BOREHAMWOOD,
England--John Halford, regional director in Europe, visited the congregation in Tartu,
Estonia, for Pentecost.
BOREHAMWOOD,
England--John Halford, regional director in Europe, visited the congregation in Tartu,
Estonia, for Pentecost.
Thirty people attended, including five Americans in Estonia on Peace Corps duty, including Jeremy and Myra Stokes from San Jose, California.
The occasion included the wedding of deacon Leo Kaagjarv. His bride, Kaarin Riives, is a professor of mathematics. The wedding was performed by Carl Fredrik Aas, Scandinavian pastor, who visits Estonia regularly.
"Religion took a battering in the communist years, and now there is great spiritual curiosity in this country," Mr. Halford said. "Several of the people who attend regularly have not yet requested baptism. They are cautious. After all, 50 years of communism does make you careful about what you believe and why."
TOKYO, Japan--"We believe that God is building a congregation of our fellowship here in the Tokyo area," said member Robert Long.
"We have been blessed to network with an independent Japanese minister, Shunsuke Nakagawa, who can minister to our Japanese friends in ways we can't because of our limited Japanese language and cultural abilities. It is a challenging country for evangelism as less than one percent of the population is Christian."
Some members from the Philippines have expressed interest in coming to Japan to work and have a "tent making" ministry. Robert and Lori Long.
HELENA, Montana--Living Hope Fellowship, the Helena WCG congregation, participated in Jesus Day, June 10.
The theme was A Day on Earth as in Heaven. More than 29 ministries and churches joined for a day of random acts of kindness (RAK) across the Helena community focusing on four themes: no child is fatherless, no one goes hungry, no one suffers alone and the streets are filled with singing.
All acts of kindness were done free of charge simply to show the love of Jesus in practical ways. Events included free car washes, window washing, youth groups doing face painting in the park, live bands performing in different parts of the community, gift trucks giving away free items across town, all night prayer vigils, nursing home visits, homeless shelter and low income housing visits and even a free yard sale.
One person in a RAK group showed Jesus' love by distributing flowers and gifts to groups of gay pride marchers in a gay pride parade taking place that day, according to Pastor Tobe Johnson.
The day concluded with more than 500 people coming together for the annual March for Jesus celebration parade through downtown Helena with people watching from bars, casinos, homeless shelters and simular places.
After the parade, the Body of Christ gathered at one of the parks for live music interspersed with testimonies on how Jesus had changed peoples' lives. As the music played, a free meal was served to more than 500 people. Tobe Johnson.
LOS ANGELES, California--Eighty-two members from the Los Angeles and Pasadena NewLife congregations, pastored by Bermie Dizon, joined more than 1,100 members from other churches June 10, for a two mile March for Jesus.
Before the march, some Los Angeles members helped set up service areas and prepared food for incoming marchers. After the march, members helped serve food and drinks to more than 650 men, women and children marchers as they listened to music, speeches and prayers for our local and national leaders and governments. John Campbell.
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas--As part of the "Light a Fire. Change a Life" campaign, 18 Fayetteville members are participating in the expansion of Northwest Arkansas Christian Academy and Ecclesia College.
The new 68,000 square foot multi-purpose training center will be on the campus of Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Elm Springs, Arkansas. It will provide class rooms, gymnasium, library and other facilities for a grade school, secondary school and a four year Bible college.
Pastor Terry Warren accepted the position of director of development for the new building program April 16. As a non-paid volunteer, he is part of a team planning to raise $5 million for the facility. "While our local church has not been able to provide financial assistance, we have provided much needed personnel," Mr. Warren said.
Youth With a Mission, Northwest Arkansas, was established by Oren and Inez Paris 25 years ago. Oren is the father of Christian recording artist Twila Paris. She appeared at the inaugural evening for the building project.
Mr. Warren coordinated this and other events and developed promotional support including a video titled "Light a Fire. Change a Life." Other members involved in the project are Hal Roberts, who is assisting as a consultant and corporate fund-raiser; Bruce Bell, a contractor; Glen Meyer, who has helped with site development; and Jerry Wood, who has provided computer consulting.
