This is our September cover

In this issue

Conference

Twenty-three international regional directors, wives, headquarters personnel and guests attended the annual regional directors conference in Indian Wells, California, July 29 through Aug. 2.

In addition to in-depth analysis of each regional operation over the past year, the conference included time for breakout meetings and fellowship. Page 3.

Personal

Hell is serious, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach in this month’s Personal. If we take Jesus seriously when he teaches about grace and mercy, we should take him seriously when he teaches about punishment. Page 6.

Summer conference

Ohio University was the site for the first WCG summer festival and by all accounts it was a resounding success.

More than 400 Worldwide Church of God members and friends attended.

Craig and Mary Bacheller organized the conference. Page 8.

Financial report

Mail income for July was $1.79 million, just slightly over the $1.73 million we received during July 2000, according to controller Ronald Kelly.

As we compare all sources of income from January through July, we have received $15.9 million this year vs. $17.9 million last year. Page 10.

Window on the World

It is becoming increasingly more of a challenge to live as a Christian in Bangladesh, writes Randal Dick, superintendent of mission.

Since only about one percent of the population is Christian, it can be stressful when the majority decide they do not like you. Page 12.

Caribbean

"As the Spirit leads ... " is a good way of describing the new way of doing church in more and more of our congregations in the Caribbean.

The region is supervised by regional director Charles Fleming and his wife, Carmen. Praise and worship is a significant part of many congregations. Page 14.

Youth ministry

Since 1965, the Summer Educational Program has called Orr, Minnesota, home to its annual summer camp.

That’s about to change, writes director Jeb Egbert. Page 16.

Christian Beliefs

The Holy Spirit is God at work—creating, speaking, transforming us, living within us, working in us, writes Michael Morrison in Basic Christian Beliefs. Although the Holy Spirit can do this work without our knowledge, it is helpful for us to know more. Page 24.

Men's Ministry

A conference on fatherhood took place at Pasadena’s First Church of the Nazarene, Aug. 10 and 11. Paul Sniffen, who serves as men’s ministry director for the Southwest region, was host. Page 27.

International
regional directors
meet for annual conference

By Randal Dick

INDIAN WELLS, California—Twenty-three international regional directors, wives, headquarters personnel and guests arrived in Indian Wells, about two hours east of Pasadena, for the annual regional directors conference and retreat July 29 through Aug. 2.

In addition to in-depth analysis of each regional operation over the past year, the conference included time for breakout meetings and fellowship.

The highlight of the regional directors conference was a two-day seminar presented by Eddie Gibbs, professor of church growth at the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.

Dr. Gibbs, author of several books on the challenges facing the Christian church today, had asked all of the attendees to read his latest book, Church Next, before coming to the conference. Dr. Gibbs then took the principles covered in the book and applied them to the context of the Worldwide Church of God. It was as if the book had been written with us in mind.

The first day revolved around the issue of the chaotic environment that the church finds itself in today. Dr. Gibbs pointed out that the Worldwide Church of God is a microcosm of what is happening throughout the West.

While the Worldwide Church of God has experienced some chaos from the process of doctrinal transformation, most of the chaotic environment is brought about by the rapid shift of society.

Dr. Gibbs pointed out key junctures in Western civilization where, in a period of 15 to 20 years, society changed so radically that society became totally different between one generation and the next. That which was before was considered totally obsolete, and that which followed was strange to those who were part of the world before the shift.

On the second day of the seminar, Dr. Gibbs explored how leaders can be effective in an environment of chaos. He said that a chaotic environment has opportunities, just as any other type of environment does. The key is to have the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing situations and to be able to see the new opportunities that the new situation presents.

He decried the fact that so many churches today train their leaders for a context that is rapidly going out of existence.

Present at the seminar were Eugene and Lulu Guzon and Bill and Daphne Sidney from the Northeast Asia region; Rod and Ruth Matthews from the Australia, Southern Asia and Micronesia region; James and Shirley Henderson of the African region; John and Pat Halford from the European region; Gary Moore and George Patrickson from the Canadian region; and Charles and Carmen Fleming of the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Representing headquarters were Joseph and Tammy Tkach; Michael Feazell; Dan and Barbara Rogers representing U.S. Church Administration; Ron and Norva Kelly; Charles and Susie Albrecht; Barbara Edwards, my assistant; Deborah Nickel, executive assistant to Joseph Tkach; and my wife, Susie, and myself.

Words of wisdom
from Eddie Gibbs

Eddie and Renee Gibbs

Eddie Gibbs is known for his one-liners. But his one-liners are not jokes like you would hear from Jay Leno or David Letterman. They are simple statements that contain a whole suitcase full of meaning, that can be unpacked and put to use. Here are a few:

"As the WCG thinks about its past as a church, she needs to distinguish between her baggage and her treasures."

"Religion is not always about certainty, but the strength to live with uncertainty."

Speaking of Peter’s jumping out of the boat to walk on water, "There is a fine line between trust and bravado."

 

I’ve been a member of the Body of Christ since 1973, happily, though with trials and problems also.

I want to thank you for all the testimonies of your faith and love through the articles. It just makes my heart sing when hearing and learning of the faith and love of others, giving a more powerful appreciation of God our Father and his wonderful grace.

Lavonne Gilpin

Buffalo, Missouri

As a member of the New Beginnings church in San Antonio, Texas, I truly feel blessed to be a part of a loving church family and to be associated with such a devoted and caring pastor who truly cares for his congregation and community.

Pastor Sonny Parsons is always there for anyone who needs him, member or not. I feel that we members should be more supportive of our pastors who give countless hours to their church and God.

Donna M. Garcia

San Antonio, Texas

Alaric Tay--staying
holy in Singapore's
Hollywood

By Silva Kandiah

SINGAPORE—Alaric Tay is a household name in Singapore, with entire families riveted to the television screen to watch him in the latest sitcom on Singapore’s favorite subject—money.

Alaric, 21, is also a worship leader in the Singapore church. His parents met and married in the small WCG congregation in Singapore, and he was born in the church.

Like Hollywood, Singapore’s television world is home to different life-styles and values. Yet Alaric has developed as a wonderful role model to young Singaporeans, staying firmly on a Christian path, actively participating in the church and getting involved in community service.

Alaric was inspired to be an actor and director by early exposure in his school’s language, drama and debating society. After a short television and drama course with the Television Corporation of Singapore, he signed on with a local polytechnic institute for a course in film studies.

Thereafter, it was accolade after accolade, not only in acting but also in film production, direction and writing. In 1997 he played a supporting role in one of Singapore’s major efforts at film production, Forever Fever, a movie on the 1960s dance craze. Finally, Alaric landed a major role in the television series Money.

Success, however, was accompanied with service when he used his talents to make a documentary of the church’s talent show. Alaric has taken a break to complete his national service stint in the Singapore Armed Forces but he has been brewing a number of projects to burst on the arts scene soon.

Alaric said that the greatest challenge he faces as a Christian in this industry is consciously acknowledging that he is a Christian in a fallen world.

"As a Christian, it is important to remember that we do the right thing because God said it is right," Alaric said. "After all, God created all things good, righteous and just because he is these things."

Silva Kandiah is a deacon in the Singapore church and is general manager of the Security Services subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.

Alaric Tay

MOVIE—Alaric Tay (left) in the opening
scenes of Forever Fever, with lead star
Adrian Pang.

Dallas Central host
to women's conference

GARLAND, Texas—The Dallas Central church was host for the Ark-La-Tex women’s conference May 5 at St. Phillips United Methodist Church in Garland.

About 140 women from Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana attended. Worship leaders were Vera Gibbs, Debbie Hard and Nicole Moore. The theme was "Into His Presence."

Barb Egbert urged the women to focus on their children’s spiritual needs, boldly claiming them for Christ and reaching out to help them come to him.

Sandy Orban spoke on praying for the next generation and bringing their children to their Savior through prayer.

Adrienne Pickett spoke on trusting in God and not being fearful. She asked the women to seek God’s protection in troubling situations (Psalm 91:4-5). Susan Booze described God as our shelter in a storm.

