WCG members met around the world to celebrate Christ for the 1999 festival.Pastor General Joseph Tkach received cards from teens who enjoyed the Christocentric celebrations at the festival sites.
Barb Egbert said that in Pensacola, Florida, they were greeted at the door by bright-eyed teens. The teens ran the sound system, the computers (of course), read Scriptures and were hosts at the snack table.
The teens were an integral part of the festival, so a breakout teen service wasn't necessary, Mrs. Egbert said.
One teen had invited her friend to church, and that friend is now immersed in the church, calling it her own church. "Our teens evangelize so naturally, just by inviting their friends," she said.
Seaside attendees continued in the spirit of giving to the coastal community, according to coordinator Joel Lillengreen. This year members contributed more than a ton of food and $3,844 to help Clatsop County feed and care for the needy.
A former member traveling through Seaside who had not attended services in 21 years saw the welcome sign at the Convention Center and attended a service. He was so overjoyed with the service, he wants to get in contact with the WCG in his area.
Steve Schemm, pastor of the Federal Way and Tacoma, Washington, congregations, said that because of prayer meetings people were released from pain and received physical healing; an estranged relationship was reconciled; and healing took place from past hurts.
All kinds of baggage from the past, including anger at controlling spouses, being an abusive parent, fearfulness and shame, were released to Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit.
"It is through people releasing their burdens and baggage to Jesus that they can then move into ministry to others," Mr. Schemm said.
Eddie Gibbs, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, gave a sermon Sept. 25 titled, "Come, Everything Is Now Ready."
The next day members took communion. Phillip Rice, pastor of the Phoenix, Arizona, congregation, reminded members that there was no room for Jesus in the inn, no room for him in the religious community, and in fact, no room for him anywhere but on the cross.
Coordinator Larry Dietrich noted that other highlights included music by the Oasis Praise Band, who also performed a benefit concert that raised more than $2,400 for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, and a gospel music concert featuring groups within and outside the WCG that raised more than $1,000 for persecuted Christian organizations.
The festival was blessed musically with appearances by the Higher Ground Praise Band and numerous individuals.
A choral group led by Don Sharp and pastor Glenn Bechthold of the San Diego, California, North church performed the worship musical "My Utmost for His Highest" Oct. 1.
Festival highlights included appearances by Ross Jutsum, director of State of the Heart Music Ministry.
Communion was offered on the last evening. The 70 to 80 teens in attendance added a special spark to the celebration, according to coordinator Jim Rosenthal. Two teens were baptized.
Members gave $3,727.50 to the Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council, an umbrella group serving many in the region.
The sub-theme for the Myrtle Beach conference was reconciliation, according to coordinator Greg Williams.
Throughout the week, messages on denominational, racial and family reconciliation were delivered. Steve Brown of Key Life Radio, and Tommy Ferrell from the South Carolina Baptist State Convention were guest speakers.
Mr. Albrecht, PTM executive director, and Curtis May, Pasadena regional pastor, conducted a racial reconciliation workshop as part of the conference.
The Third Annual Great American Gospel Fest took place the last four nights. Hundreds of participants from the East Coast competed in what is being called "the Star Search of Christian Music."
Baptismal counseling was offered during the festival, and more than a dozen people were baptized.
A number of people who had not attended services in several years were in Myrtle Beach and rededicated themselves to be active members of the church.
Sermons focused on two major themes: The Lordship of Jesus Christ and the direction of the WCG as a denomination, according to coordinator Mike Booze. One sub-theme that surfaced in many messages was the need to reach out to the lost with the message of Jesus Christ.
Chuck Calahan, pastor of the Wichita, Kansas, congregation, gave a seminar on Natural Church Growth, based on the book by Christian Schwarz.
At this year's gathering, we celebrated our Savior with song, dance and the spoken word, according to coordinator Richard Parker. Several nonmembers who passed by our services remarked on how inspiring the meetings were.
Members met at Canadian sites in North Battleford, Saskatchewan; Toronto, Ontario; St. John's, Newfoundland; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Penticton, British Columbia; and a national online site.