The Fayetteville congregation has heard presentations from missionaries who have been to Russia, Mexico, Colombia and Africa. Members have helped support the training of new pastors in Colombia, distribution of Bibles into Romania and missionary outreach into Mexico and Cameroon.
Four missionaries spoke to the congregation June 3 before leaving for Cameroon to introduce the gospel to a tribe that has not heard it. The congregation supports them in prayer.
"Our congregational association with YWAM has resulted in a renewed enthusiasm among many members," Mr. Warren said. "They are participating directly in the encouragement of this evangelical outreach into other nations. This has provided a broader vision of the Body of Christ and instilled a greater passion for the announcement of the gospel." Terry Warren.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee--Twelve Murfreesboro, Tennessee, members took part in the Billy Graham crusade June 1 to 5, an event dubbed "Another Music City Miracle."
They joined Christians from nearly 600 Middle Tennessee churches and 48 denominations. Members participated in the choir, as counselors, and on follow-up teams conducting interviews and leading small group Bible studies.
Some 227,000 attended the four-day event at Adelphia Coliseum, home of the Tennessee Titans football team, and 9,429 responded to the invitation to commit or rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ.
Saturday evening, a Concert for the Next Generation focused on the spiritual needs of America's youths, which drew 71,800 to hear the grandfatherly evangelist describe the path to peace and joy through forgiveness of sins and life-changing faith in Jesus Christ.
The Billy Graham training staff stressed interdenominational cooperation, personal one-on-one evangelism (Operation Andrew model) and followup after the crusades (discipleship not just decisions).
Pastor Dick Weber said, "The excellent training programs offered by the Billy Graham staff in counseling, personal evangelism and small group leadership were a special blessing that exceeded the expectations and imagination of all our participants."
Crusade stories and a webcast link where Tennessee crusade events can be watched in their entirety are available at the Billy Graham website www.billygraham.org Nancy Gunnels and Richard Weber.
LUBBOCK, Texas--Lubbock members joined hands with church members of other denominations in preparation for Festival 2000 with Franklin Graham, April 28 to 30.
Discipleship classes prepared members to work with those who came forward and committed to follow Jesus Christ. The theme of the three-day festival was forgiveness of sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and how one can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Using Mark 8 as his text Mr. Graham asked, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" He also asked, "Do you know without a shadow of a doubt that your sins have been forgiven?"
"It was evident that the Spirit of God was at work during the festival," said Pastor Denis Dufrenne, "as all the denominations came together in unity for one common goal, that of sharing Christ with those who did not yet know him as their personal Lord and Savior."
Mr. Dufrenne said that what members learned during the training sessions and participating in the festival will equip them for discipling those whom God will draw to the WCG.
ATLANTA, Georgia--Members from Athens, Atlanta, Buford, Douglasville, Dublin, Kennesaw, Stone Mountain and Macon, Georgia, met June 10 and 11 for a Pentecost celebration weekend.
The event took place at the Atrium Mall Convention Center in Atlanta where members had the option to stay in pre-booked rooms next door at the Drury Inn. At the Saturday worship service, members heard from Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers.
After lunch, members from the attending churches performed a concert of praise.
Mr. Rogers spoke again Sunday morning to 297 members at the Pentecost service. The service concluded with communion. Alan Barr, district superintendent, said that "this was a weekend we really needed. It gave us all the opportunity to reunite once again with old familiar faces." Lance McKinnon.
VERMILION, Ohio--One hundred fifty men, women and children gathered at the Beulah Beach Christian Camp and Retreat Center June 23 to 25 for a weekend of worship and fellowship.
Special guest was Christian actor Bruce Marchiano, who emphasized the importance of embracing and following Jesus as we battle evil in our sin-infected world.
The retreat was sponsored by Grace Community Fellowship, our Akron-Canton, Ohio, congregation, with support from congregations in Cleveland and Lorain, Ohio. WCG members from several states attended together with Christians from other denominations who learned of the retreat from various Internet websites.
Several people received Jesus as Lord and Savior for the first time at the retreat. Seven were baptized as a direct result (including five that weekend in the waters of Lake Erie).
Many of those present (including another 100 who joined the group on Saturday afternoon) commented on the great joy and sense of renewal they experienced at the retreat. One of the non-WCG attendees asked, "Are all your WCG congregations this joy-filled?"
