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SEP Florida to include Bahamas cruise

Marty Davey

MIDDLEBURG, Florida—The Florida Spiritual Enrichment Program camp for teens Aug. 2 to 7, will include a cruise to the Bahamas, announced Marty Davey, camp director.

Three days will be spent at a land-based camp near Orlando, and three days on the Imperial Majesty cruise to and from Nassau, Bahamas. Campers will spend an entire day on land with the WCG congregation in Nassau, and with their youth ministry groups.

The summer camp is designed as a Christian camp experience and is open to youths ages 12 to 19. Arrival at Pinelake Retreat Center near Orlando is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, and departure is on Sunday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m., also from Pinelake Retreat Center.

Those attending will need to make their own travel arrangements to and from the camp. A map to the camp can be viewed at www.pinelakeretreat.com.

Cost for the camp is $400, with half the amount required at time of application, in order to reserve a space on the cruise. This amount will be refunded if the application is not approved, or possibly in the event of an emergency that prevents the youth from attending.

Each person boarding the cruiseliner will have to go through immigration and customs, so a certified  U.S. birth certificate or a passport will be required, as well as a picture ID for those of driving age.

The ship leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale (the camp will transport everyone there and back by chartered bus) on Friday afternoon, Aug. 5, and arrives in Nassau, Bahamas, at 9 Saturday morning.

After spending the day with our Nassau church, we will reboard the ship at 4 p.m. Saturday, arriving back in Fort Lauderdale at 9 Sunday morning, and then return to the Pinelake Retreat Center. 

While on the cruise ship, all campers will be accompanied by an adult staff member, and an adult counselor will be in every cabin with the youths.

For more information on the cruise line company, you may check out their web site at www.imperialmajesty.com. 

Be sure to apply soon for this camp, since it may fill up quickly, and we can only take around 70 campers. Information and applications for campers and staff members are available from our camp web site at www.sepflorida.com. You may contact Marty Davey by phone at 1-904-282-1055 or by e-mail at Martydavey@bellsouth.net

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana—“A Weekend Beyond Belief” was the theme of this year’s Discovery Weekend at Fontainebleau State Park Dec. 31 to Jan. 2 in which 52 teens and adults participated.  Several teens attended for the first time who were not in our denomination.

Discovery Weekend participants.

Jeff Broadnax, pastor of the Middletown and Clarkstown, New York, churches, led several discussions, including one on sexual purity.

Other activities were praise and worship, volleyball, basketball, a fireworks display on the beach and a banquet and dance. Joy Cryer.

PASADENA—The church honored the following employees for 25 years of service to the denomination: Raymond Taylor, pastor of the Wilmington and Seaford, Delaware, churches, and his wife, Cynthia; Phillip Rice, pastor of the Phoenix, Arizona, church; Tom Hanson, WCG Today editor; and Bill Sidney and his wife, Daphne.

The following WCG employees have retired or left the employ of the church: Pete Arguien, assistant director of Facilities Services; Charles Buschmann and Art Alvarez, Security; Cheryl Corson, Facilities; Martha Santos, PTM; and Milan Zima, Auditorium. 

James Larry Gillentine Jr.:
Eagle Scout court of honor

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Alabama, James Larry Gillentine Jr., was honored with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Oct. 10.

Bob Miller, pastor of the Birmingham and Good Hope, Alabama, churches, gave the invocation. Troop 92 presented the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Beth W. Gilbreath sang the National Anthem. Roland Stanley, pastor of the Tuscumbia, Alabama, church, gave the benediction.

James is a senior at Winston County High School. His Eagle Scout leadership service project was to build two trophy display cases for the Double Springs Middle School.

James is the son of Larry and Frances Gillentine. They attend Faith Community Church, the WCG congregation in Tuscumbia.

 Cicero, Illinois, church conducts
Spanish-language Bible studies
after the Passion of the Christ movie

By Pablo Poblano

CICERO, Illinois—GoodShepherd Church of God, one of several churches that joined the Worldwide Church of God under the direction of Lorenzo Arroyo, district superintendent, conducted outreach Bible studies last year after the movie The Passion of the Christ.

Harry Kall is the senior pastor of the congregation in this Chicago suburb.

