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January 2000
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This is our January cover.
Photos are scheduled to be loaded the last week of December.
Remembering our
history is part of our worship, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach. It is part of our
confession and part of our understanding of who we are before God and how we are to
respond to him in the world.
That is one reason most Christians celebrate Advent, Easter and other commemorations of our Savior. These say something about who we are, because they rehearse the story that is central to our lives and our identity. Jesus the Christ is the Person who defines who we are in the world.
The incarnation of the Son of God is unparalleled good news, and because it is, we celebrate. It is good news for us, and good news for the entire world. Pages 6 and 7.
Applications for the Summer Educational Program are available, writes Jeb Egbert, SEP director.
Two sessions will be offered next summer. The first session will be for those ages 12 through 15 and will include the traditional SEP format. Campers will arrive June 25 and depart July 10.
Session two will have a new emphasis. The program will be titled Higher Ground and will focus on discipleship.
Participants will arrive July 12 and depart July 28. The age range for this more spiritually and physically challenging session will be 16 through 20 years of age.
Each day of the 15-day session participants will attend a chapel. The emphasis will be on being transformed by Jesus Christ. Breakout sessions will be offered to help the young adults understand their spiritual gifts and how they can return to their congregations ready to engage in ministry.
More emphasis on games (rather than instruction) will occur. More physically challenging three-day canoe trips into the boundary waters will highlight this program. Page 13.
What will it be like to
attend a congregation of the Worldwide Church of God in 2005? asks James Henderson,
regional director for Africa. And what will our worldwide fellowship be doing then?
These are questions to which all of us would like to know the answers. What we need to understand now is that our future is shaped by our present--what we do today will affect us in the new millennium. On a human level the future of our fellowship is in our hands.
God has re-established our faith in Jesus, has delivered us from our mistakes, and in shaking us has left good things that remain. Pages 17 to 20.
November closed with mail income totaling $1,744,910--a daily banking day average of $91,837, writes controller Ron Kelly.
The year-to-date daily mail income average now stands at $92,700. These daily averages are below our target of $95,000. The total mail donation for the year has topped $20 million, which is down eight percent from 1998. Page 28.
INAUGURAL SERVICE--Ambassador Center students at Azusa Pacific
University meet for worship service Nov. 6 at Foothill Community Church
in Azusa. Pictured are new students. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]
Gabriel Alaniz
Covina, California
Freshman
Undeclared
Hector Amaya
West Covina, California
Freshman
Psychology
Jac Carter
Antioch, California
Freshman
Communications
Omar Cova
Rosemead, California
Junior
Art-Graphic Design
Josh Killebrew
Pasadena
Freshman
Computer Science
Shari-Rae Metz
San Diego, California
Freshman
Liberal Studies
Rachel VanLanen
Little Suamico, Wisconsin
Freshman
Music Education
Joel Warkentin
Long Beach, California
Freshman
Music Education
John Wertz
Pasadena
Junior
Art-Graphic Design
Lisa Daugherty
Kansas City, Kansas
Freshman, Liberal Studies-Business Administration
Jeff Feazell
Duarte, California
Freshman
Communications
Jordan Brown
New Port Ritchie, Florida
Freshman
Communications-Journalism
Nathan Burnsides
Salinas, California
Junior
Physical Therapy
Years of the Gregorian calendar, which is in use today, are counted from 1. Thus, the first century comprised the years 1 through 100, and the 20th century comprises the years 1901 to 2000. Therefore, the 21st century and the third millennium will begin Jan. 1, 2001.
However, since according to popular usage, the new century and millennium begin Jan. 1, 2000, the WN will not avoid references to that date as the beginning of the new century and millennium.
Ted
Johnston was born in Keene, New Hampshire, and grew up in Indiana. He entered Ambassador
College in Pasadena in 1969. There he met his future wife, Donna Graves, who grew up near
Albion, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Ambassador in 1972.
After two years at Ambassador, Ted transferred to California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in landscape architecture while working for the Architecture and Engineering Department at Ambassador.
After graduation from Cal Poly, Ted and Donna married and soon thereafter moved to Colorado. They have two children, both now in college in Ohio--daughter Traci at Kent State University and son Joe at Ohio State University.
In Colorado, Mr. Johnston worked for 13 years as principal and vice president of an urban design and landscape architecture consulting firm. During those years the family attended the Fort Collins congregation, where Mr. Johnston served as a deacon and then an elder.
In 1987 he entered full-time pastoral ministry, taking the family to Kansas, where he served as associate pastor of the Kansas City South and Topeka, Kansas, congregations. In 1990 they moved to western Colorado, where he served for seven years as pastor of the Grand Junction and Craig congregations. During those years he also completed a masters degree in psychology at Regis University in Denver.
In 1997 the family moved to northeastern Ohio, where Mr. Johnston serves as pastor of the Akron-Canton congregation. He is also enrolled in the master of arts in religion degree program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Mrs. Johnston works part-time at a medical supplies company.
In 1999, in addition to his pastoral duties, Mr. Johnston began serving as superintendent of the newly formed Akron District, which includes congregations in six states. Mr. Johnston supervises 19 pastors who serve 31 congregations as follows.
Akron-Canton, Ohio: Ted and Donna Johnston
Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania: Bill and Edith Gressly
Cambridge, Ohio: Sam and Dorothy Templeton
Champaign, Illinois; Lafayette and Pendleton, Indiana: Jim and Pam Blackwell
Cincinnati, Ohio, East and Central: George and Vicki Hart
Cincinnati, Ohio, West and Erlanger, Kentucky: Gene and Susie Nouhan
Clarendon, Pennsylvania: Greg and Mary Munch
Columbus and Chillicothe, Ohio: John and Kristina Karlson
Dayton and Tipp City, Ohio; and Muncie, Indiana: Jim and Becky Valekis
Erie, Pennsylvania: Ed and Kathy Owens
Fort Wayne, Indiana: Roger and Donna Abels
Franklin, Pennsylvania: Bill and Carol Deets
Indianapolis, Indiana, A.M.: Samuel and Charlsetta Willis
Indianapolis P.M., Columbus and Terre Haute, Indiana: David and Jonnie Perry
Johnstown, Pennsylvania: Forrest and Mary Lou Walker
Pittsburgh and Indiana, Pennsylvania: Jon and Ila Kurnik
Richmond, Indiana: James and Gwendolyn Deshong
Wheeling, West Virginia; Mount Pleasant and Washington, Pennsylvania: Tom and Pam Smith
Youngstown, Ohio: John and Mary Dobritch
Don
and Sue Lawson began their years in ministry in Eugene, Oregon, in 1963.
Mr. Lawson served as an elder until 1965 and then began full-time as the associate pastor of the Eugene and Medford, Oregon, churches.
In 1966 they went to Ambassador College for one year and then were sent to pastor the Amarillo, Texas, and Liberal, Kansas, congregations. They also raised up a church in Lubbock, Texas.
Later they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and pastored the Indianapolis, Muncie and Columbus churches. Moving on to Pennsylvania they pastored the Pittsburgh and Beaver Valley churches. They then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and pastored the Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, and Green River, Wyoming, congregations.
They have now been in Oklahoma for 10 years and have pastored the Oklahoma City East and West, Enid, and Weatherford congregations, and for a time Ada, Lawton and Tulsa.
The Lawsons have four children, 13 grandchildren and one great- granddaughter.
The following pastors, wives and congregations are in the Oklahoma City district.
Abilene, Texas: Terry and Sherry Lambert
Ada and Calvin, Oklahoma: Ken and Joan Vandeveer
Dodge, City, Kansas: Bradley and Cindy Bruns
Fairview, Oklahoma: Charles and Waynetta Burlison
Grand Island, Nebraska: Walt and Pat Boyl and Ron and Billie Newport
Hays, Kansas: Rhoda Zeigler
Hobbs, New Mexico: Vance and Lou Gilless
Lawton, Oklahoma: Farrel Dockstetter
Liberal, Kansas: Ora and Peggy McCulley
Lincoln, Nebraska: Duane and Alberta Marquis
Lubbock, Texas: Denis and Brenda DuFrenne; Charles Spoon
Midland, Texas: Ron and Rebecca Sharp
Midland, Texas, East: Glenn and Celia Gillham
North Platte, Nebraska: Norris and Doris Grous
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, East and West: Mike and Juli Rasmussen
Ponca City, Oklahoma: Stuart and Robbie Powell
Salina, Kansas: Tony and Audrie Auernheimer
San Angelo, Texas: Robert and Jeanine Berrie
Sayre, Oklahoma: Ben and Shirley West
Scott City, Kansas: Vernon and Dixie Shemm
Tulsa, Oklahoma: Dan and Jackie King
Wichita, Kansas: Charles and Cindy Calahan
Wichita, Kansas, South: Lyle and Faye Campbell and Ron and Doris Haines
Personal from
Joseph TkachThe ancient Israelite was to recite history as a reminder of who he was in the world, what his relationship with God was, and how he was supposed to respond to the God of his salvation. His confession expressed who he was, and how he was to live (Deut. 26:5-10).
Remembering our history is part of our worship. It is part of our confession and part of our understanding of who we are before God and how we are to respond to him in the world. That is one reason most Christians celebrate Advent, Easter and other commemorations of our Savior. These say something about who we are, because they rehearse the story that is central to our lives and our identity. Jesus the Christ is the Person who defines who we are in the world.
The exact time of the beginning of our story is shrouded in mystery. The creation story starts simply "in the beginning." We do not know when Adam was created, nor do we know exactly when Jesus Christ became flesh. But the incarnation of the Son of God, whenever it may have been, happened at a definite point in history as recorded by the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke.
The story is unparalleled good news, and because it is, we celebrate. It is good news for us, and good news for the entire world.
The Christian church has a history, too. In one way, we could say that it began before Moses, with the call of Abraham. In another way, we could say it began with Jesus' birth, or with his calling of his disciples, or with his death and resurrection.
From any viewpoint, of course, we could say that the Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 was a significant beginning point for the church. The rest of Acts expands the story, helping us see our connection to the Jesus who died and rose again, and how the church spread from Jerusalem into a worldwide mission. Rehearsing the story, we are reminded of who we are and our call to be about our Father's business.
