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Pastor Sonny Parsons elected mayor of Big Sandy

BIG SANDY, Texas—Pastor Sonny Parsons was elected mayor of Big Sandy May 7 and was inducted into office May 17.

From left: outgoing mayor Linda Childress, Mayor Sonny Parsons and his wife, Jane. [Photo by Jerome Ellard]

“His election was a reflection of the warm support he and the congregation have received in this city of more than 1,200 people in the three years that he has pastored here,” said member Jerome Ellard.

Sonny and his wife, Jane, lived in Big Sandy for 13 years before moving to San Antonio to pastor there for seven years, and then returned to Big Sandy. Parsons served as a city councilman before becoming mayor.

Parsons encourages members to become involved in the community, and he has led the way by example. He is the president of the Ministerial Alliance. He also serves as a paramedic with the Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department, and until recently was the captain of Emergency Medical Service, a position he resigned after becoming mayor. 

Under Parsons’ leadership, the congregation has gone from renting facilities from another church to owning its own building in one of the most visible locations in town. This has led to New Beginnings hosting many community events, including Homeland Security’s Community Emergency Response Team training program, of which Parsons is a certified trainer. 

New Beginnings, through Parsons’ encouragement, hosts the weekly meetings of the Big Sandy Rotary Club, of which he is also a member. Parsons has also led the congregation to host, and the other churches in town to support, a weeklong community-wide vacation Bible school, where the churches in the community pool their resources, and members reach out to children for Christ.

He has been instrumental in involving the people of Big Sandy in several community events, including Honor Your Heroes celebrations to honor veterans, policemen and firemen, Christmas Walks, where church members walk from one church to another an evening before Christmas for a progressive service, National Day of Prayer gatherings at city hall, National Night Out get-togethers to combat crime and foster community, and the annual Soap Box Derby. 

Under Parsons’ leadership, month-ly get-togethers of church members have been established called East Texas Together for Christ. These promote love, unity and cooperation among Christians in the area.

Sonny and Jane believe in bringing the community together to make the city a better place for all to live, and to see the cause of Christ upheld through love, sharing and unity. Jerome and Helen Ellard.

UNION, New Jersey—The Union women’s ministry invites husbands, family and friends to a dinner dance Saturday evening Sept. 10 from 5 p.m. to midnight during the Women’s International Conference.

The event will take place at the Parsippany Sheraton. A four-course meal will be served with a choice of entree, live entertainment and dancing. The cost is $35 per adult (ages 13 and older), $15 per child (ages 5 to 12) and children four and younger are free. Tickets must be obtained in advance. 

For more information, please  contact Janelle Winston at 1-908- 753-0131.

Reaching where others haven’t reached

AFIDEYINGBA, Togo—The Ake-bou people in Togo, West Africa, are often listed as one of the groups least reached by Christianity. In recent years that situation has changed, although much can still be done.

Most of those who have been converted cannot afford a Bible. Bearing that in mind, Daniel Yovo, Lome pastor, spent $300 from the New Life WCG congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota, to buy Bibles in the Ewe and French languages for the Akebou in the remote village of Afideyingba.

Chimezie E. Onyebilanma, national coordinator for the Togolese Mission Evangelique du Calvaire, a project aimed at least-reached people groups, wrote to thank Yovo for the gift of the Bibles and for his visit in April: “We were all touched by the visit of you and the team from your church to our mission station on the 16th of last month.

“Not many pastors in Lome will be concerned enough to travel through the rough terrain and hundreds of kilometres and bush path to bless these people. Your cheerful spirit and heart for the gospel encouraged us as well as the villagers who gathered to hear you. Thank you so much.” James Henderson.

Kalengule Kaoma, regional pastor for Zambia and Malawi, and his wife, Nsama, have overseen a period of noteworthy church growth, according to James Henderson, mission developer for Africa.

“Before our doctrinal changes we had one congregation and three Bible study areas in Zambia, and maximum attendance was around 150. About 25 people left in the wake of our move to the New Covenant, including two ministers. Now we have 19 congregations and about 1,000 in attendance.”

This growth has stimulated the Zambian church board into action. Various ideas are being pursued to find funds in addition to regular contributions in order to finance the ecclesiastical supervision of these new churches and to promote new projects.

One such project is the purchase of land in the Lusaka suburbs. The aim is to build a church or orphan shelter and spread the gospel in the surrounding community.

“Manpower remains a problem,” Henderson said. “In order to address the situation, Kaoma has created a team of non-salaried ministerial trainees, and spends a lot of time working with them and providing spiritual formation.”

In Malawi the church has 11 congregations as opposed to five before the doctrinal changes, with present attendance of 235 compared to 125 then. About 35 people, of whom four were elders, left during the times of transformation.

In addition a refugee church (about 80 people) is associated with the WCG in a camp near Lilongwe.

The church in Blantyre, Malawi, runs a primary school for 90 students on its property, which has become a source of income for the church.