Pablo Poblano, a member of the congregation, noted how the movie affected his co-workers and that they needed biblical knowledge to help them make sense of what they had seen. He asked them if they would be interested in a Bible study to find out more about “this Jesus who went through so much suffering for us.”

Bible study group in Cicero.

Most said yes, and Poblano asked Israel Hernandez, another member of the congregation, to conduct the studies. Eight people attended that first Bible study. A few more came the next week, and this continued for several weeks following. Some began to bring their relatives and friends.

Most were Catholic by birth but were not practicing their religion. Most had not read the Bible before.

About 35 people have attended at one time or another.

Bilingual church brings
Christ’s light into a dark community

By Tom Blake

MADISON, Wisconsin—A multiracial, bilingual house church has grown from six to 30 members in less than nine months from its inception. It is in the roughest neighborhood of Madison. Pizza and fast food restaurant deliveries refuse to enter, but for most of the church members, Allied Drive is home.

Setting a higher standard of well-maintained apartments in a community of absentee property managers and run down buildings, Jim and Juanita Bushert are committed to providing quality housing to needy Hispanic families. Juanita saw the spiritual needs of her tenants, mostly families with young children, and was inspired by the Holy Spirit to reach out to them with the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“It started with one person,” said Juanita. “These young parents need direction and counseling. They have questions and they are finding the answers in Jesus through the pages of their Bibles.” A member of the Morales family said: “We don’t want to be isolated in a totally Hispanic church and community. We came to America to be part of the English-speaking culture and to better ourselves in this land of opportunity.”

Dave Fiedler, North Central district superintendent, delivered a message on faith in God to the church Sunday, Jan. 23. Afterward, Fiedler remarked: “The average age of the members of this congregation is unusual. It is predominately people in their 20s.”

Bilingual sermon notes and Bible study materials are prepared thanks to several Internet web sites, in particular, BibleGateway.com (switches from English to Spanish Bible translations in one key stroke; Babelfish.Altavista.com (which translates text into Spanish) and Advancedsearchbar.com (which translates entire web pages).

After the church service, Pastor John Bailey led a small group discussion. “This is the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. The church is a hospital where the Holy Spirit heals the trauma of sin through Jesus.”

Escrow closes
on upper campus sale

PASADENA—Escrow closed Jan. 28 on the remaining upper campus property to a consortium of buyers including the same groups involved in purchasing the lower campus, announced President Joseph Tkach.

“The buyer’s ultimate plans are not yet finalized,” Tkach said, “and the church will probably remain in use of some few campus buildings until we move our entire operation to our new facility in Glendora sometime in August.

“I deeply appreciate all the loyal employees and members who have prayed and worked diligently serving the church during the years the facility has been in the process of being sold. Although the sale has taken more time than we first anticipated, it is clear looking back that God has blessed our efforts in ways that we could not have anticipated. I praise God that we can focus even more effort on our Christian mission of living and sharing the gospel.”

Jerry & Lal Ortiguero

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The national office staff headed by Eugene Guzon, national director, along with some members, Metro Manila ministers and Bill Sidney gathered for a dinner celebration Nov. 12 at the national office to honor Jerry Ortiguero, northern Luzon area superintendent, and his wife, Lal, for his 40 years of service as an employee of the Worldwide Church of God.

Pastors Med Maninang, Pete Melendez, Len Joson, Gil Llaneza, Bill Sidney and Eugene Guzon were among those who gave testimonies about Ortiguero and how his life has touched each one personally. Len Joson.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri—The Kansas City Northland women’s ministry hosted the Praying Life women’s retreat for 50 women from six states Nov. 6 and 7.

The guest speaker was Jennifer Kennedy Dean, author, speaker and conference leader. She has written numerous magazine articles, seminar material and curricula on prayer and spiritual growth and is a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows.

Jennifer and her husband, Wayne, founded the Praying Life Foundation, which provides opportunities for spiritual growth through Jennifer’s writing and teaching ministry. They are based in Blue Springs, Missouri, and can be reached at www.prayinglife.org.

Over the two-day retreat, Jennifer taught seminars titled Purpose of Prayer; Life-Changing Power in the Blood of Jesus Christ; Process of Prayer; and Hearing God.