Each morning nearly half of the attendees gathered for an hour of prayer before breakfast. Several commented that they had never experienced such dynamic group prayer before. Much of the time in prayer was devoted to intercession for others and in praying back to God the messages he was giving to the group during the retreat.
Tentative plans are being explored for a similar retreat at Beulah Beach in June 2001. Ted Johnston.
TOKYO, Japan--The WCG in Japan conducted its third International Friendship Club (IFC) social event June 24.
More than 50 adults and children attended, representing Japan, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and the Philippines. Activities included an international foods potluck, ethnic dancing, karaoke and games.
The club builds friendships among people of various cultures. It is also hoped that God will plant seeds among non-Christians. The church group has about five or six members who meet regularly, and the club is a way for them to meet, cultivate friendships and serve others. Melvin McKee.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The San Antonio congregation joined with the Northwest Hispanic Baptist Church for discipleship classes conducted by the Navigators, a group serving with churches across denominational lines in discipleship and witnessing for more than 50 years.
Bob Byrd, Navigator representative, has conducted the classes over the past four months. Mr. Byrd headed up discipleship training in San Antonio for the Billy Graham Crusade.
ZEELAND, Michigan--Member Lloyd La Mar shared his testimony Nov. 21 when visiting Lakeland Community Church with a friend.
A microphone was set up at each side of the auditorium and people could walk up and give their testimony.
"The thought came into my mind that I should give a testimony," Mr. La Mar said, "but since I couldn't walk to the microphones because I sit in a special chair because of my physical problems, I asked my friend to bring it to me, which he did.
Mr. La Mar said: "Hi, I'm a guest here today. I came out of a church filled with legalism. I now know that I'm saved by grace through faith, that eternal life is a gift and that there is nothing I can do to attain eternal life. It's not what I do for Jesus that gets me saved. It's what Jesus did for me that got me saved, and for that I'm thankful."
After the service one person told Mr. La Mar, "I was glad to hear what you said because I have struggled with that for years."
Many of the 500 people in attendance commented favorably about what he had said, including the minister.
The church service took place in the auditorium of the high school where Mr. La Mar graduated in 1942.
"I never would have thought that I would give a witness for Jesus in my hometown, especially at my age of 75."
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma--Two hundred fifty-two members, former members and friends met for a worship service June 3 to celebrate Oklahoma City's first 40 years as a WCG congregation. Anyone who had ever attended church here was welcome.
After praise and worship, Pastor Mike Rasmussen led the congregation in intercessory prayer, in which the congregation prayed for anyone who had a need. Don Lawson, former Oklahoma City pastor and now district superintendent, gave a sermon titled God's Indescribable Gift.
Among those present were Arnold and Trish Clauson. Mr. Clauson was associate pastor in the 1960s, then pastor in the 1980s.
Afterward, a meal of beef brisket was served, followed by a slide show of pictures taken over the past four decades. Bill Vice.
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina--The Fayetteville congregation invites all to their 35th anniversary in Christ Aug. 26 at the Bayfield Ministry Center, 426 Baywood Rd.
The praise and worship service will begin at 11 followed by a catered lunch ($8 per adult, $4 for those 10 years and younger, free for founding members).
The entertainment portion, Glancing Back and Looking Forward, will provide a walk down memory lane plus a vision for future ministry.
For more details or to sign up for the meal, please contact Jimmy and Jeanette Womack at 1-910-949-4257 or send e-mail to them at JWomack@pinehurst.net Personal messages are welcome from anyone unable to attend. Please send them to Box 1631, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28302-1631. Susan Williams.
BOONE, North Carolina--The Boone church will celebrate its 20th anniversary Nov. 11. Present and former members are invited to this Family Reunion.
The worship service begins at 2 p.m. Plans for the evening are still in the making.
If you can make it, we would love to know so we can start making final plans. If you won't be able to join us, please send us a family update and pictures if possible. For more information, or to send us your update and pictures, please contact Stephanie Walters at sw_sm@hotmail.com , phone 1-828-297-5854, 403 M.C. Miller Rd., Vilas, North Carolina, 28692.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The Greater Northwest Community Association of San Antonio presented the New Beginnings congregation of the Worldwide Church of God the top of parade award in the annual Fourth of July parade conducted in the community where the congregation is located.
