June 1998

In this issue

Personal

Christ sets people free--free from spiritual bondage of sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15), Mr. Tkach writes in his June Personal.

How much did it cost? It cost God the Son his life, and all of the suffering he endured that we might have eternal life. The benefits of his sacrifice are given to us.

Freedom is given to us without charge, because we are unable to pay. How much is it worth to us?

Our entire lives, of course. In the past three years, many people in the WCG have been set free! Free from the fear of "not making it" into the kingdom. Free from rules God did not require us to keep. Free from rules that caused us to condemn other Christians. Page 7.

Women's Ministry

More than 600 women and a few men attended the WCG's international Women Who Live for the Lord conference in Dallas, Texas, April 24 to 26.

"Women did everything from making and selling tamales to selling T-shirts with the conference logo to generate funds to attend the conference," said coordinator Eileen Dennis.

Speakers were Joe and Tammy Tkach, Jannice May and Sheila Graham, all from Pasadena; and Deborah Tyler, founder of Renaissance Ministries; and Mamie McCullough, a motivational speaker known as the "I Can" lady, both from Dallas.

Fifteen workshops covering subjects from time management to spiritual healing, including a workshop for teens, were also available to the women Saturday afternoon. Pages 16 and 17.

Festival

In April we mailed our 1998 Festival Brochure: Festival '98 "Come--Celebrate Christ!" to U.S. members

For us to meet our planning goals, it helps if you register as early as possible if you are planning to attend. Our brochure requests your registration form by June 8.

If you cannot register by then, please do so as soon as you determine the site you will attend. We will accept registration forms throughout the summer, but it helps to have sufficient Festival funds and registration numbers so we can complete our administrative plans to be fully prepared for the Festival in October.

As soon as we receive your registration form, we will mail you a packet of information about the site you plan to attend, including information on hotels and other housing facilities. As soon as you receive this information, you may call the housing establishments.

If you have not received a Festival brochure or have misplaced the form, we are reproducing it in this issue. Page 20.

Vision 2000

The church is making available Vision 2000 to congregations and individual members to use as an evangelism tool.

Vision 2000 lists the values and ministries emphasized by the Worldwide Church of God. Pages 22 to 24.

Treasurer's Report

Thank you for your donations in response to Mr. Tkach's letter informing you about our financial crunch, Bernie Schnippert writes in his Update from the Treasurer.

Church income for the first quarter had fallen below budget, and we were beginning to implement unpleasant budget cuts.

Although some cuts were inevitable, your financial response enabled us to avoid some of the more painful measures we feared we might have to take. The mail income average for April finished at almost $124,000 a day. This brought the annual average up to $111,000 a day, very close to our budget projection of $112,500. Page 28.

Letters to the editor

Letters for this section should be addressed to "Letters to the Editor." The editor reserves the right to use letters so addressed in whole or in part, and to include your name and edit the letter for clarity or space. We welcome your comments.

Church finances

We are all concerned about our church because WCG income declined in the first quarter.

Permit me to draw some aircraft analogies. Our imaginary corporate aircraft has time to take on fuel if we take on our responsibility in time.

As bond-servants of Jesus, in behalf of the WCG, our job is to pump jet fuel to the WCG. It is unwise to delay delivery of tithes and offerings while we protest how headquarters might have softened "our" doctrines or might have wasted "our" money.

Our corporate aircraft needs power now or we risk hitting the trees. In our new covenant joy we have failed to remember that making disciples is much more difficult when we have insufficient funds.

On a local level, we cannot even rent halls with insufficient funds. The new covenant has no demand to tithe, but it does say that God loves cheerful givers. Instead, we have been grumbling and withholding. The good news is: We can repent.

We ought to take hold of personal responsibility, even as we pray for our Lord's direction and blessing. It appears that membership is continuing to slowly decline, which accounts in part for income decline.

Those who remain surely realize that we need to pick up the slack for some who have left and for those who are withholding offerings because of perceived grievances.

We are all still digesting doctrinal and worship changes over the last few years, but we can do our best to provide our headquarters staff with a dependable nonfluctuating monthly income, or we all will lose.

Our focus should be on shouldering our own cross. Let's give our crew the power to pull up before we hit the trees. Most still have treasure in the WCG, and that's where our hearts are. We know we must give more now or risk losing much more later.

Don Preston

Belen, New Mexico

Understanding more than ever

I began listening to Mr. Armstrong on the radio in 1946. I was baptized by Raymond McNair and Rod Meredith in August 1951.

I have really studied my Bible all these years and am still at it. How about the doctrinal changes? I love them.

For some time before the changes were made, I began to pray that our God would open the minds of Mr. Tkach Sr. and all other ministers to understand the New Testament and new covenant and pass it on to us members.

I never once thought that it would split the church in so many ways. I am sorry over that part of it, but still happy over the new covenant teachings. I understand the Bible now more than I ever have--and I'm still learning.

I wish I could help with the offerings more, and I will do all I can. I am 84 years old.

Alean Staton

Bethel Springs, Tennessee

WCG: From Cult to Christianity

I have been attending the WCG most of my life. The past several years have brought about many earth-shattering changes in my belief system, which involved much soul searching.

I now have an understanding of the difference between the old and new covenants. Although I do not claim to understand either fully, I now, in perspective, accept and welcome the changes the WCG has undergone.

Many members have not been so fortunate. Articles such as "The Worldwide Church of God: From Cult to Christianity" (April WN) have only added to the hurt and frustration we have felt subjected to by headquarters. When did Mr. Armstrong's doctrines become [according to the article] damnable?

And when did he deny Christ's divinity and humanity? When did he deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus?

Member

Editor's note: We received several comments in response to the article "The Worldwide Church of God: From Cult to Christianity." We reprinted the article from the book Kingdom of the Cults, written by the late Walter Martin.   

We appreciate the concern about the church shown by those who wrote. Please allow us to explain why we printed this material in The Worldwide News.

Because of our former doctrines, the Worldwide Church of God has been branded as a cult among Christian churches for decades.

During those years, our church strongly condemned all other churches as "churches of the devil" and their ministers as "false ministers" or "Satan's ministers." Because of this and because of our erroneous doctrines, we were called a cult.

God has led us to change our erroneous doctrines and to stop calling our brothers and sisters in other Christian churches "children of the devil."

Unfortunately, many Christian people and pastors do not yet know that the WCG has made these important changes. Because of this, our members often still find themselves alienated from relatives and co-workers who still believe the WCG is a cult.

When our members try to explain that our church has made changes, some people remain skeptical, wondering whether they can believe it is true.

The most influential reference work on cults has been the late Walter Martin's book, Kingdom of the Cults. This is the book most people go to when they want to find out whether a church is a cult.

That book has now been revised and reprinted, and it has updated its section on the Worldwide Church of God, explaining our changes and explaining that our church can no longer be called a cult. When our members refer a skeptical person to this book, the person's reluctance to believe our church has changed is usually removed.

That is why we decided to share the updated portion of Kingdom of the Cults with our membership. Because of the prominence of this book, and the fact that it is viewed as the foremost work on cults, we felt that it is only fair to inform our members about the changes in it and to share those changes with them.

Some questioned the book's contention that the WCG denied the bodily resurrection of Christ.

We taught that Jesus' physical body was changed into a body composed of spirit. Our view rested largely on our idea that God has a body composed of Holy Spirit that is in only one place at one time.

This is the same thing we taught about our own bodies--we would be changed from our physical bodies composed of flesh into new bodies composed of spirit--we would have God bodies too, our fleshly bodies going out of existence in favor of our new bodies composed of spirit.

Scripture teaches, however, that our physical bodies will be glorified, that is changed from a perishable state into an imperishable state (1 Corinthians 15:42). These bodies are called spiritual (not spirit, but spiritual, verse 43). These spiritual bodies are the same bodies, only changed (verses 42 and 43).

Some would argue that this is all semantical and merely a matter of perspective. Others would say it is crucial to properly understanding what Jesus did.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998

Pasadena host to National Day of Prayer

The Pasadena congregations were hosts to an event for the National Day of Prayer May 7 in Ambassador Auditorium. The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer was America: Return to God.

Mr. Albrecht PTM director	Curtis May Pasadena WCG senior pastor	Frank Clark Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Churches	Lucius Smith Friendship Baptist pastor	National Day of Prayer worship team [Photos by Ron Grove]
Dave Smith Pasadena WCG youth pastor	Merryrose Watson WCG teen	Jerry Homme NDP state coordinator	Ben Martinez Pasadena WCG pastoral assistant

An Evening With Hank Hanegraaff

PTM was host to An Evening With Hank Hanegraaff in Ambassador Auditorium May 3. Mr. Hanegraaff, host of The Bible Answer Man radio broadcast, spoke on fallacies in the theory of evolution. Mr. Albrecht, executive director, was master of ceremonies. Joseph Tkach recounted the spiritual transformation of the WCG. [Photos by Ron Grove and Thomas C. Hanson]

Joseph Tkach

Hank Hanegraaff

Mr. Albrecht

Julissa Neely

Church lists ministerial terminations

Church Administration announced the following list of ministerial separations, including the church areas affected.

Most of these separations are because of cutbacks made necessary by budgetary constraints.