Church history marches onward, though most of it did not become part of Scripture, as Acts did. The martyrdom of Polycarp and of Perpetua help us glimpse the faith of the early believers.
The rise of Constantine, the council of Nicea, the writings of Augustine, the rivalry between Rome and Constantinople, were major developments that helped shape the future of the church for centuries to come.
Sometimes everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Sometimes powerful leaders ruled well, and sometimes leaders abused the people with their powers. There were times of sin, of captivity, of exile, and of restoration.
A significant moment came in 1517, when Martin Luther challenged the authority of the Roman pontiff on doctrinal grounds, resting his case on the Word of God. Significant milestones took place in Geneva, in Holland, in England and in America. And people remember these milestones, for they helped shape our identity.
Though we are not Lutherans, we can identify with the stand of Luther. Though we are not Methodists, we can identify with the Aldersgate experience of John Wesley, when he found his heart strangely warmed when some of Luther's work about the grace of God was read.
A significant moment in our own history came five years ago in December, when my dad preached a sermon about the new covenant and the Sabbath. Although other doctrinal changes had been announced before this, and a few others came after this, this was the change that affected our church the most. Some of us could not accept the change, but for many others, it was the change that caused the greatest spiritual growth.
Some even suggested we establish a new church celebration for our fellowship, commemorating this rebirth of the WCG.
Would it be appropriate to celebrate this momentous event in our denominational history? Could we commemorate our reformation, as a regular reminder of where we have come from, who we are, and what Christ wants us to be?
Reformation Day was the suggested name. Dec. 24 was the suggested date, the date of the sermon in Big Sandy, Texas, which was videotaped and sent worldwide. Would this be helpful for us?
We do not want to forget where we have come from, how Christ has led us toward himself, and how grace liberates us from legalism. Even many people not in our fellowship can benefit from our story, just as we benefit from Martin Luther's.
Many can identify with our struggle with works, with seeing our relationship with God in terms of what we do. Many well-meaning Christians still need to be liberated with a new reformation.
But perhaps we do not need a new holiday on our church calendar, and especially not in December. There is something more important to think about, and that is Jesus Christ. He is where our salvation begins, where our reformation begins, where our identity is centered and where our response is given.
Our identity and our life are based on God made flesh, on God so humble as to freely choose to be born in poverty and oppression as one of us.
What ironies! Jesus, a Jew, was persecuted by Herod, king of the Jews, but Jesus found a safe place among the gentiles, in Egypt. But he did not remain in safety--he returned to his people, to be rejected by them in his home town and in the capital city.
He was killed by religious leaders who prided themselves on their superior ethics, and by political leaders who prided themselves on the administration of justice. The Holy One died a cursed death, the Righteous One became sin for us.
The Author of Life died--all because we humans could not be saved in any other way. We could not save ourselves. Our only hope was that God himself would come to us as one of us, that he would be without sin and be a sin offering for us.
This is where our identity is--in humility, in suffering, in trusting God from birth to death. Jesus set that example and calls us to follow him.
Our story begins, as Matthew tells it, with Abraham. Our story includes gentile ancestors, a prostitute and an adulterer, and a woman who became pregnant before marriage. The glory of God was hidden in Mary's womb in what was, as far as everyone else could see, scandalous circumstances. The glory of God is often hidden today, too, isn't it?
That is our identity--humility and sometimes shame. We don't look like much, even though the glory of God is living within us. Our story begins in shame, in sin, in God seeking us.
We have nothing to boast about; we must simply admit our inability and look to God for mercy, mercy he has already shown to us and guaranteed for us in Jesus Christ. Our story becomes merged with his, a story that includes shame and a glory that is hidden until the resurrection.
Jesus is not only our point of identity, he also shapes the response we give to God. The formula, "Be holy, for I am holy," is given shape by the saying, "Be merciful, for I am merciful" (Luke 6:36). Or, "Forgive, as I have forgiven you" (Col. 3:13).
God's graciousness toward us, shown most tangibly in Jesus Christ, carries with it the power to be gracious toward others. In him, we can do for them what he has done for us. This is how ethics is built in the new covenant; this is how grace teaches us to have godly lives. As he has loved us, we are freed to love others--tangibly, not just in pious sentiments.
We trust our lives to Jesus and know that our salvation is secure in him. We are freed from the fear of death, freed from the fear of persecution, freed from the fear of ridicule, freed from feelings of insecurity.
Because we are secure in Christ, we are free to do good works despite the negative consequences that sometimes come with good works in this fallen world--and we are free not to withhold forgiveness--we do not have to wait until the other person has been punished enough or is sorry enough.
We are also free in Christ to worship any time, any place. We are free not to judge or condemn one another over such things, and we are free never again to allow worship days to become a work of righteousness.
We are free to cut each other some slack over when we choose to meet and how we choose to celebrate, and free to come together in the joy of salvation and mutual love for the sake of him who died for us and rose again.
We are free in Christ to meet when it is most expedient for the congregation and the mission field, rather than when it is most comfortable for us personally.
In short, we are free humbly to join one another in the stable and make the feed trough our bed, to serve one another in the love of our Savior, to be harmless as doves, wise as owls and always willing to learn.
Five years ago, we turned a major corner in our journey toward Christ. In some ways it seems long ago, in other ways so recent. It was stressful--and in certain ways still is. Our income drastically fell. Some members still sit on the fence, some to the left, some to the right. Others attend worship services only sporadically, neither contributing to nor benefiting from regular fellowship.
But time cannot stand still. We can reminisce about and reflect on our journey, but our gaze must not stay there. We must move on, for our journey is not yet done. Christ has commanded us, "Go, make disciples, baptize them and teach them to do what I have commanded."
We know where we were five years ago. Many of us remember a specific place and time when we heard the sermon. This will long be a landmark for us, I think--even after most of us have died, this denomination may well look back upon that formative moment as a landmark of divine grace that helped shape the denomination's identity.
Our spiritual descendants may look back to this doctrinal change in several ways. It illustrates the need to distinguish the old covenant from the new. It illustrates the difference between legalism and grace. And it illustrates how the Holy Spirit works in the people of God to guide them continually closer to Jesus Christ.
But a doctrinal change will never take the place of Jesus. It will never be more important than the story of Jesus himself. His birth and death and resurrection are the touchstone of Scripture.
Our story is important to us as a story of Jesus at work in his church to redeem, to correct, to teach and to bless. Our story is also a lesson of the pain that doctrinal errors can cause. We do not want to tread that path again, and we hope that our story can help others to stay off that path of pain.
Our understanding is shaped by our history, but our future is in Christ. Our vision is informed by the past, but it exists for the future. Any attention we give to our history is pointless unless we also ask how it shapes what we do right now, and how it affects our ultimate destination. So where we were five years ago may not be as important as where we plan to be five years from now. What kind of people do we want to be--rather, what do we believe Christ wants us to be?
With that in mind, I want to refer you "The New Worldwide Church of God," on pages 17 to 20 that I believe you will find helpful and inspiring. Keep in mind that this article by James Henderson, regional director of our African churches, does not paint a picture of what the church is now, but, as Christ works in us, what we are continually striving to become.
His comments for the African context are applicable to other continents as well, and I think we can all learn much from what he writes.
Whether we look backward or look forward, let's make sure that we look to Jesus. It is to him that we owe our lives, it is in him and for him that we live and move and have our being. It is his kingdom that we belong to and serve. Christ the King, born in a manger, pleased to dwell with the humble who admit their need for him.
As the 1900s draw to a close, The Worldwide News honors WCG members 100 years old or older and those married 60 years or more.
EATON, Indiana--Mildred Klugh Kirkpatrick, 102, was born in a log cabin in Blackford County, Indiana, Oct. 10, 1897.
She attended one-room schools and the Muncie Conservatory of Music. Mildred was a piano and organ teacher for nearly 50 years and was a charter member of her community's home economics club.
She married Wilbur Kirkpatrick May 29, 1932, and they began attending the WCG in 1965. Mildred was baptized March 6, 1966, in Indianapolis, Indiana. They attended the Fort Wayne church until the Muncie church began in 1972.
Wilbur died in 1985. Mildred still lives in the same farmhouse they moved into in 1935. A neighbor woman drops by daily to help as needed.
Mildred has been unable to attend church for a few years, but keeps up with everything that is going on in the world and in the church. She is legally blind, but still reads a little with the help of special glasses. She listens to sermons on tape, and the PT and WN are recorded for her.
Mildred serves the Muncie congregation through the prayer chain and praying every week for church services. Elaine Caylor.
LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon--David J. Trummer, 101, of the Portland West church, was born April 16, 1898, on a cattle ranch in South Dakota.
In 1912, the family moved to Hayward, California. David earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. He then entered a long career in engineering with management responsibilities, mainly working with elevators and escalators. He retired in 1969, but did consulting for the next 12 years traveling around the world.
He lives on a ranch 65 miles from the nearest church. He was married in 1926 and has one son, Bruce, two grandchildren, Brian and Vicki, and one great-grandchild, Katherine.
Mr. Trummer says he feels fine, realizing that God has blessed him throughout life. "I thank him continually," he said.
BOGALUSA, Louisiana--J.D. and Evie Mitchell celebrated their 74th anniversary Nov. 22.
They have one daughter and son-in-law, four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mitchell attended services in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 1960s. Then they moved back to Bogalusa, and she attended in Hattiesburg and then Picayune, Mississippi.
Every day Mrs. Mitchell, 91, takes care of her husband, 93, who is bedridden. She asks for prayers.
CHICO, California--Melvin and Clare Dieter of Chico will celebrate their 74th anniversary Feb. 20. They have one son, George, also of Chico, three granddaughters, one great-granddaughter and a great-grandson.
The Dieters are both from pioneer families who settled in Lassen County, California, before the turn of the last century. Melvin was born Sept. 2, 1902 and Clare Jan. 13, 1904. They grew up in the Susanville and Honey Lake Valley region of northeastern California, where they married and lived for more than half of the 20th century.
