GROUND-BREAKING--Ocala, Florida, members gather
for ground breaking April 24 of education center building.
From left: Gene Walrath, Steve and Ginny Saint and Ken Smylie.
[Photo by Elva Walrath]
CORAL SPRINGS, Florida--Charles Fleming, regional director for the Caribbean and Latin America, and his wife, Carmen, participated in an Evangelism Explosion clinic May 28 to June 5 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Mr. Fleming said: "Tuesday night, June 1, I led two people to accept Jesus. That was my first time ever to walk up to strangers and to present the gospel. Talk about a charge!"
Mrs. Fleming's trainer was D. James Kennedy, senior minister at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and founder of Evangelism Explosion. They, along with a Methodist pastor, led two people to accept the Lord.
"I pray that more of our pastors and members will consider pursuing this kind of training," Mr. Fleming said. "It is available from a number of sources, such as Evangelism Explosion and the Billy Graham School of Evangelism.
HOUSTON, Texas--Five members of the Houston North congregation were commissioned into the Community of Hope May 25.
The Community of Hope is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Houston. The ministry began at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, and trains people to be lay chaplains to visit in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, homes and other places.
Community of Hope is now branching out to other states. Participants are taught listening skills, care-taking skills to promote healing and pastoral counseling skills.
The 36 hour course is founded on spiritual principles, focuses on building community among the lay chaplains and has an on-the-job-training component.
Members from Houston North who were commissioned are Gwen Shaffer, Jere Wilson, Joan Wilson, Karen Quinn and Dee Beam.
Helen W. Appleberg, director of Community of Hope, said at the commissioning service, "You are now commissioned to go out and serve the world in the name of Christ."
For more information send e-mail to Linda Astala at lastala@flash.net or contact Rev. Appleberg at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, 6720 Bertner St., Houston, Texas, 77030, or call her at 1-713-791-4388. Chris Beam.
OCALA, Florida--A ground-breaking ceremony took place April 24 for a new education center building for the Indigenous People's--Technology and Education Center.
The center, on the edge of the Dunnellon, Florida, airstrip, is designed to house small aircraft that will be used to teach indigenous missionaries to fly. Five Bible-trained indigenous missionaries are waiting for the center's completion to begin their pilot training.
I-TEC seeks to fulfill the great commission by helping the indigenous church in its journey toward self-propagation, self-government and self-support.
Ongoing projects include producing portable dental labs now used by an Amazon tribe to fill teeth; providing portable, solar-powered radios for the Huaorani Indians of the jungles of Ecuador to hear and share the good news of the gospel; training indigenous church leaders to use computers to draft their own church governing documents; and now, training indigenous missionary pilots.
Fifty people, mostly members of the Ocala congregation, gathered for the event. Pastor Ken Smylie led the group in worship and prayer.
Members Elva Walrath and Sylvia Oakley provided refreshments that featured a cake with the great commission of Matthew 28 written on it. Gene Walrath, an I-TEC volunteer, joined Mr. Smylie and Steve and Ginny Saint, I-TEC founders, in the ground-breaking. Ken Smylie.
PENSACOLA, Florida--Several Pensacola members participated in the Global March for Jesus '99, Saturday, May 22.
About 500 Christians from the Pensacola area joined millions of others on the streets of the world to worship and praise Jesus Christ.
Gathering in a downtown Pensacola park, young and old came together to walk, skate or jog one mile down Pensacola Bayfront Drive.
Christians from various backgrounds walked together in a caravan choir of worship songs and praise. This year's theme was "Love One Another," and the mission of participants was to claim the streets of their communities for Jesus.
After the march, many church groups and individuals gathered in a park to listen to a Christian band and to pray together. Several area ministers led prayers for our world, including John Young, WCG pastor, who prayed for the nation's schools. Creasia Daniel.
BELLINGHAM, Washington--The Bellingham and Oak Harbor congregations took part in the March for Jesus May 22 in Oak Harbor.
They walked two miles through the downtown area with about 1,000 other Christians. Participants were Frank and Helen Pamintuan and their children, Euel and Ezer, Doug and Diane Palser, Bill Gunn and Esther Halvorson. Doug Palser.
HOUSTON, Texas--The Houston South congregation raised $1,000 for Summer Educational Program (SEP) scholarships for Houston youths to attend SEP in Orr, Minnesota, or Scotland.
