April 2003 Contents

This is our April cover.

In this issue

Publication

You are holding in your hands or reading on the Internet the 30th anniversary edition of The Worldwide News, writes editor Tom Hanson. The church has produced 629 issues of the paper since 1973, and we celebrate with a change in the cover design. Page 3.

Pastor General

In a unique sacrifice, once for all time, Jesus gave his body and shed his blood for our salvation, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach. The bread and wine point to his loving involvement in our lives. Page 6.

Black History

Several congregations in the United States celebrated Black History Month with special worship services in February. Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, addressed students in assemblies at a high school in Pasadena. Page 8.

John McLean has been named national director of the church in Australia. This appointment formalizes the role Mr. McLean has undertaken for the past several years. The appointment is for a three-year term and is renewable. Page 11.

Window on the World

James Henderson, superintendent of missions for Africa, and his wife, Shirley, visited a WCG church plant at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya in February. The 70 members include people from Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Ethiopia. Page 12.

Youth Ministry

Jeb Egbert, director of the Summer Educational Program (SEP), writes that one reason for having regional camps is to provide support for transformational youth ministries in local congregations. Page 17.

Discipleship

God offers us a relationship so close that he calls us friends, family—and even a bride, writes Mike Morrison. He uses these figures of speech to describe how much he loves us. "I no longer call you servants," Jesus told his disciples. Page 24.

Men's Ministry

About a dozen WCG ministers were among the 9,000 pastors who attended a Promise Keepers event Feb. 18 to 20 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona. Founder Bill McCartney commented: "The church is facing real difficulty. One percent of churches are growing. Most Christian teens don’t believe the Bible is God’s Word. We have gathered these pastors here to secure the foundations." Page 28.

Financial Report

January and February donations this year are up five percent over the preceding year. Donation income for February totaled almost $1.6 million and the two months combined were right at $2.6 million. Page 29.

Worldwide News
celebrates 30th anniversary

By Thomas C. Hanson

PASADENA—You are holding in your hands or reading on the Internet the 30th anniversary edition of The Worldwide News.

The church has produced 629 issues of the paper produced since 1973. We celebrate our 30th anniversary with a new masthead.

The publication was produced on the now-closed Big Sandy, Texas, campus of Ambassador College until 1977, when the paper and staff moved to the church’s headquarters in Pasadena.

John Robinson conceived the idea of a denominational news publication and served as its managing editor from its inception April 1, 1973, until 1978. Other early full-time employees included Klaus Rothe, assistant managing editor, and Dixon Cartwright, copy editor.

In those days the paper was typeset on a Mergenthaler VIP phototypesetter, the galleys run through a photo processor, hung to dry, cut, run through a waxer and pasted on layout boards. Ellis Stewart made film negatives of the pages and burned printing plates to be sent to the Gladewater Mirror for printing.

The WN went to desktop publishing in the 1990s, and now zip disks are sent to the press at Vertis Advertising in the City of Industry, about 30 minutes from church headquarters. The WN was first put on the Internet in 1995, making it instantaneously available to readers worldwide.

The 1990s saw the launch of regional editions of the paper to supplement the U.S. edition. Budget cuts later in the decade limited WN circulation to the United States, while the regional editions continue. The WN was produced every two weeks from 1973 to March 12, 1996, when it became a monthly publication. We went to a magazine format in 1997 after being tabloid-sized since 1973.

Dexter Faulkner was named WN managing editor in 1978 and director of Editorial Services in 1979, a position he held until 1990. Later Editorial Services directors were Ron Kelly, Bernie Schnippert and G. R. Albrecht. Sheila Graham worked with the WN from 1973 until her retirement in 1996.

Two church employees—myself and Ron Grove, layout editor, work full-time on the WN. Mike Feazell oversees WCG Publications, and Mike Morrison contributes regularly and provides editorial supervision.

Ron Grove, a WCG employee since 1974, became the WN layout editor in April 1980. Jeff Zhorne came on board in August of that year, continuing until 1995. I started overseeing the WN in June of that year. As an Ambassador student in Big Sandy, I worked as a WN photographer from 1975 to 1977.

WN STAFF—From left: Mike Feazell, executive
editor; Ron Grove, layout editor; Mike Morrison,
editorial supervisor; and Tom Hanson, editor.
[Photo by Barb Edwards]

The Bible lessons you are sending with your monthly letter are great. They are short and to the point and are great to pass on to those who are just beginning to learn about Christ and what he has done for us.

Also, we would like to thank you for The Worldwide News. We really appreciate being informed on what is happening in the church and what is being done in other countries. Our congregation in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is growing in grace and knowledge if not in numbers. Thank you for our pastors, Roger Abels and Wilhelm Mandel. We love them very much.

Dale and Judy Fisher
Marshall, Michigan

Pastor General Joseph Tkach’s article "Working Together for the Gospel" (February WN) reminds us of the astounding significance of what Christ desires to perfect in our hearts. The desire for our hearts is to flow with his "living waters of love," enabling us to make a difference in the lives of others.

Perhaps the apostle Paul acknowledged the principle necessary for making a Christlike difference in our world as he said, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). The application of this scripture allows God’s children to transcend the self into a state of "we-ness."

The state of we-ness illustrates that Christ is the center of our unique personalities. With Christ as our center we can attain courage to shine our divine meaning, as he directs and fulfills the purposes bestowed in our lives. Hence, Christ orders our lives to encompassing ends that act so as to fulfill those ends as he uses our various gifts in a state of we-ness.

Living behind prison walls for nearly 17 years has taught me the importance of we-ness. Early in my incarceration a state of hopelessness and helplessness enveloped my existence. In turn, many people were eager to share the gospel, providing me with a glimmer of hope, the hope in Christ that has never failed me as I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior 15 years ago. Their incessant outpouring of agape love has made a profound difference that has laid a we-ness foundation, a foundation that is built on our rest in Christ, as we are a universal family.

In this environment the two most-asked questions of me are: "How could you have possibly coped all these years without losing sanity?" and "Why are you affiliating yourself with him?" I simply respond: "Christ lives in me, and he knows no prejudices. He is the giver of life, the result of internal freedom." We must remember that our responses to such questions convey a genuine love from God, aiming for spiritual discovery and growth.

Regardless of the society we live in, many suffering souls haven’t experienced Christ, as well, believers in need of encouragement. As Dr. Tkach said, "Each of us needs other people." If Christ is to live fruitfully in our lives, the we-ness attitude must flood our perceptions. Let us all embrace the courage of Christ in the collective goal of furthering God’s kingdom in the effort of fulfilling the great commission. After all, the Christ family makes a difference in our lives, so also we must in the lives of others.

Thank you, as I am indebted to the Christ family for making a difference in my life.

Karl Klett
Marion, Ohio

What a timely booklet The Gospel Really Is Good News!

This subject about the unevangelized dead just came up in a small group meeting. It seems every time someone goes to a funeral, a friend or relative broaches that subject.

From now on, when I do a funeral, I’m going to ask the director if he would find this booklet helpful for his patrons. With only 12 pages, some could even read it right there during a wake or while waiting.

Thanks for your thoughts and insights on this subject.

Jon Kurnik
Pastor
Pittsburgh and Indiana, Pennsylvania

My parents came into the church when I was in third grade, and I went on to graduate from Ambassador College in 1978, getting married after my sophomore year and finishing up as married students. Shortly after we were married, my husband grew discontented with the church (having found errors in the teachings, which now are changes that have been made) and stopped coming—a crushing blow to someone as ingrained in the church as I was.

I, however, continued to attend for about five years after he quit. This, of course, put great strain on our relationship. Finally, I got tired of fighting him and found myself agreeing with the reasons he quit—misteachings of the church.

My parents, William and Rita Pearson, are Worldwide Church of members in the Marion, North Carolina, church, where my father is an elder. My family continued on with the WCG, bearing up against all the tides of change and making changes themselves (much to their credit).

They came out to visit us last year, and because there is a local WCG congregation in Lancaster, California, where I live, I attended with them a couple of times. I was instantly impressed and amazed at the change in the atmosphere of the church. My parents were generous enough to have helped send my two boys to camp in previous years, so they had already grown to love Jesus based on their experiences there.

