PASADENA--Mekala
Devadas, who has planted 35 churches in remote villages in the Visakhapatnam area of
eastern India, spoke to the NewLife Fellowship congregation in Pasadena, Jan. 30.NEW YORK--More than 400 members from Metro New York celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Manhattan congregation Nov. 12.
After congratulatory videos from Pastor General Joseph Tkach and Steve Botha, pastor of the Brooklyn congregation, and his wife, Harlean, members enjoyed a worship service that included testimonies from former pastors Ed Faulk and Maceo Hampton.
The ARC (Addicts Rehabilitation Center) Gospel Choir and Manhattan children's choir provided special worship music. Carn Catherwood, district superintendent in Big Sandy, Texas, gave the sermon. Mr. Catherwood participated in one of the original baptizing tours through the Northeast in 1959.
Senior pastor Jeff Broadnax served as worship leader and gave a historical retrospective on the Manhattan congregation. A celebration ceremony followed the worship service and included recognition of original members Betty Stokes, Gladys Dudley, Mary Elcock, David Elcock, Hulita Blyden and Tim Nettleton.
Gifts of appreciation were also given to Carn and Joyce Catherwood; James Allen, ARC founder; and Arnold Coleman, area coordinator. Elders Ernest Owens and his wife, Erskileena, and Willie Dudley and his wife, Gladys, and former pastors were also honored.
PASADENA--Mekala
Devadas, who has planted 35 churches in remote villages in the Visakhapatnam area of
eastern India, spoke to the NewLife Fellowship congregation in Pasadena, Jan. 30.
A major part of the outreach ministry conducted by Rev. Devadas and his wife, Sarojini, is an orphanage for 70 children and a discipleship school.
Rev. Devadas disciples young pastors and sends them into the villages on bicycles to preach the gospel.
Rev. Devadas recounted his own journey from Hinduism to Christ, having been born an untouchable, the lowest group in the Hindu caste system.
"The pantheistic society is hostile and anti-Christian," he said. "Laws prohibit entering India as missionaries, and the government imposes an anti-conversion law." Churches have been burned, and pastors imprisoned or killed.
For more information write to Rev. Devadas at Christ the King Ministry, No. 11-160 Ashok Nagar, Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam 530026 (AP) India, or send e-mail to him at ckkmwamekala@hotmail.com
MISSION IN INDIA--Top: Evangelists take gospel to villages
on bicycles. Bottom: orphan children sing at worship service.
LUFKIN, Texas--The WCG in Lufkin has been received with open arms by the Christian community.
The Angelina County
Ministers Prayer Alliance, which meets at a different church each week, met at the Lufkin
church, Jan. 13.
Pastor David Orban spoke to the group, apologized for past offenses and offered the hand of fellowship. Then the prayer group embraced him. They asked WCG members to gather around Mr. Orban and they prayed for him and the WCG. Kenn Allbright.
NEW
ALBANY, Indiana--Pastor Rick Shallenberger and the New Albany congregation were hosts for
several area congregations as they fellowshipped and worshiped with Pastor General Joseph
Tkach Nov. 20.
The morning began with a worship program including prayer, scripture and inspirational readings, and worship songs. Musical accompaniment was provided by the New Albany Praise and Worship band.
Congregations from Evansville, Indiana, and Mount Sterling, Elizabethtown, Lexington, Madisonville, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, then listened to the message from Mr. Tkach.
Members from the New Albany and Evansville congregations provided appetizers and refreshments during a midday break.
Mr. Tkach then conducted a question and answer session for about 90 minutes. After a break, the day ended with communion and an offering.
It was a pleasurable experience as we welcomed Mr. Tkach into our area church family to join us in the celebration of Christ. Peggy Head.
PASADENA--NewLife
Fellowship set aside February as Healing Broken Hearts month.
Susan Hicks, a Christian counselor, was guest speaker Feb. 6. Her message included her personal story of pain and the lifelong process of healing in our relationship to Jesus Christ.
Susan, a Christian marriage, family and child therapy counselor in Arcadia, California, is an occasional guest teacher at Fuller Seminary. She is a supervisor for lay counselors at Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena and a conference speaker for the Christian Association of Psychological Studies.
SAYRE, Oklahoma--The Sayre house church dedicated its new meeting place Jan. 8, an old home donated by nonmembers Jim and Sybille Long.
The Three-Sixteen praise group from Oklahoma City led the interdenominational praise and worship service. The service included communion. Among the 48 in attendance were Don Lawson, district superintendent, and his wife, Sue; Mike Rasmussen, Oklahoma City pastor, his wife, Juli, and their sons, Grant and Kurt.
TAMPA, Florida--The Tampa outreach ministry provides food each month to the Sunrise Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center of Pasco County.
