March 2003 Contents

This is our March cover.

In this issue

Stewardship

The Christian Stewardship Association honored the Worldwide Church of God for outstanding contributions in the field of stewardship in 2002.

Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, received the award on behalf of the Worldwide Church of God, Jan. 25, in Chicago, Illinois. Page 3.

Madagascar

James Henderson, superintendent of African missions, visited members in Madagascar in February.

When Mr. Henderson first visited Madagascar in 1993, the WCG had a small group of about 10 people. Now, total attendance has reached 160. Page 4.

Pastor General

I want to acquaint you with a significant centralized ministry funded by your donations, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach in his monthly column. We refer to this ministry as the discretionary assistance program. Page 6.

Financial report

Member donations for January were just over $1.1 million, writes controller Ronald Kelly. That compares to $900,000 last year, or an increase of $200,000. Page 9.

Property sale

The Worldwide Church of God submitted predevelopment plan review documents (PPR) to the City of Pasadena Jan. 21, writes Mathew Morgan. The PPR submittal is a required step in the entitlement process. Page 10.

Festivals

Festival coordinators met with Church Administration staff Feb. 7 and 8 in Pasadena to develop schedules and strategies for the 2003 festivals, writes Charles Albrecht, budget manager in Church Administration. Page 12.

Window on the World

Churches are better able to bear lasting fruit when they take the time to set up structures that protect the fruit and promote growth of the church, writes Charles Fleming in Randal Dick’s "Window on the World column." Page 14.

Youth ministry

The mission of the national youth ministry development team is to facilitate growth of great commandment-great commission (GC2) healthy youth ministries to multiply young disciplemaking followers of Jesus, writes Ted Johnston, co-director. Page 16.

Discipleship

You were born for a purpose! writes Michael Morrison in "Why Were You Born?" God created each of us for a reason—and we are happiest when we are living in harmony with the purpose he has given us. Page 24.

WCG receives award 
from Christian
Stewardship Association

Christian Stewardship Association board votes unanimously to present award to the Worldwide Church of God at its annual conference.

By Charles Albrecht

CHICAGO, Illinois—The Christian Stewardship Association (CSA) conducted its 40th anniversary summit conference in Chicago, Jan. 23 to 26. Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, and I attended the conference along with about 600 chief executive officers, financial officers and development professionals from a variety of churches, parachurch ministries and denominations.

The theme of this year’s conference was "The Integrity of the Steward," and in addition to workshops and seminars, it included keynote presentations by several Christian leaders. Joseph Stowell, president of the Moody Bible Institute, and Randy Alcorn of Eternal Perspectives Ministry were among those who made plenary presentations.

During the plenary session Saturday evening, Jan. 25, CSA president Scott Preissler presented eight awards. On behalf of the Worldwide Church of God, Mr. Rogers accepted the award for outstanding contributions to the field of stewardship by a church or denomination.

After accepting the award, Mr. Rogers was invited to speak for about 10 minutes. In that time, he rehearsed the history of our transformation and how it had negatively affected our income. Mr. Rogers further discussed how the denomination had moved from mandatory tithing to a grace-based approach to whole-life stewardship, which include financial donations being an act of worship.

In his remarks, Mr. Rogers included our vision of building on a foundation in Jesus Christ through spiritual formation and adding teaching on whole-life stewardship, and then followed that by articulating our mission as a disciplemaking movement with leadership replication and eventually church planting. He thanked everyone for their support and prayers and asked for continued prayers for us as the miracle that God has begun in our denomination continues to unfold.

As Mr. Rogers recounted the Worldwide Church of God’s journey, he was interrupted several times by applause of support. At the conclusion of his comments, the entire group rose in a standing ovation. Many people came over afterward to offer prayers and continued support of the WCG and its transition.

STEWARDSHIP AWARD—Dan Rogers,
superintendent of U.S. ministers, displays
the Christian Stewardship Association award
at NewLife Fellowship in Pasadena.
[Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

CSA AWARDS—CSA award winners, from left: G. Edward Reid, Seventh-day Adventist Church; Norm Edwards, Counsel in Resource Development; Paul McKaughan, Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies; Dick Epps, Moody Bible Institute; Scott Preissler, Christian Stewardship Association; Kevin Callahan, Callahan Studios; Rob Cradle, New Life Fellowship; Ralph Stewart, Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and Dan Rogers, Worldwide Church of God [Photo by Greg Wallace for Christian Stewardship Association]

Madagascar weekend

Two orphans at church.

Youths dancing after church.

Madame Eliezera sorts clothes received
for orphanage from South African members.

Village church behind orphanage.
[Photos by James Henderson]

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar—Come with me on a whirlwind tour of our church in Madagascar. As superintendent of African missions, I visit them every 18 months or so, sometimes less, sometimes more often.

On Feb. 7, Angele, the wife of Madagascan bivocational pastor Rigobert Rafirinagason, meets me at the airport with her children, and her son, Lova, drives us to my hotel. Everything, as usual, is smiles and laughter, and I feel immediately at home.

When I first went to Madagascar in 1993 we had a small group of around 10 people, including children; in 1998 the numbers had increased to around 40 or so; now we have two main church locations—Antananarivo and Antsirabe —each with satellite congregations. Total attendance on the island is around 160. So God has given a slow and steady increase—Hallelujah!

The next day is jampacked with activity. Three services are planned. Rigobert has built a house near the Triomphe orphanage, which is run by Madame Eliezera, one of our church members, who herself was orphaned at a young age.

The central group meets in Rigobert’s large lounge for church. From the hotel, we traveled about 50 minutes past colorful markets, swerving to avoid massive potholes here and there. Forty-four are in attendance. The singing is magnificent—unaccompanied—with everyone harmonizing. How do they know when to come in and what to do?

They tell me it is a miracle that has brought me to the island. I tell them that each one of them is God’s special miracle and each is precious in his sight, that they are God’s own sparkling jewels.

After the worship service, lunch is served—rice (lots of it—the Malagasy love their rice), chicken, macaroni, peas and fruit. The members sort through the used clothing I brought that was generously supplied by some members of the Krugersdorp, South Africa, church. The clothing will be used by the Triomphe orphans, and also by Daniel and Josephine Rakotondrabary (our leaders in Antsirabe), who run a children’s program where they live. Everyone is delighted with the used clothing, and there is much laughter and merriment.

Then we walk from Rigobert’s house to the orphanage, an idyllic scene. It is set amidst lush trees with a river running by it. All the children—80 or so plus some adults —are waiting. The orphanage is regarded as one of our congregations in its own right. Not all the children are orphans—some have been abandoned for whatever reason, some found wandering in the streets, some left by parents who could no longer feed and clothe them.

The children are full of smiles, although some look a little apprehensive. After a short interactive story about Jesus (their sermon for the day) they all sing songs for me, as I am their guest. Lots of songs and swaying and dancing. Then, to my horror, they ask me to sing to them—my turn! Help! What would Jesus do? Would he say, Thanks for singing and dancing for me, however I am too embarrassed to do it for you? Sadly, probably not.

Mortified, I take a deep breath, grimace and begin to sing a song I did not know I knew—guess it came from somewhere in the deep recesses of my muddled brain. The children all join in and we sing and clap the beat together.

Behind the orphanage is a village of eight or so huts that has become our latest church plant in Madagascar. The village is called Ankararana. We walk about 20 minutes along a hilly path to meet with 25 or so people huddled into a small dark room. It is late in the afternoon, and there is no electricity. They begin to sing and harmonize. This village, along with the orphanage and the church that meets in Rigobert’s house, is forming a whole WCG community just outside Antananarivo.

Next day the excitement continues. A few years ago the Madagascan youths began to evangelize through basketball and other efforts. Then they were around 14, but 34 were at this meeting. You could sense the camaraderie among them; they loved being together. Once again harmonized singing, and afterward, 18-year-old Fano, their president, outlines eloquently their goals for 2003. It is an active group with lots of planning ahead. It is encouraging to see. They are enthusiastic for Christ and the WCG.

Over a long lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, Rigobert, Angele, Daniel, Josephine and I discuss plans. One idea is to bring a training program to help with leadership development. Angele and Josephine bring up the need for material for children’s ministry. Josephine has created a story-telling scroll that she uses with a cardboard box to achieve a television effect. With it she illustrates the saving acts of Jesus to illiterate children.

No connecting flights leave the island the following day, so I have to stay until Tuesday, when I am scheduled to connect to Mauritius. Tropical cyclone warnings are on the news. On Monday, Madame Eliezera comes to talk about the Triomphe. I had brought with me a donation from the United States and South Africa. She thanks God and is excited, as now she can pay the tuition fees for the schooling of the orphans. They had no money and were praying that something would unexpectedly turn up, which it did!