Trish Clauson spoke on faith and opening ourselves up to Christ’s presence that is all around us.

Shirley Neal of Shreveport, Louisiana, led an interactive discussion over the day’s presentations. Joyce Catherwood performed a monologue called "At the Feet of Jesus," in which she played Mary Magdalene.

The Dallas Central men’s ministry prepared and served lunch.

Sherry Hebert said: "We felt spiritually renewed and invigorated by the music and messages." Frank Lewandowski.

Union, New Jersey,
national women's conference

UNION, New Jersey—The first national women’s conference for the Union women’s ministry will take place Nov. 2 to 4 at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel.

The guest speaker Friday evening, Nov. 2, will be Carol Mog, a professional counselor and author.

The conference will also include a Shattered Silhouettes performance, a dance drama that breathes life into five women from the Bible. Shattered Silhouettes is a journey from sin to redemption that reveals the hope and healing that comes through the power of God. This work is written and performed by Naima Imani Lett, an artist for Fellowship for the Performing Arts, which has a mission to glorify God by presenting the Bible through the performing arts.

The women will also hear from Collette Howard, a youth minister in White Plains, New York.

The women will take communion on Sunday.

The cost is $125, which includes lodging, Friday refreshments, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and a breakfast Sunday. A nonrefundable deposit of $55 is due by Sept. 10.

For more information please contact Sandra Delmonte, P.O. Box 66, Franklin Park, New Jersey, 08823; telephone 1-732-422-9816 or send e-mail to gangan2@aol.com

Hell

"If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away," said Jesus. "It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell" (Matt. 5:30).

Hell is serious. We need to take Jesus’ warning seriously.

Our Statement of Beliefs simply defines hell as "the separation and alienation from God chosen by incorrigible sinners." We do not state whether this separation and alienation means eternal suffering, or a complete end of consciousness. Indeed, we say that the Bible does not make this absolutely clear.

In the September-October issue, Keith Stump tackles this subject in "The Battle Over Hell." I strongly recommend that you read the article.

On the subject of hell, as with many others, we must listen to Jesus. If we take Jesus seriously when he teaches about grace and mercy, we should also take him seriously when he teaches about punishment. After all, mercy doesn’t mean much unless we are escaping something.

In one parable, Jesus warned that wicked people will be thrown into a fiery furnace (Matt. 13:50). In this parable, he did not talk about incineration, but about "weeping and gnashing of teeth." In another parable, Jesus describes the punishment of a forgiven slave who would not forgive a fellow slave as "torture" (Matt. 18:34).

Another parable describes the wicked person as tied up and thrown "into the darkness" (Matt. 22:13). This darkness is described as a place of weeping and grinding of teeth.

Jesus does not explain whether those in the darkness weep from pain or from sorrow, and he does not explain whether they grind their teeth in remorse or in anger. That is not his purpose. In fact, he never explains in detail the fate of the wicked.

Jesus does, however, warn people in vivid terms not to hang on to anything that would cause them to be thrown into eternal fire: "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin," Jesus warned, "cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire" (Matt. 18:7-8). It is better to deny yourself in this life than to be "thrown into the fire of hell" (verse 9).

Does the punishing of the wicked last forever? The Bible can be interpreted in different ways on that. Some verses suggest eternal suffering, while others suggest a limited duration. But either way, hell is to be avoided at all costs.

This reminds me of an InterVarsity Press book on this subject: Two Views of Hell. Edward Fudge argues for annihilation; Robert Peterson argues for eternal suffering. On the cover of this book are two men, both with hand over face in an expression of dread or horror. The point being made with the graphic is that even though there are two views of hell, no matter how you look at hell, it is ghastly.

God is merciful, but the person who opposes God refuses his mercy and therefore suffers.

Jesus used a variety of word-pictures for the punishment of those who refuse the mercy of God: fire, darkness, torture and destruction.

The apostles also talked about judgment and punishment, but they described it in different ways.

Paul wrote, "For those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil" (Rom. 2:9).

Regarding those who were persecuting the church at Thessalonica, Paul wrote, "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" (2 Thess. 1:9).

Thus in our Statement of Beliefs we define hell as "separation and alienation from God."

The Old Testament penalty for rejecting Moses was death, but anyone who deliberately rejects Jesus deserves a greater punishment, says Hebrews 10:28-29. "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (verse 31). God is merciful beyond imagination, but if a person refuses his mercy, only judgment is left.

God does not want anyone to suffer the horrors of hell—he wants everyone to come to repentance and salvation (2 Pet. 2:9). But those who refuse such wonderful grace will suffer. That is their choice, not God’s. Thus our Statement of Beliefs says that hell is "chosen by incorrigible sinners." That is an important part of the picture.

The final victory of God is also an important part of the picture. Everything will be brought under the control of Christ, for he has redeemed all creation (1 Cor. 15:20-24; Col. 1:20). Everything will be set right. Even death and Hades will be destroyed in the end (Rev. 20:14). The Bible does not tell us how hell fits into that picture, nor do we claim to know. We simply trust that God, full of righteousness and mercy, will conclude it all in the best possible way.

Of all that Jesus taught about hell, the most important thing is that Jesus is the solution to the problem. In him, there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). He is the way, the truth and the life eternal.

The Justice and Mercy of God

A God of love would not torture people forever and ever, say some people. The Bible reveals God to be compassionate. He would rather put people out of their misery than see them suffer eternally. The traditional doctrine of an ever-punishing hell, many believe, falsely portrays God as a vengeful sadist who sets a terrible example. Moreover, it would not be right to punish people forever for a life that lasted only a few years or decades, say some.

But rebellion against God is infinitely terrible, say some theologians. We cannot measure evil by the time it takes to commit it, they explain. A murder may take only a few minutes, yet the consequences may extend over decades or centuries. Rebelling against God is the most serious crime in the universe, they contend, so it demands the worst punishment.

The problem is that humans don’t have a very good handle on either justice or mercy. Humans are not qualified to judge, but Jesus Christ is. He will judge the world righteously (Ps. 9:8; John 5:22; Rom. 2:6-11). We can trust his judgment, knowing he will be both righteous and merciful.

When it comes to hell, some parts of the Bible stress anguish and punishment and others use images of destruction and cessation. Rather than trying to make one description conform to the other, we let them both speak. When it comes to hell, we must trust God, not our imagination.

Pasadena congregations'
new meeting facilities

   
MEETING FACILITIES—The Altadena (formerly Pasadena) Community Life Fellowship meets at Altadena Baptist church; NewLife Fellowship and the Spanish church meet at a Boys and Girls Club in east Pasadena; and the Pasadena church meets at Friendship Baptist Church. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

Praise and worship
highlight summer
conference

By Ted Johnston

ATHENS, Ohio—Ohio University was the site for the first WCG summer festival and by all accounts it was a resounding success.

The festival ran from Wednesday evening, Aug. 15, through Sunday morning, Aug. 19. More than 400 WCG members and friends attended—most from the Midwest, several from other regions in the United States and a few from abroad. Craig Bacheller, pastor of the Queens, New York, church, and his wife, Mary, coordinated the conference.

The festival included the annual regional conference for pastors from the Great Lakes District and parts of the Mid-South District. Thirteen U.S. district superintendents attended together with several other denominational leaders from Pasadena.

Keynote speakers were Pastor General Joseph Tkach; Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers; Carn Catherwood, South-Central district superintendent; Randal Dick, superintendent of missions; Michael Feazell, director of Denominational Publications; Ron Kelly, controller; and Tammy Tkach, Women’s Ministry Support coordinator.

Dr. Tkach opened the festival by noting that a primary goal of Christian worship is expressing passionate spirituality. This spirituality involves loving God fully—with heart, soul, mind and strength.

Responding to this call for passion, dynamic praise and worship services led festival attendees into God’s presence. Worship was led by groups of musicians and singers including worship bands from the Columbus, Ohio, and Pendleton, Indiana, congregations. Other vocalists and instrumentalists assisted, including Ross Jutsum of State of the Heart Music Ministry, who conducted a praise and worship concert Saturday night.

