Mississippi Messenger | Page 9

House of Hope Church of God House of Hope Pastor Joey Williams and his wife Leigh with Bishop Moody on June 26, 2016. On June 26, 2016 Bishop Moody traveled to Oakland, Mississippi to welcome Joey and Leigh Williams and the House of Hope Church into the Church of God family. That Sunday they had 30 members in attendance. We celebrate and welcome this wonderful church into the Church of God. We encourage you to get connected with the wonderful pastor of this church. Congratulations House of Hope, we look forward to what God is going to do in your future! Thorn Church of God Celebrates 95 Years! On Sunday, August 21, Thorn Church of God celebrated its 95th anniversary. A history of the church was given and a video of pictures from years gone by as well as some more recent were presented. We had a great day of reminiscing, along with singing, worship and the word brought by Rev. Dennis Laughlin, a former member and one of the many ministers who have gotten their start at Thorn Church of God. We enjoyed a delicious meal and fellowship as we talked about days gone by. We concluded the day with singing in the afternoon by various groups, some of which had once attended but had moved away. From its humble beginnings out of a brush arbor revival in 1919, to its organization with the Church of God on August 21, 1921, to its present day facilities and community of believers, Thorn Church of God has been blessed with some great Spiritual leaders and heroes of the faith who have faced the challenges and paved the way for us to have what God has blessed us with today. What an honor it is to serve as pastor of a church with such a rich spiritual heritage as Thorn Church of God. Pastor Arnold Amason