Tuesday morning, I get up at 4 a.m. to leave for the airport at 5. Rigobert and Angele kindly drive me there. They are so helpful, and have a passion for our people in Madagascar. I thank God for them. Not too sure that I am thanking God for Air Madagascar. Why do they schedule flights at such ridiculous hours of the morning?

Something worth thinking about...

By Joseph Tkach

Member donations
fund discretionary
assistance ministry

I want to thank our members for their generous and consistent giving as we continue our journey of transformation in the Worldwide Church of God. I also want to update you on certain aspects of our progress in that journey.

In the United States, we are taking initial steps into a new financial model that is designed to provide our congregations with greater flexibility in the use of member donations for local congregational ministries. The first step involved spending more than a year designing the new financial system. We then began receiving offerings in our weekly worship services—collecting donations locally and then processing them centrally.

The next step was to use our 2002 regional conferences to train pastors and church treasurers in the new financial system. We also used the conferences to give our leaders and members a clearer view of our collective mission to be a church motivated by God’s law of love (the great commandment) to make Jesus’ great commission our "everyday commission." Our new financial system is designed to support this mission with an emphasis on local mission-advancing ministries.

All of these steps are part of our preparation to move fully into our new financial system following the completion of the sale of our Pasadena property. Regarding that sale process, we’ll keep you updated through The Worldwide News as we proceed. Latest news is also available on our website.

In the meantime, our current financial system operates with collections received both locally in weekly offerings and centrally by mail and credit card donations. These offerings are then processed in Pasadena using central accounting, banking and disbursement.

Central disbursement includes payment from our Pasadena offices of most local church costs, including hall rental, payroll and benefits for employed pastors, honoraria for volunteer pastors, business expenses for pastoral service and liability insurance and legal services for congregations.

In addition to these local church costs, your donations fund various central ministries including the staff for the above accounting work, the training and supervision of our pastoral ministry (including the work of our district superintendents), our printed and web-based Christian educational materials (including The Worldwide News), some administrative costs for international ministries and the costs for maintaining our Pasadena property during the sale process.

I also want to acquaint you with another significant centralized ministry funded by your donations. We refer to this ministry as the discretionary assistance program. This program assists qualified retirement-aged former employees of the Worldwide Church of God who meet certain ecclesiastical criteria as determined by the board of directors using its spiritual judgment in light of the tenets of our faith. We are currently helping to support about 240 such former employees at a total cost of about $350,000 each month. This cost is distributed proportionally among our 450 U.S. congregations based on each congregation’s financial resources.

The discretionary assistance program is a vital ministry of the church. Most recipients of the program have put their life’s energy into the work of the church and need our financial support for the twilight years of their lives.

In the past, the Worldwide Church of God in the United States and elsewhere made no provision for the retirement of its employees. This was a decision made by others before the current administration and was inherited by us.

In addition, because of our former doctrinal positions, many U.S. employees were exempted from the Social Security system. Some have criticized ministers who opted out of Social Security, but this opinion overlooks two facts.

First, in the early years, the church itself was not subject to Social Security (although secular employers were) and thus did not pay Social Security on any employees, ordained or not.

Second, when an employee or minister did not pay Social Security, the church also did not pay into Social Security on behalf of the lay employee (under the law the employer pays one half the tax), nor help offset the burden on ministers (who must pay both of halves of their Social Security bill, unlike lay employees who pay one half and the employer pays one half). Thus, when an employee or minister did not pay Social Security, the church also saved money and the saved money went into our mission.

As a result, many former employees now have no pension, Social Security or Medicare to fall back on.

The results of these unfortunate policies in our past are now being remedied. We are making plans to enroll U.S. church employees in a retirement plan funded by proceeds from the sale of the Pasadena property. When that sale occurs, current beneficiaries of the discretionary assistance program will be transferred to the retirement plan, and the need for the discretionary assistance program will cease.

In the meantime, the assistance program is providing a vital ministry to real people with real needs. Recipients of your generosity include men and women whom we have known and loved for decades. They include Dean Blackwell, Jim and Marge Friddle, Bill and Lois Quillen, Richard and Virginia Rice, Herman and Isabell Hoeh, Frank and Esther Schnee, Norman and Charlene Smith, Ken Swisher and many others.

I want to thank you for your support of this ministry, and the folks receiving the assistance also want to thank you—as some of them do in the sidebars to this article.

Please continue to pray for the completion of the sale of the Pasadena property and for God to guide us as we continue to take positive steps in the transition into our new financial system. Thanks again for your generosity and consistency in giving—a wonderful work is being accomplished in and through our church, even as we wrestle with some of the obstacles that stand before us.

Comments on the
discretionary assistance ministry

Randy Bloom, superintendent of the U.S. Central district, comments: "As I travel the Central district, I have been taking extra time to hold town hall meetings with members as well as meetings with advisory councils. I take time to explain how members’ donations help with the important need that discretionary assistance meets. Discretionary assistance has to do with people—men, women, widows, who served many years in our church. These people have faces—and real needs. They are without any income other than that which we give them, which is not much.

"Many members are moved when they hear about the 240 plus former employees and wives or widows receiving discretionary assistance. Many members have not been aware of the critical needs of these people. Oftentimes our discussions revolve around the Pasadena property and how it is keeping us from doing what we want with our donation income. But I point out that member donations serve a far greater purpose than the upkeep of property.

"Our members are to be thanked for their great patience and generosity as they continue to support our church with their prayers, service and donations. This is a time of testing and it is stretching us all. God is with us and wonderful things are happening all the time in our fellowship. And it is a result of our wonderful members yielding themselves to their Lord."

 

Comments from recipients

LONGVIEW, Texas—Having worked for the Worldwide Church of God for 50 years, moving 24 times, we did not pay Social Security, so I don’t receive Social Security or Medicare.

I had seven quarters on file with Social Security when my late wife, Maxine, and I returned to Texas when I was 68. I have a part-time job at Dillards department store in Longview, mainly so I can have a tithe to help the church.

Thank God for the support of the church through discretionary assistance for us old-timers.

At present I teach a discipleship class weekly in the Longview church, give a Bible study in Big Sandy each month to 20 to 25 senior citizens, preach regularly in Longview, Tyler and Texarkana, Texas, attend regional conferences in Dallas, and serve on the WCG board of directors, the Advisory Council of Elders, and a few other boards of the church.

Jim and Marjorie attended and were employed by Ambassador College from 1953 to 1955, and then pastored 19 congregations throughout their years in the ministry and conducted numerous Bible studies in areas that later became churches. Jim retired in 1995 at the age of 71, after serving the WCG for 40 years.

In 1998 they moved to Concord, North Carolina, near Charlotte, to be near their daughter, Becky, a widow, and their youngest son, Philip, and his family. Their other two sons, Stephen and Nathan, still live in California.

Jim gives sermons and discipleship classes from time to time. He is unable to work because of two hip replacements and two radical surgeries, one to remove his cancerous left kidney.

Marge has had breast cancer and a left knee replacement. She also has a 34-year-long, 24-hour-a-day, headache from undetermined reasons. She also gets migraines once a week.

"Some days are pretty good, others not good, and some just awful," Marge said. "I would love so much to be delivered from this huge burden, which has had such a huge impact on my life. I would love to live life without pain, but God hasn’t chosen to deliver me from this."

They thank God for having access to Medicare and the supplemental medical insurance provided by the church. Otherwise cancer would have taken their lives.

The Friddles have a small income, less than $500 a month, from Social Security. Jim had paid into Social Security before attending Ambassador College, but he lacked four quarters to qualify for receiving Social Security when he reached 65. After retirement he worked in a secular job for a year in order to qualify.

Thankfully, the WCG has given discretionary assistance to pastors and other retirees who have given their lives in service to the church. Jim and Marge are grateful to the members of the WCG for such love and generosity to give this assistance to its retirees.

FRISCO, Texas—Lois and I came in contact with the church through The World Tomorrow program in 1955, which led to our baptism in 1956. I was ordained an elder in 1963, and was hired full-time in 1967.

We served the church in the following areas: Des Moines, Iowa (our two daughters, Beth and Barb, graduated from East High), the Los Angeles area, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, and the last assignment in Victoria, Texas.

Shortly after retirement in 1997, we moved to Frisco to be close to our daughter, Barb Egbert, her husband, Jeb, and our three grandchildren. This made it possible to help them in some of the tasks relating to the Summer Educational Program.

Along with the discretionary assistance from the church, I have some Social Security benefits from previous employment, thus I have time to assist with various church duties. Occasionally I give a sermon or take care of other needs as they arise.

In retirement, we have no problem finding something to do and some place to serve, whether the church, the family, the neighborhood or the city. It has been a great relationship with the church over these many years and we hope to be in a position to serve as long as our health permits.