Each month members contribute canned food, dried goods, paper products and fresh foods for safe houses filled with mothers and children fleeing from violent situations in the home. Members also contribute clothing and other articles to the center's thrift store.
For Thanksgiving, the congregation provided a breakfast and dinner for the 27 residents of the safe houses. For Christmas, the congregation adopted a family and provided gifts for them. Four of the mothers asked for Bibles for them and their children. Bettie Endres.
DAVENPORT, Iowa--Members of the Davenport congregation joined with their host church, the River of Life, for a combined worship service Jan. 16.
Guest speaker was Alan Keyes, former ambassador to the United Nations Social and Economic Council and a candidate for the presidency.
The combined worship teams of the two churches led the congregation in a celebration of our joy in Christ. Opening comments were shared by pastor Jim Tully of the River of Life, and WCG pastor John Bailey of Davenport.
Dr. Keyes' sermon focused on serving the one living God of our lives. Both congregations stayed after services to share refreshments and speak with Dr. Keyes. He discussed how God has been the motivation in his life of public service and how we each can do our part in demonstrating his way in our daily lives. Mike Urmie.
IOWA SERVICE--From left: John Bailey, WCG pastor,
Alan Keyes, presidential candidate, and Jim Tully, pastor
of River of Life church. [Photo by Steve Honse]
PORTLAND,
Oregon--Henry Lageman, a 1979 University of Wisconsin-Stout graduate in Vocational
Rehabilitation, was elected national president of The American Board of Vocational Experts
(ABVE) for the 2000-2001 term.
ABVE is a national association and certifying body for vocational experts. Its mission is to preserve the integrity, standards and ethics of the vocational expert's role in providing expert witness testimony regarding vocational functioning.
After completing his graduate training in vocational rehabilitation, Henry completed his internship with the State of Oregon by assisting in the development of the state's work evaluation program.
He then assisted in developing a work evaluation center in Salem, Oregon, followed by developing a rehabilitation unit with the state accident insurance fund. After that, Henry developed his own vocational assessment firm that he has maintained since 1981.
You can e-mail Hank and his wife, Sue, at VocExpert@msn.com or visit their websites at www. VocExpert.com or www.JobFit1. com
PALM SPRINGS, California--The Palm Springs congregation started attending the weekly Village Festival in downtown Palm Springs Aug. 26 and has been there once a month since then.
The main street running through downtown Palm Springs, Palm Canyon Drive, is closed from 5 to 11 p.m. Merchants open booths offering arts and crafts, international foods, fine art and live entertainment.
Thousands of people walk down the street, and this is a way to meet new people and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Glenn Sinkule.
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe--Denny Mpande and Patrick Tshuma were ordained as elders of the Bulawayo congregation Jan. 14 by James Henderson and Joseph Mpofu.
After the ordinations, Mr. Henderson, superintendent of African missions, explained to the congregation that Mr. Mpofu, Mr. Mpande and Mr. Tshuma were commissioned by the church to serve as a pastoral team for Bulawayo for a period of three years. Shadreck Kanda was also ordained as a deacon.
PASTORAL TEAM--From left: Denny Mpande,
Joseph Mpofu, and Patrick Tshuma [Photo by James Henderson]
HONOLULU, Hawaii--The Honolulu congregation found a new location in one week after being given two weeks notice to find a new facility.
The new location is rent-free, has better facilities, is located on the ground floor and has a landscaped garden. The congregation has many elderly members, and the ground floor location is important to them.
The congregation had met at the Chinese Cultural Plaza for 15 years. At the final service Nov. 27 they had communion and potluck. Gary Crowell.
Honolulu, Hawaii, congregation [Photo by Ben Texeira]
PASADENA,
California--Michael Hale, director of Higher Ground Music Ministries, participated in an
Aug. 9 to 20 doctor of ministry program course on contemporary worship at Fuller Seminary.
Mr. Hale led worship for several days, and was asked to share a personal testimonial about worshiping in the WCG throughout the doctrinal and theological transformation.
It was the second year Mr. Hale led worship and spoke at the Fuller doctor of ministry worship program at the invitation of Professor Robb Redman. Dr. Redman also directed worship ministry training at Maranatha! Music, writes for Worship Leader magazine and is a freelance writer, teacher and workshop consultant in San Antonio, Texas.
Mr. Hale also leads worship for the Pasadena WCG Saturday night congregation (Community Life Fellowship) with the praise band, Higher Ground. Mr. Hale can be reached at highergmus@aol.com
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina--The NAACP is urging African-American groups to boycott South Carolina because the Confederate battle flag flies atop the capitol in Columbia.
This is of concern to the WCG because it conducts the festival in Myrtle Beach.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is aggressively seeking resolution to this matter. Along with Columbia's mayor and other community leaders, the CVB believes the flag should be removed from the capitol.
