 100% in Heritage Association Memberships for 2009. Pastor Noward Dean and his congregation are to be commended.

New Harvest Church of God of Prophecy in McComb MS

I would like to congratulate the New Harvest Church of God of Prophecy in McComb MS. They are now 100% in Heritage Association Memberships for 2009. Pastor Thomas McTaggart and his congregation are to be commended.

Work Teams Needed

Several local churches have volunteered to work at Fields of the Wood. We are now ready to begin mobilizing these teams. If your local church would be interested in working in any of the following areas, please let me know.

1. Landscaping
2. Concrete (Steps and Walls)
3. Painting
4. Construction/Remodel
5. Electrical
6. Plumbing

Please specifiy which area(s)

We need some initial landscaping teams on site in March/April.

You can contact me at pholt@cogop.org.

Thank you.

Paul Holt

Personalization of Membership Cards

There are three ways to join the Heritage Ministries Association:

1. Through the local Churches monthly report to International Offices.

2. In person or via mail direct with the Heritage Ministries at International Offices

3. Online at http://www.cogop.org/ under Heritage Ministries

We would be happy to personalize your membership card(s). Please include a list of the name(s) as you want them to appear and we will take care of the personalization.

Thank you,

Paul Holt

Heritage Ministries Director

Top Ten Churches - Heritage Ministries Association 2008 Memberships & Donations

Top Ten in Donations/Memberships for 2008

10. Wadesboro NC Church of God of Prophecy
(t) Arrowhead Church of God of Prophecy in Knoxville TN
9. Marion OH Church of God of Prophecy
8. Camp Branch Church of God of Prophecy in Manor GA
7. Miami FL Ridgeway Church of God of Prophecy
6. Fries VA Church of God of Prophecy
5. Forest Hill Church of God of Prophecy in Jackson MS
4. Gallatin TN Church of God of Prophecy
3. Rockingham NC Church of God of Prophecy
2. Blair Street Church of God of Prophecy in Thomasville NC
1. Crossroads Church of God of Prophecy in White Bluff TN

Covington Church of God of Prophecy

I would like to congratulate the Covington Church of God of Prophecy in Louisiana. They are the second local church to reach 100% in Heritage Association Memberships for 2009. Pastor Philip McNemar Sr., Heritage Ministries Director Fay Kohn and the Covington congregation are to be commended.

Letter to Pastors & Heritage Ministries Directors - Spanish

El 28 de enero de 2009

Estimado pastor o director(a) del Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico:

¡Saludos en nombre de nuestro Señor y Salvador, Jesucristo! Confío que está disfrutando de las bendiciones del Señor y está emocionado por las nuevas oportunidades que vendrán con el año nuevo.

Debido a que muchos pastores y directores de ministerios me han dicho que no han recibido ninguna información concerniente al Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico desde hace mucho tiempo, como nuevo director internacional, le estoy enviando esta carta directamente a usted como intento de abrir paso a la comunicación.

Puesto que la comunicación ha venido menguando, muchos tienen conceptos equivocados sobre este ministerio. Me gustaría alentarlo dejándole saber que el Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico (anteriormente AMIP) es un ministerio aún en operación de la Iglesia de Dios de la Profecía y contrario a lo que posiblemente se ha escuchado, no se han cerrado, ni están por cerrarse, ni están a la venta los Campos del Bosque.

El Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico existe para conservar nuestro patrimonio mientras alienta a nuestras iglesias a buscar de nueva visión. La financiación para este ministerio viene de las donaciones de la Membresía de la Asociación del Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico.

Membresías individuales de $10 dólares, proveen apoyo económico a los esfuerzos para conservar nuestro patrimonio y mantener y mejorar los Campos del Bosque, la casa de la primera Asamblea, el sitio de la escuela Shearer, y el marcador del Espíritu Santo.

Si bien el Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico es mucho más que los Campos del Bosque, el grueso de los fondos son utilizados para operar dicho parque. Durante los últimos años, ha existido una disminución en la membresía y las donaciones, lo cual ha debilitado nuestros esfuerzos por mantener el parque en buenas condiciones.

Aunque la condición del parque está en necesidad de mejoras y reparación, los Campos del Bosque continúa siendo una popular atracción turística, recibiendo regularmente visitas de personas de diferentes denominaciones y trasfondos. Un ateo autoproclamado visitó nuestro parque y dijo, “No puedo decir que creo…pero por primera vez en mi vida, puedo ver por qué la gente cree”.

Un visitante quien fue por primera vez un 14 de octubre de 2000, era alcohólico en necesidad de ayuda. Mientras visitaba el parque, entró en convicción y entregó su vida a Cristo. Ahora visita los Campos del Bosque cada 14 de octubre para celebrar lo que Dios hizo en su vida y a renovar su membresía en la Asociación del Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico.

