BUCAY GIFT--Bucay members with farm machinery from Hawaiians and Canadians.
BUCAY, Philippines--Hawaiian members and elder George McIntosh and his wife, Carolyn, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, donated $1,500 to the Bucay congregation for the purchase of farm equipment.
The Bucay congregation, which grew out of the evangelistic efforts of Pastor Jerry Ortiguero and the San Fernando La Union church in late 1999 was inaugurated by regional director Bill Sidney Feb. 13, 2000, with 34 baptized members.
Bucay is 10 hours by bus north of Manila.
Mr. Ortiguero, his wife, Gloria, and Pastor Rudy Salisipan visited the congregation Dec. 3. On Nov. 30, Mr. Ortiguero and three other servant leaders from Bucay and Laoag City including Reggie Torres, Bucay bivocational pastor, came over to Dagupan City to buy farm machinery and equipment for the Bucay church. These included a hand tractor with a Kubota diesel engine, water pump and sturdy trailer and accessories. Also in the purchase order were 20 monobloc chairs to be used for worship services and other meetings of the church. These were loaded into a Dagupan member's truck for delivery to Bucay that same day.
Elias and Meling Salibad, members in Hawaii (originally of the Baguio City, Philippines, church) had been in touch with Mr. Ortiguero for quite some time, and they broached the idea of the Hawaii church adopting the newly planted churches in Northern Luzon. Mr. Ortiguero recommended the Bucay church specifically and that the acquisition of farm machinery would do the most good.
Mr. Ortiguero got in touch with Pastor Gary Crowell of Hawaii, who gave his blessings to the project and organized a fund-raising activity involving the Hawaiian members. They sold chili con carne to their neighbors and to the community. By festival time, a sizable amount had been gathered and when this was announced during one of the worship services, Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh contributed 400 Canadian dollars.
The Bucay members are thankful to God for moving his people in Hawaii and Canada to make this donation. They promise to value these assets and to manage them responsibly as befitting stewards of God to provide the greatest good for the most number of people, not only in the church but in the community as well. They have been exhorted to remember that it was God who gave these assets to them and that they ultimately are responsible to God for the rightful and beneficial use of these assets. Rudy Salisipan.
BUCAY GIFT--Bucay members with farm machinery from Hawaiians and Canadians.
ENDLESS MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania--More than 80 people attended a New Year's eve skate Dec. 31. They represented five churches: the WCG, East Canton Methodist, Sylvania Presbyterian, Troy Baptist and an independent church.
After about an hour of skating, Pastor Lou Tsiknas gave a devotional on God's love and purpose for each person there. A Presbyterian pastor then offered a prayer of blessing. Then the skating continued.
Afterward, Mr. Tsiknas went to the home of the Presbyterian pastor to discuss the evening's event. He is a successful youth pastor and runs an inter-denominational youth ministry in the school system. He said he would like to work with the WCG in the future toward other community events. Lou Tsiknas.
Lou Tsiknas
HARARE, Zimbabwe--Sixty people from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe attended a regional leadership conference in Harare, Nov. 3 to 5.
The theme of this first of a two-part conference was Principles of Effective Ministry. Worship sessions were led by Kalengule Kaoma, district superintendent for the three countries. Presentations were conducted by guest speaker David Silcox, the U.K. ministerial director, and by James Henderson, regional director for Africa.
Topics included The Pastoral Model of Ministry, expounding how Psalm 23 develops a shepherding metaphor of the pastor; Parables for Pastors, a look at how some of Jesus' parables provide guidelines for those in ministry; Pauline models for ministry; and discussions on accountability levels within the WCG for worship leaders and preachers.
"We need more conferences like this," said Raymond Munengwa, chairman of the Zimbabwe WCG Ecclesiastical Council. "We have growth in this region of the world, and we need to know how to take care of the sheep God is bringing to us."
Kalengule Kaoma
David Silcox
MANILA, Philippines--Eugene Guzon of the Philippine Office comments on our WCG church plant in Japan.
"One of the recent developments that is truly inspiring was the desire of an independent Christian minister, Shinsuke Nakagawa, to join our fellowship along with his family and the few members who used to attend with him," Mr. Guzon said.
"This merger affords our fellowship a new kind of flexibility and opportunity to reach not only the expatriate community in Japan, but even more so, to reach the Japanese people themselves.
