This is our August cover

In this issue

Karen members

For many years the church has provided humanitarian support for a number of Karen families who are war refugees from the civil conflict that has afflicted Myanmar (Burma) for decades, reports Rod Matthews, regional director for Australia and South Asia.

Several leading families became members of the church in the 1970s and, with some miraculous intervention from God, extracted themselves from the liberation movement. Page 3.

Personal

Several pastors have asked, Has our policy on worship days changed? Are we now favoring one day over another?

Yes, and no, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach in this month’s Personal. Let’s discuss our policy about weekly and annual worship days. Page 6.

Youth ministry

On June 26, 314 campers from 42 states and three countries descended on Orr, Minnesota, for the 36th year of the Summer Educational Program, writes Barb Egbert, assistant SEP director.

The most common reason for wanting to come to camp was to meet God or develop a deeper relationship with Christ. Page 8.

WCG motto

The Worldwide Church of God motto says a great deal about how we see ourselves in the world as part of the body of Christ, writes J. Michael Feazell.

Let’s take a few moments to consider its implications. Page 10.

Window on the World

As licensed foster parents in the Philippines, we were asked if we would like to take in a three-day-old baby girl, write Bill and Daphne Sidney.

We were a little hesitant at first, but after seeing this tiny and vulnerable little baby lying in a cloth-covered cardboard box, we could not refuse. Page 12.

Africa

Our church in Africa is determined to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, writes regional director James Henderson.

Jesus was born an outcast, and went on to proclaim spiritual liberty and healing for the sick and dying. The WCG brings this gospel of hope to Africa’s people. Page 14.

Financial report

June income continued the negative cycle we have been reporting for the past few years, writes controller Ronald Kelly.

Mail income of just over $1.3 million was down 22 percent from June one year ago. Page 17.

Christian Beliefs

Jesus did not stay dead for long, writes Michael Morrison in "Jesus: Alive Forevermore."

Early Sunday morning, near sunrise, some disciples discovered that the Son had risen. They did not see the resurrection itself, but they saw Jesus. Over a period of 40 days, they saw Jesus on numerous occasions. Then he rose into heaven.

Jesus’ ministry continues, even in heaven. He serves and leads the church, interceding for us, helping us, preparing us for eternal glory. Page 24.

Karen members
remain restricted
and stateless

By Rod Matthews

BURLEIGH HEADS, Australia—For many years the church has provided humanitarian support for a number of Karen families who are war refugees from the civil conflict that has afflicted Myanmar (Burma) for decades.

Several leading families, including many children, became members of the church in the 1970s after reading the magazine and, with some miraculous intervention from God, extracted themselves from the liberation movement and sought a more peaceful existence as refugees.

Because of the prevailing political situation, they remain restricted to the region along the Thai-Burmese border and are unable to seek regular employment within Thai communities. Most live in several refugee camps where the authorities attempt to provide a more secure environment, and a number of nongovernment and humanitarian agencies provide schooling within the camps for the children. Cyclical fighting along the border region in Myanmar sometimes overflows into Thailand, making the area dangerous and inaccessible to foreigners.

Five main refugee camps are situated along Thailand’s western border with Myanmar, mostly north of the border town of Maesot.

Lah Shi, an elder, regularly visits our members in the camps, travelling many miles on a small motorcycle, conducting Bible studies and personally bringing in humanitarian support that is largely provided by the Australian churches. This regular assistance supplements the meager camp food and clothing supplies, and helps cover the cost of education and materials for those children attending schools run by other aid organizations. It enables the families to have access to better medical and health services.

Several families take added risks living outside these camps in the border region keeping a low profile and doing some casual work where it can be obtained.

About 60 people are directly supported in this way. For years they have sought official refugee status, which could help them to be resettled overseas. However, only a couple of families have ever achieved this because of the enormous refugee pressures and political circumstances encountered by Thailand and the United Nations.

In recent years our members have shown their spiritual maturity by a greater sense of acceptance that it will take major political changes in Myanmar or a miracle for them to regain any sense of normality in their lives. In the meantime, their Christian example has been used by God to call other refugee families, and a number of new Christians have been baptized in the camps in the last couple of years.

They much appreciate your prayers for their safety, and ultimate release from these confining circumstances.

I’ve just finished reading Mike Morrison’s article in the June WN titled "Who Is This Man?"

It was truly excellent! It taught essential, orthodox Christian doctrine concerning our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and it did so thoroughly with the Scriptures needed to back it up.

I was so encouraged to see that article in the WN. We Christians need to get into God’s Word and get God’s Word into us. We especially need to be solid and orthodox in our understanding of the essentials of the Christian faith.

There can be honest disagreement on important but secondary issues of the faith, but on the essentials (the critical main and plain teachings of the Bible) there must be unity. We must be so familiar with the truth of God’s Word that we will recognize heresy, false gospels and wolves in sheep’s clothing when we encounter them and, also, that we will not be seduced or misled by the teachings of our culture.

Gary W. Cloth

Falls Church, Virginia

Good News for Bad People

Everyone has sinned—so everyone needs good news. Jesus brought good news for people who have sinned.

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners."

But not everyone likes the good news Jesus brought. Even "good" people don’t always like it. Some of them don’t think they need the news that Jesus brought. They do not consider themselves sinners in desperate need of forgiveness. And they may not want everyone to be so easily forgiven.

Just what was the news that Jesus brought? Was it a message about a political kingdom? Or was it a message of amnesty for people who have no other hope?

In early August, the church mailed to member households a new booklet—Good News for Bad People. It examines Scripture to see what the message of Jesus is. This is the message of the apostles, the message that built the early church. What was it? Watch your mailbox for the new booklet.

Personal from Joseph Tkach

Worship Days

Several pastors have recently asked, Has our policy on worship days changed? Are we now favoring one day over another?

Yes, and no.

Let’s discuss our policy about weekly and annual worship days, and why some people think that we are favoring one day over another.

As a church, do we prefer that our members meet for worship on Saturday or Sunday? As a denomination, we do not have a preference. As individuals, we may. I have a preference, but church doctrine and policy is not set by my preference. In the same way, various regional directors, district superintendents and pastors have their preferences, but none of those personal opinions can set church policy.

Church doctrine and policy are set by biblical guidelines, and the Bible does not specify any particular day for worship. Indeed, it urges people with different preferences to give each other some slack on such matters (Rom. 14:5).

What is our policy? In 1998 we wrote: "We must learn not to condemn one another over the seasons and days on which we decide to worship. For example, if a congregation in the United States decides to worship on Sunday, then congregations in Europe and South America do not need either to 1) feel they must immediately do the same, or 2) get angry and upset that the U.S. congregation has made this decision." This is still our policy.

Perhaps I should add that members have no business agitating in other congregations to get them to adopt one practice or another. Each congregation should decide for itself, without outside interference. As we said in 1998, "If our brothers and sisters in other congregations are gathering to worship the Lord, then surely we should not get upset about the particular choice of days on which they do so."

Our freedom in Christ means that we have to give up our desire that everyone do everything the same way. When we are given the freedom to be different, we must give others a similar freedom to be different from us. We need to pursue a unity that is based in Christ, not in external matters.

As I wrote in 1999: "We must allow both sets of days, simply because a more important principle is at stake. The choice is not between this day or that—it is between heavy-handedness and gentleness, between an externally imposed unity and a faith-generated unity, between legalism and grace.

"If we try to enforce one set of days over the other and still try to preach grace and freedom in Christ, then we are trying to mix oil and water."

This is still our policy. The gospel does not permit us to enforce one day over another, or to say that one day is spiritually superior to another. Sure, some people may be passionate about one day or another, but their passion (including my own) cannot override the fact that Scripture does not specify any particular day of worship.

We do not want members to agitate in their own congregation, either. The church is no place for politicking, lobbying for support, or creating a faction. Not only does Scripture tell us to be tolerant of opinions on this subject (Rom. 14:5), it also warns us to avoid dissension and division. Peace is more important than winning a "victory."

Each congregation must make its own decision, and local factors must be taken into consideration. These might include the availability of suitable facilities. If a good facility is available on Saturday but not on Sunday, then members should take that into consideration. If members work on Saturday but not on Sunday, then this should also be considered. One day might be better for evangelism; one day might be better for children.

