Heartland SEP Beats the Heat! From as far as Kentucky, Kansas, New York, North Dakota, Minnesota and Missouri, campers and volunteers traveled to Eagle Crest Camp in Central Illinois for Heartland SEP. In the first week of August 2006, 126 campers and 72 staff shared a week of life-changing, Christ-centered experiences. Although temperatures soared to 100 degrees, our camp did not lose a step (the air conditioning in the dorms and buildings helped). Sixty-five percent of our staff returned this year and nearly half (45 percent) of our campers joined us for the first time. Faithful servants’ generous donations provided some partial or full-tuition scholarships. Campers from diverse backgrounds, including many unchurched teens, provided an opportunity for our staff to develop a focus on sharing Jesus on different levels to meet individual needs.
Highlights of the week included the Warriors and Princesses Night where guys were presented with hand-made swords representative of protecting the ladies, and girls participated in workshops and were crowned with tiaras that encouraged them to know how God sees each one of them as a princess and worthy of His love.
New additions this year were a team challenge course and a Rescue Mission at the end of camp where teens used team-building skills developed throughout the week. Another highlight included five baptisms at camp plus a number of others after campers returned to home church areas. Each day began with praise and worship and a rousing chapel message. A variety of Christ-centered activities (yes, swimming, paintball, archery, and team sports can be Christ-centered activities) throughout the day kept campers and staff engaged. Special evening activities such as fireside chats, praise and worship night, evening dance, and the final banquet provided an opportunity for campers to gather together and enjoy additional fellowship. Each day concluded with dorm prayer time. In our Friday chapel service, Camp Director James Newby literally passed the baton of directorship to Assistant Director Todd Woods and commissioned him to carry on the mission of Heartland SEP. Pastor James and his family will continue to serve campers and staff in other roles. Join us August 5-11, 2007, in Central Illinois for a week to see what a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ can do for you! We accept campers ages 9-19 and staff volunteers 18 and older. Visit our website at www.heartlandcamp.org for applications, photos, and more information. Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our ministry as we “love young people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.” Martin and Sarah Koenig

Souled Out in Memphis

Twenty-nine campers enjoyed another exciting year at Souled Out, the Generations Ministries camp in Memphis, TN, held this year Dec. 29-31. Although the weather was damp and some activities had to be replaced, nothing could dampen the spirit of the campers. They sang and danced in praise to God and forged new friendships with each other and with counselors and staff.

The theme this year was "On the Battlefield," and messages were geared to reminding campers of the daily battles that they face—physical and spiritual—and their need to enlist the saving power of Jesus to be successful in winning these battles. In addition to activities, praise and worship, and inspired messages, the teens were treated to a purity session and had an '80s style dance. Frederick Moore

After 40 years of entertaining on the country-music circuit, Larry Good lost his eyesight due to diabetes. His faith was strong, and seemed to grow stronger as his health seemed to worsen. Having Parkinson’s disease and being on dialysis did not stop Larry from what he loved to do most – SING. Yet, while unable to perform for audiences, Larry has continued to write, perform, and produce his own songs. In 2004, Larry was inducted into America's Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame located in the Pioneer Music Museum in Anita, Iowa.  

In January 2003, Larry was baptized at his home in Nebraska. Having faith and believing are goals for Larry on a daily basis. With his great faith, a gospel recording was his next project. After successfully completing that gospel CD, he is thankful for what he has, and appreciates all life has to offer him. Larry’s latest CD titled Larry Sings Good Time Gospel contains 13 gospel songs; Larry wrote 10 of those songs. Song titles include, “Jesus Is My Hero,” “God Is in Control,” “I Don’t Have To Worry Anymore,” “Get Down on Your Knees,” and more. For more information, write to: Lari-John Music, P.O. Box 216, Rising City, NE 68658. Duane Marquis

"Victory in Jesus" prayer warriors of Brooklyn, NY, extend their ministry into the homes of those who aren't able to attend services regularly. The meeting usually begins with praise reports and the sharing of favorite scriptures. Prayers are sent up by the prayer warriors and those who are being visited. Refreshments are shared at the end of the meetings. Gloria Fuller

Grace Family Fellowship Reaches Out

The outreach ministry of Grace Family Fellowship (Tallahassee, FL) involved a local elementary school and community in their first Fall Harvest Free Giveaway on Saturday, Oct. 28. The school sent flyers from the congregation to parents announcing the free giveaway of clothes, furniture, household items, toys, food items and many other things for children and adults. Refreshments of doughnuts, coffee, hot chocolate, and cold beverages were served on this chilly day. This was the congregation’s way of saying to the community, “God loves you” with no strings attached. People from the community instantly expressed their gratitude to church members serving them. One family sent a thank-you letter to Pastor Jonathan Rakestraw to be shared with the congregation.