Retirements

Tom Oakley, Brooklyn, New York

Gary Sefcak, San Bernardino, California

Larry Dietrich, Long Beach, California

Jim Turner, Denver, Colorado, North

Resignations

Robert Cloninger, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina

George Elkins, London and Somerset, Kentucky

Roger Ludwig, Cheyenne, Casper and Wheatland, Wyoming

Dennis Milner, Tampa and Lakeland, Florida

Rick Baumgartner, Medford and Eugene, Oregon

Art Dyer, Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri

Lowell Blackwell, Elkhart and Michigan City, Indiana

Separations

Lincoln Jailal, Queens, New York

Jeff Barness, Des Moines and Chariton, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska

Dennis Diehl, Greenville, South Carolina

Cecil Green, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas

Fred Davis, Boise, Idaho, and Baker City, Oregon

Tom Tullis, Federal Way, Washington

Dennis Johnson, Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona

Paul Butler, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Dedicated ministers

"These men are dedicated, loyal ministers," said Gerald Schnarrenberger, ministerial coordinator in Church Administration.

"They and their wives are good, solid Christians who have a heart for service. In several cases they volunteered to separate in an effort to help the church's budget.

"In most cases these men will remain elders in the church and will remain on our electronic mail system.

"We love them and pray that our loving Father in heaven will bless them with good employment and continue to uplift them," Mr. Schnarrenberger said.

"Let's continue to honor and value them, and let's remember them in our prayers," Mr. Schnarrenberger said.

Gary Sefcak gives farewell sermon in San Bernardino

SAN BERNARDINO, California--Gary Sefcak, San Bernardino pastor, delivered his farewell sermon May 9.

                                                 
                                          Gary and his wife, Karla,
                                  are retiring from the active ministry.

In 1954, Mr. Sefcak was left almost totally paralyzed from a spinal cord injury suffered at a beach outing while an Ambassador student. Although he made significant improvement early on, he has remained a partial quadriplegic. Carla Wheeler.

Former pastors honored

CINCINNATI, Ohio--Rowlen and Sue Tucker and Ken and Elaine Mattson were honored at worship services April 11 for their 30-plus years of service in the Worldwide Church of God. Both men no longer serve as full-time pastors.

Mr. Albrecht and Gene Nouhan, pastor of the Cincinnati, Ohio, West and Erlanger, Kentucky, churches, presented the couples with marble plaques with the inscription: "Thank you for your many years of love and loyalty. The Worldwide Church of God."

The crowd of 640 rose to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation. Mr. Albrecht said that the church wants to do better in giving due honor and respect to former pastors. Both couples were visibly touched by the outpouring of love.

"The Tuckers and Mattsons have certainly sacrificed over the last 30 years," Mr. Nouhan said. "Their love and devotion is made even more obvious by their willingness to continue serving in the church after employment."

Other pastors, including George Hart, David Perry, James Merriweather and Abner Washington, laid hands on the couples as Mr. Albrecht recommissioned them for new service. Mr. Tucker now serves as an elder in Cincinnati West, and Mr. Mattson as an elder in Erlanger.

MINISTERS HONORED--From
left: Gene Nouhan, Rowland and Sue
Tucker, Elaine and Ken Mattson and
Mr. Albrecht at April 11 service honoring
the Tuckers and Mattsons.
[Photo by Bill Blessing]

Personal from Joseph Tkach

Jesus has set us free: The past three years in the WCG

Jesus once helped a woman held captive 12 years by a health problem that made her ritually unclean.

How important was this problem to her? She had spent all her money seeking a cure (Mark 5:25-29). It was worth everything she had.

Women didn't ordinarily touch rabbis, but she touched Jesus--and Jesus gave her freedom. It cost her nothing, but it was worth everything!

Contrast that with the Israelites in Egypt. They wanted freedom, too, and they could not buy their way out.

They groaned, and God heard them. He delivered them with miracles. It cost them nothing, but how much was it worth to them? Not much, it seems.

Though God set them free, they preferred a golden calf. They preferred the unholy fire, murmuring and self-centeredness. They grumbled about the person God used to lead them. They grumbled about God, food and life itself.

Let's go to the New Testament, where Christ sets people free--free from spiritual bondage of sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15).

How much did it cost? It cost God the Son his life, and all of the suffering he endured that we might have eternal life.

Freedom is given to us without charge, because we are unable to pay. How much is it worth to us?

Our entire lives, of course. "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him" (2 Corinthians 5:15). We are to give our entire lives to him in service, as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).

In the past three years, many people in the WCG have been set free! Free from the fear of "not making it" into the kingdom. Free from rules God did not require us to keep. Free from rules that caused us to condemn other Christians.

Each of us may examine our own hearts to see how much we value this freedom.

It is thrilling to see that many have responded with enthusiastic support. Many have sent in special offerings in the past month. I am grateful for the help these give us in a time of need--a help that goes not to an impersonal institution, but to people blessed by the message of freedom in Christ.

The offerings were given in worship, expressions of gratitude to the One who died for us. Thank you for responding to our request!

But some are afraid of the wilderness and look for the comforts of Egypt, and others try to enter the promised land on their own, or sit in the desert by themselves.

Christ has given us freedom, and he used humans to bring that about. People respond in different ways. Some rejoice; some do not.

I suppose there will always be reasons to complain about the imperfections of leaders, the food or the music. But some are quietly working to build the kingdom of God.

The old covenant had many obligations. It specified a certain amount of time, a certain amount of money, numerous rules about behavior and many sacrifices for worship. They teach us something about God and the relationship we have with him.

As we all know, God no longer requires animal sacrifices--but that does not mean that he no longer requires us to make any sacrifices.

The demands are now more profound. God no longer requires all the same rules of behavior--but he still gives many commands regarding our behavior, and more importantly, about our hearts.

Of course, God no longer has the same rules about money--now, his exhortations are more profound. Do we resent God's claim on "our" money? Some do. Some say no one is good enough to be given God's money.

In a way, that is true, but it's also true that if we as Christians keep all our money, we are not responding to freedom the way the New Testament describes we should.

And what about time? God no longer specifies exactly when people must set aside time for him, but we all need to spend time with the Lord.

Jesus gives us freedom so we can serve him. Freedom comes with responsibility. How much is freedom worth to us?

Thousands are rejoicing in the freedom Jesus is bringing to people through messages given in the WCG. You probably know many of them.

And yet you probably know quite a few who still have not accepted that freedom. Do not abandon them in their time of need. Help us to reach out, despite our imperfections, with the message of freedom in Christ.

I wish you could see the person your contribution helps us reach, the pastor your contribution helps us to pay, the counseling session in which yet another person begins to grasp God's love for them.

If you cannot see the joy of burdens lifted and the peace of anxieties released, be assured that freedom is indeed ringing around the world.

Ask God to help you see it. Ask him to bless the results of our work. Pray that our priorities be drawn closer to the heart of God. Pray for those who need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Church provides answers to questions frequently asked by researchers

The Worldwide Church of God is often asked about its history and beliefs.

Following are answers to questions frequently asked by researchers.

The responses are short answers and do not necessarily reflect all the church has to say on any given subject.

History

In the early 1930s, Herbert Armstrong began a radio ministry, a magazine and a church that eventually became The World Tomorrow, The PIain Truth and the Worldwide Church of God.

After Mr. Armstrong died in 1986, church leaders began to believe that many of Mr. Armstrong's doctrines were not biblical.

These doctrines were rejected, and today the church is in agreement with the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals.

When the church changed its views, some members continued to hold Armstrong-era doctrines. Many of these left the Worldwide Church of God to form other denominations. Most WCG congregations meet for worship on Saturdays.

Church tradition also includes observances for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Festival of Tabernacles. Although attendance at these festivals was once required of all members, they are now optional.

Many members observe Holy Week and the Advent season.

There are about 440 churches with 47,000 members in the United States.

Abortion: Under ordinary circumstances, abortion is not a legitimate biblical or ethical choice.

When a mother's life is at stake, however, abortion is considered to be a legitimate choice. Members' choices about abortion in other extraordinary circumstances, such as rape or incest, are not considered a test of fellowship.

Baptism: Baptism signifies a believer's repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Worldwide Church of God does not baptize infants and practices baptism by immersion.

Birth Control: The church permits most forms of birth control.

Capital Punishment: God has placed responsibility for human government and justice into human hands, under his sovereign authority.

Capital punishment may or may not be appropriate, depending on its administration. All human government is ultimately responsible to God and will answer to God for all injustice.

Christ's Return: Jesus Christ, as he promised, will return to earth to judge and reign over all nations in the Kingdom of God. His second coming will be visible, and in power and glory.

This event inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the saints. The church makes no predictions as to when this will be.

Communion: At the Lord's Supper, baptized members participate in the new covenant as they partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Savior.

Members of other denominations may participate if they have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Once each year the ceremony includes the washing of feet.

Creation vs. Evolution: God is the creator and sustainer of heaven and earth and of all life and all that is. The church sees no biblical reason to reject the conclusions of scientists that the earth is billions of years old and that life has been on earth for billions of years.

Similarly, the church sees no biblical reason to reject evidence that life forms have been changing for billions of years.

Deity of Jesus: Jesus is the Word, by whom and for whom God created all things. As God was manifest in the flesh for the salvation of man, he was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, two natures in one person. Jesus is the Son of God and Lord of all, worthy of worship, honor, and reverence.

Divorce and Remarriage: The church upholds the sanctity of marriage but also recognizes that humans have hardened their hearts. The church discourages divorce, but in most cases permits divorced persons to remarry.