Melvin first worked in farming and ranching, then later in the automobile and building trades. Clare has been a homemaker most of her life, but worked for J.C. Penney during World War II.
In 1956 the couple moved to Chico. Mr. Dieter became a member of the WCG in 1976 and has served as a deacon in the Chico congregation for most of its 25-year history. Larry Van Landuyt.
Frank and Annie Gage met when Annie was 12 and Frank was 17. They were married seven years later on Feb. 9, 1929, in Welland, Ontario, where they lived and raised their family.
Frank worked at John Deere until his retirement in 1965. He enjoyed fishing, and Annie raised tea roses in their leisure.
They raised six children. After 71 years, the family has grown to include 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Frank still lives in their home, but Annie is in a nursing home. Karen Lavoie.
AKRON, Alabama--A.J. and Lottie Stokes celebrated their 70th anniversary June 8.
Early in their marriage, Mrs. Stokes received a Bible as a gift. Being an avid reader she started reading at Genesis 1:1. She began listening to the World Tomorrow radio broadcast and was baptized during a baptizing tour in the summer of 1955. She still occasionally attends WCG services in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and sometimes in the community where she lives.
WILLIAMSVILLE, New York--Max and Johanna Ilsanker were married March 1, 1930.
They met in a small German-speaking church in Buffalo, New York, that reminded them of their homeland and recent emigration.
Johanna was busy at home, and Max worked as a master cabinet maker and as a shipping clerk in industry. He has an ornate veneered desk in Buffalo's historical museum.
Johanna was baptized in 1972. Donald Ferguson.
WINTER HAVEN, Florida--Daniel Matthew Phillips and Hilda Mae Newsome were married 69 years ago on Oct. 12, 1930.
They have four children, Clara Sommerkamp, Carlton Phillips, Faye Bukowski and Wayne Phillips; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Dan, 87, was born in Samson, Alabama, Feb. 26, 1912, the fourth of 12 children; and Hilda, 85, was born in Coffee County, Alabama, Jan. 14, 1914. They grew up where their families grew their own food and picked cotton for a living.
Dan and Hilda worked as welders in the shipyards of Panama City, Florida, during World War II. In 1954, the Phillips family moved to Bartow, Florida, where Dan worked at American Cyanamid Mines as a maintenance worker and retired in 1974. Dan enjoys gardening, and he always has a garden growing to feed his family and share with his friends.
Dan has been a WCG member since 1961, and Hilda since 1968.
BIG SANDY, Texas--Lee and Florence Sefcak were married Jan. 29, 1933, in Taylor, Texas.
They first heard Mr. Armstrong's radio broadcast in 1947, and were baptized in 1951. In 1952, the Sefcaks moved from Texas to Azusa, California, to be close to a church.
The WCG hired Lee in 1954. He was one of the two original employees of the printing department. He was ordained an elder in 1974.
Throughout the years, the Sefcaks have done a lot of camping and rock collecting. Lee can cook a great Texas barbecue, and Florence has a green thumb and has always enjoyed plants. They have one daughter, Joyce Catherwood, who lives in Big Sandy, one son, Gary, who lives in Redlands, California, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada--A friend and fellow teacher invited Marjorie to play bridge with her and her fiance. They also asked George, his roommate, to join in. That was how George and Marjorie Wilson met, and began a life together that has lasted more than 66 years.
George, now 93, and Marjorie, now 91, were married June 28, 1933. They have a son and a daughter, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
George worked as an actuary for the Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada in Montreal, Quebec. After retiring in 1972, the Wilsons lived in South Africa for six months and the Philippines for three months. They then moved from Montreal to Ottawa to be near their children.
Marjorie first started attending church services in 1982, and soon after George came along too. "We're blessed to still be able to go," said Marjorie.
"I really like how Grandma and Grandpa respect each other," said Ann Perron of Ottawa, whose family have "adopted" the Wilsons as grandparents. "Grandma can offer everything from biblical to business wisdom. She can really get to the heart of the matter. And Grandpa is one sharp cookie. No one can count cribbage points faster than George Wilson!"
"Just fortunate, aren't we," said Marjorie. "Very!" agreed George. "We've had a good life." Edmond Hum.
STILESVILLE, Indiana--Raleigh and Lorene Whitt were married Sept. 30, 1933, in Virginia, where they lived until 1953.
He was a coal miner for 25 years. After moving to Indiana he worked for the railroad, and then for a roofing company. He retired in 1973 because of a back problem.
They have nine children, 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, 12 step-great-grandchildren and five step-great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitt were baptized in 1960 along with three of their children during a baptizing tour from Pasadena. Jan Wright.
HICKORY, North Carolina--Tommie and Corrie Daniels celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary Dec. 30. They went to school together as children. They were married Dec. 30, 1933, after 1 1/2 years of courtship.
Tommie will be 90 on Jan. 25. Corrie was 87 on Nov. 15.
They are the parents of one son, Waitsel Daniels (deceased), and one daughter, Hazel Hoyle. They have three grandchildren (one deceased) and three great-grandchildren.
Tommie has worked most of his life as a farmer (dairy, tobacco, corn and vegetables) with a short stint in a silk mill.
Corrie is a housewife and homemaker.
Tommie and Corrie are living examples of love and perseverance for the Hickory congregation. Tommie loves playing gospel music and singing with his Friends Quartet and anyone else who would like to join in.
Both Tommie and Corrie extend a standing invitation for any of us to "darken their door anytime." Corrie has prepared many wonderful meals for those who have accepted their invitations.
Their love for each other and all their brothers and sisters in Christ is evident in their lives and in their words. They are both generous with their love and encouragement toward others. Cathy McCoy.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--Larry and Angeline Grove have been married more than 65 years. Their anniversary is June 30. Larry was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Angeline near Slater, Iowa.
Larry's advanced education started at Purdue University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in floriculture. Then at Iowa State University, he earned his master of science degree on a teaching fellowship. Then followed a Ph.D. in horticulture on a research grant.
When Larry moved to Iowa State University, the first person he met was Angeline Feroe, who was secretary to the head of the Horticulture Department. By the time he was more than halfway through working on his Ph.D., they were married.
After graduation, he joined the Iowa Extension Service. When World War II broke out, the U.S. Civil Service and Iowa State University charged him with the task of conducting the Victory Garden program in all 99 Iowa counties.
Angeline had one year of college and worked at Iowa State University for a few years and later on, when the children were older, at Drake University as secretary for the dean of women.
After the war ended, Larry accepted an offer to work as a garden editor for Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
Larry and Angeline became members of the WCG in May 1971 and have served for a number of years. Angeline contributed to worship services by playing the piano. Larry helped with Silver Ambassadors activities for the seniors.
God has blessed Angeline and Larry with three children--Norman (his wife, Linda, is deceased), Carolyn Brown (son-in-law Barry) and Ronald. Grandchildren are Robert (wife Kim), David (wife Cathy) and Daniel Grove and Bryan, Melissa and Kristen Brown. Two great-grandsons, Ben and Nathan Grove, complete the family.
GRUNDY, Virginia--Clarence and Edith Ratliff Ramey celebrated their 64th anniversary April 16.
They were married in Paw Paw, Kentucky, by minister Dodge Coleman.
They have seven daughters, Pat Smith, Joan Stewart, Irene Ford, Billie Shuford, Phyllis Matney, Mary Creedon and Jane O'Neill; one son, Mike; 18 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Edith is a homemaker who loves to quilt. She has made quilts for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Clarence is a retired logger and coal operator. His hobby was woodworking, until his eyesight began to fail. He has made furniture for their home and for other family members.
They are members of the Pikeville church and attend services every week. Patricia Hogston.
UNIONTOWN, Pennsylvania--Gene and Hazel Miller celebrated their 64th anniversary in August. They met in high school and married when Hazel was 20 and Gene was 22.
Gene started his working career as a milkman and later accepted a position in the Post Office, a job he retired from in 1968.
The secret to their many years of marriage lies in the simple fact that they love and honor each other. That love and honor coupled with their strong belief and trust in God has helped them weather many storms in life. Family life was relatively peaceful, secure and happy.
Gene loves music and was the choir director in a Methodist Church and later in the WCG.
They have four children, Marcia Simpson and her husband, Don; Charles and his wife, Sally; Bob (pastor of the Birmingham and Good Hope, Alabama, congregations) and his wife, Ruth; and Elliott.
The Millers feel blessed with the life they have lived. They have been WCG members for more than 30 years and have enjoyed their church family. After retirement they traveled extensively and lived in California and Alabama before returning to Uniontown three years ago.
BRANDON, Manitoba, Canada--Earl and Nora Lynch embarked on their journey of forever together Feb. 12, 1936. They raised their five children on a farm in southeastern Saskatchewan.
Earl and Nora enjoyed music and dancing. Earl has struggled with declining vision. This prompted them to sell their farm and move to Manor about 30 years ago.
Earl and Nora were determined to keep active. Together they grew a garden and were seen walking so often they were called the walkers. When Earl could no longer see to walk to the garden he would follow along a rope between the house and garden. In the garden he would do the weeding by distinguishing weeds from vegetables by feeling the plants.
Earl and Nora moved to Brandon 15 years ago. They continued to enjoy their independence, church activities and daily walks for several years. They now reside in Fairview Personal Care Home.
Earl and Nora have been members of the WCG since 1976 and still participate in church activities if possible.
BENDIGO, Australia--Lorna and Percy Gust are members of the Bendigo congregation.
Born around the end of World War I, Lorna faced several sad challenges as her mother, two siblings, then her father all died between her third and seventh birthdays. She has positive memories of the support she received from the Catholic Church as she mothered the remaining younger siblings through their childhood.
In her late teens, she met Percy, who had just been discharged from the hospital needing tender loving care. They decided to marry in 1936, and set about saving the three pounds ($6) needed for the marriage ceremony--a big sum in those days.
She served the Swan Hill community with the St. Johns Ambulance Organization for many years. In 1960, Lorna's younger sister heard the radio broadcast and told Lorna about it. Percy was attracted to the fellowship through the friendly men who helped him park the car at the festival while he dropped his wife off for services.