Another recurrent theme of the festival was that of reconciliation—breaking down walls of separation between God and man and between people. Dr. Feazell gave a Bible study and seminar that explored the depth of the reconciliation Christians have with God through Christ as revealed in the gospel.

Mr. Catherwood gave presentations on resolving the conflicts that arise between people and advancing reconciliation between races, particularly within the church. Contributing to the presentation on reconciliation was Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries.

Mr. Dick presented a lecture on how the church is called to God’s mission of reconciliation on earth. He noted that it is imperative for the church to overcome the barriers that tend to limit its effectiveness.

Other primary themes were the twin topics of disciple-making and stewardship. Mr. Rogers noted Jesus’ command to the church to make disciples and Jesus’ strategy for doing that essential work. He made an impassioned plea for congregations to become nurseries where disciples are born and brought to maturity.

In a second lecture, Mr. Rogers addressed Christian stewardship that is related to discipleship. He said that the WCG needs disciple-making to thrive and stewardship to survive.

Stewardship in the old covenant involved Israel giving God the tithe (10 percent). In the new covenant, God calls on those born of the Spirit to give all they have and all they are. God owns it all, yet he entrusts it all to his children to be wise stewards of his possessions.

A Christian’s stewardship responsibility includes all of one’s time, talent and treasure. These are to be used to advance the cause of Christ on this earth. A significant part of that responsibility includes supporting one’s congregation.

Dr. Tkach pursued the theme of disciple-making and stewardship in a sermon, "Do You See What I See?" He outlined his vision for the WCG as a church "of people in fellowship who know and fulfill the mission of Jesus, ever-growing and ever-faithful." Jesus’ mission, given to the church, is to make disciples, and his methodology begins with making friends.

Mr. Kelly outlined the new financial model for U.S. congregations. It is designed to empower congregations for greater effectiveness in disciple-making. It is being phased in—beginning with weekly offerings in congregations this year and moving to local banking and disbursement of funds when the sale of the headquarters property is completed.

Another emphasis was intimacy with God enhanced through spiritual disciplines. Dr. Tkach gave a presentation on prayer, and Mrs. Tkach gave a complementary presentation on becoming more intimate in our relationship with God.

The festival ended Sunday morning with a service celebrating the great events of Jesus in song, scripture, prayer and communion. Mr. Rogers preached from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, pointing out that in communion, Christians remember Jesus and all he has done and will do for us.

At the Lord’s Table, the church re-enacts the Christ event. This spirit of re-enactment became the basis on which the early church inaugurated annual rehearsals of various events of Jesus’ life: his birth on Christmas day, his death on Good Friday, his resurrection on Easter Sunday, his ascension 40 days later, his sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, and his future return in glory, which is celebrated during Advent.

It was announced at the district superintendents conference before the summer festival that plans are being made for two summer festivals in 2002—one tentatively planned for Atlanta, Georgia, and one for Palm Springs, California. Dates are yet to be confirmed.

WELCOMING GUESTS—From left, Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers; Scott Preissler of the Christian Stewardship Association; Pastor General Joseph Tkach; and Ken Thompson of the Christian Stewardship Association.

CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE—Children perform during Saturday night concert with Ross Jutsum.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP–Members sing praises to God at summer festival. [Photos by Ted Johnston]

Kay Johnson, Fort Wayne, Indiana: Vacation Bible School was a terrific idea. My granddaughter wasn’t bored all the time. More importantly, she made new friends and had a good time.

Phyllis Waller, Toledo, Ohio: The most Xciting, Xhilirating, Xtravaganza of celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ that I have ever participated in. Much knowledge was given so I can better understand my Lord Jesus and therefore deepen my relationship with him.

Sandra Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio: I used to wonder what the church would teach if not the Holy Days and other things. Now I know: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Never in a million years would I have thought it could be this fulfilling.

Victor Gay, Cincinnati, Ohio: Powerful, dynamic, superb, concise, personable, Christ-centered, on-target, informative, inspirational.

Our fellowship is being taught the impact and significance for each member to acquire and maintain the essentials of Christian faith by developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. As we enter the life of Jesus we experience more love to him and others.

Roger Campbell, Midland, Michigan: The conference has helped me draw closer to God by helping me to understand better how God is working in my life and how he sees us.

Cyndy Butz, Cincinnati, Ohio: I am so thankful that I was able to come to this conference. It was a wonderful time of rejuvenation and revival. I was made so much more aware of the broad scope of our church. My view of our church and mission and my responsibility as a follower of Christ was expanded greatly. I can’t wait to get back to my local church and start working again.

David and Jonnie Perry, Indianapolis, Indiana: The worship, with the great diversity and giftedness of the worship teams, was the best we have ever experienced anywhere.

The sessions were lively, inspiring, helpful and informative. We loved Tammy Tkach’s presentation and look forward to more of our women giving presentations in the future. Her warmth, humor, naturalness and of course content with great personal examples, were truly effective.

Jon Kurnik, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Despite withdrawal symptoms, I am happy to be home to begin sharing the bounty of the festival with our members.

There is so much to review, pray about and assimilate! Thanks to all of you for the inspiring content that came across in all the messages. God has compacted so much reform into the past several years, that it already seems like a lifetime! We pray for God’s strength, endurance and patience during these trying, yet exciting times in his church.

Update from Finance & Planning

July income helps catch up

By Ronald Kelly

As many of you noticed in the previous issue of the WN, June income was much lower than we expected. I explained, that at least in part, we had fallen behind in our mail processing. Our small staff just cannot process the volume of mail now as quickly as we could with more employees.

We expected that as we caught up in July, we would see better figures. Thankfully, that is what has happened. Mail income for the month was $1.79 million, just slightly over the $1.73 million we received during July 2000.

When we add in festival offerings (we still were counting some from the Pentecost season) and all other sources of income, the total for the month was just over $2.4 million. That compares to $3 million for the previous year. So our total income was still down.

As we compare all sources of income from January through July, we have received $15.9 million this year vs. $17.9 million last year. Consequently we are still running a negative 13 percent.

The Pasadena property sale is still progressing on a painfully slow process. While Legacy Partners hopes to conclude the sale by December, we have been advised that it could take well into the first quarter of next year. This is disappointing, but we are learning to exercise faith and patience. We appreciate your dedicated support through these difficult times.

As we look ahead to a new financial model that will be implemented once we have completed the property sale, let’s rehearse some of our plans. We have explained several times that two major expenses affect our financial picture. First is maintenance of this 50-plus acre property in Pasadena. And second is that we have more than 225 former employees in their elder years who are supported by what we call a Discretionary Assistance plan, which is currently funded out of our immediate cash flow. It is called "discretionary" because it is not vested in the legal sense of the word.

When the property sells, a considerable amount of the proceeds will be used to fund a retirement plan for the current Discretionary Assistance recipients and our current employees. This will mean that no future donations from our congregations will be used to maintain this expensive property or to fund retired employees.

The headquarters of the church will need an office facility. We have mentioned before that our office needs will be much less than in the past, or even currently for that matter.

At one time, more than 1,000 full-time employees worked in Pasadena and Big Sandy. We are down to about 100 and anticipate that the headquarters church staff will be about 40 employees after we relocate.

Our plan is to lease an office facility for two to five years. During that time we will evaluate our future needs and make plans to purchase or build a small office facility. By paying cash for a building, we will not need funds from local congregations to pay a mortgage for the facility. This will allow an even larger portion of member donations to be retained for local outreach and evangelism.

In addition to purchasing a building, we hope some funds from the sale can be invested to partially fund the operations of the headquarters staff. That will allow an even greater percentage of local church donations to be retained in the local area.

I would like to comment on a rumor we occasionally hear—that after the property sells, we will have millions of dollars to send to local churches. While we would rejoice if that were possible, in reality, when the sale is complete, we will not have sufficient funds for such distribution.

Bernie Schnippert, church treasurer, has often said that he has learned three things from the sale of our properties: 1) Real estate is not liquid, and its value is often less than a seller hopes because of the realities of the market; 2) Any sale of real estate usually takes far longer than you expect; and 3) The costs you experience in the sale of real estate usually are greater than you anticipate. How true these have all been.

