News of Those Once Affiliated with the Global Church of God

Since the November 1998 takeover of the old GCG by the board in the U.S., those once with GCG went to many places. Most of the members and ministers ultimately went with the Living Church of God (LCG), 8-15% went with the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (CGCF) and smaller percentages ended up with David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG), Harold Smith's Church of God Fellowship, Northwest (CGFnw), the Continuing Church of God (CCOG), and other groups (at least one which is outside the U.S. uses the term Global Church of God). On July 1, 2001, eight ministers resigned from CGCF and formed the Church of the Eternal God (CEG), similar in name, but not related, to the Eternal Church of God (ECG--founded by a minister removed from the original GCG ministry for impropriety). About a month later CGCF (USA) dissolved and most then with it ended up in the United Church of God (UCG). One former GCG minister (Ronald Laughland) became pastor of the Wholeworld Church of God. In 2004, Raymond McNair, having been in GCG, CGCF, LCG, then went on his own and formed Church of God, 21st Century (COG21); later he died and that group disbanded. Don Haney, once in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of God In Peace and Truth, renamed Congregation of God in Peach and Truth--which looks to be legally inactive. In 2005, Ben Faulkner, who was in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of the Sovereign God (CotSG). In 2006, Charles Bryce who was in GCG/LCG left, and formed the Enduring Church of God (En COG). In 2010, several of the main leaders who went to UCG from CGCF left it and went to a group called COGWA. A couple of people, like Norman Edwards (Servants' News/Shepherd's Voice), left GCG well before the 1998 takeover (he has 'Nashville Christian Media'). On 12/15/11, a minister in good-standing with LCG anointed Bob Thiel with oil and prayed that God would grant him a double-portion of His Spirit (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God): and things have not been the same since (Bob Thiel still, of course, supports the goals and biblical beliefs of Philadelphia era of the Church of God). Website links for most of those who were once part of GCG and that have websites can be found at the COGlinks page. In 2012, certain heresies were officially introduced, accepted, and/or promoted by LCG. After concluding that insufficient value was placed on the truth (and keeing their word) by certain leaders of LCG and that they no longer held to biblical church governance and could not as is be used to lead the final phase of the work (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), on 12/28/12 Bob Thiel was led to form, and then announced, the beginning of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). In 2013, Rod Reynolds left LCG and formed COG Messenger In August 2020, Sheldon Monson left LCG and was 'marked' by LCG on 8/19/20, and then on 9/05/20 he announced Church of God Assembly (CGA). In 2023, Terry Nelson (former GCG/LCG/CCOG) co-formed Hope of Israel Worldwide Church of God. The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) is the second largest group, in terms of members, of those groups whose leaders were once part of GCG (LCG is largest). This page reports on those groups that somehow once had ties to the old GCG.

01/17/26 a.m. The Book of Proverbs teaches:

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. (Proverbs 26:16, KJV)

Because of Proverbs 26:4, I do not respond to most of the lies and false accusations at the Banned By HWA site, but because of Proverbs 26:5, I sometimes will.

The anti-COG Banned by HWA website has a post with a lot of false and improper accusations against the Continuing Church of God, myself, and several CCOG leaders in Africa.

Here is one assertion in that post:

Sosten caught Church hopping with Wade Cox.

I asked Sosten Libugwa about the posted accusation suggesting that he was now with Wade Cox. Here is what he emailed me about that:

in 2016 I wrote to the group of this church but not Wade but Jean Alphonso who was Church secretary at that time,we worked together from 2016 to 2017,after I discovered their teachings fully,I see that there is no truth in the church,they did not believe in Jesus Christ divinity and others,because of different teachings I see in this church I decided to moved away from this church,if you can check about letters I wrote to you in 2017 to  2020 I told you more about this people,ask Terry to give you email for Wade Cox then you asked if he is working with me he will tell you the truth,he is going to tell you that Sosten is ex CCG for so many years now,now I have no records for this group since from 2017 till this date,

So, no, Sosten Libungwa is not with Wade Cox and while years ago, he had an affiliation, he left when he learned they were actually unitarian.

Let me simply make the following rebuttals and comments related to the rest of the posted accusations:

Those who post falsehoods and believe lies at the Banned by HWA site remain in my prayers.

01/09/26 a.m. In its newsletter today, CEG had the following:

Changing to God’s Way Is Essential ...

