The Administrative Council of the Churches of God, General Conference has just wrapped up their first meeting post Triennial Conference. Newly elected members had their first experience with a full two-day meeting, where the body presented reports from the CGGC office, regional leaders, as well as auxiliary organizations like Churches of God Women’s Ministries and the Archives Museum. Budgets were passed, votes on policy and procedure were adopted, and more.
It wasn’t all business though, as author and church innovator Steve Pike was brought in on Tuesday for three sessions of training and equipping, leading the new Ad Council to think through how we can help our local churches to make disciples and multiply into their communities. Steve Pike has served as a consultant for the CGGC for a few years now and continues to bring inspiration, crystalizing a vision around fresh ways to plant churches and make disciples.
Ad Council is also a time when regional leadership and pastors from around the United States can fellowship, sharing strategies and ideas. It’s a excellent way to report on what’s happening, and cross pollinate what’s working.
In light of this meeting, we wanted to introduce our readership to the new(ish) members of our Ad Council. Some members have served on Ad Council before but we have many members serving for the first time. Of which, the highest profile position is the new President Elect, Pastor John DeVincent, who will be serving for 3 years in this role, until he moves into the role of President in 2028. You can hear from Pastor John below, along with the credentials of all our new Ad Council members.
New President Elect: Pastor John DeVincent
I’ve pastored Markleysburg Union church in Southwest PA for 10 years, coming to pastoral ministry later in life. I knew God was calling me into more formal ministry when I began to be convicted that I was giving my first and best efforts to things that didn’t have eternal significance.
My heart is for the church to be all that Jesus intends us to be: disciples making disciples, and a full representation of Him to the world. Through the Doctor of Ministry program at Winebrenner, God is connecting the dots that He has placed in my heart, clarifying the picture of a healthy church as one that focuses on discipleship and holistically engages the world around it for the sake of the Gospel. Echoing Jesus as He healed the paralyzed man in Mark 2, “to help you receive eternal life, we’re going to work to radically transform your natural lives.”
New Secretary: Pastor Dean Hay
Pastor Dean Hay is the current Administrative and Communication Assistant for the Allegheny Region Conference and has been for the last 2 years. Pastor Dean has also been the Associate Pastor - Kingwood Church of God, Senior/Solo Pastor - United Community Church of God, ARC - vice president / president, various commissions & agencies, Camp Sonrise Mountain Dean.
New Members
Pastor Jeremy Blair
Senior Pastor at Newburg First Church of God, 17 Months. I have been preaching the Gospel since 2008 and serving in official pastoral ministry since 2009. My ministry experience spans both independent churches and secular vocational environments, where I’ve had the privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and gaining significant leadership experience. These diverse settings have shaped my pastoral heart and strengthened my ability to lead with both spiritual conviction and practical wisdom.
Mike Bobula
Mike Bobula is the current Pastor of Latrobe First Church of God (15 years), and is the current President ARC, and has served as the ARC Director of Leadership Development, ARC Pastoral Ministry Commission, Camp Sonrise Mountain Board member, and Associate Pastor Mt Pleasant Church of God
Heather Boss
Pastor Heather is the Associate Pastor at The Remnant Church of God (Formerly Firehouse Community Outreach) in Moore, OK. 2013-Present. She is also a Leader in children’s ministry, family discipleship, and homeschool integration. Active in prison ministry leadership with Fathers on the Move – Oklahoma 2024-Present. WRC Ad-Council: Youth and Family/Womens Ministry. 2015-Present. WRC Ad-Council President 2025-2027. CGWM Director of Equipping 2017-Present. Oklahoma Worship at the Capitol 2024-Present.
Nancy Boyer
Pastor at Swatara Church of God for 1.5 years, Intentional Interim at Progress, Helpers, Real Life, Mt. Joy, Shiremanstown, and Associate Pastor at Mechanicsburg. Also, Pastor Nancy has been a Global Reach Commission Member.
John Burns
John Burns is the Senior Pastor and Wheatland Community Fellowship COG (37+ Years.) Pastor John is the former President of California Eldership for 20+ Years and has served on CGGC Ad Council for 10+ Years. Board of education and standing committee.
Michael L Martin
Pastor Michael Martin is the full-time pastor of Casey White Oak Church of God in Casey, IL (5 years). He has also been an Administrator for the General Conference Office, Findlay, OH (12 years), and Director of Communications: General Conference Office, OH (4 years). Pastor Michael is the current Midwest Region Ad Council Secretary. He has served on the Midwest Region Nominating Committee and Midwest Region Pastoral Renewal Committee
Rich Thornton
Pastor Rich Thornton was licensed for ministry in 1975, and Ordained 1978. He has been a Pastor at Lancaster, Yocumtown, Celebration Community Church, and the Worship Pastor at Friendship Community Church. He has also served as the ERC Field Director 2013, and currently serves as a Southeast Regional Director.
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We’d be remiss not to remind our readers that Pastor Don Snyder from Doubling Gap Church of God is the new President of the CGGC having served as President Elect along side previous President Dr. David Odegard. Pastor Don’s inaugural address can be read or watched in full here:
CGGC eNews—Vol. 19, No. 38
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