It now looks as though the city planning commission will be ready to begin their deliberations and evaluation in September. When they are finished, they will turn their recommendations over to the city council, which will have their own items to evaluate. And when they have completed their work, if they grant city approval to Legacy Partners, we will enter the final stages of closing escrow. Please pray with us for favor with city officials that the process may reach a conclusion as soon as possible.

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

                                                                    For the Month         For the Year-to-Date

Income

    Mail Income                                                  $ 1,793,000                     $ 10,668,000

    Festival offerings                                                 138,000                         2,059,000

    Other income                                                      539,000                          3,185,000

            Total income                                             2,470,000                       15,912,000

Expenses                                                               2,899,000                       19,955,000

Net gain (loss) to bank reserves                             $ (429,000)                   $ (4,043,000)

Omar Cova gets
Zebrowski scholarship
Omar Cova

By Russell Duke
Ambassador Center director                           

AZUSA, California—Omar Cova has been selected by the Ambassador Center committee to be the first recipient of the Mark Zebrowski and Geraldyne Zebrowski Memorial Scholarship, a $5,000 award for the 2001-2002 academic year.

Omar attended Ambassador University in 1996-1997, its final year, then transferred home to California State University Los Angeles for two years. He came to Azusa Pacific University in 1999 for two semesters where he majored in graphics design.

Omar had to put his degree work on hold after the spring 2001 to assume more of the financial responsibility for his mother and family members, including four cousins who had been abandoned by family and who needed to finish high school.

Omar has also been a valued employee of PTM, working there as a graphics artist, among other responsibilities.

Mr. Albrecht highly recommended Omar: "Rarely have I met a young man who works as hard, is as dedicated, and willing to help as Omar. He is a wonderful employee at PTM, yet he needs to continue his education. Perhaps he will wind up in full-time ministry—perhaps he will wind up in lay ministry. In any case, he is a Christian who is a credit to the WCG. I believe him to have an excellent future for service."

Omar has served Spanish congregations in the WCG with set-up duties, as worship leader and occasionally in preaching. He has also assisted youths of another denomination as a translator for an outreach program in Mexico. Also, for two years he has assisted monthly services for Latino men at the Los Angeles Rescue Mission.

Zebrowske Memorial Scholarship

The Mark Zebrowski and Geraldyne Zebrowski Memorial Scholarship enables WCG members with special financial needs to earn a bachelor of arts degree at Azusa Pacific University. Crown Legacy Foundation funds this $5,000 annual grant.

Mark Zebrowski graduated from Ambassador University in Big Sandy, Texas, in 1977. He died of cancer Jan. 11, 1999. Geraldyne Zebrowski, Mark’s mother, a member in Long Beach, California, followed her son Mark in death Feb. 24, 2000.

The scholarship is awarded to a financially needy student. It is renewable for one year if financial need continues and personal commitment has been demonstrated. If a recipient is unable to enroll at APU for any reason, he or she may reapply for future consideration.

Qualifications are these:

l  A person with a whole-hearted commitment to God and Jesus Christ.

l A person who has demonstrated strong character in the responsibilities of life.

l A person who has consistently demonstrated a life of service to Christ and the WCG.

l A person who has shown financial need that if not met with assistance would have great difficulty completing a bachelor’s degree.

l A person with a clear commitment to a Christ-centered education with an intent to graduate from Azusa Pacific University.

l A person who has stated an ongoing commitment to membership and service in the Worldwide Church of God.

 

How to apply for the scholarship

Make full application to Azusa Pacific University. Write to Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Azusa Pacific University, 901 E. Alosta Ave., P.O. Box 7000, Azusa, California, 91702-7000.

Write or e-mail the Ambassador Center for an application for the Mark Zebrowski and Geraldyne Zebrowski Scholarship. Write to the address above, addressed to the Ambassador Center. The center’s e-mail address is acenter@apu.edu

Once you have been accepted to the university, apply for APU scholarships. Based on Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and other factors you may qualify for some substantial scholarships. Once you have been accepted to APU, send the completed scholarship application to the Ambassador Center. The deadline for application is April 1.

 

Window on the World

From Randal Dick,
superintendent of missions

Bangladeshi members
in need of prayers

On Sunday, June 3, a bomb blast killed 10 people and injured others in a Christian church in Bangladesh. The bombing took place in the village of Baniarchar in the Gopalganj district—100 kilometers south of Dhaka.

It is becoming increasingly more of a challenge to live as a Christian there. Since only about one percent of the population is Christian, it can be stressful when the majority decide they do not like you. The photos that I include are sobering. However, we need to keep the problem in perspective and not negate the seriousness of it.

Christians are not being hunted down and killed as a rule in Bangladesh. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, that is much easier to legislate than to enforce.

Outbreaks of violence are unpredictable. For instance, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969, some Christian churches (and Christians in them) were attacked by mobs because some Muslim clerics incited people to riot, telling them that while on the moon, they were urinating on holy ground (the moon).

So life goes on until something catalyzes unrest, at which time the Christians bear the brunt of the Muslim and Hindu anger.

John Biswas, director of the Bengali Evangelical Association, returned from Bangladesh bringing with him photos of the victims who were in the church that was bombed while he was there.

So few Christians are in Bangladesh that the distinction between denominations disappears in times like this. Christians all over Bangladesh rose up together to protest.

Our members there do not consider themselves detached from Bangladeshi society, rather they see the need to follow Jesus and live as part of their unbelieving community, just as he did. Our members, shown marching in protest in these photos, are taking an open stand. They need our ongoing prayers for their well being, and that the gospel might take root around them.

On a happier note, we sponsored two Bangladeshi women to go to the Philippines for livelihood training. The Filipino churches initiated a livelihood program about nine years ago to help less fortunate members increase their family income because the local church could not support an adequate member assistance fund. A small group of women got the program off the ground.

Eventually the program became successful and a number of widows and poor families were able to obtain their own home and support the church more generously.

Their main product line is handmade greeting cards. The paper is made from the waste material of rice. Several big companies have sought to buy their formula. Although they would not divulge it, they gave all they know to the Bangladesh church, passing along their blessings. By the way, these cards are available in the United States. They are great for personal use, and some congregations use them for fund-raising. Contact my assistant, Barbara Edwards, at barb.edwards@wcg.org or give her a call at 1-626-304-6041, and she will be happy to help you.

The church in the Philippines has gone from one of the most financially precarious to one of the most financially stable in the WCG.

Bangladesh is where the Philippine church was nine years ago. They need money to support the spread of the gospel. At the same time, they need to be as free from financial dependence on outside sources as possible. Yet, the average Bangladeshi wage earner is unable to give enough to make much difference.

Last year we devised a plan to send some people from Bangladesh to be mentored by the Filipino members in how to create a livelihood project. Two women, shown in these photos, have left their families behind and are currently in the Philippines.

They would appreciate our prayers that they might absorb as much as possible, and then successfully impart it to the people waiting at home. This will not be easy, because the Bangladeshi society is different from the Philippines.

The women will have to take this information and figure out how it can work in Bangladesh. We wish them and the project every blessing and success.

Do you see the photo of the family sitting in a lean-to on page 12? That’s their home—all they have, with no government programs to help them out. You can see the "kitchen" with utensils sitting outside the lean-to.

As they are able, John Biswas will take some of the funds that many of you have made available, and they will buy sheets of corrugated metal. Our members will form a work party and help the family (these people are not Christians) set corner poles and build an all-weather metal roof.

Some have asked when the WCG is going to sponsor a short-term mission. I’m interested in knowing what the interest would be for a mission project to Bangladesh.

I envision the project being for older teens and young adults, probably for two weeks. We would gather resources in the States to enable us to buy tin and fasteners.

The Bangladeshi members would identify the poorest of the poor (such as the ones in the photo). The U.S. team would arrive as a group, and together with our Bangladeshi members, build as many all-weather structures for the poor as we had materials and time to do. This would be hard but fulfilling work.

We could stop in Singapore or Thailand to meet members and see the sights. I would be interested to know if there is adequate serious interest in a project of this nature.

