Pastors' Fellowship

01/22/2026

With whom are YOU sharing Jesus? Thankful for more timeless truth from Rev. Dr. Arnetta Bailey!

01/20/2026

A Secret Rapture?
By Jason Johnson

The Church of God movement does not affirm the modern concept of the rapture because it is not rooted in the historic teaching of the early church, nor is it clearly taught in Scripture. The popular idea of a secret, sudden removal of believers before a period of tribulation is a relatively recent development in Christian theology. It emerged primarily in the 1800s through the influence of John Nelson Darby and later became widespread through prophecy conferences, study Bibles, and popular books. For most of Christian history, the church understood Christ’s return as a single, visible event in which Jesus comes to judge the world, renew creation, and fully establish His kingdom.

Scripturally, the Church of God emphasizes that passages often used to support a rapture, such as 1 Thessalonians 4 and Matthew 24, describe the public return of Christ rather than a secret departure of the church. In 1 Thessalonians 4, believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, but the language includes a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God, all signs of a visible and unmistakable event. The purpose is not escape from the world, but welcoming Christ as He comes in victory. In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of His coming as visible, sudden, and known to all, like lightning across the sky, not hidden or divided into multiple phases.

The Church of God also holds an amillennial understanding of the kingdom of God. This means Christ is reigning now, His kingdom is already present through the church and the work of the Holy Spirit, and history is moving toward a final consummation when Christ returns. Rather than expecting believers to be removed from suffering or cultural responsibility, the church emphasizes faithful witness, holy living, and perseverance until the end. The New Testament consistently calls Christians to endurance, not escape, trusting God’s sustaining grace in the midst of trials.

Finally, the Church of God believes the hope of the church is not evacuation from the earth, but resurrection, restoration, and the renewal of all things. The promise of Christ’s return centers on the defeat of sin and death, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and the full reconciliation of creation to God. This aligns with the historic Christian confession that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead and that His kingdom will have no end. For the Church of God, this unified vision better reflects the teaching of Scripture, the witness of the early church, and the call to live faithfully in the present age rather than speculating about timelines and escape scenarios.

*Jason Johnson loves the Lord and the doctrines of the Church of God movement. He serves with excellence as pastor of Prestonsburg Church of God in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Image design also by Jason Johnson.

01/15/2026

Unity...made possible by the Holy Spirit! Thank you, Brother Mitchell Burch!

01/12/2026

Pastors, church leaders, and board members...check this out! From our Pastor's Toolbox, today we feature former Church of God General Assembly chair Esther Cottrell offering some insights on how to ensure productivity at your next board or committee meeting!

Leading effective board meetings may not be the most glamorous part of the ministry, but it's essential for getting things done. In this video, the state pas...

01/03/2026

We received word this morning of the passing of Rev. Willard Wilcox. As we remember this giant of the faith, we reflect on this special and humbling moment from Pastors’ Fellowship 11 years ago that Pastor Allan Hutchinson shared.
Obituary (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/greeneville-tn/willard-wilcox-12690703) & service information will be shared once finalized. Please keep the family in your prayers.

12/25/2025

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 NKJV

12/24/2025

Truth in song...Christmas song, that is...from Bro. Barney Warren, 1897!

12/11/2025

Can we get an amen?!

(Quote from Warner's booklet, "The Church of God or What is the Church and What is Not")

11/27/2025

On behalf of the Pastors' Fellowship Steering Committee, happy to all!

Pictured here: sheet music, "Our Glad Thanksgiving" (Church of God heritage hymn by Clara M. Brooks, Andrew L. Byers, 1919)

11/21/2025

What does knowing Jesus mean to you? Testify by dropping a comment below!

11/19/2025

Don't you love how the heritage hymns and spiritual songs proclaim so well what we believe in beautiful and accessible melody and harmony? Which of these is your favorite? Comment below as you enjoy this journey back to our heritage hymn sing from the year 2022.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/14/2025

"...that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:27 NKJV