"Mr. Nakagawa was schooled in a Lutheran seminary both in the United States and in Japan. He admires the transformation experience of the WCG. In the course of their joint services and activities, he saw a common bond of love and respect, which moved him to want to be integrated with the WCG.
"This is indeed an unusual development and brings a new sense of excitement among the brethren in Japan. The new group is excited to share their talents to pursue the vision and mandate of the church, which is the great commandment and the great commission."
Pastor Nakagawa and his wife, Shizuko, and Robert and Lori Long, were invited by regional director Bill Sidney to come to the Philippines in February. They will take additional training by attending classes and a marriage retreat. These sessions will equip them to respond to the growing need for more stable, happy families in Japan.
SORSOGON, Philippines--Joe Basera, a WCG missionary, was sent to Sorsogon for two or three months for further outreach to tribes of this region. Here is his report.
"My Sorsogon missions exposure was a life-changing experience," Mr. Basera said. "The WCG is welcome here, not only among the Cimmaron tribe of San Rafael, but also among the surrounding tribes, who from the beginning have been monitoring the progress and transformation in the lives of the Cimmaron people through the WCG missions.
"We heard some comments that the surrounding tribes are interested to have some contact with us. Chieftain Wellington Bien informed us that chieftains from other tribes are willing to welcome us anytime. Chieftain Diuna of Bulawan asked Chieftain Bien if he could attend WCG meetings at San Rafael. The surrounding tribes are just waiting for us to come.
"We visited the office of the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) Oct. 23. Chieftain Jose Evasco of Naburakan, Matnog, told us frankly that he did not believe the Bible, but that he would be willing to hear us if we could come and visit his tribe.
"We visited his tribe Nov. 9. His tribe has no electricity and no road system. However, the area could be reached by foot on a narrow trail. Chieftain Evasco and his wife gladly welcomed us in his big house.
"We met his council. After much discussion regarding our missions objectives, the council unanimously agreed to welcome the WCG missions. Enrico Mercader, Chieftain Evasco and the council agreed that a regular Bible study would be conducted every Sunday at 1 p.m.
"On Nov. 14, we visited the NCIP office again. Silverio Garcia, the provincial NCIP chieftain of Sorsogon, told us he was elated and pleased with what the WCG through Mr. Mercader has done for the Cimmaron tribe. He said that because of the exemplary performance of the WCG missions, he would be willing to recommend the WCG to the 44 tribes under his jurisdiction."
SHERWOOD, Arkansas--The Sherwood congregation began advertising over the American Family Radio network in Arkansas Jan. 1. Since entering Arkansas less than two years ago, American Family Radio has become the most listened to Christian radio network in the state, with several powerful FM stations linked together.
According to Pastor Gene Griffin, the spots run three times a day, Monday through Friday. They begin with upbeat background music, and then a voice-over introduction from member Ramona Luna. Mrs. Luna, her husband, Chico, and their family were attracted to the Sherwood church and began attending in 1999.
An exposition of one verse of Scripture forms the body of the ad, and a trailer with the church's name and phone number begins the close. The close consists of five different endings, one for each day. They mention the church's Sunday worship service, AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) program for children, small group in-home Bible studies, food pantry and children's church. Sherwood member Lance Watson digitally edits the recordings, then transfers them to a mini disk for broadcasting.
In central Arkansas, the spots are broadcast over station KBDO 91.7 FM. Station manager Gary Vaile said he is impressed with the ads, claiming their format, content and message are all "one of a kind-- refreshing and unique."
Gene Griffin
HOUSTON, Texas--Ten people were commissioned as lay chaplains Dec. 17 at Hope Community Church in Houston. They are Ann Barthlow, Rhonda Chrisco, Carlette Christian, Weada Gordon, Alex Odems, Terry Quinn, Ester Reed, Eva Reed, Vernon Strickland and Sarah Taylor.
The Community of Hope lay chaplaincy ministry has 14 modules and meets weekly to teach pastoral care skills. It was started by the St. Luke's Episcopal Diocese and the St. Luke's Healthcare Charities in Houston, but has spread to other denominations in different states and countries.
The lay chaplains are commissioned to go out in the name of Christ to minister to a hurting world. They serve in ministry settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, home visits, prisons, hospices, rehabilitation centers and social service agencies. The training equips them to provide a ministry of presence in those various environments.
