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Martinique church celebrates 40th anniversary

FORT DE FRANCE, Martinique—Two hundred six members welcomed Pastor General Joseph Tkach and his wife, Tammy, Sept. 27 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Martinique congregation.

We received 20 letters and words of encouragement from WCG congregations in Australia, North America, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean islands. Donat Picard, European director, and Dominique Alcindor, Paris pastor, spoke to the Martinicans by telephone. It was a symbol of the unity of the French congregations despite the distance.

Martinique has a population of 340,000. It is an overseas part of France.

It was through Radio Montserrat, on an English island close to Guadeloupe, that the first listeners in Martinique heard about the World Tomorrow programs broadcast in French. From there they asked for booklets regarding the Worldwide Church of God. They were mainly members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Stanley Bass made the first visit in the area, meeting prospective members, but because of the language barrier, Dibar Apartian from Pasadena took charge of the little French-speaking flock.

Sixteen people attended the first service in 1963. It was memorable because it was a day after Hurricane Edith hit the island. The service took place in the workshop of Louis Jubert, the first elder.

Today, only six of the original members remain, and Dr. and Mrs. Tkach honored them with flowers and certificates, especially Suzanne Jubert, widow of Louis, who is 96 and not in good health; Maryse Mogade, now married to Onuffe Bouville; Lambert Martial, a minister; and three children now married: Marie-Claire Erdual; Helene Myrtil; and Jean Jubert.

From 1982 to 1987, the members built a service hall and ministry facilities in Ravine Vilaine, east of Fort-de-France, which were officially dedicated by the late Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach Sr.

At the 40th anniversary commemoration, Dr. Tkach spoke about humility and the importance of recognizing the love of God. Mrs. Tkach gave an exhortation about listening the Holy Spirit.

“There is something special about singing hymns and worshipful songs with the Caribbean flavor,” Dr. Tkach said. “It seems that this style of music is inherently joyful and as one sings, a smile automatically comes on your face.”

After lunch, we had a commemoration service with videos and photos retracing the history of the congregation, closed by praise and worship. On Sunday, Sept. 28, on the beach, the leaders among the women met with Mrs. Tkach, and the men did the same with Dr. Tkach.

The Tkaches stopped in St. Lucia on the way home and had lunch with members Rudy and Angela Mills, Vincent Vaval and Andre Paul. “It is a thrill to see their sense of mission and the seriousness with which they hold God’s calling to proclaim the good news,” Dr. Tkach said. Jack Brunet.

MARTINICANS AT 40TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

ELDER HONORED—Lambert Martial (left),
an elder in the Martinique congregation, is
honored by Pastor General Joseph Tkach
and his wife, Tammy, during a visit there,
Sept. 27. Mr. Martial was at the first
church meeting in 1963.

Windsor, Colorado, members reach out and touch someone

WINDSOR, Colorado—The town of Windsor was host for two full days of Harvest Festival on Labor Day weekend, where an estimated 22,000 people from surrounding areas participated and enjoyed the festivities.

Grace Christian Fellowship, a congregation of the Worldwide Church of God, played a major role throughout the weekend, with almost every member participating in some way. A community Sunday morning worship service was conducted Aug. 31 in the main park to kick off the festival. Pastor Bill Bixby was one of three area ministers who shared the service. Dave Yauk, the congregation’s worship leader, led the songs with his worship band.

Throughout the park, booths featured food services, artists, crafters, businesses and churches. The Grace Christian Fellowship booth had large banners proclaiming our name and colorful posters announcing free ice water, face painting, temporary tattoos, a drawing for free Bibles, helium balloons and pens with our name on them.

As people stopped by, we would introduce ourselves and find out more about them and their concerns. Many said that they did not have a church home and wanted to know the time and location of our Sunday service.

The parade on Monday morning included Grace Christian Fellowship’s float with live music featuring the worship band and singers. Their trailer stage carried sideboards declaring “Seek, Know, Share … Jesus.” Children danced on the sidelines as we passed by, while smiling adults clapped to the music, then applauded. Our walkers handed out candy and information cards as we proceeded.

Comments afterward led us to believe Grace Christian Fellowship left a big footprint in a small town. Donna Dow.

Glen and Connie Weber honored for 30 years of service

SPOKANE, Washington—Pastor Glen Weber marked the 30th anniversary of serving in the full-time ministry of the WCG on June 10. On the same day his wife, Connie, celebrated her 50th birthday.

The weekend of June 8, the Spokane congregation honored Mr. and Mrs. Weber with gifts. Mr. Weber’s gift was a crystal globe (representing the WCG) with the inscription “Recognizing 30 Years of Serving God.”

The same day the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, congregation put on a dinner to honor the Webers. In addition to members from both congregations, Christian friends from the community and several area pastors attended the dinner.

ANNIVERSARY—Glen
and Connie Weber with
gift from congregation

Denver ECG congregation joins WCG

PASADENA—The Denver, Colorado, congregation of the Evangelical Church of God has decided to join the WCG, according to Lorenzo Arroyo, district superintendent.

The congregation is pastored by Antonio Almanza. Eleven ECG congregations have joined the WCG this year.

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