Torney Van Acker raised the money for SEP, as well as $300 for multiple sclerosis, by taking pledges in the MS-150 Bike Ride.
The 175-mile bike trip started April 17 in West Houston and ended April 18 just outside the Austin city limits. Each of the 7,300 bicyclists was required to raise at least $150 each. Cathy Hedrick.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine--Ron Prather, Christina Doughty and John Steffes attended an evangelistic event by Luis Palau April 7 and 8. They went forward and publicly recommitted their lives to Jesus.
WCG members Jeff and Esther Pelletier also attended.
Afterward, Mr. Palau told the WCG members: "Whoever would have thought that the WCG would become an evangelical church." He has met many WCG members in his travels.
AKRON AND CANTON, Ohio--The Akron and Canton congregations invite friends to a weekend reunion celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Akron congregation and the 20th anniversary of the Canton congregation Aug. 14 and 15.
The weekend begins with a worship service Saturday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 954 Eastland Ave., Akron.
The service will include messages from past pastors reflecting on memories of our shared past. Both Mike Swagerty, now the district superintendent in Sacramento, California, and David Antion, pastor of the Church of God, Southern California, are scheduled to speak.
Other past pastors are invited to send messages or speak in person.
A dinner-dance with a buffet will take place Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight at Tangier Restaurant, 532 W. Market St., Akron. The cost for the evening is $25 for each person.
To reserve your place at the dinner-dance, send a nonrefundable deposit of $10 for each person to Evelyn Haymond by June 15 to the address shown below. Make checks payable to LCAF Akron.
The reunion will continue on Sunday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a potluck picnic at Earl Lake, 633 Earl Rd., Massillon, Ohio. Fishing and swimming will be available.
For more information, contact Jim and Evelyn Haymond at 802 Northwest Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio, 44278; telephone 1-330-923-1736, e-mail jimandev@gateway.net Frank and Roberta Manzella.
FEDERAL WAY, Washington--The Federal Way congregation will celebrate its 20th anniversary Aug. 7.
The worship service begins at 11 a.m. at New Hope Community Church, 31411 Sixth Ave. South in Federal Way. Lunch follows.
For more information contact Bea Paynter at 1-253-631-9147 or by e-mail at bkpaynter@hotmail.com
PENSACOLA, Florida--The Pensacola congregation will celebrate its 25th anniversary Saturday, Aug. 14.
A worship service will take place at 3 p.m., followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. A family dance is planned to finish off the evening.
Anyone, whether a current member or not, who has ever been a part of the Pensacola or Fort Walton Beach congregations is encouraged to attend.
For more information please contact John Young at 1-850-857-6762 or jyoung1068@aol.com
SOUTH PASADENA, Florida--WCG members Jackie Thomas and Roberta Lashua of Arise-Renew Event Planning organized a marriage enrichment seminar for two congregations.
Fifty members of the Clearwater congregation attended a four-hour event March 13 that included a presentation from Ken Smylie, pastor of the Gainesville and Ocala, Florida, churches. Mr. Smylie spoke on The Path to Intimacy With Jesus and Your Spouse.
Word of the successful event reached pastor Gary Hofmeyer of Bethany Reformed Church in South Pasadena, who was then host for a repeat of the event May 21 for 50 members of his congregation. Ken Smylie.
TORONTO, Ontario--Richard Wilding, pastor of the Toronto East congregation, was asked to be chairperson of an ecumenical ministerial association next year (1999-2000). Mr. Wilding has been an active member of the association the past two years.
"Talk about coming from out of the fringe into the fold," Mr. Wilding said. "It is heartwarming to see the level of acceptance not only for myself but our denomination. It is wonderful to see that we are actively participating in the body of Christ."
PORTLAND, Oregon--James Huckaba, dean of the Philippine College of Ministry in Baguio City, Philippines, spoke to the Portland West congregation May 8.
Both Dr. Huckaba and his wife, Linda, teach at the school. They left Portland last September to begin their missionary endeavor.
They have found it a challenge to teach the things the students need to know and at the same time deal with culture and language barriers.
The Portland West congregation has supported their work by contributing to it financially. Dan Fricke.
VISTA, California--The praise team and choir of the San Diego North County congregation presented My Utmost for His Highest--A Worship Musical at a special service April 10.
