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, Philippines; Adrienne Pickett; Bermie Dizon, Pasadena NewLife Fellowship and Los Angeles; Tom Pickett, Fort Worth, Texas; Paul Sniffen, men’s ministry director for the Southwest district; and Curtis May, Southwest district coordinator.

BANK ONE BALLPARK

TAKING A BREAK—Mike Greider, Huntington, Charleston and Ripley, West Virginia, and Paintsville, Kentucky; and Anthony Rice, Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Lafayette, Louisiana. [Photos by Bermie Dizon]

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2003