UNION, New Jersey—One of the young men baptized at a church service June 23 in a New Jersey State prison was in large measure led to Christ through the outreach of Ellie Elcock, a member of the Union church, said Pastor John Adams.

   John Adams

Ellie met and witnessed to him after meeting him at the Essex County Correctional Center, where she works. A number of Union members attended and participated in the baptism.

ELKHART, Indiana—The Elkhart church sanctuary was turned into Son Canyon—River Adventure for a Vacation Bible School, June 17 to 21.

In attendance were 28 children, ages 5 to 12 from the church and surrounding community. They learned Survival Skills for Life from Proverbs through Bible lessons, crafts and songs. On the last night parents were invited to hear the songs they learned, watch slides of the week’s activities and see awards being presented for perfect attendance, a coloring contest and bringing friends. The evening ended with ice cream floats and cookies. Angie Bielski.

ROCHESTER, New York—The Rochester church sets aside one Wednesday evening a month for intercessory prayer.

"The idea is to remove the normal distractions of after-church activities and give full attention to this vital ministry," said Pastor Leonard Banks. "We have a regular weekly prayer meeting after the service on Sunday, but for the most part, attendance is poor."

  Leonard Banks

Mr. Banks asked the congregation to put aside their fears of public prayer and to sacrifice one hour to pray together about the congregation’s mission in the community.

ATLANTA, Georgia—About 35 students from Morehouse and Spelman Colleges attended the worship service of the WCG’s Living Hope Christian Fellowship of Atlanta, Sunday, July 21. The church provided transportation and a fellowship meal for the students.

This event was the result of a telephone call from Chris Meuillion, a Morehouse student and a member of the Lafayette, Louisiana, church. Chris called deacon Don Jones about the possibility of attending the service and asked if he could bring a few friends. When asked how many friends, Chris replied, "About 30."

  Charles Young

Pastor Charles Young’s sermon, "Can You Hear Me Now? Good" was appropriate for the students preparing to build their careers, as he spoke of building on the solid foundation of God’s Word. Don Jones.

SPOKANE, Washington—Glen Weber, pastor of the WCG’s Spirit of Grace Fellowship, spoke at the annual pastors, elders, ministers and wives retreat of the Northwest district of the Church of God in Christ, July 19, in Spokane.

Mr. Weber was asked to speak by Superintendent Ezra D. Kinlow. Present were nearly 50 clergy and wives from across Washington. The Church of God in Christ is a denomination of predominantly African-American members.

   Glen Weber

Mr. Weber was asked to address the group about the importance of all congregations working together to more fully represent the Body of Christ and to more effectively disciple our communities. He works with Mr. Kinlow through the Servant Leader Executive team of Mission Spokane and also as president and then vice president of the Greater Spokane Association of Evangelicals.

AMARILLO, Texas—The Amarillo church was host for "Celebration," a summer music ministry touring group from Azusa Pacific University, Wednesday evening, June 12.

"Celebration" is a contemporary Christian vocal and instrumental ensemble touring the Southern and Midwestern United States, performing in a different church nearly every day and sometimes twice daily for eight weeks.

The group of 11 members traveled with their sound equipment and instruments in a van driven by John Wertz, a 2002 graduate.

The members provided a potluck meal for the musicians and invited guests before the concert.

A love offering was taken up during the concert for the APU School of Music for scholarships and music ministry. The members provided overnight housing for the students as well as breakfast and sack lunches.

Sammy & Julia O'Dell

"This was the biggest event our small congregation has undertaken in terms of planning, prayer, publicity, preparation and setup," said Pastor Sammy O’Dell. "It was a great opportunity for service and evangelism."

Mr. O’Dell’s wife, Julia, commented: "The students reflected the love of Christ in their music, their testimonies and their fellowship."

MILWAUKIE, Oregon—Joel Lillengreen, pastor of the Portland East and Hood River, Oregon, churches, and his wife, Pat, serve at Deerfield Village, an assisted-living facility in Milwaukie.