Homosexuality: Homosexual behavior, like all sexual relations outside of marriage, is a sin. However, a homosexual orientation is not a sin in itself. The church does not sanction discrimination against homosexuals in the workplace.

Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the converted homosexual forsakes the gay life-style and enters into the new life in Christ. This does not necessarily mean that the homosexual becomes heterosexual.

Inspiration of Scripture: The 66 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the foundation of truth, and the accurate record of God's revelation to humanity.

The Holy Scriptures constitute ultimate authority in all matters of doctrine and embody the infallible principles that govern all facets of Christian living.

Miracles: The church believes in the supernatural--including angels, demons, miracles, and answers to prayers. God still works miracles, such as instantaneous healings and intervention in physical circumstances.

Restrictions: The church permits card-playing, dancing and alcoholic beverages in moderation. The use of tobacco is strongly discouraged, and smoking is not permitted at church gatherings. Illegal drugs are forbidden.

Speaking in Tongues and Other Gifts of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit distributes gifts to believers, gifts that are to be used to serve others. The church neither forbids nor encourages members to speak in tongues. However, tongues-speaking is not permitted in the congregational worship service.

Trinity: Scripture teaches that there is one God. It also teaches the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Based on the biblical revelation, the church believes in the doctrine of the Trinity: that God is one divine being in three eternal, co-essential, yet distinct persons.

Women in Ministry: The church encourages women to contribute in leadership roles of every kind. However, based on the teachings of the apostle Paul, the church does not ordain women as elders.

Window on the World

From Randal Dick

Superintendent of missions

Window on the World this time is a report about the church in Canada from Gary Moore, who serves as regional director with his wife, Tamara.

By Gary Moore  
The Canadian branch of the Worldwide Church of God family has shared the same turbulence as the rest of our brethren.

The experience can only be called bittersweet. The joy at seeing more clearly than ever before the core issues of Christianity has been mixed with the sadness of seeing friends leave the fellowship.

The joy, however, is growing, and our congregations are becoming much more happy and stable.

Church built from media

Our fellowship in Canada was built largely from media --as is true of our worldwide family. The penetration of the media efforts of the church in Canada was perhaps the greatest on a per capita basis of any country in the world.

By the late 1980s, however, we began to see a decline in response to our media work. We began to realize that people in this country needed more than just an exposure to media if they were going to make changes in their belief systems and in their lives.

The doctrinal changes heightened our awareness that it is Christ in us that makes us the lights of the world we are intended to be--living, walking, talking advertisements of the kingdom, as Mr. Tkach Sr. used to say.

Of course, the income drop we experienced during the period of doctrinal realignment drastically reduced our ability to support blanket national media coverage.

Our vision

Frank Brown, the previous director of the church in Canada, decided to look at a reengineering of the operations of the church here.

With the assistance of staff from Coopers and Lybrand, a retreat was convened, involving personnel from the national office and representatives from the field ministry.

Participants developed a vision statement that reflected our doctrinal corrections and describing the kind of place we wanted our 77 congregations to be. We offered that vision to members and made revisions based on their input.

From that vision we decided on a downsized national office that would support ministers and congregations, as they in turn supported individual members in their Christian walk.

The point of contact for exposing society to the gospel would now be Christ living in the thousands of members organized in the coast to coast string of congregations.

To somewhat oversimplify the concept, the operational approach of the church was inverted. The pyramid was turned upside down.

Rather than members and congregations supporting a media effort, which would serve as the primary point of contact with society, members and congregations became that primary point of contact where the gospel would be represented and disseminated.

Personal evangelism

The challenge we face is to learn how to become more effective at personal and congregational service and evangelism. More of our members are learning to be more involved with those around them, and are learning when it is appropriate to say something about the gospel message.

Various congregations are trying new things and learning new ways of reaching out to their communities to help and serve, and to represent the wonderful good news of God's purpose for humanity.

The national office now has a national director and eight employees involved in the following four key functions.

1) Accounting--handles donation processing and receipting, accountability to Revenue Canada, and paying the necessary expenses of running the church.

2) Information systems administrator--supports computer and communication needs.

3) Human resource manager (also serves as office manager)--handles personnel issues and works with legal and corporate issues.

4) Communication--supports a state of the art Internet web site (http://www.wcg.ca/) and Northern Light, a monthly publication for members and co-workers.

Field ministers

Our field ministry consists of 34 salaried ministers, 84 nonsalaried ministers and two full-time regional pastors. Our brethren come from a diversity of backgrounds reflecting the mosaic of Canadian society.

We want to provide congregations that will nurture Christians and be effective tools in Christ's hands for extending the gospel.

We treasure the ties we have as a worldwide denomination that has walked the same path. God has mercifully performed a miracle in the Worldwide Church of God for which we can only thank him. Our greatest desire is to be useful instruments in his hands, as we learn to more fully yield to our Lord and Savior.

WCG in Canada

Churches 77

Church pastors 32

Full-time ministers 34

Elders 84

Baptized members 6,376

Office staff 9

Glendora honors Hispanic heritage

GLENDORA, California--"God wants us to change how we look at each other," explained guest speaker Raul Ramos at the Glendora congregation's Hispanic Heritage Day May 9.

"Jesus Christ commands us to reach across the barriers," Mr. Ramos said. "We all bear the same family name."

Mr. Ramos pastors the San Diego and Pasadena Spanish congregations.

More than 180 people turned out for the daylong celebration timed to coincide with Cinco de Mayo (May 5) observance of the date in 1862 when Mexicans repulsed the French army at the Battle of Puebla.

Before Mr. Ramos' sermon, his wife, Sylvia, performed songs in English and Spanish as a call to worship.

Three presentations given by church members highlighted the contribution Hispanic Americans continue to make to the national life.

David San Jose narrated the struggle of the "Mothers of East LA" in 1985 as they resisted a new state prison in their neighborhood.

Fred Ortiz showed how Hispanics have helped move the Catholic Church to the side of those fighting for social justice in Latin America.

Beth Misner read a prayer of the Migrant Farm Workers, which asked: "Help us love even those who hate us/ So we can change the world."

The day concluded with traditional Mexican food, a selection of Spanish dances by two Glendora children, Delicia Fernandez and Vikki Flores, and a dance initiated by the traditional smashing of the piûata.

Regional Snapshot

Latin America: enthusiasm for work of Christ

By Patrick Fearon

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida--Charles and Carmen Fleming serve as regional director of the church in Latin America, in addition to directing the congregations in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Reports from churches throughout Latin America speak of thriving, Christ-centered congregations that are growing spiritually, shining as lights to the world and where people are being led to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Exciting things are happening in the WCG fellowship in the 10 congregations in the Southern Cone of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay).

Members are experiencing God in renewal, are developing their spiritual gifts and are engaging in meaningful ministries.

In addition, through the help of empowered lay leaders and pastoral teams, new congregations are being planted in Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.

Members are experiencing the mighty power of prayer and that brethren are witnessing more.

Salvador Barragan, subregional coordinator for Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, says "it is clear that the transformation that God made in our fellowship was a blessing for this area. Painful perhaps at the beginning, but it has rendered good fruit.

"We have Christ-centered churches that are growing spiritually in relationships with our Savior," he said.

Hector Barrero, subregional coordinator for Colombia and Ecuador, also reports on positive developments in those two nations.

Mr. Barrero said: "I believe we have made the transition to the New Covenant. Members are happy with the changes. We are enthusiastic with small groups."

Juan Laguer, who oversees the North Triangle of Central America (Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala), commented about the "strong nucleus in that area that understands that salvation comes through the grace of Jesus Christ" and that "God is preparing a foundation for solid growth" in that part of the world.

Two part-time employees in the United States also serve brethren in Latin America: Mayra Bremer edits El Noticiero (Spanish WN) and coordinates translation of literature from English into Spanish. Ruth Gutierrez maintains member files.

Southern Cone

According to Mr. Medina, the Spirit is moving powerfully in the fellowship in the Southern Cone. "We are keenly aware of a harvest that God wants to give this part of the church, and the groundwork is being laid for serious mobilization of every member for meaningful ministry," he said.

In Salto, Uruguay, a lay pastor team was commissioned, and more than 20 new people are attending services.

Brethren are witnessing more, are more ready to come alongside those who are hurting, and an estimated 60 percent of the members are involved in some form of ministry--children's, youth, visiting, counseling, music and preaching.

The children's ministry in Ezeiza, Argentina, is an inspiration to the whole region, and has brought new families to the church and into a relationship with Jesus. Children are being nurtured in the word of God and know they are a vital part of the church.

A fund-raising and outreach ministry in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, has virtually turned the church-owned facility into a community center. Offering low-cost dinners gives members an opportunity to let their lights shine, as well as being a fund-raiser for the congregation.

Mexico

Salvador Barragan reports that in Mexico the WCG has 15 congregations and five Bible studies served by two full-time pastors, four elders and nine commissioned pastors.

Each congregation has prayer groups that have seen many encouraging responses from God. Some have been healed or have received protection, while others have found needed jobs or have been blessed with loving family relationships.

Mr. Barragan adds that it is inspiring to observe how God has filled the personnel gap by raising up lay leaders in key areas.

Panama

Armando Lasso and his wife, Arcadia, serve the congregation in Panama. Members there are scattered, but most of them meet for a worship service once a month. They too have seen God's intervention through answers to prayers.

Venezuela

The three congregations in Venezuela are served by three elders. Carlos Salazar serves in Caracas, Jose Medina in Valencia and Orlando Sanmiguel in Barquisimeto. Three deacons assist them.