It is easy to see that ignoring and thumbing their nose at the Creator and His Way, mere man who thinks he knows so much, can by his supposed intellect and understanding come to astoundingly stupid situations and outcomes. ...

Allowing people, even children, to identify as to what they are, doesn’t change the fact that they are still what they were born as.   You can call a pig a dog but it is still a pig! ...

There was the case where Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School, was telling the Daily Telegraph that she knew of a school where a pupil identified as “a gay male hologram” and a private school where “a bunch of girls identify as cats.”

This is the sort of idiocy that can happen when godless educationalists take over. ...

Had God’s Way prevailed in the first place, no one would have been allowed to self-identify as anything other than what they were born as.   There are only two biological sexes, not umpteen definitions that have come out of the depraved mind of man.   And all the waste of time and money on this tribunal would have been unnecessary.

But will people listen to the Way that God has set before us? 

Well most will not go God's Way, His way is essential. Here are some quotes from our article What was the Parting from the Way?:

Twice the Book of Proverbs warns:

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25)

It also warns:

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15)

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2)

Sadly, people choose something other than THE WAY normally do not consider themselves fools–many think that they are educated and have knowledge (cf. 1 Timothy 6:20) and hence they also do not believe that the negative aspects of various scriptures applies to them. ...

Faithful Christians were not to depart from the faith. They were to be separate from pagans:

15 Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever?

16 Can God’s temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, “I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

17 The Lord says, “Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, GWT)

That is basically what the faithful did in the second century when the pagan-influenced group changed, and even embraced unclean animal consumption. Consider that Paul also warned about ones who should know better:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, … 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness … (Romans 1:18-19,24)

Under Marcus of Jerusalem, many there began to consume unclean animals as the Romans urged. It should also be noted that Eleutherius, Bishop of Rome (also spelled Eleutheris) was, according to Roman Catholic sources, the one who proclaimed Roman Catholics could eat biblically-unclean animals, about a century and a half after Jesus was resurrected.

But after the parting in the second century, the pagan-influenced group departed even further from original Christianity after the instigations of Roman Emperor Constantine. ...

Yes, there is one RIGHT way.

10 …Paul said, 14 “… I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. (Acts 24:10,14, NLT)

After Jesus returns, more will realize that was the ONLY WAY as He laid out the following:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’  (Matthew 7:21-23).

Jesus will make it clear who has departed from the WAY.

Yet, you can know that way now.

The teachings and the practices of the faithful Christian church, which are grounded in scriptures, is the way.

The Continuing Church of God also has the following sermon from its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:21:14

Parting from THE WAY

Related to early Christian church history, many Protestant scholars teach what is known as ‘the parting of the ways.’ Basically, this is the view that they refer to as ‘Jewish Christianity’ separated from ‘Gentile Christianity’ and that that ‘Jewish’ version died out. In his book, The Parting of the Ways: Between Christianity and Judaism and Their Significance for the Character of Christianity, Dr. James Dunn points to a parting in the second century, then mentions other partings. After admitting what original Christianity was, Dr. Dunn wrote, “Whether Jewish Christianity could or should have been retained within the spectrum of catholic Christianity is an important question which it may now be impossible to answer.” Dr. Thiel says that is NOT impossible to answer if you believe the Bible and will look at often overlooked aspects of early Christian church history. After quoting scriptures, Dr. Thiel pointed out that people parted from the Apostles, like Paul and John, rejected hierarchical church governance, preferred their own opinions, and were influenced by pagan philosophies. Quotes about what happened in Jerusalem related to the Bar Kochba revolt that ended c. 135 and a split between the faithful and the cowardly compromisers were provided. Faithful heresy fighters like Polycarp of Smyrna, Polycrates of Ephesus, and Serapion of Antioch were mentioned, as well as the unfaithful such as Simon Magus, Thebuthis, Marcus of Jerusalem, Justin Martyr, Marcion, and Valentinus. Gregory the Wonder Worker, Emperor Constantine, and Emperor Theodosius were discussed and denounced. The original date of Passover and the Council of Nicea’s date change to Easter Sunday was mentioned. The fact of supposedly ‘Christian’ emperors, like Constantine decreeing the death penalty for the faithful who would not eat unclean animals and Theodosius decreeing the death penalty for those willing to be faithful to the date of Passover was mentioned. Dr. Thiel cited Protestant as well as Roman Catholic scholars who agree that the bulk of those who profess Christianity post third century do not hold to the teachings and practices of the original Christians. Numerous scriptures pointing to THE WAY, including Jesus’ warnings about those who will not follow the narrow way were also quoted.