They know the vital importance of the loving bond developed between a mother and baby. They say that they have never had a tear of sadness in their married relationship. Ken Slade.
MEDFORD, Wisconsin--John and Florence Stauber celebrated their 63rd anniversary Oct. 10. They attend the Wausau, Wisconsin, church.
BIG SANDY, Texas--Doyce and Velma Bullock were married Jan. 19, 1937.
They have been in the church for 37 years.
They have two children, Lois Ballance and Allen Bullock.
RUTLAND, Vermont--Henry and Evelyn Senecal celebrated their 62nd anniversary June 28.
They have two sons, Charles and Raymond, eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
They were involved in farming until they retired. They also did extensive business gathering sap with a team of horses, boiling it and selling maple syrup, at first at 50 cents a gallon. They eventually started shipping it to Texas for $5 for half gallons.
Mr. and Mrs. Senecal have attended the Montpelier, Vermont, church since 1972.
GENTRY, Arkansas--Cecil Stout and Velma Turner were united in marriage Feb. 1, 1938, in Durham, Arkansas.
They have two daughters, Joyce McGaugh and Lois Adler, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
DILLINER, Pennsylvania--Gordon and Helen Miller were married June 4, 1938. They have three children, Fred (deceased), Bill and David, and five grandchildren.
Gordon is a World War II Navy veteran who saw action in the Pacific and is a retired coal miner.
They have attended the WCG since 1964. They attend the Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, congregation, where they have served as deacon and deaconess for many years.
UNDERWOOD, Washington--George and Margaret Dewilde were married June 12, 1938, in Claremont, California. They went to Washington state on their honeymoon and never went back.
They made a good living in the logging and sawmill business. They were blessed with two children, Deanna and Ron; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
They have been members of the Worldwide Church of God for 25 years. They have made many friends over the years from attending festivals in Israel; Salt Lake City, Utah; Squaw Valley, California; Hawaii; Tucson, Arizona; Eugene, Oregon; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Seaside, Oregon.
Both are 84 years old and are still getting around. They enjoy the view from their home on a bluff above the Columbia River.
SUMMERLAND, British Columbia, Canada--Dave and Jessie Williamson celebrated their 61st anniversary Aug. 19.
They have a daughter and son-in-law, Bob and Marilyn Gibbs; two grandchildren, Brian Gibbs and Lynda King; and two great-grandchildren, Kristin and Jason King.
Mr. and Mrs. Williamson attend the Penticton, British Columbia, church.
BRAY,Ireland--Eagar and Ruby Hickson were married Dec. 21, 1938, in St. Patrick's Church, Dalkey, Ireland.
Mr. Hickson was a science teacher and university lecturer in mathematics at Trinity College in Dublin. He retired in 1989.
Mr. Hickson has been a deacon for many years. Mrs. Hickson is still a nominal member of the Church of Ireland. She has been ill for a number of years.
They have two sons, Teddy and Roddy, and one daughter, Elizabeth "Libby"; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Hickson looks after his wife at home with the help of care givers.
BAKER CITY, Oregon--Chester and Carol Johns celebrated their 60th anniversary June 25.
They have two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Sonja and Kelly and Linda; one daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Blaine Kendall; one daughter, Dixie (deceased); seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
SIKESTON, Missouri--James and Hearold Adams celebrated their 60th anniversary Sept. 25.
They were both born in Newton County, Arkansas, and moved to Missouri in 1941.
Health problems prevented Mr. Adams from entering the military service during World War II. During that time his factory work helped produce the necessary materials for fighting and winning the war.
After the war he returned to farming for the rest of his working days. He retired in 1978.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams live on their farm near Sikeston, and attend the Cape Girardeau, Missouri, church. Haydn A. Fox Sr.
BRANDON, Manitoba, Canada--Cliff and Sadie Munro were married Nov. 8, 1939, in the community of Brandon.
Cliff found work with the Canadian Pacific Railway, which he continued for 33 years until his retirement in 1975. They raised four children, and gave each of them an opportunity to be members of the YMCA, starting them into healthy life-styles, which they all continue today. Not to be outdone by their children, Cliff and Sadie walk about five miles a day, which has helped them to remain young beyond their years.
For other recreation during their retirement years, Cliff and Sadie have spent several winters in the warm climate of Yuma, Arizona, with other Canadian and American snowbirds.
Cliff remembers riding on the old locomotive steamers on the railway, and at times these steamers reached 100 miles per hour.
Cliff and Sadie love gardening and having delicious homecooked meals with family and friends. Cliff and Sadie started attending the WCG in 1969 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and now attend in their home city of Brandon.
HAWKES BAY, New Zealand--Geoff and Joy Bignell, members of the Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, congregation, were married Dec. 20, 1939.
They started their married life on a farm that Geoff managed for his mother, but had to leave after only one year when the farm was sold. Then followed several moves to other parts of the country, one of these necessitated by Geoff's health.
Eventually they moved to Wanganui, where, for eight years, Geoff managed a motor camp, followed by 20 years in garage work. When the children were grown and had left home, Joy worked for the Education Board. They finally retired to Hawkes Bay and have lived in this area for the past 20 years.
Life was a struggle in the early years, bringing up three children on a low income, and it was only when the children were older and Joy also had employment that they managed to make headway. Their philosophy on marriage: give and take, and honor the commitments made before God; also, understand and be grateful that a good parental example of marriage sets a solid pattern for the children and grandchildren to aim for.
PASADENA--Juan and Maria Rodriguez of the Pasadena Spanish congregation celebrated their 63rd anniversary April 10. They have been WCG members for 25 years. They have four children, 30 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren.
SHEFFIELD, England--Mr. and Mrs. A.V. Rawlings celebrated their 61st anniversary July 24. Mr. Rawlings has been a church member since 1975 and was one of the original members of the Sheffield church, where he still attends. They have two children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
By Jeb Egbert
FRISCO, Texas--Applications for the Summer Educational Program are now available.
Two sessions will be offered next summer. The first session will be for those ages 12 through 15 and will include the traditional SEP format. Campers will arrive Sunday, June 25, and depart Monday, July 10.
Session two will have a whole new emphasis. The program will be titled Higher Ground and will focus on discipleship.
Participants will arrive Wednesday, July 12, and depart Friday, July 28. The age range for this more spiritually and physically challenging session will be 16 through 20 years of age.
Each day of the 15-day session participants will attend a chapel. The emphasis will be on being transformed by Jesus Christ. Breakout sessions will be offered to help the young adults understand their spiritual gifts and how they can return to their congregations ready to engage in ministry.
More emphasis on games (rather than instruction) will occur when participants are not in chapel or breakout sessions. More physically challenging three-day canoe trips into the boundary waters will highlight this program.
Tuition for first-time participants for both programs will be $625, with discounts available for those who have been to SEP before, who have recruited other participants who attend and pay full tuition, or for those who have brothers or sisters attending this summer.
College and adult applications for employment at SEP are also available. Those accepted will be paid $5.15 an hour and will be expected to work six weeks. High school volunteer applications are available as well.
Those who have yet to be one full year removed from high school should request a high school volunteer form.
Applications can be obtained by contacting the SEP Office at Box 2211, Frisco, Texas, 75034. Or you may call 1-972-712-5737. Campers (only) can apply on-line at the SEP website at www.sepcamp.com.
We hope to have 500 participants and 150 staff members whose lives will be profoundly influenced by the SEP experience.
LARKSPUR, Colorado--An SEP teen regional weekend will take place at the Ponderosa Retreat Center in Larkspur Jan. 28 to 30.
Featured SEP
speaker will be Jim Blackwell, and Friends First will give a seminar on abstinence.
The cost for the weekend is $69 for each teen, with an optional ski package available at Monarch Mountain.
Please call John Fentress at 1-303-471-2476 for information.
Jim Blackwell
WCG youths are invited to year-round SEP fellowship at on Yahoo.
Yahoo offers a message board, text chat, voice chat, favorite links, calendar of events, photo albums and personal profiles (first name only is fine) all at no charge (advertiser sponsored).
The club is a place for WCG youths to meet and stay in touch with friends around the world. Denver Braughler.
By Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions
U.S. businesses have spent more than $10 billion getting our infrastructure ready to function past 1999.
People are struggling to be sure that they are Y2K compatible. I maintain that the concern about being compatible extends far beyond chips in computers. We should ask ourselves whether we are Y2K compliant.
Many futurists say that the church is rapidly becoming an irrelevant appendage in Western society. It is merely another life-style choice. Is that true? Are we able to effectively fulfill Christ's will in the 21st century world?
Peter Drucker, one of the best management minds of our time, maintains that all nonprofit institutions share one primary reason for existence. That is to somehow improve people's lives.
As the church, our specific contribution to society is that we work to bring people into a relationship with their loving God. However, churches can succumb to the same blindness as any secular or governmental organization.
Many today have lost sight of their reason for existence--even some in the WCG. Many churches in the West are not yet Y2K compatible and are in danger of being discarded like an old computer that was good once, but of insufficient value to justify having it around.
On Jan. 1, we will know which computers are ready for Y2K, and which are not. In one way, it would be good if the doors of all non-Y2K compatible churches automatically locked, and would not reopen until necessary measures have been taken.
Unfortunately, those churches will not suddenly cease to function at 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1. Some churches will think that because they can conduct business as usual after New Year's Day that this means they are OK. A great danger exists in this false sense of security.
Let me give you an illustration of one of the millennium bugs that threatens churches, including the WCG.
Two of the primary values of our Western society are tolerance and pluralism. These pervade all aspects of our lives from the personal all the way to the pursuit of world peace by governments.
As we become more of a global village we either increase in tolerance, or in our intolerance we fragment into war and destruction.
We use force on the Saddam Husseins or the Slobodan Milosevics of this world who would jeopardize the atmosphere of tolerance that enables us to peacefully coexist. If there is a hard and fast absolute in this world, it is that there are no absolutes.
Now consider the dilemma that this presents Christians. We believe in absolutes, and are commissioned to communicate absolutes about an absolutely perfect God. We believe that the Son of God is also absolutely perfect and that his ways are the absolute Way of Truth.