Joel Lillengreen

Mrs. Lillengreen began working there about three years ago as a caregiver. She was later promoted to med-aid, receptionist, assistant manager, and now associate manager in charge of the day-to-day operation of the entire facility of 50 or so residents.

Shortly after Mrs. Lillengreen began work there, the minister conducting the midweek Bible study began serving a different facility. She mentioned that her husband was a pastor, and Mr. Lillengreen stepped in and began doing the midweek studies in November 1999, and since February of this year he now also conducts a service each Sunday.

Mr. Lillengreen said, "This is a nice ministry, to minister to people in the last part of their lives."

As an added blessing, Mrs. Lillengreen’s promotions came at the time when Mr. Lillengreen’s salary was being reduced by 25 percent. Their combined income now is more than ever.

Mr. and Mrs. Lillengreen feel that though we may not always understand why God is leading us in the way he does, if we take his hand and trust him to guide us, he will put us exactly where we need to be so we can fulfill his will that he has in mind for us. Paul Hailey.

PASADENA—The Office of Reconciliation Ministries and Connecting & Bonding will sponsor a benefit dinner and dance Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Picwick Banquet and Entertainment Center, 1001 Riverside Dr., Burbank, California. For directions please see our web site, atimetoreconcile.org

The evening will begin with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Music will include oldies, current Top 40 hits and live entertainment. The cost for the evening is $35 per person. For tickets please phone John Graham at 1-310-631-0961 or send e-mail him at jragraham2@netscape.net

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Forty-one new believers were baptized June 15 in Barangay Tortugas, Balanga City, in Bataan province.

The baptisms were the result of a small group outreach ministry started in the area by missionary and church planter Remigio Cruz last November. Mr. Cruz, with his wife, Juliet, visited the area and conducted Bible studies once a month. He began to do a discipleship series in May, which culminated in challenging the participants to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Elsewhere in the Philippines, the newly baptized prisoners in Calamba City jail experienced their first praise and worship service June 19 when they were visited by Pastor Rene Marquez, Arji Cruz and Tom Sotalbo. The San Pablo City congregation also donated a 15-meter water hose, which will be used for their convenience. It was also planned that an exhaust fan will be installed inside the cramped prison cell.

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The WCG and several members from the Quezon City outreach team received a presidential award and several citations during the Rotary Club’s awards night June 26 at the Great Eastern Hotel.

These awards were in recognition of the church’s sustained and committed partnership in the outreach projects of the club for the club year 2001-2002. The awards were presented by Elee Lucero, Rotary club president and ambassador-at-large for Guam.

Pastor Andrew Teng received the other awards for the church and on behalf of Eugene Guzon, national director, who was at the area superintendents conference in Olongapo City.

The WCG, through Mr. Guzon, who is also the incoming president of the club, went into partnership with the Rotary Club for various projects this year. These include a literacy and feeding program for young children, gift-giving during the Christmas season, the establishment of a community corps, livelihood and values training, and waste management in the community near the national office.

The Rotarians, including Danny Reyes, district governor, visited the church’s national office several times as it served as the venue for most of these outreach activities. Through these activities, church volunteers have been able to relate with the community and members of the Rotary Club in a personal way. After the livelihood training programs, the volunteers also offered Bible studies and discipleship lessons.

AZUSA, California—Rose Huff, a member of the Pasadena congregation, received her doctorate in clinical psychology, with emphasis on gifted children, May 4, from Azusa Pacific University.

Other degrees Dr. Huff has earned are a master’s degree in clinical psychology, emphasis in family systems; and a master’s degree in school psychology and state certification. Dr. Huff received a state license as a marriage, family and child therapist in 1999.

She is a published author in Children and Stress: Ways of Helping and Caring. She received the faculty award for Outstanding Qualitative Research Dissertation—The Experiences of Parents of Gifted African American Children.

            Rose Huff

TOLEDO, OHIO—The Toledo church conducted its first service Nov. 9, 1962, and on Nov. 9, 2002, the congregation will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The worship service will take place at 2 p.m. at Roberts Chapel, 9300 Hwy. 20A in Monclova, Ohio. A catered meal will begin at 4:30 p.m. All past members and ministers are welcome.