Here is a link to the sermon: Parting from THE WAY.

More on false intellectualism/education can also be found in the article: What was the Parting from the Way?

01/01/26 p.m. It its, Letter to the Brethren: January 1, 2026, CCOG had the following

With most of Africa being in the Southern Hemisphere, it is officially Summer there.

While we had to scale them down a bit because of limited finances, we have been conducting Summer youth camps in Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique this week.

Pastor Radson Mulozowa sent the following reports:

Greetings from Malawi and Mozambique
We are all fine by the grace of God
Let me report that the youth camp meeting has started well and everything perfect in the following places
Zomba
Miseu 4
Chikwawa
Domasi
Chileka …

Greetings from chikwawa … Let me report that the youth camp meeting went well both Malawi and Mozambique and youth have enjoyed it though there was much rainfall

Deacon Sosten Libungwa sent the following from Malawi:

Dear Evans,

Greetings from Sosten,the youth camp meeting ended well,we had more progressive this year than last year, hundreds attended the meetings,thank you very much for your prayers and support,our youth will be entering the new year with changed mind,we have so encouraging them in many areas of this life,they have enjoyed the camp meeting,we had two places in Lowershire one in Chikwawa which was not done due to heavy rains and another one was in Nsanje district which I received a positive results,they had also wonderful youth camp meeting though the number was not more due to rains.God bless you.Sosten Libungwa.

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Kenya.
I’m happy to give reports of Kenya youth camps 2025. The colorful, happiness and great joy is the youth camp at Ndhiwa. This was the largest youth camp with so may youths folloed by kisii this year. We thank God for the protection and enough food for the camp. We thank you also pastor for the support you gave. It was a great help to us. God is changing small things to be enough like the day Jesus took little bread to feed many and was enough. People really enjoyed the camp. The youths were so happy that they wanted to extend for more days. Yesterday evening we sat down to plan for the 2026 youth camp. And their committee stated that they need the youth camp 2026 to be wonderful. The meeting ended well. I received report from kisii that the youth camp was very Smart. I’m still waiting report from rift valley youth camps.
Malawi
Recently I was talking with molozwa about the youth camp. He told me that they started well. I’ve not received report today but I hope it was good. Sosten has sent the report. The report is good.
Conclusion
We have learned that the youth camp is helping youths highly that every country can try to give chance to youths so that they can learn more during this period. It’s helping youths very much.
Evans

Pastor Ezekiel Oanda Omasa sent the following, starting with a photo of the youth camp, relating to his area in Kenya:

The youths seminar starting from 22nd Monday evening is ok. Today we’re going to tour Eberege tea factory. …

I met with {new} people yesterday at Kisii town {last Sabbath}. I shared with them from the book of Genesis 12:2-4 and Numbers 14:28. It was wonderful. …

In Kisii the church is growing rapidly. God is calling more disciples to His flock. …

May God open more doors to accomplish everything in time in Jesus’ name! I have some people who assisting me minister other groups and they’re doing a wonderful work. They walk long distances every Sabbath. I have tried to assist them with the little that I receive but there’s a challenge. Something need to be done to spread the gospel before the darkness comes. This is my prayer and God’s grace be sufficient in the time of need in Jesus’ name. Hallelujah praise God.

Yes, we have been having growth in Kenya–and yes, we are working to teach the gospel before the time comes, that Jesus said, no man can work (John 9:4).

Pastor Tiongik Sawek sent the following report from the Rift Valley of Kenya:

We are doing well here and I am happy to report to you that today we concluded youth Camp here in Chilani.

The camp was very blessed and since we bagan youth camp some years back we have gotten fruits out of it.We as the church we are very happy to see members who were mentored during youth camps now growing and becoming straight forward and firm to the church.
The theme of the youth camp was Proverbs 22:6 and Mathew 19:12-14 …
I will be sending you the report at the course of next week on how all Rift valley youth camps went on.
Thank you and God bless you
Yours Pastor Sawek

In the end time, one part of the work is to, “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). Youth camps are just one way to help do that.

CCOG is also restoring many things--check out the article: Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things.

Click here for the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG

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