Ladies! You do not want to miss this FREE celebration! It’s going to be a powerful time of connection and worship with women from all over the globe. Make sure you select “attending” for this event when filling out your registration for GA24.org. We can’t wait to see you there!
PROJECT #020-8203
The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in early 2022 separated families and displaced thousands of orphans. Immediately, the Church of God was instrumental in extracting nine orphanages from Ukraine and placing the children in semi-permanent housing in surrounding countries. Today, these children are waiting with anticipation for the day when they will be able to return home.
Home for these orphans is where their journey began, and home is where their journey must end. Even though this beautiful country is now ravaged by war, Ukraine is the starting place of their memories, their hopes, and their dreams.
For 2022-2024 Church of God Women’s Ministries has adopted this need and desperately needs your assistance. There are some 100,000 orphans in need in Ukraine. With your support, we will rebuild lives, reestablish families, and provide transportation, clothing and food that will sustain these children throughout their journey home.
Please direct all correspondence and donations to:
Women’s Ministries
Ukraine, The Journey Home Project
P.O. Box 2430
Cleveland, TN 37320-2430
Follow Church of God International Women’s Ministry on Twitter
Paula Hill is president of International Church of God Women's Ministries and wife of General Overseer Timothy M. Hill.
Peggy Culpepper is a member of the Women's Ministries Advisory Council and wife of First Assistant General Overseer Raymond Culpepper.
Kaci Stewart is a member of the Women's Ministries Advisory Council and wife of Second Assistant General Overseer Tony Stewart.
Fernanda Ramirez is a member of the Women's Ministries Advisory Council and wife of Third Assistant General Overseer David Ramirez
Lori Lewis is a member of the Women's Ministries Advisory Council and wife of Secretary General Gary Lewis.
Patricia Charles – Caribbean
Kathy Cooper – Kentucky
Karen Smith – New York
Debbie Ivester – Canada Vision 20/20
Debbie Thomas – Africa
Teresa Holder – Delmarva-DC
Janice Darnell – Europe
Betzaida Marcial – Latin America
Meri Rivera
Meri was born Carmen Maria Rivera, but to anyone who has had more than a casual encounter with her, she is known as Meri. Talented singer, Bible teacher, conference speaker, author, and pastor’s wife. Many are those who benefited from her ministry, hospitality, and cuisine over seven decades of active service.
From the time she came to know the Lord as a teen, Meri’s devotion to ministry was evident. She taught children’s church within months of her conversion, where she learned to use her creative talents to plan lessons. She went on to lead youth ministry at the local and state level before moving on to adult ministries. Her openness to God’s leading prepared her for a life filled with changing roles as the wife of a Church of God ordained minister.
Meri’s life has served as a testament to what strong faith can do. Now close to 90, her health is declining, but her prayers and faith remain unshakable. Each day ends in prayers of gratitude for God’s goodness because, as one of her favorite hymns says, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”
Meri Rivera’s Impact
Meri and her husband Roberto met during her time as a youth leader in Illinois. Over their 50 years serving together, they pastored churches in Puerto Rico and the United States and impacted ministry work throughout the Spanish speaking world. She was a state Women’s Ministry director for the Southeast Hispanic Region and served on the International Women’s Ministry Board for the Church of God.
In the 1970s, Roberto served as president of what is now the Theological University of the Caribbean in Puerto Rico. A small staff and even smaller budget meant that Meri took on roles as house mother, shopper, and cook without compensation. She recalls times when food and funds were scarce and prayer became the primary resource to meet needs – all while managing her own household with three young children (Carlos, Verenice and Mari.)
The Riveras spent a decade in Texas as directors of the Church of God Publishing House, a role that allowed Meri to share insights in monthly articles for women. She fulfilled a dream of writing her life testimony following Roberto’s death in 2009 in a book titled “Se Puede” – loosely translated “It Can Be Done.” In it, she encourages readers to see obstacles as opportunities to trust God and accomplish His will.
Dee Raff, Manager
Susana Góngora, Administrative Assistant
Contact International Women's Ministries
womensministries@churchofgod.org
(423) 478-7170 office
(855) 624-4523 toll free
Please use this form to report Women's Ministries progress in your state/region. The form can be filled out electronically, saved, and then emailed to International Women's Ministries (womensministries@churchofgod.org)