Romelio Saavedra from Maracay, who owns a Christian bookstore, is dedicating part of his house as a meeting hall to plant a new congregation.

Peru

The WCG has congregations in Lima, Trujillo, Marcara and Piura.

The church in Peru was reorganized after the transformation in our fellowship. We have a new Peruvian ministry made up of members empowered to perform functions of the church. They have a sense of teamwork and are evangelizing.

Costa Rica

An enthusiastic congregation meets in San Jose. They have received invitations to participate in Christian television programs. Lay leadership shoulders the responsibilities of the church in San Jose.

Nicaragua

The congregation in Nicaragua is made up mostly of children. Otto Kohler and his wife have a Bible school where about 20 neighborhood children attend each week.

Colombia

Hector Barrero reports that the congregation in Bogota has an average attendance of 65. They are served by one salaried pastor and two nonsalaried pastors.

Bible studies are conducted in the following cities (locations are shown with attendance figures): Armenia, 15; Barranquilla, 30; Cali, 10; Ibague, 12; Pasto, 15; and Medellin, 7.

Ecuador

In Ecuador, the Bible study group in Quito has five members, along with another 10 in Portoviejo.

North Triangle

Mr. Laguer, who supervises the church in the North Triangle, said that leadership is strong in the area and that a foundation is being laid for solid growth.

The church has two groups in Honduras: 50 members in Tegucigalpa, the capital, and 40 in San Pedro Sula, the industrial capital.

In Guatemala, 50 members meet in the capital, Guatemala City, with another 10 on the outskirts of the city. Two members, Cecil Najera, a construction engineer, and his wife, Berena, are completing seminary training in Guatemala.

About 20 members in Guatemala City attend the WCG's Saturday service, while another 20 attend the Sunday service. An Indian village has more than a dozen prospective members.

The congregation in El Salvador has 30 members. Lay members throughout the area have sacrificed much to faithfully serve the church.

Puerto Rico

Forty members meet for services in Puerto Rico. They produce a monthly magazine, Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), as an evangelistic tool. Fred Lopez is the lay leader.

Brazil

Members in Brazil help out in their communities. Herbert Schmid is the president of Sofia House, a school for deaf children.

Late last year, Carlos Tavares and his wife, Yvonne, visited members in Brazil and were encouraged by the Christ-centeredness of brethren in the different areas of the country such as in Janauba and Sao Paulo.

Overall, there is joy, enthusiasm and positive anticipation for the work of Jesus Christ through committed hearts in the WCG throughout Latin America.

Prayer requests

for Latin America

* Pray for more laborers for the big harvest that is ready to be reaped throughout the region.

* Pray for economic stability in the region.

* Pray about crime, which is on the rise in many places.

* Pray for the salaried and nonsalaried leaders that they be strengthened daily by the Lord.

* Pray for the members in general that they find great joy in living for Jesus and in serving the Lord courageously in spite of hardships.

Women's Ministry

Women Who Live for the Lord

By Sheila Graham

DALLAS, Texas--"Superb! It was an experience I will never forget," said Ophelia Hughes-Lartey, who flew from Scotland to attend the international "Women Who Live for the Lord" conference in Dallas April 24 to 26.

The conference, sponsored by the Worldwide Church of God, was open to all interested in attending, according to Eileen Dennis, coordinator.

More than 600 women and a few men attended the women's conference at the DFW Lakes Hilton Hotel.

Lorraine Pelley                 Shara Guss    Higher Ground--Mike Hale, Kim Meyerdierks, Sue                                                               Braden, Kathy Killebrew and Craig Albright
Jannice May
Virginia Rice

Women drove for as long as 11 hours from various states, and others flew about that long or longer from as many as 11 other countries to attend the Texas conference. Flags of the countries represented were displayed on the walls of the primary meeting room.

"Women did everything from making and selling tamales to selling T-shirts with the conference logo to generate funds to attend the conference," said Ms. Dennis.

Keynote speakers

Keynote speakers were Joseph and Tammy Tkach, Jannice May and Sheila Graham, all from Pasadena; Carn and Joyce Catherwood from Big Sandy; and Deborah Tyler, founder of Renaissance Ministries; and Mamie McCullough, a motivational speaker known as the "I Can" lady, both from Dallas.

Fifteen workshops covering subjects from time management to spiritual healing, including a workshop for teens, were also available to the women Saturday afternoon.

Mrs. Tkach said: "God always answers our prayers above what we can ask or imagine. That is what happened at the conference. It was wonderful."

Tribute to Loma Armstrong

Friday evening, after welcoming messages from Mr. and Mrs. Tkach, Mr. Catherwood presented a tribute to Loma D. Armstrong, wife of church founder Herbert W. Armstrong.

As a young Ambassador College student in training to become a pastor, Mr. Catherwood remembered her telling him to be sure to include her favorite hymn in church services wherever she attended.

Her favorite hymn was "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." She felt not enough emphasis was being put on the Savior, he said. While slides of Mrs. Armstrong appeared on a screen over the stage, Marion Merriweather sang the hymn.

Mr. Catherwood and his wife, Joyce, accompanied by Beth Mears, Lynne Leach and Paula Schuler, also gave an invitation to the Lord's table at the conclusion of the conference Sunday noon.

Praise and worship music

Praise and worship music was provided throughout the conference by Higher Ground, a worship group based in Pasadena; the Dallas Central church's choral group led by Joan Wright; and Ann Hartmann, a country and western singer.

Special music included Doc and Vera Gibbs performing the theme song of the conference, "Women Who Live for the Lord." Doc Gibbs wrote the song several years ago to honor women in the church. T. Buck, accompanied by the choral group, performed several original songs as well.

Other presentations included a praise and worship presentation by Julie Wakefield; "Woman," presented by Betty Davis; and "If This World," performed by Ashleigh Wheat.

Ashleigh Wheat

Vera Gibbs

Shehana Edalere

Mr. Tkach said: "The conference truly was an extraordinary event." He and Mr. Catherwood both gave apologies to the women for past insensitivities they may have experienced in the church.

Jeff Molnar, pastor of the Dallas Central church, host church to the event, said: "The women who planned, coordinated and prayed for this conference over the last 18 months grew immensely as a result of working so closely together and trusting Jesus to lead them every step of the way.

"It was the first time many of them had been given so much responsibility for a major church event," Mr. Molnar said.

"I enjoyed getting out of the way as a pastor and watching the Holy Spirit work so freely and powerfully and uniquely through the ladies. They are a constant inspiration to me personally, and are a vital part of our local ministry. They truly do `live for the Lord.' "

Conference baptisms

During the conference, Mr. Molnar baptized two women. "I gathered with about 15 women outside around the swimming pool overlooking the lake just as the afternoon sun was high in the sky.

"We held hands and sang `Amazing Grace,' and then baptized them," he said.

"All the ladies joined me in laying hands on the two and praying for them. We shed tears of joy at the miracle of new life through Jesus."

Ms. Dennis said: "The women in Dallas saw our part in this conference as the role the servants played in Jesus' first miracle--to obey and fill the pots with water in preparation for the miracle. We believe the water was turned to wine this weekend in the hearts of the women here."

When asked what she was going to take home from the conference and share with those women who couldn't attend, one woman said: "You are special. Jesus loves you, and so do I!"

Silvia Rodriguez from Mexico said: "I have a beautiful dream. I want to organize a conference for the women in the church in Mexico. Pray for this beautiful dream."

Ms. Dennis also asked members to pray for a proposed second international women's conference to take place in Chicago, Illinois, next year.

Closer than ever to Christ

Six of us from Rolla, Missouri, attended the women's conference in Dallas.

We have attended women's conferences put on by other churches, so this was not our first experience. They did not compare to what we experienced at this conference. It had special meaning to us since it was our own church, the Worldwide Church of God, putting on this conference. It made it all seem more real to us.

We could see how we have grown and what we were doing as a church. We came away with a calm and a peace we have never experienced before.

We have a closer bond with the women who attended than we experienced at the other conferences. We were spiritually fed. We all came away with our cups full and overflowing.

I have a closer relationship with Christ than I ever had before. We truly enjoyed having the communion at the end. That was the perfect closing.

In Christian Love,

Mary Counsil, Sharon England, Mary Ellen Marshall, Karin Geer, Lucille Lee and Joan Smith

Pastor speaks at reconciliation event

CANTON, Ohio--"Unless racial reconciliation is grounded in truth and justice it will not stand." These words set the theme for pastor Ted Johnston's address to 150 Promise Keepers gathered in Canton April 30. The focus of the men's ministry gathering was racial reconciliation. Mr. Johnston pastors WCG congregations in Canton and Akron, Ohio. He was invited by the Promise Keepers county task force to share the story of the transformation of the Worldwide Church of God and to discuss the implications of that journey for racial reconciliation within the body of Christ at large.

Mr. Johnston noted that the church has been given a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). As it pertains to racial reconciliation, Christianity in general has not lived up to this calling.

In particular, the church has often distorted and diluted the truth and justice of the gospel--the message about the means for reconciliation between God and man and, therefore, between groups of men.

The effect of such distortion is clearly seen in the WCG experience, Mr. Johnston said. With an emphasis on British-Israelism and old covenant separatism, nonwhites in the WCG were unwittingly relegated to the second class citizenry they often experienced outside the church.

