By Mark R. McCulley
The 1997 Festival of Tabernacles, "Celebrating the Kingdom of God," is gaining momentum as a powerful spiritual event.
Speakers are working on their sermons and other presentations, and the worship leaders and musicians are deciding on music to present and beginning their rehearsals.
Ministry leaders in various congregations are putting together plans to showcase the work of the Holy Spirit in their ministries. As we gather at the different sites, we can share with one another the successful ministries that have begun. That sharing may spark ideas for other ministries in which Christians can show the love of Christ to one another and in their communities.
We are laying plans for separate worship services for teens several times at each regional site, depending on available space. As well, each congregation in a Festival region is being asked to provide children's church lessons for one day during the Festival, to produce a rich and meaningful spiritual diet for our children.
We have invited speakers from other fellowships to present sermons at the Festival of Tabernacles.
"We feel these speakers will be a welcome addition to the Festival this year," explained Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers for the United States. "We have invited some nationally known figures such as Jack Hayford and Bruce Marchiano, and friends from the Church of God (Seventh Day) and Azusa Pacific University, and they have willingly accepted.
"This does not mean we don't appreciate our own ministers, for we do. However, these speakers, providing insights that only interested third parties can, should bring some encouraging messages to our members."
Bruce Marchiano will speak in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Oct. 18 and in Vail, Colorado, Oct. 22. Jack Hayford will speak in Palm Springs, California, Oct. 18, and Enrique Zone in Palm Springs Oct. 21. Jerry Griffin will speak in Rockville, Maryland, Oct. 19, and Lynn Taylor will speak in Davenport, Iowa, Oct. 22.
Besides these, Dan Rogers will speak in Melbourne, Florida, and in Myrtle Beach. Mike Feazell will speak in Palm Springs. Mr. Tkach and Bernie Schnippert are scheduled to speak on the Festival cruise.
International assignments include Tim Snyder travelling to Nigeria; Randal Dick to the United Kingdom and Germany; John Karlson to Germany and Italy; Don Mears to Thailand and Sri Lanka; and K.J. Stavrinides to Greece.
Jack Hayford is senior pastor of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California. In the ministry full time since 1956, he is known for his careful use of scripture, as a bridgebuilder between sectors of the church, and as a speaker on radio and television. He has spoken at numerous Christian conferences and has authored more than two dozen books and nearly 500 songs, hymns and other musical works.
Enrique Zone serves on the theology faculty at Azusa Pacific University as assistant professor of ministry and director of Hispanic programs. He is senior pastor of the Beverly Boulevard Foursquare Church. He is also president and founder of the Hispanic Bible college of the Foursquare Gospel Church.
Bruce Marchiano is known to many for his vivid portrayal of Jesus in the video Matthew. His acting credits include parts in various television series, but he considers the highlight of his life--not just his career--to have portrayed the Savior for others to see. For him, he says "the ultimate" is when people go away from one of his presentations, or from viewing the video, talking about Jesus Christ instead of the speaker or actor. It has been his privilege, while speaking about his experiences in making the video, to lead many to Christ.
Jerry Griffin is director of the Summit School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, an agency of the Church of God (Seventh Day). He teaches classes such as biblical interpretation, New Testament Greek and Christian worship. He has a masters of divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver.
Lynn Taylor has been pastor of the Stanberry and St. Joseph, Missouri, congregations of the Church of God (Seventh Day) for about 10 years. He has a bachelor's degree in biblical studies from Colorado Christian University.
Aug. 19, 1997, WN, page 6
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