Members were encouraged to invite family, friends and neighbors. Attendance was more than 400, as guests, including many former members, outnumbered members three to one.
Based on the devotional book by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost uses narration, choir selections, solos and a children's choir to encourage listeners to abandon their lives to Jesus.
Plans are being made to present My Utmost at the Festival in Palm Springs, California, Oct. 1. Choir members, including children's choir, who are interested in participating should contact Don Sharp, 700 Hastings Ct., San Marcos, California, 92069. Phil Helmuth.
PORTLAND, Oregon--Jackie Dubois of the Portland West congregation will be one of 70 students throughout the United States involved with a Campus Crusade for Christ event in Daytona, Florida.
Participants will be taught to be Christ-centered laborers and learn to minister to others. Each will secure employment from a job list, and work 30 to 48 hours a week.
They will be involved with community services and outreach programs. Beach outreaches with games or activities will be conducted in which the public will be invited to participate. These will allow the teens to share their faith with nonbelievers. Bible studies and worship services will be conducted.
LANGHORNE, Pennsylvania--Seven Medford, New Jersey, members attended a leadership, servanthood and marriage seminar in Langhorne, May 1.
Hosts were Michael Dittman, president of the Association of Christian Leaders International and chair of Philadelphia College of Bible (PCB), and Kevin Huggins, a professor in the PCB graduate school.
Dr. Dittman discussed how members can improve relationships with Christ and minister to fellow members and others whom God is calling. Dr. Dittman measures the health of a church, not by its number of programs or size, but by the depth of quality relationships among the members.
Dr. Huggins spoke on cultivating true intimacy in marriage. He showed how to apply principles of integrity, commitment, vulnerability and power sharing by distilling strategies into two lists. One list consisted of things that would help couples a little, and the other elaborated approaches that can make a real difference. Couples who achieve true intimacy can more effectively minister for Christ, he said.
LONG ISLAND, New York--The Long Island congregation invites singles to its annual Fun in the Sun Weekend, July 31 and Aug. 1.
Times will be announced for a worship service and workshop.
A dinner dance will take place Saturday evening from 7:30 to 11:30. A disc jockey will play a variety of popular dance tunes.
Sunday's activities are an all-day beach party and an all-you-can-eat barbecue.
Housing is available at the Hampton Inn Islandia for a special rate of $99 and 9 percent tax (up to four in a room). A room can be reserved for Friday or Saturday. The special rate is available through July 23 only. The rate code is WOR. Call 1-516-234-0400.
The cost for the weekend is $42; dance only, $35; beach party and barbecue only, $10. Payment is due by July 17. Please make checks payable to LCAF Long Island and send to Joe Radosti, 118 Granada Pkwy., Lindenhurst, New York, 11757.
For additional information please call Joe Radosti at 1-516-957-3248 or send e-mail to him at raddo@erols.com; or call Tony Anzalone at 1-516-624-8424.
Make reservations early, as seating is limited to 100 guests.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island--The Providence congregation invites singles to a Christian retreat, Single Servants of God, at a 300-acre Christian conference center in Exeter, Rhode Island, Sept. 4-6 (Labor Day weekend).
Guests will be John Halford, European regional director, and his wife, Pat, and Ron Stoddart, pastor of the Concord, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine, congregations, and his wife, Gail.
The event will include three days of worship, interactive discussions, fellowship and fun together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The cost is $125, which includes overnight accommodations and all meals for the retreat. Space is limited, so don't delay.
For applications and further details, contact Dennis or Lorraine Pelley at 1-508-643-9592 or by e-mail at dennis_pelley@wcg.org
ROANOKE, Virginia--The Roanoke congregation, pastored by Everett Craft, conducted a program April 17 to recognize the contributions of African-Americans.
The inspirational program included several speakers and the Big Hill Baptist Choir. The program was planned and directed by African-American members.
The occasion brought together current and former church members and friends.
Troy White, a member of the Charlotte, North Carolina, congregation, who grew up in the Roanoke congregation and graduated from Ambassador University, gave a sermon titled Loving Each Other and Jesus Christ. Kim Garner.
SAN BERNARDINO, California--"I went home feeling good," said member Shirley Murvine of Fontana, California, after attending her first National Day of Prayer meeting May 6 at Judson Baptist Chapel.
The San Bernardino congregation was host for the event, which 33 people attended.