In other words, several nonspiritual matters must be considered, but we need to beware making too much of our own opinions.

Many people are more emotional than logical on this question. I can’t decide your local situation. All I can say is that there is no biblical reason to require one day over the other.

There may be psychological, sociological, cultural or historical reasons to prefer one day over another, but they are not spiritual requirements. Many people feel that Sunday is the best memorial of Jesus’ resurrection, but again, this is not a biblical requirement. Churches that meet on Saturday evening, for example, are not spiritually inferior.

People who prefer Saturday may feel that we are favoring Sunday. People who prefer Sunday may feel that we are favoring Saturday. Both sets of people are wrong. We leave this question up to the local congregations.

However, I would like to say a word to people who feel that they should keep the Sabbath in the way it was originally commanded. The old covenant focus is on rest, not on worship. The only worship service commanded for the Sabbath was a ritual in the temple, which only a small fraction of the Israelites could attend.

For most Israelites, the Sabbath was a day to rest at home, not a day to attend a worship service. If they wanted to attend a worship service, then they would have to travel, and they could do that on one of the other six days. The Israelites had the option of worshiping at the temple on any day of the week, but the Sabbath was a day of rest, not a day for wearisome travel. Likewise today, people who keep the Sabbath can also worship on Sunday, and people who prefer Sunday can also worship on Saturday.

In many congregations, most of the members will prefer one day, and a minority will prefer another. The pastor must lead for the benefit of the congregation as a whole, and in most cases the minority will need to accept the situation, such as by observing the day at home.

Do we favor certain annual festivals over others? Yes, but that is not a recent change. In 1998 I explained that we are not "neutral" about Easter: We encourage people to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. We encourage members to celebrate festivals that remind us of the salvation we have in Christ.

We allow members to meet on or near the seven annual festivals, too. We teach that these days are not required, nor do they provide a "deeper" understanding of God’s plan for humanity.

God commanded the annual festivals only within the old covenant, only for Israelites. He did not expect Aborigines and Eskimos to celebrate a grain harvest without grain, by a calendar designed for another climate. The only commands for these days are found in a covenant that is now obsolete, superseded by the death and resurrection of Christ. Although the New Testament mentions these days, it never commands them.

Moreover, if people want to keep these days the way they were commanded, they would have to go to Israel. The Bible never authorizes any other location for them. The Bible never tells us to "keep" only the dates and ignore the other rituals. The festivals were given as a package, rituals and all, and the whole package is obsolete.

In summary, we prefer the annual observances that people typically associate with Jesus: Christmas, Easter and others. But we allow members to meet on other days too, as long as Christ is the center of the worship. (See the box below, which is a repeat of our policy from 1998.) But there is not a mandatory day for weekly worship services. Choices of worship days must be decided locally, based on local considerations, without outside agitation.

Whatever the day, let’s celebrate Christ!

A Few Points to Consider About Worship Days

Can we remain together when we observe different sets of annual days? This may go against our human nature, but with Christ it is possible—even imperative—to love people who have different opinions and practices. Here are some basic principles:

l When it comes to worship, one day is not holier than another (Rom. 14:5). That applies to Easter, Unleavened Bread, Tabernacles and Christmas. None of these days is so important that it should cause animosity between members (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

l Whenever we meet, our worship must focus on Christ, not on the day. We do not teach that people who meet on one day are better or more obedient than those who do not.

l We commemorate salvation in Christ. Traditional Christian festivals do this more directly than old covenant festivals do. In Western nations, most people know that Easter commemorates Christ’s resurrection, whereas few associate Unleavened Bread with Christianity.

l The principle of worship days is that God’s people commemorate salvation. The Israelites looked back to a physical salvation and hoped for a future one, but we look to Jesus Christ, especially his birth, crucifixion and resurrection.

l The Israelite festivals can be used to worship Christ, just as other days can be. Early Christians worshiped in the temple on the festivals—with no complaint from Paul.

l We allow members to choose their days of worship, but circumstances and numbers may require some worship meetings to be conducted in homes.

l It would be inconsistent to preach grace and freedom while forbidding worship on days that have origins we don’t like.

As we draw closer to Christ, as we become more like him, days on a calendar will decrease in significance. Days are useful for worship, but they are not our primary goal. Our goal is to lead people to Christ, and to let him live within us, to let his attitudes dominate us—attitudes of love, of respect for others, of humility, of being God-focused. Our sense of unity must be based on these internal truths, not the external matter of considering one day better than another.

 

SEP: opening hearts to God

By Barb Egbert

Assistant SEP director

ORR, Minnesota—On Tuesday, June 26, 314 campers from 42 states and three countries descended on Orr for the 36th year of the Summer Educational Program (SEP).

The campers gave several reasons on their applications as to why they wanted to come to SEP: to have fun, make new friends and try new activities. The most common reason, though, was the desire to meet God or develop a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

After two weeks of chapels, praise and worship services, a variety of recreational activities, dorm receptions, three-day canoe trips, fireside chats, fellowship time, dances, music night and stunning summer weather, several campers on camp council shared their observations of what was special about SEP or how SEP had affected their lives.

Paul Bradley, 18, a first-time camper from San Ramon, California, said that what impressed him about SEP was that "no one judged anyone based on the color of their skin, their height or outward appearance."

He enjoyed "the taste of different flavors of cultures around the United States and the variety of backgrounds of the campers and staff."

Chip Josephs, 15, a first-time camper from Amissville, Virginia, appreciated seeing God in the environment of camp and the loving atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the SEP camp. He commented that he felt "the presence of God" here at SEP.

Others commented on their appreciation of meeting other young Christians who can help support their faith through challenging times, even from a distance, and their love for their new lifelong worldwide friends.

The final days of camp included the baptisms of 38 young people committing their lives to Christ and a final banquet with awards and dancing. Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Pasadena NewLife Fellowship and Los Angeles, California, churches, encouraged the young people to show their thankfulness for their SEP experience when they returned home by expressing appreciation to God, their parents and church areas who have supported and sponsored them.

God’s presence was felt in a powerful way. Session one was a life-changing experience that surpassed expectations. God answered prayers for safety, good weather and most importantly, open hearts for him.

Emily Lively newly baptized

Pastor Greg Williams baptizing a camper

Photos by Chrissy Del Guidice

Staff training sets tone for SEP

By Jeb Egbert

SEP director

ORR, Minnesota—"As the leadership goes, so goes the camp."

That is a recurring theme I shared with the 140 staff members who arrived June 22 for three days of intensive staff training. And after the three days were over, it was clear to me that we would have an outstanding, Christ-centered session of the Summer Educational Program (SEP).

This year we began with a slightly different message. I shared the passages in 2 Chronicles 5 to 7 that detail the dedication of the temple during the time of Solomon. The response to this dedication was for God to "move in." I then explained that we as the staff are the temple, and that we needed to be explicit about the invitation for the Holy Spirit to move in to us individually and collectively.

Our second session focused on the importance of the entire staff having clarity about the mission of SEP. "If one of you believes that the reason we have SEP is to teach swimming, and the next one believes that we are here to teach archery, we have a dilemma—different people with different assumptions about the purpose of SEP."

I then asked each person to take out a sheet of paper and write down the mission of the camp. When they exchanged papers and shared what their partners had written, I was excited to see that everyone had a good understanding of our reason for being—to promote Jesus Christ and his way of life to those in attendance.

Between these sessions, we made time for praise and worship, prayer, and the sharing of each other’s stories about their own journeys. I explained that I don’t approach camp administration in 2001 the way I did back in 1982, or even in 1997.

"God has each of us on our own journey," I explained. "The key is that we are in alignment with him and making progress."

On Sunday night, June 24, we assembled for a staff dance. I must admit, I’ve never been to a dance quite like it. We began with half an hour of praise and worship. At times, staff members locked arms and swayed while sharing their devotion to God.

Then we moved on to a mixer, allowing staff members to become better acquainted before our dance started with all of the camp counselors gathering in the center of the dance floor.

