By Thomas C. Hanson
"Several things set the Palm Springs, California, site apart this year," said coordinator Larry Dietrich. "Most notable was the departure from our traditional format for worship services, to a more naturally flowing service, coordinated and orchestrated by a worship leader rather than the traditional song leader."
Before each service, a group that included members of the worship team for that day met in a prayer circle and implored God to bless and guide the service in every way. After each service, teams of elders and their wives prayed with members in an area set aside for that purpose.
To assist parents, a children's church, complete with videos and activities tailored to the children, was conducted during each service. A teen service included guest speaker Craig Pierson, a youth pastor in Southern California.
The adult audience was likewise blessed to hear from three inspirational guest speakers who are not ministers of the Worldwide Church of God. They were Lester C. Blank Jr., dean of the school of theology at Azusa Pacific University; Earl E. Grant, director of the doctor of ministry program at Azusa; and Bruce Marciano, a Christian actor who portrayed Jesus in the movie, The Gospel of Matthew.
"Members came away with their horizons expanded and a stronger realization that there is indeed more than one way to effectively worship our God and Savior."
Lake Tahoe, California, was a group Festival site that focused on marriage and family, according to coordinators Ron and Norva Kelly.
Dr. and Mrs. Ron Jenson conducted a two-day seminar on family relationships. The Jensons are featured presenters with Family Life Ministries Weekend to Remember seminars. Dr. Jenson is a leadership trainer for Promise Keepers.
Their presentations were supplemented by presentations made by James and Kaye Kissee from Ambassador, and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kelly from Pasadena.
The Feast of Tabernacles in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was "eight days of wow!" according to coordinator Greg Williams.
Straight-from-the-heart sermons offered encouragement. "The combination of majestic hymns, contemporary praise choruses and stirring gospel music took our worship to new heights," Mr. Williams said.
More than 150 members helped construct a Habitat for Humanity home to 80 percent completion.
Members restocked the shelves of the Myrtle Beach haven of Helping Hands, an organization that helps abused women. Helping Hands and other support groups were low on supplies after a hurricane struck last summer.
Linda Nichols-Chapman, a member, became aware of a Red Cross need for blood donors. The Red Cross director was discouraged by the poor turnout for a local drive.
After praying for at least 30 blood donors, the director got hooked up with our member. On Oct. 4, the Red Cross set up a mobile station. Our members kept a line going from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and altogether 124 church members donated blood.
Myrtle Beach had a guest from the Church of God (Seventh Day). Whaid Rose, the church's chairman of the board, spent the first half of the Feast in Myrtle Beach. On Sept. 30, he spoke on the centrality of Jesus Christ.
Carn Catherwood and Curtis May were guest speakers in Galveston, Texas.
"The first weekend we were joined by Barbara Hacker and Cherry Steinwender, cofounders of the Center for the Healing of Racism," said Dee Beam.
"Members expressed appreciation for having a panel in which members of all color shared their pain from the institutionalized racism within our fellowship. Some said they never really understood the pain of others, and were unaware of the experience of racism within our fellowship."
Danny Rojas, a local church elder from Victoria, Texas, expressed a feeling voiced by many brethren that "it's flat at the foot of the cross." We're all equal in the sight of God through our Savior Jesus Christ.
"Mr. Catherwood and Mr. May gave inspiring messages about reconciliation and forgiveness," Mrs. Beam said.
Gary Blackmon, a field ministry representative from Promise Keepers, facilitated a men's-boys' workshop on reconciliation.
The Houston, Texas, North women's ministry committee sponsored a women's-girls' workshop. After praise songs, Mr. Catherwood gave a heartfelt message to the women "to do what they do best-- nurture." The theme was strengthening ties to Christ and each other. Afterward the women broke into groups and had discussion and prayer.
Members in Hot Springs, Arkansas, celebrated "from the heart," according to coordinator Allen Bullock. Some said the sermons "brought everything about the new covenant together for them."
City manager Kent Myers said the city appreciated the church's Christian attitude exhibited in the service project that involved donating $1,909 and painting the Hot Springs/Garland County youth center.
Feastgoers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, participated in a couple of community service projects, according to coordinator Dennis Wheatcroft. One was a food bank charity evening that raised more than $3,500 for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
The other project was in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity. More than 30 volunteers assisted in constructing homes in the area.
"Overall, attendees in Chattanooga experienced an inspiring Festival that encouraged a deeper and more profound relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," Mr. Wheatcroft said.
"The worship team in Vail did an outstanding job of planning each service, but in each case God had plans that went far beyond what we envisioned and prepared for," said coordinator Ted Johnston.
"Before each service the worship team prayed for God to take over, and that is clearly what he did.
"We were privileged to witness an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as members lifted their hearts and minds to God in music, prayer and through the spoken word. After several services members of the audience met with members of the worship team for prayer-- several committing their lives for the first time to their Lord and Savior."
Worship services in Vail featured the musical talents of Higher Ground, a praise and worship band from Pasadena, and Light Your World, a music and drama team from New Mexico.
Higher Ground was joined by Bud Nuanez, who tours with one of the Maranatha praise and worship bands that performs at Promise Keepers regional gatherings.
Anchorage, Alaska 267
Big Sandy 978
Chattanooga, Tennessee 1,400
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 824
Daytona Beach, Florida 2,675
Fontana, Wisconsin 739
Galveston, Texas 641
Hot Springs, Arkansas 1,290
Hawaii 412
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri 2,025
Lake Tahoe, California 155
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 3,895
Palm Springs, California 1,826
Pensacola, Florida 2,309
Rapid City, South Dakota 1,081
Saratoga Springs, New York 1,450
Seaside, Oregon 1,287
Vail, Colorado 1,250
Oct. 29, 1996 Worldwide News, page five
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