If you would like more information on the ministry, please call Pastor Chris Beam at 1-281-353-6712 or send e-mail to him at chris_beam@wcg.org
COMMISSIONING--Lay chaplains commissioned
at Hope Community Church in Houston, Texas.
[Photo by Jere Wilson]
PASADENA--Church Administration announced the following ministerial ordinations.
Tony Antonacci, Harlingen, Texas
Noel Bennett, Fort Worth, Texas
Carlos M. Castro, San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Vincente Y. Co, Bacolod City, Philippines
John Houston, Pasadena
David W. Kaiser, Akron-Canton, Ohio
David Larry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
John Lucas III, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
William L. Miller, Muncie, Indiana
Angelo R. Ouano, Dumaguete City, Philippines
David Russell, Washington, D.C.
Carpio V. Umlas, San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Anthony Wojnar, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Ian Woodley, Cambridge-Peterborough, United Kingdom
MEMPHIS, Tennessee--District superintendent Randy Bloom gave certificates of appreciation on behalf of the denomination Dec. 2 to two retired couples: Terry and Madeline Warren and Lowell and Margaret Blackwell.
Mr. Warren serves in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as bivocational pastor; and Mr. Blackwell serves in Springfield, Missouri, as an elder.
Terry & Madeline Warren
Lowell & Margaret Blackwell
PASADENA--Ronda Reedy Glasgow left her position as human resources manager for the WCG Jan. 5.
Mrs. Glasgow worked for the Worldwide Church of God for seven years.
Ronda Glasgow
FORT MEYERS, Florida--The Fort Myers congregation had a combined worship service with the First Christian teen praise band Dec. 16.
One of their young members, Matthew Miller, gave the opening prayer. Their youth pastor, Jeffery Schicks, joined in with them and also led the congregation in prayer.
Group members are in middle school and high school. Included are a piano player, a girl on drums, a boy on bass guitar, four teen girls singing, a flute player, a clarinet player, a saxophone player and a teenage girl playing a harp.
Playing along with them on lead guitar was their praise band leader and teacher John Miller and on keyboard a former Worldwide Church of God member, Tammy Medford.
Les Morgan, Southwest regional coordinator for Evangelism Explosion, attended the service. After the service, Mr. Morgan gave a presentation on how he was involved in helping to grow a small church into a larger one. Then he did a question and answer session, along with sharing on the work that Evangelism Explosion is doing leading people to Christ.
Sarah Faulkner gave a welcome message before the sermon. Hugh J. Steiginga.
BOREHAMWOOD, England--John Halford, European regional director, said that the church in France is making progress in shedding its label as a dangerous cult.
"Four years ago, the church in France was categorized as a dangerous cult," Mr. Halford said. "Although this was based on grossly inaccurate information, it is almost impossible to get such a category changed. French bureaucracy can be notoriously stubborn.
"Even though our ministry has been told that the category is not correct, nevertheless, officials have had little option but to deny us use of halls. In some areas we have been forced out of places we have rented for years."
Donat Picard, Paris pastor, has had to spend much time and money trying to rectify the situation. At a training seminar for the French leadership, two guests were invited to see for themselves whether the WCG in France is a dangerous cult or a small but legitimate evangelical church.
Marie-Angelique Alcindor, public relations consultant for the Paris Office, said that the first guest was Phillippe Levallois, who is on the staff of the bishop of Strasbourg. His role is to provide the Catholic Church with accurate information on religious groups. Mr. Levallois has been helpful in finding low-rental halls for our congregations.
Mr. Levallois is planning to produce a videotape on the changes that have taken place in our church during the past decade. This video will be promoted through the Catholic Church network in France.
In the afternoon, members welcomed the president of Vigi-Sectes, Gerard Dagon. His cult-watching organization was involved in producing the 1996 governmental report on dangerous cults in France, where the WCG was listed.
In spite of all the information and correspondence exchanged between Mr. Dagon and Mr. Picard over the past three years, it was obvious that our guest had not done his homework. Some of the facts that he quoted were outdated. He himself recognized it in front of everyone. When asked, how long it would take for the WCG to have its dangerous cult label removed, Mr. Dagon answered, "We will have to wait probably another two or three years to ensure that your changes are final and real."
This response triggered many responses from the audience. WCG members pointed out that his methodology of evaluating religious groups was to interview bitter dissidents instead of contacting the officials of the church. Mr. Dagon acknowledged that in this regard he certainly made a mistake.
