Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / July 18, 2013, edition 1 / Page 10
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Photos by Layla Garros Members of the COG A Praise & Worship Team perform. National COGA gathering comes to St* Peter's BY LAYLA GARMS THE CHRONICLE The Church of God Apostolic, Inc. National Family & Growth Conference is in town this week. St. Peter's World Outreach Center is host ing the event, which began Monday and ends tomorrow. St. Peter's traces its roots back to the more than 100 year old Church of God Apostolic (COGA) tradi tion. The late Bishop Reuben Hash Sr., the father of current SPWOC Pastor James C. Hash, served as presiding over seer for the COGA for many years prior to his death in the early 1990's. Bishop Charles Hash, COGA first vice general overseer and one of R.K. Hash's 10 children, says he has fond memories of past Family & Church Growth Conferences. "I've been coming to the conference from a child, and one of my greatest recol lections is the people," said Hash, the pastor of Word of Life Fellowship in Roanoke, Va. "It's great peo ple here. It's like family. It's people that you love - they treat you with the utmost respect. We're a small organization, but when we come together, the people enjoy one another." Bishop Cecil Reid. pastor of Refuge Temple Evangelistic Center in Jonesville, has served as Presiding Overseer since 1993. The annual confer ence is a staple in the Apostolic tradition, said Reid, whose church cur rently serves as COGA national headquarters. "It's a traditional part of our organization that we have an annual meet ing." explained the Greensboro native, who was baptized in the Apostolic church over 60 years ago. "We all come together and we have fel lowship and carry out our national and international business." Reid said he expected around 300 attendees from as far away as Michigan. Florida and Arizona. The conference is intended to be a source of encouragement, inspi ration and education for attendees, he added. "It's not just coming for a good time, but for a learning time," said the grandfather of 15, who was slated to speak on the fundamentals of leader ship during the confer ence. "The teaching will be well worth their com ing." Though education and promoting growth of COGA congregations are key components in the conference, many of those who attend ithe event year after year cite the fellowship among its greatest assets. "It always has a posi tive effect on people," said Bishop Donald Newkirk, pastor of New Beginning Christian Development Center in Lexington. "They like to come and they like the fellowship. The fellow ship is one of the most important parts. We just like to get together." Music is also a major component in the COGA tra dition. The church even has its own songs, cour tesy of COGA Music Director David Reid, Bishop Reid's son and the conference's longtime music guru. Reid, a Greensboro resident and alumnus of UNC School of the Arts, has composed 375 original hymns for the church to date. He introduced several new songs during the confer ence this week. Reid, a pianist, says he has found music to be a highly effective tool for reach ing people. "Songs have a way of ministering to people where a sermon will never touch," said the father of three, who is set to lead voices from across the COGA confer ence in recording a CD later this year. "I've learned a lot of times to put the messages to the melody, and they are well received." The COGA tradition has played an integral role in his life, added the Share the Lamb Ministries pastor. "It was through this that I found my wife." said Reid, who met his spouse. Justina Reid. at a COGA Jubilee at the age of 13. "It was through this that I've discovered and grown as a minister, as a pastor. It has a great foundation, and the orga nization's full of love." Bishop Elbert West, pastor of Mount Zion Church of God in Ashburn. Ga., made the 450-plus mile trek from his home in the Peach State to participate in the conference this year. "I haven't missed a one in 40 years," related West, who represents COGA's Southern District. "We have good growth so far. It's not like it was back years ago. but i we are growing. We're just praying that COGA continues to grow." For more information about COGA. visit www.cogainc.org. Presiding Overseer Cecil Reid (left) with Bishop Charles Hash. James C. Hash Bishops ElbertWest and Donald Sewkirk (right). COGA Music Director David Reid with his wife Justina. Winston Lake Y TNT participants drop 630 pounds SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Transformation Nation Triad (TNT), a free 16-week group training program, helped participants at the Winston Lake Family YMCA lose 636 pounds. Across the region, the program helped more than 1,200 participants lose a cumulative 11,996 pounds. The program was led by YMCA personal trainers and wellness coaches to provide support, motivation and instruction to make healthy lifestyle changes. YMCA locations across Northwest North Carolina participated. The top two winners at each participating YMCA of Northwest North Carolina branch were awarded prizes based on the highest percentage of weight loss. First place win ners received a free six-month member ship to the YMCA and second place winners received a free three-month membership to the YMCA. A third win ner was selected ran domly from all par ticipants who attend ed 12-15 sessions to receive a YMCA Gift Certificate. First place was awarded to Cassius Adams, second place was awarded to Deanna Walker and Michelle Cherry won the random drawing. "We are so proud of the hard work from all of the Transformation Nation Triad participants," said Robert Edwards, wellness director at the Winston Lake Family YMCA. "Our YMCA trainers and nutrition experts from Novant Health provided the knowledge and motivation, but the participants really put in the effort to make this possible." The program was a partnership between WXII News 12, Novant Health, and local YMCAs. The weight loss journey was featured on air by WXII News 12 and includ ed weekly group workouts at the YMCA, weekly weigh ins, daily exercise schedules, nutrition information from Novant Health, childcare provided during normal operat ing hours, and a free t-shirt for all participants. "The weight loss achieved is incredible, but what we hear from participants is that the relationships they form with their trainers and fellow group members, as well as the changes that happen with their self-confidence and overall health are the best benefits of TNT," said Edwards. To learn more about health and wellness programs offered at the YMCA, visit winstonlakevmca org or call 336 724 9205. Winston Lake Y Wellness Director Robert Edwards. Tonya Pinkim 2013 Co-Chair Doricn Wilson 2013 Co-Char Lanmin R acker TXeyah Crystal Keymih Bell Ollowiy Hal William Ted Langc Norm Lewii Kim Cola Tommy Foni cAQmal SSlael rJhahe c%Uwal ? July 29th - August 3rd, 2013 Join more than 60,000 Attendees! Over 140 performances by 35 of the best Black theatre companies from the United States, Canada, South America and the Caribbean. An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit We're saving a seat just for you. Produced By The North Carolina Black Repertory Company The National Black Theatre Festival^ it the international outreach program of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, Winslon-Salem, North Carolina For addroonal information call 336.723^266 or viot www.nbtf.org BLACK THEATRE IS FOR EVERYONE! Ita a ty te N. C Am CML ? toata rf t* D?am* arCdMl tonm Ite Ma* CMlti ?MhpamyCumpaMliiktMCMtf Wama-M?adAnqtC?Hi?CHrrfAmmO?am Jam ReynoMi Petti Mi?|? - r - i Antonio FvfM ? I RoaootOnaa i i IGpiiMafcmi
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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July 18, 2013, edition 1
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