While there, the rest of the camp surrounded them, laying hands on them as Michael Rasmussen, Christian living instructor, prayed. When the prayer finished, I thought, what a way to begin a dance. With that, the counselors started a snowball dance, selecting a new partner every time the music stopped.

As the evening drew to a close, we all gathered again around the piano where Katrina Weber, director of archery and riflery, had led us in praise and worship earlier in the evening.

We sang three songs about our adoration of our Savior, then Greg Williams, director of basketball and volleyball, invited everyone to the Lord’s table for communion.

The staff was ready for the campers to arrive after the finest staff orientation I can remember. What an exciting way for God to set the table and prepare for his young ones who were on their way to session one to take advantage of all of his spiritual energy.

Session one counseling staff

Sailing 

Photos by Chrissy Del Guidice

Coming back to
SEP after 19 years

By Bermie Dizon

Pastor
Pasadena NewLife Fellowship
and Los Angeles, California, churches

This was my second time to attend SEP in Orr. The first one was in 1982. Memories came back to me quickly when I saw the beautiful Pelican Lake and the camp as a whole. It is still the same breathtaking paradise that God created. Yet something was different.

What impressed me most at SEP was that God had prepared 140 staff members who are in love with God and have so much passion for rescuing young souls. Some campers came from divorced or unchurched families, and some were battling drug addiction. A few were forced by their parents to attend. Yet after being in camp for just a day, they expressed their gladness to be there.

I believe it is all because of a converted youth staff, most in their late teens and early 20s. All were united to do a common mission. All were united in prayer. All were united in Spirit.

Being at SEP reminded me of the teenager David, whom God called to do a most important work. He challenged the giant Goliath to a duel. David’s faith in God was so strong he never doubted what God can do.

It reminded me of Mary, who was only a teen. Yet, she submitted herself to the Holy Spirit and allowed God to bring forth his Son Jesus.

SEP reminded me of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who, even in their young age, would not compromise God’s standards.

SEP reminded me of Samuel, who when he received a call from the Lord, responded, "Speak, for your servant is listening." At SEP, I saw that God can work mightily with young people who surrender themselves to his purpose. All wanted to become instruments in God’s hands. They became instruments of love. They shared their faith and the gospel.

At SEP I learned that no matter how hardened or confused some young hearts may be, they could not resist the power of God’s love.

Most of the sports activities at SEP are still the same—basketball, softball, waterpolo, archery and water sports. But one thing that made this SEP infinitely better was that everything at SEP is all about Jesus.

I asked a few campers what they liked about SEP. Without hesitation, the answers were: "The people." "The staff, they are converted." "The staff are so loving. Everyone is united." "No one fighting or arguing." That is why I was not surprised that when an altar call was given, so many of the campers responded. In session one, we baptized 38 campers.

What I learned at SEP is that the impossible can be possible. Miracles happen when God’s servants are unified. Conversion is the greatest miracle of all. Many of those young hearts were softened.

One parent who sent his son to camp talked to me before our worship services in Los Angeles after I returned and said that his son has changed. As soon as his son arrived at the airport and saw his dad, he hugged him tightly and said, "Thanks Dad, for sending me." His little brother said, "My brother is kinder to me than before."

If we can be like those young staff members, whom I call SEP warriors, God can do much through us. Those 140 young, passionate staff members sacrificed their time. Some sacrificed their jobs, not knowing if they will find jobs after SEP.

Yet, they expected miracles to happen. Last year, as one dorm was going back to the dorm at night, one counselor who was struggling with some of his campers prayed for God’s help. As they were walking by the lake they saw a shimmering reflection of the cross. The whole dorm knelt and prayed. This year, the campers saw Jesus Christ shine in the staff.

Early every morning as I walked in the camp, I saw young staff members on their knees by the lake, under a tree or by the softball field. Some were reading their Bibles. It was a lovely and inspiring sight to see!

It was a joy to me as I worked with the sailing and windsurfing staff. They were all prayerful and worked harmoniously with the SEP mission. I also attribute much of the success of the camp to directors Jeb and Barb Egbert. Their love for the young people was so visible and infectious.

As I reflect on my SEP experience, I can say that I got more out of it than I put in. I came back energized for my work in the field ministry. I came back believing that our Lord Jesus is involved in saving the souls of young people. I came back believing that God will accomplish much when his servants are united and committed in their mission, and as a parent, I am happy that I sent two of my children, Ben and Carmel, to camp.

Travis Slick, counselor Jason
Underdue, Sal Cocomise

Mike Rasmussen baptizing
kristen Whitney.

Photos by Chrissy Del Guidice

The WCG Motto:
"Men, Women and Children 
Making a Difference
for the Kingdom of God"

By J. Michael Feazell

The Worldwide Church of God motto says a great deal about how we see ourselves in the world as part of the body of Christ. Let’s take a few moments to consider its implications.

Our motto begins with "Men, women and children." The task Jesus Christ has given our church involves every one of us—not just ordained elders, deacons and deaconesses. Not just men. Not just adults. It involves everybody.

The apostle Paul used the analogy of a human body to illustrate the activity of the church: "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

When one part of the body is not free to function in the operation of the whole, then the whole body suffers (verse 26). In the Worldwide Church of God, our goal is that every man, woman and child have the opportunity to contribute usefully in the ways the Holy Spirit has gifted them. And each person’s contribution is important. Each person’s contribution makes a difference for the kingdom.

Our motto continues, "Men, Women and Children Making a Difference." God provides spiritual abilities to all members of the body of Christ as he sees fit for service and activity in the church and in the world.

Paul wrote: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7). These "gifts of the Spirit," as they are often called, are given by God to believers for the common good. These are not for show, nor for any other merely personal or selfish purpose. These gifts are for the common good of the church and the common good of humanity in general. They are means by which God’s goodness is manifest on earth through his people.

That means we need to take the initiative to put to use in God’s service whatever spiritual gifts we have. What the Spirit empowers and leads us to do has purpose, and therefore it needs to be done well.

Because God gives these spiritual gifts in the context of the church, it takes teaching and guidance from the church to help us use our gifts wisely, effectively and in coordination with other members of the body.

It also takes accountability and feedback so we can improve. What we do in God’s service needs to be thought through in humility, prepared for in unity and prayer, and put into practice in such a way that it can, in love, make a positive difference.

Most of the time, the difference our efforts make may seem quite small, but mustard seeds are also small, and Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed that takes root and finally takes over the whole world.

Our work in the Lord has meaning and value, whether it is preparing a meal, visiting the sick, forgiving an offense, loading software, running off copies, painting a wall, preaching the Word, visiting a prisoner, doing someone’s shopping, mopping a floor, sending out literature, comforting the brokenhearted, setting up a meeting room, mowing a lawn, making a phone call, delivering a meal, teaching a class, fixing a computer, hosting a small group, offering a word of encouragement, ushering a meeting, providing a ride, handing out flyers, trimming a shrub, raising money, planning an activity, washing a car, organizing a social, running a booth, refereeing a game, hosting a house church, listening without condemning, welcoming a guest, or etc., etc. You get the idea. Everything we do has great value when we offer it to the Lord.

Paul wrote these encouraging words in 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." No work done for Jesus is in vain.

When we belong to Christ, everything we do is a potential love-offering to God, a potential act of service to him. What we do for other people, Jesus said, he considers us doing for him (Matthew 25:40, 45). Sometimes Christians envy certain impressive spiritual gifts they think others have, and forget that the Holy Spirit is present with us at every moment for the help we need to act in any situation according to Jesus’ love.

Every act of self-sacrificial love is an expression of the kingdom of God at work in the world. Every time we don’t push to get our own way, or give up our desires, to serve someone else, we are walking in the steps of Jesus and making a difference for the kingdom of God.

Our motto concludes with "Men, Women and Children Making a Difference for the Kingdom of God." The nature of the task is not what is important, as we have seen. What people consider lowly tasks have no less value than what people consider great tasks.

In the kingdom of God, service done in self-sacrificial love is world changing, and whether something appears great or small to people is of no consequence to God.

The important thing is that what we do serves others, and that it is done to the Lord, by his child, as a testament to his kingdom in the world. The kingdom of God is in the world as yeast in dough, as a treasure hidden in a field, as seeds cast on all sorts of ground.

