List of COGOP influencers

[beckrl]

Forward thinking and or progressive

I only have heard only a few in which most have listed.
Billy Murray, Randy Howard.

Then there are those in the early history of the Church
AJ Tomlinson, MA Tomlinson

Then you have those than only tried to do the Lord's will without trying to reinvent the wheel. These are those than stand out to me throw dedication. That list is much longer....

[Pastor Don]

Brother Gary;
First let me say that I appreciate the question. I've got a lot of time on my hands these days and it has really made me think.

My list of course would consist of the men and women that are around the area that I am in. However; some of the names that I will list are far from being in my own personal circle of "friends".

First Pastor Gary I would have to agree that you would be a person that is on that list because it is evident that God has brought you to where you are. I was only a few short years ago that you were even reluctant to call yourself a pastor. God has transitioned you to where you are because of your ability to be led of the Spirit.

Next a brother that I work quite closely with, although he is my "boss" he has also proved himself to be a caring friend. He has a vision of where God is leading him in the ministry he has been placed and is quite forward thinking and doing thing the way he is being led of God rather than just the way thing have been done and that would be Brother Paul Holt. While in this ball park I think his immediate supervisor is quite remarkable as well. and that would be Brother Ben Feliz.

There will be many that will disagree with me but I truly believe Brother Randy Howard to be an influential man and not simply because of his "position" but because of his true desire to minister the Gospel to the world.

Next I would have to list Sister Kay Horner. Anyone who was in the auditorium during the last GA would have to know that her ability to lead people into worship is gift of God that she is influencing our entire organization with.

There are two names that I would almost consider synonymous progressive, and forward thinking being Brother Billy Wilson and Brother Bubba Cardin. Their influence has not been fully felt YET but I truly feel that it will be felt more and more in the coming years.

My State Bishop Brother Steve Gilmer is certainly forward thinking. I would say let his record speak for itself during his ministry here in the Sate of North Carolina. His

TN's State Bishop Brother E.C. McKinley is a very forward thinking individual and has influence beyond his "scope" of ministry. It is evident in the lives of the men and women that labor with him in TN.

Then there would be Brother Tim Coalter the newly appointed State Bishop for SC. I can speak on a personal level concerning Brother Coalter. When I was a very young and impressionable 12 year old boy in a North Carolina youth camp, Brother Coalter influenced my life beyond even what he knows. He spent hours after lights out praying with me and trying to help me make since out of God's calling on my life. So why do I think he will make an impression upon our organization? Simple really, He lets God work through him and then moves out of the way calling only attention the what God has done, not the individual He chose to do it through.

And the nameless thousands that get up and support their local church. Those who daily pray for, lifting up, and encourage the man they call pastor. Those, to me, are the real "most influential" leaders we have today and will ever have.

And last but certainly not least would be the men and women that stand behind these influential leaders, their spouses. Coming from the point of knowing of what I speak, I know with out a doubt that it is my wife who has been a tool in the hand of God many times. Helping to shape me, mold me, temper me, and yes encourage me. But it doesn't stop there. She can also be the worst critic I have. Still a tool but one that is not so soft and fuzzy...lol.

I hope these answers are kind of what you were looking for. Again, thanks for making me think!

Don J

[dawgs10]

i think that billy wilson single handedly brought cogop out of a inward type church and introduced us to the rest of the christain world.

[Pastor Gary]

What is the criteria for someone being considered "Forward thinking?"

You tell me... It was an intentionally obscure criteria open to some interpretation.

Okay... forward thinking: if we were talking about a business or political leader what would "forward thinking" mean?

Perhaps the opposite of BACKWARD thinking?

• Innovative in approach
• Outreach oriented
• Not irrevocably tied to methodologies of past decades
• Missional
• Impacting the surrounding community
• Willing to change methods and approaches (without compromising the gospel)
• ...you get the idea; leaders you look up to, admire, emulate, learn from...

[PastorP]

There is no better Christian, preacher and/or leader then Adrian Varlack. I believe him to be a man after God's own heart.

[RamboPreacher]

I am interested in learning who you would list among progressive, influential leaders in the COGOP today. They might be Pastors, Overseers, General Appointees, former leaders, or just plain folks who are opinion leaders, are visible, or are those who "get it.

Bishop James Endecott
Dr. HEC
Bishop A. Varlack
Pastor Gary
Bishop Dorschuck (SP)
Bishop Pratt
and others

[Shellie]

free,

My then 17 year old daughter went to Indonesia on a missionary trip. Brother Zebua was there to help her along. Her life was changed.

[Tarheelone]

Two COGOP leaders that greatly influenced my life was: M S Curry and
A J Coalter.

Some the pastors that I feel are influencing their areas today are:
Scott Creasy and Art Wilson - FL,
Ron Brisson, Clarence Laney, Bill Vines, Jeff Burkhardt, Rolf Woodard, Ron Blackmon, Marshall Norris, Steve Crews, Frank Taylor, Ben Duncan, Carswell Leonard, and several others in NC,
Scott Lee - NW Terr,
Clint Knowles, Brian Sutton - AL,
Gary Atkins - SC

I am sure there are others in many areas. I know that many in NC are changing and influencing their world.

Problem with list - you leave a friend or fellow worker off of the list.

IMHO - there are many in the COGOP who we could list. Our better days are not behind - look up - they are ahead.

[scooter]

Cathy Payne and Cathy Creasy

[cndlou]

Some listed I agree with some I don't so... this is my list... Annette Taylor, Kathy Creasy, E C McKinley, Randy Howard and several international guys (Bro Gena, Bro Vitaly, Bro Samir etc)

[Tarheelone]

Thinking of more.
Pastors: Barbara Janice Roseboro, Iris Tilman, Billy Norris, Richard Sauls, - NC.
Local leaders/ministers: Ted Cooper - SC, William Lamb - TN, Jason Vernon - VA.

I sure more will come to mind.

[scooter]

L.B. Bagget, Mikey Jones, Larry Lowery and Tim Harper

[rspastor]

Because this generation is so relational. I would have to put our State Overseer (Scott Gillum) on the list. He definately strives to build relationships. His heart is relational. To impact this generation that is an important trait, however, it isn't easy. The church is not made up of just this generation. But, he is planting seeds to bring this about in our state.

And by the way, God is relational too. The question isn't how we relate to the corporate entity, the "church" but how do we relate number 1 to God and number 2, people.

[Pastor Bill]

Okay.

Some of these influencers I know personally and others I am listing from perception:

John Pace
Tim Coalter
Scott Gillum (sp?)
Cathy Payne
Billy Wilson
Tom Jones (former)

I would have to strongly agree on Scott Gillum, he's our SO, and has REALLY moved us forward, very focused on local church ministry, and sees the state offices and programs as resources for the local churches not the other way around.

[A2JGirl]

L.B. Bagget

I'm pretty sure that must be the L.B. Bagget who has a daughter named Gay (Bagget) Shaw. She and her family are good friends of mine up here in TN (and her newly married daughter living in Alaska). I've met Bro. & Sis. Bagget several times and they're good people.