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Ministerial Declarations:
Public Statements from pastors and
ministry in the IN/KY/OH Region




The following statements, by pastors and others in ministry, have been freely made by the authors for posting to this page of the Regional Website. Statements from the ministry in other regions will be welcomed to this page as well.

Special Note:  If you are part of the ministry in this, or another, region and would like to include a public statement of support to be posted on this page, please submit your well-written, grammatically correct comments to the Regional Office at RegionalOffice@1Fold.com and include the words "Ministerial Statement" somewhere in the subject of your email.



The following Ministerial Declarations appear in alphabetical order, by last name of the author.
Please revert back to this page continually for updates and additions.



Russell Aucoin, Pastor – The Church of God at Hopkinsville, KY

It is with regret that I have to write this statement; that there be no misunderstandings about
myself or The Church of God at Hopkinsville, KY.

It saddens me to feel that Theocracy has been set aside by the Administrative Committee of The
Church of God, Charleston, Tennessee.  Some of the proceedings and principals set forth by this
Committee do not lend themselves to Theocracy, but rather, have taken away from it.  To remove
one person to replace with another for the purpose of bringing us under their will, for a plan that is
un-biblical, nor was approved by the General Assembly nor the Holy Ghost, is a direct departure
from Theocracy. 

Therefore, I feel that we had to disassociate ourselves with the practices of this Committee.

The Church of God at Hopkinsville, along with myself as Pastor, will continue to observe the
covenant (the whole Bible, rightly divided), the twenty-nine Basic Bible Truths, and the advice to
members.  We will also uphold the auxiliaries and helps in The Church until administrative
corrections can be made.

Sincerely,

Brother Russell Aucoin, Pastor
The Church of God
Hopkinsville, KY.


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Frank Edwards, Pastor – The Church of God at Palmyra, IN

The following facts declare my stand, and the stand of my local church:

  A.)   General Headquarters has ceased to operate in Theocratic Principals of government.
  B.)   General Headquarters has departed from General Assembly process according to Acts 15
  C.)   They’re practicing the printing of unauthorized documents outside the General Assembly,
without General Assembly approval.
  D.)   The breach of General Assembly rulings with regard to local Church properties.
  E.)   The Assembly guidelines of restoration have been abandoned.
  F.)   The attempt to create policies as circumstances arise for their own personal benefit.

…we cannot operate, nor stand in biblical principals as a local church as long as these
departures are practiced and approved by General Headquarters.


_________________________


Ron Legg, Pastor – The Church of God at Castalia, OH

I feel that some in general leadership of The Church have lost sight of the love of God, and are
displaying brutish actions which are unbiblical.  No one has a right to deviate from the Word of
God.  However, I feel that some of the leadership have done just that.


_________________________


Pauline Loveless, Pastor – The Church of God at Goshen, OH

It seems to me that our General Overseer is not in charge.  It seems like someone else is in
charge of The Church of God.  They’re taking jobs and memberships for no reason.  Is this a
Hierarchy?  The Church of God does not operate this way because Theocracy means, “God
Ruled!”


_________________________


Chris Newport, Pastor – The Church of God at Franklin, IN

There can be no doubt that these times in which we are living are those perilous times of which
the Apostle Paul wrote in the 3rd chapter of his 2nd letter to Timothy, when he said, “in the last
days perilous times shall come”.

There is no need, at this time, for me to go into the list of “signs”, for lack of a better term, which
Paul gives of the last days in his letter to Timothy, because I know that we are all very familiar with
these scriptures (2 Timothy 3: 1 – 8).  These are certainly things that we would all expect to be
found in the world, while at the same time, expecting that The Church would provide a place of
refuge against the onslaught of these devices and wiles of the enemy. 

However, such is no longer the case.  As a matter of fact, I have been completely taken aback by
the fact that a number of these “signs” of the last days can now be found at every level within the
walls of The Church of God, the very place where we should be able to go and escape the
wickedness of this world.

I come before you now as one who has been falsely accused (one of the signs), having my
Deacon license revoked, and supposedly my membership terminated in The Church.  My wife
has also had her membership terminated.  The charge, you ask?  We are both charged with
participating in heretical action against the Theocratic Government of The Church of God.

I love The Church of God. I love Theocratic Government.  They are two of the most important
aspects of my life.  I take my Covenant with God and The Church very seriously, and have not
broken that Covenant.  It is a sad, sad day when taking a stand to preserve the sanctity of the
truth, and the purity of The Church causes you to be cast out of the very thing you love most and
are trying to protect.  There are those who would say that it is God’s place alone to preserve and
protect The Church; well if that were true, there would be no reason for you or me to be here.
However, God has chosen to perform these tasks through His Bride, thus using those who are
part of The Bride to carry out the tasks.  It is the responsibility of each and every member of The
Church of God to take a stand for the truth, to speak the truth, and to live right.

