A brief History of NACOG

The leaders of the Churches of God in North America, under the guidance of Pr. Abraham Varghese as the coordinator, started its first combined meetings of all COG churches in NorthAmerica on March 29, 1993 at Queens Church of God, New York. The chairman of this special meeting was Pr. P. Thomas, and it was decided at this meeting that, this gathering was to be known as the North American Church of God (India) Fellowship (NACOG). To pass the baton to the next generation, to worship our Lord in spirit and in truth, to have an eagerness for the younger generation for fellowship and also for believers from all across North America to come together, were few of the inspiring ideologies behind starting this great conference. An organization with a very humble beginning has now spread to different parts of North America. All glory and honor goes to our Savior, the author and finisher of our faith. As change of spirituality could be visible among believers, a group of people were eagerly waiting on the Lord to get holy and righteous. Despite circumstances, culture or outlook, a believer has to guard the quality and keep their lives blessed and acceptable in the eyes of God. Ideologies included were to not break the barriers set by our forefathers but to embrace them, not to mingle with the crowd but be unique and outstanding, holding on the faith and the love of Christ, and set apart for God without blemishing the quality. In 1973, the First Church of God church was started under the leadership of Late Pr. Mathai. P. Mathai and was known by the name Brooklyn Church of God. From its inception to the fifteenth conference of the North American Church of God (India) this is just a glimpse of the main events that took place. Let us praise God for His blessings on this organization and thank His unconditional love towards us. May God continue to bless our fellowship

1ST CONFERENCE – NEW-YORK (1995)
The first official conference of NACOG took place in Francis Lewis High School Auditorium. The main speaker for this meeting was then overseer Dr. Lamar West. The officials for this conference were President Pr. T. V. George (Dallas), Vice President Pr. P. Thomas (NY), Secretary Pr. C. V. Andrews (Georgia), Treasurer Pr. Samuel Varghese (NJ) and Youth Coordinator Pr. Philip Thomas (NY). Almighty God poured His blessings on this meetings and it was a great success.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

2ND CONFERENCE – TENNESSEE (1997)
Second conference of the North American Church of God (India) Fellowship took place in Tennessee and the followingexecutive officials were selected. Rev. Dr. K. J. Mathew (President), Pr. Abraham Varghese (Vice-President), Pr. Babu M. John (Secretary), Pr. Samuel Varghese (Treasurer) and Pr. Nelson P. John (Youth Coordinator). The conference was held at the Lee College (TN). The main speakers for this conference were Rev. Dr. Ray H. Hughes, Dr. Dennis McGuire and Evg. Suresh Babu. At this conference it was unanimously decided to have this fellowship every year. Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

3RD CONFERENCE – DALLAS (1998)
“Behold I come quickly” was the theme of this meeting. Just like the theme said, the spirit of God moved in a mighty way and quickened the heart of the youngsters; around twenty-two young ones gave their lives for God’s ministry. Pr. T. V. George served as the President for thisConference, Pr. C. V. Andrews (Vice President), Pr. Moni Mathew (Secretary), Br. Benjamin George (Treasurer) and Pr. Philip Thomas (Youth Coordinator)made the executive committee. Pr. Fijoy Johnson submitted himself for the calling of God at this conference and is now pastoring a church in TN.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

4TH CONFERENCE - PHILADELPHIA (1999)
This conference was initially supposed to take place in New Jersey, but due to certain circumstances it was moved to the city of Philadelphia, PA. It took place at Ebenezer Church of God Auditorium. The main speakers for these meetings were Dr. Dennis McGuire, Rev. T. L. Lowery and Rev. Andrew Binda. The executive officials were as follows, Pr. Abraham Varghese (President), Pr. Abraham Thomas (V.President), Pr. P.P.Kurian (Secretary), Br. BabuIype (Treasurer) and Evg.Sushil Mathew (Youth Coordinator). For the first time in North American Church of God (India) Fellowship, a souvenir was published under the leadership of Pr. Abraham Varghese (Publisher), Br. BabuIype (Chief Editor), Pr.P.P.Kurian (Managing Editor). The editorial board included Pr. Abraham Thomas, Evg. Sushil Mathew, Pr. Abraham Chacko, Pr. MoniMathew, Pr. Benjamin Thomas, Pr. ShajiKarakkal, Pr. Johson Zachariah, Pr. John Thomas, Bro. Roy Mepral, Bro. Reji Philip and Bro. Leslie Varghese. The theme for this conference was “Revive us Again.” There was a mighty outpour of the Holy Spirit in all the meetings and true revival was ignited at this conference. Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