When Cody, my oldest son, acquired his own vehicle, he began attending services on a regular basis and became a leading teen at the church, being asked to lead worship services and prayers. He and my other son, Brett, asked me to come with them a few times after my parents’ visit, so I did. Then, I was hooked! The love that exists in that small group of people is so powerful. I felt like I was home.

Jennifer Urban
Lancaster, California

I have just finished reading [Michael Morrison’s] article "Why Were You Born?" I cannot begin to express my gratitude for giving me the light and a clear understanding of the purpose of why I was born.

For a long time I was a lost sheep walking in the mud. I always wanted to get out of it but because of a lack of light, I could not find my way out. I did not understand the significance of what Jesus’ invitation was all about. I became muddy and thought so unworthy to accept his invitation to join him in his Father’s house.

After learning of the Gospel through Evangelism Explosion and after reading your article, I know now why I was born and why I must fulfill my destiny for God. It’s all about him. I hope he gives me the health, the wisdom and the power to serve him the rest of my life.

George Orogo
Lakewood, California

Can’t help but write to tell you (Mike Feazell) that "you’ve done it again" with the new booklet titled The Gospel Really Is Good News!

I love nothing better than a clear presentation and description of the power of the glorious gospel in full strength! The Holy Spirit has magnified Jesus through you and the inspiration of your words in this booklet. This book is truly a tract not just for non-Christians but Christians!

Thanks for taking the time to write it and share a copy with all members. I now know how I want to approach my Easter message as a result of this booklet, and have refined my presentation of the gospel to others I will reach out to! Hallelujah!

When I get this inspired I can’t contain my need to express my thanks, so thanks, and Keep Kickin’ It 4 and with Christ as God continues to make something good and God happen through us!

Your fellow servant in Christ and his ministry.

Timothy Jerome Brassell
Pastor
New Creation Community Church
Portsmouth, Virginia

Partaking of the Promises

"The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

In the bread and in the wine, we remember what our Savior did for us in the historical past. In a unique sacrifice, once for all time, he gave his body and shed his blood for our salvation. In our communion services, we commemorate his sacrifice for us.

But communion also pictures what our risen and living Savior does for us in our own past, present and future. Jesus gave himself for us even when we were sinners, and he continues to give himself for us, serving our needs, now that we have entered into his redemption. Both the bread and the wine point us not only to what Christ did in the past, but also to his loving, ever-present involvement in our lives right now.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul compares the church to the body of Christ. "Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" he asks. "Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

The communion bread should remind us that in participating with Christ, we are also participating with one another, because we are all one in him. Although we are different in many respects, we are all nevertheless members of one another (Romans 12:5), for we all partake of Christ, the Bread of Life. Our unity is in him, and this unity is not just a figure of speech—it affects the way we treat one another.

In Corinth, however, the believers were not treating one another the way that they should. There were divisions among them (1 Corinthians 11:18), and instead of commemorating Christ together, they were divided even in the way they ate and drank the memorials of his death. The early arrivals were apparently so inconsiderate that they ate all the food and overindulged in wine, leaving nothing for those who arrived late (verse 21).

Wealthy people could arrive early, but poor people could come only after they had done their work. The result in Corinth was that the hungry people remained hungry, because all the food was gone by the time they arrived, and they felt humiliated (verses 21-22). So Paul scolded the wealthy for their behavior, because it did not reflect the unity in Christ that believers ought to have.

Paul did not require the wealthy to give up their wealth. He simply told everyone to eat at home (verse 34). The bread and wine are not a means of satisfying hunger, but a means of commemorating Christ’s death and resurrection, of showing our common faith in our crucified and risen Savior. The believers are to eat at home, and when coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper, they are to wait for one another (verse 33), so they will be participating together. Communion is to reflect unity, not discrimination or judgment (verse 34).

So Paul encouraged the Corinthians not only to examine themselves, but also to recognize the body of the Lord (verse 29). He is not talking about the flesh-and-bone body of Jesus (which the Corinthians could not see), but about the body of Christ, the church (which they could see), in which Christ dwells through the Spirit. They were to discern that the believers formed one body, united by their spiritual union with Christ—and this awareness was to make a difference in the way they treated one another.

The Lord’s Supper is to be an expression of unity in Christ. Since the Corinthians were using their meal to discriminate against the poor, they were not reflecting unity; therefore their meal was not the Lord’s Supper (verse 20). It should have been, and in verses 33-34 Paul tells them one way to avoid the problem. He wanted all believers to share equally in "the Lord’s table" (1 Corinthians 10:17, 21).

The bread of communion points us not just to Jesus on the cross, but to Jesus very much alive in the church today. The fact that Jesus died and rose for each and every one of us means that we have a spiritual equality. We need to see each other as people for whom Christ died, people Christ loves dearly—and we should love each other dearly, too.

"Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…. Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another" (Romans 14:9-13).

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

The communion wine reminds us not just that Jesus shed his blood for us—it reminds us of our new life in Christ right now. Jesus said that the wine is the new covenant in his blood—that is, our ongoing fellowship with God that he makes possible for us. Jesus did not die just for our past—he died so we would have a fellowship with God that extends into eternity.

The new covenant involves several changes:

• First, God writes his laws on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10). This does not mean that we memorize sacrificial regulations or that we have an automatic desire to perform the ritual laws of the Old Testament. What this means is that God works inside us to change us to be more like he is. He puts his love within our hearts.

• Second, the new covenant means that everyone will know God, or have fellowship with him (verse 11). The old covenant, in contrast, was made with a nation containing both faithful and unfaithful people; the new covenant involves a people who are all faithful—made faithful by our faithful Savior.

• Third, the new covenant involves complete forgiveness—God will "remember their sins no more" (verse 12). Although the people had sins, the people are forgiven and will never be condemned.

These are exceedingly great and precious promises, and though in Christ we have entered into them and "tasted them," as it were, they are not yet fully realized as they will be at his appearing, when the resurrection takes place and we "put on immortality."

We already have the down payment of the promises (2 Corinthians 1:22). The Holy Spirit is already at work in our hearts, changing us to be more like Christ. We already know God and have fellowship with him (1 John 1:3), and we are already fully forgiven in Christ (Romans 8:1). The promises are being fulfilled, because the new covenant in the blood of Christ has been established.

When we drink the communion wine, we should remember that we are in covenant with God—an agreement in which he has pledged according to the certainty of his own faithfulness to cleanse our hearts, to renew our minds, and to forgive all our sins. He has promised to complete the work he has begun; we can be confident in what he is doing, because it is all based on what Christ did.

Blood is not only a symbol of death—in the Old Testament it is also a symbol of life (Leviticus 17:14). Just as the body of Christ (represented by bread) is now visible in the church, the life of Christ (represented by wine) is also visible in his church—through his love in us expressed in good actions.

True, the church does not perfectly reflect the life of Christ. We have sins and shortcomings. The promises are not yet fully realized—but they are sure and certain promises—guaranteed for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church is where Christ is working not only to preach the gospel, but also to change the hearts of the people who bear witness to his power to forgive, cleanse and transform sinners, which we all are.

When we take the bread, accepting the bodily sacrifice of Jesus for us, we are also accepting his visible body in the world today—the church. And when we take the wine, we accept not only his forgiveness, but also his promise to change our hearts.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us not just of Jesus’ death—it reminds us that he is raised and lives even now within us, within every member of his body, the church. When we partake of the Bread of Life, and drink the new covenant in Jesus’ blood, we are accepting his promises and inviting him to live within us and change us. This coming year, how might he want to change you? That’s something worth thinking about.

Joseph Tkach

Copyright © 2003 Worldwide Church of God

GLENDORA, California—The Glendora congregation marked its seventh consecutive Martin Luther King Day and Black History observance Jan. 18 with a worship service attended by 125 people.

The worship service featured songs depicting the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, such as "We Shall Overcome" and "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus." Walton Brown, who marched with Dr. King in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955, introduced a selection of readings titled "Dr. King’s Allies," showing the role various ethnic groups played in the struggle to end segregation.