We believe that all flesh should humbly and absolutely submit to Jesus and that there is no other way to receive life. But as soon as a Christian opens his or her mouth with any of this absolute truth, he or she has committed one of the greatest transgressions possible in modern society. This particular millennium bug may not be as tangible as a bug that causes all your financial records to revert to 1900, but it is even more damaging and is real.
How can we overcome this millennium bug and be effective as a church?
First, accept the fact that this generation has an aversion to institutionalism in general and religious institutions in particular. So trying to find continually more ingenious ways of attracting people to our institutions is fighting a losing battle. Eventually we could end up like Iceland (see box, page 15), heralded as the most Christian nation on earth--yet virtually no one goes to church nor sees their Christianity as having much relevance to their daily lives.
Instead of trying to attract and convince people to join us, why don't we join them? I don't mean exchange Jesus' values in favor of society's values, but why don't we spend more of our time walking and talking and playing and working among the lost on their terms?
If they resist coming to where Christ is manifest in our gatherings, then let's take Christ to them in their world. Jesus is perfectly willing to make himself known in this way. We just have to be submitted and show up.
Many Christians would say, "That's what I do but it doesn't work." Unfortunately many well-intentioned Christians make an effort to witness to the lost without first winning the right to be heard.
We have moved into a value system that says my truth is as good as your truth. Therefore, it is a violation of society's code of conduct for one person to try to convince another to believe that they have absolute truth. When we do so, we are written off and avoided as intolerant bigots.
One of the most important fixes that will make us Y2K compliant as a church is to appreciate the fact that our job as a church is to be the church.
What do I mean by this? When we look through the Bible for our job description we find that we are expected to be a community of believers through whom Christ manifests himself to the world.
Consider ancient Israel: They were asked to be the people of God. Over and over God asked Israel to respect and obey him so that through them he might bring blessings to the nations of the earth. Israel couldn't handle such a calling, and they descended into legalism instead.
I'm not so sure the church today understands the simplicity or profundity of its calling to be the vessel through which Jesus carries out his ministry. When we become Y2K compatible Christians, we will appreciate the value of the smallest word or act that can allow Jesus to minister to a person through us.
Perhaps it will happen as God answers your prayers for someone in your neighborhood. They will be so convicted by God's intervention in their lives that they seek Christ and are saved.
Another critical Y2K compatibility requirement is that we maintain, or regain if necessary, a deep commitment to outward thinking when it comes to the gospel of Christ.
Eddie Gibbs, a professor at Fuller Seminary, said that when a church loses sight of the primacy of the Great Commission it invariably ends up in a downward spiral or self-absorption. Even our outreach can become selfish.
Sometimes the church may be deluded by the fact that its self-centered efforts take the form of self improvement. We are not immune from this disease. We become Y2K compatible when we recognize that we are commissioned and empowered to overcome the barriers that prevent God's lost loved ones around us from coming to him.
These barriers take many forms, including fear, hatred, lack of reconciliation, geographic distance or over-familiarity (like Jesus in his home town).
A healthy compatible church will be a force that overcomes barriers with the love and power of Jesus Christ. That commitment never stops as the Holy Spirit drives the church increasingly outward from where it is gathered to the whole world. Let's ensure that this part of the Body is able to be a responsive and effective instrument of Jesus as we proceed into the third millennium A.D.
In October 2000, thousands of Icelanders will gather to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Iceland becoming a Christian nation.
Iceland proclaims itself to be the most Christian nation on earth. You will run across this in books as well as in government sponsored video productions describing Iceland.
This assertion is based on the fact that every Icelander is -in the church.+ Church buildings are all over Iceland, which are supported by the government and which often contain beautiful art. In other words, their churches are national treasures.
The leader of Iceland is also the head of the Icelandic church. Yet, the same official video that called Iceland the most Christian nation on earth went on to say that few Icelanders attend church. Guidebooks point out that the nightlife of Iceland is legendary. The visitor is told that public drunkenness is normal and that he or she should be prepared for erratic and sometimes lewd behavior.
What a contrast. The nation that claims to be the most Christian nation in the world also seems proud of being one of the most amoral nations on earth.
This situation illustrates two principles that should guide us. First, the church is supposed to be a transforming force on society, not the other way around. The church in Iceland has allowed itself to be transformed by society, and has merely redefined what it means to be a Christian.
Second, Jesus, the Head of the church, is the one who determines who is a Christian, and what fruits he wants us to look for to verify his presence within us. It is deceptively easy to call upon the name of Jesus but not to worship him in spirit and truth. After all, a whole nation and a millennium of strong Christian tradition can+t be wrong + can it?
By James
Henderson
What will it be like to attend a congregation of the Worldwide Church of God in 2005? And what will our worldwide fellowship be doing then?
These are questions to which all of us would like to know the answers. What we need to understand now is that our future is being shaped by our present--what we do today and in the months to come will affect us in the new millennium. On a human level the future of our fellowship is in our hands.
The other day I heard a negative comment about the church. Of course, negativism has always abounded wherever we have human beings--it is human to see the dark side of things and to expect the worst events.
The comment was to the effect that we (the Worldwide Church of God) have come all this way just to break up and dissipate into nothingness. It reminded me of the Big Bang theory of the universe--that the world began with a bang and will end in a whimper.
I don't see the point of such a universe, nor do I adhere to the idea that our fellowship needs to finish in disarray. Is that what will happen? That we end with a barely audible squeak?
I am reminded of what the mother of Samson said to her husband when he thought pessimistically that God would end their lives: "If the Lord had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would he have shown us all these things, nor would he have told us such things as these at this time" (Judges 13:23, New King James).
If God had wanted to end the WCG, he could have done so during the time of our doctrinal confusion, or just have left us in it.
Instead, he has accepted our corporate and individual repentance. He has shown us many things, and through his Word told us many things. Has he done so just to see us throw in the towel and call it a day, or so that we cease to be a force for his kingdom?
What has God done in our midst? A great deal, even though we sometimes forget it.
God has re-established our faith in Jesus, has delivered us from our mistakes, and in shaking us has left good things that remain (Hebrews 12:27)--our zeal for his word, our strength of commitment to make Christianity our everyday way of life, our bonds of international fellowship (for which some denominations would give their right arm), our corporate skills and expertise in media.
Added to these God has blessed us with a renewed vigor for meaningful worship, a desire to be responsible for community evangelism, a continual focus on and awareness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Quite a package! Do we value the gifts that God has given us?
At a
ministerial conference in South Africa we had a guest speaker, Abel Govender, who works
for Radio Pulpit, a Christian media ministry. Mr. Govender speculated that God has
prepared us as a fellowship for such a time as this.
I do not know if God has an over-riding purpose for us other than to feed the flock he has given us and to preach the gospel, but those are reasons enough for me.
Abel went on to explain that we have much to offer, and warned us not to get embroiled in our own problems. We are often blinded to our potential in Christ by getting distracted by our internal congregational, and sometimes denominational problems.
Samson was distracted from his purpose by domestic matters and by his selfishness. He also let occasions go by when he could have fulfilled his mission, but he used his giftedness whimsically or as it suited his own agenda.
It was not until it was almost too late that he let God use him, and his mission was accomplished.
There are lessons in this for us, both personally and as a body of believers. God has given our fellowship historical and present gifts, often expressed through individuals--do we value those gifts? Above all, do we value the gift of his Son, through whom we can do all things?
God is already doing many great works through our worldwide fellowship. Past editions of The Worldwide News illustrate this, and no doubt many of you can cite examples in your areas.
Do we want to be spectators or participants in this work God is doing among us? Spectators cheer the team when it is winning and judge the team harshly when it is not winning.
Participants or players join in and seek to achieve the goals of the team, winning or losing. With our church, be it your congregation or the international body, with what level of involvement are you most comfortable? Spectator or participant?
Jesus said, in discussing our involvement with him, that we should be participants, not observers of the "dance" he has invited us to. "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance" (Matthew 11:17, NKJ).
Jesus tells us that we need to take up our cross and follow him. Christianity is active, not passive. It is something Jesus does as he lives in us, not something that just happens to us.
How does this relate to how God works in a fellowship, or in a group of Christians banded together by force of circumstance, choice, preference or whatever reason?
We can choose our fellowship or denomination or lack of it, but wherever we function as a Christian we need to dance. A waltz, a jive, a foxtrot, a shuffle, free style--whatever, just get out there and dance! Do you dance in the fellowship of the WCG? Or is it easier to sit this one out and watch and criticize from the floor?
These may seem like strong words, but they are not mine--Jesus has told us to dance--that is, to take our part in his work in the world and to get personally involved. How we dance or do not dance now will affect our future as a fellowship. If we are not to be of use to God, then we are of no use.
Assuming we join the dance, let's go back to the initial questions. What will it be like to go into a congregation of the WCG in 2005? And what will our worldwide fellowship be doing then?
How can I begin to answer this? I can only say that I have a dream for us, and I would like to share with you that dream. I don't think it is just my dream--I believe many of you have it too.
What will it be like to go into a congregation of the WCG in 2005? What will the format be like? Four songs, prayer, announcements, special music, sermon, more songs, and will the songs be new or old? And on what days shall we meet? Wrong questions, I think.
Form is not an issue of godliness. Of course, there will be form of some sort, as there always has been in any congregation. And hopefully the form will enhance our joy of salvation, not obstruct it.
That's what Paul was referring to in his letter to the Corinthians when he wrote, "Let all things be done decently and in order."
The form may be there, but not get in the way. The Corinthians had put their form before their celebration of Christ.
When I was growing up there was a program on television about two slightly corrupt tailors. They sometimes used bad quality material but stressed to their customers that there was good value in buying from them all the same. They had the catch phrase "Never mind the quality, feel the width."
My vision of our congregations has not to do with the amount of things we allow or disallow, but with the essence of what we will be as a group of believers. Not the width, but the quality.
What are some of the qualities that I envision will exist in our congregations? Pastor General Joseph Tkach has stressed the need for the "upward, inward and outward" in our church life, and these qualities exemplify those ideas.
It is my dream that people who visit our congregations in the future will find a good degree of the following spiritual qualities.
