DALLAS, Texas—The Dallas Central church conducted a Faith and Freedom Sunday service Oct. 13. Christian churches across the country conducted services that day to remind members of their Constitutional right to openly worship God and promote the gospel.

The Dallas Central service started with a color guard of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts carrying flags to the front of the auditorium while the national anthem was played. Worship music led by Debbie and Bruce Hard consisted of patriotic and sacred songs.

Pastor Lynn Hebert said: "Many may not be aware of our nation’s Christian foundations. We have a rich spiritual heritage. Part of it is our right to worship God and spread the gospel."

Mr. Hebert went on to state that many of the nation’s founders were dedicated Christians. However, he noted, some of our freedoms are eroding. He cited examples such as some schools forbidding Christian clubs or Bible study groups, and some public buildings refusing to rent to Christian groups while welcoming other organizations.

He said a few pastors in various locations have been arrested for preaching in public or distributing religious tracts.

A video shown at the service also discussed discrimination against Christians for openly expressing their faith. In another video, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, Christian vocalist Carman sang about Jesus as the only hope for America. The members applauded after the second video. Mr. Hebert prayed that the members would rededicate themselves to standing up for Jesus and the right to proclaim him. Frank Lewandowski.

BELLEVUE, Washington—On the weekend of Aug. 17 and 18, about 150,000 people gathered at Marymoor Park in Bellevue to attend the Puget Sound Festival, featuring evangelist Luis Palau.

Both days of the festival featured a VeggieTales children’s play area, a professional skateboard exhibition, a vintage and collector car show, and an inspirational message from Mr. Palau in the evening.

Musical performers included Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans, Avalon, the Katinas, Tait, Mercy Me and others.

Most members from the Seattle-Bellevue and Everett congregations were involved in attending pre-festival meetings, advertising, prayer for the success of the event and the festival itself.

Our members participated in many areas, including car traffic control, parking, pedestrian traffic control, data processing, trash collection, cleanup, and beverage sales. They had many opportunities to interact with members of the 700 churches that supported the event.

Thirty of our members served as counselors for those who responded to the invitation to accept Christ as their Savior or to recommit their lives to him. More than 4,000 people did so over the two days.

Messages and invitations were also given at the children’s area and the skateboard area during the day. As member Rob Kendrick said, "I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but assisting someone who accepted Christ as their Savior was the most inspiring thing that I have ever experienced."

Both congregations hope to perpetuate the enthusiasm of this experience over into personal evangelism in our daily lives, as God provides the way. Bill Miller.

Puget Sound festival with Luis Palau.
[Photo by Charles Gauvin]

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana—Anthony Rice, pastor of the Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Lafayette, Louisiana, congregations, reported that in the wake of Hurricane Lili, Oct. 3, no members in the hardest hit communities reported any property loss, other than minor roof damage and a shed pushed off its foundation. Most members who live near the coast were evacuated.

Lili approached the southern coast of Louisiana with sustained winds of 145 miles an hour. "But by God’s grace the storm miraculously decreased to 100 miles an hour winds just before it came ashore," Mr. Rice said. The whole region was without electricity, and the hurricane spawned a few tornadoes, one of which was reported to have touched down about a block from our church building in Lafayette.

"We all feel that God, in his great mercy, spared our state from what could have been a major disaster," Mr. Rice said. "Thanks to all of you for your concern and prayers."

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida—Early this year Port St. Lucie Faith Fellowship, the Port St. Lucie congregation, received notice that they would need to vacate by the end of the year the place they had rented for more than 18 years, according to elder Ed Burkhead.

The congregation had its first meeting at its new meeting hall Aug. 17.

"I had been praying for God to show me the place he had in mind for the Port St. Lucie congregation," Mr. Burkhead said. "After talking to pastors and others in the area I was led to a place in a small commercial shopping center that was in complete disarray and in need of a great deal of work.

