I have entered stuff I wrote and things I copied. Just a little of everything

History of the Malvern Church of God

Prayer meetings were helt in the home of Brother and Sister Ross for several months. In 1955 a brush arbor was erected; God Blessed , souls were saved, and people were healed. After three or four weeks a tent was set up and they had a good old fashioned revival. The floor consisted of wood shavings. Many of the people went home with the savings on their clothes and shoes. No one seem  to care because they were so happy in the Lord, and rejoicing over folks being saved and filled with the Holy Ghost.

Brother and Sister Ross wanted a place to worship close to home. They had about 5 cabins rented to people called Dixie Camp. Brother and Sister Ross donated a piece of land for the Church. The Church took on this name and the men begin to work in the afternoon after work building the first Church.

This is where my mom and Dad gave their hearts to God and never looked back. My dad worked on building the first Church. I had grandparents on both sides and a large amount of aunts and uncles going to Dixie Curve.

Services were held in the new building before it was finished. It was lit with kerosene lamps and heated with a kerosene stove. Those were the days.  People filled the building and so numerous that they were standing on the outside.

Sidney Norwood preached for a while, then Brother Homer Cotton took over.

On September 20, 1955, Brother Homer Cotton contracted John Best, District overseer fir the Church of God. State Overseer for the  Church of God G.W. Hodges and district overseer John Best came down and the property was deeded to the Church of God. The Church was organized on Saturday night, September 26, 1955 with 23 charter members of which my dad and mom were part of.

My dad was the last Charter member to died in 2000.

The ladies quilted at 6.00 a quilt to  help with the expenses of the new building. Electricity was put in the small church. Then, Brother Best and Brother Ramsey brought some men and lumber and built on to the front of the church making it larger. Brother Cotton purchased folding chairs and ask all who could to buy a chair or two. Soon there was plenty of chairs. The men built a pulpit and an altar. The Church was called Dixie Corner Church of God.

Brother Cotton resigned in Febuary 19, 1956, Brother Ralph Vick was appointed  as pastor. With donations and Mr. Norwood's lumber Company , work was started on pews, and a new pulpit and altars.

Help was provided by Brother Best and Brother Ramesy, soon we had great seats to sat on.

On July 19, 1957 Brother Vick left and Brother and Sister Carl Cody joined us as our pastor. At this time the church did not have a parsonage

A house was rented on Fairview Street for Brother and Sister Cody and their Family.

At this time we were having Sunday School in the Cabins that the Rosses had. I remember very well having Sunday School class in the cabins it was an adventure.

We also has an outside bathroom there was a water faucet outside close the bathroom.

There were windows down the side of the building I remember my mom would take us 4 children out and put us in the car to sleep if it was getting late. Even outside you could hear the worshiping going on.

Brother Cody had a son that was a minister he helped with teaching the children. Brother Cody was there about 6 years then Brother Mercer came in September 16, 1962.

Brother and Sister Mercer was the son- in law of our State Overseer, H L. Rose. They were good people and a young married couple.

We finished sheetrock on the new Sunday School rooms while The Mercers were there, and painted inside and outside.

In April 1963 our Church was dedicated, by State Overseer Rose. In late spring 1964 the Mercer left to go to Ohio. Our new Pastor was Brother and Sister Henderson. Brother and Sister Henderson were another young couple and ready to go the work for our Church.

While the Henderson’s were there the church was blessed with a parsonage, located in North Malvern. In the latter part of 1966 the Henderson’s left. Brother Tommy and Sister Kathy had become very important to the young people and everyone else. it was hard to see them go.

They were easy people to talk to.  I remember I told them that when I grew up I wanted to be a singer and a song writer.( Still working on that ).

Brother and Sister Abbott came next and more improvements were made to the parsonage. Also the Church was getting to be run - down.

Brother Abbot wanted to build a new Church. God blessed us as the building went up. The parsonage was paid for and the Church brought another piece of land from Brother and Sister Ross.

Brother Abbott married my husband and me in 1970.

Brother Larry Cox followed the Abbotts. Larry Cox only stayed a few months. The Lord was leading him to evangeistic work. Brother James Cody was sent to pastor

I am sorry to say that a long while I had been out of church. While my kids were growing up I tried several Churches, but none were my Church like the Malvern Church of God. By now the name had Changed to The Malvern Church of God.

Brother James Cody was sent to pastor. They lived in the old parsonage for a while and the a new one was bought.

Brother Jewel Butler came to pastor in July 14, 1978. While he was there he worked on church growth.

Under his leadership the church was remodeled, restrooms and a fellowship hall was added.

Brother David Gosnell came to pastor on March 19, 1980. Brother Gosnell stayed until September 22, 1980.

Brother Leo Green and his wife came next. They were blessing to the church. Doing fundraiser and blessing the Church with other ways to make money.

Brother and sister Kilgore came next in August 30, 1981.