Guest speakers were Paul Sniffen, men’s ministry director for the Southwest region, and his wife, Leigh. "I find that men in particular have a great need for friendships in the faith and for being together with people of like minds," Mr. Sniffen said. "We are called to a ministry of reconciliation, and ministering to one another or to those who are hurting with personal problems is a big part of that."
   Paul Sniffen

Mrs. Sniffen spoke about her experiences with conflict resolution on behalf of the Los Angeles City Attorney’ s Office that "there is conflict and division at all levels of human interaction today, not just racially." She exhorted the audience to "live the peace of God."

The Black Gospel Choir performed musical selections. Neil Earle.

Black History Month
inspires pioneer series

AUSTIN, Texas—As Black History Month approached, Family Christian Fellowship (the Austin WCG congregation) began to discuss how to best honor the various races and ethnicities represented in our diverse congregation. We desired to become more aware of the struggles taken and the valuable contributions made by people within minority groups.

We studied how we could best honor our minority members, provide education and inspiration to our entire congregation, and keep any presentations within the scope of a religious service. We decided to inaugurate an ongoing series titled "Pioneers of Our Christian Faith."

Every four to six weeks, a member will present a five to 10 minute biographical sketch of some character from church history—from the first century to our present day. In these presentations, we use lectures, skits, musical outlines, puppetry, game show formats and other methods to make this rich history come alive.

We launched our series with presentations on two black Christian pioneers: Richard Allen, 1760-1831, clergyman and founding bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), and Mary McLeod Bethune, 1875-1955, founder of Bethune-Cookman College and political reformer and officeholder under U.S. Presidents Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

We see and hear God in the words, deeds and sacrifices of those who have allowed themselves to be spent for him over the centuries. These men and women from all around the world, from different races and nations, are pioneers of our Christian faith—our spiritual grandparents in the church. The lives they lived should be legacies of faith for all Christians.

As we bring to light the stories of a variety of people, our aim is to create greater unity in the Body of Christ, acknowledging that "from one man God made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth" and "so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

By appreciating the contributions across the mosaic of Christian history, we can attest to the miracle of the unity of God’s Body. Lee Berger.

Longview, Texas, church
marks Black History Month

LONGVIEW, Texas—Grace Christian Fellowship (the WCG congregation in Longview) marked Black History Month in February.

Pastor Dave Orban asked that all Church Life messages given in February focus on Black History. At the worship service the first week, Joyce Hewitt spoke about unity in her message, "A Legacy of Memories," and Glen Roberson spoke about his life.

The next week, Barbara Burns spoke on the Nation of Africa and the Black Africa Study Bible. She also talked about how many came over on boats and what happened to many of them.

Faye Washington spoke on "The Life of a Southern Black Woman," mentioning things that happened to her and the pain and hurt she experienced.

The final week, Sandy Orban spoke on the life of Thelma Wells, an African-American woman who founded Bee Ministry and is one of the principal speakers at the Women of Faith conferences.

Ida Robinson wrote an article each week about outstanding people: Ralph J. Bunche, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950; C.J. Walker, noted as being the first black millionaire (she also founded a school); Isabella Baumfree, who helped free many slaves in the 1840s; Charles Drew, chief surgeon at Freedmen’s hospital in Washington, D.C., who developed techniques for extracting blood plasma; and Marion Anderson, singer.

The praise team sang, "One Faith One Love" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot," showing the love and unity we need for one another.

Mr. Orban spoke on being set free from sin and becoming slaves to God in a message titled "A New Kind of Slavery." Charlie and Joyce Hewitt.

Pearland members
reflect on origins 
of Black History Month

PEARLAND, Texas—Community Christian Fellowship celebrated Black History Month by reflecting on the origins of the celebration; the importance of knowing our history; how the four presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore were associated with black people; and the career of Coy Davis Jr.

On Feb. 15, preteens presented special music. The observance concluded Feb. 22 with a sermon by Ester Reed, who described contributions by several lesser-known black inventors. Mr. Reed also provided information from the Black Inventors Museum listing hundreds of inventions patented by blacks. The celebration concluded with a soul food potluck lunch that included fried chicken, ox tails, salads and desserts. Walter Hawkins.

SINGING YOUTHS—Preteens
sing led by Bruce McNair (center).
[Photos by Lue Ennis]

SERMON—Ester Reed speaks
at Feb. 15 Black History service.

PASADENA—Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, made a presentation at a Black History Month celebration, Feb. 26, at John Marshall Secondary Fundamental School in Pasadena.

Mr. May made the presentation at two assemblies—for grades 6 to 8 and another for grades 9 to 12. About 1,700 students attended.

Mr. May showed a videotape titled Masters of Invention—Making It Happen. He shared some thoughts with the students and teachers on how we all can accomplish what we set our minds and hearts to do regardless of ethnicity, skin color and in most cases, circumstances. "Many heroes of the past have proven that fact against almost insurmountable odds!" he said. He also spoke on oneness in diversity.

Other participants were Jillianne Dunn (10th grade) and Roxanne Bevel (11th grade), who read a positive poem "Why I Am Black." Crystal Neeley (10th grade) also shared an uplifting reading. The audience also heard gospel songs by student Alexandria Parker and guest Darryl Clisby, accompanied on the piano by Timothy Cooley.

"The enthusiasm of the students was highly contagious, and the spontaneity was exciting," Mr. May said.

Mary Bland, assistant principal, organized the students in their part of the program.

SCHOOL PRESENTATION—From left:
Curtis May; Mary Bland, assistant principal;
Steven Miller, principal; Daniele Assael,
assistant principal.

Jackson, Tennessee,
women sponsor 
Black History Month

JACKSON, Tennessee—In February, the Jackson women’s ministry sponsored presentations during worship services in observance of Black History Month.

This year the focus was on the WCG’s black leaders and a few members of our own congregation. Guests also performed.

On Feb. 2, Johnny Chandler shared his memories of members Charles and Corinne McDearmon, and the positive influence they had on his life. He said he had learned much from Mr. Mac, as many called him. Mr. Mac was a source of wisdom and guidance for the youths of the congregation for many years.

Johnny and others were often invited to the McDearmons’ home for lunch and conversation. He would drive young people to youth activities and even lend his truck if they needed it. Johnny invited several other members to share ways the McDearmons affected their lives.

Mr. McDearmon was responsible for building a senior citizens center in Jackson, and the mayor proclaimed Charles McDearmon Day in honor of this achievement.

On Feb. 9, Buni Wendt shared information about the life of the late Harold Jackson, a leading minister in the Worldwide Church of God. She included her memories of Mr. Jackson as a pastor when her family lived in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Jackson was known as a loving, caring man who affected the lives of those he served in this country as well as in Africa.

On Feb. 16, Lois Watkins spoke about her mother, Beatrice Watkins, a longtime member of the Jackson congregation.

Mrs. Watkins never knew her father’s family, as he had been sold on the slave block when he was young and had no more contact with them. As a young girl she was nicknamed Stinger Bee, and was known as one who could handle herself in any situation.

She was married at age 16 and bore 10 children, only to lose four of them as babies and little ones. She said that God had given her a dream about a girl baby she was to have before Lois was born, and that Lois looked just like the baby in the dream. Mrs. Watkins had many talents and would share her blessings with neighbors and deliverymen. Her love for Jesus grew and her faithfulness was a fine example to everyone.

On the same day, Forrestine Gray reported on Sojourner Truth, a 19th century African-American devoted to the antislavery movement and an advocate of women’s rights. Forrestine had invited Essie Johnson to present a dramatization of Sojourner Truth and her life as a slave and a woman.

On Feb. 23, Gladys Anderson gave a report about Curtis and Jannice May and their work: his as director of Reconciliation Ministries, and hers devoted to pastors’ wives through Connecting & Bonding. Gladys also spoke of her own fond memories of being a member of a congregation pastored by Mr. and Mrs. May and knowing them personally.

