The horrific actions exposed over the last year concerning the mismanagement of funds and lack of compassion for the so-called members of Bob Thiel's "continuing" Church of "god" in Africa have been appalling, to say the least.
Other COG groups, however, have actually made an impact on the lives of their members and non-members they serve. Victor Kubik's LifeNets have been providing life-saving/enriching resources to those in need or suffering. Bill Goff's Kenya Hands of Hope has also been assisting orphans and others in Africa, well before Bob Thiel started his misinformation campaign there.
It has always been an odd situation since the implosion of the church in the mid 90's as to how the countless number of splinter groups half-heartedly proclaim that other groups are still "true" Christians and yet refuse to cooperate or even fellowship with each other when they have competing Feast of Tabernacles sites in various American cities. God help any of them if they had to assist a destitute member of another group! What utter blasphemy!
The resounding message that the church actively preached for decades was that God was going to come and fix these problems and there was no need for the church to currently do so. That was the purpose of the kingdom. Why waste money on the unconverted and unwashed masses when money was needed for more important things like jets, mansions, auditoriums, campuses, Irish dance studios, fine art, gold, silver, a Rolls Royce, limo's, and all those important booklets in hundreds of languages that no one will ever read. Letting the kingdom break forth in one life at a time is not as important as the vanity collections so "necessary" in today's Church of God movement.
While it is widely known by hundreds of missionary organizations and church groups (except for Bob Thiel) that many African leaders and so-called evangelists routinely take advantage of organizations and churches, there are still very sincere people out there who are suffering and who need help.
Bill Goff has been doing this for many years with orphanages and other projects. Instead of sending money to Bob Thiel where you will be funding frivolous lawsuits, or paying for Bibles and laptops that his African leaders will sell for their personal gain, perhaps help a child out with Hands of Hope.
COGNews reports:
A Voice in the Wilderness
Bill Goff writes: I will be attending the FOT in Tennessee with a group called: Independent Church of God Seventh Day. They are allowing me to give a “Kenya Presentation” which will allow other members of God’s church to learn about our suffering Brethren.
This is wonderful of this Independent Church of God, because all the large Church of God organizations have not only turned their backs on our suffering brethren, but won’t even allow their congregations to be informed about their suffering. If others only knew of the suffering, some would help. When will those “leaders” comprehend that our Lord “hates” hierarchy? (Revelation 2:15)