Banners saying "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful," "Born in the USA" and "We Love the USA," adorned the vehicles and floats as members distributed and waved American flags, tossed candy, sang patriotic songs and played John Philip Sousa marches.
Members wore their New Beginnings T-shirts as an evangelistic tool.
Last year the congregation won the award for the group that most exemplified the spirit of the Fourth of July.
"The WCG congregation is thankful to God for the freedoms we enjoy in this country and wished to show the community through participation and service how happy and thankful we as Christians are," said Pastor Frank Parsons.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island--The Providence congregation invites singles to their third annual singles retreat Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 to 4.
The theme will be Growing in God's Grace and Knowledge. The retreat will take place on the campgrounds of the Episcopal Conference Center in Pascoag, Rhode Island. The ECC is on old New England farmland that includes a lakeside beach and acres of woodlands.
Speakers include Luciano Cozzi, Providence pastor; Steve Botha, pastor of the Brooklyn, New York congregation; and Ron Stoddart, pastor of the Concord, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine, congregations.
The cost is $115 for two nights, which includes five meals and lodging. For more information, please contact John McGrath at 1-508- 432-6677, or Laurie Burns at 1-508-467-9042, e-mail: LJB467@aol.com The deadline is Aug. 1.
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico --Several months ago the Albuquerque congregation formed four groups as part of the Mission 2000 Evangelism Campaign. One of these groups focuses on prayer.
As the National Day of Prayer (May 4) approached, Pastor Tom Melear and the prayer group decided to plan something for the congregation to participate in.
However, members are scattered throughout a large area. Trying to gather members in one place to pray would most likely limit participation.
One night while watching television, Mr. Melear learned about a Catholic parish in Texas with a prayer ministry where members sign up to pray during one-hour time slots 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A list was circulated throughout the Albuquerque congregation for members to sign. During the National Day of Prayer, someone from the Albuquerque congregation was praying for the nation and leaders from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. This idea brought our congregation closer together and was so successful that we plan to organize a day of prayer once a month. Karla Weaver.
NAPA, California--The church here will celebrate a seven-day festival with services on Oct. 13-17 and Oct. 19-21.
The site is close to the wine country, San Francisco, Six Flags in Vallejo, Tahoe and Yosemite.
The registration fee is $75 for families and $50 for singles.
For more information contact Pastor Steve Smith at 1-707-428-5527.
ORLANDO, Florida--A three-day two-night festival will take place Sept. 22 to 24 at the Pinelake Retreat Center, west of Orlando.
The site has served as a rural conference and retreat site for WCG leadership and members every six months for the past five years. The time together has and will provide a special time for spiritual revival and refreshment.
The festival begins Friday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. and ends Sunday, Sept. 24, at noon. Included will be prayer sessions, worship and seminars.
The cost is $80 for housing, and attendees provide their own meals in full kitchen units. Contact Pastor Ken Smylie for further details and reservations at ken_smylie@wcg.org or 1-352-374-6585.
The Hawaiian Festival site has been confirmed as the Turtle Bay Hilton Hotel and Resorts 40 minutes north of Honolulu. The site is a four day site, Oct. 13 to 16.
A minimum group booking of 10 rooms will guarantee a reasonable price at the Hilton's Kahuku Ballroom for worship services. For reservations, call E.J. at the Hilton at 1-808-293-8811.
For more information contact Neil Earle, festival coordinator, at 1-626-304-6199, extension 5349, or send e-mail to him at neil_earle@wcg.org
RENO, Nevada--The Reno church will be host for a festival Oct. 13 to 15. Services will be at Lake Tahoe, California, near Squaw Valley.
For more information, contact Hugh Wilson, Reno pastor, at 1-775-359-6673 or by e-mail at h.w@worldnet.att.net
MANILA, Philippines--The 23 WCG members living in the area of the Payatas trash dump are safe and well after heavy rains caused a 50 foot pile of trash to collapse into a community of scavenger families July 10 killing more than 160.