Some contacts from the Minimini, Malawi, church have moved to neighboring Mozambique and are anxious to start a church plant there. Elders from Malawi had previously visited some prospective members in Mozambique, but no church had been established. James R. Henderson.

Dan Rogers speaks to Augusta church

Dan Rogers eats lunch with members. [Photo by Robert Merritt]

 AUGUSTA, Georgia—Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, spoke to the Augusta church May 14.

Rogers spoke on the Good Samaritan, putting it in a modern context.

After the service, members talked with Rogers and then went out to a buffet lunch courtesy of Marshall Parks. Michael Butler.

GADSDEN, Alabama—About 100 members and former members met for a reunion May 21 at the Carnes Community Center in Attalla.

“It was truly great getting to see folks we had not seen in many years,” said Don Johnson, pastor of the Anniston, Alabama, church.  “It seems the only time we do see one another is at a funeral or a wedding.”

Worship services are conducted in the Alcantara garage. [Photos by Lorenzo Arroyo]

LAKEWOOD, New Jersey—Last October, a new Spanish-language mission work was started in the home of WCG elder Alejandro Alcantara.

This is not the first church plant that Alejandro and his wife, Leonora, have been involved with. They were instrumental in the early development of the church that now exists in Howell, New Jersey. Last fall Alcantara was commissioned to plant a new Spanish-language mission in an adjacent city.

Alejandro & Leonora Alcantara

The new mission currently conducts weekend worship services in the Alcantara garage and averages about 25 in attendance, including children.

Alejandro and Leonora outlined the methods used in their church planting endeavor. In this church plant, the Alcantara family did not use a core group of members from a nearby local church, as is sometimes the case, but his family unit alone. They have been blessed with seven children ranging in age from 3 to 18 years (four boys and three girls).

First, Alejandro and Leonora targeted community contacts that they had long established in their neighborhood, workplace and the public school. Also, they met new people. Sometimes they would go door to door just to meet new neighbors as well as cultivating conversation when and wherever possible with those within their broader Hispanic target group.

Second, after establishing relationships, they visited the new prospects and conducted four or five Bible studies in the person’s home. Next, they conveyed to them their plans to open a new mission work in the area, and invited the new people to the Alcantara home for house worship services. When the group was large enough, they moved into the garage, which they accommodated for weekend services. For now, the “holy garage” is their current place for worship.

Alcantara plans to rent a church building or hall and build up to a launch date to a formal church status. The amount of the rent will determine how many times a month he can conduct formal services, but his plan is to work up to launch day by having garage sales, community barbecues and producing flyers, all for the purpose of preparing the community for launch day.

Alejandro and his family hope to offically launch the church in about a year. Now, they are buying musical instruments, training and forming a worship team for that purpose. Lorenzo Arroyo.

Muskegon members reinact Lord’s Supper

MUSKEGON, Michigan—On the evening of March 24, the New Life in Christ congregation, pastored by Sam Butler, participated in a reinactment of the Lord’s Supper.   

A dialogue was drawn up from the Gospels and other passages of Scripture, and various members volunteered to read the spoken parts of Jesus, Peter, John, Judas, Thomas, Philip, various unnamed disciples and a narrator. 

To begin, the worship team led the congregational singing of three hymns from the Psalms. After prayer, the narrator opened the service with a reading of John 13:1, a couple of disciples read Luke 22:9, and the person portraying Jesus read his instructions (vv. 10-12).

Then everyone was invited to sit around the prepared Lord’s table.  The evening proceeded with reading of dialogue, foot washing and Judas leaving. Additional dialogue, prayer and the sharing of communion followed. Continuing dialogue was read, concluding with a hymn and Jesus’ benediction (John 16:33). Diana Clark.

Members of the Rochester congregation served at the Rochester Senior Center May 10.

ROCHESTER, Minnesota—Members of the Rochester congregation served at the Rochester Senior Center May 10.

For 15 years the center has hosted an all-you-can-eat chicken dinner on the second Tuesday of every month from September through June. It is a collaborative effort among the Rochester congregation, the Rotary Club, Mayo Clinic employees and the senior center. They serve an average of 140 meals, including 30 volunteers. Daniel Lewis.

Linda Hall (left) and Daniel Hack. [Photos by Daniel Lewis]

Fred Dominick.

WATSONSVILLE, California— The Monterey Bay Christian Church, our congregation in Watsonville, made seven one-minute announcements for radio, each containing one or more scriptures with a message, and an invitation to non-churchgoers to visit worship services or small groups, according to Pastor John Jester.

They also did a 14-minute interview, which included explaining their Maundy Thursday service, and replying, per the interviewer’s request, to a caller to the station who told them we were a cult. 

John Dick, the station’s general manager, did a dramatic reading of John 17 at the Maundy Thursday service.

Men’s ministry: Coming to Know Yourself

PASADENA—Fifty-five men and women attended the Southwest district men’s ministry presentation, “Coming to Know Yourself,” May 21 in Pasadena.