In addition, Margaret Brooks led several of the children in shaking to the music, "Shake the Devil Off," by Dorothy Norwood.

Also, Margaret had invited Angela Jarmon to perform for us. Angela sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," and "He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need" a cappella and received a standing ovation from the congregation.

Bessie Wilder read a poem written by an African-American.

After the worship service, members enjoyed a potluck featuring soul food, accompanied by soft jazz music. Forrestine Gray.

JACKSON WOMEN—From left: Angie Goodman,
Angela Jarmon, Margaret Brooks, Forrestine Gray,
Mary Britt and Bessie Wilder on Feb. 23.
[Photos by Ezell Wilder]

DRAMATIZATION—Essie
Johnson portrays Sojourner
Truth, Feb. 16.

John McLean named
Australian national director

By Rod Matthews

BURLEIGH HEADS, Australia— John McLean has been named national director of the church in Australia.

The Australian national board, with the confirmation of Pastor General Joseph Tkach, endorsed Mr. McLean to serve as national director for the first term of office because of his current responsibilities, experience and skills in performing the duties required.

This appointment formalizes and confirms the role that Mr. McLean has undertaken in the past several years. He is a most gifted teacher, and we appreciate the contributions he has made through our Pacific College intensive courses, the development of theology and biblical studies courses, and in the policies that we needed in a new era, not neglecting to mention his care-filled pastoring of churches in years past.

Mr. McLean will remain director of Pacific College.

Church headquarters in Pasadena has asked that regional directors focus primarily on regional issues, with the emphasis on developmental activities. Australia is the largest part of our regional family, and the coordination and development of the extensive national activities of the church needs a singular focus.

The role of the national director is to provide team-based, servant leadership to the elders and members of the WCG in Australia. The national director is responsible for the planning, development and coordinated delivery of services and activities designed to support and encourage the spiritual development in the national church. The national director is accountable to the regional office and to church headquarters.

It is the decision of the Australian board, confirmed by headquarters, that the national director should be appointed to a three-year term consistent with the appointments of national directors in the Philippines and Europe. The appointment is renewable.

Please join me in offering God our thanks and appreciation for his guidance as we have transitioned steadily, carefully and peacefully to a new structure, and for Mr. McLean as a gift to our fellowship who needs our prayers and encouragement in this role.

John McLean married Heather Fawssett in 1976, the year they graduated from Ambassador College.

Mr. and Mrs. McLean have served the following church areas: Sydney, Blackheath, Bathurst, Grafton and Newcastle, New South Wales; and Brisbane, Ipswich and Gold Coast, Queensland.

They have two children, Kristy, 18, and Jonathan, 15.

WORSHIP SERVICE IN AUDITORIUM—John McLean,
national director for Australia, speaks March 5 at weekly
worship service in the Ambassador Auditorium.
[Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

Window on the World

African refugees' plight

From Randal Dick

Superintendent of Missions

James Henderson, superintendent of missions for Africa, and his wife, Shirley, visited one of the newest and most challenging church-plants in the entire WCG fellowship. Here is his report.

By James Henderson

My wife, Shirley, and I returned Feb. 24 from a church plant in a place called Kakuma, Kenya, and felt I had to tell you all about it. From our perspective the visit with our people there was one of the highlights of our ministry so far.

Our leader in Kakuma is Nyenye. Let me tell you his story.

Nyenye lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1993 he was a student at the university there and, just like so many young men that you and I know, he had high hopes for a future career. It was an exciting time in his life.

However, this area has been the scene for many years of rebel and insurgent activity. Students in particular have been targets of intimidation, and Nyenye was chased out of the region. He fled to the neighboring country of Sudan, where he met up with some Sudanese Christians who had come under religious persecution. He escaped with them across the border to Kenya and was admitted to a refugee camp in Kakuma.

One of the remarkable things about Nyenye is his Christian faith. He and other refugees have gone through trials that I can only imagine and that would probably defeat me. I know a refugee woman, a Christian, whose husband was shot dead in front of her and her children, and the murderous soldiers then drove them out of their country. Yet in the midst of all this pain, faith exists. Nyenye and the refugee widow and believers like them trust in Jesus.

About 240,000 people live in makeshift accommodations in the Kakuma refugee camp. Food is distributed through the World Food Program, and rumors indicate that soon the donor funding will cease, with disastrous consequences. While there, some refugees told me that the twice-monthly ration is one glass of cooking oil per person, some maize (corn), salt and one bar of soap. For meat and vegetables people have to use their initiative. The surrounding area is arid and inhospitable.

In 1997, Nyenye moved to Nairobi, Kenya, to try to get work and also to train in sign language. While in Nairobi he came into contact with the Worldwide Church of God. We have a refugee congregation in the township of Kangemi on the outskirts of Nairobi, and Nyenye began to attend there. He became friends with another young man, Eraston, who had fled the Congo from the predatory troops of President Laurent Kabila, successor to Mobutu Sese Seko.

In 2002, in an effort to regroup the refugees in Kenya, the authorities transported Nyenye and Eraston back to Kakuma.

There, Nyenye and Eraston recognized that the refugees had spiritual as well as physical needs. Although some churches had been established, more needed to be done. They decided to try to plant their own branch of our fellowship.

Nyenye and Eraston went door-to-door, or more accurately, hut-to-hut, to preach Christ and to promote awareness of our fellowship. They invited to meetings those who would listen. Gradually the church grew, and now we have an attendance of around 70, mainly adults with just a few children.

These 70 are composed of Sudanese who fled from extreme persecution, Rwandese and Burundians from the Hutu-Tutsi conflicts, Congolese whose home areas are still occupied by rebel forces, plus some Kenyans and Ethiopians. Main languages spoken are Swahili, English and French. This ethnic mix is unusual in Africa and reflects the tolerance shown in our church services where we are all one in Christ Jesus.

One of the more exciting parts of my job is to, whenever feasible, visit new church plants in our fellowship and to welcome them officially into our fold. So it was with a degree of anticipation that Shirley and I set out on the long journey from South Africa to remote Kakuma. Nyenye met us upon arrival at Lokichoggio’s tiny airport, and soon we were on our way to the camp, a rough two hour drive.

Visitors had to check in with the chief security officer, and when we did he was horrified that we did not have an armed escort. This is a dangerous place with bandits causing tension on the roads. In early February two charity and church workers were shot dead on the main road to the camp.

The security officer gave us permission to proceed, and for part of the onward journey we were accompanied by Kenyan police, who carried an assortment of weapons from automatic rifles to clubs.

The drive to the small building where our church meets was bleak. Past security checks, shanty dwellings, barbed wire compounds, toxic open sewers, empty feeding posts, under-stocked street markets, some men fighting over who knows what, women carrying baskets on their heads and children in their arms, brown, dirty and dusty.

When we entered the hall, Nyenye was there, of course, full of smiles and enthusiasm. But for an African church it was unusually silent. Why? About 30 of our members, mainly from the Sudan, are deaf. Nyenye, as if he had nothing else to do or think about, recognized another need. The church groups in his immediate vicinity did not have arrangements for the hearing impaired. So he, in conjunction with our Kenyan church, started a sign language school and invited his pupils to church.

Despite the silence, the welcome we received was overwhelming, and we felt at home, with everyone shaking our hands, smiling constantly. Various songs of praise were sung, one of them by the deaf choir, which is composed of about 12 people. A beat was clapped out, and then someone recited the words of the song, "I Love Jesus," and the 12 signed to the words and the beat. It was an inspiration to watch.

Later we gave out WCG certificates that showed advancement to a certain level of sign language appreciation. Some months ago, because of the generosity of WCG international donors, we supplied this congregation with Bibles, and I saw them being used.

What do you say to such a group? I told them about how Jesus suffered and that in their sufferings Jesus is present with them, that there is hope in Christ, that he too was a refugee at one point and was called the Man of Sorrows, that, above all, each and every one of them is special to God, that although everything seems stacked against them, God is for them. I also told them they are part of a worldwide fellowship that cares for them. We intend to help these children of God as we are able.