According to their daughter, Barb: "I have nothing but admiration and respect for my parents as individuals, as parents and as a pastor and wife. I continue to be amazed at how they find opportunities to continue serving their church family and certainly appreciated their involvement at the SEP camp the past several years.

"My parents continue to play a viable role in the Dallas congregations, specifically Dallas North, as well as continue their personal ministry to hundreds of our church family who have crossed their paths for over 40 years."

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana—Having been associated with the church since 1947 and an employee for more than 40 years, I have had a close connection to the Worldwide Church of God for three fourths of my life.

Thirty-eight years have been joyfully devoted to the ministry. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to retire from the active part I so enjoyed in the church. But several health conditions began to surface, including degenerating vertebrae disks, which forced me to drastically slow down activities.

In 1972, I was asked to become manager of the Mail Processing Center, where I worked for 25 years. I have also been blessed to serve on the church board of directors and council of elders.

When the crisis in the church loomed in 1994 because of the doctrinal changes, I was asked to move into the Church Administration Department, where I assisted Joseph Tkach Jr. It was during this time that several recurring health problems began to take their toll. When Dan Rogers became the head of Church Administration, I sought his counsel along with other top administrators, to determine if retirement was the expedient path to take. The outcome of their counsel is now history. In the summer of 1996, Virginia and I moved to Baton Rouge, where we now live.

We cannot thank the church enough for its kindness in putting us on discretionary assistance. Most of us in the early ministry never signed up for Social Security. This was thought unnecessary and even discouraged. No retirement program was set up to care for our future needs, as the church believed the end time was near.

As my heart still beats for the church, I give sermons when able, conduct Bible studies, attend prayer meetings, give contributions and do computer work to help our son, Anthony, who pastors three churches here in southern Louisiana. But the wheels grind slowly.

Speaking for all retired ministers, wives and fellow employees who’ve laid down their lives in God’s service, we humbly and gratefully want to thank the members for standing by our side.

Update from Finance & Planning

January donations
get 2003 off to a good start

By Ronald Kelly

We are off and running with a brand new year and new opportunities. I’m excited to report that January donations show an increase over January 2002.

In part that is because of the way we processed mail this year compared to last year. In 2002 we were working with a significant backlog of mail from December 2001. As a result, much of the January contributions were not tabulated until February. That makes accurate comparisons difficult. However, anytime I can use the word increase is rewarding and cause for thanksgiving and appreciation.

Member contributions for the month were just over $1.1 million. That compares to $900,000 last year, or an increase of $200,000. January of this year is the beginning of what I have called a Small-Step program—that is, local congregations will receive 80 percent of the increase each month when the income exceeds that month of the previous year. However, because of the mail processing situation I mentioned above, we will combine the January and February donations and return the overages in March.

By way of preparation, we ask that all pastors and treasurers refer to the Financial Manual to determine the appropriate ways to use the funds they will receive. The Internal Revenue Service has strict guidelines that should be adhered to. This small step is progress toward our goal of an entirely new financial model that will eventually have all local congregations operating on 80 to 85 percent of their contributions.

I mentioned last month that our Finance & Planning staff submitted a budget to the church board that balances income and expenses for the first time in more than eight years. This is possible, in part, because of the continuing sale of surplus properties and equipment in addition to reduced expenses.

As Mat Morgan reports on page 10, the church sold selected properties that are near, but not part of the planned development of the main Pasadena campus. The first parcel of land was sold in January and resulted in a $2.2 million inflow of cash to our reserve fund. The second parcel of land sold Feb. 14, and we’ll update you on that next month.

We have also completed the first year of several congregations’ participation in real-time, new-model finances. This pilot program began with eight congregations operating under conditions that all congregations will implement after the sale of the Pasadena campus. These pilot program churches have helped smooth out a number of procedures that will make nationwide implementation a lot easier.

Entering the new financial model has proved rewarding to some of the pilot churches. One congregation had a 35 percent increase in donations over the previous year; another had a 27 percent increase. A couple of congregations did not have an increase, but reported their income was down because of members who moved or left the church. However, the combined fiscal year donations of the eight congregations showed a total donation base of $738,000 compared to $662,000 the previous year—an increase of more than 11 percent on average.

This year we will not cover church finances in our regional conferences. Our hope is that by the end of 2003 we will have a much better indication of how and when the property sale will be completed. If all goes as we hope, we will then have specific local church education and finance planning sessions at the conferences in 2004.

In the meantime, we hope your year is off to a good start and that you will have an exciting year of spiritual growth in your congregations.

Update on Sale of Campus

Preliminary plan
submitted to city

By Mathew Morgan

DESIGN PRESENTATION—Bernie
Schnippert, church treasurer, addresses
Pasadena residents in the Ambassador
Auditorium, Feb. 13. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS—Development
team answers questions from Pasadena residents.

DEVELOPMENT TEAM—From left:
Christy McAvoy (Historic Resources Group);
Viggen Davidian (Meyer, Mohaddes & Associates);
Bernie Schnippert (WCG treasurer); Bob Yoder
(SheaHomes); Jan Van Tilburg (Van Tilburg,
Banvard & Soderbergh); and Steve Kellenberg (EDAW).

PASADENA—The church submitted predevelopment plan review (PPR) documents to the city Jan. 21. The PPR submittal is a required step in the entitlement process. City staff must respond in writing within 30 days with comments and recommendations.

The design team will then use the recommendations, which were due Feb. 13, to further refine the plan and prepare the master application, which is the next important entitlement step. We anticipate the master application will be submitted in March.

The church and its consultants conducted a design presentation Feb. 13 in Ambassador Auditorium to share the latest plans for the Ambassador campus with interested Pasadena citizens. About 300 people attended to view a PowerPoint presentation followed by a question and answer session.

The plan presented was about the same plan submitted to the city in the PPR documents mentioned above. This is the fourth public meeting conducted where the public has been able to share in the process. Three previous open houses took place in October, November and December to receive ideas and share preliminary plans.

To date, church officials have attended more than 40 listening/design-sharing meetings allowing more than 1,700 people to share in the design process. To learn more about the Ambassador campus plan visit the website at www. ambassadorcampus.info

The sale of two small out-parcels (parcels of land not part of the main development) closed Jan. 22 and Feb. 14. The parcels are located just north of the Hall of Administration and just east of the former Imperial Schools campus. A third out-parcel just south of the former Ambassador College campus is being marketed. We anticipate the sale of this third parcel will be complete in April.

We receive questions from church members about the entitlement and sale process. Starting in my last update, I began to answer these questions in an effort to keep you informed as important stakeholders. Following are additional questions and answers.

Why all the community meetings? Doesn’t this slow down the entitlement and sale process?

The church owns about 48 acres of land in a prime area of Pasadena and has been a part of the community for more than 50 years. Citizens of Pasadena have grown to love and appreciate the beautifully landscaped campus with its historic buildings, gardens and the Ambassador Auditorium, and naturally are concerned about what the future holds for this elegant property.

In addition, many want to live in the new community being built. They wish to stay informed and participate because a change of this kind affects not only the church’s neighbors, who wonder what they will see out their windows when the new community is built, but the city at large.

For this reason, it is in the church’s best interest to collaborate and share the process with the citizens of Pasadena. If the church did not involve others, it would likely encounter more opposition that would slow the process down in the critical stages. The final decision makers who must approve the new development are elected officials who represent the citizens of Pasadena. So, although it takes time, effort and money to involve a larger group, in the end it may actually save both time and money because of the consensus built along the way.

In addition to the collaborative community process mentioned above, the City of Pasadena has a mandated development process in place that takes a great deal of time. Pasadena is a beautiful city because it has a planning process that is careful, methodical and involves many citizen commissions, special interest groups and political decision makers. As with any city process, it has its imperfections and is influenced by politically charged issues.

In addition, a 48-acre development is much larger than most city planners and political decision makers have faced. The size of the development alone creates new issues that must be worked through. We wish it was much simpler, but we must operate within this complex and sometimes frustrating environment to achieve a result that is best for the church. Your prayers are appreciated.

The Ambassador campus is the largest physical asset the church owns. Sale of the property will allow the church to refocus this under-used asset on its mission. The board of directors has a fiduciary responsibility to make careful decisions that are in the best interest of the church. Walking away from this property would not be a good decision for the church.

Although the maintenance and sale of the property do not provide the same joy as bringing people to Christ, the sale of this asset is a business matter to which the church must attend. Unlocking this asset will ultimately help the church better preach the gospel of Jesus and care for the flock in the future.

WCG defines goals for
2003 conferences and festivals

By Charles Albrecht

PASADENA—Festival coordinators met with Church Administration staff in Pasadena Feb. 7 and 8 to develop schedules and strategies for the 2003 festivals.