Esta historia junto a muchas más convirtieron a los Campos del Bosque en algo más que una conservación de la historia de la Iglesia de Dios de la Profecía. El parque y los demás sitios relacionados ahora son reconocidos como puntos históricos del movimiento pentecostal. Los pecadores son desafiados por la “Palabra” escrita en piedra. Las iglesias van para disfrutar de un tiempo de compañerismo, servicios de oración y bautismos. Las familias se reúnen allí y los individuos visitan para pasar un tiempo a solas con Dios en medio de Su creación.

El parque es un lugar de oración, lugar de evangelismo y un lugar de unidad. Es un lugar que no sólo nos cuenta la historia de ayer, sino que nos dice quién somos ahora.

Quiero pedirle que se una como socio en el 2009 para levantar la Membresía de la Asociación del Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico, a visitar de nuevo nuestro patrimonio, y salir en busca de la visión para el mañana.

Estamos en las etapas iniciales de un sitio web; por favor visítenos al: www.fieldsofthewood.net. Para mantenerse al tanto de lo que sucede en el Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico, visite el sitio blog al: www.heritageministries.blogspot.com.

Adjunto encontrará un volante para colocar en su pizarra de anuncios. Si no tiene un promotor del Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico en su iglesia local, considere nombrar uno. Siéntase con la libertad de contactarme si le puedo servir en algo en su iglesia local.

Nuestra meta no es vivir en el pasado, sino entender nuestro patrimonio para que podamos estar mejor preparados para perseguir nuestra visión.

Gracias por su apoyo.

En Cristo,


Paul Holt
Director del Ministerio del Patrimonio Histórico

Letter to Pastors & Heritage Ministries Directors - English

January 28, 2009

Dear Pastor & Heritage Ministries Director:

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I trust that you are enjoying the blessings of the Lord and excited about the fresh opportunities that a new year provides.

Since many pastors and ministry directors have told me that they have not received any information about Heritage Ministries in quite some time, as the new Director, I am sending out this letter directly to you in an effort to open the doors of communication.

Because communication has been somewhat lacking, many have misconceptions about this ministry. I would like to encourage you by letting you know that Heritage Ministries (formerly CPMA) is still an operating ministry of the Church of God of Prophecy and, in contrast to what you may have heard, the Fields of the Wood is not closed, closing, nor up for sale.

Heritage Ministries exists to help preserve our heritage while encouraging our churches to pursue fresh vision. Funding for this ministry comes from donations and Heritage Ministries Association Memberships.

Individual Memberships, which are $10.00, provide financial support for efforts to preserve our heritage and maintain and improve Fields of the Wood, the First Assembly House, the Shearer Schoolhouse site, and the Holy Ghost Marker.

While Heritage Ministries is about more than Fields of the Wood, the bulk of the funds are used to operate the park. Over the past few years, there has been a decrease in memberships and donations, which has greatly hindered efforts to maintain the park in good order.

Even though the condition of the park is in need of improvements and repair, Fields of the Wood remains a popular tourist attraction, with people from most every denomination and all walks of life visiting regularly. A self-proclaimed atheist visited our park and said, “I cannot say that I believe . . . but for the first time in my life, I can see why people do believe.”

One visitor who came to the park for the first time on October 14, 2000, was an alcoholic in desperate need of help. While touring the park, he came under conviction and surrendered his life to Christ. He now returns to the Fields of the Wood every October 14 to celebrate what God did in his life and to join the Heritage Ministries Association.

This story and many more make it clear that Fields of the Wood has become far more than just a preservation of Church of God of Prophecy history. The park and related sites are now recognized as key historical points for the Pentecostal movement. Sinners are challenged by the “Word” in stone. Churches come for fellowship, prayer services, and baptisms. Families gather here, and individuals come to be alone with God amid His creation.

The park is a place of prayer, a place of evangelism, and a place of unity. It is a place that not only tells yesterday’s story; it also testifies of who we are today.

I would like to ask you to partner with us in 2009 to boost Heritage Ministries & Association Memberships, to revisit our heritage, and to pursue vision for tomorrow.

We are in the beginning stages of a new website; please check it out at www.fieldsofthewood.net. To keep up with what’s going on in Heritage Ministries, go to www.heritageministries.blogspot.com.

A flyer is included in this mailing for your bulletin board. If you do not have a Heritage Ministries booster in your church, I would like to encourage you to consider appointing one. If I can be of any assistance to your local church, please feel free to contact me.

Our goal is not to live in the past, but to understand our heritage so that we may be better prepared to pursue our vision.

Thank you for your support.

In Christ,


Paul Holt
Heritage Ministries Director