Hundreds of poor people live on the Payatas dumpsite, making a living by scavenging through the garbage for any scrap they can sell.
The churches in Metro Manila have united in providing relief efforts, soup kitchens and collections of needed items.
Regional director Bill Sidney asked Andrew Teng, Quezon City pastor, to head a task force to get the needed food, clothing and water to as many people as can be helped. WCG members assisted government agencies working with the problem and networked with other churches or non-government agencies to make sure the food and clothing goes to those who are really in need.
TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE, Alabama--The Montgomery and Opelika, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia, churches met for a Pentecost service, June 11, at the Kellogg Conference Center.
Gerald Schnarrenberger of Church Administration was guest speaker. He was accompanied by his wife, Connie.
Sharon Cardens led worship. Arthur J. Carlisle.
MARCH FOR JESUS--Members carry food for marchers. [Photo by John Campbell]
FAYETTEVILLE VOLUNTEERS--Members involved in school building project from top left: Bruce Bell, Rebecca Gerstner, Sandra Roberts, Debbie Snell, Terry Warren, Glen Meyer, Lois Crawley, Ginger Roberts, Cecila Falling, Redentor Burgos and Georgia Gerstner.
Crusade participants
GLENDORA, California--"It is no secret that tensions between Hispanics and other ethnic groups across America have been strained lately for many diverse reasons," Pastor Neil Earle told an audience of more than 160 May 6. "It is the job of the Church of Jesus Christ to point out a better way, to reach out across dividing walls of suspicion and antagonisms, to beat the forces of division and hostility to the punch," Mr. Earle said.
The Glendora congregation was host for its third annual Hispanic Heritage Day May 6, coinciding with Cinco de Mayo.
Al Sousa of the Orange County, California, congregation gave a message titled "Fields Ripe for Harvest" focusing on his experiences as a church planter in Argentina and Brazil.
The day concluded with a Mexican meal and Mexican dances performed by Delicia Fernandez.
NORFOLK, Virginia--The Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the Norview community of Norfolk had combined Lent services April 6 with Timothy Brassell, WCG pastor, as guest speaker. The theme of his message was that Christ demands the Body of Christ to reconcile.
April 17 to 21 the Norview churches celebrated Passion Week. The New Creation Community Church (the Norfolk WCG congregation) participated. The congregation was host for the Lord's Supper April 18. A resurrection service took place April 23.
An all night prayer meeting took place May 19 with many pastors and their congregations present. Every hour from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. prayers were offered on behalf of the people and the government agencies in the community and the nation. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15. Waneece Jones.
ENDLESS MOUNTAIN, Pennsylvania--The Endless Mountain church will have a five day and four night festival Sept. 14 to 18 (see July WN for details). Registration deadline is Aug. 14. Contact Lou or Donna Tsiknas at 1-570-265-8640 or send e-mail to tsiknas@epix.net
Delicia Fernandez and Neil Earle
LUFKIN, Texas--The Lufkin congregation worshiped with Calvary Chapel, a neighbor church, June 18.
Lori Calvert, daughter of the Calvary pastor, led praise and worship. Then Pastor Dwyan Calvert delivered the sermon. Kenn Allbright.
WEST LIBERTY, Ohio--Lori Tenold, a self-taught calligrapher, exhibited 11 original works in one of four gallery areas at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City in May and June.
The event was sponsored by Project Art and featured mostly Midwestern artists. Participants are selected once a year from an application pool.
Lori is a member of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, congregation. Geraldine Tenold.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--Ann Lieb, a nationally certified grief, trauma and loss counselor, ministered to the children's, women's and men's ministries in San Antonio, June 17 and 18.
Ms. Lieb, a deaconess in the Jackson, Mississippi, church, is a counselor with the Jackson public schools and supervises the crisis counseling team representing 38 elementary schools.
BLANKETS FOR SUDAN--Hickory, North Carolina, women sent 30 blankets to Voice of the
Martyrs, an organization that helps persecuted Christians worldwide. The organization is
collecting 100,000 blankets for Christians in Sudan. Blankets can be sent to Voice of the
Martyrs, 101 S. Wyandotte St., Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 74005.
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