Please write to me at the Worldwide Church of God, Pasadena, California, 91123, send e-mail to Barb Edwards at barb.edwards@wcg.org or call her at 1-626-304-6041.

CHRISTIANS PROTEST—Christians in Sathsimulia
district of Barisal in Bangladesh protest in support of
Christians killed in bomb blast.

POOREST OF POOR—A non-Christian couple
with four children live in this hut. They need our
prayers and support for them to know and accept
the message of Jesus Christ.

CHRISTIANS KILLED—Some of the worshipers
killed by bomb planted during church service at
Baniarchar in the district of Gopalganj, Bangladesh.

SHOW OF SUPPORT—Christians protest
in Sathsimulia district of Barisal in Bangladesh.
[Photos by Robert Joy Biswas]

LIVELIHOOD TRAINING—Snigdha Biswas
(left) squeezes water from paper mold with
Marina Andrade, while (from left) Manju Bala
and Delta Ouano look on. [Photos by Nila Bangay]

BUNDLING—Manju Bala (left) and Snigdha
Biswas (second from right) bundle cogon grass
as Delta Ouano (second from left) shows how to
bundle grass, and Marina Andrade looks on.

PAPER MOLD—Snigdha Biswas (left)
watches as Marina Andrade shows how
to squeeze water out of paper mold.
At right is Delta Ouano.

For more information and a free newsletter please write to the Bengali Evangelical Association, P.O. Box 776, Bryn Mawr, California, 92317, or visit their website at www.wcg.org/bea

 

Regional Snapshot

From Charles and Carmen Fleming, Caribbean

As the Holy Spirit Leads ...

By Patrick Fearon

"As the Spirit leads ..." is a good way of describing the new way of doing church in more and more of our congregations in the Caribbean.

Development is seen in areas recognized as vital aspects of healthy churches—worship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism and ministry and outreach services. Members are experiencing the joy that is present when the Holy Spirit leads.

Praise and worship is a significant part of many congregations, and many view the worship service, with its accompanying joy, as a highlight of the week.

The Freeport, Bahamas, church is a joyous house of worship. The small church, functioning as a family unit, brings its worship gifts each week and presents them before God. The atmosphere is marked by adoration and thanksgiving as members participate in prayer, interactive Bible reading, testimony and sharing, and as children and adults make joyful music to the Lord.

Praise is offered through interpretive dancing by groups of young people—New Covenant Dancers in Hamilton, Bermuda, and Heavenly Gems in Nassau, Bahamas.

Senior Pulley from Bermuda reports that children meet to sing songs of praise to God each week before the service begins.

In Arima, Trinidad, 120 worshipers from the New Testament Church of God participated in a joint service Dec. 31 with the WCG congregation, shared dinner, then attended a gospel ball. In that same spirit of cooperation, 30 WCG members in Trinidad are enrolled in The School of Ministry, an institution run by another denomination, but which conducts classes at the WCG’s hall.

In Bermuda, Pastor Cecil Pulley is a member of the Warwick Ministerial Alliance. For six weeks before Easter, alliance ministers and their churches met for combined Tuesday night services, rotating the location each week. The first week, Pastor Pulley gave the sermon and the WCG’s gospel ensemble provided music.

Such cooperation is the practice in Freeport, Bahamas. Pastor Patrick Fearon has presented the word of God to different denominations on several occasions.

Interdenominational fellowship has also come about through women’s ministry. At the annual women’s retreat for the southern Caribbean conducted in Trinidad in June, Pastor Mavis Durant of the Barbados New Testament Church of God presented a message on love.

In Bermuda, Women’s Day, May 12, featured Pastor Deborah Dean of Rehoboth Church of God.

In August, the WCG and the Oceanside Emmaus community of South Florida sponsored two Walks to Emmaus. The Walk to Emmaus exercise (based on Luke 24:13-35) is a three-day experience designed for Christian leaders, to strengthen and renew their faith.

"We hope to start Emmaus communities in all the WCG congregations in the Caribbean that would like to have one," said Charles Fleming, regional director.

During the past year, leadership retreats have been conducted in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Dominica and Jamaica. The pastoral team in St. Lucia has shown considerable growth from leadership retreats.

Steps have been taken to carefully disciple children. Robert McKinney, pastor of the Nassau, Bahamas, church, says that their Bringing Children to Christ program is a highly developed and successful program for leading young people to Jesus.

In July four people were baptized in St. Lucia, and another four in Grenada.

This year our churches in Trinidad were hosts for three Evangelism Explosion (EE) clinics at their facilities in Arima. The first was a clinic for our members. They led about 70 people to accept Jesus Christ during the 16 week semester.

The second was a one-week, adult clinic put on by the EE National Association (EENA) of Trinidad. Our church allows EENA to use our building once a year for the clinic.

Ralph Ramlochan, EE director in Trinidad, said the third clinic was taught by 19 youth leaders from Wisconsin and Illinois. Many of them are Baptists. The trainees were mainly WCG youths from the Caribbean. Mr. Ramlochan and the national leadership are mostly Pentecostal.

In Dominica, members led two people to Christ. Fruit is being borne through our members as they reach out to others with the gospel.

The Nassau, Bahamas, church started a weekly soup kitchen more than a year ago, said Mr. McKinney. About 120 needy people receive a hot meal each Wednesday. The food is prepared and served with love by several women from the congregation.

The soup kitchen has opened the door for the congregation to bond with many in the community, thus providing more opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Several people have attended the biweekly Bible study and weekend worship services because of the soup kitchen. Many from the community have brought their children to the church to have them blessed.

The Freeport, Bahamas, congregation delivers a hot meal to about 50 people on the third Sunday of each month. They have also distributed toys and children’s books, as well as clothing for adults and children in the community of Jones Town. The church combines this ministry with preaching the gospel in outdoor Bible studies in Jones Town. Some have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

In Jamaica, the Kingston church built a hall on a five-acre plot of land leased from the government. The surrounding communities include a poor area with some people occupying government land without permission. Some of them send their children to services every week even though they do not attend.

Members of the Jamaica Youth Fellowship each adopt a child for the duration of the service. Jamaican members also constructed a small house for an elderly, disabled person.

In May, women from the Bahamas, Bermuda and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, met at Breezes Super Club in Nassau for their annual retreat. It was a weekend of joyous worship and fellowship, according to Maxcine Nesbitt, a deaconess from Freeport.

In the southern Caribbean, 124 women from Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago met for their annual retreat in June.

In these and other ways God is glorified as members fulfill the work of the church as the Holy Spirit leads them with joy in the will of God.

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS—Worship ensemble.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS—Heavenly Gems perform interpretive dance.

TRINIDAD—Worship leaders at Evangelism Explosion clinic.

TRINIDAD—Evangelism Explosion.

TRINIDAD—Evangelism Explosion clinic.

TRINIDAD—Evangelism Explosion.

TRINIDAD—Worship at Evangelism
Explosion clinic. [Photos by Ralph Ramlochan]

Youth Ministry
Jeb & Barb Egbert

New homes for U.S. SEP

Since 1965, the Summer Educational Program (SEP) has called Orr, Minnesota, home to its annual summer camp. That’s about to change.

Taking the best of what has been learned at the national camp, the WCG will move to a regional camp structure in 2002. Seven camps have been identified, dates have been reserved, and camp directors have been selected for this new model.

Still using the name SEP, the camp locations will be in California, Washington, Colorado, Arkansas, North Carolina, Connecticut and Ohio. Jeb and Barb Egbert will still serve as overall coordinators of SEP, just as they did with the national program at Orr.

"While it is sad to leave a place that has been home for this program for so long," Jeb Egbert said, "we are determined to take what we have learned and replicate that on a regional scale. Furthermore, this will provide camp opportunities that will be less expensive and more accessible for many of our members around the country."

The regional camps will generally last one week, and efforts are underway to make them available to a wider audience than traditionally has been the case.

"We have not been able to serve the 8 to 12 year old niche in the national program in Orr," Dr. Egbert noted. "But with regional camps being much closer to home, we fully intend to build a program that will accommodate them."