Its work is often invisible, "small," unnoticed by those who are not looking for it. But as part of the church of God, we are always a testament to what God is doing in the world: making all things new (Revelation 21:5).

In Christ, we have already been made new, and our presence in the world in Christ’s name is God’s declaration that just as his people have been made new, so all things will indeed be made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:21; 2 Peter 3:13).

The Worldwide Church of God motto serves to remind us that our work in the Lord truly makes a difference, and that God calls all of us to be fellow workers together with the saints. It reminds us why we are here, and why we are sacrificing our time and our energy in the many and varied ways we all are gifted by the Spirit to serve in the body of Christ.

Our work together as believers in Jesus Christ is a work that endures by faith. We are called to serve the One who is faithful, and we trust him to see us through the trials of life, trials that serve to strengthen that same faith.

God stands faithfully beside us in our good times and in our bad times, and heaven and earth bear witness to that priceless truth every time we trust him with our own lives enough to act in his love toward others.

Window on the World

By Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions

God rescued Villie

Bill, Vilma and Daphne Sidney

Vilma Sidney after surgery

As licensed foster parents in the Philippines, we were asked if we would like to take in a three-day-old baby girl. We were a little hesitant at first, but after seeing this tiny and vulnerable little baby lying in a cloth-covered cardboard box, we could not refuse.

Vilma was delivered to our home on her fifth day of life, and so our story began.

On the seventh day, Vilma became ill. We took her to the hospital, where she began wilting like a little flower in front of us. The doctor examined her and found she had severe infections, and did not hold out much hope for her little body to recover.

We discovered that she had suffered a septic birth that resulted in a severe bacterial infection, a necrotizing infection, which proceeded to gangrene. She also had bronchial pneumonia, necrotizing of the intestine and sepsis of the blood. Vilma spent the next 18 days in the hospital under intensive care with strong antibiotics and steroids in a race for her life against the virulent infections.

One night when it seemed all had given up hope, Bill received a call at home to say that Vilma was dying. He rushed to the hospital and prayed and anointed little Villie. The social worker and nurses participated in the prayer, after which a peacefulness filled the room. We felt encouraged that she was going to make it.

With the prayers of many and by God’s grace and mercy, which he poured out, Vilma bravely held on to life. The gangrene was halted, but it took most of her nose, which eventually healed, but left a significant deformity.

Next began our search for a doctor to reconstruct her nose. As a baby we took her to a top plastic surgeon in Australia, who advised us to wait until she was older. The doctor who examined her was encouraging as he said there was no internal damage.

We realized then how wonderful God’s timing was in his intervention for Vilma. If the infection had progressed any farther, this would have necessitated internal plastic tubing.

As Vilma grew older and became increasingly conscious of her deformity, we realized it was time to look again. As a parent, it was painful to see her endure the stares, whispers, isolation and teasing.

Vilma wanted desperately to join other children in play, but would hold back for fear of repeated questioning, stares or outright rejection. We were thankful for the church environment, which provided an environment of love and acceptance for her.

After searching, we were referred to a plastic surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts, a Harvard professor of plastic surgery who is an Australian. On April 12 Vilma had her first stage of operations, which were to be about four in all. Her breathing passage was enlarged and a tissue expander was inserted in her forehead to stretch the skin and tissue to be used for her nose covering.

We were blessed with a free apartment through the Hospitality program, where people offer a place in their home to families coming for medical treatment. We received a whole apartment—the only one in the program. This meant we could come to Boston as a family, including Villie’s older sister, Angelika.

On May 24 Vilma had the major operation, where her nose was reconstructed. Tissue was taken from her forehead for the covering, and the little flap which she previously had was used for the internal lining, and a portion of bone was taken from her rib to form a bone graft for the structure of her nose.

The first two nights were painful, but she has made a remarkable recovery with the sutures healing beautifully. We can see God’s hand in her healing—people all around the globe have been praying for her.

While we were waiting during the four-hour operation, we "happened" upon the biblical account of Jairus. It tells how he sought Jesus and "begged him earnestly" for his daughter. It was a meaningful passage, especially the words Jesus said, "Don’t be afraid, only believe."

As a parent, seeing the pain, tears, her bruised and swollen face, and the pleadings of Vilma to go home, there were times we could easily have given in and turned back. But all along we have had encouragement from God in so many ways.

What a lesson in life—just keep moving forward.

People have been kind, have sent cards and gifts, and have said encouraging words. Strangers have told us that this girl is going to be blessed, that she has a beautiful spirit.

A missionary from the Philippines also sent us this verse, which was of great encouragement, Zephaniah 3:17: "in his love he will give you new life." Vilma truly now has a new life ahead of her. And we know that this has been made possible by God’s love.

From a baby born under poor conditions, she has been brought by God’s grace to a Harvard-trained plastic surgeon for world class treatment. We can only describe this as God’s love and grace for his little children whom Jesus never turned away.

The operations are completed. Since Vilma healed so rapidly, the surgeon was able to complete the process in the third operation.

As parents we are grateful for the gifted doctors and nurses involved, and for the prayers of God’s people, which we know have made a difference for Vilma, and have strengthened us as a family in facing this together. All praise and glory to him.

My wife, Susie, and I visited the Sidneys in Boston between the first and second surgeries.

What was most inspiring was something Bill said. Just before visiting the Sidneys, I had been in a theology class. One day the professor was talking about God’s response to us—why in a tragedy, some are rescued and some die.

He was saying that God does change his mind, that he is moved by the situations in which his children find themselves. He said that petitionary prayer is not something that is of limited value because the outcome is already determined in God’s mind.

I had been mulling that over, seeking to understand God’s unchanging yet compassionate nature.

Bill was talking about the night he was summoned to the hospital because Vilma was dying. Bill said: "I didn’t just pray, I begged God for Vilma’s life. The whole staff in the room gathered in prayer, and there I was kneeling on the floor, crying like a baby and begging God for Vilma’s life."

And here is this wonderful little girl (rapidly growing up to be a big girl) who was well. She came from a situation of nothing, and yet, by God’s grace has two of the most loving parents one could hope for, and is in Boston, being cared for by arguably the top surgeon in the world for this kind of operation.

If your eyes are a little moist about now, don’t feel alone, so are mine.

Finally, to add blessing upon blessing, the Philippine courts have finalized the decree, after several years of process, that makes Vilma officially Vilma Sidney. Our congratulations and our love go out to the Sidneys. Thank you for sharing this incredibly edifying account of God’s love.

Reconciliation group meets

A mentoring session takes place May 15 in the Office of Reconciliation Ministries in Pasadena. Clockwise from top: Raul Ramos, Sylvia Ramos, Richard Parker, director Curtis May, Teresa Mendoza, Leigh Sniffen, Neil Earle and Dennis Pelley. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

Regional Snapshot

From James and Shirley Henderson

African churches
preach the gospel

By James Henderson

Our church in Africa is determined to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa once said that the "Son of God had to reflect his father’s concern for the weak and the poor by tabernacling with them, by being homeless and a refugee."

Jesus was born an outcast, and went on to proclaim spiritual liberty and healing for the sick and dying. The WCG brings this gospel of hope to Africa’s people.

ANGOLA—Congregation in Sambizanga.
[Photos by James Henderson]

ANGOLA—Women’s choir in Sambizanga.

ANGOLA—Two faces of Angola

ANGOLA—School run by elder Oliveira Kitambala.

I made a trip to Angola in late June. Since the church there was planted in 1994 with around 25 members, it has grown to two congregations and two cell churches with around 150 in attendance, despite the ravages of seemingly endless wars.

A ceasefire of sorts is in place, but life remains difficult for the average Angolan, and the memories of pain and loss are never far away.

One of our church youth leaders remarked, "Many are discouraged by the sufferings and are in mourning, for they think Christ will not come back to the earth."

In the midst of all the hopelessness, our churches proclaim the joy of salvation in Christ. A few of our members have begun outreach projects to help alleviate the appalling poverty and lack of education.

For example, elder Oliveira Kitambala and his wife have begun a school for 100 children who would otherwise have no chance of schooling.