Restoration. People can come to us and be restored to God and each other. Life gives out its share of ways in which relationships are broken, and we come together to worship God, so that our relationship with him and with each other can be healed. Our worship in all its varied forms will enhance the concept of restoration.
Sanctuary. We need to escape from the cares of this world. We can do this regularly in our daily walk with Jesus, and our meetings can also provide a time and a place where people can be safe in the presence of God.
Relevance. Whatever his or her situation is in life, the preaching and the services should be relevant to each individual's spiritual journey. Needs are met, and there is the knowledge that in coming to our congregations God has reached out to them in some way. This relevance makes them want to come back again.
Instruction. People come to services and hear a personal message from God for them--be it in the sermon, music, prayers or fellowship. God speaks to us, and by his great power we are led--one of the important ways he does this is in collective worship.
Diversity. God has given us the gift of diversity, and it is evident in our congregations. Diversity allows for cultural variety in approaches to worship and topicality. As relationships are restored daily within the setting of our services, embracing of diversity becomes one of our unifying factors.
Joy. Church is a happy environment where people celebrate the joy of their salvation. This joy goes across generational boundaries, and there is a place of emotional warmth for everybody within our congregations.
Involvement. There is the possibility of involvement for everyone in informal or official congregational ministries. Activity is evident --"always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Outreach. Each congregation seeks ways to reach out to the community with the gospel message and is actively making a difference in the community.
Belonging. There is a feeling of belonging to Jesus, to each other, to the greater body of Christ, and to the activities of the fellowship of the WCG. People have a sense of arrival in their spiritual journey and are moving from being seekers to being contributors.
What will our worldwide fellowship be doing? We occasionally have mixed up the idea of being different with the concept of making a difference.
It is a fact of life that differences exist and will exist--but strife arises when people use difference as an indication of superiority. Are we Christians because we are different, or because with Jesus in us we make a difference? Hopefully we can accept the reality of each others' preferences and differences and cease to use them as boundaries or separations.
To concentrate on what makes us different within the body of Christ is to concentrate on form. To let Jesus make a difference through us in whatever situation we are in is to preach the gospel. Form is not holy; Jesus is.
Down through the ages many humans have seen form in Christianity as an expression of holiness, and in so doing have missed the point and given the name of Christ a bad reputation.
Some in the Galatian church sought to impose legalism on new converts. What mattered to them was not the difference Jesus makes in you, but the difference customs and traditions can make in your life. "O foolish Galatians!" Paul said, "Who has bewitched you?"
In his Message adaptation of the New Testament, Eugene Peterson phrases Galatians 1:4 in this way: "Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue."
We are not rescued by form, but by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And God's plan is that all of humanity be rescued. My vision for the WCG is that we are used by God in that rescue mission.
How will God use us? First, we sacrifice ourselves to him and offer ourselves up as instruments for his purpose of salvation. Then God will help us use our individual and corporate gifts and add to them as he sees the need.
I see us corporately involved in the following activities as the years progress:
l Training. Spiritually equipping and physically resourcing Christian leaders and ministers for pastoring and missionary needs. This goes across gender, generational, cultural and, in some instances, denominational divisions.
l Missions. Recognizing new mission fields and old mission fields that need to be revisited. Using our resources wisely to allow optimum opportunity for the gospel in these areas.
l Evangelism. On the local, national and international level using print, media, rallies or whatever door God opens for us.
l Interdenominational exchange. Joining in appropriate initiatives and exchanging evangelical ideas with other denominations within the body of Christ in order to promote the gospel. We can learn from others, and they too can learn from the tapestry of our experience.
l Charity. Assisting in principle or in kind as we are able in selected charitable outreaches in whatever nations we are represented.
For me it is exciting to see that we are already happily involved in all of these, albeit to a small degree.
For example, we conduct on a regular basis training sessions for our ministers and new leaders. Occasionally new groups send leaders whom we have never met to these conferences, as happened when pastors from the Kitgum area in northern Uganda attended our East African conference. All potential leaders are included in such meetings--men and women, old and young alike.
New mission fields are beginning to be recognized. Our new mission in Benin, the work of mission in Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique, the Ghana church sponsoring a missionary to eastern Ghana, the church in South Africa focusing on youth mission--this is just scratching the surface, there is so much more mission work we can do for God.
A good number of our congregations and national churches are active in evangelism. Plans for church planting are in place in Qwa-Qwa and in the Northern Province of South Africa.
In Cameroon every week our church broadcasts a gospel message in the local language, and this broadcast is heard in surrounding countries. In western and coastal Kenya our members work with small groups, raising them gradually to fully fledged congregations. Wherever I travel, the Christianity of our brethren is becoming contagious! Glory be to God!
Interdenominational exchange is occurring in different ways. Some of our members have joined interdenominational choirs to unite in music ministry. Some of our ministers go to weekly or monthly fraternities where they give and get counsel and encouragement.
We have guest speakers from other denominations, and our leaders are from time to time asked to speak in other fellowships. Our members join with others in the body of Christ to help with special Christian rallies.
At the council of Jerusalem it was decided that Peter, James and John would take the gospel to the Jews, and that Paul and Barnabas would be commissioned to preach Jesus to the gentiles.
In addition, Paul says, "They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do" (Galatians 2:10, NKJ).
Wherever I go, my observation is that our members are also eager to do this very thing. Internationally our churches help as they are able. In Malawi and in Madagascar, our congregations sponsor and work with orphanages. In Kenya, we are involved with conservation and self-sufficiency projects.
These are only a few of the many projects we are involved in. And these projects help. For example, let me tell you the touching story of a young boy called Like, who was part of the Harare, Zimbabwe, church care ministry.
The care ministry was started by Sylvia Harrison, one of our deaconesses. It has been financially supported by the Zimbabwe members and by charitable donations from other sources, notably our Australian churches.
The focus of this ministry has been the care of young children in a ward at an eye hospital. An orphan, Like, had already lost one eye when our group first met him. His other eye was cancerous and was scheduled to be removed.
How did our group reach out to four-year-old Like? His aunt, who had two children of her own, tried to feed him and look after him. Our group gave her used clothing and money to buy food. They would also talk to Like and laugh with him as he reached out his hand to get some goodies.
Like died a few months ago. Did our people make a difference in his short life? I think so. Through them Jesus reached out to him and in the life to come, whatever you think that might be (and it won't be limited by our present imagination), Like will remember their kindness. Of course, God remembers now, as he did with the charity of Cornelius (Acts 10:4).
Spiritually speaking, the world is blind and poor and desolate. Not just the world far from you, but the world down your street and in your workplace.
The beggars on the corner, the people at the market, your colleagues in the office--they all need to be rescued by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Romans 10 suggests, how will they hear the good news unless someone is sent? The response of the WCG is "Here we are, Lord. Send us."
The earth is so beautiful and so full of potential, and yet it is also a playground of religious confusion, infected by superstitions and false doctrines.
Look around you. There is so much to do for our Lord. With Jesus we can make a contribution and a difference--there are gifts we bring. Above all, we bring the precious gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus Christ, and for your prayers for and continuing support of the Worldwide Church of God. May God bless you all!
By John Campbell
Men from as far away as Arizona attended a men's ministry retreat on the Pasadena campus Oct. 29 to 31.
Paul Sniffen, coordinator of Men's Ministry in Pasadena, organized the event. The theme was Men of Commitment.
The retreat opened Friday evening with Paul Barnes, guest speaker from Promise Keepers, setting the pace for the weekend with a discussion on The Problems of Commitment.
Saturday and Sunday sessions included eight workshops, and joining the Pasadena A.M. congregation for a worship service with the sermon being given by Pastor General Joseph Tkach, and a contemporary service with a sermon by Eric Shaw, pastor of the Community Life Fellowship congregation of the Worldwide Church of God.
Workshops about commitment were conducted by Mike Morrison, editorial supervisor; J. Michael Feazell, executive editor; Curtis May, district superintendent; Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Pasadena A.M. and NewLife Fellowship congregations; Larry Omasta, Pasadena elder; John McKenna, senior editor of Denominational Publications; and Mr. Sniffen.
Leigh Sniffen, volunteer mediator and dialogue facilitator with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office and Human Relations Commission, presented a discourse on Commitment to Community.
Mr. Omasta concluded the retreat by leading a communion service.
Mr. Sniffen said he sees a Christlike value of "coming together and relating as brothers and sons of God, seeing each other as equal, all having needs and all having something to give."
Mr. Sniffen commented on the responsibility of men of all ages: "Our young men will learn submission through our example when older men follow Christ.
"And as we who are older learn to be submissive to our heavenly Father and elder Brother, we leave them a legacy of being our brothers' keepers."
For more information on Men's Ministry call Mr. Sniffen at 1-626-304-4004 or send e-mail to him at Paul_Sniffen@wcg.org
MEN OF COMMITMENT--From left: Paul Barnes,
guest speaker from Promise Keepers, Paul Sniffen,
coordinator of Men's Ministry in Pasadena and organizer
of the event, and Merv Walton, worship leader for the weekend.
[Photos by John Campbell and Ron Grove]
 Curtis May |
 Bermie Dizon |
 Larry Omasta |
 John McKenna |
 Mike Morrison |
 Mike Feazell |
 Leigh Sniffen |
The New Testament often quotes the Old Testament. One of the most commonly quoted verses is Psalm 110:1: "The Lord says to my Lord: `Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" The Gospels tell us that Jesus quoted this verse as a scripture about the Messiah.
If we read further in this psalm, we will come to verse 4, which has a thought found nowhere else in the Old Testament. This Lord is to be a priest--not a Levitical priest, but a different kind of priest.
The book of Hebrews tells us that this verse of the psalm is also about Jesus. It briefly mentions this in chapter 5, and then again at the end of chapter 6, telling us that Jesus "has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Chapter 7 then explains this in more detail.
It begins with a quick summary of the story in Genesis 14: "This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything" (Heb. 7:1-2).
First, the unusual name is explained. The Hebrew word melek means king, and tsedek means righteousness, so his name is explained as meaning "king of righteousness." And since shalom means peace, he was also the "king of peace" (v. 2). These titles are significant because Melchizedek prefigures Jesus Christ.