The property at Orr is being sold. "While Orr has been a remarkable location for SEP, it accommodates us for only about six weeks a year," Dr. Egbert said. "God has blessed us enormously with that location, but the WCG has had to spend more than $150,000 annually just to maintain the property."

More information about the regional camps will be in future issues of the WN.

San Antonio teens
participate in 30-hour famine

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—For the fourth year, San Antonio teens participated in World Vision’s 30-hour famine.

This year on March 23 and 24 they collected $700 and did a community service project of cleaning and landscaping the new San Antonio WCG church building.

The group enjoyed Bible studies, games, music and praise and worship. They and their chaperons slept overnight in the church hall. To conclude their activity they had a Chinese meal.

Few tears,
much anticipation

By Greg Williams

ORR, Minnesota—The expanded staff of 150 at the first session of the Summer Educational Program (SEP) was united with the singular mission of sharing Jesus with the young minds and hearts placed in their care. The full house of 310 campers came with a desire to learn about God, and many were curious about their future role in ministry.

I have served as a staff member for the past three years, and I must say that the spiritual awareness of the average camper was high. In the opening night dorm meetings the teens introduce themselves and express why they are there. The comments generally include a keen interest in the opposite sex and a desire to participate in sports, with an occasional addition of "I want to learn more about God too."

This summer I was impressed with young men who spoke about an interest in overseas missions, and even two who said they wanted to be pastors.

I considered this group of teens to be like tree-ripened fruit. Having grown up on an apple orchard, I am well acquainted with fruit in its various stages. In our aggressive marketplace we pick fruit before it is completely ripe, and this involves a certain amount of twisting and pulling. However, when fruit is tree-ripened, it almost falls off with the touch of the hand.

Session one campers came streaming to the front for altar calls (more kids were kneeling at the front than were left in their seats). After counseling sessions, coupled with parental permission, some 35 campers committed their lives to Jesus in the waters of Pelican Lake. Several others were ready for baptism, but they wanted their parents and church family to be a part of the ceremony, so they opted to wait until returning home.

Although campers and staff were fully aware of the pending sale of the camp, the sense of anticipation far outweighed the sad feelings. At the final banquet, tears were shed because friends were saying good-bye, but the overall attitude was "I’ll see you at a Discovery Weekend, or next year at a regional camp."

Our young people are on board for WCG youth ministry to go to the next level, and I pray their fire will add sparks to the congregations they returned home to. Greg Williams.

Huntington and
Charleston send
six on missions trip

HUNTINGTON, West Virginia—The Huntington and Charleston, West Virginia, congregations raised $17,000 to send six young people to a mission trip and 10 teens to the Summer Educational Program.

The six missionaries are Joseph Hall, 26; Dave Greider, 14; Daniel Greider, 16; Jesse Hovemeyer, 16; Lela Thompson, 23; and Katie Steele, 18. Two have previous mission trip experience. Dave Greider spent a month in Venezuela last year, and Joseph Hall spent two months in Bolivia.

On this trip, they participated in a one-month Teen Mania mission trip to Panama. The teens presented the gospel through drama, then they went into the audience to pray with those who accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior. They took their names so they could be linked with an area pastor for follow-up discipleship.

The congregations raised funds through the help of Denise Carney, who is in the mobile home sales business. She offered to buy repossessed mobile homes that the teens would then clean and make available for resale.

Don Hussell, Huntington youth pastor, said: "When we set the goal, God convicted me to challenge the congregation to send on a mission trip all of our youths who wanted to go. At the time it seemed a little unrealistic, however, I assured our young people that our God is a great God and that he can make a way."

After Mr. Hussell made the challenge, Denise approached him after church with the idea of the young people cleaning mobile homes.

Pastor Mike Greider said: "We are honored to have some on-fire teenagers. God has also provided us a capable staff to guide them. We have been blessed with a gifted youth pastor and two assistants in Huntington. In Charleston, we also have a dedicated youth pastor, Liz Chambers-Gwen, who is working hard with our teens there as well. It is so beautiful to see these young people come back from these mission trips, having seen God’s power work firsthand. They are forever changed."

TEEN MISSIONARIES--From left: Dan Greider,
Jesse Hovemeyer, Joseph Hall, Dave Greider, Katie
Steele and Lela Thompson

Olympia youths:
our present,
not just our future

OLYMPIA, Washington—The young people took over the worship service in Olympia June 30.

Jon Rowlands, with his team of teens and pre-teens, set up the hall and assisted Ben Pope, sound room engineer, in preparing the sound equipment.

Ashley Anderson opened the service with several prayer requests. Karina Robinson and Beverly Pope led the congregation in worship, with LeeAnna Pope providing sign language accompaniment. Claudi Wolford, senior ministry leader, gave a scripture reading.

Karina shared a personal testimony of her calling. Beverly Pope asked and discussed the question, "What if there was no sin in the world?" Jason Anderson performed a vocal and guitar special music. Then Steve Johnson, youth ministry leader, spoke about the joy of serving youths, and the awe of watching what God does in the lives of the children.

Steve and his wife, Amy, handed out certificates of appreciation to those involved in the Olympia youth ministry. Then, each of the children in both preschool and COOL Kids (Children Of Our Lord) received participation awards, and all of the teens in the Young Faithful group also received certificates, with an award for graduating senior, Jon Rowlands.

"Our youths are not just our future, they can also be our present," Mr. Johnson said.

21 accept Christ
at Pacific Northwest camp

LACEY, Washington—Sixty-seven campers, ages 7 to 14, and 40 staff members took part in the Pacific Northwest district Christian summer camp at Camp Gwinwood.

Amy Johnson, camp director, commented: "This summer we set off on a spiritual sailing adventure. As Captain Amy, I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing God change young lives daily at camp."

This year’s slogan was "No Way Except Jesus," and the camp theme was on sailing. They presented four sailing situations to the campers: on the dock, tied to the dock, dead in the water and sailing on open waters. Each situation paralleled a person’s spiritual condition.

When you are on the dock, you are not even a Christian. When you are tied to the dock, you are just pretending to be a Christian and you are not doing anything to grow spiritually. When you are dead in the water, you have lost your enthusiasm in following God and you feel like you’re stuck on a sandbar. When you are sailing on the open waters, you are growing and developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Katie Miller, a counselor, prepared skits during chapel that dramatized each sailing situation. The children responded well with the spiritual teaching conveyed through chapel messages by pastors Mel Dahlgren and Dee Bulante, interactive small groups and counselor-led activities.

The camp ended with a worship celebration. Twenty-one campers accepted the Lord Jesus in their lives, and 11 were baptized in the lake.

Camper Kerrie Murphy exclaimed, "Now that I’m one with God, prayers are so addicting!" Fellow camper Nathalie Elam added, "I feel like in only six days my life has been changed."

CAMP GWINWOOD—Campers
and staff at the Pacific Northwest
district Christian summer camp at
Camp Gwinwood.

BAPTISM—Dee Bulante
(right) and counselor Katie
Miller baptize Kerrie Murphy.

California:
'Our youths are our
best evangelists!'

MT. LASSEN, California—Young people from Northern and Central California attended the Word of Life Summer Camp, a transdenominational camp near Mt. Lassen National Park, Aug. 23 to 28. Some WCG adults served as counselors and teachers at the camp.

Silver Meadows Camp
is host for three
summer programs

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada—July was a busy month for our Silver Meadows Camp with three summer programs and an aggressive building schedule.

Glenn and Tracy Flynn led the first camp as 40 teen campers and 50 counselors, leaders, teachers and family members came together July 7 to 14. New activities this year were golf, riflery and fencing. These blended with the traditional water activities, rock climbing, soccer, archery, all-terrain biking and ultimate Frisbee.

Several leaders and family members worked on a new kitchen facility and teens hauled lumber and trusses to the construction site.

Christian living classes followed the theme, "Choose Life," highlighting the challenge found in Scripture—to believe God and accept his teachings as life. Topics included prayer, friendship with God, living in purity and hearing God’s voice in our lives. Presenters included Elliot Ross, ministerial intern, Glenn Buckmaster, a postgraduate working on his master’s degree, Pastor Bob Millman and Melissa Bos, who returned from working for two years in Thailand.