By God's power and mercy, however, those days in the WCG are passing away, Mr. Johnston said. The WCG now walks in the grace of the new covenant, basing practice and belief on the clear light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And as it pertains to the imperative of racial reconciliation within the church, that gospel loudly proclaims, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

The oneness that neutralizes divisions between people groups will never be realized through good intentions or lofty slogans, Mr. Johnston said. Such reconciliation only comes through the truth and justice of God, given to those who follow where the gospel leads. Following is never easy. Sometimes it is costly.

The cost to follow has been great for the WCG as a fellowship and for its members individually. But that cost will never come near what the Lord Jesus paid so that we can stand reconciled to God and to each other.

Mr. Johnston encouraged the men to know that racial reconciliation is possible. The task of all those who love the Lord is to hear God's call to the ministry of reconciliation and then to obey what his call sets out for us to do.

Enthusiasm marks men's ministry in Long Island congregation

By John Leone

LONG ISLAND, New York--Enthusiasm and a commitment to honor Jesus are the identifying characteristics of the men's ministry in the Long Island congregation.

Led by Pastor Stanley DeVeaux as he follows Christ, one by one men's lives are being ignited with excitement over the abundant joy and fulfillment of a deeper relationship with their Savior.

Men are learning to become leaders right from where they are in the congregation and in their families as they dedicate themselves to the Lord in service.

Teen Ministry

12 WCG teens commit lives to Christ at Acquire the Fire

CINCINNATI, Ohio--The Cincinnati West and Erlanger, Kentucky, youth groups went to Muncie, Indiana, March 13-14, for an Acquire the Fire convention.

Forty-three of us attended (10 adults and 33 youths). The arena was packed to capacity. It was great to see so many teens on fire for the Lord.

Our youths were moved by the preaching, the special effects and the music group, Newsboys.

More committed to Christ

Many in our group came back more committed to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We had 12 teens commit their lives to Christ at the convention.

On the way home we had all the teens add a personal entry to a journal we kept. Rob Hatter, 19, who grew up in our church, wrote: "It's amazing what God's presence can do to people. I've never seen that many people so pumped about Jesus as I did this weekend.

"Even though I do not agree with everything or show my appreciation for Jesus the way many there did, I feel their passion and devotion through observing with an open heart.

"I would only hope that Jesus would put that fire into me so that I might express my feelings the way the others did.

"I guess it has to do with my upbringing in our church that makes it hard for me to change. But I've never been one to express my deep, heartfelt emotions openly without care of what others thought.

"Acquire the Fire has opened my eyes to a whole world and new level of Christianity that I had never known existed nor understood.

"Many people have different ways of expressing their love for Jesus and his way of life, but all in all everyone is in it together for the right reasons, and that's all that matters."

Teens baptized

We've baptized three teens since Acquire the Fire and expect more as Christ continues to move in their lives. Mike Lockard and Tom Fryar.

Cincinnati West teens lead worship service

CINCINNATI, Ohio--Cincinnati West teens led the worship service March 21. They did everything but deliver the sermon.

Myra Monnier created the bulletin complete with graphics, announcements and the worship service schedule. Cindy McCoy began with verbal announcements.

Then the worship team of Delyse Center and Annette Monnier, backed by a dozen other teens, led the congregation in praise songs. Andrew Butz opened with prayer.

Elizabeth Nouhan and Cindy McCoy gave scripture readings that showed God's love for young people.

For special music, two teens collaborated on an arrangement of "As the Deer," with Jason Brooks on the violin and Elizabeth Nouhan on the flute, backed by pastor Gene Nouhan on the acoustic guitar.

Then Alisha Curran performed a piano solo titled Pathetique by Beethoven.

Three teens gave testimonies. Kim McCoy shared how she came to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Andrew Butz shared his experience at Acquire the Fire and encouraged the congregation to be unified in Christ.

Alisha Curran explained World Vision's 30-hour famine and how our teens were moved to raise money for hunger relief.

Many in the congregation were in tears throughout the service but especially as they heard the testimonies.

Mr. Nouhan gave a sermon titled "God Wants a Relationship With Our Youths." The worship team led a final song, and Courtney Lockard gave the benediction. Danita Camper helped organize the refreshments that followed.

Some said the service was the most powerful they had ever witnessed. Mr. Nouhan summed up the feeling when he said: "God was not only present with us today, it felt as though he had brushed up against us. There was something truly special about the service. Everyone sensed it." Mike and Mindy Lockard.

  June 8 Festival
registration reminder

In April we mailed our 1998 Festival Brochure: Festival '98 "Come--Celebrate Christ!" to U.S. members.

For us to meet our planning goals, it helps if you register as early as possible if you plan to attend.

Our brochure requests your registration form by June 8. If you cannot register by then, please do so as soon as you determine the site you will attend.

We will accept registration forms throughout the summer, but it helps to have sufficient Festival funds and registration numbers so we can complete our administrative plans to be fully prepared for the Festival in October.

When we receive your registration form, we will mail you information about your, including information on hotels and other housing facilities. When you receive this information, you may call the housing establishments.

The final weekend of the Festival, Oct. 10 and 11 will feature special worship music, worship activities and guest speakers. So, if you can't come for the entire week, you may want to come for the last three or four days.

Call our toll free telephone number, 1-800-507-2299. You can fax us at 1-626-304-8169 or e-mail bobbie_baker@wcg.org You can even register on our church web page at http://www.wcg.org/festival

Festival site opens in Greece

Unprecedented low costs are available in Greece because of the devaluation of the Greek monetary unit. Costs for housing, travel, food, entertainment and shopping are at an all-time low for those with foreign currencies.

The hotel is on the beach. It offers rooms of various sizes, and private bungalows on the waterfront. It has first-class cuisine and a view of incredible beauty.

Apart from regular meetings, there will be organized bus tours (with guides) to the Acropolis, the city of Athens, the ancient city of Corinth and the oracle of Delphi. Participants will also take an all-day cruise to three Greek islands.

Activities will be directed by K.J. Stavrinides, who will also explain the significance of the ancient sites.

For details and application forms, contact Delores Schroeder, 300 W. Green St., Pasadena, California, 91123; phone 1-626-304-6140; fax: 1-626-304-6130; e-mail: delores_schroeder@wcg.org

The Pine Lake Experience

By Ken Smylie

The first weekend of May saw the gathering again of about 100 WCG members from all over Florida at Pine Lake Seventh Day Adventist conference center just west of Orlando.

What started three years ago as a pocket ministerial gathering has changed into an every six months gathering of ministers and members to enjoy spiritual renewal and revival.

The Pine Lake Congregation draws people who enjoy exuberant singing, emotionally moving heartfelt prayer and thought-provoking presentations.

A regular feature is the "prayer bath" session. The group divides into groups of four or five and has one person sit in a chair in the center.

The person in the center shares their name and one thing they would like prayer for. The group then lays hands on their shoulders and prays for them. The small group bathes the person in prayer.

People find joy in speaking blessings into the heart of a Christian brother or sister. There is a strong sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit and tears of joy and release often flow.

Several said they experienced for the first time, or renewed, their sense of intimacy with Jesus. Those who come to Pine Lake are not afraid of emotions or openly declaring their love for Jesus.

John McKenna from Pasadena was guest presenter. Dr. McKenna gave a moving description of his conversion and journey with Jesus.

God With Us compact discs available

GLADEWATER, Texas--Before the closing of Ambassador University, the Young Ambassadors, Ambassador Chorale and the University Orchestra combined to produce a live recording of a contemporary Christian musical--a "worship experience for all seasons"--titled "God With Us."

A limited number of compact discs of this recording are available for $15 (plus $2.50 shipping and handling in the United States) and can be obtained by writing to Ross Jutsum, State of the Heart Music Ministry, Box 888, Gladewater, Texas, 75647, or by calling toll-free 1-888-689-2294.

The Worldwide Church of God has made arrangements for Dr. Jutsum to distribute these recordings on behalf of the church, and a percentage of the purchase price will go to the church.

Vision 2000: WCG looks to next century with hope and vision

This article was sent electronically to WCG pastors.  It can be used in whole or in part for evangelistic purposes by congregations or individuals.

Members of the Worldwide Church of God find themselves at a historic crossroad.

As we follow Jesus Christ, our opportunities for spreading the gospel and advancing the kingdom of God are extraordinary.

Our church has a unique heritage of refusing to be daunted by adversity. Instead, we walk by faith, counting on God's power and faithfulness to fulfill his creative purpose in our lives. We rejoice in his grace, mercy and love, and seek his strength to respond to his will for us.

OUR VALUES are the foundational principles upon which we base our spiritual lives and with which we face our collective destiny in the Worldwide Church of God as children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. Our values are demonstrated in the following areas of emphasis:

Emphasis on Jesus Christ

We emphasize sound biblical doctrine: We are committed to sound biblical doctrine. We believe that the essential doctrines of historic Christianity are those upon which Christian faith is based, and which have been generally agreed upon--and attested to by the witness of the Holy Spirit--in the experience of the universal church (see statement of faith below).

We believe that doctrinal disagreement on peripheral matters, while natural and inevitable (and biblically permissible) in the Christian church, should not be allowed to foster division within the body of Christ.

We emphasize Christian identity in Christ: As Christians, we've been given a new identity in Jesus Christ. As his soldiers, his friends and his brothers and sisters, we have been given what it takes to fight the good fight of faith--we have him! Jesus promised he will never forsake us or leave us, and as he lives in us, we will never leave or forsake him or each other.

We emphasize the power of the gospel: Paul wrote: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes'' (Romans 1:16).