Then we are told that Melchizedek was "without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever" (v. 3).
From the grammar, it is not clear whether Melchizedek is like the Son in every respect, or just in being a perpetual priest. We know that Jesus had a Father, a mother, a genealogy, a birth and a death, so he was different in these respects. Scripture does not say that Melchizedek was the Son of God--just that he was "like" the Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 implies that the Son of God did not speak to the patriarchs.
However, Melchizedek had no parents that are mentioned in Scripture. His position as priest did not depend on his parents or his genealogy (unlike the Levitical priests). His priesthood was a different kind, a different order. Similarly, Scripture says nothing about his birth or death (unlike the patriarchs, who are carefully chronicled). He did not create a dynasty of priests, each dying and passing the priesthood to a son.
We might say today that he came out of nowhere, and then disappeared. Nevertheless, he remains known as a priest even today. "He remains a priest forever ... is declared to be living" (vv. 3, 8). (A similar thought may be in Luke 20:37-38--the patriarchs are among "the living.") This mysterious Melchizedek is the prototype of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 110 predicted that the Lord would be a priest in the same way: not according to genealogy, but by special appointment. This order of priests was significant in several ways: 1) it was more important than the Levitical priesthood, 2) it implied that the Levitical priesthood was temporary and 3) the new order was permanent.
Although little is known about Melchizedek, we can discern that he was very important. Abraham gave him 10 percent of the spoils of war (v. 4). The old covenant required the Israelites to give 10 percent to the Levites, but Abraham gave 10 percent to Melchizedek even though Melchizedek was not a Levite (vs. 5-6). He was getting priestly honors before Levi was even born.
From this, the author constructs a hypothetical argument: "One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor" (vs. 9-10). The author knows that Levi didn't actually pay tithes to Melchizedek, but in a figure of speech he did. The point is that Abraham is greater than Levi, since Abraham is Levi's ancestor, and Melchizedek is greater than Abraham, since Abraham paid tithes to him, so Melchizedek is greater than Levi.
Verses 6-7 emphasize Melchizedek's greatness: He not only received a tithe, he also blessed Abraham. "And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater." Abraham is the lesser person--but the real point of comparison being made is with Levi.
Since Melchizedek is greater than Abraham, he is also greater than Levi, and--most important for the book of Hebrews--his priesthood is more important than the Levitical priesthood. The Levitical priests die, but Jesus has been made a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that is more important for our salvation.
Now the author observes that "if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?" (v. 11).
Note in the middle of verse 11 that the law was given on the basis of the priesthood. The law was designed with the Levitical priesthood in mind--the law and the priesthood went together. But neither the law nor the priests could bring people to perfection. That is why Psalm 110 spoke of another priesthood.
The descendants of Aaron would be replaced by a better priesthood, a better priest--and that has enormous consequences: "For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law" (v. 12). What law is changed? The law that said only Levites could be priests. Which law said that? The old covenant. This will become more clear later in this chapter, and in the next few chapters.
But first, the author wants to make certain basic facts clear. "He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe" (v. 13). We are speaking about Jesus, of whom it is said that he is a priest after the order of Melchizedek--but Jesus was not a Levite. He belonged to the tribe of Judah, and no one from that tribe was ever a priest, and Moses did not authorize anyone from Judah to be a priest (v. 14).
"And what we have said"--that is, that the law has been changed--"is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life" (vs. 15-16).
Jesus was appointed as priest not by a law that focused on genealogy, but because he lives forever at God's right hand. From this fact alone, we can see that the Law of Moses is no longer in force.
"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God" (vs. 18-19). The law that restricted the priesthood to Levites was ineffective.
How much was "set aside"? Certainly, it was the regulation restricting the priesthood. But no one expected that restriction to produce perfection, anyway. There is more involved than just one regulation. It is "the law" as a whole that is under discussion here. The law of Moses did not have the power to make anyone perfect. The best that the old covenant could offer was not good enough.
Instead of the law, we are given a better hope, and since we have something better than the law, we are now able to draw near to God in a way that was not possible under the law of Moses.
The author then uses a small detail from Psalm 110 to emphasize the importance of Jesus' appointment as priest. God himself makes an oath to appoint Jesus as high priest (v. 20). The descendants of Aaron became priests without any oath, but Jesus became priest by a special oath.
The old covenant was given by God, but here is a new word from God--not just an oath but also a promise of permanence: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: `You are a priest forever' " (v. 21). The old priesthood is obsolete. The old regulation was set aside. A new and better hope is given to bring people to a perfection that the law could not give.
"Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant" (v. 22). Here the word covenant is used for the first time in this letter, almost casually. It will be picked up again in the next three chapters for more detailed comment, but even here it is implied to be a replacement for the inferior, ineffective law of Moses. The discussion is not just about a minor priestly regulation but a covenant, which includes many laws.
The author then contrasts the mortality of the Levitical priests with the immortality of Jesus Christ: "Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood" (vs. 23-24). So the fact that there were many Levitical priests is actually an illustration of their weakness, not of their effectiveness. The genealogy that validated them also testified to the weakness of the entire system. Each high priest held office only temporarily, and the entire priesthood itself was temporary.
In contrast, because Jesus lives forever, he will forever continue to be our High Priest, because his priesthood is effective in bringing us to perfection: "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (v. 25).
"Such a high priest meets our need," the author says (v. 26). Jesus is exactly what we need. He was human, so he knows our needs (2:14-18), and he is now in heaven, in power, so he can effectively intercede for us. We can therefore be confident that we can approach God through him (4:14-16). He gives us access to God in a way that the Levitical priests could only symbolize.
Michael Morrison
By Tammy Tkach
"Hi, my name is Tammy and I'm a legalist. It's been 10 minutes since I had my last judgmental thought."
This is how I imagine I would introduce myself at a meeting of "Legalaholics Anonymous." I'd go on to describe how it started with little things, like thinking I was special because I kept the law. Then how I began looking down at people who didn't believe the same things as me.
It got worse: I started believing there were no other Christians except those in my church. My legalism grew to include thinking I knew the true version of the history of the church and the rest of the world had been deceived.
My addiction became so bad I wouldn't even fellowship with people in the world. I taught my children to be just as intolerant as me.
Like the roots of a weed, legalism grows deep in the minds of Christians. Sometimes the tips break off, staying long after the main roots have been pulled out. I know it's possible to come out of it, but legalism is probably similar to alcoholism in that we can never say we've completely recovered.
One of the most pervasive root tips is that of object mentality, when we treat people like objects, valuing them only for their performance. This is the way of the world. If you don't look good or perform well, you may be considered not only worthless but also expendable.
Placing too much value on performance is a habit of thinking that takes a long time to break. If husbands or wives don't do what each other expects, they may be disappointed, or over time, become bitter. Many parents put unnecessary pressure on their children to perform, which can cause feelings of inferiority or other emotional problems.
In many churches, uniformity masquerades as unity. Is there any other group of people who judge each other with so much energy and enthusiasm?
This all too human tendency was not a problem for Jesus. He looked past the performance to the person.
When the Pharisees brought to him the woman they had caught in the act of adultery (where was her partner?), all they could see was what she had been doing. Jesus however, saw her for the lonely, mixed-up sinner she was and saved her from their self-righteous object mentality.
So back to my Legalaholics meeting. If I were to come up with 12 steps, they would have to include an exercise in learning to treat people as people and not objects. We could start by visualizing someone we tend to judge regularly as the one caught in adultery and Jesus standing in front of him or her wondering if we would cast the first stone.
Maybe one day I'll work on the other 11 steps, but in the meantime, I think I'll start carrying my first stone around to remind me that Jesus cares more about who we are than how well we measure up to each others' standards.
INDEPENDENCE, Missouri--Thirty-four women gathered at the Salvation Army Camp Oct. 23-24 for the first retreat sponsored by the Women's Ministry of the Kansas City Northland congregation. The theme was The True Woman.
The retreat began with praise and worship Saturday morning, with Pam Smith as worship leader. The women were welcomed and led in several get-acquainted games by Janice Bass, Women's Ministry coordinator.
The workshops on Saturday covered The True Woman, Proper Assertiveness Through Boundaries and The Proverbs 31 Lady and You.
Subjects for the roundtable discussions were based on the books The Power of the Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian; The Mom Factor, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend; The Financially Confident Woman, by Mary Hunt; and Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt.
The women also enjoyed a dramatization of the life of Esther, titled A Woman for Such a Time as This, by Marjorie Truesdale.
Saturday evening the women gathered around the fireplace for a fireside chat and gift exchange. Several women gave moving testimonies. Each woman brought a wrapped gift that represented something of interest to her.
Sunday morning started with a devotional service followed by two workshops: The Five Love Languages and Blessing Talk. The retreat concluded with a communion service led by Carol Meyer, Women's Ministry director. Shirley Everman.
ELBURN, Illinois--Sonlife Ministries offers one-day training seminars in women's ministry.
The seminars are conducted in local areas, rather than one or two nationally. They focus on following the leadership and ministry principles of Jesus.
For locations, registration information and background on Sonlife, contact Jean Milliken, Director of Women's Ministry, 526 N. Main St., Elburn, Illinois, 60119; phone 1- 630-365-5855 (5892 fax); or see their website at www.sonlife.com
By Ron Kelly
November closed with mail income totaling $1,744,910--a daily banking day average of $91,837.
The year-to-date daily mail income average now stands at $92,700. These daily averages are below our target of $95,000. The total mail donation for the year has topped $20 million, which is down eight percent from 1998.
Much of the fall festival offerings were tabulated in November. This brought the total annual festival offering to $4,982,017. Thank you for this generous outpouring of support above tithes and offerings.
Maintaining an appropriate reserve fund is a responsible part of managing our finances. We do our best to maintain a reserve at or near the level our auditing firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, recommends.
Because income has declined for several years (although at a much slower rate last year) we have had to fund church operations from a portion of the reserve fund. This year we anticipate taking more than $3 million from the reserve--something we cannot continue to do.
The church board approved an interim budget for 2000. It is an interim budget, because we have been unable to sell the Ambassador University property in Texas.
