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.
GOLD LEVEL AWARDS--Back row from left, Janytra Carlisle, Norwich, Connecticut;
Kimberly Jenner, Providence, Rhode Island; Suzette Maybury, Syracuse, New York; Amanda
Eysallenne, Westchester, New York; Katie Whitney, Concord, New Hampshire; and Kimberly
Madison, Albany, New York. From row: Dexter Henry, Brooklyn, New York; James Harvin, Long
Island, New York; and Steve Botha, district superintendent. [Photo by Larry Kuhn]
LANCASTER, New York--The United States Achievement Academy announced that Elisabetta Anna Cozzi of Lancaster has been recognized for academic achievement as a United States National Honor Roll Award winner.
Elisabetta, who moved to the United States from Italy in 1997 with little knowledge of the English language, now attends Aurora Middle School in Lancaster.
Elisabetta is the daughter of Luciano and Suzanne Cozzi, an elder in Buffalo, New York.
FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique--A band and worship leader from the area Evangelical Church of Jesus Christ visited the Fort-de-France church Nov. 20.
Jack Brunet, WCG pastor, gave a sermon on the unity of Christians. "Through this group, we will build some links with the evangelical churches," Mr. Brunet said.
The next day was was a day of outreach, because Hurricane Lenny had destroyed 1,000 houses in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Many WCG members spent the day helping clean sand from the homes. Also three times during the week they brought food, water, milk, mattresses, clothes and furniture to the stricken families.
NEW YORK, New York--Pastor General Joseph Tkach and Mr. Albrecht, executive director of PTM, attended the annual meeting Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 of the National Church Advisory Council for the American Bible Society (ABS).
ABS received a $15 million grant for which they are developing projects to distribute Bibles in more than 60 countries. ABS has a website at www.americanbible.org
BREMERTON, Washington--The Bremerton church, with less than 40 in attendance, makes a difference for our members and other people in Guyana.
Elder Gil Goethals and his wife, Leta Ray, became acquainted with our Guyanese members when they attended a festival there in l995 and 1996. Many Guyanese had to walk or take a canoe to attend.
The Goethals had taken several bags of clothes, soap, salt and children's toys to be distributed among the members and townspeople.
Members here have been mailing items to the Guyana brethren ever since. "We have received a number of heartfelt letters from the Guyanese members, expressing their thanks and appreciation for the generosity that has been shown them," said pastor Guy Engelbart.
A couple of years ago, members provided Noel Thomas in Paramakatoi with a chain saw to help him build a place for worship for the people there.
CHICO, California--The Chico congregation will celebrate its 25th anniversary Jan. 29. A potluck lunch (provided by current members) and fellowship will begin at noon at the church's meeting hall, 574 E. 12th St. in Chico.
A praise and worship service will start at 2:30. Messages from past pastors are planned for the afternoon. The evening will be free for groups to make plans to dine out together or to continue fellowshipping in members' homes.
All former Chico members and pastors are encouraged to attend. Those unable to be present are encouraged to send personal memories and messages to be shared with all in attendance.
For directions and more information please call Gary and Norma Avey at 1-530-343-5605 (e-mail gavey@khsltv.com) or Larry and Judy Van Landuyt at 1-530-876-0639 (e-mail larry_van_landuyt@wcg.org).
JACKSON,Tennessee--The Jackson congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary Nov. 20 and 21. The church started in Jackson in June 1974.
Some members spent the weekend in cabins at Pinson Mounds State Park, south of Jackson.
Invitations were sent to former members. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, attended mainly by the regular members. A potluck took place that evening. Many visitors were warmly welcomed.
Later, Johnny and Bridget Chandler originated a fun show that was acted out by many participants. Pete Nooteboom.
LINCOLN, Nebraska--The Lincoln congregation will celebrate its 20th anniversary Jan. 29.
The worship service will begin at 10, followed by a potluck. Pictures,church history, fellowship and reminiscing are planned. To attend, please contact Duane Marquis at 6405 W. Davey Rd., Raymond, Nebraska, 68428-4007; telephone 1-402-783-5115; or by e-mail at duane_marquis@wcg.org
PASADENA--The Pasadena Prayer Ministry began an on-the-street prayer ministry in August. The fourth Saturday evening of each month sees regular biweekly prayer vigil attendees on the streets of Pasadena's Old Town district offering prayer to those who desire it.
Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Pasadena A.M. and NewLife congregations, first proposed the Old Town prayer ministry at the July 10 Saturday evening prayer vigil.
Mervin Walton, the elder
who leads the twice a month prayer vigils, stressed: "This is part of our job
description as Christians to reach out to the lost."
The first Old Town prayer ministry took place Aug. 28. Mr. Dizon and Mr. Walton trained the vigil attendees on how to approach people, avoid confrontation and remain cheerful.
"Ask the person who has agreed for prayer if there is any particular problem or area desired for prayer," said Pastor Dizon. If there is a particular request, base the prayer around that topic. If not, pray a general blessing on the individual, he said.
"Prayers should open with praise, cover the topic requested and last no more than one minute," added Mr. Walton. The attendees then practiced with a partner, and after singing praise to God, left for the streets.
Most of them wear blue vests with "Prayer Ministry" printed on the back. They also carry flyers with the phone number of the church's prayer line--for any who don't want public prayer said for them. Finally, a few evangelistic tracts are available for those who ask questions about being saved.
Pairs (or threesomes) walk together and greet passersby, asking those who show any interest, "May I pray for you?" Mr. Walton said: "I complimented a biker on the impressive motorcycle he had. He thanked me and allowed me to pray for him."
The number of participants has ranged from 14 to 26, and from 40 to 70 prayers have been offered on the street.
Participant Linda Miller said: "Some people have really been touched and say they appreciate it so much. Some people have even prayed for us in return."
"We refer people to homeless shelters and places where they can get a free, hot meal," Mr. Walton said. "Get out of your comfort zone. Step out of the boat and walk on water as Peter did." Robin Connelly.
EMPLOYEE MEETING--Pastor General Joseph Tkach addresses Pasadena employees Nov.
17. They also heard a financial update from treasurer Bernie Schnippert and reports from
international ministers. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]
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SPEAKERS--From top left: James Henderson, Charles Fleming, John Halford, David Silcox, Gary Moore, Bernie Schnippert, Rod Matthews, Bill Sidney
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000