The Confederate flag is not being flown over the Convention Center of Myrtle Beach (our meeting location for the festival). Paul Edwards, convention center manager, and Bill Sigmon, director of sales, both said they would like to see the flag removed.
Greg Williams,
festival coordinator, said: "I hope that sharing this information has removed any
doubts about choosing Myrtle Beach as an appropriate destination for the WCG to come
together and worship. It is my prayer to see this matter resolved before October."
If it's not resolved then, let's never forget that our commission is to go into all the world. It's not a matter of going only where you like the flag.
CLIFTON PARK, New York--Christina L. Farkas has been honored by the advisory board of the Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King lecture series on race and nonviolent social change.
Christina, a student at Arongen Elementary School in Clifton Park, created a poster depicting principles Martin Luther King Jr. espoused. The poster has been displayed at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, where Christina was given a certificate of appreciation.
Christina's parents are William and Loraine Mapes, who attend the Albany, New York, church.
CHARLESTON, West Virginia--Swannee Chamberlain turned 95 Jan. 13.
Harmony Hearts women's ministry helped her celebrate with a party Jan. 15. She was given a corsage for the first time in her life, and her second-ever birthday cake.
Swannee comes from a family of 17 children. Her husband served in the Spanish-American War, and survived the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. In 1933 Swannee and her husband were present for the inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Washington, D.C.
Swannee's first job was a secretarial position with the Air Force in Florida during World War II. The base where she worked is now the Miami International Airport. Swannee became a member of the WCG in 1975.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina--Ambassador closed its doors in 1997, but hundreds of former staff, students and faculty members around the world keep in touch through the Internet.
Following is information about three resources that may be of interest to former Ambassadors. Each resource is operated independently of any church or denomination.
AmbassadorUniversity.com
This site began as the Birds of a Feather site shortly before Ambassador's closure. Among the features are various alumni listings, a chat room and areas to post announcements. This will soon merge with PlanetAlumni.com (see below).
Egroups.com
The Ambassador Alumni discussion group on egroups.com was launched in November. It has more than 75 subscribers. To subscribe, send a blank message to ambassadoralumni-subscribe@egroups. com
A list of discussion guidelines can be obtained by writing to jbheath@uncg.edu All alumni are welcome to subscribe, regardless of campus attended or current church affiliation. Alumni of Azusa Pacific University's Ambassador Center are invited to subscribe as well.
PlanetAlumni.com
As of Feb. 1, Ambassador University was listed No. 2 in the PlanetAlumni.com site's Current Top Five. At the site, there are separate sections for each of the three former Ambassador campuses. Each campus has a section for news, coming events, birthdays and reunions, as well as a message board.
One can go directly to the campus of his or her choice with the following addresses:
Pasadena: www.planetalumni. com/group.asp?gid=17965
Big Sandy: www.planetalumni. com/group.asp?gid=14185
Bricket Wood: www.planetalumni.com/group.asp?gid=18162 John Brian Heath.
The Akron-Canton and Cleveland, Ohio, congregations invite you to a worship retreat at Beulah Beach, Ohio, June 23 to 25. Bruce Marchiano will be keynote speaker with district superintendents Ted Johnston and Fran Ricchi serving as retreat leaders.
The focus of the retreat will be seeking an intimate and fresh encounter with our Lord and Savior. Our goal is the renewal of our passion for Jesus and the mission he has given the church.
Bruce Marchiano is best known for his portrayal of Jesus in the Visual Bible film, The Gospel According to Matthew. At Beulah Beach, Bruce will share his passion for Jesus. He will offer reenactments of profound moments in Jesus' ministry including times when Jesus urged his disciples to enter fully into his kingdom-building work.
In addition to four worship services, there will be times of prayer and discussion in large and small groups, and time for private prayer, relaxation and recreation.
The Beulah Beach Retreat Center is near Vermilion, Ohio (west of Cleveland). It is on Lake Erie and offers both motel-style and bunkhouse-style housing. Meals are in the center's cafeteria. For recreation, Beulah Beach offers walking paths, a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Canoes and paddleboats are available on a private pond with volleyball and basketball facilities on site. Children and adults will find plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy together.
The cost of the retreat (including two nights lodging and five meals) is as follows:
Adults staying in motel-style housing: $85 per adult.
Adults staying in bunkhouse-style housing: $65 per adult
Children staying in rooms with adults: ages 12 to 16: $40 per child; ages 4 to 11: $25 per child; ages 0 to 3: no cost.
Campsites (bring your own tent or recreational vehicle; bathhouse and full hookups provided): cost is about $50 per adult (depending on number of adults in the campsite), cost for children is as noted above.
Food-only packages are generally not available since we wish all participants to be in Beulah Beach housing to gain full benefit of the retreat.