On the last day of the festival in North Battleford, a communion service was followed by a worship service that featured a drama performed by the youths. Afterward, the congregation invited friends to a turkey supper.
The focus of the festival in Toronto was on how meaningful our relationship is with Jesus Christ. In St. Johns, members again harvested vegetables at Merv and JoAnn Tilley's farm, where hampers of food were bagged and distributed to the poor.
In Winnipeg, the opening night was devoted to songs of praise, led by the Winnipeg Praise and Worship team, some of the church's own musicians and two other musicians from the Southdale Alliance church.
In Penticton, members supported the Salvation Army food bank and Street Level, which provides a constructive environment for youths. The Penticton congregation regularly provides financial support to Street Level and contributes food to the Penticton Food Bank.
Attendance at the national online festival site was 40 to 60 people a day. Some participants were from as far away as Zimbabwe. Each day new content was posted including a sermon, thought of the day, festival poll and message boards. The second week included the best messages from the live feast sites across Canada and a collection of photos.
The online festival site is still available at www.wcg.ca
This year's festival in the United Kingdom and Europe saw a number of visitors from not only overseas, but also from other denominations.
Pastor General Joseph Tkach, his wife, Tammy, and their children, Joe and Stephanie were guests in Paignton, England, and Oban, Scotland; and he and his son also traveled to Kenmare, Ireland, for the last day.
Some of the non-WCG speakers were Jessie McFarlane, founder of the women's British Prayer Chain ministry, who spoke to the women in Oban, along with Mrs. Tkach. Jessie's husband, Peter, also gave a talk about his involvement in missionary work in Moldova.
Highlights in other parts of Europe included a public lecture in Tartu, Estonia, and seminars given in Italy by Dr. Schalk of the Institute of Natural Church Development and by the Open Doors association on persecuted Christians in Latin America.
In Bonndorf, Germany, Nikolay Nikolov and his family from Bulgaria were guests. Mr. Nikolov spoke, and his family gave special music in Bulgarian. Mayor Scharf of Bonndorf welcomed people to the festival, and Pastor Jammertal of the Evangelical Church in Bonndorf combined with the WCG members for a service.
At gatherings large and small around the region, more than 2,000 people celebrated the grace of God and our calling to the work of "living and sharing the gospel."
The Pacific island of Malekula, Vanuatu, was host for the festival for the first time, in the church-owned building in the village of Rory.
Members from five nations met in the Genting Highlands in Malaysia, 1,000 meters above sea level, enjoying "inspiring worship services, warm fellowship and cool weather," according to coordinator Wong Mein Kong.
In Hyderabad, India, members met at St. John's Regional Seminary. Pastor Danny Zachariah was asked by some of the students what he thought of the Catholic Church. He said that we accept as our brothers and sisters all who believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as Savior, and that the body of Christ is not limited to any human institution.
"Equipping the saints for the work of ministry" was the focus at the largest site, in Caloundra, Queensland, where seminar topics included worship, small groups, mentoring and outreach.
Community outreach was a feature at several sites, with concerts, guest speakers and donations to community charities.
The annual Festival Snapshot video highlighted the work of the fellowship, congregations and individuals around the region.
Rich rejoicing in Christ aptly describes the spirit of festival celebration in the Philippines this year. The Philippines had 13 sites; seven of which were eight day sites.
Four Christian leaders graced the celebrations: Harry Bilyeu, coordinator of Asian Center for Missions; Tom Dennison, director of the Word of Life Bible Clubs in the Philippines; Jo Laville, president of World Outreach Philippines; and Ephraim Tendero, general secretary of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
The WCG teamed up with the Institute of Studies for Asian Church and Culture for an evangelistic campaign in Baguio City. In Cebu, 26 participants completed the Condensed World Mission Course. In Davao, three nights of gospel proclamation reached 700 people, with about 40 responding to the gospel call.
For many, the festival was a time of recommitment to Christ and the advancement of his kingdom.