The chief security officer told us we needed to travel back in the heat of the day (and it was very, very hot), as most attacks occur in the relative coolness of the morning or the late afternoon. So we had to leave earlier than planned. It was sad to go. Once again my wife and I felt emotional, like we were leaving newly found brothers and sisters. We were. These people are not only our brothers and sisters in Christ, but yours too.

But what of Nyenye? Nyenye has not seen nor heard of his family since 1993, and he cannot return home because Kisangami is still insecure. He remains a refugee. However, he does not dwell on the unfairness and the hardship that have come his way. He sees his situation in life as an opportunity to do something with God’s help for others. His desire to is to continue to give of himself as much as he can.

Maybe there is a lesson in this for us. Whatever problems we have, whatever dire situation we find ourselves in, we can still do something positive. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves we can reach out to others. We can still do something for God.

It was hard to leave the church at Kakuma. I know that many of you would have loved to have been there, and would have been moved by the whole experience. I wanted all of you to know that in that part of a far-off land, people are thinking of and praying for you and our fellowship, and delight in being part of our Worldwide Church of God.

KAKUMA MEMBERS—Refugee church in Kenya.
[Photos by James Henderson]

Nyenye

DEAF CHOIR—Choir members sign hymns.

On Theology of
the Word of God

By John McKenna

PASADENA—Karl Barth’s concept of the threefold form of the Word of God may be stated as follows:

• The Word of God is first of all and preeminently the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• The Word of God appears in written form as the Holy Scriptures of the people of God, the Bible of the Old and New Testaments.

• The Word of God is the proclamation of the church of Jesus Christ as the revelation of his Father by the Spirit of God.

This three-in-one concept of the Word confronts us with a dynamic reality whose intelligibility is to be grasped with the rigors and precision inherent in knowing God in this way in this world.

The Word of God comes to us in his divine freedom. He is God who comes personally and freely as a man among his people. The Holy Scriptures are the written form of this Word. The canon of this literature bears witness to his majestic truth.

With his truth, the Lord God has established his dialogue canonically between himself and his people. With it, his people are made to hear his Word and to proclaim him in the world.

The Word of God comes as a man within the structures of the created world for his own purposes. He is in this way the fulfillment of the ancient covenanted promises to Israel. The dynamic character of this dialogue, with its commands and promises, shapes the substance of his people’s hearing. We are listeners being formed to understand and proclaim the very Word that he is when he speaks to us.

Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of Israel’s prophetic hope. He spoke the heavens and earth into existence. He spoke to Abraham and then with the fathers of Israel’s faith. He spoke with Moses and David, and then through Israel’s prophets. He spoke through the apostles, and he speaks through them still with the Bible.

When the church began to proclaim this speaking of God’s Word within the Greco-Roman world, it was on the attack. The church had to attack the very foundations of knowledge that prevailed throughout the Roman Empire.

The gospel of God in Jesus Christ questioned the way human thought conceived of the reality of God, the cosmos and the human race. A new way for God and humanity to be in this world had been defined. It was not readily accepted.

Israel’s messianic hope was the realization of the covenanted promise the Lord God made with his people. The church was to hear this Word for Israel, his people, and to proclaim him throughout the world. Greek rationalism heard this Word of God as folly. Judaism heard it as blasphemy. The church heard it as the majestic truth of God himself.

The church grew steadily then and flourished. Its faith in Jesus Christ gained for it a certain place and time in world history. World history has since never known itself without the church of Jesus Christ.

The Torah of the Jews and the Pax Romana of the caesars provided no room for this new reality. The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ lit up this darkness in such a way that human knowledge was seen to require an entirely new basis for its development.

Christ had showed the church a whole new way of seeing everything. It was the beginning of a whole new creation, to which all are called even in our own time.

I would argue that this Logos, which became flesh, established a rational basis for understanding the created order and human freedom in the universe that is uniquely the Christian gospel’s contribution to the development of our scientific culture. It attacks the Greek philosophical views of an eternal world and the immortality of the race of men.

This Logos also transforms the views of Judaism. The Creator of the heavens and the earth and his interaction with his creation cannot be divorced from Israel’s redemption. Far from blasphemy, he is the solid truth that the Lord God is faithful to keep his promise to Israel. He is the Holy One in our midst.

This Word challenges, in fact, every idea we possess about the holy and divine, the cosmos of the world, and the humanity of the created orders.

With the revelation of this Logos in mind, Karl Barth, the great Swiss theologian, set out to write his Church Dogmatics. I have found his concept of the Word of God fruitful in my own life and efforts to read and understand the Bible.

I believe that most of the problems the church has faced in the history of its proclamation of the gospel must be resolved with a proper understanding of the intervals of the threefold form of this Logos.

• l The interval between the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible. With the church’s study and understanding of the Bible as witness to the Word, it learns to speak of his personal reality as the Revelation of God in the world. He himself is then the source of the canonical truth of the biblical world.

This canon of the church’s faith cannot be divorced from the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Eternity, history and our times are bound up with this literature. Inspiration, history, historical-critical methods for interpreting the Bible, the relationship of science to the Word of God—all must find their places within the domain of this interval.

• The interval between the Person of the Word of God and the church is bound up with the way his incarnation as this Logos of the Spirit of God creates and commissions the church to proclaim this Word.

Jesus Christ is the union of the divine and human natures of the Lord God and a man in this world. He is the revelation of his Father. These concepts cannot properly be understood without the interval between the church and the Bible. In this domain is established the church doctrine of the Trinity of God.

• The intervals between God and the Bible and God and the church impact upon the interval between the church and the Bible. The church at all times must remain under the authority inherent in the Bible, but it must not worship the Bible.

The church must worship the Word revealed there of the Father and by the Spirit. Biblical interpretation and theology are developed here.

These intervals, distinguished from another and yet dynamically related, are understood as one in a unity that Barth attempts to keep in mind throughout his Church Dogmatics.

Divine and human freedoms are at the poles of these intervals, and I believe they possess the secret of the nature of the covenant relations taught us in the Bible.

My mentor in this theology of the Word of God, Professor Tom Torrance, wrote that the church, in its efforts to proclaim this Word and his kingdom, must face three facts about itself in regard to its mission to the world (Theology in Reconciliation, 1975):

1) The church must overcome any built-in obsolescence that endures because of faulty assumptions.

2) The church needs to learn to keep from joining the world in its desire to make the world the place and time of its own righteousness.

3) The church must recover her mission of healing and reconciliation in the depths of being. Superficial analyses and fashionable assessments about our futures will only land us within our already wounded boundaries, our already fragmented forms, our already alienated individuals and communities. Revelation and reconciliation must be heard together with one another from beginning to end.

We need to learn to live and have our being in the grace and truth of this Word and enjoy him and his life and being forever. May he reconcile us to himself and give us to know him for who he truly is for us in our time.

Resources:

Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, Volume I, 1 and 2.

Bernard Ramm, After Fundamentalism.

T.F. Torrance, Theology in Reconstruction.

     

 

WCG litigation settled

By Ralph K. Helge

We are pleased to announce that the Worldwide Church of God (the "church") has reached a successful conclusion in its lawsuit against the Philadelphia Church of God ("PCG") through a mutual settlement.

As most of you will recall, the PCG copied and published Mystery of the Ages, which was owned by the church. As a consequence it was necessary for the church to file a lawsuit in order to protect its assets, although it had no pleasure in doing so.

PCG reacted by filing a counterclaim in which they requested permission to print and distribute other works. It is not our intention to go through all the details of the lawsuit at this time. The reason being, the entire lawsuit has been settled, and we hope that it will bring an end to recriminations and that the peace of Jesus Christ will prevail.

In brief then, the court entered an injunction against PCG, prohibiting it from making any additional copies, or further distribution, of Mystery of the Ages. The matter had reached the point where it was pending hearing on the amount of damages and other issues. In accordance with the settlement, all claims are settled, the injunction will be vacated, and the entire lawsuit dismissed.

During the litigation, the church decided that it would be financially prudent to publish for historical purposes some of the literary works written by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong and sell them. Sixteen such pieces of literature were printed and published (all containing a preface explaining that most of the doctrinal material in the books is not biblically sound).

