ORDINATION--Joop and Ina Post ordained
in Holland. Photo by John Hoff.
HERWIJNEN, Netherlands--Three elders were ordained Dec. 18 to serve members in the Netherlands and the Dutch-speaking area of Belgium. About 200 members attend five congregations in the area.
Joop and Ina Post serve the Zwolle congregation, Frans and Lamberta Danenberg serve the Doorn congregation and Adrie and Henriette Verduijn serve the Eindhoven congregation. After the doctrinal changes in 1995 most elders left the church, leaving the Doorn, Zwolle and Eindhoven congregations without local elders.
Jesse Korver, pastor of the Dutch-speaking churches, said: "We had been looking forward to this day for quite a while now. It is important that the members have someone to provide them with vision and direction, to encourage them and to equip them for the work of serving. I feel these three men all have a serving attitude and are looking for God's will and what is best for the congregations."
Guest speaker Jim Herst from the European Office gave a sermon about peace. Gerrie Belo.
ORDINATION--Joop and Ina Post ordained
in Holland. Photo by John Hoff.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa--The WCG planted a church the weekend of Dec. 10 to 12 in Ga-Lekgothwane in the Northern Province of South Africa.
This is a village of about 1,000, just over an hour's drive from the Pietersburg congregation. The local language is Northern Sotho.
Caleb
Makhela, the bivocational pastor, spoke to 120 people on the first day and 150 people on
the second. He and his team wanted to choose an area for church planting with a faithful
member or group of members who could work with any new groups or Bible studies.
Ga-Lekgothwane was chosen because it was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Petrus Sebati and also
where Charles Takalo works with young people.
One thousand flyers were distributed, people were invited by word of mouth, and posters were put up on trees and fences. A prayer group of 30 people was established to ask for God's wisdom and guidance. James Henderson.
BRUSSELS, Belgium--Christian Piette, president of the Francophone Belgian Evangelical Association, told the WCG in Belgium Dec. 4 that it had been accepted as a member of the Federation of Evangelical Churches, and thus cannot officially be listed as a cult.
"Our church now will have a legitimacy when it tries to rent halls and also can lend its voice to the growing influence of the evangelical churches in Belgium," said regional director John Halford.
Mr. Piette made the announcement while attending a Worldwide Church of God worship service, the Belgian annual general Meeting (AGM), a potluck and an evening of entertainment.
Mr. Piette has written books critical of the WCG. He is now fully supportive of the Worldwide Church of God.
PARIS, France--No members have been injured or killed in violent storms that swept through France in late December, but many suffered material damages to their properties.
Roof tiles were broken; some had water in their houses; trees crashed down on garages or houses. The Paris Office lost a few roof tiles, which caused some leaking. Some members were without electricity and heat.
It seems that the French will not forget the last few days of the 20th century. We all hope for better times in the third millennium. Marie-Angelique Alcindor.
KALAMAZOO, Michigan--One hundred seven members and friends celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Kalamazoo congregation Dec. 11.
Elder Art Thomas spoke about the history of the congregation, and pastor Wilhelm Mandel spoke on what individuals need to do to continue to grow spiritually and physically as a fellowship.
Some letters from former pastors were read, as well as a congratulatory note from Kalamazoo's sister congregation in Munich, Germany.
During the church life segment of the service, hands were laid on Tara Stauffer to ask God's blessing on her for her missionary work in Slavonski-Brod, Croatia. The congregation financially supports her there. Mr. Mandel and his wife, Ingrid, have visited Croatia many times in their service to the church.
The service concluded with communion. Wilhelm Mandel.
WESTLOCK, Alberta, Canada--Members here joined for a worship service with the Westlock Church of the Nazarene, Sunday, Oct. 17.
The WCG congregation meets Saturday afternoons in the Nazarene Church building.
Brain Hopfe, host pastor, led worship, and Bob Millman, WCG pastor, gave a sermon titled Coming Home to Grace.
After the service, members had a potluck lunch. Paul Majeau.
Bob Millman
A teen weekend is planned for Keystone Heights (45 miles south of Jacksonville) Feb. 26 and 27. The weekend will include World Vision's 30-hour famine. To participate in the 30-hour famine call 1-800-7-FAMINE or visit World Vision's website at www.30hourfamine.org
Cost for the function will be $30. Marty Davey, pastor of the Jacksonville church, is host. For details, call 1-904-282-1055 or send e-mail to Martin_Davey@wcg.org
An SEP teen weekend is planned for Dallas, March 17 to 19. The cost is $50. Praise and worship will be provided by Nuclear Family.
The speaker will be SEP director Jeb Egbert, who is also responsible for registration information. Dr. Egbert can be contacted at 1-972-712-5737 or at Jeb_Egbert@wcg.org
CINCINNATI, Ohio--Elder Dale Lamb was selected by The Urban League of Greater Cincinnati for its African American Leadership Development Program.