For the past two years the WCG has started off with a Summerfest family celebration. This year the "Life in the Son" festival will again lead things off in Atlanta, Georgia, July 16 to 20 and is followed by five U.S. festival celebrations as well as several festival tours.

According to Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers: "Church Administration is now emphasizing that our festivals are designed to be building events, that is, events that build believers in Christ-likeness. Building events are structured to help believers enhance their relationship with Christ through a balanced program of prayer time, inspiring worship, Bible study and fellowship."

Church festivals have traditionally been a time for worship services and fellowship opportunities in settings larger than is possible in most congregations. Further, these festivals have also been able to sponsor seminars and other family events.

Each festival site this year will have a theme unique to that site. President Joseph Tkach will announce the site themes in the festival registration letter to be mailed later in March. The festival letter will also include registration details and other information for the sites.

Church Administration has updated the schedule for the denominationally sponsored regional conferences. The primary purpose of a regional conference is different from that of a festival. While the festivals are designed as building events, the regional conferences are equipping events.

Equipping events provide training, resources and educational opportunities for Christians who are, or who desire to be, actively involved in ministry. The focus is on training and equipping Christian workers to be more effective in serving in the local church and in reaching the unchurched with the gospel. There will be worship, prayer, time in the Word, fellowship and lots of useful training on how to be a co-worker with God in the work he is doing.

The theme of this year’s regional conferences will be "Growing Healthy Churches." If members are unable to attend the conference in their own region but would still like to attend, they are encouraged to register for a conference in another region by contacting the coordinator of that conference.

Two intensive seminars will be a part of this year’s conferences. The first seminar, on Thursday and Friday, is "Growing a Healthy Church." It will challenge workers and leaders to create a strategy for their congregation that is effective in church growth and maintains balance in ministry programs. The second seminar, on Saturday afternoon, "The Everyday Commandment," will help Christians realize that the motivation for living and sharing the gospel is the love of God. It will also explain how individual Christians, families, small groups and whole congregations can conduct effective outreach events to share the gospel and God’s love with the unchurched.

This year’s conferences will begin on Thursday afternoon and run through midday on Sunday. According to Mr. Rogers: "We recognize that many members may not be able to arrive at the conference until Friday evening. With that in mind, we have structured the conference so that people can arrive Friday evening and still receive a complete conference package.

"We just felt we needed a bit more time with pastors and ministry leaders, so we added Thursday to handle some of that information. On the weekend, Dr. Tkach will start things off as the keynote speaker Friday evening as we enter the plenary phase of the conference."

Dr. Tkach’s plenary session, "Loving Relationships," will be followed by a second plenary session on Saturday morning by Ted Johnston, Great Lakes district superintendent. Mr. Johnston will present "Building Youth Ministry." Mr. Johnston further commented: "We have created a track specifically for youth workers for this conference. The youth worker track will run Saturday morning and evening and into Sunday. This track should help in growing our youth ministries. We encourage all youth workers to attend."

Make plans now to participate in these events. Registration information for the festivals and conferences will be mailed directly to members, and as information becomes available it will also be posted on the denomination’s website at www.wcg.org If you have questions regarding any of these events, please contact the appropriate coordinator.

 
FESTIVAL COORDINATORS—Meeting Feb. 7 in the Hall of Administration in Pasadena are (counterclockwise from left) Doug Johannsen, Martin Manuel, Church Administration staff: Charles Albrecht, Nancy Akers, Susan Dick and Pat Shaw; Larry Dietrich, Joel Lillengreen, Allan Barr and Dan Bierer. Inset photo: Dan Rogers. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

Festival dates, places & contacts

Date Location Coordinator e-mail

 

July 16-20 Atlanta, Georgia allan.barr@wcg.org

 

Sept. 18-21 Southern California larry.dietrich@wcg.org

 

Sept. 18-21 Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin doug.johannsen@wcg.org

 

Sept. 26-29 Lake George, New York

 

Oct. 8-12 Seaside, Oregon  

 

Oct. 10-13 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina martin.manuel@gci.org

Oct. 11-18 Eastern Caribbean john@travelgallery.com

 

Oct. 13-20 Mexican Riviera john@travelgallery.com

 

Oct. 12-19 Grand Canyon john@travelgallery.com

 

Oct. 9-17 Russia john@travelgallery.com

 

Conference dates, places and contacts

 

April 2-6 West Covina, California, curtis.may@gci.org

 

April 24-27 Portland, Oregon hank.lageman@wcg.org

 

May 29–June 1 Lexington, Kentucky ron.dick@wcg.org

 

June 26–29 Denver, Colorado tim.snyder@wcg.org

 

July 31–Aug. 3 Dallas, Texas arnold.clauson@wcg.org

 

Aug. 14–17 Chicago, Illinois richard.frankel@wcg.org

 

Nov. 6–9 Union, New Jersey john.adams@wcg.org

 

Dec. 4–7 Orlando, Florida robert.persky@wcg.org

Cruises and tours

By Dorcas Taylor

PASADENA—The WCG will once again offer group travel this fall—an Eastern Caribbean cruise, a Mexican Riviera cruise, a Grand Canyon group tour and a Russian tour group.

The Eastern Caribbean cruise will take place Oct. 11 to 18 on the MS Zaandam. We will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, a site made famous for rocket launches. Those who would like to take an extra few days can tour the Kennedy Space Center and take in the attractions at Walt Disney World, Epcot Center and Universal Studios.

Our first port of call is Philipsburg, St. Marten. Half of the island is Dutch, and the other half is French. Our next port will be St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free shopping extravaganza. This is the place to buy souvenirs of every description, cameras, jewelry, watches and perfume. Our final port will be Holland America’s privately owned island of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. This is the perfect place to snorkel (the water is crystal clear), sunbathe or enjoy an afternoon barbecue.

Inspirational worship services will be conducted on board, and we will have plenty of free time for fellowship. This group tour is offered to the church at a generous 56 percent off full tariff. Prices start at $612 plus port charges and taxes.

Join Joseph and Tammy Tkach and family along with Russell and Phyllis Duke on this Mexican Riviera cruise that departs from San Diego, California. Our first port of call will be Cabo San Lucas, where you have an entire day to enjoy the sites. Here you can search for gray whales or go kayaking.

Next we’re off to Mazatlan to enjoy another full day of experiencing the city. You can go horseback riding or explore the historic colonial villages in the Sierra Madres. Our final stop is Puerto Vallarta, where you can take a jungle tour or shop, especially for different offerings of folk art.

Worship services will be conducted on board the ship. This seven-day tour is Oct. 13 to 20 aboard Holland America’s MS Ryndam. Prices start at $658 plus port charges and taxes.

This land-based group tour by luxury coach visits some of the most spectacular scenery in the world—the Grand Canyon and several national parks. We travel by motor coach to the Grand Canyon. From there we go on to Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion National Parks and Monument Valley.

This Western-themed tour will include all motor coach transportation, admission fees for all National Parks, all meals (with the exception of a lunch or two), accommodations in first-class hotels (where available) and gratuities for guides and drivers. Our ministerial team is Neil and Susan Earle, who will arrange worship services on select days.

The tour is Oct. 12 to 19, and prices will be about $1,295 per person based on double occupancy.

For the first time this year we are forming a group tour of the historic and cultural sites of Moscow and St. Petersburg. John and Pat Halford will be our ministerial team on this trip and will be joined by Ron and Norva Kelly. Together they will conduct worship services and be tour guides for the group.

This is an all-inclusive land program that leaves the United States Oct. 9 and returns Oct. 17. The land price is $1,395 per person based on double occupancy and includes meals, lodging, visa expenses, motor coach, tour site entry fees and local tour guide tips. Group airfare from the United States is also available through Travel Gallery, or participants can arrange their own.

Window on the World

From Randal Dick,
superintendent of missions

Tomatoes and churches

I received the following from Charles Fleming, regional director for the Caribbean and Latin America.

By Charles Fleming

What do tomato plants and churches have in common?

Structure! They both need to be supported by well-chosen structures that allow them to grow and bear fruit.

Years ago, one of my hobbies was planting tomatoes. I soon found that as each plant grew it was important that I strategically place a few sticks to support it. Those plants that I took the time to support with sticks bore more tomatoes than the ones I left to their own devices.

Too often the fruit on the unsupported plants would weigh so much that the plant would bend, the fruit touch the ground and then either rot or be eaten by bugs. Taking the time to put proper support structures was both effective and efficient. Structure made the tomato plants more fruitful.

In a similar manner, churches are better able to bear lasting fruit when they take the time to set up structures that protect the fruit and promote the growth of the church. Pastor General Joseph Tkach’s desire is that we restructure in such a way that our new structure becomes an effective means whereby we may live out the grace of God in everyday life.