Paul and Leigh Sniffen speak at men’s ministry event. [Photo by John Campbell]

The program began with Curtis May, Southwest district superintendent and director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, speaking about the importance of understanding and valuing our diversity, showing that God created and loves diversity, but that sadly, human beings are led to use diversity as a tool of fear and division.

Archibald Hart, professor of psychology and former dean of the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, was the main speaker for the conference.

Hart covered the subjects of stress management and depression, pointing out that stress is living outside the bounds of God’s design for life. He showed that the focus of defense and recovery from stress is the ability of the Christian to live a life of resilience; being able to bounce back from stressful situations. He then went on to discuss seven detailed levels of resilience and how to build them into life and apply them.

Shari Campa, who grew up as a WCG minister’s daughter, presented a detailed account about Christ’s involvement in her life, which tied in with Hart’s presentations. Like the prodigal son, Campa ran from all things of God.

Paul Sniffen, Southwest men’s ministry director, and his wife, Leigh, discussed “Knowing Your Human Nature.” They concluded the program by answering questions related to their topic. John Campbell.

 BRANDON, Manitoba, Canada—Elder Pat Stelmack and his wife, Faye, welcomed 45 people to the 30th anniversary of the Brandon church, which took place at the Church of the Nazarene here May 28.

Pastor Trevor Cherry presents Pat and Faye Stelmack with appreciation plaque.

On hand were people from Washington state and guests from  Winnipeg, Manitoba, and sister churches in Yorkton and Moosomin, Saskatchewan. The Moosomin congregation has been teamed with Brandon since the church began here in 1975.

Before introducing founding minister Neil Earle and his wife, Susan (1975-78), visiting from Glendora, California, for the occasion, Brandon Pastor Trevor Cherry gave the Stelmacks a plaque honoring them for their service in Brandon for almost two decades. “We just couldn’t have done it over the years without Pat and Faye,” Cherry commented.

Neil & Susan Earle

Music was provided by a country gospel band put together for the occasion and made up of friends from the city of Brandon, and a piano solo by Roy Bortolotto, a sometime facilitator of services in Brandon.   

“It was great to see how the Stelmacks took advantage of the occasion to invite past members, including some presently worshipping in other fellowships, for the service,” Earle said.

Pastor O’Brien of the Church of the Nazarene joined the celebration after the worship service. Earle gave him a copy of WCG President Joseph Tkach’s book Transformed by Truth.

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” said longtime member Janet Wood, visiting from 120 miles away in Whitewood, Saskatchewan. “It always helps to get outside perspectives to enlarge our vision,” said Murray Munro, a founding member.  

Forty-five people attended the 30th anniversary of the Brandon church. [Photos by Susan Earle]

Church plant celebrates first anniversary

MADISON, Wisconsin—On Pentecost Sunday 2004, a church was planted in the Allied Drive neighborhood in Madison, which is one of the most crime-infested areas in Dane County.

On Pentecost Sunday 2005, a time for celebration was in order. Members from the sister church in Beloit, Wisconsin, joined in with their co-workers in the Madison area to share with one another the lives that have been influenced by the presence of the Light (Jesus Christ) in a once darkened neighborhood.

David Fiedler, district superintendent, was the guest speaker, and he delivered a message of hope. 

During the service, members of the Madison church gave testimonies about their walk with Christ and the hope that has come into their lives because someone cared and was willing to share their faith with them. The worship service included English and Hispanic hymns.

It was encouraging to observe the interaction between the members coming from different cultures and backgrounds and yet able and willing to embrace one another as sisters and brothers. The feeling of being “family” tears down barriers and encourages unity.

“Small churches have the capability of church planting if their hearts are in it,” said Pastor John L. Bailey. “Beloit church members are few in numbers, but they have hearts for sharing the gospel and a willingness to support a church plant.”

Dan Rogers to speak at Discovery Weekend

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky—Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, will speak at a Family Discovery Weekend in Pikeville Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 to 5.

The event will begin with dinner on Friday night and will conclude after a light lunch on Monday.

Activities will include a scavenger hunt, icebreaker games, goofy Olympics, a dance, music, dramas and more.

The cost is $60 for young people, which includes all meals, lodging and activities. The rate for adults is $30, which includes meals and activities. Lodging rates range from $30 to $40 per night at area motels. Arrangements can be made to sleep at the church hall for free. Please register by July 31 to save $10 off Discovery Weekend rates. Scholarship funds available.

For more details call 1-606-437-7244 and leave your name and number or send e-mail to debby.bailey@gci.org. Checks should be made payable to WCG of Pikeville and sent to WCG, P.O. Box 1381, Pikeville, Kentucky, 41502.

Church announces ministerial status change

Hugh Wilson left the WCG employ as pastor of the Reno, Nevada, church June 3. He remains an elder. The Reno church will have a pastoral team.

BOISE, Idaho—Irene Zeppenfeld of the Boise congregation received a certificate of accomplishment and a Presidential Award May 24 for her service to the community.

Zeppenfeld volunteers through RSVP, which connects volunteers to service opportunities in the community. She is affectionately known as Grandma Irene to the children in the kindergarten where she serves.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2005