Sara Burnett said: “The following week, as situations arose, I no longer felt helpless as to the outcome, thinking there is something I can do to make a difference by being an intercessor through prayer.” Carol Meyer.

BERGAMO, Italy—The Italian church would like to invite international visitors to this year’s summer festival Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 in Intra-Verbania on Lake Maggiore (www.lagomaggiore.net/uk).

The festival will include worship services, seminars, entertainment, dance, youth activities and excursions. We will probably also feature an English-speaking guest speaker. Simultaneous translations will be provided in English and German (if there is a minimum number of guests who speak those languages).

The cost per person per day in a three-star hotel (double occupancy, including breakfast and one meal) is 42 Euros (about 29 U.K. pounds, 55 U.S. dollars). We have also booked rooms in a four-star hotel on the lake.

If interested, please request an information package today: Worldwide Church of God, CP 67, 24030 Brembate di Sopra (BG), Italy; e-mail wcgitaly@tin.it; fax 011 39 035 21 77 53; telephone 011 39 035 21 78 08. Daniel Boesch.

EFLAND, North Carolina—Dare to discover who is the Truth at the Efland Discovery Weekend April 15 to 17.

This weekend is open to youths ages 10 and older and will include fun, games, worship, food and fellowship. The cost is $40 if you register by March 15. Details are on the web at www.carolinacamp.com or you can contact Shane Bazer at 1-919-461-9900 or bazers@aol.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—Members took part in a ministry fair Jan. 23, where they shared their ministries with the rest of the congregation.

The church is involved in eight ministries: Small Group Ministry, Hour of Prayer Evening, Voices of Praise, Youth and Children’s Ministries, Men’s Ministry, Reconciliation and Women’s Ministries.

To kick off the fair, Pastor Tom Melear reviewed 1 Peter 4:8-11, in which we are reminded that God has given each of us specific gifts and that he expects us to use them in serving others. Then we moved into the gymnasium, where display boards had been set up by each ministry on which the mission and vision statements and the goals they hope to attain for 2005 were noted.

Also included on each board were statements containing more information about each ministry, together with drawings and photographs showing some of the groups in action. Volunteer sheets were also provided so members could join the various ministries.

Each group appointed a spokesperson who delivered a five-minute infomercial, which gave extra insight into that particular ministry.   Gayle Johnson.

 KALAMAZOO, Michigan—The Sisters in Christ Fellowship gathered Nov. 23 for a day of sharing, food and fellowship. The women were asked to share something with the rest of the women, such as a poem, testimony or song. This was completed with the song “Welcome to the Throne Room” by CeCe Winans. 

The participants were then reminded how much God loves having his people come to him in prayer. Twelve of the 15 women attending stayed for a slumber party. Catharine Sturdivant.

LEXINGTON, Ohio—This is a story about what God may do when we pray according to his will.

The Lexington congregation re-corded an attendance of four people one day in February 2003. This was a sobering day. We talked about our future (and whether we would have one). At that time the prevailing evangelistic outreach was one of trying to win back former members into our fellowship. This was not working.

In early spring an announcement was made concerning the Spiritual Enrichment Program camps. We had no young people to send. In discussing whether SEP was relevant to us, we began to notice certain scriptures. One in particular spoke powerfully to us. Matthew 19:13-14 told us how little children were brought to Jesus, but they encountered resistance from his disciples. Upon seeing this, Jesus intervened and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus is interested in children, but we had none.

We began to fast and pray for God to send us children to love. Soon one couple brought a granddaughter. The next week she brought a friend.

One day in late March this original couple brought five children. The son of our treasurer gave us a van.

Our leaders decided to fund all young people who wished to go to camp. Five went to junior camp, and four to senior camp at Camp Cotubic near Bellefontaine, Ohio. The SEP experience created an enthusiasm in our youths that radiated out into the entire congregation.

Soon the youths began to outnumber the adults. We reached a point where our van was not adequate. A member volunteered to drive her van and accompany our pastor as he drove around to pick the children up. After about a month these two were inadequate and a third member volunteered to drive her car and provide additional transportation.