In this column I wish to share with you just a few of the things the regional directors have been doing to answer this simple question: How does a church scattered in countries across the globe work together in unity so as to fulfill the mission of living and sharing the gospel?

First, a little background may be helpful.

As you will recall, nearly a decade ago our loving God challenged us to correct our doctrinal errors and to change our ways of relating to him. That challenge led to the radical doctrinal transformation that has dramatically changed us individually and as a fellowship.

With God’s blessing we are becoming a fellowship that is Christ-centered, Spirit-sensitive and even more surrendered to the Father than ever before. Increasingly, we are seeing the fruit of this approach: more and more of our members around the world are taking the initiative to serve, not passively waiting to be asked; more and more members are involved in evangelism, in discipleship programs, in outreach activities and in small groups; more and more of our members are actively involved in worship, which has become more heartfelt and transformational; more and more of our members are effectively working together with Christians in other denominations and so bringing great glory to our God.

The increasing spiritual growth in our congregations shows that, in more and more congregations, we are well on the way to becoming a true priesthood of all believers—a church in which our members are actively involved in the mission Christ has given his church. But such a church requires a different organizational structure than we have had in the past.

As we look at what God is doing it is obvious is that we are becoming a family of national churches. As a result, we have made a commitment to ensure two things. First, that each national church has the flexibility to fulfill God’s mission to us. Secondly, to ensure that each national church will be accountable to the denomination for living true to our doctrines and values, and according to our Code of Ethics.

As members of the WCG, we all share the same goal and all desire the same key results. However, as a worldwide church, we live in different situations. Dr. Tkach envisions a structure where we would all be held accountable to the same Lord, the same gospel, the same results, but where there is the flexibility to determine the best way to preach the gospel. Here are some changes in approach that will make this desired outcome possible.

This process of empowering various national churches means that we must design new structures as well as train and appoint leaders to take on this increased level of responsibility. This is made even more challenging by the fact that different countries have different cultures and different legal traditions. We need to be flexible in designing the structures, because what will work in one country may not work in another.

We ask for your prayers that God would give us the wisdom to design governance and administrative structures that are appropriate for each country but which, at the same time, allow members to effectively live and share the gospel.

We also request your prayers for discernment in selecting, training and appointing national leaders. In each country we seek to empower a core of leaders at the national level who are what you might call the stewards of the ethos of the denomination. That is, men and women who deeply believe our doctrines, share our values, promote our mission and live true to our ethical commitments.

Pray with us for leaders who are fully equipped to take the denominational vision and refine it by determining the best strategies for success at the national level. One way of understanding the authority granted to national leaders is to remember the six questions that journalists ask those they interview: who, what, when, where, why and how?

When it comes to taking the gospel to all the world, denominational headquarters is authorized to answer the what, why and some of the how questions. National leaders are authorized to answer the when, where and some of the how questions.

Let me explain. Denominational headquarters is responsible for answering the following: What do we as a church believe (our doctrines)? Why do we do (what are our core values and what is our sense of mission—what are we all about)? How do we live out our beliefs and values (what are our ethics)? Our denominational leadership has provided answers in our Statement of Beliefs; our overall Vision and Mission statements; our Core Values; and our Code of Ethics.

National leaders have no authority to change these. As I mentioned before, they are to be people who deeply believe our doctrines, share our values, promote our mission and live true to our ethical commitments. Their responsibility is to be the custodians, within a nation, of these beliefs and values.

As promoters of our mission, they are authorized to answer these all-important practical questions: When and where do we do kingdom-building activities? How do we best present the gospel to the people in our nation? How do we best teach our members to be more Christlike?

To help you in your prayers I have prepared a summary in the box below.

In Ephesians 2:22 Paul stresses that we are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ultimately, it is the indwelling presence of the Triune God in each of us that enables us to work together in unity. But, as humans—with a life to live and a gospel to share—we must take Spirit-led steps if our efforts are to be as fruitful as God would want them to be. Taking the time to let God guide us into a new structure is crucial to our future fruitfulness. Please pray for God to arrange "the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he want[s] them to be" (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:18).

Prayer List for Restructuring

Specifically, pray:

• For God’s guidance as to the structures we set up in each country—that they would represent cultural and legal needs while enabling our leaders to live out our values and beliefs.

• For national leaders who will feel personally moved to respond to Jesus’ challenge to take the gospel to unbelievers and to make disciples, who, in turn, make disciples.

• For our leaders to be truly Christlike, servant leaders, who have the maturity to operate with the level of authority that goes with their responsibilities.

• For us to set up appropriate levels of accountability within each nation and between the national churches and the denomination.

Youth ministry and
the great commission

By Ted Johnston
Co-director, National Youth Ministry Development Team

CANTON, Ohio—As announced in the December WN, Jeb Egbert and I co-direct a newly formed WCG-USA national youth ministry development team.

The mission of the team is to facilitate the growth of great commandment-great commission (GC2) healthy youth ministries to multiply young disciplemaking followers of Jesus. We advance this mission by encouraging and equipping district superintendents, district youth coordinators, Summer Educational Program (SEP) camp directors, pastors and youth ministry workers to lead and staff ministries to and through children, teens and college-age young adults. The primary objective in this work is to see the development of GC2 healthy youth ministries within our congregations.

In our work we are mindful that GC2 healthy youth ministry, like all authentic Christian ministry, originates with God and flows from the person of Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Christian ministry is thus the sovereign work of God, yet God, in his divine freedom and grace, invites us to partner with him in his disciplemaking work. As followers of Jesus, we are made disciples and equipped and commissioned to be disciplemakers.

What Jeb and I seek to do in our work as a youth ministry development team is to proclaim the vision for a catalytic movement of youth ministry in and through WCG-USA congregations. We then seek to encourage, resource, train and otherwise equip those who are committed to leading and otherwise participating in this movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst.

In order to advance this work of vision casting and equipping, we provide articles in this column and will share more technical information with our pastors and other elders in Good Shepherding (our ministry journal for WCG elders) and in e-mail newsletters that will be sent to youth workers and leaders in our congregations.

In addition, we are conducting regional YouthBuilder training conferences in various locations in the United States. These conferences are directed toward adults and older youths who want to learn more about advancing youth ministry in and through their congregations as youth ministry workers and leaders. The conferences are generally advertised in the WN and on our youth ministry website at www.wcg.org/youth. I encourage your participation.

I also want to draw your attention to the WCG 2003 regional conferences (see page 12). At these conferences, various denominational leaders and guests will provide training that will be of great assistance to all our members in building great commandment-great commission healthy ministries, including youth ministries. We will provide training in disciplemaking strategy, and I will conduct a session on youth ministry for pastors and other youth ministry leaders. Again I encourage your participation.

Now back to the purpose for this column. Jeb and I have been blessed with the equipping God has provided for us in youth ministry through many years of hands-on experience as well as advanced training. Our desire is to share some of what we have learned with all of you. And so in this column we’ll discuss foundational youth ministry principles as well as offer lots of real-life examples and how-to tips and strategies for implementing effective youth ministries in your setting.

Regarding foundational principles, our goal is to help us all understand how youth ministry is a vital way in which we may experience and share Jesus’ person, Jesus’ passion and Jesus’ mission.

Regarding his person, authentic youth ministry is always Christ-centered: fully embracing Jesus, the Son of God and Son of man who has come for our salvation, sanctification and glorification. Youth ministry is an important way to seek Jesus, to be with Jesus and to make Jesus known to a new generation.

Regarding Jesus’ passion, authentic Christian youth ministry is motivated by Jesus’ great passion—his love for God and love for people. Jesus was (and is) perfectly obedient to the great commandment of love, which Jeb wrote about in this column last month.

As Jeb noted, that love (Christ’s love shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit) is expressed toward God by exalting Christ, by practicing prayerful dependence and by giving priority to God’s Word. The same love is expressed toward people by actively contributing to an environment of love and grace, by intentionally building redemptive relationships with others and by extending Jesus’ disciplemaking ministry into the lives of others.

As we embrace and express Jesus’ person and passion, we come to desire fuller participation in Jesus’ mission on earth in our time. We appropriately refer to that mission as the great commission—summarized in the command given by Jesus to his disciples just before his ascension (see Matthew 28:18-20).

Our participation in this mission of Jesus is far more than simply a series of tasks to achieve—it flows out of who Christ is and who we are in Christ. Because we are his disciples, we seek to make disciples. An appropriate Christian motto would be being and building disciples.

And so it is with youth ministry. We want to see young people being disciples and then being equipped to participate in building disciples. They do this with Jesus and for Jesus, motivated by Jesus’ passionate love for God and for people and assisted along the way by caring adult disciples who catch the vision and desire to participate in what God is doing among youths in our day.