    Larry Brown

For reservations and directions, please call Pastor Larry Brown by Oct. 30 toll free at 1-800-539-8362 or send e-mail to him at LBROWN4572@aol.com Donations will be taken for the meal.

SCOUTING FAMILY—From left:
Larry, James and Frances Gillentine.
Frances received a volunteer award,
and James is working to become an
Eagle Scout. [Photo by Shelba Stanley]

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Alabama—Frances Gillentine received the highest award that can be given to a volunteer scouter in the 12 county area of Black Warrior Council of Alabama.

Of 225 Silver Beaver awards given, Mrs. Gillentine is the 16th woman to receive one.

Mrs. Gillentine is a math and science teacher, the Double Springs board chairman, is active in a senior reading program and has been named Woman of Distinction in Double Springs.

She has served as Mountain Day camp director, Fun With Son chairman, is active with the Youth Conservation Corps through the U.S. Forestry Service and has served as Parent Teacher Organization president of Winston County.

Her husband, Larry, is scout master, and their son, James, is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. They attend Faith Community Church in Spring Valley, Alabama, where Roland Stanley is pastor. Shelba Stanley.

MERIDEN, Connecticut—The Meriden and Stratford churches completed their second year of speakers club, May 12. The club has a diverse membership, with its oldest member, Florence Roux, 94, and its youngest member, Antoinne Elliott, 17.

The club was started as part of the congregations’ outreach to the community. Larry Wooldridge.

SPEAKERS CLUB—Front row from left:
Kathy Sauter, Florence Roux and Sybil Martin;
back row, Bill Sauter, Bob Hyde, Richard Fritz,
Larry Wooldridge, Sal Nucifora and Antoine Elliott.

GLADEWATER, Texas—Thirteen Disciples’ Concert volunteers (www.DisciplesConcert.us) visited the Truman W. Smith Children’s Care Center (for disabled children or for children with severe medical conditions) in Gladewater, July 13, to drop off donations of shampoo, conditioner and socks. Most of the volunteers are members of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, the Big Sandy congregation.

We also sang Christian songs and prayed with the children and staff, and as usual, found out about some incredible people. Especially touching was the story of Amanda, 19, a resident for 11 years, now in critical condition and in isolation.

Her father, Tony, visiting her from Louisiana, told us her story of repeated cases of pneumonia, brought on by poorly developed lungs. Left unsaid was the story of Tony and his wife, Peggy, making a life with their daughter under such extreme circumstances.

He told us how much the staff loved Amanda, and how sad everyone was that she wasn’t smiling lately because of a lower oxygen level in her body because of her illness. We spontaneously gathered around Tony and prayed fervently for Amanda. Michael Gonzalez, Jerome Ellard and Annette Rios.

SAYRE, Oklahoma—Sayre members organized their third annual Good Neighbor Day, July 27, to provide quality clothing and some school supplies for needy families.

More than 75 people benefited from donations by members of the community. Fifty people took advantage of a breakfast of biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos and pancakes provided by the church.

A man riding a bicycle to Arizona stopped and asked for some biscuits. A woman working for Western Union saw all the cars and asked a member what was going on? He told her and invited her in for breakfast. She declined but made a donation.

Several people asked about the church, and one woman attended the next week and plans to continue coming to church.

"It was a great day," said Pastor Ben West, "and was humbling when one woman said, ‘You can just feel God’s love here.’" Ben and Shirley West.

PASADENA—In June, iUniverse published Sabbath, Circumcision, and Tithing: Which Old Testament Laws Apply Today?, a 300-page book written by Michael Morrison, WCG editorial supervisor. The book retails for $21.95, but discounts can be obtained through Barnes & Noble and through the author. Most of its contents are already available for free on the church’s website.