During the last year or so, PCG made different offers to license or purchase some or all of the literary works in question, and thereby settle the litigation. As the church did not consider that the amounts offered were sufficient, the offers were rejected. But then PCG made a substantial offer of $3 million to purchase 19 of the literary works written by Mr. Armstrong, and settle the litigation.

The church board of directors and some of its officials met to consider this offer. It was concluded that the church would never be able to make this amount in royalties by publishing and selling the individual works, the settlement would result in the receipt of substantial assured revenue for use in proclaiming the gospel and would circumvent further intensive, costly litigation and years of court proceedings as the matter wound its way through the appellate process.

Another consideration was the widespread availability of the works on the Internet from numerous sources, making it increasingly costly and difficult to thoroughly defend these particular copyrights and prevent distribution of unauthorized copies.

As a consequence, it concluded that prudent business practice demanded that it was a business opportunity that the best interest of the church dictated should be accepted. Therefore, a settlement agreement has been signed and, as of the date of this writing, the matter is pending the opening of escrow.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your prayers in this matter, and God’s blessing on the church for the favorable outcome.

Youth Ministry

How SEP supports
building healthy
youth ministries

By Jeb Egbert

FRISCO, Texas—The Summer Educational Program (SEP) in the United States is a camp ministry of the WCG that serves children, teens and college age young adults.

A primary reason for moving from a single national camp in Orr, Minnesota, to several regional camps throughout the United States was to provide more effective support for transformational youth ministries at their primary points of delivery: within church congregations and in the homes where we seek to help youths find Christ, be built up in Christ and be equipped to be workers in Christ’s disciplemaking mission.

Those involved in the leadership of our camp ministry seek to be more intentional about integrating the incredible ministry that occurs in a camp setting with the essential youth ministry that occurs back home. But how is this done?

With our camps closer to home, more parents will have firsthand opportunities to see a regional camp in action. Almost all of the SEP regional camps last year reported that parents could observe camp in operation. I met with several parents on the last day of camp at SEP Ohio last year, and listened to how grateful they were for the support to their family ministry that the camp provides.

Another way to support the congregation is to encourage campers to not only take back the energy they may have experienced at SEP, but look for opportunities to support their pastor. Whether helping with the sound system, passing out songbooks or engaging in peer-to-peer ministry, campers and staff are encouraged to go back to their congregations and find a way to make a difference.

SEP is an outstanding venue for youth-oriented evangelism. Pastors and members involved in outreach activities are urged to point unbelieving youths toward SEP. SEP is a youth-friendly Christian haven that has helped many nonbelievers develop relationships with Jesus.

SEP can assist the congregation by helping young believers begin to be established in foundational Christian beliefs. An entire spiritual curriculum for one camp focused on the Apostles’ Creed, and campers learned the fundamental doctrines of orthodox Christianity. This is such an important benefit of camp ministry in a time when many young Christians are bombarded by conflicting and confusing messages about what Christianity is all about.

Because the numbers of young people in many congregations have declined, and because teens (especially) are relational, SEP helps to keep young people connected in an expansive network. Many of these young people continue to network with SEP friends years after camp.

One of the greatest opportunities for linkages between SEP and the congregation occurs through the staff. SEP staff volunteers are immersed in the SEP experience for a week where they learn important youth ministry skills. They return home with a spiritual enthusiasm that can have many positive benefits within the congregation.

SEP thus serves as a means for building and equipping young spiritual leaders. Counselors and other staff members receive hours of focused training to help them better serve campers in their care. Many methods taught to SEP staff for use in a camp ministry setting are relevant for youth ministry within a congregation.

This year, we are piloting a program at SEP South Carolina where those who have a passion for youth ministry will take several classes on how to engage in youth ministry, and then participate in camp ministry, where they can immediately apply what they have learned. At SEP Ohio we will have a pilot program where members of all ages will join with the campers for the last days of camp to see youth ministry in action and experience the joy of youths leading the church in worship.

Because the role of volunteer staff members at SEP is so powerful, we envision a time when each congregation will find a way to encourage a member to apply to the closest SEP to serve on the staff. We hope to partner with pastors to ensure that those staff members who experience SEP are given the opportunity to bring what they learn back to the congregation.

In addition, SEP is stronger because so many volunteers with diverse experiences come together and share those gifts at camp. Camp directors take those methods that appear to bear the most fruit in the camp setting and build on them.

SEP is an important part of WCG youth ministry. We are working to ensure that it complements ministry in the family and the local church. I invite your suggestions on how we can improve this linkage. Please drop your suggestions to me at jeb_egbert@wcg.org

South Carolina
Discovery Weekend: 
The Power of Paintball
and Prayer Partners

By Shane Bazer

CARY, South Carolina—"That weekend changed my life. Can I go to your camp this summer" was an e-mail I received from Nathan, an unchurched teen I took to the "In His Steps" Discovery Weekend Dec. 28 to 30 at Look Up Lodge Retreat Center in South Carolina. He and his two brothers came mainly to play paintball, but they got a lot more.

The weekend began with the assignment of prayer partners. The 107 young people and adults in attendance received a card with the name of another youth or adult on it. They were asked to secretly pray for that person all weekend, and if they wanted, they could reveal themselves on the last day.

The weekend was full of energetic praise and worship, interactive breakout discussions and encouraging chapel messages. Activities included novelty games, paintball and a giant chair ride. In addition, the youths enjoyed playing basketball, miniature golf and table tennis during free time.

At the end of the weekend some interesting things came to light regarding the prayer partners. One of the most moving is Erika, a teen counselor who was assigned to pray that weekend for a girl she didn’t know well. At the last service, during time for the young people to come forward with any prayer needs, this girl asked Erika to lead her in prayer to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Yes, Nathan is still planning on attending the Higher Ground summer camp, and his two younger brothers want to come too.

The Higher Ground SEP summer camp is open to young people ages 10 to 20. For more information go to www.carolinacamp.com

Southwest district
youth weekend:
The Call to Impact

By Thomas C. Hanson

PASADENA—Forty-eight teens from the Southwest district met in Pasadena Feb. 22 and 23 for a district youth weekend with a theme of "The Call to Impact."

The event began Saturday, Feb. 22, in rooms rented from Pasadena’s First Church of the Nazarene with welcome, orientation and novelty olympics to help the teens get to know one another.

Then an adult and teen praise band led praise and worship. Band members who participated at various times during the weekend were Ben D, Melanie F, Carmel D, Charlie R, Abel D, Nick G, Carmelita D, Steve P, Stephanie and Tiffany P and Lauren S. Steve Ramos, a pastoral intern in the Pasadena Spanish church and a student at Azusa Pacific University, was worship leader.

Then it was off to the Rose Bowl for "The Call Los Angeles," sponsored by The Call, led by Pastors Che Ahn and Lou Engle of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena. The Call California (Feb. 22 in Pasadena and April 5 in San Francisco) is "an urgent summons to humbly pray and fast and cry out to God in the two largest cities in California."

The scriptural theme for the event was taken from Joel 2:15-18: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is their God?" ’ Then the Lord will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people."

You can visit The Call website at www.thecallrevolution.com/aboutus/key_facts.php

An estimated 30,000 people attended the event, which took place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Similar events have taken place in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, the Philippines, England and South Korea.

Dozens of immigrants prayed in their native languages for revival in their countries and for blessings on their new home, America.

According to the Feb. 23 Pasadena Star-News, the leaders of The Call said they wanted to urge "Christians from all denominations to pray humbly, to fast and to cry out for God to change their hearts just as the Israelites did in the Old Testament. Then God will use them to bring hope, peace and forgiveness into the world."

Then it was off to the Boys and Girls club, where the Pasadena NewLife and Spanish churches meet for worship services. There the teens discussed what they experienced at The Call, had another round of praise and worship and ate dinner. Activities that evening included billiards, foos ball, table tennis, card games and karaoke.

On Sunday the teens returned to the Boys and Girls Club for breakfast and a slide show of their activities. A district youth worship service was conducted in place of the regular Sunday NewLife Fellowship service. Bermie Dizon pastors NewLife Fellowship and is district youth coordinator.