A few years ago a group of Angolan sabbatarian churches, estimated to be 46 congregations, sought to join the WCG, but the process came to a halt when we moved by the grace of God to a deeper understanding of the new covenant. The leaders of these groups, although confessing Christ, were strongly attached to old covenant paradigms.

I had a chance to speak in their central Luanda congregation (850 people turned up, including more than 400 children), and to give a thorough explanation of the need for the new covenant during an all- day seminar for 40 leaders.

They were interested in what I had to say, and we also had a lively question and answer session. It is not clear where this is going. For these groups to change is not only a spiritual issue, but also a cultural one.

Some of the areas they live in are steeped in Christian legalistic traditions, and to move away to a greater freedom in Christ may be seen as threatening to the status quo. Please pray about this situation. Angola needs Jesus Christ, and the more churches and people that can join the WCG, the more opportunities and cause for rejoicing we will have.

ZIMBABWE—Raymond
and Elizabeth Munengwa.

Some have asked about our members in Zimbabwe. Raymond Munengwa, chairman of the Zimbabwe WCG ecclesiastical council, sent this message in early June: "I want to take this opportunity to ask you to request of our brethren in Africa and elsewhere to pray for us and our country as we face the hardships that have befallen us. We recently had a 70 percent fuel price increase, worsening an already difficult situation.

"Please pray for all Christians in Zimbabwe, that a) these hardships draw us closer to our God and not away from him, and, b) as God’s people, we rise above the politics of this world and be about the business of his kingdom.

"I also ask for special prayers for our president and all those in positions of authority in his government in order that we may continue to live in peace and have the freedom to perform God’s will in this our beautiful country of Zimbabwe."

Wenceslas Kamwenubusa, our contact in Bujumbura, Burundi, got this e-mail message to us. He writes: "Thank you for your e-mail messages and the African Worldwide News. Despite the war in Burundi the door is open wide for God’s work: many people are with us and they need our church’s teachings."

I mention this to draw your attention to the fact that Wenceslas has e-mail access—this has made a big difference in communications, and thank you to all of you for your prayers in this regard.

Our nonsalaried African ministers also need our prayers, as do ministers everywhere. Hundreds of our groups and churches are pastored with much care by a volunteer ministry.

One example out of many is bivocational elder Ephraim Ncube and his wife, Patricia, and their pastoral team of the Sonos and the Ghondwes in Botswana. They provide quality weekly services for a church of 40 or so in spite of extremely busy occupational schedules.

Morgen Kriedemann, ministerial director for South Africa, visited them and commented: "Their effectiveness as pastors is clearly evident. How can we possibly thank these faithful couples enough for the work they do in their ‘spare time’?"

About 7,000 people attend the WCG in Africa. Many meet in small groups in remote locations, such as in Homa Bay near Lake Victoria, in Kenya, and urban congregations in capitals and major cities such as Cape Town, South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA—Some of the Cape Town
members during worship.

Most of our churches are pursuing ideas of contextual evangelism. Our members are active in personal evangelism. For example, Alfred Maluleka, a member of the Pretoria, South Africa, church, performs a successful train ministry every morning on the way to work. He uses the time traveling to work to proclaim the gospel in a lively interactive way. I believe that Alfred’s particular train car—he is not the only train preacher—has standing room only!

An interesting aspect of ministry is how our members and pastors are being used by God to help outside our fellowship. Alfred, our train preacher, has been asked to mediate in some interdenominational matters in his hometown.

Also in South Africa, elder Caleb Makhela has been appointed secretary of a board comprising representatives of local fellowships to administer certain ecclesiastical matters on behalf of the area chief. This is indicative of the high esteem in which the WCG is held among our fellow Christian communities.

As I write, Caleb and his team are planning a second church planting campaign in the rural village of Driekop. A Friday evening, Saturday morning and afternoon service and a Sunday morning meeting have been arranged. The budget has been raised locally for these events.

In Cameroon, WCG national leader Jean-Jacques Ndoudoumou has conducted a church awareness campaign, and he and elder Francois Omgba are preparing for a community youth camp in August. All over the continent our members and churches are seeking ways to promote the gospel.

Never lose the vision of our being used by God. Always focus on being part of a worldwide work we are doing for him. Our Father has blessed our fellowship with a little strength, probably less than we think we need. I look at the example of our African brethren—they have so little, but God is using them. Let’s all follow their example as we use the opportunities that come our way to make disciples for Jesus.

Update from Finance & Planning

June income
continues negative trend

By Ronald Kelly

Reporting not-so-good news is not easy. I often wonder what it would be like to write a banner headline: "Church income soars to new heights!" That would be gratifying. However, that does not seem to be likely in the near term. But we can hope!

At any rate, June income continued the negative cycle we have been reporting for the past few years. In fact, June’s decrease was at an even greater rate of reduction than the "normal" trend. Mail income of just over $1.3 million was down 22 percent from June one year ago.

If you look back at recent WN reports, you’ll see that our trend for the year so far was more like a decrease of eight to 10 percent.

Total mail income for the first six months was $8.8 million vs. $10.2 million for the first half of 2000. That is a decrease of just over 13 percent. Obviously we pray the second half of the year will find income picking up and those negative figures turning around.

June’s income projections were affected by a number of factors, so the picture is not quite as bleak as it might appear at first glance. First, the Pentecost offering was collected and mailed in June. Our small staff gave priority to this offering, thus holding a portion of the regular June offerings till July to tabulate.

Second, since we have downsized to keep expenses in line, the smaller mail processing staff takes longer to do its work. And finally, more of our churches are taking up collections during the worship service, boxing them and shipping the offerings to Pasadena for processing. This procedure also affects our work force and takes a bit more time.

So while June tabulations are down, we would expect to see some of the deficit made up in July and August.

On the positive side of the coin, special or festival offerings have totaled $1.9 million for the year so far. Last year the festival offering total for the same period was also $1.9 million. If that trend holds it will be a big help.

When we combine all sources of income: mail income, festival offerings, estate donations, escrow extension payments and auction sales, total income for the first half of the year was $13.1 million. Last year it was $15.1 million. So even including these, we are down 13 percent.

As we reported last month, Legacy Partners now estimates that escrow on the church property will not close till the end of this year.

As we work toward the completion of the sale and relocation to a new facility, we have much work to do. Dale Trow, our facilities manager, and his team are busy planning the move and all it will entail.

We have reported before that our hope is to eventually purchase a small headquarters office building. But as we evaluated our needs, we now think it will be better to lease a facility for two to five years and plan later for a building. After the main campus sells, we can invest the projected funds to purchase an office facility and use the investment revenue to pay the lease. That way, no funds from regular tithes and offerings will be used to pay for the headquarters building. This will allow a greater percentage of member donations to be retained for local use.

At the district conferences, we explain plans for future local church financial models. Members who have attended the six conferences we have already conducted are excited about the possibilities for local outreach, evangelism and growth that the new financial model will make possible.

If you live close to Athens, Ohio, or Dallas, Texas, and if you can arrange the time, plan to attend one of those conferences. You’ll be inspired as you worship with fellow WCG members.

That’s about it. We know that our loving God supplies our needs, so continue to pray for his will to be done in our lives and in our denomination.

Statement of Income and Expenses for WCG and PTM combined for June 2001

                                                         For the Month     For the Year-to-Date

Income

       Mail Income                           $ 1,357,000              $ 8,876,000

       Festival offerings                         405,000                 1,920,000

       Other income                                444,000                 2,646,000

            Total income                         2,206,000               13,442,000

Expenses                                         3,754,000              17,055,000

Net gain (loss) to bank reserves $(1,548,000)       $ (3,613,000)

Peter Whitting serves
as interim pastor in Indonesia

Peter Whitting: In late August and early September 2000, I received an invitation from Dan Thompson, who formerly served as a pastor in the United States, to come to Jakarta, Indonesia, to be an interim pastor for a month in the Jakarta International Christian Fellowship.

They have no full-time pastor. Instead, a board of elders manages the congregation and every three or four months they invite a pastor to come for four weeks to pastor the church. The interim pastor would give two sermons on each Sunday and conduct in-home Bible studies.