The congregation’s second outreach project for November was partnering with the local elementary school for Thanksgiving basket giveaways to needy families. Pastor Rakestraw arranged this with the principal after the Fall Harvest Giveaway was such a success. The principal was very receptive of the Thanksgiving project. The youth transformed plain laundry baskets into beautifully decorated Thanksgiving baskets that became reservoirs for a myriad of food items. Specially made Thanksgiving cards for the baskets were signed by church members. Three days before Thanksgiving, church members delivered the baskets to the school for distribution. Mattie Johnson

Lawrence Schabow, center, and Howard Schabow, far right, celebrate their baptisms with family members Brad and Janet Stearns and Kenny Schabow.

Congregation Celebrates Baptisms

Heartland Christian Fellowship (Wheeling, Illinois) recently welcomed two new members to the body of Christ! Father and son Lawrence and Howard Schabow were baptized on January 7. The entire worship service that day focused on the significance of new birth in Christ. Following the baptism, members of the congregation gathered around to pray over Lawrence and Howard and then the congregation celebrated communion together. Fellowship and rejoicing continued with a special meal and a cake congratulating Lawrence and Howard on their “real birthday.” Debbie Menagh

Basil Wolverton honored

Jan. 23 was the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of Vancouver, WA. The Columbian newspaper ran a special section regarding Vancouver’s history, including biographies of the dozen most “Notable Names, Famous Faces.” Basil Wolverton was included in a list with President Ulysses S. Grant, Willie Nelson, General George C. Scott and others. Basil was an original member and elder in the Vancouver congregation. The Columbian occasionally runs political cartoons drawn by Basil’s son, Monte. The article read:

He never had an art lesson, but Basil Wolverton parlayed a natural talent for drawing into national prominence. In describing his style, Wolverton said, “I realize my drawings tend to turn delicate stomachs, but I kind of consider myself one of the tops in the horror-comic field.” Wolverton was born in Oregon in 1909 and spent most of his life in Vancouver before his death in 1978.

Cartoonist Al Capp had a running gag in his L’il Abner comic strip, a character named “Lena the Hyena.” She was billed as the world’s ugliest woman, too repulsive to be pictured. Capp invited artists to submit their interpretations of Lena, and in 1946, Wolverton beat 500,000 other artists for the horrific honor.

In 1991, Wolverton was inducted into the American comics industry’s hall of fame. Wolverton penned comic books, created magazine covers and did artwork for a wide-range of publications, including Life, Mad and—in a real display of his versatility—a history of the Old Testament [The Bible Story].”

Grace Fellowship Celebrates First Female Elder

Grace Fellowship of Pikeville, KY, was witness to a historic event in our denomination. On January 21, 2007, Debby Bailey was ordained an elder, making her the first woman to hold such a position in the Worldwide Church of God. Bob Taylor, retired District Superintendent, had the honor of officiating at the ordination along with the pastoral team members and their spouses.

Debby was commissioned as part of the pastoral team in the Pikeville congregation in 2002. She is very active in the community, serving on the National Day of Prayer Committee in Pike County since 1997, where she has served as chair for the last five years. She also has been involved in a jail ministry to female inmates for almost three years. Debby has been elected as the 2007 vice president of the Pike County/Pikeville Area Ministerial Association, in which she has been active for a number of years. She is also chair of the July Jam committee, an outreach to youth in the community through Christian rock music. Debby and her husband Eddie, married since 1979, have an 11-year-old son, Max.

Grace Fellowship has grown from 25 members to 55 since the Pastoral Team of Estil Stewart, Mike Stewart and Debby Bailey was commissioned in 2002. Debby's first official duty after ordination was to take part in the baptism of the congregation’s newest two members, Johnny Worrix and Philip Nelson. Bob Taylor

On Dec. 3, some of the women in the Kalamazoo, MI, congregation joined with women from other churches to put on a Christmas party at Fort Custom National Cemetery and Hospital in Battle Creek, MI. The head nurse selected the ward of 25 veterans that we gave the party for. Paula Hochstetler and Theresa Harrington brought 25 caps and 25 pair of socks and we put them in bags and decorated them. Mrs. Hochstetler brought her tape player with many different Christmas songs and we sang them. We served ice cream, punch and cookies, and passed out the gifts and gave each veteran a card. We also thanked each one for serving in the armed forces. We all enjoyed the party. Rosetta Andrews

On Jan. 21, Living Grace Church in Berlin, VT, had an Octogenarian Celebration, honoring five long-time members who are over 80 years old (three who drive over 70 miles one way to services and two "shut-ins"). Their words of wisdom: "Cheer up. Take one day at a time. There are better days coming. Stay the course." Pastor Al Nelson read greetings of congratulations from three former pastors. Arlene Nelson