If that property sells in early 2000 for an appropriate price, the board can fully approve the interim budget.
If, however, the Ambassador campus does not sell, we will have to significantly recalculate the budget for the remaining months of 2000. This is because, among other things, without a cash boost from a Big Sandy sale, the budget would result in an unacceptable loss to reserves.
Please pray for the completion of this transaction, because failure to sell the Big Sandy property would cause further employee terminations and other difficult downsizing.
We appreciate your dedication to the work God has called us to do in the body of Christ. Your loving stewardship makes it possible for us to maintain our congregations and ministries as well as fund the maintenance of our two properties while we complete the sale process. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for what so many of you do as you serve in your churches.
For the following group tours contact Travel Gallery
at 1-800-858-6999 or john@travelgallery.com
* Israel Pentecost tour
* Canada/New England Cruise
* Celtic Britain Bus Tour
* England Bus Tour
All itineraries listed on this page are subject to change.
Sunday, June 4: Depart New York area for Tel Aviv, Israel.
Monday, June 5: Arrive Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to hotel in Tel Aviv.
Tuesday, June 6: Drive along coast to Caesarea. See excavations of Roman statues, Aqueduct, Amphitheater. Go to Megiddo to see excavations of King Solomon's stables and 20 layers of civilization. Drive to Nazareth. Continue to Tiberias.
Wednesday, June 7: Boat trip on Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum and synagogue. See where Jesus fed 5,000, visit Church of the Multiplication with fourth century mosaic floor. Drive to Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. Proceed to Caesarea Philippi and sources of Jordan River. Back to Tiberias for overnight.
Thursday, June 8: Depart Tiberias for Beit Shean. Drive through Jordan Valley, to Jericho, oldest city in the world. Continue to Dead Sea for Bedouin feast and overnight. Swim in Dead Sea.
Friday, June 9: Buses to Masada. Ascend mountain by cable car and tour mountain fortress. Drive to Qumran, home of the Essenes, and see caves where Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Saturday, June 10: Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane and Pater Noster Church. Enter Old City of Jerusalem. Visit pool of Bethesda and Church of St. Anne. Walk to Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Then the room of the Last Supper, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque.
Sunday, June 11: Pentecost service at hotel. Drive to Bethlehem.
View shepherds field and visit Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. Back to Jerusalem to Ein Kerem, home of John the Baptist. On to Yad Vashem, Holocaust memorial. On to model of Jerusalem during second temple period. Visit Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed.
Monday, June 12: Ben Gurion Airport for departing flight.
Wednesday, Oct. 11: Depart United States from your gateway city.
Thursday, Oct: 12: Arrive London, transfer to hotel. Join fellow travelers for welcome dinner.
Friday, Oct. 13: London: British Museum.
Saturday, Oct. 14: London: morning services. Evening free.
Sunday, Oct. 15: London: morning services. Then Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard. Later, a theatre performance.
Monday, Oct. 16: Morning services. Bus to Oxford. After dinner, home of C.S. Lewis and his Eagle and Child pub.
Tuesday, Oct 17: Morning services. Grave of Winston Churchill. After lunch travel to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. Continue on to Paignton.
Wednesday, Oct. 18: Paignton. Services with members attending festival in Paignton. Lunch and social with members. Afternoon free for touring and shopping.
Thursday, Oct. 19: Morning services. Then board bus to travel through villages and countryside of the Cotswolds. Pass cities of Bath and Stratford-upon-Avon. Medieval dinner at Warwick Castle.
Friday, Oct. 20: Depart Warwick. Itinerary to be announced.
Saturday, Oct. 21: York: morning services. Buses to London. Route passes through Nottingham en route to airport hotel in London.
Sunday, Oct. 22: Depart for United States.
Wednesday, Oct: 11: Depart United States from your gateway city.
Thursday, Oct 12: Arrive Glasgow. Drive to Edinburgh. Transfer to hotel. Join fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Friday, Oct. 13: Visit Edinburgh castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels and the palace of Holyrood House, once home of Mary Queen of Scots. Drive to Oban.
Saturday, Oct. 14: Morning services. Rest of day free.
Sunday, Oct. 15: Ferry to Isle of Mull, burial place of Scottish, Irish and Norwegian kings. Services at Iona Abbey where Celtic church was established. Ferry back to Oban.
Monday, Oct 16: Morning service. Bus to Stranraer. Ferry across North Channel to Larne, and on to Belfast.
Tuesday, Oct. 17: Morning service. Tour Belfast. Bus to Dublin. Visit Trinity College and then see church where Handel's Messiah was first performed.
Wednesday, Oct. 18: Morning service. Bus tour across the heart of Ireland. Arrive in Kenmare.
Thursday, Oct. 19: Morning service. Afternoon and evening free.
Friday, Oct. 20: Morning service. Bus tour of the Ring of Kerry.
Saturday, Oct. 21: Morning service in Kenmare.
Sunday, Oct. 22: Early departure for Shannon Airport to catch plane to London and flight home to the United States.
Intercessory Missions is an all-volunteer ministry that is host to short-term mission trips in the service of Jesus Christ.
Volunteers from different denominations are invited to serve on escorted tours in building ministries and facilities in developing countries.
Prayer partners and fund-raising partner churches are also an important opportunity to be able to serve in this growing ministry.
Our next scheduled volunteer mission trip is Feb. 22-29 to Cap Haitien, Haiti. The volunteer cost will be $700 from West Palm Beach, Florida, aboard missionary air transport. (Round-trip air and in-country transport , housing and most meals, are included.) Funds will also be needed for in-country purchasing of building and educational materials.
Please contact Intercessory Missions, 11778 Bridge St. , Millwood, Ohio, 43028 for an information packet. Will Ruttencutter, a WCG member who annually leads missionary projects, is a co-founder of Intercessory Missions. and serves as director of the Hug-a-Bug Project, (an all-volunteer Children's Charity). He can be reached by e-mail at hugabugproject@juno.com
OCALA, Florida--The Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (I-TEC) celebrated the grand opening of its new building just outside Ocala, Nov. 13.
I-TEC provides flight training for international indigenous missionary Christians as a tool of ministry.
The WCG in Ocala was highly involved in the celebration event that brought 200 people to the dedication worship service. Pastor Ken Smylie was worship leader and introduced participants.
Steve Saint, I-TEC director, explained how the building would serve as an effective tool in helping indigenous Christians grow in self-reliance and be less dependent on non-indigenous missionaries.
Tom Clark, inventor of the Huaorani motor (an outboard motor with a long propeller shaft to push 40-foot Indian canoes upstream) shared how exciting it was for him to see his invention serving others.
Tim Paulson, assistant I-TEC director, shared his testimony of how spiritually meaningful serving at I-TEC has been for him.
Abe Van Der Puy of World Radio Missionary Fellowship gave the sermon on living out the commission of Matthew 28. Ken Smylie.
AGEGE, Nigeria--Four members of the Gospel Bearers Ministry of the WCG went out May 15 to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ before the day's worship service. Their aim was to tell the people living around our meeting hall about Jesus and invite them to worship with us.
This effort showed that not everyone is indifferent to Christ's gospel, and that our fears to go out were baseless. Fifteen new people, some former Muslims, are now meeting for services on Sundays in addition to our regular Saturday worship. Michael Fatokun.
ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia--Pastor General Joseph Tkach met with members in the Abbotsford congregation Nov. 5 to 7.
The weekend began with praise and worship Friday evening. On Saturday there were four presentations on worship. A worship service and question and answer session took place in the afternoon and evening.
Sunday morning concluded with four more presentations on worship and a Lord's Supper service.
"I met a few people who were meeting with us for the first time since having left many years ago," Mr. Tkach said.
"It is a personal delight to see so many requests for me to visit church areas," Mr. Tkach said. "I would love to visit every single congregation. Of course, with more than 900 congregations worldwide and growing, that isn't possible, since I have only been able to make about 25 visits a year.
"My hope is to attend as many of our district ministerial conferences as possible for this calendar year, so I will not be able to make quite as many church visits, especially this year when we will be relocating our family home, as well as our international headquarters office."
SAYRE, Oklahoma--Don Lawson, district superintendent, and his daughter, Retta Hill, visited the Sayre house church Sept. 18.
Twenty-four people attend the Sayre church. Fourteen are WCG members and their families, and the rest are unchurched or are seeking new fellowship. Shirley West.
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico--Elder Eleazar Benavides and his wife, Benina, were honored for their service to senior citizens during the 21st annual Conference on Aging in September. They received the award for Outstanding Contribution of Senior Citizens to a Community or the State.
BURKE, Virginia--Members of the Burke congregation spent an afternoon Nov. 13 preparing gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse.
Under the leadership of Kathy O'Neal, 60 shoeboxes were stuffed with toys, games and toiletries.
The gift boxes will be sent to hurting children in more than 55 countries. The gift box project enabled members of all ages to collectively pray, volunteer and share God's greatest gift--eternal life in Jesus Christ. Enclosed in each gift box is literature about the Good News of Jesus Christ. They also assembled 13 Thanksgiving gift baskets for homeless shelters. Kathleen Herd.
The following ministers and wives from Ghana and Nigeria were not pictured in the November ministerial pictorial: Augustine and Gladys Adih, Kumasi, Ghana; and Michael Fatokun, Agege, Nigeria.
The Providence, Rhode Island, and Norwich, Connecticut, congregations were hosts for a regional teen weekend Dec. 4 and 5.
The celebration, titled Dare to Dream, began with a worship service led by the teens. Steve Botha, New York district superintendent, gave a sermon titled Why Not the Best?
After the service, Pastor Botha conducted a meeting for alumni of Youth Opportunities United (YOU), the WCG's former youth program.
After the 250 teens, parents and friends enjoyed a pizza dinner, 13 teens participated in a speak-off. Eight received gold level awards (see photo). After the speak-off the teens danced until 11 p.m..
The second day began with worship led by pastor Dennis Pelley and a Bible study conducted by pastor Jeffrey Broadnax. Then a volleyball tournament took place. The girls from Union, New Jersey, and the boys from Brooklyn, New York, won their divisions. Steve Botha.