As the visiting pastor, you are also asked to counsel those who would request more in-depth counseling. My expenses were covered and I stayed with Dan and his wife, Cindi, during that time. I spent four weeks there in November.

Dan Borchers: How did that fellowship come into being?

PW: The congregation was formed about five years ago with 30 members wishing to provide an English-speaking service. Since then, the congregation has grown to around 450 to 500 members. Seventy percent of the congregation is indigenous Indonesian.

They used to lay out food for the people before services. Some people came to services in some cases wanting something to eat. Some came wanting to learn English and, in turn, they have come to Jesus Christ.

The congregation has a wonderful atmosphere and is praise-oriented. It is Christian Independent Fellowship, so it has at times a diversity of viewpoints on non-essential doctrines.

DB: What were the most memorable moments of your trip?

PW: On arriving, I was overwhelmed by the number of people, when you consider that Jakarta has 11.2 million people. It is a predominantly Muslim society, but the church is active in the midst of that environment. I was also moved by the abject poverty and the disparity between the wealthy and those who have no wealth.

On their first Sunday service they had a choir of street children ages 5 to 13. Most do not know their mothers or fathers. Most have come out of difficult spiritual bondage and have been healed. To hear them sing songs that we know, in Indonesian, such as "Shout to the Lord," and to see their joyous personalities was wonderful. The woman who provided a home for these children lives under death threats.

DB: What parallels did you observe in Indonesia?

PW: I felt at home as though I was in a WCG congregation. Their praise is similar to how we conduct services. Their desires for outreach, to develop small groups and to develop prayerful ministries were much in line with the aspirations of our denomination.

Many see the congregation as their home base, but they have individual ministries where they help the poor. Some are involved in missionary work. Many work with Bible translation. It gave me a focus as to where to encourage our own congregations.

DB: What cultural aspects did you encounter as far as Christians coming out of their environment?

PW: What struck me most was meats offered to idols. For me that has tended to be an intellectual argument, one that I could explain historically. But, here in a culture where people do offer things to idols, where they believe in animism and animal sacrifice, these issues that Paul addressed in Corinthians are real issues of faith.

Many feel uncomfortable when they walk into a home where someone has an artifact that either has a dragon or a reptile in the design. They understand that those things were part of the Buddha sacrifice.

DB: How were you a blessing to their fellowship and how were they a blessing to you?

PW: If I was a blessing to their fellowship it was being their pastor. I was asked in a small group how I came to Jesus and what were the most difficult things I faced in my own life. In sharing that, people were responsive to my openness in helping them in their needs and being able to see that we all have struggles and we all have things we need to deal with and take to Christ.

DB: How has your perception of the body of Christ changed and what lessons did you learn about the Holy Spirit and human spirit?

PW: There was such a diversity in the people I ministered to. One of the joyful things was conducting a men’s small group Bible study on a Wednesday. There they were—charismatic, Presbyterian, Evangelical, Greek Orthodox beliefs—such diversity, sincerity and deep desire in each one of those men to follow Jesus. It was such a witness of the Holy Spirit.

Indonesia is crippled by financial difficulty. Away from Jakarta and even in Jakarta, Christians are persecuted for their faith. I saw as a wonderful witness the power of the Holy Spirit to lift people above their circumstances, for them to place their souls in the hands of Jesus.

DB: What are the greatest challenges facing Christians in Indonesia?

PW: It is a great challenge to step out of the Muslim faith and to come into a Christian church. However, I think we can learn many things from the Muslim faith—their dedication, their total commitment to Allah, and frankly, one of the things that impressed me was the public-ness of their faith. When called to pray, they pray without any sense of embarrassment.

DB: How have your experiences in Indonesia changed your perspective of the gospel and of your view of America?

PW: Though we are a Christian nation, I feel at times that we are far from Christ. Seeing the abject poverty in Jakarta, my heart is turned to inner city ministries.

To me, spiritually speaking, the gospel is the answer. I felt that was something Jesus was impressing upon me and to bring it home and to encourage and empower, and teach and inspire our members to embrace the gospel, and as they do, we will have a people who worship, a people who love the Word, a people who desire to disciple and a people who are committed to Jesus’ values. I think our churches have a wonderful future when we focus on that.

DB: What one thing would you like to leave with people?

PW: To realize that the church of Jesus Christ is bigger than we realize. That it truly is magnificent; that it is a new creation and that it can’t be put in a box.

DB: Anything else?

PW: When I first arrived, I had quite a bit of time to myself, but when I started to connect with people, I started to come alive. Then I realized that I was never alone, that God was there with me. The same joy I have with people is available to me in my relationship with God. When I am alone, I am never alone, because he is there as a source of encouragement and inspiration. He can come to me through prayer, Bible reading and study.

Basic Christian Beliefs

Jesus: Alive Forevermore

By Michael Morrison

Jesus did not stay dead for long. Early Sunday morning, near sunrise, some disciples discovered that the Son had risen. They did not see the resurrection itself, but they saw Jesus, alive and well. Over a period of 40 days, they saw Jesus on numerous occasions. Then he rose into heaven.

But Jesus is not taking a vacation. His ministry continues, even in heaven. He serves and leads the church, interceding for us, helping us, preparing us for eternal glory. Christ will return, and after he has subdued every enemy, he will give everything to the Father. Mission accomplished.

Many people have a hard time believing that Jesus rose from the dead. In their experience, dead people always stay dead. They are skeptical of such an extraordinary claim. The disciples must have been mistaken, they say, or else they made it up.

The disciples were skeptical, too. When they went to the tomb, they expected to find a body. When they did not find a body, they first assumed that someone had stolen it. They did not expect a resurrection. It was only when Jesus appeared to them that they believed that he was alive again.

Most Jews believed that there would be a resurrection at the end of the age, when everyone would rise for judgment (Dan. 12:2). But a resurrection into glory before the end was just as unexpected as a crucified Messiah. Although Jesus had taught both these ideas (Matt. 16:21; 17:23; Mark 9:9), the disciples didn’t understand or believe them (v. 10). They expected him to stay dead.

But if Jesus is the sinless Son of God, then he is unique among the billions of people, and we should be surprised if he were not resurrected. We also have evidence that gives us confidence that Jesus rose from the dead (see box page 25).

Many of us also have experiences in our own lives that convince us that God exists, that he sometimes causes miracles, that Jesus is alive and the Holy Spirit is active in his people.

The resurrection meant life for Jesus—but a far better life, the glory that he had with the Father before his incarnation (John 17:5). By his resurrection, he was powerfully revealed as the Son of God (Rom. 1:4)—it declared who he had been all along. The resurrection proves that God will judge the world through Christ (Acts 17:31).

But the resurrection also means life for us. As Paul says, we will "be saved through his life" (Rom. 5:10). If you "believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:9). "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Cor. 15:14). Our salvation depends not just on Jesus’ death, but also his resurrection (1 Pet. 3:21).

Even justification, most commonly associated with Jesus’ death, is also a result of his resurrection (Rom. 4:24-25). Our salvation depends on the entire sequence of incarnation: his birth, ministry, death and resurrection.

Our baptism pictures our participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Rising from the water pictures our new life (Rom. 6:4) and pictures our future: "We will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection" (v. 5). "When he appears, we shall be like him" (1 John 3:2). Our resurrected bodies will be like his (1 Cor. 15:42-49).

God has "made us alive with Christ ... raised us up with Christ" (Eph. 2:5-6). We were "raised with him" (Col. 2:12). By faith in Christ, we are spiritually united to him. Our sins are given to him and paid by him, his righteousness and life are given to us, and we join him in his resurrection. "He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you" (Rom. 8:11). His resurrection is promise that we will also live again!

After Jesus was resurrected, he "gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). On the last day, "he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight" (v. 9).

Jesus did not simply disappear. He went up bodily into the sky, as a visible indication that he was going into heaven. His post-resurrection appearances had come to an end. (His later appearance to Paul was abnormal—1 Cor. 15:8.)

As the disciples stared at the sky, two angels appeared and told them that Jesus would return "in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). More on that below.

What were the disciples to do in the meantime? They were to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit (v. 4), and then they were to be witnesses for Jesus throughout the world (v. 8). They testified that he is alive, that salvation is available through him.