Elder John Hoover is involved with the Norwood Buddy Mentor program, a collaborative effort among St. Joseph Orphanage, Hamilton County Family and Children First Council and the Norwood Schools.
The program Mr. Lamb is involved in seeks to develop a pool of African American men and women to address community issues.
During the 10-month program, participants meet monthly for lectures, discussion and experience to learn about major aspects of community life. Issues from economy and education to criminal justice and intercultural diversity are explored.
"I chose to get involved because of the opportunity to increase awareness of the community needs that exist in the Greater Cincinnati area," Mr. Lamb said.
The buddy mentor program Mr. Hoover is involved in matches volunteer mentors with Norwood School students to provide adult guidance and support.
Mr. Hoover said: "As a mentor I want to be a valuable resource for the youths as a role model, teacher, friend, source of support and resource. I hope that through God working in me that I will bring a common sense approach even when difficult times are upon them, so they can learn that there are positive ways to look at life, the world and most importantly themselves."
MILLWOOD, Ohio--A volunteer mission trip is scheduled for Feb. 22 to 29 to Cap Haitien, Haiti. The volunteer cost will be $700 from West Palm Beach, Florida, aboard missionary air transport.
The trip is sponsored by Intercessory Missions and led by Will Ruttencutter, a WCG member who annually leads missionary projects. Mr. Ruttencutter serves as director of the Hug-a-Bug Project (an all-volunteer children's charity) and is a co-founder of Intercessory Missions.
Contact Intercessory Missions, 11778 Bridge St., Millwood, Ohio, 43028 for an information packet, or send e-mail to Mr. Ruttencutter at hugabugproject@juno.com
RICHMOND,
Virginia--Edward J. Kopec received his bachelor of science degree in marine engineering
from Thomas Edison State College Oct. 2, 15 years after earning his degree in June 1984.
When Ed entered the WCG in 1984, he was counseled to declare himself a conscientious objector. He did so and since he had not picked up his diploma at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the academy declined to confer his degree and other credentials.
Ed had previously agreed to accept a Merchant Marine Reserve/U.S. Naval Reserve commission as an ensign upon graduation when he entered the academy in 1980.
Ed found that he could transfer his credits to Thomas Edison State College and demonstrate his current knowledge of marine engineering through correspondence and complete the degree in almost a year.
Ed, formerly pastor of the Medford, New Jersey, congregation, now sails as a marine engineer aboard the MV Sea Eagle (tug-barge) for Allied Transportation Co. The vessel sails the East and Gulf coasts where two crews alternate about three weeks aboard and three weeks off.
For those interested in obtaining a college degree by correspondence through Thomas Edison State College (TESC) in the United States or internationally, contact TESC at 1-609-984-1180 or Ed Kopec at 1-804-754-8855; e-mail: ed_kopec@wcg.org
QUEENS, New York--Jeff Kolsch is a member of the lay pastor team in Queens and an employee of The Bible League, a ministry that places Bibles in China.
Because Amity Press prints many Bibles in China, Mr. Kolsch said many people think that "there is no point in smuggling Bibles into China" or that "Bibles are readily available to all Christians."
Amity Press prints about one and a half to two million Bibles a year. These Bibles are controlled by the government and are generally available only to the officially registered Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) churches, Mr. Kolsch said.
The unregistered house church members can receive one of these Bibles only when supply dictates, and sometimes if they fill out a form for it. But this would provide information that could put themselves, their church and pastor in jeopardy, since house churches are illegal.
The amount of Bibles Amity produces is far too few to even keep up with the 5,000 or more converts to Christianity a day, or 1.7 million plus a year, and provide for the many Christians in China who still lack Bibles.
It is estimated that China has only about 30 million Bibles, of which The Bible League has provided almost eight million to house church Christians (their first priority) since 1979. But with a church of probably 70 million--and growing rapidly--there continues to be a severe lack of Bibles.
MAGALIESBURG, South Africa--Fifty men attended a men's retreat Nov. 12 to 14 at the Youth for Christ Rest Camp and Conference Centre. The theme was Men Following Their Master.
The program included morning devotion, prayer, praise and worship, lectures, video presentations, quiet time, communion, group discussion and testimonials.
Johan Heystek, gospel artist and music director of Apostolic Faith Mission Randburg, led praise and worship and spoke on A Challenge to Worship.
Hennie Maree of Word for the Nations gave a talk on Our Personal Commission.
Martin Deacon, director of Walk Through the Bible, spoke on A Vision for Life Change, and presented Bruce Wilkenson's video series on leading.
Morgen Kriedemann, ministerial director for South Africa, spoke on Salvation by Faith.
Twelve men gave two-minute testimonies. Jimmy Robertson.