He accomplished a lot while he was at the church. he went to work on matching the palensling. he also put in carpet in the church and  he insulated the walls and the attic.

The Kilgores were good singers and ministers. On March 18, 1984, Brother and Sister Edge came they also made improvements.

August 1986 Brother John Abbott returned. He was know for singing Niney- Nine and a half Won't Do.

Brother Bobby Major's came in August 1, 1991. Then Brother George O'Dell came in March 1994.

next was Brother Bill Grayon March 3 , 1994. Brother Charles Rush came on December 25, 1994.

Brother Bobby Rosson came on November 1, 2000.

My dad passed in June of 2000 so Pastor Bobby missed meeting a great man of God.

I returned in 2002 giving my heart back to God. My son was my infulence on returning.

Pastor   Bobby  Rosson and Tricia Rosson  made my returning to the Church a great thing. They made me feel like I had never left.  They quickly became family. I Love them both.  

 Feb. 18, 2018

On my way to Church God gave me a word. If I listen God will put words in my heart sometimes I know what they mean sometimes I don’t.

This morning The words were “What does it mean to be sober ?”

I have never not been sober so I was somewhat lost on what it meant. I do understand that God was speaking in a spiritual way.

I had planned to go home and think about the question but I didn’t make it home to ponder on it.

Pastor Dave title to his sermon was What it means to be sober. 1 Peter 5 -11 I could have melted in my chair. I’m thinking God ( Whats Up ) you put a thought in my head and Pastor Dave is preaching on it.

Pastor Dave scriptures were 1 Peter 5, 8-11.

When I got home I went back to 1 Peter 5, 6-11

I can’t seem to get pass the words being put in my head before Church and it was what the sermon was about. I’m still at a lost on it.

But I am going to study on it to see if God can help me understand.

1 Peter 5:6-11 King James Version (KJV)

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

King James Version (KJV)

The devil is our adversary. He prows around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. WE have to always keep watch we never know what the enemies are up to.

The devil can come pretending   to be God, that is why we have to study the word and the word.

 I think I just figured  it out . I have not been studying like I should and this really got me going. I have been reading and studying on this for 2 days.   I have also been telling God I’m going to read and study more later. I think God is telling me later is not good enough.  I have pages and pages on this. I am still going to be praying about this. But I feel good about my thoughts on it so far.

                                                                                   In Memory of Alice Parker

I seem to have lost the struggle

death has won this time

I wasn't quite yet ready

But the time had come

God said I need you right away

For a special task I have

I know the ones you love will all be OK

I took his hand and it was over

Heaven is now my home

I will look down watch to see that you'll OK

I run and dance and pain no more I feel

Don't cry a tear for me my home is now in Heaven

The tears you cry are for you

Because you miss me so

I seem to have lost the struggle

Death has won this time

                                                                                 Written by Jo Ann Kennedy

                                                                        May 17, 2018

Prayer has been on my mind for the last several months . The women had a Bible Study on prayer and I understand prayer.

Earlier in the year I felt like God was just passing me up the more I prayed the more my life seem to fall apart. In May God made it possible for me to pay off my bills and it would save me a lot of money. Instead of asking God how do I go about this I just started spending money. In less than 1 month I went through 7,000 dollars. I did pay some bills but I didn’t let God take control.

In June I was in worse shape than ever.  So I prayed and Prayed, thinking again God has abandond   me.

That’s when I got a clear message from God “ I’m here.”  God seem to speak to my heart. He said I never left, I never passed over you, I never less you down. He said when you are happy with what you have I will give you more.

I realized when I could Thank God in the small things and trust him he would give me what I ask for.

I also realized that my prayer should be more about the world around me and not just what I needed.

I thank God for the small things and pray for my world. God has given me more than I deserve.

I thank God for all the small things and in his time he will give me more.

That’s when I felt the need to ask the Church to share in what they have been Thankful for.

Our Church has come a long way and I know God has plans for  it. I didn’t think we would make it for a while but we came through,   because the Church prayed.

I am Thankful for prayer and for a New Pastor that has a heart  for our Church and God.

We are a church Family and as long as we work together for the will of God in our Church we will go places.

I Thank God for all the small things and I accept whatever is handed to me from God.

This  Thanksgiving I want us  to share in what we are most Thankful for. God has done something in everyones  lives.

And I know he wants to do more.

Prayer is the key and when we all get together and pray more than ever we can touch the Hand of God.

September 2017

This cloth was crocheted with love and care

Each stich was made with a special prayer

God give her strength and hope and cheer

And let her know that you are near

Happy Mother’s Day May 13, 2018

This cloth was crocheted with love and care

Each stich was made with a special prayer

God give her strength and hope and cheer

And let her know that you are near

Happy Mother’s Day May 13, 2018

God Bless

This cloth was crocheted with love and care

Each stich was made with a special prayer

God give her strength and hope and cheer

And let her know that you are near

Happy Mother’s Day May 13, 2018

God Bless