On the last evening, Erica Waye, a Calgary area teen, was baptized. Information gathered from an anonymous survey at the start of camp showed that most campers consider themselves committed disciples of Jesus Christ and expect to be baptized in the near future.

After camp, one single parent wrote to thank Glenn, Tracy and the staff for their leadership and inspiration: "My son came home determined to live as a Christian."

The following week was taken by two more summer programs. First was a two-day camp for youngsters five through eight. Joyce Moss led 25 campers and 40 staff through a full range of activities and Christian living classes taught by Jeanette Wood.

Pasadena NewLife
children help free
Sudanese slaves

PASADENA—The 12 children in NewLife Fellowship’s kindergarten through grade six children’s ministry were challenged in March to help free Sudanese slaves by their teacher, Mervin Walton, who serves as an elder and prayer ministry leader.

With support from Pastor Bermie Dizon and assistance from youth pastor Ron Grove, the children were led to pray for enslaved Christians in Sudan. From March through July, they prayed daily and donated money from their allowances to redeem slaves.

They didn’t have enough, but were encouraged to keep praying. God then stirred the hearts of the parents, and two families donated $75 each. Prayer ministry members and others in the congregation were moved to donate until more than $300 was raised, enough to free four slaves.

The money was donated to Christian Solidarity International, which regularly redeems slaves and restores them to their families.

NEWLIFE KIDS—Clockwise from left: Anthony, Melinda, Brittany, Betsy, Stephanie, Brigina, Whitney, Tiffany, Deanna, Vi, David and Dizon. Back row from left: Mervin Walton, Glaiza, Ron Grove. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

Dizon brothers earn
scholastic scholarships

PASADENA—Abel (right) and David Dizon received full scholarships to Pasadena schools after passing qualifying examinations and interviews.

Abel, 11, will enter seventh grade at Pasadena Polytechnic Middle School. He was one of four students accepted among 114 applicants.

David, 6, will be in first grade at the Chandler School.

Abel and David attend the Los Angeles and Pasadena NewLife Fellowship congregations. They are the sons of Pastor Bermie Dizon and his wife, Carmelita.

Basic Christian Beliefs--
The Holy Spirit

By Michael Morrison

The Holy Spirit is God at work—creating, speaking, transforming us, living within us, working in us. Although the Holy Spirit can do this work without our knowledge, it is helpful for us to know more.

The Holy Spirit has the attributes of God, is equated with God and does work that only God does. Like God, the Spirit is holy—so holy that insulting the Spirit is just as sinful as trampling the Son of God under foot (Heb. 10:29). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin (Matt. 12:32). This indicates that the Spirit is holy by nature rather than having an assigned holiness such as the temple had.

Like God, the Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb. 9:14). Like God, the Holy Spirit is everywhere present (Ps. 139:7-9). Like God, the Holy Spirit knows everything (1 Cor. 2:10-11; John 14:26). The Holy Spirit creates (Job 33:4; Ps. 104:30) and empowers miracles (Matt. 12:28; Rom. 15:18-19), doing the work or ministry of God.

Several passages discuss the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as equally divine. In a discussion of spiritual gifts, Paul puts the Spirit, the Lord, and God in parallel constructions (1 Cor. 12:4-6). He closes a letter with a three-part prayer (2 Cor. 13:14). Peter begins a letter with a different three-part formula (1 Pet. 1:2).

The baptismal formula has a stronger indication of unity—"in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). The three have one name, indicating one essence and being.

When the Holy Spirit does something, God is doing it. When the Holy Spirit speaks, God is speaking. When Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, he lied to God (Acts 5:3-4). As Peter said, Ananias did not merely lie to God’s representatives, but to God himself. People do not "lie" to an impersonal power.

In one passage, Paul says that Christians are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19); in another he says that we are God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16). A temple is for the worship of a divine being, not an impersonal power. When Paul writes "temple of the Holy Spirit," he implies that the Holy Spirit is God.

The Holy Spirit and God are also equated in Acts 13:2: "The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ " Here, the Holy Spirit speaks as God. Similarly, the Holy Spirit says that the Israelites "tested and tried me"; the Holy Spirit says that "I was angry.... They shall never enter my rest" (Heb. 3:7-11).

But the Holy Spirit is not just another name for God. The Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, as shown in Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:16-17). The three are distinct, but one.

The Holy Spirit does the work of God in our lives. We are born of God (John 1:12), which is the same as being born of the Spirit (John 3:5). The Holy Spirit is the means by which God lives in us (Eph. 2:22; 1 John 3:24; 4:13). The Holy Spirit lives in us (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16)—and because the Spirit lives in us, we are able to say that God lives in us.

Scripture describes the Holy Spirit as having personal characteristics. The Spirit lives (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16) and speaks (Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 21:11; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 3:7; etc.), sometimes using the personal pronoun "I" (Acts 10:20; 13:2). The Spirit may be spoken to, tested, grieved, insulted or blasphemed (Acts 5:3, 9; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 10:29; Matt. 12:31). The Spirit guides, intercedes, calls and commissions (Rom. 8:14, 26; Acts 13:2; 20:28).

Rom. 8:27 refers to the "mind" of the Spirit. He makes judgments—a decision "seemed good" to the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28). The Spirit "knows" and "determines" (1 Cor. 2:11; 12:11). This is not an impersonal power.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit the parakletos—translated as the Comforter, the Advocate or the Counselor. "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth" (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit teaches, testifies, convicts, guides and reveals truth (John 14:26; 16:26; 16:8, 13-14). These are personal roles.

John uses the masculine form of parakletos; it was not necessary to make the word neuter. In John 16:14, masculine pronouns (he) are used even after the neuter word "Spirit" is mentioned. It would have been easy to switch to neuter pronouns (it), but John does not. The Spirit may be called he.

However, grammar is relatively unimportant; what is important is that the Holy Spirit has personal characteristics. He is not an impersonal power, but the intelligent and divine Helper who lives within us.

Scripture does not have a section titled "The Holy Spirit." We learn about the Spirit a little here and a little there, as Scripture happens to mention what the Spirit does. The Old Testament gives us only a few glimpses.

The Spirit was involved in creating and sustaining all life (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; 34:14). The Spirit of God filled Bezelel with skill to build the tabernacle (Ex. 31:3-5). He filled Moses and came upon the 70 elders (Num. 11:25). He filled Joshua with wisdom and filled leaders such as Samson with strength or ability to fight (Deut. 34:9; Judg. 6:34; 14:6).

God’s Spirit was given to Saul and later taken away (1 Sam. 10:6; 16:14). The Spirit gave David plans for the temple (1 Chron. 28:12). The Spirit inspired prophets to speak (Num. 24:2; 2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Chron. 12:18; 2 Chron. 15:1; 20:14; Ezek. 11:9; Zech. 7:12; 2 Pet 1:21).

In the New Testament, too, the Spirit caused people to speak, including Elizabeth, Zechariah and Simeon (Luke 1:41, 67; 2:25-32). John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit even from birth (Luke 1:15). His most important work was announcing the arrival of Jesus, who would baptize people not simply with water, but with "the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Luke 3:16).

The Holy Spirit was involved throughout Jesus’ life. The Spirit caused his conception (Matt. 1:20), descended on him at his baptism (Matt. 3:16), led him into the desert (Luke 4:1) and anointed him to preach the gospel (Luke 4:18). Jesus drove out demons by the Spirit of God (Matt. 12:28). It was through the Spirit that he offered himself as a sacrifice for sin (Heb. 9:14) and by that same Spirit was raised from the dead (Rom. 8:11).

Jesus taught that the Spirit would speak through his disciples in times of persecution (Matt. 10:19-20). He told them to baptize followers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). He said that God was certain to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13).

Jesus’ most important teachings about the Holy Spirit come in the Gospel of John. First, people must be "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). People need a spiritual renewal, and this does not come from inside themselves: it is a gift of God. Although spirit can’t be seen, the Holy Spirit does make a difference in our lives (v. 8).