SOUTH AFRICAN MEN'S RETREAT--Participants
at retreat with the theme, Men Following Their Master.
LAGOS,
Nigeria--Tim Nooteboom, 27, a member from Jackson, Tennessee, serves as a Marine guard at
the U.S. embassy in Lagos.
Tim joined the Marine Corps in 1996. He went to electronics school in Twentynine Palms, California, and became a ground radio repairman. From there he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, for one year.
Then he was accepted to Marine Security Guard school in Quantico, Virginia.
After graduation he was sent to Lagos to work at the American Embassy.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana--Glenoaks Baptist Church, the Baton Rouge congregation and Broadmoor United Methodist Church (the largest Methodist church in Louisiana) were hosts for a multidenominational worship service Jan. 1.
The event sparked a renewed commitment to tear down denominational and racial barriers that have plagued the community for decades.
After pastors from the three churches led the worship service, an invitation was given to those present to recommit their lives to Christ and to be lighthouses in the Baton Rouge community.
After the service everyone went to the gym for a potluck meal. Musical entertainment was provided by the participating churches including Alvin Watson and Bertilda Duhan from the WCG.
The event concluded with the Lighthouse Video produced by Promise Keepers that was aired at similar events across the nation.
The pastors invited each other to share their pulpits in the coming weeks. Anthony Rice.
Anthony Rice
KALAMAZOO, Michigan--The gospel singing group, Imani, provided musical enjoyment Nov. 6 for the Muskegon congregation.
Imani, which means "faith" in Kiswahili, is a group of 15 to 20 members from the Detroit East congregation. The members range in age from teenagers to 70.
This choir feels a responsibility to inspire, comfort and encourage the brethren through God's gift of music. They have sung for churches in their community as well as WCG congregations. The opportunity to serve and sing praises to God is their goal. Michele Templeman.
ORLANDO, Florida--Ish, Riccinni and Iris Beloso, along with Scottie Pausal, will perform at the Filipino Community Presbyterian Church in Chicago March 11.
Having formed the group IRIS (an acronym of the first letter of each member's name), they desire to spread a message of hope and joy with their contemporary Christian music.
IRIS completed a CD titled "Promise I'm On My Way," referring to Christ's promised return as our King and Savior.
Many of the songs were inspired while Ish Beloso served on a medical mission in the Philippines. Hoping to continue in that ministry, the members of IRIS have committed 15 percent of the proceeds from the sale of their CD to support orphanages, disaster relief efforts and medical missions in the Philippines.
For more details about the CD or performances, contact Ish Beloso at irisministries@juno.com or call 1-407-933-5758. Lesz Banham.
SHARING THE GOSPEL--IRIS members
from left, Iris Beloso, Scottie Pausal, and Ish
and Riccinni Beloso, share the gospel through
contemporary Christian music.
WESTCHESTER, New York--The Westchester congregation will have a winter dinner dance at the Surf Club in New Rochelle, New York, Feb. 26 from 7 to 11 p.m.
The cost is $45 per person. Please make checks payable to Manhattan Church Activity Fund and mail to Tom Passaro, 21 Davenport Ave. Apt. 3B, New Rochelle, Hew York, 10805. Hotel accommodations are available. For more information contact Mr. Passaro at 1-914-576-3262.
A seminar and workshop will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at Hillside Church in Armonk. A worship service will take place at the same location from 2 to 3:30. Singles activities are planned for Feb. 27.
An entertainment package, which costs $20, includes the following activities at New Roc City: unlimited ice skating, laser tag and a virtual reality roller coaster.
The following were left out of the list of pastors serving in the region supervised by Don Lawson (January WN):
Amarillo, Texas: Sammy and Julia O'Dell.
The Montvale and Union, New Jersey, congregations and the parents and students of John Swarko's music class gave an indoor carnival for the residents of Matheny School, Nov. 28.
The school provides medical care and therapy for children and adults with severe physical disabilities. Most of them are in wheelchairs.
Ron Robinson, assistant pastor in Montvale, coordinated the event with music instructor John Swarko. The 35-member outreach group provided about a dozen games and gave prizes, including stuffed animals and beanie babies, to the residents. Mr. Robinson brought along a robot with lights, buzzers and bells that repeats whatever is said to it.
Mr. Robinson said that the opportunity to serve the residents was an inspiring experience that helped all appreciate how blessed they are.
LUFKIN, Texas--The Lufkin congregation participated in the Loop 2000 prayer project Jan. 1.
About 1,000 Christians from about 200 church congregations met on the major highways at 14 entrances to the city.
They drove wooden stakes into the ground at each of these locations. The stakes had the theme scriptures of 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 written on them.
Through the efforts of the Word of Life Church and others, the denominational barriers are coming down in Lufkin. Kenn Allbright.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000