People enter God's kingdom by responding to the gospel.

Today, in the Worldwide Church of God, the kingdom is advancing. People are accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and King. They are repenting of their sins, giving their allegiance and loyalty to him, and doing his work in the world.

With Paul, we believe in and are not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

We emphasize bringing glory to the name of Christ: Jesus, who died for us and loves us, calls us to glorify him in every part of our life's experience.

Knowing we are secure in his love, we are a people committed to glorify him in all our relationships, in our homes, in our families and neighborhoods, in our skills and abilities, in our jobs, in our free time, in our spending habits, in our church time and in our business transactions.

Whatever opportunities, challenges or crises we face, we are forever committed to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ.

We emphasize submission to the sovereign rule of God in the church: Our church has been chastened and blessed by our loving heavenly Father.

He has led us out of doctrinal error and scriptural misinterpretation into the pure joy and power of the gospel. And in his sovereignty, according to his promise, he has not forgotten our labor of love, even in our imperfection.

He has made our past church experience, problematic as it was, meaningful to us because it forms part of our personal journey toward complete faith in our Savior.

Yet, with Paul, we are now able to say: "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ....

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus'' (Philippians 3:8, 13-14).

We emphasize commitment and obedience to the Lord's call: Traditionally, members of the Worldwide Church of God have been a highly committed people, eager to do the work of the Lord.

In bringing our fellowship to repentance, reformation and renewal, our gracious heavenly Father has claimed that sense of commitment and obedience for the work of the gospel and for the name of Jesus.

We believe in the present and active work of the Holy Spirit in leading and enabling Christians to live a godly and obedient life in the power of Jesus' resurrection.

We emphasize heartfelt worship: Because we are all created to bring glory to God, the Worldwide Church of God believes in dynamic worship and joyful praise of our Lord and Savior that is culturally sensitive and relevant.

Because our members vary in their backgrounds, tastes and preferences, we strive to worship God through a variety of meaningful worship styles and occasions, blending traditional and contemporary in a way that brings glory to the name of the Lord.

We emphasize prayer: Our fellowship believes in and practices prayer. Prayer is an essential part of the believer's life in Christ and is an important part of both public and private worship. We believe that prayer leads to God's intervention in our lives.

Family ministries

We emphasize family life: The institution of the family has undergone significant change in the past two decades. Single parents, stepfamilies, children raised by one or both grandparents, and a variety of other life situations have become increasingly common ways in which children are prepared to face life in our modern world.

We value families of every kind and emphasize education in biblical principles for healthy family relationships.

We emphasize children's ministry: Eighty-five percent of Christians made the decision to give their lives to Christ before the age of 18.

Healthy, growing churches are churches that invest in children through age-appropriate Christian education, a Christ-centered nursery program, children's church, and fun-filled, meaningful Christian activities and social opportunities for children. We value children and place high priority on an active children's ministry in each congregation.

We emphasize youth ministry: When has adolescence been so challenging and even dangerous as it is today? Yet teens everywhere are making decisions for Jesus Christ and committing their lives to him.

We believe that strong, Christ-focused youth ministry is essential to the vitality and spiritual future of the church and our communities.

We emphasize women's ministry: In a world that can often be painful, unfair and even hostile for women, God calls them to know the peace, comfort and assurance that is theirs in Jesus Christ.

He wants women to know that he loves them, values them and calls them to a fulfilling and active life of Christian fellowship and ministry. Through women's ministry, we seek to support and encourage Christian women in their walk with the Lord and in their leadership and service to the church and community.

We emphasize young adults' ministry: Today's young adults face increasingly complicated life decisions about education, career and family for which they desperately need sound biblical teaching and guidance.

We are committed to helping young adults develop a basis for Christ-centered decision-making that will keep them on the road to a life of faithful servant-leadership.

We emphasize men's ministry: A crisis of godly leadership in American men led to the Promise Keepers movement. Recognizing the vital need in our families for godly husbands and fathers who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and courageous in Christ, we support the goals of Promise Keepers and encourage personal and congregational participation in PK programs.

We emphasize small group worship: Every Christian is called into active fellowship with the Body of Christ. Personal spiritual growth is fostered in the context of small group life. We encourage participation, in a nonthreatening setting at one's own comfort level, in small group worship.

Such small group worship settings provide opportunity to get to know other Christians, to worship and praise God, discuss questions, study the Bible, share concerns, pray and receive prayer in a nonjudgmental environment.

Small groups form the core of congregational life and are an ideal way for guests and visitors to become familiar with Christian faith and practice in a comfortable, supportive and pressure-free setting.

Practical ministries

We emphasize stewardship: God's people are stewards of his gifts, including our resources of time, energy and finances. He calls us to share generously what he gives us to further the gospel and serve others, just as he has been generous in his grace toward us.

Members practice tithing and giving of offerings as a form of Christian stewardship and worship.

We emphasize the priesthood of believers: Peter wrote: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light'' (1 Peter 2:9).

All members--men, women and children--are ministers of the grace of God. In other words, ordained career ministers are not the only ministers--rather, they are called to leadership for the specific purposes of preaching and teaching the Word of God and for the administration of equipping all members for Christian leadership and works of ministry.

Every Christian can help in significant ways, according to the gifts provided by the Holy Spirit, to advance the kingdom of God. The Lord calls his people into church fellowships so they are able to work together, with and for each other (Ephesians 4:16). Every Christian is called to make a difference for the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ.

We emphasize the value of spiritual gifts: The Holy Spirit provides spiritual gifts to every Christian as he sees fit for the effective and unified operation of the church.

Paul wrote: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

"All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines'' (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

We emphasize racial reconciliation: In his grace, God has blessed our church with many racially and ethnically diverse congregations.

We value spiritual unity in our racial, ethnic, cultural and social diversity. Scripture declares that all hatred and prejudice, including racial, is directly contrary to the Christian life. Jesus declared, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another'' (John 13:35). We are committed to furthering racial understanding, forgiveness and healing in all our congregations and communities.

We rest in our Savior: Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest. Many of us set aside the weekly Sabbath as a special day for physical rest and worship. Others devote special time to Jesus on other days. All of us worship him as our Redeemer who gives us the true spiritual rest. Our relationship with him is the ultimate sabbatical. Only Jesus gives rest to our souls.

We emphasize kingdom work based on faith: God has called us to live in his presence and to commit our lives, our hopes, our plans and our passions to him. We are his property, his firstfruits, his own people and, more than that, his own children by the blood of Christ. Therefore, we depend on his faithfulness to give value and meaning to our lives and work. We do not rely on ourselves, on our own expertise or intellect or training, but on the Lord our God.

We emphasize denominational outreach and promote interdenominational Christian cooperation and partnership.

Bringing down denominational barriers and promoting the gospel message worldwide form the mission of this dynamic outreach arm of the Worldwide Church of God.

Statement of Faith

¨ We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

¨ We believe in one holy, sovereign Creator God who is eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

¨ We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, who was born of the virgin Mary, who suffered and died on the cross for our sins, who was raised bodily on the third day, who ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God, from where he will come again to judge the living and the dead and reign forever over all things.

¨ We believe that human salvation comes only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by human works or merit of any kind.

¨ We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who brings sinners to repentance and by whose indwelling the Christian is regenerated and enabled to live a godly life.

¨ We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the saved to the resurrection of life and the lost to the resurrection of condemnation.

¨ We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

¨ We believe that Christians should unite with a healthy local church and live a holy life conducive to the spread of the gospel.

A unique opportunity

We have a unique opportunity: We believe God has prepared and positioned the Worldwide Church of God for a meaningful role in the work of the gospel. In his grace and wisdom, the Lord has taught us some essential, important lessons in our painful spiritual journey. Our experience has been valuable to us, because the Lord leads us to use for his glory the lessons he teaches us.

New members and longtime members alike have unique experiences that can, with the Spirit's guidance, help them minister the grace of God to others.

The Worldwide Church of God, a Christian ministry established in 1933 in Eugene, Oregon, is active in 125 countries and territories and maintains its international headquarters in Pasadena, California.

Since the death of founder Herbert W. Armstrong in 1986, the church has undergone significant doctrinal reform, bringing it into the mainstream of evangelical Christian theology.

With a weekly attendance of about 50,000, The Worldwide Church of God is dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, the message that God is reconciling the world to himself and offering forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

More than 350 pastors and 1,000 elders of the church serve members in hundreds of congregations around the world.

For more information about the church and its activities, contact Worldwide Church of God, Church Relations, 300 W. Green St., Pasadena, California, 91123.

We invite you to worship with us. Whether you are looking for answers to your questions about Jesus Christ and how he can make a difference in your life, or looking for a Christian fellowship to make your spiritual home, we would be delighted to meet you and pray with you.

Bible Study: The Gospel According to Paul

Our previous studies examined the Gospels and Acts to see what these five books tell us about the gospel Jesus wants his church to preach throughout the world.

Now let us see how the letters of Paul add to our understanding of the gospel. We'll proceed book by book, with special attention to verses in which Paul describes the gospel or describes what he preached about.

1. Paul begins his letter to the Romans by saying that he was commissioned to preach the gospel (Rom. 1:1). Was this gospel predicted in the Old Testament? Verse 2. What does Paul say the gospel is about? Verse 3. What other points are part of the message? Verse 4.

2. What does the gospel message accomplish for people who believe? Verse 16. What does the gospel reveal? Verse 17. What else does the gospel include? Rom. 2:16.