Jesus did not just go to heaven—he was "exalted to the right hand of God" (Acts 2:33). "God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior" (Acts 5:31). Being at the "right hand" is a figure of speech meaning "second in command." Jesus was exalted to the highest place in the universe, second only to God himself (Phil. 2:9; 1 Cor. 15:27). He is exalted above the heavens, ruler of all things (Heb. 7:27; 1:2).

At least 12 times, Scripture says that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. Five of these are quotes from 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 picture is that the Father gives Jesus a throne, even while there are enemies to be subdued. God will take care of the enemies; Jesus is secure in his authority.

Using the Latin word for "sit," this is sometimes called the "session" of Christ—being seated on his throne.

Using his position of power in heaven, Jesus continues working for our salvation. He sends the Holy Spirit to us (John 15:26; 16:7), and the Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and helps us understand what he taught (John 14:26; 15:26). The Spirit is the way that the Father and the Son live within us (14:18, 23).

Jesus is our Advocate (1 John 2:1). He is like a defense attorney who "speaks to the Father in our defense"—if anyone accuses us, Jesus is there as a perpetual reminder that our sins have been covered by his sacrifice. It is therefore pointless to make accusations (Rom. 8:33-34)—there is no condemnation for anyone who has faith in Christ (v. 1).

The risen Christ intercedes for us, to defend us from accusation and to give us help. "He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Heb. 7:25). "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Heb. 2:18). Because he can sympathize with our weaknesses, we can be confident that he will give us the help we need in our struggles (Heb. 4:15-16).

Hebrews calls him our high priest, who sacrificed himself for us and now lives to help us (Heb. 2:17; 3:1). Since our sins are forgiven through his death, we can approach God with confidence (Heb. 10:19). "And since we have a great priest over the house of God," we are encouraged: "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" (v. 22).

Jesus is our mediator, who resolves conflicts and brings us to God (1 Tim. 2:5). He ushers us into the throne room of heaven, assuring us that God will hear us with favor. This is part of the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is also our Shepherd (John 10:11; Heb. 13:20), implying that he loves, protects and provides for us. Peter brings similar images to mind when he calls Jesus "the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:25). Jesus watches over us.

Revelation tells us that we are shepherded by a Lamb, a gentle guide who sacrificed himself for us (Rev. 7:17). He will supply our needs, for he knows what they are.

God assigned Jesus to be Head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15), and the church is to submit to his leadership in everything (Eph. 5:24). As head, he has supremacy over all things (Col. 1:18; 2:10).

Jesus predicted not only his death and resurrection, but also his return to earth. He will return "in his Father’s glory with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38; 13:26; 14:62). But he also warned that no one will know when that will be (Matt. 24:36, 44; 25:13). "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority" (Acts 1:7).

Jesus promised to prepare a place for his disciples and then come back (John 14:2-3). He referred to the day when he would return (John 21:22). This will be the day of resurrection and judgment.

When the trumpet sounds, the Lord "will come down from heaven ... and the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thess. 4:16). Christians who are still alive will also rise (v. 17). It will be the day when the Lord rewards "all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).

This is the "blessed hope" all Christians long for, "the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). When Christ appears, we will appear with him in glory (Col. 3:4; 1 John 3:2). When the trumpet sounds, we will be resurrected with imperishable bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-54).

The return of Christ will be plainer than day. Jesus will be "revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels" (2 Thess. 1:7). The splendor will be so great that it will destroy Jesus’ enemies (2 Thess. 2:8). "He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him" (Rev. 1:7).

When Christ returns, he will "restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3:21). When the children of God are revealed in their glory, "the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay" (Rom. 8:21). The universe will be set right.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats" (Matt. 25:31-32). Some will go to eternal punishment; others to eternal life (v. 46).

When the Lord comes, he will judge everyone (Jude 14). Good people will be rewarded (1 Cor. 4:5); evil people will be punished (2 Thess. 1:7-9). The time for reward is also the time for punishment (Rev. 11:18).

Believers eagerly await this day (Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; Titus 2:15), and find in it further motive to live godly lives (Matt. 24:45-46; Col. 3:4-5; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Pet. 1:13-14; 2 Pet. 3:11-14; 1 John 3:2-3). Our work will not be in vain.

Jesus already has all authority on heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). God has already seated him above every power and authority (Eph. 1:20-22; Col. 2:10). But we do not yet see all his power exercised. When he returns, he will then judge and rule the nations (Rev. 12:5).

That will be wonderful enough, but there is another bonus: We will reign with him (Dan. 7:27; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26; 5:10; 20:6). Scripture does not specify what we will do, but one thing is sure: it will be gloriously enjoyable.

Through faith, we join Jesus in his incredible journey. We are crucified with him, we rise with him, we are joined with him by the Holy Spirit. We will be given glory with him and will reign with him forever (2 Tim. 2:11-12).

Believe the good news!

Resurrection Appearances

Before dawn, Mary Magdalene finds the tomb open and reports the body gone (John 20:1-2). Other women arrive and are told by angels to tell the disciples (Matt. 28:5-7; Luke 24:1-9). They visit the tomb and find it empty (John 20:3-10).

1. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18).

2. Jesus appears to two women (Matt. 28:9-10).

3. Jesus appears to two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-33).

4. At some unspecified time, Jesus appears to Peter (v. 34).

5. Jesus appears to 10 of the Eleven (v. 36; John 20:24).

6. One week later, Jesus appears when Thomas is present (John 20:26-29).

7. Later, seven disciples see Jesus at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-22).

8. The Eleven meet Jesus on a mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-20).

9. At an unspecified time, Jesus appears to 500 people (1 Cor. 15:6).

10. Jesus appears to James at another time (v. 7).

11. Jesus appears to the Eleven just before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:6-11).

Adapted from Murray J. Harris, 3 Crucial Questions About Jesus, pp. 107-109.

Evidence of the Resurrection

Did Jesus really die? Did the Romans kill the wrong man? It is not likely that the soldiers would make such a mistake, and not likely that the disciples would not notice it. This would not explain the empty tomb, and would mean that Jesus supported a fraud. This scenario is not seriously considered.

Perhaps Jesus only fainted on the cross, fooling the soldiers. Then he revived in the tomb and escaped, and his wounds healed so quickly that he convinced his disciples he was risen into glory. This is also implausible.

Perhaps the disciples stole the body and made up the resurrection story as an allegory that Jesus’ teachings lived on. No, their lives, and the rapid spread of Christianity, indicate that they believed in a literal resurrection. The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus himself rose. It was not just an idea in the disciples’ minds.

The tomb was empty, and perhaps 40 years later, the best response the Jewish leaders could think of was, "The disciples stole the body." Even the enemies of Christianity agreed that there was a tomb, and it was empty.

Perhaps graverobbers stole the body, and the disciples were so upset that they had hallucinations of a risen Jesus. However, did all the disciples have the same hallucination, several times, against their expectations? Did the hallucination eat and drink, and then cease 40 days later? This is not the way hallucinations work. Even agnostic historians generally agree that the disciples believed that Jesus was resurrected. They risked their lives for this belief; this is evidence of their sincerity. People do not put their lives on the line for things they know to be false.

Why did the disciples believe that Jesus was risen? Why not accept their testimony? All other theories are far-fetched, historically implausible. The explanation that makes the most sense is that Jesus appeared to them and convinced them he was resurrected.

(Condensed from an article on our website at www.wcg.org/lit/jesus/evidence.htm—see also the November 2000 WN.)

 

The Big Day

Jesus’ return is called:

l the day of the Lord (Acts 2:20; 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Thess. 2:2)

l the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14)

l the day of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:8)

l the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 6:14)

l the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6)

l when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Pet. 1:7)

l the day of Christ (Phil. 1:10; 2:16.

l the day of God (2 Pet. 3:12)

l the day when God will judge ... through Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:16)

l the last day (John 6:40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48)

l that day (2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:18).

 

HYDERABAD, India—The Hyderabad church was host for a three-day convention on family enrichment for church members, other Christians and friends, June 3 to 6.

Pastor Danny Zachariah reported that about 60 people attended at least one of the sessions, and about 10 people attended for the first time. A children’s camp was conducted simultaneously for 12 campers.