We have learned that if you truly want to move the heart of God into action, ask him to help you do what he has been waiting for you to want to do.

As Dec. 25, 2004 approached, we decided to adopt a needy family for Christmas. We asked for donations, and the response was overwhelming. When we counted how many to plan for in our Christmas service, the number of adults and children came to 58. John D. Peterson.

DALLAS, Texas—Jen Parra, a member of Grace Family Church, has had a children’s book published and another is pending publication.

Parra wrote a story, “Princess Shannon and the Yellow Moon,” for a writing class.

While listening to Christian radio station KLTY (94.9), she learned of a web site, www.christinspired.com, that was seeking work from Christian authors and artists. Parra submitted her Princess Shannon story, and the Fort Worth based firm offered to publish it. Parra got to choose an artist to illustrate her work.

The publishers invite their authors to choose a religious organization or charity to receive 10 per cent of the profits from their books. Parra choose Grace Family Church as the recipient of this tithe.

Furthermore, for one week Grace Family will receive 10 percent of all the web site’s profits when our congregation serves as Charity of the Week.

Jen and her husband, Carlos, have two children. Frank Lewandowski.

Serving with caritas (love)

AUSTIN, Texas—Seven teens and two adults from Family Christian Fellowship, the Austin WCG  congregation, prepared and served meals Dec. 27 at Caritas Serving Center for 418 homeless and other financially needy people.

Caritas Group (from left, back row): Michael Leal, George Leal, Kelly Massie, Jessica Smith, Shannah Leal, Becca Aguado (leaning). Front: Christina Renfroe and Becky Smith [Photo by Lee Berger]

They worked for almost five hours setting up the dining hall, unloading trucks full of food, helping prepare the meal of sandwiches, salad, fruit, pastries and drinks, working on the serving line, washing and drying the trays and dishes, and sweeping and mopping the facility.

How did this come about? As the two-week winter school break approached, Jessica Smith, one of our teens, had suggested we do something worthwhile during their time out of school. When we called Caritas (Latin for “love”), we found they were in serious need of extra help—so we felt God led us to a place where we could truly contribute.

Although most of the clients we served were homeless people living from day to day on the streets, Pastor Lee Berger reminded the teens that homeless people are human beings made in God’s image—and God loves them and cares about them.

We tried to be the best representatives of Jesus we could be to our clients, giving them smiles and loving words—and they responded in kind.

Jessica Smith said, “I have never been told ‘God bless you’ and ‘thank you’ and ‘I appreciate this so much’ so many times in two hours.”

Becca Aguado was touched by one woman who “stuck her head in the kitchen, honestly looked me in the eye and said ‘thank you.’ ”

For most of our group, it was the first time we had ever been that close to people in such desperate circumstances, and it was eye-opening.

Kelly Massie remarked: “I had no idea anything like that existed.  It really opened my eyes and left me feeling not so sorry for myself.”

We had such an enjoyable and fulfilling time the first day that we went back three days later and helped out again—and we’ll be looking for other opportunities to be of service in the future. Lee Berger.

PORTLAND, Oregon—Ken Williams, Northwest district superintendent, oversees 27 pastors who serve 38 congregations in an area that includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and parts of California, Nevada and Wyoming.

Ken Williams

In December, Williams met with several Oregon pastors, followed by another meeting with several Washington pastors. The meetings began with a spiritual focus by reciting the Apostles’ Creed. This was followed by praise and worship and prayers for each one’s personal concerns.

After a communion service, Williams reviewed the ideal congregational organization, pointing out that all believers have spiritual gifts to share in ministry. We seek to increase our skills of collaboration to make it possible for each believing member to edify the congregation with his or her spiritual gift.

We seek a more collegial tone, higher trust and more effective decision-making and problem-solving processes in our congregations. Those involved in congregational ministries such as outreach, hospitality, worship, prayer, word and vision must not view their particular ministry as a separate entity apart from other ministries.  We all need to work together, realizing that we all share in a common mission.

Williams went on to share some tips on how to focus on Jesus during weekly worship services, and some tips for small congregations.

He also encouraged pastors to prayerfully seek an accountability partner—someone to pray alongside them, to share successes and concerns, and to give mutual encouragement and advice. Paul Hailey.

