Endorsements

David Griffis

Church of God Young People Join With Peniel in the Fight Against Drugs and Addiction
By David M. Griffis, Administrative Bishop, Tennessee Church of God State Executive Offices

For a number of years the young people of the Church of God have reached out to help the hurting masses of America through their Winterfest ministry. They have given to the homeless, to those destitute in inner cities, to the hungry who fill the streets of America, and to those other masses who need Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. They have done this through the Winterfest Challenge offering. This is a freewill offering that is given by young people of the Church of God attending Winterfests throughout the nation.

This year as a part of their Winterfest Challenge offering, the young people of the Church of God gave $12,000 to Peniel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This exciting ministry founded by Drs. Harold and Marion M. Spellman, has reached people with alcohol and drug dependency lot many years. The program is one of the most successful in the entire nation. The great reason for its success has been the dedication of its leadership and their total dependency upon God to provide the power for setting people free from their bondage, as well as the power to supply the needs of this great institution to continue the work God has laid before it.

Church of God young people rose this year in Winterfest to be a part of that exciting challenge. Not only were they able through this years Winterfest offerings to minister to the inner city of our nation through the establishment of a Master’s Commission program, but they also reached out to those who are victims of sin and the grip of Satan, through giving to Peniel. Peniel has made an impact upon our society, and the church owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Peniel. I have been privileged to minister at Peniel and observe the tremendous difference it is making in the lives of people. People whose addictions have beep so powerful that they literally have wrecked their lives, families, careers and futures have become a part of the healing ministry of Peniel.

Peniel not only offers professional counselling and lifestyle reformation but offers a discipleship walk and development with Jesus Christ as well. Drs. Harold and Marion M. Spellman are committed to this. I appreciate the young people of the Church of God so much for reaching out and showing they care. I believe the young people were willing to do this for many reasons, not the least of which is that they have seen the devastating effects of alcohol and drug dependency in the lives of their peers. By the gift of this offering, the young people of the Church of God are saying we care and we want to make a difference. Thank you, Peniel, for providing a door of opportunity for our young people to touch others.