Check-in time is Friday, June 23, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. (later times can be arranged) with the opening worship gathering at 8 (after dinner). Checkout time starts Sunday morning at 11:30 after the worship service.
A detailed schedule with registration form is available by writing to Ted Johnston at 2238 Old Elm St. NE, Canton, Ohio, 44721, or by e-mail at Ted_Johnston@wcg.org
MARION, Ohio--New Community Christian Fellowship Church served the community with a chicken noodle dinner last summer and an ice-cream social. Sixty-five people attended.
Pastor Pat Tobin encourages the members to reach out to the community.
The church had moved into a new building and started Sunday services and wanted the community to be familiar with the new location.
Though they are a small church, they are involved in the community. They help the Salvation Army with food, they help fire victims and send money to Haitian children. They also save Campbell's Soup labels for an area school.
Mr. Tobin works at a nursing home in Mount Gilead, Ohio. He has Bible studies and fellowship classes, and has given sermons at the nursing home. Janet Fleming.
BLUEFIELD, West Virginia--Pastor Gary Endres and his wife, Susan, were honored at an open house service here Nov. 14.
Judy Lilly sang a special song for them, "Not Too Far From Here," and then Mr. Endres gave the sermon.
After the sermon a potluck lunch was served. Mr. and Mrs. Endres were then given a picture of an eagle with an inscription from Psalm 8:1: "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who has set thy glory above the heavens."
A sing-along followed. Joyce Sparks.
QUEENS, New York--The Queens congregation conducted an evangelistic event Dec. 4.
We prepared prayer teams for an altar call, the worship team for the worship, the nursery ministry for the nursery, the greeters for the first "hello" at the door of the church and all the other things needed for the evening.
The evening culminated with the altar call, given by pastor Ron Swift of our pastoral team. More than 100 people were seated in our church that Saturday night. What happened next was more than we had ever expected. More than 90 came forward!
The altar area of the church was inundated. People coming forward to
commit to Jesus for the first time. Others who wanted to lay some burden at the foot of
the cross and receive prayer. Still others wanted to 
recommit and restore their walk with Jesus. Craig Bacheller.
Craig Bacheller
SAN FRANCISCO,
California--District Superintendent Mike Swagerty and wife, Sandy, scheduled their church
visit to the Bay Area churches Feb. 12, on what happened to be the 33rd anniversary of the
San Francisco church.
San Leandro combined with its circuit partner church at the San Francisco hall for a full day of celebration.
Member Bambi Green, who goes back to 1967, our charter year, led a session of memory lane comments. The framed church charter was presented, and three members were ordained.
After Mr. Swagerty's sermon a barbecue took place that featured a question and answer session and entertainment.
The day ended with a meeting of the ordained council. Jim Roberts.
LUFKIN,
Texas--Pastor David Orban was interviewed live on Christian radio station KAVX 91.9 FM in
Lufkin, Texas, Feb. 10.
Mr. Orban pastors four churches in Texas: Longview, Lufkin, Tyler and Big Sandy. The host of the 7:30 a.m. talk show, Dwyan C. Calvert, was interviewing area religious leaders in a series of programs discussing the need for cross-denominational unity. Mr. Orban's interview was the last in the series.
The story of the WCG was showcased to illustrate how far God will go to bring about unity in the church.
Rev. Calvert said he was amazed about two years ago, when at a community ministry association meeting Mr. Orban spoke openly about the changes in our denomination.
When Mr. Orban spoke to the association again a few weeks ago, Rev. Calvert felt moved by the Spirit to include the WCG story on his radio program that broadcasts to eastern Texas and western Louisiana.
During the interview, Mr. Orban rehearsed the early history of the WCG and highlighted the miraculous story of the last decade of our journey. After outlining some key beliefs of our past, Mr. Orban told of our denomination's rapid transformation in many areas of doctrine, belief and practice.
Mr. Orban encouraged other churches to focus on areas of essential unity and to continue to grow in their acceptance of each other, creating a united front to reach out to unbelievers and to inactive Christians. David Orban and Lee Berger.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island--For the past eight years a number of women in the Providence congregation have participated in an outreach project of knitting and crocheting items and donating them to area hospitals and other organizations.
Pat Livingston has directed the project. Reah Lallier and Florence Crompton have created about 2,000 hats and sweaters and more than 25 afghans for infants.
This project has benefited babies at the Rhode Island Women and Infants Hospital, sick children at Hasbro Hospital, needy families at the Ronald McDonald house and homeless families in transition at the House of Hope.
PASADENA--The following employees were honored for 25 years of service to the WCG.
Pasadena: Jon A. Hegvold, Security; Kent Lading, Telecommunications; and Maureen Warkentin, Human Resources.
Big Sandy: David A. Leach, Transportation and general services.
Australian Office: Roger Griffiths, purchasing.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000