Each day began with everybody assembling for worship. The children and adults then had their individual sessions, and everyone came back together for meals.

The adults had sessions on Pressurizing Children to Perform, Parenting, Love vs. Arranged Marriages, Communication, Values Parents Must Teach, and Understanding Differences.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—Elder Joseph Franklin asks for prayers for his country as kidnappings and robberies are on the rise, in addition to the ongoing difficulties the nation suffers.

"What is encouraging so far is the fact that the local WCG congregation did not lose trust and confidence in its Master, Jesus Christ," Mr. Franklin said. "We hope that such news will not just sadden our brothers and sisters who listen to the radio or watch television, but will give them a boost. Our youths are waking up. Praise our Lord!"

PASADENA—Sam Dunlap, 55, a 35-year employee of the church, died of liver failure July 9.

Mr. Dunlap began work part-time for the Landscape Department in 1964. He went full-time in 1966 and was department manager from 1974 to 1987.

He is survived by his parents, Chester and Eva Dunlap; a brother, Cliff; sisters Cora Grassman and Linda Young; his daughters, Michelle Turner, Sherri Cortez and Carma Kilineck; seven granddaughters and one grandson.

A memorial service, conducted by J. Michael Feazell, took place in the Ambassador Auditorium July 13. The service focused on Sam’s faith, his love of the outdoors, his love of his children and grandchildren, and his sense of humor.

During the memorial service, Sam’s daughters and current and former co-workers gave personal and written eulogies. All focused on Sam’s talent for developing close friendships and the loss they now felt.

During his illness, the doctors said they had never seen a patient receive so many visitors or receive so many phone calls. Ron Grassman.

MANILA, Philippines—Last year Charlie Beruega and his family began to face a serious trial. He had sarcoma, a kind of eye cancer.

Doctors recommended rest. He lost his job and was jobless for almost eight months. The family had financial and other problems.

"And we forgot to call on God," said his wife, Marites. They went back and forth to the Philippine General Hospital with no hope in sight.

One day, Charlie took his family to the Manila South worship service. Charlie grew up in the WCG, where his mother has been a member for many years now.

After a second worship service, Charlie asked Henson Fen Santos, associate pastor, to anoint him and to pray for his healing.

Charlie was scheduled for a second biopsy and was taken into the operating room, but the operation was rescheduled because the operation was deemed unnecessary at that time.

The family continued attending church. During Charlie’s last checkup, the doctors noticed that the swelling at the back of his eyes was becoming smaller. A great improvement—he can read again. One of the doctors said: "Maybe you are well now. Maybe it’s a miracle."

"For us, this is an assurance coming from God," Mrs. Beruega said. "My husband and I have proven that if one is faithful and completely relying on God, for sure, we can endure all trials and be able to overcome. We found that we should not lose hope. Jesus is with us. God loves us so much. He is always with us. He is so good."

Mr. and Mrs. Beruega were baptized June 3.

SAYRE, Oklahoma—The Sayre Circle of Love Fellowship took part in a National Day of Prayer ceremony on the courthouse square May 3. The event was sponsored by First Baptist Church with praise and worship and prayers for the nation, state, county and city. A prayer written by evangelist Billy Graham was read followed by the group singing "God Bless America."

After the ceremony, about 25 people gathered at the Circle of Love building for lunch provided by women of the interdenominational prayer group that meets monthly at Circle of Love. Seven denominations were represented. Shirley West.

CASTLEGAR, British Columbia, Canada—The Missoula, Montana, and Castlegar churches combined for a sister church weekend May 25 to 28.

Fourteen Missoula members (plus two Japanese exchange students) traveled 400 miles to Castlegar for a weekend of worship and fun.

Last year the members from both churches decided to begin cross- border sister-church exchanges. George Patrickson, Castlegar pastor, gave the sermon at a worship service May 26. After a potluck, both groups put on a talent show. The next day the group had a picnic at Pass Creek Park. Around 4 p.m., many of the participants drove to Trail, British Columbia, for a swim in an indoor natatorium. That evening an impromptu pizza party took place at the home of Rod and Wendy Westfall. Mike Wallace and Robert Bertuzzi.

TALENTED KIDS—Participants
in the Castlegar-Missoula talent show.
[Photo by Mike Wallace]

KALAMAZOO, Michigan—Members of the Kalamazoo church, pastored by Wilhelm Mandel, attended a weekend workshop June 30 and July 1 conducted by Ted Johnston, Great Lakes superintendent.

The purpose was to guide the congregation into the future by identifying and clarifying the congregation’s shared set of core values, defining its shared mission, and then developing strategies for pursuing their mission.

Mr. Johnston was assisted by Roger Abels, pastor of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, church.

The first part of the process had members working in teamed discussion groups answering the key question, "Why do we do what we do?" The answers listed the important commitments of the group. These were then pared down to a short list of essential values held in common that will act as the congregation’s beacon for all its decisions and programs to come.

The members then turned to the mission statement and quickly agreed that the great commission that Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:19-20 meant that making disciples was its mission.

In the final part of the workshop process, members asked how the congregation would proceed to accomplish the mission based on its essential core values.

Seeking strategies is an ongoing process that will take prayerful thought and discussion as the members accept the responsibility Christ has given to them. Daniel Erickson.

OAKLAND, California—On May 19, Embrace Oakland Day, Christians from many denominations joined to pray for Oakland.

The East Bay Ministers’ Prayer Network, in which Pastor Jim Roberts participates, collaborated with Pray the Bay, an organization dedicated to unifying churches in all nine Bay Area counties to pray for their communities.

Thirty-five churches in Oakland served as host churches and partnered with churches from other Bay Area cities. WCG congregations joined with Living Word Ministries.

Each of these church teams assembled at the host church and spent the morning walking up and down assigned streets. They prayed blessing and peace upon homes, schools and individuals they passed. They blanketed the entire city in prayer.

During this time, preparations were being made at a park for a Health Faire. Through the afternoon, about 65,000 pounds of groceries were distributed to homeless and low-income families. Free health services and children’s activities were available. Various gospel bands and choral groups performed.

City officials were present, and a just-retired Oakland Raider football player and minister, Napoleon Kaufman, was keynote speaker. Several hundred people made decisions to include Jesus Christ in their lives.

One San Francisco member and 10 from San Leandro participated in either prayer walking or food distribution. One member organized a grocery unload and rebag crew.

"Participating pastors and churches are determined to do their part to invite God to change the spiritual climate of our Bay cities and penetrate them with the gospel," Mr. Roberts said. "Embrace Oakland did wonders to bring denominations together and help us all realize we can have more impact through partnership than by working in isolation."

RALEIGH, North Carolina—Every Thursday evening, members of Celebration Christian Fellowship (Raleigh WCG congregation) gather for a prayer meeting.

"The weekly prayer meetings began about a year ago and many miraculous healings and answered prayers have taken place as a result," said Shane Bazer, youth pastor, who organizes the prayer ministry. "It has been a real blessing to our congregation and a light to those we pray for."

The group prays for about one hour, first giving upward prayers of thanks and praise. Then they move on to inward prayers for the needs of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In addition to submitted prayer requests, they go through the church directory and pray for one or two families each week. They also pray for the ministers in their district.

Lastly, they pray outward for those who do not yet have a relationship with our Lord and Savior. They send cards to almost everyone they pray for, letting them know they care enough to cry out to God on their behalf. They include a sticker or business card that includes the church name, phone number and website address.

To include members who cannot attend the prayer meetings, the group has created a Prayer Builders ministry, which has two elements: Prayer Partners and a Prayer Calendar.

Mr. Bazer asked Barb Egbert in the national youth office if there were any teens or young adults involved in ministry work that they could pray for. Mrs. Egbert sent a list of about 50 youths across the country who are on fire for Jesus and have dedicated themselves to building our church and the kingdom. Each person in Raleigh who signed up to be a prayer builder was assigned a young kingdom builder they could regularly pray for and encourage through notes and phone calls.

Additionally, each person signs up for one day each month that they would dedicate to praying (and maybe fasting) for the particular needs of the congregation or denomination.</