This mission of building disciples is both simple and complex. It is simple in that Jesus models for us a clear and concise strategy to follow. That strategy involves inviting people to meet Jesus (seeking the lost), building up those who receive him (building believers) and then equipping believers to be workers in Jesus’ service (equipping workers).

Easy enough to understand, isn’t it? But sometimes the steps in implementation can seem a bit complex and daunting. How, for example, does one seek out lost youths and introduce them to Jesus? And how does one build up a young believer in his or her love for God and for people? And how does one equip a young believer so that he or she becomes active and skillful as a worker in Jesus’ service? And, by the way, what does it look like for a child, teen or college-age young adult to be serving with Jesus in his disciplemaking work?

I’m glad you asked. And it’s not that we have a one-size-fits-all formulaic answer. But Jeb and I have experienced and seen what God is doing in our day among young disciples of Jesus—he is giving birth to a disciplemaking movement that includes adults and youths—living and sharing the gospel together.

In future articles in this column, through web-based instruction and in our conferences, we’ll share what we’ve learned as we unpack the how-to details of seeking, building and equipping young disciples of Jesus. We’ll also talk a lot about how to lead youth-directed disciplemaking ministries. So stay tuned. Prepare your heart. Seek after the equipping you need. And please pray for Jeb and me, and most importantly for our youths.

National youth ministry prayer team forming

As we develop a more intentional approach to youth ministry in our fellowship, it is essential that we move forward together on our knees in prayer. I would like to invite you to partner with Jeb and me in a WCG youth ministry prayer team. We deeply desire and need an army of prayer partners who will commit to continuing in prayer for our youths and for God’s direction in the development of youth ministries within the Worldwide Church of God.

God is already at work, and we need his direction concerning how we join with him to advance that work. If you’d like to share your commitment to be on the prayer team with us, please send your name and your request to be included, in an e-mail message to Jeb Egbert at jeb@mail.sepcamp.com We’ll keep our prayer partners informed of prayer needs and updates through an e-mail network. Ted Johnston, co-director, national youth ministry development team.

Great Lakes:
'The Case for Christ'
Discovery Weekend

By Jim Valekis

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio—"Is Jesus truly the only way to God?" the 100-plus audience was challenged to consider at the Friday night, Jan. 17, opening service of the Great Lakes District winter Discovery Weekend.

A resounding "yes" was the answer by the Sunday morning, Jan. 19 service, as nearly 120 final-day participants came forward to profess allegiance to him and to join in a communion and candlelighting service in his honor. This was the concluding event of a weekend that included high-powered worship, four original worship dramas, skiing, sledding and a Saturday night dance.

The Great Lakes district was host for this Discovery Weekend, which took place at Camp Cotubic in Bellefontaine, site of the Ohio Summer Educational Program. The weekend’s theme was "The Case for Christ," and was geared to help participants to "know and be able to show" others why they worship and serve Jesus as the only way to God.

The opening service began with worship led by Total Praise, an eight member contemporary praise and worship band headed by Jake Burnett, a Muskingum College sophomore and WCG member from Sabina, Ohio.

The first of four dramas delivered during the weekend was titled "The Case Against Christ," and through contemporary characters ranging from Britney Peers to Bill Nye the Science Guy, various witnesses stepped forward to offer their alternatives to Jesus.

The next morning, the second drama, titled "The Case for Christ," brought up a list of witnesses from history to modern times. Witnesses included the testimonies of Abraham, Moses, a spokesman for the prophets, the Virgin Mary, the apostle Paul and finally, a scientist who was also a believer—all offering evidence on Jesus’ behalf.

After an afternoon of skiing, sledding, basketball and fellowship, participants gathered before the evening dance for a skit titled "The Case Against You," showing the need everyone has for a perfect Savior. The answer to that need was presented in a final service Sunday morning titled "The Case for You," which was a presentation of the story of Christ’s entrance into the world as a baby in a manger destined not only to die on our behalf, but to be not only Judge, but the One who also pays all spiritual penalties on our behalf.

"I really enjoyed what you and your staff have done as it relates to the program and operation of the camp weekend," wrote Carl Adams, a member of the Toledo, Ohio, congregation, who brought three young people to the weekend.

"The program was great, to say the least. You and your staff relate so well to the kids." He added: "I believe you and your performing crew made the case crystal clear, the case for Christ and for us. My daughter and her friend couldn’t stop talking about the weekend. It was a joy to hear that kind of yapping on the way home." Carl’s daughter Alisha was one of the teens who accepted Christ at the close of the weekend.

Camp Cotubic is the site of SEP Ohio, scheduled this summer for June 22 to 28. It’s a beautiful facility located on 150 acres of rolling Ohio countryside, offering camper dorms and cabins, a 180-foot waterslide, a 450-foot zip-line, basketball, playing fields, water polo and other water events.

You can learn more about SEP Ohio by visiting the Youth Ministries link of the WCG website (wcg.org/youth/SEPOHIO), or simply by typing in the word Cotubic in the online search space of your computer screen. Applications to summer camp can be accessed there as well.

Pikeville, Kentucky,
initiates youth
lock-in at YMCA

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky—Mike Stewart and Debby Bailey, members of the pastoral team, along with the Pikeville congregation, were instrumental in initiating and planning a youth lock-in with three other denominations Jan. 24 at the YMCA.

Sixty-seven youths attended from 12 churches. Some had no church affiliation. Activities included an icebreaker, PowerPoint games, praise and worship, group discussion, a movie, board games, wally ball and basketball. A prayer room was available for the youths to talk and pray with an adult.

WCG PARTICIPANTS—WCG youths who participated
in the YMCA lock-in are, from left: T.J. Lane, Clinton Bailey,
Matt Worrix, Shayla Bailey, Shane Duncan, Kenny Worrix
and Max Bailey. [Photo by Debby Bailey]

 

Dallas Central teens
participate 
in service projects

DALLAS, Texas—Teens from Grace Family Church, the Dallas Central congregation, conducted several service projects in January.

On Jan. 5 the teens broke into small groups to visit members who are unable to attend church.

The youths on Jan. 25 assisted the Good Samaritan organization in Garland, Texas, with organizing the food pantry it uses to assist underprivileged people.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Jan. 26, the group collected money to help feed people in need of assistance through the national Souper Bowl Sunday program.

Michael Lewandowski is service projects coordinator for the teens.

Why Were You Born?

You were born for a purpose! God created each of us for a reason—and we are happiest when we are living in harmony with the purpose he has given us. You need to know what it is.

Michael Morrison, 2003

The Power Team
comes to Azle, Texas 

By Tom Pickett

POWER TEAM VISIT—From left:
Power Team member Mark Sherwood
and his wife, Karinne, and Pastor Tom
Pickett and his wife, Adrienne.

AZLE, Texas—Reconciliation came to Azle, when the Power Team arrived and gave their powerful testimonies about Jesus Christ before a packed high school auditorium for five nights from Wednesday through Sunday in September.

Four thousand attended, and 900 made or renewed their commitment to Christ.

Power Team members perform feats of strength to get the attention of young people so they can introduce them to the real strength in their lives—Jesus Christ.

This began when the ministerial alliance made a commitment to pursue reconciliation in the city. The city had a problem with racism, and the pastors were not content for this situation to remain that way. We began to pray on a regular basis about what Jesus would want us to do.

At first, we thought we could bring in a qualified speaker to present the evils of racism and the solutions to those evils. Even though we were prepared to have that time of collective introspection and repentance, the Holy Spirit helped us realize that we needed more pastors on board. Then the door opened for us to invite the Power Team to do their ministry.

The pastors were invited to jointly sponsor the Power Team to come and witness Jesus to the youths. A sense of excitement was generated, which led to a Covenant of Peace being signed by 18 of the city’s pastors. When the time arrived for the Power Team to testify about the real power in their lives, the stage was set for the walls that divide to be broken down.

The Power Team said how wonderful it was to be invited by the Azle Ministerial Alliance. They had been invited by one big church in a city, but never by the churches of the city. The reconciliation that began with the coming of the Power Team continues today as the pastors of the city come together to encourage unity in the Body of Christ and the respect that should be given to all people, no matter what their race, gender, age or social position. Praise be to Jesus for the good work he has begun.

MELBOURNE, Australia—Doug and Marg Lewis from Mooroolbark Christian Fellowship in Victoria were honored Dec. 2 as the Boystown Australian Family of the Year.

They were presented with the award by John Landy, governor of Victoria, at a ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The presentation received coverage in the national print, radio and television media.

The Lewises, who serve on the Mooroolbark pastoral team and pastor the Solomon Islands members, were chosen from 1,350 nominees after being nominated by their five children.