ORLANDO, Florida—The Orlando congregation will host its third annual youth talent showcase March 19.

The showcase will feature artwork, including painting, drawing, sculpture and photography, and live acts including singing, dancing, stand-up comedy and poetry recitation. Participants ages 4 through 18 are encouraged to sign up by contacting Lesz Banham at lrbanham@juno.com or 1-407-446 5153.

Ross Jutsum of State of the Heart Ministries will host a special church service dedicated to praise and worship, and later that evening will participate in the talent showcase as a guest judge.

PASADENA—Church Administration announced that Gary S. Demarest, pastor of the Rochester, Minnesota, and Baraboo and LaCrosse, Wisconsin, churches, changed from church pastor to dual career church pastor Dec. 20.

Jon Kurnik, pastor of the Pittsburgh, Sewickley and Indiana, Pennsylvania, churches, left our employ Feb. 11. He remains an elder.

Martin Manuel

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—The Charlotte congregation planted a church in Lancaster, South Carolina, Oct. 3 that continues to meet with an average attendance each Sunday of about 20.

Martin Manuel, pastor of the Charlotte church, said: “This is a story that excites me. It is a wonderful story of God acting in his sovereignty to save people he loves. In a sense, we are spectators of the planting of Christ Our Peace Community Church in Lancaster. At best, we are slight participants. I say this to give all credit to the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom it belongs. It is my joyous pleasure to be where he decided to work.”

It all began when Manuel met with a small group of members in the Lancaster area about 50 miles from Charlotte. He suggested that they pray that God would provide them a closer church.

Not long afterward, Ann McManus called him to pray for her mother, Margaret Padgett, 84, who was suffering from heart problems. Neither of these women had attended the WCG for several years, but they remained in contact with other members. Many members signed a get-well card that Manuel and his wife, Geneen, took to Padgett. He gave her the card, anointed her and prayed for healing.

Later, she expressed a strong desire to attend worship services again with the WCG but had no transportation. Manuel suggested that they conduct the next small group meeting at her home, and she agreed.

When the small group met in her home, they were joined by  four relatives, including two of her grandsons, Arnie McManus and Kevin Phillips, who grew up in the WCG and were members in Charlotte before they moved on to attend other churches.

Kevin knew of a building near his home owned  by his in-laws. This 3,000-square-foot metal building on a concrete slab was originally used for barn dances but was vacant.

Manuel said: “After I looked at it, and we prayed over it, I asked Kevin to ask his in-laws about renting the building to the church. They consented for $325 a month plus the electric bill (average $40 a month).

With that, we began making the building ready for use. The small group members worked with Kevin and Arnie to clean the building, build a stage and hang curtains.

“It is a happy group,” Manuel said, “and we all are working well together. There is a wonderful spirit of joy, unity, peace and excitement. Everyone has chipped in to do whatever has been needed to make it work. What a joy it has been to witness the Spirit of God at work.”   

RICHARDSON, Texas—Greg AIbrecht spoke at Grace Family Church Feb. 6. He met many of the members, autographing copies of his book, Bad News Religion. He also gave members cards offering free magazines, the PTM Partners newsletter and weekly e-mail updates.

AIbrecht quoted Rev. 3:20, which depicts Jesus knocking on the door of our hearts, seeking entrance. “When Jesus knocks on the door, the handle is on our side,” he said. “A lot of people never do open it. They’re comfortable where they are.”

He described how sometimes our prayers just consist of “gimmees,” asking God for favors. He advised: “Tell Jesus ‘I need you in my life. I can’t do what needs to be done.’ Ask God what he wants you to do.”

Recounting the story of Mary and Martha beginning in Luke 10:38, he encouraged members to be like Mary, who made time to sit at Jesus’ feet, listen to him and learn from him.

“Jesus wants to give rest to the heavy-laden. He wants us to sit at his table, and he will serve us.”

The youth band, led by Steve Kramer, provided worship music.

During the service, youth leaders Aaron and Kristi Bennis taught a children’s church lesson about hearing God speak through his word and being silent before God.

Preteen Matthew Hard gave the offertory prayer. Frank Lewandowski.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2005