Jesus also taught, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:37-38). John adds this explanation: "By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive" (v. 39). The Holy Spirit satisfies an internal thirst. He gives us the relationship with God that we were created for. We receive the Spirit by coming to Jesus, and the Spirit can fill our lives.

John also tells us, "Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified" (v. 39). The Spirit had already filled various men and women before Jesus, but the Spirit would soon come in a new and more powerful way—on Pentecost. The Spirit is now given on a far larger scale: to all who call on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:38-39).

Jesus promised that his disciples would be given the Spirit of truth, who would live in them (John 14:16-18). This is equivalent to Jesus himself coming to his disciples (v. 18), because he is the Spirit of Christ as well as the Spirit of the Father—sent by Jesus as well as the Father (John 15:26). The Spirit makes Jesus available to everyone and continues his work.

The Spirit would teach the disciples and remind them of what Jesus had taught (14:26). The Spirit taught them things that they could not understand before Jesus’ resurrection (16:12-13).

The Spirit testifies about Jesus (15:26; 16:14). He does not promote himself, but leads people to Jesus Christ and the Father. He does not speak on his own, but only as the Father wants (16:13). And because the Spirit can live in millions of people, it is for our good that Jesus left and sent the Spirit to us (16:7).

The Spirit works in evangelism, convicting the world of their sin, their guilt, their need for righteousness, and the certainty of judgment (vs. 8-10). The Holy Spirit points people to Jesus as the solution to guilt and the source of righteousness.

John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize people in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). This happened on the day of Pentecost after his resurrection, when the Spirit dramatically gave new power to the disciples (Acts 2). This included speaking that was understood by people from other nations (v. 6). Similar miracles happened on a few other occasions as the church grew (Acts 10:44-46; 19:1-6).

As a historian, Luke reports the unusual as well as the more typical events. There is no indication that these miracles happened to all new believers. Paul says that all believers are baptized in the Holy Spirit into one body—the church (1 Cor. 12:13). Everyone who has faith is given the Holy Spirit (Rom. 10:13; Gal. 3:14). Whether miracles happen to them or not, all believers have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is not necessary to seek any particular miracle as proof of this.

The Bible does not command any believer to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Instead, every believer is encouraged to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18)—to be fully responsive to the Spirit’s lead. This is a continuing duty, not a one-time event.

Rather than seeking a miracle, we are to seek God, and leave it to God’s decision as to whether miracles happen. Paul often describes the power of God not in terms of miracles, but in inner strength—hope, love, patience, serving, understanding, suffering and preaching boldly (Rom. 15:13; 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 3:7, 16-18; Col. 1:11, 28-29; 2 Tim. 1:7-8).

As we can see from a survey of Acts, the Spirit is the power behind the church’s growth. The Spirit gave the disciples power to testify about Jesus (v. 8). He gave the disciples great boldness in preaching Christ (4:8, 31; 6:10). He gave instructions to Philip and later transported him (Acts 8:29, 39).

The Spirit encouraged the church and set leaders in it (9:31; 20:28). He spoke to Peter and to the church at Antioch (10:19; 11:12; 13:2). He inspired Agabus to predict a famine and Paul to pronounce a curse (11:28; 13:9). He led Paul and Barnabas on their journeys (13:4; 16:6-7) and helped the Jerusalem council come to a decision (15:28). He sent Paul to Jerusalem and warned him what would happen (20:22-23; 21:11). The church existed and grew only through the Spirit working in the believers.

God the Holy Spirit is intimately involved in the life of believers today. He leads us to repentance and gives us new life (John 16:8; 3:5-6). He lives in us, teaches us and leads us (1 Cor. 2:10-13; John 14:16-17, 26; Rom. 8:14). He leads us through Scripture, prayer and other Christians. He is the Spirit of wisdom, helping us look at choices with confidence, love and self-control (Eph. 1:17; 2 Tim. 1:7).

The Spirit circumcises our hearts, seals us and sanctifies us, setting us apart for God’s purpose (Rom. 2:29; Eph. 1:14). He produces in us love and the fruit of righteousness (Rom. 5:5; Eph. 5:9; Gal. 5:22-23). He puts us into the church and helps us know that we are God’s children (1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:14-16).

We are to worship God "by the Spirit," with our minds set on what the Spirit wants (Phil. 3:3; 2 Cor. 3:6; Rom. 7:6; 8:4-5). We strive to please him (Gal. 6:8). If we are controlled by the Spirit, he gives us life and peace (Rom. 8:6). He gives us access to the Father (Eph. 2:18). He helps us in our weakness, interceding for us (Rom. 8:26-27).

The Holy Spirit also gives spiritual gifts, including leaders for the church (Eph. 4:11), basic functions within the church (Rom. 12:6-8), and some abilities for extraordinary purposes (1 Cor. 12:4-11). No one has every gift, nor is any gift given to everyone (vs. 28-30). All gifts, whether spiritual or "natural," are to be used for the common good, to help the entire church (12:7; 14:12). Every gift is important (12:22-26).

Now, we have only the firstfruits of the Spirit, only a deposit that guarantees much more in our future (Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is God at work in our lives. Everything God does is done through his Spirit. Paul therefore encourages us: "Let us keep in step with the Spirit.... Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.... Do not put out the Spirit’s fire" (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19). Be attentive to what the Spirit says. When he speaks, God is speaking.

 

The Trinity
1+1+1
It Just Doesn't Add Up

The Father is God, and the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, but there is only one God. "Wait a minute," some people say. "One plus one plus one equals one? This can’t be right. It just doesn’t add up."

True, it doesn’t add up—and it’s not supposed to. God isn’t a thing that can be added. There can be only one all-powerful, all-wise, everywhere-present being, so there can be only one God. In the world of spirit, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God, unified in a way that material objects cannot be. Our math is based on material things; it does not always work in the infinite, spiritual realm.

The Father is God and the Son is God, but there is only one God being. This is not a family or committee of divine beings—a group cannot say, "There is none like me" (Isa. 43:10; 44:6; 45:5). God is only one divine being—more than one Person, but only one God. The early Christians did not get this idea from paganism or philosophy—they were forced into it by Scripture.

Just as Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is divine, it also teaches that the Holy Spirit is divine and personal. Whatever the Holy Spirit does, God does. The Holy Spirit, like the Son and the Father, is God—three Persons perfectly united in one God: the Trinity.

For further reading

Michael Green, I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Eerdmans, 1975.

J.I. Packer, Keep in Step With the Spirit. Revell, 1984.

Max Anders, What You Need to Know About the Holy Spirit. Nelson, 1995.

Millard Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine. Baker, 1992. Chapters 28-29.

Men's Minstry:
Men meet for
fatherhood conference

By Leigh Sniffen

PASADENA—A conference on fatherhood took place at Pasadena’s First Church of the Nazarene, Aug. 10 and 11.

Paul Sniffen, men’s ministry director for the Southwest region, was host. Attendees included ministers, members of the Promise Keepers leadership team of Southern California, and several wives.

Friday evening, Aug. 10, Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Los Angeles and Pasadena NewLife Fellowship congregations, spoke on the church’s responsibility to search out, develop and prepare leaders for the next generation of the church. He cited biblical examples of older leaders mentoring and supporting younger ones. He addressed several areas where men need to be more sensitive to be more effective at fathering.

Neil Earle, pastor of the Glendora, California, church, spoke on the stages of human psychological development and paralleled it with the development and generational perpetuation of the church.

Saturday’s presentations began when Larry Omasta, an elder and small group coordinator in the Pasadena congregation, spoke on the meaning of true masculinity, using the man Jesus as example.

Mike Feazell gave a presentation titled "Chips Off the Old Block" in which he reminded us that God saves us in spite of ourselves for the sake of Christ.

Hearts of Praise from NewLife Fellowship led praise and worship. Members are Steve Brooks, Carmelita Dizon, Linda Laureles, Mike Legel, Steve and Nina Perez, Rayminda Reyes, Brian Spurgeon, Phyllis Vance and Mervin Walton.

John Putterman, a ministerial trainee in the Altadena Community Life congregation, led worship on both days.</