Since 1967 the Lewises have cared for more than 60 foster children as well as raising five of their own children, two of whom were adopted. They have also provided support to young women released from prison and have been hosts for aboriginal children during school holidays.

"Families provide food and shelter for each other," said Mr. Landy during the presentation. "They provide comfort and they provide compassion, but most of all they give love and commitment to each family member. Today, we are all here to pay tribute to a particular family that has not only helped its own members, but one that has helped countless others."

Brother Ken Ormerod of BoysTown, a branch of De La Salle Brothers, described the Lewises as an inspiration. "This couple has clearly lived by the motto it is better to give than to receive," he said. "Despite all the challenges that come from raising one’s own family, Doug and Marg have reached out to people from all walks of life in times of need. They are ordinary people with an extraordinary tale to tell."

"It’s just a wonderful honor to receive this award," Mr. Lewis said. "It’s a wonderful honor to have our children honor us in this way."

The Lewises were interviewed by the national media and explained that their fundamental philosophy as "to live is to give."

About 100 family and friends attended the presentation ceremony, which was followed by several days of media commitments. Aub Warren.

MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia—Over the years Peterpaul Raymakers has shared his singing talents in church services and concerts. Now he has released his first CD, titled Near You, a collection of praise and worship songs designed to encourage and inspire others on their Christian journey.

"The main aim of my CD is to glorify God, his plan in us, the love we can have if we accept Christ," Peterpaul said.

Geoff Miller of Devonport, Tasmania, Australia, wrote many of the songs on the album. "I had written many songs and hymns without really any great words until I met with Geoff," Peter said. "His words are amazing and lyrical. He feels the emotion and mood of my music and can so carefully evoke the right words to suit. Our first work of art together was "Awesome God of Wonders," which appears on the album."

The CD can be purchased through major Christian bookshops in Australia. For more information visit the website www.peterpaul.org The site provides information about the album including song titles, lyrics and song samples. Aub Warren.

BIG BEAR, California—A Disciples of Jesus retreat for marrieds and singles, ages 20 through 40, will take place at the California Summer Educational Program in Big Bear, July 6 to 12.

Those who attend this weeklong retreat will focus on becoming committed disciples of Jesus Christ and receive training in ministry leadership. As well you will be able to enjoy praise and worship, the high ropes challenge course and all the other sports and recreational activities available. The retreat will take place at Cedar Lake Camp, a 270-acre retreat at an elevation of 7,000 feet in Big Bear. It has its own private lake and canoes.

Alabaster Box leads praise and worship at Pasadena NewLife

PRAISE AND WORSHIP—Alabaster Box Christian
worship group from Australia. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

PASADENA—Alabaster Box, one of the top Christian worship groups in Australia, led praise and worship at NewLife Fellowship Feb. 2.

The Australian group was on a U.S. tour that culminated in a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee. As part of their tour, they also led worship at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Christian Assembly in Eagle Rock, and Harvest Rock in Pasadena. For more information, visit their website at www.alabasterbox.com

EVANGELISM EXPLOSION—Class starts for
NewLife members. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

PASADENA—Pasadena’s NewLife Fellowship started another 13 week semester of Evangelism Explosion classes Feb. 1.

Pastor Bermie Dizon and assistant pastor Mervin Walton teach the classes. The first class graduated June 16. Graduates are Linda Laureles, Carmel Dizon, Jayson Ferrer, Raul and Sylvia Ramos, Carolina Thompson, Marianne Maninang, Ronald and Rayminda Sunga and Sheila Rowley.

Mr. Ramos, pastor of the Pasadena Spanish congregation, said: "EE is just a tool, but it gives you a message to lead someone to Christ from beginning to end."

For the Los Angeles class, which graduated Dec. 14, Mr. Dizon and Mr. Walton were assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Ramos, and Ed Green, Los Angeles evangelism director, who had taken the certification training.

Mr. Green said: "EE shaped my life. It has enlightened me to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have decided to devote the rest of my life to presenting the gospel and making it a way of life."

The Los Angeles class graduates are Lauretha Garbutt, Carmelita Dizon, Clifton Tracy, Ann Macklin, Ron Greene, Mariah Thompson, Felix Johnson, Margaret Churchill, Gladys Woodcox, Mark Bolduc, Micah Royal and Geraldine Nelson. Two members from the Pasadena Spanish congregation also graduated: Steve Ramos and Edgar Robleto.

Mrs. Churchill, who is in her 70s, led two prostitutes to Christ with the knowledge gained from the evangelism training. Melba Johnson, who sat in on the classes, led a 100-year-old female neighbor to Christ. Two weeks later, the new convert died of old age.

"The trainers and trainees evangelized 45 people during the 13 weeks of training, and 25 people received eternal life through their acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord," Mr. Walton said.

JACKSON, Tennessee—Cynthia Frazier White, Virginia Frazier Odom and Daniel Johnson were baptized at the Jackson church, Sunday, Feb. 2.

Afterward, Pastor Wayne Wendt called the three to the front of the room and encouraged the congregation to gather around. He told the three that it is especially gratifying to have those who grew up in the church and had left for a while to return and request baptism. He apologized for the errors of the past.

During the many hugs and good wishes, worship leaders began singing, "Glorify Thy Name," and everyone joined in as they returned to their seats. With much joy and even a "Hallelujah!" the closing prayer was offered by Gladys Anderson. Peggy McIntosh.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida—"We had our first regular Sunday church service in Jacksonville, Jan. 12, and all went well," said Pastor Marty Davey.

Attendance was 108, an increase from the 2002 average of 95. Eighteen visitors attended.

BELOIT, Wisconsin—Pastor John Bailey received the Blackburn Award for his work at the Janet Wattles substance and crisis center in Rockford, Illinois. Mr. Bailey works with the girls in the group home.

The Blackburn Award is given to the employee who "shows dedication to improving solutions through high quality, efficient and effective mental health services and education."

Many say that Mr. Bailey is "a big man with a gentle, direct approach." He’s "warm," and "John laughs often and takes great joy in life, inspiring others to do the same." Mr. Bailey said of himself: "God has blessed me in being able to work with the families. He has allowed me to use godly principles. You never know how God is going to use you to make an impact on a person’s life, and God has enabled me to do so." Sarah Schnoor.

ORLANDO, Florida—More than 330 people attended the Orlando regional conference Dec. 6 to 8. The meetings took place in the Renaissance Orlando Hotel.

Speakers and presentations were Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, on "Vision" and "The Everyday Commission," Pastor General Joseph Tkach on "Got Leadership?" and "Where Are We Now in Prophecy?" and Carn Catherwood, South Central district superintendent, on "The Importance of Good Worship."

Several breakout sessions covered "Designing a Worship Service," by Gerald Scharrenberger, Rocky Mountain district superintendent; "Be Who You Are in Ministry" (Women in Ministry) by Pat Shaw of Church Administration; "Disciplemaking Principles for Children’s Ministry" by Nancy Akers of Church Administration; "Local Financial Management" by Charles Albrecht, Church Administration budget manager; and "Local Youth Ministry" by Bob Persky, Florida district superintendent, and Marty Davey, Jacksonville, Florida, and Brunswick, Georgia, pastor.

Guest speaker Dan Southerland, author of the book Transitioning, spoke on "Getting in on What God Is Doing." Bob Persky.

BURLESON, Texas—The Ministerial Alliance in Burleson is moving toward unity in the Body of Jesus Christ.

The 2003 president is Gary Rubendall, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Burleson. The pastors of Christian Family Life Church in Fort Worth and Burleson Christian Fellowship, a WCG congregation, agreed to have a special service at Calvary Baptist called "A Celebration of Unity Among God’s People."

The three congregations gathered on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to share their faith and worship together.

Charles Dorsett, pastor of Christian Family Life Church, led the 150 people in attendance in praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus. They then collected an offering to fund the Food Aid Program at Christian Family Life Church.

Tom Pickett, pastor of Burleson Christian Fellowship, gave the first message on "The Unity of the Christian Body," and then Mr. Rubendall gave a message on "One God, One Jesus, One Spirit, One Family."

The Angels, a girls group from Christian Family Life Church, performed two worshipful and inspiring dances during the service. The service concluded with more worshipful praise music and two baptisms (one from Calvary and one from Christian Family Life).

"The fellowship that followed was especially sweet," Mr. Pickett said. "With two of the congregations being white and one being black, we had a joyous sense of the oneness we have in Christ. By the time the evening was coming to a close, we had come into the oneness of the Spirit, which is in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

SAYRE, Oklahoma—In 2002, the Circle of Love Fellowship and the monthly Interdenominational Prayer Group became part of a coupon program.

