125th Anniversary of the Church of God - August 19, 2011

On August 19, 1886, a band of believers gathered at the Barney Creek Meeting House in Tennessee and formed what would eventually become the Church of God. Today, 125 years later, these humble beginnings have resulted in a movement of nearly 7 million members worldwide in 178 countries.

At the 73rd International General Assembly last summer, a resolution was passed recognizing the first 125 years of the Church of God.

Resolution of the 125th Anniversary of the Church of God:

WHEREAS, on August 19, 2011, the 125th anniversary of the birth of the Church of God will be observed; and,

WHEREAS, from the eight individuals who responded to Richard G. Spurling’s invitation “to take the New Testament . . . for your only rule of faith and practice . . . and to sit together as the Church of God” has increased to 6,748,354 members around the world, with 34,848 churches; and,

WHEREAS, this historical occasion provides an opportunity for the entire Church of God family to remember the past, rejoice in the present, and renew our commitment to the future;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we remember our Pentecostal heritage, the faithful men and women who sacrificed and served to shape our Biblical values, and the flow of divine grace and gifts that formed the Church of God into a worldwide evangelistic force; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we rejoice for the guiding hand of our Lord on the Church of God, for establishing us as His blessed people, and for providing unlimited heavenly resources through prayer; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we renew our commitment to worship God in spirit and truth, to fulfill the missional mandate of the Great Commission, and to reflect a spirit of trust in every aspect of ministry; and,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we come together in a spirit of celebration and commitment on this 125th anniversary, that states/regions, and local churches outline events to remember, rejoice, and renew, reflect honor and glory to the Lord, and inspire new avenues to support the mission and vision of the Church of God.

Church of God International Offices 
2490 Keith Street • P.O. Box 2430
Cleveland, TN • 37320-2430 
Phone: (423) 472-3361 Fax: (423) 478-7066 • E-mail
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