3. We saw above that the gospel brings salvation to everyone who believes. How else does Paul describe those who will be saved? Rom. 10:13. Is it necessary to believe in a person? Verse 14. Would the message therefore have to include information about this person? Verses 15-17.

4. Near the end of his letter, Paul again mentions that he has a commission to preach the gospel (Rom. 15:15-16). What was the focus of his message? Verse 18. As a pioneer, he wanted to preach where the gospel was not previously known. How did he describe this in verses 20-21? How did Paul describe his proclamation? Rom. 16:25.

5. When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, he also described the gospel. Who gave him his commission? 1 Cor. 1:17. How did he describe the message he preached? Verse 18. The message of the cross is the power of God for salvation. What did Paul preach about? Verse 23. Did he preach anything else? 1 Cor. 2:2.

6. Paul defines his gospel in chapter 15. Is this the message he preached and the Corinthians had believed? Verse 1. Was it effective for their salvation? Verse 2. What was the message that he had given them? Verses 3-5. Was this a minor part of the message, or was it the most important part? Same verses. Was it predicted in the Old Testament? Verses 3-4. What or who is the central theme? Was the resurrection part of the message? Verse 12. Whose resurrection is he talking about?

7. Paul talks about the gospel message again in the next letter. What did he preach about? 2 Cor. 1:19. How does he describe the gospel? 2 Cor. 4:4. Again, what did he say that he preached about? Verse 5. In chapter 11, he again uses the word gospel and in the same verse tells us the center of his preaching. What did he preach? 2 Cor. 11:4.

8. In the first chapter of his letter to the Galatians, Paul again points out that he has a commission to preach. What is it that he should preach? Gal. 1:16. How does he describe his message in his letter to the church at Ephesus? Eph. 3:8.

9. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul has a more personal note. He is in prison, but he looks at the bright side. Even though other preachers seem to be taking advantage of Paul's imprisonment, he is not troubled. His stay in prison has helped advance the gospel, he says (Phil. 1:12).

What is the message communicated to the palace guard and others? Verse 13. What were the "competitor" preachers preaching about? Verses 15, 17. Were all of these competitors bad, or were some good? Verses 15-16. But what was the most important thing for Paul? Verse 18. Did Paul like what his competitors were preaching? Verse 18.

10. Paul gives another brief definition of the gospel in his letter to the Colossians. He says that believers are reconciled to God if they continue in their faith. He then says, "This is the gospel that you heard" (Col. 1:23). But what is "this"? Where in the context does Paul define the gospel? Are verses 24-25 a description of Paul's message, or are verses 21-22 the gospel he is describing?

11. Paul told Timothy about the gospel, too. How did he describe what was being preached? 1 Tim. 3:16. "Join with me in suffering for the gospel," he wrote (2 Tim. 1:8). What had he just encouraged Timothy to preach about? Verse 8, first part. Do verses 9-11 further describe what Paul's gospel is about? What really concise definition of the gospel does he give in 2 Tim. 2:8?

Comment: We have looked at many scriptures in this study. We have just skimmed the surface, looking primarily at verses that use the Greek word for gospel or for preaching. I believe that a more thorough study would lead to the same conclusion: The gospel that Paul preached was about Jesus Christ, specifically his death and resurrection, and the good news that we can be saved through what he has done. Whether we look at the sermons of Paul, or in his letters, we see a consistent focus on Jesus Christ.

The disciples originally did not understand everything Jesus taught, especially about his death and resurrection. Although he told them, they did not accept or understand this part of the message. His crucifixion was a tremendous shock to them. His resurrection was also a tremendous surprise.

Since Jesus was not able to teach his disciples about even the fact of his death and resurrection, he could not teach them about the significance of these events. But after Jesus rose, and after the Holy Spirit came, the disciples understood. They saw that Jesus' death and resurrection were necessary for people to have the salvation that Jesus had taught about. His death and resurrection were the key to the kingdom of God.

Did Jesus preach about salvation? Did he preach about repentance and faith? Yes, he did. Did he preach that he was the key to eternal life? Yes. Did he teach about his own death and resurrection? Yes, he did--and in all these things Paul preached essentially the same thing as Jesus did.

After his resurrection, Jesus reminded his disciples what he had taught them about himself: "This is what I told you while I was still with you: `Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.'... This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day" (Luke 24:44, 46).

And Jesus commissioned the apostles to preach this message about salvation through him: "Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things" (verses 47-48).

The message of Paul "is essentially the same as that of Jesus, namely, that in the person and mission of Jesus, God has visited human beings to bring them the messianic salvation. But there is one great difference. Paul stands on the other side of the cross and resurrection and is able to see ... that what was being accomplished in Jesus' life was incomplete apart from the cross and empty tomb.

"While the blessings of the Kingdom of God were present in Jesus' words and deeds, the greatest blessing of God's Kingdom was the conquest of death and the gift of life; and this was accomplished only by Jesus' death and resurrection" (G.E. Ladd, Theology of the New Testament, 1993, page 453).

The apostles also saw that, to bring this good news to the world, they did not have to use the word kingdom. That word was only one of several legitimate pictures of the good news of what God is doing. The apostles were free to use other descriptions of the salvation that Jesus makes possible through his death and resurrection.

Paul occasionally used the term "kingdom of God," but it was not his most common term for describing the gospel. He was not preaching about a future geographic territory. He was talking about an eternal kingdom that we may enter in this age (Col. 1:13). He was talking about a King who is already ruling--a Lord who is alive and may be accepted as Lord even in this age. We do not have to wait for Jesus to return before we experience blessings in the gospel.

If we assume that God's kingdom is like human kingdoms, with a geographical base, as many first century Jews did, then we will find it difficult to understand some of Jesus' parables about the kingdom. The kingdom Jesus described doesn't fit well into a message about a territory-based kingdom, and neither does the preaching of the early church and of the apostle Paul.

And if we assume that the kingdom is exclusively future, we will also find it hard to understand some of the things Jesus and Paul said.

But when we understand the kingdom of God to be God's rule, not dependent on territory, then we can see how the kingdom can exist in this age as well as in the future. People who accept Jesus as Lord accept his rule over their lives, and they thereby enter his kingdom. They come willingly under his rule now, and they await the gift of immortality at the resurrection. This is what Jesus talked about--and Paul is talking about the same thing, albeit with more details.

Why the change? Because in terms of God's kingdom and salvation, the most significant event of all time happened between Jesus and Paul. That event was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That event brought the old covenant to an end. It marked a dramatic change in the way God deals with his people.

That event marked a dramatic shift in the understanding of the apostles and of the message God inspired them to preach. That event was the key to the kingdom, the key to salvation, and it has become key to the message we preach: salvation has been made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Michael Morrison

For Further Reading

Donald Guthrie. New Testament Theology. InterVarsity, 1981. "The Mission of Christ,'' pages 408-509.

George Eldon Ladd. The Theology of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1993. "Paul,'' pages 397-614.

David Wenham. Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity? Eerdmans, 1995. Often technical.

Update from the treasurer

Positive response to member letter

Greetings again from the Treasurer's office.

First, I want to express my sincere thank you for your donations in response to Mr. Tkach's letter informing you about our financial crunch.

As you may recall, Mr. Tkach wrote that church income for the first quarter had fallen far below our budget and that we were on the verge of implementing some unpleasant budget cuts.

Although some of the cuts were unfortunately inevitable, the good news is that your financial response enabled us to avoid some of the more painful measures we feared we might have to take.

Many of you had made specific notations on your checks and letters such as "to help the current financial distress."

Your sentiments were most heartwarming to me, and illustrate just how faithful and supportive our members are when called on to answer a genuine need.

Because of your giving, the mail income average for April finished at almost $124,000 a day. This brought the annual average up to $111,000 a day--significantly closer to our budget projection of $112,500.

For the daily mail average to be $112,500 a day at year's end, we know from experience certain months must be far above that figure to compensate for months when income is below it.

Even though the upturn in income may not fully compensate for the dip earlier in the year, it has been helpful indeed and it is humbling to see how deeply so many of you care for your church home, the Worldwide Church of God.

This raises the question of whether we are past the financial crisis of the first quarter. We hope that things are more or less stable for now.

As I said, thanks to your response, we have been able to put on hold some of the planned budget cuts.

But, we were forced to lay off some salaried ministers because of decreased giving in the first quarter (see article page 6).

Thankfully, we don't see an immediate need to make more group terminations, if, as we hope, your giving pattern remains constant. This is why it is so helpful when members commit to a consistent plan of regular giving.

Another financial question on people's minds is, "How well did the Spring Festival offerings do?"

Although the Spring Festival season is past and, at press time, Pentecost is just days away, we do not yet have a clear picture as to how much was donated.

This illustrates problems associated with downsizing on the scale that we have experienced in Pasadena (see Questions and Answers, page 29, for more information).

On another matter, I would like to put in a plug for the Fall Festival. Your Festival registration donation helps offset administrative costs of preparing for the Festival.

Many of these costs are incurred months before the Festival. So by registering early for the Feast, you help us get a better idea of the level of attendance and thus enable a more precise planning process.

Finally, let me share an update of the sale status of the Pasadena and Big Sandy campuses. We have been experiencing a higher level of interest in both properties than we have had in the past.

It appears that many of the less-serious potential buyers have been weeded out of the buying process, and a much higher level of genuine interest in both properties now exists.