Micah Royal, pastoral intern, and Kat Clark, both Azusa Pacific University students, spoke on "Impact Your World." During the message, teen speakers Aaron G, Steven R and Cody U gave testimonials of how God had impacted them personally, while Kat and Micah called on young people and adults to reflect on what ways God has been at work in their lives and how they can respond by joining in God’s work of impacting their schools, neighborhoods and workplaces for Jesus.

The worship service ended with a commissioning service led by Michael Morrison, NewLife Fellowship youth pastor, and Steve Ramos. In their prayer they commissioned the teens to represent Jesus and make a difference in their world.

Then the teens joined NewLife Fellowship for its weekly potluck, played games and mingled.

Cody, a teen from Lancaster, California, said: "The opportunity to be with friends, whom I haven’t seen since my last Summer Educational Program (SEP) experience, was an extreme blessing in my eyes.

"It was a time of fellowship with fellow Christian peers, in an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of faith we have with our Lord. We sang, we danced, we fasted and we prayed, but all in a positive environment where we could feel the very presence of our Savior Christ Jesus.

"If I could, I’d spend almost every weekend in the year doing the same thing over. I truly feel inspired to deepen the impact upon the earth and the community of America, to call others to Christ and invite them to heaven."

ROSE BOWL EVENT—Southwest district teens
were among the thousands who gathered at the
Rose Bowl in Pasadena for The Call Los Angeles.
[Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

SACRED ASSEMBLY—Southwest district teens
gather for photo before entering Rose Bowl.

COMMISSIONING SERVICE—Michael Morrison,
youth pastor, prays for teens.

CHRISTIAN FRIENDS

RESPONSE TO MESSAGE—Teens reflect on
how God works in their lives.

   
TEEN TESTIMONIALS—From left: Aaron,
Steven and Cody.

LISTENING EAR—Dan Rogers, superintendent
of U.S ministers, listens to how God works in
the lives of youths.

Learning to Be Like Christ, Part 1

Our Relationship With God

God has created us "in his own image," and that this image is seen most clearly in Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, and God is in the process of conforming us to be more like Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We will never be exactly like Jesus (he existed even before the beginning of time as part of the Godhead, and we’ll never do that!), but God offers us something as close as possible. We will be like Jesus.

We can’t be like Jesus by ourselves—God does the work within us. How does he do it? In this article, we will look at how the change begins: in our relationship with God.

God offers us a relationship so close that he calls us friends, family—and even a bride. He uses these figures of speech to describe how much he loves us. "I no longer call you servants," Jesus told his disciples. "Instead, I have called you friends" (John 15:15). We can be like Abraham, "God’s friend" (James 2:23).

We are also called God’s children, and "Jesus is not ashamed to call [us] brothers" (Hebrews 2:11). "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1). Maybe it isn’t obvious right now, but it will be evident when Christ returns. "When he appears, we shall be like him" (verse 2).

God calls us his children, he gives us an eternal inheritance, he invites us into the throne room as often as we want, and he loves us with a love that will never fail. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:15-17).

God loves us and accepts the responsibility of providing our needs, protecting us, and helping us grow toward maturity. And in the end, we get a fabulous inheritance from the wealthiest Dad in the universe!

Paul used a marriage analogy when he wrote that he had "promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him" (2 Corinthians 11:2). Revelation uses a similar figure of speech when it predicts the "wedding of the Lamb," when Jesus (the Lamb) and his people (the bride) are joined forever and ever (Revelation 19:7; John 1:29).

What more could we say of his love for us? Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

In Jesus, God has shown us how much he loves us. He did this while we were sinners, so there is nothing we can do that will ever take his love away. He loves us even when we are sinners. We are assured of his constant love. And if he did this when we were sinners, we can be confident that he will complete our salvation (verse 10). His love will never fail. This is the rock-solid basis for our fellowship with God.

We are to be like Jesus, and Jesus set an example for us. We can look to Jesus to learn more about our relationship with God the Father.

For some people, "Father" (or "Parent") brings only negative memories. But when God reveals himself as a Father, he does not want to cause fear or resentment. Rather, he wants to remind us of protection, of giving us our needs, of a love that is secure. Human parents ought to have these qualities, but everyone falls short of the ideal, and some are even evil. But God the Father is perfect, and we should let the Bible describe him; we should not pre-judge him by our experiences with defective parents. We should imagine the best father possible, and be assured that God is even better than that.

Jesus was confident that the Father loved him (John 3:35; 5:20). He was also confident that God, as a perfect Father, would provide his needs. Don’t worry about your life, he told his disciples, or your food and clothing. God takes care of the birds and the flowers; he will take care of you, too (Matthew 6:28-34). Jesus depended on his Father, relied on him. He prayed not as a formality, but because he needed help from God. We do, too.

Jesus respected the Father, honored him, was loyal to him and obedient to him. Shortly before Jesus was crucified, he prayed for a way to escape: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me." But he also added, "Yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Jesus trusted his Father to take care of him, even after death.

God is a Father to us, too. He loves us, provides for us, and cares about us. Granted, there are times in our lives when we do not understand why he is allowing us to suffer, but even then, God asks us to trust him. By sending Jesus to die and be raised for us, he has already shown himself to be trustworthy.

We aren’t all-wise, and we can’t expect to understand everything. It should not be too surprising that we don’t understand all suffering, even though we’d like to understand it. But understanding it doesn’t necessarily make it go away. Jesus knew why he had to suffer and die, and he still had to do it.

If God allowed Jesus to suffer, we can be sure that suffering is for some reason a necessary part of God’s plan; we can also be sure that Jesus understands what we are going through. If God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for us, we can be sure that he won’t stop loving us now.

But what choice do we have? Christians have trials; unbelievers have trials, too. Our choice is not whether to suffer, but whether to trust God. We need to be like Jesus.

God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30). He loves us and has given us life; we are to love him and be thankful for the good things he gives. He is loyal to us; we are to be loyal to him. We are to depend on him, rather than money or government or any other unreliable authorities.

Why does God want our loyalty? Not for his own benefit—he doesn’t need us. Rather, he wants our loyalty for our benefit. God wants the best for us, and he knows that when we are disloyal to him, we are going to get hurt. When we trust in something that’s not trustworthy, we are going to suffer, and God doesn’t want us to do that.

God tells us to not murder, steal or commit adultery. These are not arbitrary rules, but instructions on how to avoid potentially painful problems. In effect, God tells us not to play with poison—not to restrict our freedom, but so that we can avoid danger. We can either trust him, or we can take matters into our own hands and suffer. God knows what works best, and he cares enough about us to tell us what we should avoid. If we disobey, God still loves us, but we suffer the results.

When we realize that God loves us, we accept that his commands are for our own good, and we trust that he knows more about life than we do. It is simply a wise policy to learn to do what he says, and foolish to disobey. That is a practical application of trusting God, of being loyal to him.

Our love and loyalty to God should be so great that we worship him—praise him, adore him, want to be like him, and desire to do whatever he says. Peter writes that we are chosen for this purpose: "that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

God does not assign us this job because he likes to hear flattery. He assigns us this because we are the ones who benefit from it. It is good for us to be reminded of God’s power, grace, promises and faithfulness. The better we know God, the more we will see that he is worthy of praise. God has designed us in such a way that we will find life most enjoyable, and most satisfying, when we are doing what he created us to do.

We worship God in church, but worship is much more than that. We worship him throughout the week—whenever we pray, whenever we obey him rather than acting selfishly, whenever we trust in him. We do not trust in our works, but we can use them as a form of worship: "Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased" (Hebrews 13:16).

Our goal is to let God change us so that we are more like Christ. Worship is the first step. As we acknowledge his power and wisdom, as we are reminded of his faithfulness, we surrender ourselves to him, to let him do what he wants in us. In worship, we are already imitating Christ—doing the will of the Father, trusting in him, honoring him, loving him with all our strength.

