Church of God Mountain Assembly
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The Church of God of the Mountain Assembly, Inc. (CGMA) is a holiness pentecostal Christian body formed in 1906, with roots in the late 19th century American holiness movement and early 20th century Pentecostal revival.
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History
Beginning around 1895, several ministers of the South Union Association of United Baptists became involved in the holiness movement. At their annual session in 1903, the South Union Association excluded all ministers preaching apostasy (the possibility of losing one's salvation). About five or six churches withdrew from the association. On August 24, 1906, representatives met at the Jellico Creek church in Whitley County, Kentucky and formed a new association. They chose the name Church of God. The early leaders were ministers J. H. Parks, Steve Bryant, Tom Moses, and William O. Douglas. About the time of organization, they also accepted the Pentecostal revival. After discovering that other bodies were holding property and transacting business under the name Church of God, this body added the words "of the Mountain Assembly" to Church of God for identification and legal purposes. In 1917 the body was incorporated, and in 1918 headquarters were established in Jellico, Tennessee.
The Gospel Herald, official publication of the Church of God Mountain Assembly, was first published in 1942. A new form of governance was adopted in 1946, including the offices of General Overseer, First Assistant General Overseer, and General Secretary and Treasurer.
Doctrine
The church has drawn up a Church Covenant, and holds a twelve article Statement of Faith. Doctrines of the Church of God Mountain Assembly include:
- the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God
- God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Ghost
- the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial atonement, and bodily resurrection of Jesus
- salvation by faith through regeneration by the Holy Ghost
- sanctification as a second work of grace
- the full Gospel, including divine healing and speaking in tongues
- water baptism by immersion, The Lord's Supper and washing the saints feet as ordinances
- the premillennial second coming of Christ
Status
The Church of God Mountain Assembly maintains headquarters in [Jellico, Tennessee], with a large open air tabernacle and several offices. The main geographical strength of the body (about 65% of the churches) is in [Kentucky], [Ohio], and [Tennessee]. But, they are also in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Arizona and California. There were over 10,000 members in 117 USA churches in 2004. They have over 500 churches in 15 nations with a World Missions Dept. meeting foreign needs at children's homes, schools, pastors, and churches.
CGMA is a member of the [Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America](formerly the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America) and a member of the [National Association of Evangelicals].
They have a 38 acre youth campground near Winchester, Ohio, with a large tabernacle, a cafeteria, offices, many dormitories and cabins.
The CGMA also has bible classes in different locations, and a ladies ministries department.
Their annual Campmeetin convention is the first week of August in Jellico, TN, and their annual Florida Campmeeting is the last week of January in Kissimmee, FL.
External links
- Church of God Mountain Assembly (http://www.cgmahdq.org/) - official Web Site
- Adherents.com (http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_184.html#1040)
References
- Encyclopedia of American Religions, J. Gordon Melton, editor
- The C.G.M.A. File: Inside Information about the Church of God of the Mountain Assembly, Inc. - (pamphlet distributed by the church)
- Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, 1999, American Council of Churches