I continue to stand opposed to those who are in the government of The Church yet are acting
outside of Theocratic Government for the purpose of advancing their own agendas, and I would
make this stand over, and over, again if need be.  These men are heady, high-minded,
incontinent, false accusers, fierce, and despiser of those that are good.  They have a form of
godliness, but they deny the true power there of. 

There is a story told of a time shortly after the reorganization when Brother Pruitt was asked by
someone from the former organization, what men of renown had come with The Church of God.
Brother Pruitt’s answer was something to the effect, “Only one that I can think of…Jesus Christ.”
Whether this is a true story or not, I can not say, but the point is still well taken. However, it seems
as though we continually have to battle with men who are seeking position and want to make a
name for themselves.  To those men I say, Go somewhere else and do it!!!!

I can not fathom what could draw men so far away from the truth that was once so dear to them,
even to the point that deception has become a part of their daily lives.  Every action that I
mentioned that was taken against my wife and me was done so without as much as a telephone
call or visit from anyone.  A lawsuit has now been brought against our local church by General
Headquarters trying to force us to vacate our building.  We have been told that the building would
be sold and the proceeds used to help fund the repairs to the General Headquarters building. 

I ask you, is this the way that The Church of God is supposed to operate?  Where is the love, and
where is the compassion for one another by which the world will know that we are the disciples
of Christ?  If we can not tell it from within The Church it is very unlikely that the world will ever see
it from without.

But know this, II Timothy 3: 9 states, “But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be
manifest unto all men…..”

God will work this thing out in whatever way He deems most beneficial to His Bride.  So let us
draw nigh to Him as He draws nigh to us, and let us earnestly contend for faith which was
delivered unto the saints.  By so doing we will, without a doubt, enter in at the strait gate and
receive our reward.

Chris Newport, Pastor
The Church of God
Franklin, IN.


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Doris Randols, Pastor – The Church of God at Magnolia, KY

The Ways & Means Committee has been blamed for presenting the plan of 10% added tithes for
each local church to the General Assembly, but I believe it was the Administrative Committee’s
plan.  The Ways and Means Committee was not allowed to present the plan that they were in
100% agreement on.

It is not right for the pastors alone to shoulder the responsibility for General Headquarters.  The
whole Church of God is supposed to be responsible.  Our small churches can’t even support
their pastors.  To take another 10% tithes from the pastors isn’t even Biblical.

Some of the brethren felt threatened that they would be dealt with if they stood against the 10%
added tithe plan presented in the Assembly, but they stood against it anyway.

It is not right for anyone else to try to act as General Overseer.  You can’t even talk to our General
Overseer without someone else being in the same room.  No one else is our General Overseer
but Him.  And if you don’t agree with General Headquarters in every thing they want you to do,
then they consider you rebellious and going against Theocratic Government, when it is not
Theocratic Government to begin with.  If they say jump, you are supposed to say, “how high”
(whether it is right or wrong) or you will be dealt with.  I don’t believe God is pleased when
General Headquarters is being lord and dictators over God’s heritage.

When the appointments were read at the 2005 General Assembly, it devastated me so, when I
heard the name that was called as “overseer for Kentucky.”  I knew this was a political
appointment instead of a “theocratic appointment.”  Our region was being torn apart to create a
“position” for a person that has not been faithful nor has the respect of the majority of the faithful
ministry and members of Kentucky. 

We, the ministry of Kentucky, tried to share our feelings with Bro. Pruitt.  But, someone wanted to
brand us as rebellious, going against theocracy, and nothing was done to help us. 

Bishop Danny L. Carter was blamed for standing for what is right and a certain someone, and
possibly others, has tried to destroy him but they have not been successful for God has His hand
on Bro. Carter.  I am proud to claim him as my Overseer.

The Regional/State/National Overseers are to watch for the souls in their areas, and when there
is something not right in General Headquarters, they should stand face to face to them (in the
right spirit) and not be afraid.  It is just the same as pastors looking out for their sheep.  But
seemingly, that is not the way it is.  It seems some Overseers are afraid to say or do anything for
their Region/State/Nation for fear of having their license revoked and the threat of being removed
from their position as Overseer.  This should not be!  They should be able to talk to the General
Overseer and be heard by him only to begin with – and if necessary, then have the Administrative
Committee come in – but not as lords over God’s heritage; and to have an open mind and heart
to the needs and concerns of the Overseer and his area.

I feel that Bro. Pruitt is being manipulated by someone in General Headquarters that wants the
Church operated their way; and calling it theocracy.  But really it’s Man-ocracy.  

Theocracy means: God rules – under the immediate direction of God.