"We had one problem," Mr. Burkhead said. "We had no money. Before meeting with the manager to commit to taking the place, I prayed for a miracle, and told the congregation during our prayer time that I was expecting one that afternoon.

"Before it was time to leave the worship service to meet with the manager, enough money had been donated to get started. If that wasn’t enough, I also had donations of a microwave oven, a refrigerator and a vacuum cleaner."

The manager gave the congregation the first month rent free because of the work that needed to be done. He also helped Mr. Burkhead get a five-year zoning variance for a meeting hall, and told him they could do whatever they decided with the inside of the building as long as the congregation gave him 30 days notice before leaving.

After the meeting Mr. Burkhead visited a family and was given another large donation. "God was still not finished with the miracle," he said. "Later that week someone donated a television set, and two days later we received another large donation, which covered the cost to refurbish the new meeting place."

Over the next few weeks after the congregation completed the refurbishing, they received a donation of a new video projector with all the extras required to have a first-rate projection system, a donation for a new lectern, two wall-mounted cabinets for storage, and a framed picture titled "Calvary."

On top of all this, they were given two computers to design bulletins, a laptop computer to go with the new projection system, a copy machine and a set of drums.

All this was accomplished in a small congregation with 25 members in attendance, 60 percent of whom are well over 70 years of age.

"We now have a wonderful meeting place and we are able to use it 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Mr. Burkhead said.

CANFIELD, Ohio—On Sunday, Sept. 1, Word of God Fellowship, the WCG congregation in Youngstown, Ohio, conducted a worship service at the Canfield Fair in Canfield.

The annual six-day fair for Mahoning County has an attendance of about 375,000.

The 45-minute service, which took place at the International Pavilion, consisted of praise and worship, several pieces of special music and a 15-minute presentation of the gospel by Pastor John Dobritch. Several fairgoers joined in the worship service.

The chairman of the board of the fair commended the church and said that it had performed a service to the community.

CANFIELD FAIR—Pastor John Dobritch leads worship.
[Photo by Ron Crumbaker]

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, California —The WCG congregations in Moreno Valley, San Bernardino and Palm Springs, California, helped raise funds for the Children’s Fund of San Bernardino County when it conducted its 10th annual Rubber Duck Race April 26.

The event benefits at-risk children by ensuring that they have adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education. It took place on the lake at Guasti Regional Park in Rancho Cucamonga. Alberta Ecker, wife of Pastor Tom Ecker, selected the team’s name—WCG Ducks for Jesus. The WCG team placed sixth out of 35 teams. They are making plans to participate in next year’s event. Shirlee Hall.

WCG TEAM—Back row, from left, Bob and Shirlee Hall (Children’s Fund volunteers), Pastor Tom Ecker and his wife, Alberta, and Deena and Bob Murray. In front are the Murrays’ children, who have been helped by the Children’s Fund. [Photo by Louise Robinson]

HOUSTON, Texas—Hope Community Church, a WCG congregation in Houston, conducted a Cinco de Mayo service May 5 with a worship theme of "Faith, Hope and Courage Through Jesus Christ."

Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the battle that took place in Puebla, Mexico, with the Mexicans fighting against the invading French, stands as a symbol of faith, hope and courage facing a superior enemy in the defense of Mexico and freedom.

Karen Quinn arranged and presented praise music in Spanish and English. Three prayer readings were presented: "A General Thanksgiving," by Becky Flores; "The Apostles Creed," by Vianey Navarro; and "The Lord’s Prayer," by Joe Flores. Juan Galvan gave a historic overview of Cinco de Mayo.

John Flores gave the sermon. A first-time visitor, who is 100 years old and originally from Mexico, pleasantly startled the congregation by standing up and joining Mr. Flores in delivering the victory charge: Viva Mexico.

The service also included a guest speaker, Sally Misner of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, who gave a presentation on the elder care ministry. John Flores.