5TH CONFERENCE – NEW-YORK (2000)
This conference was held under the leadership of Pr. P. Thomas, at Yonkers Church of God. The executive committee members were Pr. P. Thomas (President), Pr. Baby Daniel (Vice President), Pr. Johnson Zachariah (Secretary), Bro. A. V. Daniel (Treasurer) and Bro. Mathew Joseph (Youth Coordinator). The main speakers for the conference werePr.T.V.George and Pr. Joe Kurian. The theme of this conference was “ And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11. The attendees were blessed by the word and the fellowship of Holy Spirit was prevalentin all these meetings and could be visible through the events that took place.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

6TH CONFERENCE – ATLANTA (2001)
This conference was held under the leadership of Pr. C. V. Andrews. The executive officials were Pr. C. V. Andrews (President), Late. Pr. George Thomas (Vice-President), Pr. Samuel Varghese (Secretary), Bro. Philip Varghese (Treasurer) and Bro. Stanley Chacko (Youth Coordinator). The main speakers of this conference were Rev. John Colbaugh, Rev. Dr. Johnathan Ramsey and Rev. Dr. David Cooper. Pr. T.V. George, Pr. P. Thomas and Late Pr. V.C. Itty. The National and Local committee worked eagerly to make this conference a blessing to all who attended. Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

7TH CONFERENCE – NEW JERSEY (2002)
The seventh conference was held at Hasbrough Heights Hilton in New Jersey from July 25th to 28th 2002. The executive officials for this conference were Pr. Abraham Varghese (President), Pr. Johnson Zachariah (Vice President), Bro. Viju.P.Thomas (Secretary), Bro. Sajan Thomas (Treasurer) and Bro. Leslie Varghese (Youth-Coordinator). The National and Local committee worked together for the blessing of this conference. The main speakers of this conference were Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ramsey, Rev. Dr. Mark Williams, Rev. Sean Teal, Rev. K. C. John, Rev. K. M. Thankachen, Rev. A. Mathai and Rev. T.V. George. The theme for this conference was Rev 21:3.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

8TH CONFERENCE – TENNESSEE (2003)
The eighth NACOG conference was held in Chattanooga, TN under the leadership of Rev. K. J. Mathew. Pr. P. P. Kurian (Vice President), Bro. K.K Paul (Secretary), Bro. Varghese Joseph (Treasurer), Bro. PhilipVarghese (Youth Coordinator), Bro. Sajan Thomas (Local Coordinator) served in the executive committee. The National and Local committees served a great role in making this conference a success.The main speakers for this meeting were Rev. John Childers, Rev. Kevin Wallace, Rev. Larry Timmerman, Rev. Dennis McGuire and Rev. Mike Chapman. Colossians 3:1,2was the theme for this conference.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

9TH CONFERENCE – DALLAS (2004)
The ninth NACOG conference was held in Dallas, TX under the leadership of Pr. T. V. George, along with Pr. T.V. George, Pr. Moni Mathew (Vice President), Bro. Sajan Thomas (Secretary), Bro. David Kuruvilla (Treasurer) and Bro. Josen Thomas (Youth Coordinator) served in the executive committee.The main speakers for this conference were Rev. Dr. Paul Walker, Rev. Kelvin Colbaris and Rev. Allan Mathura. The conference was held at Hampton Inn Convention Center. The theme for this conference was Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall I send, who will go for me?” The National and Local committee played an important role in making this conference a success. Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

10TH CONFERENCE – FLORIDA (2005)
Under the guidance of Pr. BabuM.John, this conference was held in the Marriot Hotel at Coral Springs. “Get up and build” was the theme for this conference. The executive committee for this convention was Pr. Babu M. John (President), Pr. John Thomas (Vice President), Bro. Varghese Varghese (Secretary), Bro. Joseph Mathew (Treasurer) and Evg.Happy Alexander (Youth Coordinator). The National and Local played an important role in making this conference success. The main speakers for this meeting were Rev. Dr. Lamar West, Rev. Gary Don Childress and Sis. Vicki West. Many pastors from India and from different parts of North America spoke at different sessions throughout the conference. Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