A discrepancy was apparent between Mr. Dagon, as president of Vigi-Sectes, and his vice president, Christian Piette, who has publicly recognized the WCG as a full-fledged evangelical church. Mr. Piette has sponsored the candidacy of the WCG in Belgium to become a member of the Evangelical Federation.
The meeting ended with Mr. Dagon and Mr. Picard praying together asking God for guidance in seeing the Spirit at work in the WCG in France. On his way back to the train station, Mr. Dagon admitted to minister Gerard Claude that the experience was exceptional and that he would work on our file in the next few days.
Mr. Halford noted that this represents significant progress although we aren't out of the woods yet. We now have some influential people on our side.
Mr. Halford praised the work of Mr. Picard and his team in France. In 1996, Pastor General Joseph Tkach visited Paris and told the French members that the French church, for so long based in the United States, was now to be centered in France itself.
Our people took up the challenge, he said. The last few years have been nerve-wracking in some ways--shortage of ministry, lack of adequate time and personnel for translation, declining income and heavy legal expenses. But the church is alive, stable and well, and deeply committed to being a part of our worldwide fellowship. Full credit must be given to the men and women who have stepped into leadership positions to support the small full-time staff.
Donat Picard
EVANSVILLE, Indiana--The New Albany and Evansville, Indiana, congregations celebrated each week of Advent by reading appropriate Scriptures, lighting candles and singing hymns that focused on the coming (advent) of our Lord.
On week one they focused on the second coming of Christ. Advent 2 focused on John the Baptist, Advent 3 focused on the theme of rejoicing, and Advent 4 was combined with Christmas and focused on the birth of the Messiah.
Pastor Rick Shallenberger gave a message each week that coincided with the theme of Advent. He started off with Luke 21 where Jesus says, "Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." He then moved backward for the next three weeks and ended Advent 4 in Luke 1 and 2 where members celebrated the announcement to Mary and the birth of our Savior.
Each week members lit a candle symbolizing the progression of light. Jesus is the light, John the Baptist was a light for Christ and we are called to be lights today. Even in a brightly lit room, a candle light is clearly seen.
In New Albany, they had a children's play titled Night Alive included in their Advent 4 service. Twenty-three children were present the day of the play.
In Evansville, they had a blessing of children on Advent 2. Five children, including one newborn, were blessed.
Services on Advent 4/ Christmas ended with communion and a candlelight service where they turned off the lights and sang Silent Night. Together they rejoiced for "Emmanuel has come." Rick Shallenberger.
Rick Shallenberger
BEND, Oregon--The Living Nativity was conducted for the second year by Living Waters Community Church in Bend.
The scene was displayed at the home of Tobey and Tamara Tennison and included live animals in a manger setting and a mini-drama performed by the members of the congregation.
The response from the community was encouraging. Many said they had seen the display last year and had hoped that it would be reenacted. Hot coffee and cocoa were served along with finger foods, and brochures were handed out indentifying the WCG as the sponsoring church. Robin Chester.
LIVING NATIVITY SCENE
PORTLAND, Oregon--The Portland West church participated in Operation Christmas Child for the first time this year.
Operation Christmas Child was started seven years ago by Franklin Graham. It's an outreach program for needy children throughout the world. The project involves collecting shoe boxes and filling them with toys, hygiene products, school supplies and candy.
The Portland West congregation had a potluck and shoe box wrapping party after the worship service Nov. 4 in which they wrapped with 83 shoe boxes. The materials used for the shoe boxes were provided though donations from church members and discounts from area stores. Audette Koszalka and Susan Boedeker.
CHRISTMAS CHILD--From left: Daniel Koszalka,
Susan Boedeker, Bernice Hurford, Suzette Lightner,
Stephen Koszalka and David Boedeker.
MASON CITY, Iowa--The 28-member Mason City church was host for an outreach service for 50 guests Dec. 23 to celebrate Christ's birth.
This Christmas worship service was an opportunity for reconciliation between members and their families. Some families gathered to celebrate Christ's birth together for the first time.
The service also served as a vehicle for outreach and evangelism. Several non-Christian friends and relatives were present at the service. Also attending were residents of a homeless shelter, where the church exercises its ministry to the poor. The visitors heard a joyful and clear presentation of the gospel.
The worship included prayer and congregational singing of traditional Christmas hymns and contemporary praise choruses. The choir, led by Vicki Martinez, sang the story of Christmas in several songs, punctuated with dramatic readings from the birth stories in Matthew and Luke.