LAKE TAHOE, California—Forty-nine women attended the annual Northern California women’s retreat at Sierra Pines near Lake Tahoe, Aug. 9 to 11.

The theme was "Peace in Jesus Christ" emphasizing Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

The director was Sandy Swagerty, and her assistant was Nancy Curtis, both from Sacramento. Teddi Deppner, also from Sacramento, led the worship team.

The retreat women have had family, friends or personal experience in the area of divorce, child problems, widowhood, abuse, drugs, alcohol, diseases and death. We all lend a loving listening ear, assist wherever possible and most importantly, pray with one another. This is an excellent opportunity to be with those who can help and encourage others.

The presenters and topics were: Clara McCrimmon, Vallejo, California, "God Brings Peace Out of Chaos"; Barbara Sault, San Jose, California, "A Sharing of Love"; Candy Bonnett, Reno, Nevada, "Overcoming the Fear of Cancer"; Sandee Miller, San Jose, "What Does God Want To Say?"; Linda Wilson, "Are You at Peace?"; Teddi Deppner, Sacramento, "Put It Into Practice"; Karon Smith, Vacaville, California, "Nothing Takes God By Surprise"; Clara Miller, Reno, group discussions and readings on unconditional love.

Saturday night was a fun-filled evening with a rousing game of Bunko, directed by Kelly Howard, Sacramento.

On Sunday the closing services were provided by Marcia Keith of Reno with her presentation "All Our Burdens Bear." Marcia gave us a rough stone to roll in our hands to represent what we were before submitting ourselves to Christ. We then placed the stone on a balanced scale and picked up a polished shiny crystal representing Christ polishing us to one day make us perfect. We then concluded with the communion and clasping hands in a closing prayer. Barbara Sault.

FORT MYERS, Florida—The Fort Myers congregation was host for a summer festival the weekend of Aug. 9 to 11 at the Christian Retreat Center in Bradenton, Florida.

More than 90 brothers and sisters in Christ gathered together, coming from all over Florida, Ohio and California.

Keynote speaker was Tammy Tkach, who was accompanied by her daughter, Stephanie. Mrs. Tkach gave two presentations: "Knowing Him, Knowing Me" and "What’s in Your Bag?"

Guest speaker was Jim Channell, former rock and roll disc jockey known as Captain Whamo. Jim is a well-known radio personality in southwest Florida. He is host for an early morning Christian program on 89.5 Praise FM. Mr. Channell spoke on God’s great faithfulness and miracles in his life.

Other speakers included Robert Persky, district superintendent, and Larry Hinkle, pastor of the Port St. Lucie and North Broward, Florida, churches. Mr. Persky spoke on "Godly Generosity," and along with his wife, Kay, gave the closing comments and led in communion on Sunday.

Mr. Hinkle spoke on resources for Christian growth and led a prayer and healing service on Saturday evening.

Worship was provided by The Christones, a WCG praise and worship band from Tampa, Florida, and also by Sarah Faulkner from Fort Myers. During the weekend, Donna Rowe was baptized by Pastor Pete Kendall.

Another retreat is scheduled for early 2004. Hugh Steiginga.

PASADENA—Would you like to enrich your marriage and renew your lifelong commitment to your partner in an environment of grace and love? Plan now to attend our third annual Southern California Christian Marriage Retreat at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Covina, California, March 1 and 2. This event is sponsored by the Pasadena Saturday morning congregation.

Guest presenters will be Larry and Kathy Collard Miller, who have shared with audiences nationally and internationally, practical, biblical principles for reinforcing and restoring marital love, unity and commitment. Their web site is www.larryandkathy.com

The early bird discount price is $125 per couple if postmarked by Jan. 5. From Jan. 6 through Feb. 9, the fee is $140 per couple. All payments must be received by Feb. 9. For details and an application call Dennis Pelley at 1-626-836-3199 or send e-mail to dennis_pelley@wcg.org

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002