"I gathered all the studies I had done on Old Testament laws," Mr. Morrison said, "organized them, added some transitions and obtained permission from the church to use the copyrighted material. I wanted a book that could reach people outside of our denomination, people who are wrestling with these questions." The book is now listed in Books in Print and is listed on several bookstore web sites.

"This book attempts to put the Sabbath question into a larger context, that of other Old Testament laws. Once we understand why one Old Testament law is obsolete, it gives us principles to evaluate the Sabbath. Some of the arguments for the Sabbath are demonstrably faulty, because those arguments could just as easily be used for circumcision. That’s why it is helpful to look at other Old Testament laws, not just the Sabbath by itself."

iUniverse is a print-on-demand publisher. Books are printed only when ordered, so the publisher does not lose anything on excess inventory. This is the most economical way to print books with small print runs. "I would be happy for a more traditional publisher to print and market this book, perhaps selling it for less. But in the meantime, iUniverse offered an inexpensive way to begin right away."

For more information about the book, for its table of contents and links to source materials, see the author’s website at http://mm91007.tripod.com 

SAN CARLOS, Philippines—The San Carlos City church has been proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ with boldness over DYRS Radio Mindanao Network for more than four years.

Pastor Laurencio B. Sabanal Jr. baptized eight listeners Aug. 6 and 7. After hearing the radio program, they requested a personal visit to have a Bible study in their own home. Then after months of Bible study, they decided to attend worship services every Sunday, and eight of them decided to accept Jesus.

ATTENDEES—PTM Bible study at
senior care facility.

BEAVERTON, Oregon—Park Place, a senior care center in Beaverton, is the weekly setting for a Bible study. Audiotapes are the primary source of instruction and are supplemented with quotes from the Bible and interaction with the participants. The group started with four and as many as 13 have attended.

God’s Word is helping to fill a need in their lives. Some participants are in wheelchairs, and some use walkers. One woman said that she had "never felt closer to God" than she had following the study on hope. Another said: "Thank you so much. This is the only church we have."

Too often the seniors in care facilities are not fed in spiritual ways and are hungering for God in their lives. Our outreach helps bring them optimism, encouragement and joy. This approach put into effect elsewhere could be a means of bringing more hope and encouragement to seniors and extending the reach of PTM Ministries. Morgan Tovey.

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—A Read-Me-A-Book and Feeding Program for children from ages 3 to 7 was conducted by the Rotary Club of Quezon City, July 31.

July was the club’s literacy month. The event was conducted in cooperation with seven WCG volunteers.

The children were divided into three groups: 3 to 4 year olds were handled by Debbie Sison; 5 year olds by Leova Ballecer and 6 to 7 year olds by Rotarian Raffy Mijares. One heartwarming experience was when one of the boys did not eat his dinner and asked one of the teachers if he could give it as his gift to his mother. Leova Ballecer.

PASADENA—Church Administration announced the following ministerial ordinations.

Edgar Bland, Memphis, Tennessee.

Ronald Gerald Johnson, Duluth, Minnesota.

Jeff Holden, Elkhart, Indiana.

Alfred Liburd Sr., San Diego, California.

Timothy Maguire, Johannesburg, South Africa.

John Pairitz, Elkhart, Indiana.

James Calvin Ray, Hope, Indiana.

Jesse Soto, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Daniel Zankpe Aziableyi Yovo, Lome and Badou, Togo.

SAN DIEGO, California—The San Diego area churches (Cornerstone Community Church and North County Christian Fellowship) will sponsor a 50th anniversary reunion Oct. 5.

The event will be in San Diego at the Scottish Rite Center from 4 to 8 p.m. and will include a buffet dinner along with other special activities and displays. The cost is about $23 per person (families will receive a price break).

Please RSVP so we may have an accurate count for the meal. In conjunction with the event, a worship service will take place at Cornerstone on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m in San Diego, and at North County Christian Fellowship on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. in Vista.

You can visit the WCG website (www.wcg.org) for the address, or contact Mark and Anne Stapleton (phone 1-619-303-9032; e-mail pastormark@cox.net) if interested in attending either service. All current and past members and ministers are invited.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002