This program by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary is designed to help military families overseas with their grocery budgets. Clipped coupons that can be used six months past the expiration date are sent to participating commissaries around the world.

In 2002, the Sayre groups sent 7,500 coupons, which included a personal message of appreciation to the families for their sacrifice to our nation. Thank you notes have been received from England, Japan, Germany and Iceland.

"We are happy we can contribute in this small way to these families," said coordinator Shirley West. Ben and Shirley West.

MISSOULA, Montana—The Missoula congregation aids an area gospel mission called Missoula 3:16. The mission provides hot meals, clothing items and grocery packs for those in need, as well as Christian fellowship and a place to warm up during the cold winter months.

The mission’s motto is "Taking Jesus to the Streets." Worldwide Church of God members have provided hot lunches once a month for more than a year, and on Thanksgiving day helped serve a hot breakfast to about 170 people. The event was sponsored by the gospel mission with help from many sources including a number of church groups and civic clubs. Jessica Wallace, a WCG member, provided piano music.

The largest demand faced by Missoula 3:16 is during the holiday season, and this year church members helped provide goods for more than 200 Christmas gift packs. The packs included basic necessities such as gloves, long underwear, toothpaste, washcloths and hand towels. These gifts were distributed during a dinner where 316 people were fed.

Missoula 3:16 is a Christian- based mission that meets the standards of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. We are thankful that God has opened this door and that we can assist in spreading the gospel by living the words of Hebrews 13:16 by doing good and sharing with others. Sandra Anattol.

AUSTIN, Texas—Did you know that more Christians are persecuted today for their beliefs than at any other time in history?

On Oct. 26 and 27, Tom Trimble, regional representative for Voice of the Martyrs, spoke to the Waco and Austin, Texas, WCG congregations. Voice of the Martyrs is an interdenominational and international Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide.

Mr. Trimble brought an eye-opening and heartrending presentation of the stories and pictures of those worldwide who suffer in faith and joy through heavy trials for the gospel of Jesus Christ. While Christians in some parts of the world are able to worship God in freedom, millions of other Christians live in daily fear of having their livelihoods ruined, their homes invaded or their families assaulted. Many are imprisoned and many are killed—just for being Christians.

Someone has said that Jesus came to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable," and the presentation by Mr. Trimble definitely afflicted our mental state of comfortableness. We were given faces and stories to personalize the daily sacrifices made by our Christian brothers and sisters around the world, and we came to better understand the overwhelming joy and comfort of knowing Jesus Christ above all else.

If you would like to learn more about Voice of the Martyrs or to inquire about a speaker coming to your area, contact Voice of the Martyrs, P.O. Box 443, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 74005; telephone 1-800-747-0085; www.persecution.com Lee Berger.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada—The Winnipeg festival site is offering special early registration benefits this year. All the major activities are free (more than $40 value per person), for those members who register by April 30.

The festival will take place Oct. 10 to 18.

For more information visit the Winnipeg church’s website at www.wcg.org/churches/can/winnipeg/, send e-mail to coordinator Alan Redmond at redmond@ mb.sympatico.ca or call him at 1-204-654-3217.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—The Las Vegas church, pastored by Tom Melear, was host for Green Valley Baptist Church’s concert ministry "In His Service" Nov. 9. Many visitors and other longtime absent members attended.

Hugh Tyner, lead singer and pastor, created mental images depicting the second coming of Christ in the group’s rendition of "The Midnight Cry."

Tenor Bill Dean spoke to the hearts of the living church with the certainty of God’s intervention in our lives. Sopranos Daphne Fielder, Cindy Ivy, Debbie Massenburg, Lois Foree, Lisa Morrison, Dianne Mason and Lori Able sang of the security of God’s ultimate supremacy over this world.

Basses Kyle Massenburg, Deon Dorsey and Chuck Daulton sang of God’s love for this world. Joe Bernard.

CHICAGO, Illinois—The Women’s Fellowship of the Chicago South/ Southeast church sponsored a school supplies drive for Doolittle West Elementary School in Chicago.

Supplies were collected in June, July and August. The congregation donated supplies sufficient to serve 250 students.

The church has adopted Doolittle and provides support in the form of food, clothing, books, toy donations and prayers. Doolittle West serves students in grades pre-K through fourth grade.

Pastor Willard High received numerous touching letters of thanks from the children. He said: "My wife, Brenda, and I believe strongly that any child can achieve more with loving support than without it. Most often the difference between high achieving children and those who do poorly is that achievers have more family structure with fewer distractions and more loving support."

Elder Eugene Dumas, who was also principal of Doolittle at the time of the donation, said: "A high percentage of the students who attend the school are at or below the poverty level. Despite this, the students recently set an all-time record for reading achievement."

Women involved in the steering committee are Charleda Lane, Felicia Davis, Beverly Katovitch, Brenda High, Marion Richard and Melissa Watson. Brenda C. High.

CHICAGO, Illinois—The Chicago Southside Church will celebrate its 40th anniversary Aug. 29 to 31 at the Oak Brook Marriott in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Special guests will include Dean Blackwell, founding pastor, and Helen Jackson, wife of the late Harold Jackson. Activities will include a Friday evening meet and greet to renew old friendships and begin new ones; a Saturday morning worship service preceded by praise and worship; a Saturday evening semiformal dinner and dance featuring dance music by the Cosmopolitan Band; and a Sunday morning breakfast buffet.

Marriott Hotel group rates for the Chicago Southside 40th anniversary are $89 a night for up to four people in a room. Reservations are open until Aug. 8. Call the hotel at 1-800-228-9290.

Packages including meet and greet, dinner dance and breakfast buffet are $75 for adults, $60 ages 13 to 18, $30 children 12 and younger, 3 and younger are free. Activities will be available for youths.

Send payments to Willard High, Chicago 40th Anniversary, P.O. Box 306, Matteson, Illinois, 60443. If you have questions call 1-708-748-3074. Make checks payable to "Chicago South Church." The payment deadline is July 25.

Adults, please specify entree choice of roast cornish hen, grilled rib eye steak or pan roasted pike. The youth plate is chicken fingers or cheeseburger with side orders. Please give us the number of adults, children 12 and younger and 3 and younger in your party. We hope you will join us for this joyous celebration.

Chicago Southside 40th Anniversary Reservation

Name:

Last First

Address:

Street City State Zip

Telephone: ( )

Number of 40th Anniversary Packages* in Your Group

* Includes – Meet & Greet, Dinner & Dance, Breakfast Brunch

 

$75 – Adults (19 & up) [ ] Crn. Hen [ ] Steak [ ] Pike . . Cost: $

$60 – Teens (13-18) [ ] Crn. Hen [ ] Steak [ ] Pike . . Cost: $

$30 – Child (12 under) Chicken Finger Meal . . . . . . . . . Cost: $

Total number of persons in your group . . . . . . . . Total Cost: $

Send payments to Willard High, Box 306, Matteson, Illinois, 60443

Payable to "Chicago South Church" – questions 1-708-748-3074

1-800-228-9290—Oak Brook Marriott Hotel $89/night—7/25/03 Deadline

 

 

Atlanta, Georgia, congregation to celebrate 40th anniversary

ATLANTA, Georgia—The Atlanta congregation will celebrate its 40th anniversary Sunday, May 25, at the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park, Georgia. Everyone is invited to attend. The commemoration will begin with a praise and worship service at 11. The featured speaker will be Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers. The celebration will culminate with a banquet dinner and dance at 6:30.

The cost is $40 per person ($10 per child age 10 and younger). Checks should be made payable to the Local Church Activity Fund—Atlanta and mailed to Pastor Charles Young, P.O. Box 491059, College Park, Georgia, 30349. We apologize, as we are unable to provide on-site registration because we need to have an accurate count for the caterer. The deadline for your response is April 15.

 

Big Sandy observes Black History month

By Donna Jones

BIG SANDY, Texas—New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Big Sandy took advantage of Black History Month to reach out to our black neighbors. Before services on the first Sunday in February, as a symbol of our love and our appreciation for all they are doing, members from our congregation took trays of cookies to the four black churches in our community.

During the month, pastors from two of the churches, Pastor Linzie Bowie and Pastor P.R. Moore and his associate Roger Strickaland were invited to give sermons at New Beginnings.

In our weekly church bulletin, we recognized the contributions blacks have made to our society. The first weekend, we focused on the changing face of black leadership in America. The last three weekends of the month were used to profile three of our area black ministers and community leaders, one of whom also served as mayor of Big Sandy. (He was only the second black mayor to be elected in Texas.)

Each man was interviewed and a brief biography was printed in the bulletin, along with their comments about what motivated them to reach their goals and to serve their community. These pastors are joining with us in preparation for a citywide revival.

We are thankful for the rich heritage our black brethren bring to our community, and to America.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2003