11TH CONFERENCE – NEW YORK (2006)
The eleventh NACOG conference was held under the leadership of Pr. MoniMathew. Along with Pr. Moni Mathew, Pr. Thomas Mathew (Vice President), Bro. Abraham Thomas (Secretary), Bro. Jose Varghese (Treasurer) and Pr. Mathew George (Youth Coordinator) served in the executive committee. The National and Local committee worked very earnestly to make this conference a blessing. The main speakers for these meetings were Rev. Kevin Wallace, Rev. Andrew Binda, Rev.P. J. James, Rev .P.R. Baby, Rev. P.A.V. Sam, Late Rev. George Thomas and Rev. Jacob Mathew. “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God” was the theme for this conference.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

12TH CONFERENCE - HOUSTON (2007)
The 12th NACOG conference was held in Houston under the leadership of Pr. John Thomas. Along with Pr. John Thomas the following members served in the executive committee Pr. T.C.Chacko (Vice President), Bro. Varghese Joseph (Secretary), Bro. Thomas George (Treasurer) and Pr. Fijoy Johnson (Youth Coordinator). The National and Local committee worked hand in hand to make this conference a success. “For us to come back, bring us back” was the theme for this conference. The main speakers for this conference were Rev. Tim Hill, Rev. P.J. James, Rev. P.C. Cherian and Rev. David Blair.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

13TH CONFERENCE – OKLAHOMA (2008)
Under the leadership of Pr. James Richard the thirteenth NACOG conference was held at the Biltmore Hotel from July 17 – 20, 2008. The executive officials were Pr. James Richard (President), Pr. P. V. Mathew (Vice President), Bro. FinoyJohnson (Secretary), Bro. Sam Cherian (Treasurer) and Evg. George Varghese (Youth Coordinator). The National and Local worked real hard to make this conferemce a success. The main speakers for this conference were Rev. Dr. Orvil Hager, Rev. Glen Badonsky, Pr. P.C. Cherian, Pr. P.J. James and Pr. P.G. Mathews. “Go and bear fruit”was the theme for this conference.Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

14TH CONFERENCE – PHILADELPHIA (2009)
The Fourteenth Conference of NACOG was held at Valley Forge Convention Center in Philadelphia from August 6 – 9th 2009 under the leadership of Rev Baby Daniel.Along with Rev. Baby Daniel the Executive committee which consisted of Pr. Sunny Thazhompallom (Vice President), Bro. Sajee Mathew (Secretary), Bro. Jolly Thomas(Treasurer) and Bro. Shajan Alexander (Youth Coordinator). Along with the executive committee, the national committee and the local committee work hard to make this conference success and a blessing for all who attended. The main speakers for this conference were Rev. Dr. Raymond Culpepper (General Overseer), Rev. Douglas Small, Rev. Dr. Mark Walker, Evg. Glenn Badonsky, Rev M. Kunjappy (COG Kerala State Overseer) Evg. P. I. Abraham (KanamAchen)and Sister Susan Daniel.Luke 21:36 “Watch and pray” was the theme for this conference. Ladies and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

15TH NACOG CONFERENCE, TOCCOA, GA(2010)
Under the guidance and leadership of National President Rev. Thampy Mathew, Executive and National Committees along with the Local committee worked hard to make the 15thconference a great success and blessing. "Watch your life and doctrine closely" was the theme selected for this conference based on 1 Tim.4:16. A number of anointed servants of God spoke during this conference. The conference is held in a Christian Retreat Centre. The atmosphere, the location and the sanctity of the location was a great advantage in every respect. Not only spiritual nourishment, but relaxing and fellowship were considered very important during the conference. Rev. Eric Brown (England), Rev. Donald Walker (USA), Rev. David Blair (USA), Rev. M. Kunjappy (India), Rev. Benison Mathai (Qatar) ministered in the main sessions. Other ministers from the USA, India and the Persian Gulf also ministered during the conference in various times. Ladies ministry and youth ministry was also a blessing to all who attended.

16TH NACOG CONFERENCE IN DALLAS, TX (2011)
If the coming of the Lord tarries, our 16th NACOG conference will be held in Dallas, TX under the leadership of Rev. Satish Kumar. During the General Body of the 15th conference, the national committee was selected for this conference. The executive committee members who will be working along with the President are Rev. Sunny B. Mathew (V. President), Evg. Sushil Mathew (Secretary), Evg. Abraham Thomas (Treasurer) and Bro. Tomy Abraham (Youth Coordinator). Please check our website for further information on all elected National, Local and Ladies representatives.