John Stonecypher, Mason City pastor, preached from the Gospel of John: "The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.... The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
The sermon explained that we celebrate Jesus' birth because his coming means that the evil and darkness of the world are ending. The darkness in the world and inside of us will never prevail against the power of God in Jesus Christ, the true light.
After the service, the congregation had a potluck. Some visitors expressed interest in returning for regular fellowship, and one requested counseling for baptism.
SAYRE, Oklahoma--The Sayre WCG Circle of Love Fellowship conducted a dedication service at its new meeting facility Nov. 18. A Presbyterian church moved into a new building, and the Worldwide Church of God congregation gets to use the old building for paying for the utilities.
One hundred twenty-six people attended. Fifty-six attended from the Oklahoma City congregation, including Pastor Mike Rasmussen; Don Lawson, district superintendent, and his wife, Sue; and elder Harvey Yarbrough and his wife, Jan.
The OKC 316 Praise Team began by singing Happy Birthday to Pastor Ben West, who turned 70 that week. His sons, daughters-in-law and three grandchildren came down the aisle followed by longtime friend, Donna Wiese of Big Sandy, Texas.
Others contributing to the praise team were Mike and Laura Nell Mong of Clinton, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City Promise Keepers; Lenita O'Neil of Erick, Oklahoma; and Laura Mohr of Sayre, playing the autoharp and singing an original song, "The Prodigal's Brother."
Johnny and Carolyn Comer of the Sayre congregation read 1 Corinthians 13, the theme of the Circle of Love Fellowship. Two Sayre teens lent their talents to the celebration. Chana Abla signed two songs, and Jennifer Comer sang Amazing Grace.
Bennie West of Modesto, California, sang an original song to his father titled "You're the Man," and Stanley West of Big Sandy read an original poem about his dad titled "Threescore and Ten (A Picture of Strength)." The Sayre congregation presented Mr. West with a study Bible.
Mr. Lawson conducted a communion service that included pastors from seven denominations, and Mr. Rasmussen closed the service with prayer. Shirley West.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida--June was a spiritual milestone for the Port St. Lucie men's ministry.
After participating in Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God study course two years ago as a congregation, two members, Dan Dezso and Bill Reynolds, began writing to inmates in the Florida prison system. After some months of writing to these inmates, the desire to take the Experiencing God course into the prisons became the focus.
David Harris, a former member, is assistant warden at the Martin County Correctional Institute in Indiantown, Florida. Mike Farley, praise and worship leader, asked for permission to present the course to the inmates. He agreed, and on Sept. 29, 29 inmates received certificates for completing the 13-week study.
A second Partners in Discipleship course was conducted Oct. 7 to Dec. 18 with 25 inmates meeting each week for two hours.
"The inmates are warm and friendly and welcome us with open arms of affection, said elder Ed Burkhead, who directs the program. "We have been given the opportunity to help others to come to the understanding of God's saving grace."
Mr. Burkhead continued: "These inmates stand tall for Jesus. They tell us how merciful, loving and just God is to them. They tell us about answered prayer and about God's protection that they receive. They tell us how thankful they are that people come into their world and share with them the love of God."
HOUSTON, Texas--The Houston South congregation uses drama as a method of teaching and learning. This started in December 1999 and three dramas have been performed. Margaret Ryan, activity coordinator, produced two dramas and Abilene Christian University (ACU) students called "Seekers of the Word" performed another. The focus of these dramas was on getting to know Jesus.
The first drama in December 1999 was a portrayal of the birth of Jesus. The script was taken from Matthew and with music it became a musical Bible story. Scenes performed by the congregation told of Jesus' conception and birth. The story included Mary visiting Elizabeth, Jesus' birth announcement by angels to the shepherds, the wise men visiting and how Joseph and his family fled to Egypt because of King Herod. "Seekers of the Word" performed the second drama April 8. Their drama emphasized Christ as our rock and stronghold. At the end of the drama the Seekers talked and prayed with individuals in the congregation.
The third drama was April 22. The theme was on Jesus--"He is Alive!" The Houston South members were not the only performers. Several members of the Southway Community Church joined in. (Southway Community Church is where the Houston South church meets in Pearland, Texas.) The four-act passion drama was a story telling of Christ's crucifixion and his resurrection. Cathy Hedrick.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001