If we want to enjoy eternal life in the presence of God, we need to begin to enjoy his presence even now. Our transformation into Christlike people begins with our relationship with God. In part 2, we’ll look at how it affects our relationship with others. God puts us into a family, and there we learn more about being like Jesus.

To part 2 of this series

Michael Morrison

Copyright © 2003

Some thoughts about worship

By Kim Woltz

WASHINGTON, D.C.—True worship! Have you ever asked yourself what exactly is praise and worship? What does it mean to God? Does he really care how I worship him as long as I attend church (well, most weeks, that is) and at least stand up during the "song service."

In Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well (John 4:1-38), he says the Father is now looking for true worshipers who will worship him in spirit and in truth.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we worship with our whole being, from the inside out. "In truth" means with no hidden thing in us. We can’t hide from God (Jeremiah 23:24).

Praise is an expression of heartfelt thanks to God for all he has done. Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and come into his courts with praise." Worship, on the other hand, is the highest form of praise. In worship we express our admiration for who he is, not just what he’s done.

Worship is what takes place beyond the outer courts, through the inner courts (the Holy Place), and on into the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), where the presence of God dwells. We are instructed to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).

It’s not just something you do during the worship service for a couple of hours, nor is it simply a song service. It happens every day and everywhere in the life of a believer, and it is not limited to music and singing. Our coming together every week should be a culmination of our continuous worship. In fact, the lack of private worship will hinder your ability to worship corporately.

The Old Testament had specific rituals and steps the Levitical priests took to enter into God’s presence (see Leviticus 1 through 16), but when the veil that separated humanity from God was torn by the blood of Jesus, all believers obtained the privilege of entering into God’s holy presence.

God’s Word contains many different expressions of praise. In the Old and New Testaments, we see clapping, shouting, dancing (2 Samuel 6:14, Psalm 149:3, Exodus 15:20), the playing of musical instruments, singing and laughter (Psalm 126:2, Job 8:20, 21).

We also see the lifting of hands, bowing down, tears, complete silence and even falling prostrate before the Lord (Psalm 95:6; 1 Kings 18:39; 1 Chronicles 29:20; Psalm 46:10; Acts 20:36-37; Luke 7:37-38; Psalm 126:5-6). All of these, whether in private or corporate worship, have their appropriate place in the body of Christ.

How do we define the "sacrifice of praise"? Sacrifice signifies giving ourselves to God at all times and in every situation. God wants a continual sacrifice of praise; the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to him (Hebrews 13:15). The children of Israel are shown bringing the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 33:11).

It is continuing to praise God, whether in a trial or when we don’t really feel like it. It is not contingent upon being happy or feeling good. You know how it is after a rough or exhausting week. We may drag ourselves to church, but that may be about all we can muster up.

We often want to praise God only when we feel like there’s something to praise about (that is, in times of reaping rather than sowing). But, it doesn’t require much to rejoice and praise God when everything’s going our way. It’s when we get turned down for that mortgage loan, are presented with a pink slip, perhaps losing someone you love or … you fill in the blank. These things take what the Bible calls the sacrifice of praise.

Did you know that you can use praise as your weapon of warfare against Satan? Look at the Old Testament story of Jehoshaphat. When the surrounding nations joined to fight Jehoshaphat, he and the people of Israel fasted and sought help from the Lord. Jehoshaphat appointed singers and musicians and placed them on the front lines of the battlefield. God responded to their praise, and their enemies were destroyed (2 Chronicles 20:21-29). Here, praise came before the victory was won.

Another example of victory through praise is documented in Acts 16:22-28. Paul and Silas, after being beaten and thrown into jail, rocked the foundations of the jail with their praise. This miracle frightened the guard so much that he initially wanted to take his own life for fear of being blamed for their escape.

When he realized that even though they were freed, they were all still there, the revelation of God came upon him and he fell in repentance and asked how he could be saved. This was a twofold victory. Paul and Silas were set free physically, and the jail guard was set free spiritually. Again, God’s presence was manifest in the midst of praise.

Many things can hinder true worship. Common hindrances include sin, feeling condemned, personal problems, distraction, indifference, pride, being overly concerned with what others will think of you, lack of knowledge regarding worship, anger or pain or, at times, out-and-out rebellion against God.

Contrary to what you may have thought, praise does not come naturally. What comes more naturally to us is a response to good music supporting our many likes and dislikes. As long as our list of a good church service is sufficiently checked off, we may respond with various expressions of approval—none of which may be true worship.

As you know, the flesh can be satisfied for only so long. If not satisfied, you may become restless and uncomfortable. Let me also mention that shouting, clapping and dancing do not necessarily constitute true worship either. The flesh is capable of that with no regard to God at all. A look at the world will confirm this.

True worship, however, is much deeper. It is to give yourself (in thought, word and deed) to God. The music, the people around you, even your life’s circumstances, become secondary to worship as you commit everything to God

The wonderful thing about our loving God is that he never gives up on us. Both because of what he did for us all and because of who he is for us. Because we are in Jesus, it is his worship of the Father that we enter. Trust in him. Worship is, therefore, God’s gift to us in Christ. May we worship him as we trust him.

Kim Woltz, a member in Washington, D.C., spoke on worship at last year’s summer festival in Atlanta, Georgia.

Recommended reading

Praise and Worship: Becoming Worshipers of God, A.L. & Joyce Gill.

Men's Ministry

WCG pastors re-energized
at Promise Keepers event

PHOENIX, Arizona—About a dozen WCG ministers were among the 9,000 pastors who attended a Promise Keepers event Feb. 18 to 20 at Bank One Ballpark.

Speakers addressed renewing one’s call to ministry, rekindling a passion for God, learning practical ministry tools and taking risks.

"The church is facing real difficulty," founder Bill McCartney said. "One percent of churches are growing. Most Christian teens don’t believe the Bible is God’s Word. We have gathered these pastors here to secure the foundations."

WCG involvement

Paul Sniffen, men’s ministry director for the Southwest region, and other Promise Keepers leaders from Southern California, were responsible for transportation and security.

Mr. Sniffen said: "The conference spoke to me that we need to come together as the family of God regardless of skin color or ethnicity."

Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Pasadena NewLife Fellowship and Los Angeles churches, said: "I went to the conference to be refreshed and re-energized. I came home not only refreshed and energized but given a fresh mandate from the Lord to reach out into our city, network with fellow pastors, work with our youths and reach out to various ethnic groups.

"Pastor Tony Evans’ message keeps coming back to me. He said that the church cannot have a genuine revival unless the pastors themselves experience it. He then said that pastors cannot have a true revival unless they break down prejudices among themselves. He said that Jesus is the glue that can unite us all together.

"Max Lucado reminded us that Christianity is not about me or us, but it is all about Jesus Christ and the work he is doing."

Med Maninang, pastor of the Antipolo, Philippines, church, said: "At first, I thought that some of the messages were not applicable to me, being from the Philippines. However, as I listened more carefully to the speakers, their messages focused on reconciliation. Reconciliation is not limited to a group of people, but for all mankind."

Tom Ecker, pastor of the San Bernardino, Palm Springs and Moreno Valley, California, churches, said: "In Genesis 45, Joseph said four words that changed the course of history to his estranged brothers: ‘Come near to me.’ These were the opening words by Ed Barron, our host. His opening prayer looked to God, asking him to fulfill our expectations. This happened without question. We were taught to reach all brothers and sisters in Christ with a spirit of sacrifice."

Curtis May, Southwest district superintendent, said: "I thought that it was one of the best Promise Keepers events that I have attended. It was so needed as we pastors get so wound up in our duties of serving others that we neglect our own spiritual lives. There was strong focus on dealing with reconciliation of ethnic groups. As the director of Reconciliation Ministries, I appreciated the approach. I thought the speakers, panelists and worship leaders did a superb job. Our task is to live it out."

For more information, to find out about a conference near you, or to request conference tapes, please call Promise Keepers at 1-800-888-7595 or visit their web site at www. promisekeepers.org

WCG ATTENDEES—Some WCG attendees are (from left): Phil Helmuth, San Diego North County Christian Fellowship; Med Maninang, Antipolo, Philip