Bob Thiel has been gloating recently about his recent trip to Africa where he gives the impression that half the African continent is getting ready to join up with him. He has written about it on his blog, in his magazine and as of yesterday, in The Journal. He is taking great pleasure in sticking his finger in Meredith and Luker's face mocking their rejection of him.
Leaders once part of the Global Church of God, Living Church of God, Worldwide Church of God, Church of God an International Community, Church of God in Truth, Church of God 7th Day, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and other groups but now part of the Continuing Church of God also attended.
The Continuing Church of God has more than 20 congregations in East Africa
Africa is functioning as a proving ground to show us that this work is being led in the way that Jesus Christ wants us to go. We in the Continuing Church of God also expect to lead what the Bible refers to as the “short work” in Romans 9:28.We are always trying to figure out how to best serve the needs of our brethren in Africa. The work of God through the Continuing Church of God is bearing fruit around the world, and Africa is showing that this is so.
Thiel writes in his member letter:The Journal Issue 160
From his News of Those Once Affiliated With The Oval Church of GodAs far as leaders new to the CCOG, after the conference, one of the attendees who asked for a meeting with myself and Pastor Ochieng, became one. This was John Owak. For the past ten years he had been a minister in the United Church of God. John Owak explained that he had been studying CCOG literature for some time (he had also contacted me in the past), and the conference convinced him he wanted to be part of CCOG. He asked if we would accept him as a volunteer (unpaid, and he did not ask for a salary) pastor of the CCOG in his geographic area, working under the direction of our Regional Pastor Evans Ochieng, myself, and ultimately Jesus Christ. Pastor Ochieng and I agreed and wish to welcome him into the CCOG.
Leaders once part of GCG, LCG, WCG, COGaic, CG7, SDA, and/or VWCG, but now part of CCOG also attended. This was the first time I had been able to meet any of them in person (some had email contacts with me prior). CCOG currently has over 20 congregations in East Africa, with more expected soon.
As far as leaders new to the CCOG, after the conference, one of the attendees who asked for a meeting with myself and Pastor Ochieng, became one. This was John Owak. For the past ten years he had been a minister in the United Church of God (UCG). John Owak explained that he had been studying CCOG literature for some time (he had also contacted me in the past), and the conference convinced him he wanted to be part of CCOG. We discussed also differences in the governance, prophetic understandings, and the work between CCOG and UCG. He then asked if we would accept him as a volunteer (unpaid, and he did not ask for a salary) pastor of the CCOG in his geographic area, working under the direction of our Regional Pastor Evans Ochieng, myself, and ultimately Jesus Christ. Pastor Ochieng and I agreed and welcomed him into the CCOG.
Leaders once part of GCG, LCG, WCG, COGaIC, COGIT, COGTE, CG7, SDA, and/or VWCG, but now part of CCOG also attended. This was the first time I had been able to meet any of them in person (some had email contacts with me prior). CCOG has over 20 congregations in East Africa.
All of this church poaching apparently has various COG groups quit concerned and are now scrambling to send ministers to Africa to see if they can keep their members from joining Thiel's little splinter group.
Thiel reports this about the various COG's sending ministers to Africa:
04/11/14 p.m. Although I have not seen anything in writing, I have been directly told that Bill Goff (once of GCG and now heading VWCG) and Peter Nathan (once of COGaIC and now LCG) have gone to Kenya in an effort to see if those that were once associated with them personally will support them at this time.
In writing, I have seen evidence that John Elliot of UCG is in Kenya, in order to try to prevent some there from leaving UCG over some longstanding concerns.