"This is just what we all need," said pastoral candidate Fred Ortiz of the Moreno Valley congregation. "It gives us a chance to think bigger than our own local area." Neil Earle.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee--The Memphis congregation participated in the National Day of Prayer from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Pastor Randy Bloom introduced the event. In the morning and afternoon, participants worshiped with congregational songs and praise songs.
Visiting ministers gave presentations followed by prayer. Guests attended from the American Red Cross, the Fire Department, Cocaine Awareness, Church Health Center and the Memphis Union Rescue Mission.
Lunch was provided by the Memphis Church Prayer Warriors who organized the day's activities under the direction of Mark Graves.
In a three-part service to end the day, the participants heard from pastor Jacob Hutchison of Living Manna Church of God; Mr. Bloom; and associate pastor Rexie Chambers of Trinity Baptist Church. Barbara Perry.
PARSIPPANY, New Jersey--Ron Robinson, an elder in the Montvale, New Jersey, congregation, was the Parsippany National Day of Prayer coordinator.
The Parsippany group gathered at the Town Municipal Building. A group of 90 with prayer leaders representing 13 area churches joined in prayer for the nation and national and local leaders.
A billboard agent donated space to advertise the National Day of Prayer after being contacted by Mr. Robinson.
Feb. 22, during Black History Month, Mr. Robinson received a plaque and resolution from the City of East Orange, New Jersey, for presenting a black inventors exhibit for the past four years.
KALAMAZOO, Michigan--The Kalamazoo congregation celebrated its fourth Black History Month with sermons, gospel and spiritual songs, dance, skits and exhibits.
The purpose was to educate and entertain, but most of all to praise God for his wisdom in creating diversity.
The celebration was capped off with a sermon by Cleophus Sturdivant titled "What's Love Got to Do With It?" Ethnic foods were served, and a musical journey of black Christian music was presented. Catharine Sturdivant.
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Joan-na C. Brand, 19, a sophomore majoring in biology, psychology and dance at Gallaudet University (a university for the deaf and hearing impaired), was named Miss District of Columbia Area black deaf advocate.
Joan-na also won best talent for an interpretation in American Sign Language of "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Julia Fordham and the best evening gown award. She will compete in the National Black Deaf Advocate Pageant in Jamaica in August.
Joan-na is the daughter of Joan White, who attends the Chicago, Illinois, South-Southeast congregation.
WEST SENECA, New York--"We're happy to share our building with the Worldwide Church of God," said the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, in an article published in the West Seneca Bee.
The Buffalo South congregation, which meets in the Trinity Lutheran Church building, has been in West Seneca for 35 years.
"It sure is exciting to not only feel like a part of Christ's larger body, but to be welcomed by it," said Becky Lasch, a member of the Buffalo South church.
STONE MOUNTAIN, Georgia--Crystal Frazier, 22, of Lithonia, Georgia, was chosen out of 7,000 applicants worldwide to participate in the Up With People Worldsmart student leadership program.
In January, Ms. Frazier will join 149 others in Denver, Colorado, for six weeks of intensive training that will prepare them for a year of travel.
J. Blanton Belk founded Up With People in 1965 to provide a positive channel for the idealism and energy exhibited by young people. For the past 34 years 700 Up With People students have traveled to many countries, cities and communities performing a musical show and committing themselves to community service.
Crystal attends the Stone Mountain congregation.
GROUND-BREAKING--Ocala, Florida, members gather
for ground breaking April 24 of education center building.
From left: Gene Walrath, Steve and Ginny Saint and Ken Smylie.
[Photo by Elva Walrath]
MARCH FOR JESUS--Bellingham and Oak Harbor,
Washington, members (from left) Frank and Helen Pamintuan
and their children, Euel and Ezer, Doug and Diane Palser,
Bill Gunn and Esther Halvorson.
James and Linda Huckaba and Marilee
and Dan Fricke in Portland, Oregon.
SEMINAR--Front row, from left: George and Linda Kuo,
Frances Morales, Connie Ziegler Wyers, Kevin Huggins.
Back row: James Zaleta, Phyllis Grieco, James Ziegler and Michael Dittman.
FREE ADVERTISING--Elder Ron Robinson and National Day
of Prayer committee Stephanie Frantz, Millie Smith, Betty Brown,
Pat Publow and Pat Wenzel, New Jersey state coordinator.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999