I am not ashamed where I stand and certainly not discouraged.  God is my refuge, and in Him do
I trust.

Doris M. Randols, Pastor
The Church of God at Magnolia, KY


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Sue Sutherland, Pastor – The Church of God at Catawba Island, OH

Headquarters is not operating under Theocracy.  This Administration writes the rules as they go.

I have personally been lied to by someone who says that no meeting ever took place between the
Administrative Committee, Bro. Pruitt and the ministers of Kentucky.  I was also lied to by
someone who said that there was no document for these ministers to sign and to lay their
licenses on the table.  I personally believe the word of Bro. Carter, Brother Hazel and Bro. Phelps.

I cannot support methods which go against Bible principals, such as lying, heavy-handedness,
disrespect and a lack of love.  No mercy or understanding has been given to this Region
including pastors and members alike.  We have not been heard by the General Church.  The
function of the ABM Department seems to be totally non-existant.

I do not agree with how the Business was conducted in the 2005 General Assembly.  Bro. Carter
did not speak in a bad spirit, nor does he have a bad spirit now!  I have never seen him behave
himself un-Christ-like.  Bro. Carter has never rebuked the General Overseer as we were told by
the wife of a State Overseer closest to Bro. Pruitt; she has called and harassed the pastors in
Ohio.

I do not agree with those who have been appointed by the new acting overseer for IN-OH.  Their
shaded past hovers over them, and no change of attitude or purpose can be seen of them. 

I don’t approve of the way the pastors and members have been dealt with, in that “the new
overseer” says he has contacted us by phone; but could not reach us.  Therefore, we were left in
the dark, to guess what was happening.  My caller-ID was clear, and NO, we do not have blocks
on our phones!

After 12 years – my church is disbanded because we are not afraid to stand up against
wickedness in high places!  We are still The Church.  We made our covenant with God and are
continuing in the Truth.  May I remind us of the message and interpretation from the Solemn
Assembly?

Solemn Assembly Minutes (p. 6):

“Yea, I say unto My people; Have you not taken a Covenant?  Yea, I say that Covenant is
perpetual.  Yea, I say if thou art removed – yea, if thou has not disobeyed – I still hold that
Covenant.  Yea, I know you have taken your oath.  Yea, go on; with your Covenant.  I hold
you responsible; I hold you responsible for the Covenant that you have taken.  Yea, it is
up to you to carry forth – to carry forth My Covenant to show the world that I have a
covenanted people. Yea, I say, many this day hath called upon My Name to many, many
who claim My Name.”

Solemn Assembly Minutes (p. 6-7):

“Yea, My people, have I not called you My little flock?  Is not The Church of God One Body?
Are ye not One in Me and I in you?  Have I not called you to fulfill the Word of God which I
have given in My apostles and prophets?  I say unto you, walk prayerfully.  Obey Me.  Listen,
listen, listen.  Do not deviate from the path.  Listen to My Word;  listen to My Spirit for they
agree.  They agree in each other.  When I spake through My servant today to remind you of
David, I also say unto you that David did not establish another Nation.  He simply withheld
his anger;  he withheld his hurt.  He did not touch My King, but he prepared himself to fulfill
what I called him to do.  Do thou be careful.  Listen to Me.  I say unto you, This is My Body. It
shall continue.  I am God, and I spake unto thee, My Church is fulfilling it’s Mission.”


_________________________


Loy Widener, Pastor – The Church of God at Florence, KY

The newly appointed overseer of Kentucky was not qualified to be the State Overseer.  I have
known him all of his life and I have had to talk to him about how he pays his tithe.  As far as
Headquarters is concerned, I feel bad that they have allowed men of this type of character to be in
leadership.


_________________________


Bishop Clarence Wilcox, Pastor – The Church of God at Clays Ferry, KY

Is there not a reason?  Why is this happening?

First Samuel 17: 29:  “And David said, What have I now done?  Is there not a cause?”

Why has this happened to The Church of God?

Let us not forget that this is God’s Church, and one way or another God will bring it to it’s
predestinated goal, which is perfection.

Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.  I believe God is
setting a people apart for a last day’s move to finish up the work that must be done just before the
rapture.

Isaiah 13: 3: “I have commanded my sanctified ones.  I have also called my mighty ones for
mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.” 

God is bringing the faithful people together. 

Hebrews 10: 23:  “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful
that promised.”

Joel 2: 16:  “Gather the people.  Sanctify the congregation, and those that suck the breasts.  Let
the bride groom go forth of his chamber, and the Bride out of her closet.”

I believe God’s glory will soon be seen upon The Church like it never has been seen before.

Clarence Wilcox





We can be silent no more.  There is too much at stake.
More to this section will be coming soon...






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This page was last updated: June 15, 2010