We hope that will translate into more concrete good news about their sale in the coming months. We will keep you posted as things develop.

Questions and answers

Sometimes it seems that months go by before my Festival offering checks clear my bank statement. Why is this? Is Pasadena just sitting on our money all this time?

Numerous reasons exist as to why it takes your check a while to clear your bank.

First, it takes time for the offerings to be boxed up locally, sent to Pasadena, opened, recorded and deposited in our bank.

It then has to go through several other clearing stages in the banking system before it finally is taken out of members' personal bank accounts all over the nation.

The processing of Festival offerings here in Pasadena has slowed considerably because of lean staffing. The unfortunate fact is that the mail processing department, which at one time had more than 350 employees plus hundreds of student workers, is now down to a crew of just seven.

Yet, we still receive offering boxes from all the local churches. With such a reduced staff, it clearly takes a while to process these offerings.

Please don't misunderstand. We very much need and appreciate the Festival offerings.

The problem is that we staff so that during most of the year we have the fewest possible people to handle the mail. However, when Festival offerings arrive, the small staff is overwhelmed.

We are addressing this problem by using on-call paid and volunteer help.

The goal for the Spring offerings was to have them all processed by May 15 (four weeks after the last holy day). So your checks should appear on the bank statement you receive in June.

One note for the Pentecost offering. It would help processing tremendously if everyone would use the holy day offering envelopes mailed to you. In order to allow you to be properly credited for your donation, we need to process your donation using your personal identification number (PIN).

If you give an offering without putting your PIN on the envelope, we still make an attempt to determine what your PIN is by the other information on the envelope (such as your full name and address), but this takes more time and labor.

If you cannot find the envelope, please use any other envelope that already has your PIN on it. And, of course, if you cannot find a labeled envelope, please use anything else.

Thank you for your Festival offerings. We depend on them for about 14 percent of the budget for the year.

Apr. 123,941

Update:
News of people, places and events

Churches feed 100 needy families in Arkansas

SPRINGDALE, Arkansas--The Fayetteville, Arkansas, church helped Immanuel and Vineyard churches feed more than 100 needy families as part of a combined monthly Food Outreach Project.

Neighbors of various ethnic backgrounds were given bags of free groceries and greetings from members of the three congregations.

The Fayetteville church rents the Immanuel church building on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Immanuel, an independent Baptist fellowship, meets Sunday mornings, and the Vineyard Fellowship meets in the same building Sunday evenings.

Though each church has doctrinal distinctives, all three pastors are committed to evangelizing the community in Jesus' name.

By sharing the same church building and combining evangelistic efforts, we have reduced expenses for all three fellowships. We are also achieving a unified front on certain outreach projects that we otherwise could not afford. All of this is being accomplished without compromising the distinctiveness of each group.

An Italian social enabled the three congregations to raise funds to train pastors in the Colombian jungle as part of a Youth With a Mission outreach.

Plans call for a three-day neighborhood revival titled "Bring Back the Glory." It will feature a professional musical presentation on the history of revivals in the United States.

The event will be sponsored by the Immanuel church with personnel and promotional support from our Fayetteville congregation and the Vineyard fellowship.

It is a wonderful experience to see brothers and sisters in Christ of different denominations, working together in harmony to further the gospel.

   The pastors meet regularly to pray, encourage one another and plan projects.
   Terry Warren, pastor, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
      

Bowling Green, Kentucky, begins services on Sunday

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky--The Bowling Green church conducted its first Sunday service April 19.

Because of difficulties with meeting facilities at Western Kentucky University on Saturdays, "I discussed the matter with the congregation April 11," said pastor Bob Persky.
                                                                                            
Mr. Persky offered to establish a house church for the four people who did not want to meet on Sunday.

The first Sunday service had above average attendance, according to Mr. Persky. A number came back who are working on Saturdays.

"Many were talking about how different it felt breaking away from tradition," he said. "Many went out to eat together and joined the many hundreds of other Christians from other churches eating lunch."

Mr. Persky gave a sermon on the power of the resurrection in our lives. At the end of services he had everyone come forward to recommit themselves and the whole congregation to the will of God.

"Many were in tears," Mr. Persky said. "It was a wonderful day of renewal. People are expressing their desire to invite their friends and neighbors to join them in worship."

Fargo singles plan July 4 Festival of Fellowship

FARGO, North Dakota--Fargo singles invite other singles to their July 4 Festival of Fellowship.

The event begins Friday evening, July 3, with registration at Red River Inn. Saturday's activities are a worship service; lunch provided by the Fargo congregation; and a country dinner-dance in the evening.

Sunday's activities are a picnic lunch and softball and volleyball tournaments.

The cost for the weekend is $80, which includes two nights at the Red River Inn.

Please send registrations (including name, address and telephone number) to one of the following: Terry Oesterle, 4220 17th Ave. SW No. 5, Fargo, North Dakota, 58103, telephone 1-701-281-0797; or to Becky Houglum, 1320 Third Ave. N, Moorhead, Minnesota, 56560, telephone 1-218-233-3775. Deadline for reservations is June 12.

New York doctors honored

QUEENS, New York--John Clarke, 26, and his brother, Matthew, 27, are medical doctors on the staff at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Jamaica, New York.

John produced a video using rap music to teach teens and others about asthma. The New York Daily News included John in its March 30 edition, when the paper printed a series of articles when the Health Department and Board of Education launched a campaign against an asthma epidemic.

John was interviewed on WWRL's Night Talk, which enabled listeners to ask questions. A Canadian talk show host heard the program, and John was interviewed by telephone by Canadian Broadcasting.

John and Matthew are members in Queens. Leonard B. Spruce.

Cincinnati area celebrates
Lord's death and resurrection

CINCINNATI, Ohio--About 400 people from the four Cincinnati area churches combined for the Lord's Supper April 9. According to Gene Nouhan, pastor of the Cincinnati West and Erlanger, Kentucky, churches: "The service was upbeat, with joyful music and an inspirational message by guest speaker, Mr. Albrecht.

The celebrations continued throughout the weekend at a retreat facility in Indiana. On Saturday, other area churches joined them for worship services, bringing attendance to 640. The theme for the service was Because Christ Lives!

After-dinner entertainment was provided by a Christian illusionist who weaves humor and Christian values into his presentation.

Later that evening, Mr. Albrecht conducted a question and answer session, the teens had a barn dance and the younger children played games in the youth lodge.

The evening ended with Dan Partin and Marion Merriweather serving as worship leaders for a praise service that included a praise band from Columbus, Ohio.

During a resurrection service Sunday morning, pastors laid hands on and prayed for Jeanne Hoover, who suffers from breast cancer.

Mr. Albrecht then exalted the risen Lord in a sermon titled "Do You Believe."

Mr. Albrecht said, "This visit was pure joy, with lots of hugs, lots of shared beliefs and convictions." Gene Nouhan and George Hart.

Brad Reed earns
University of Southern California
doctorate

  LOS ANGELES, California--Jay Bradley Reed received a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Southern California May 8.

This was the first graduating class from the university's doctor of physical therapy program.

Dr. Reed has previously received degrees from Ambassador University in theology, and from California State University, Northridge in health science.

Brad and his wife, Marlene, attend the Pasadena P.M. congregation.

Day care building dedicated to Ann Jones

MEMPHIS, Tennessee--La Petite day care center dedicated its building to Ann Jones, who has worked for the facility for 20 years.

When Mrs. Jones walked into the day care center 20 years ago, the director said, "The Lord sent you here today."

Mrs. Jones attends the Memphis church. Mrs. Melvin Winberry.

SEP singles week canceled

ORR, Minnesota--Because of a lack of response, the proposed SEP singles week Aug. 3-8 has been canceled. All applicants will receive notification and a tuition down-payment refund by June 13. Call 1-903-636-2373 if you have questions.

Buffalo, New York, women's ministry plans retreat

BUFFALO, New York--The women's ministry of Buffalo is sponsoring "Celebrating God's Love," a women's conference and retreat June 19-21 at a country location near Buffalo.

Plans include speeches by our guest speakers from Women's Ministry Support Services in Pasadena, Sheila Graham and Susie Dick. Also scheduled are workshops, worship opportunities, prayer time and relaxing times of fellowship.

For more information, contact Becky Lasch at 1-716-834-3048 or e-mail at eblasch@juno.com; or Debbie Hussak at 1-716-741-3536 or e-mail at 102013.2240@compuserve.com

Lincoln, Nebraska, women hosts for miniconference

LINCOLN, Nebraska--Women from the Lincoln congregation were hosts to women from the neighboring Omaha congregation, other friends and family for an afternoon of praising God in songs, hymns and fellowship March 14.

The theme for the event was: "What Has Jesus Done for You?" Guest speaker was Sue Lawson, wife of Don Lawson, regional pastor, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A number of the women and guests shared what Jesus has done for them and what they could see Jesus doing in friends and family through changes occurring in the Worldwide Church of God. Duane L. and Alberta L. Marquis.

Long Island singles activity

LONG ISLAND, New York--The Long Island church will conduct its annual singles activity, Fun in the Sun Weekend, Aug. 1-2.

Plans are for a workshop and worship services; a dinner dance with a disc jockey playing music from the '50s to the '90s; and an all-day beach party and barbecue.

Singles from other fellowships will also be invited.

For more information please contact Joseph Radosti, 118 Granada Parkway, Lindenhurst, New York, 11757; telephone 1-516-957-3248; e-mail: raddo@erols.com

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998