Reports from the region tell of spiritual rejuvenation amidst the worship, fellowship and inspiring messages.
In Dominica, activities included an outreach visit to the homeless, a panel discussion on drugs, and Dominica Night. Activities in Guadeloupe included a marriage enrichment seminar.
Three people were baptized in Ste-Luce, Martinique, including two Amerindians from the Galibi tribe in French Guyana.
During an altar call the final evening in Christian Pen, Jamaica, seven people came forward to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. On the weekend, members shared their meals with members of a football club that uses the field next to the church building. Twenty-nine of them showed up for services after the festival. The second part of the festival took place in Montego Bay.
In Haiti, members sang praises to the Lord and discussed the many blessings Christians can have in a place as devastated as Haiti.
In Acapulco, Mexico, Don and Josefina Hart brought used clothing and toys for distribution. A 7.2 earthquake rocked the country but caused no damages at the festival site.
The festival in Colombia was characterized by praise and prayer--personal prayer, intercessory prayer and group prayer.
"For the first time I understand what it means to have Jesus living within me."
"Christ and his grace are more meaningful to me than ever before."
Such was the tone of the many comments about the festival conducted on weekends or at eight-day conventions in at least 14 countries in Africa. At presstime we do not have all the details, but estimated attendance was around 4,000.
A number of people became Christians at various sites, and worship and dance uplifted our people everywhere.
Members in Ghana celebrated their 25th festival. They gathered at the church's farm complex in Kutunse.
The silver jubilee festival was advertised and open to the public. A presidential staffer at the seat of government, D.S. Boateng, along with other dignitaries, attended the Thanksgiving Day service on the eighth day and exhorted Christians to be disciples of Jesus indeed. His comments, and portions of Gabriel Ojih's sermon on thankfulness to God being a way of life, were featured on the evening news on national radio.
Members met at sites around the world to celebrate Christ during the 1999 festival. Following is a partial list of festival sites, coordinators and attendance figures based on information submitted to The Worldwide News.
Davenport, Iowa John Bailey 520
Hot Springs, Arkansas Mike Booze 1,100
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Greg Williams 2,000
Palm Springs, California Larry Dietrich 1,001
Saratoga Springs, New York Jim Rosenthal 808
Seaside, Oregon Joel Lillengreen 731
China John Halford 157
Mediterranean Cruise Russell Duke 45
North Battleford, Saskatchewan Bill Hall 90
Penticton, British Columbia Robert Morton 368
St. John's, Newfoundland Chris Starkey 71
Toronto, Ontario Robert Brown 650
Winnipeg, Manitoba Alan Redmond 375
Caloundra, Queensland 653
Gowrie Park, Tasmania 57
Warrnambool, Victoria 216
Perth, Western Australia 401
Ulladulla, New South Wales 207
Rotorua 174
Christchurch 91
Bangalore, India
Hyderabad, India 63
Welimade, Sri Lanka 107
Genting Highlands, Malaysia 102
Honiara and Ranongga, Solomon Islands 55
Fiji 85
Malekula, Vanuatu 73
Paignton, Devon Tony Lodge 544
Oban, Scotland Hamish Dougal 193
Scarborough, Yorkshire Bob Harrison 170
Kenmare, Ireland David Stirk 140
London (with Berlin, Germany) Robin Jones 175
Bonndorf, Germany Santiago Lange 195
Middelburg, Netherlands Henk Buist 180
Lido di Jesolo (Venice), Italy Daniel Bosch 188
Attard, Malta David Stirk
Palma, Majorca, Spain Pedro Rufian 116
Sao Pedro do Sul, Portugal Jose Ribeiro
Nea Makri, Greece K.J. Stavrinides
Tallinn/Tartu, Estonia Leo Kaagjarv 56
Deshaies, Guadeloupe Jack Brunet 75
Ste-Luce, Martinique Jack Brunet 175
Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta, Bahamas, Bermuda) Robert McKinney 300
Dominica Crisford Vidal 62
Christian Pen, Jamaica Michael Mitchell 183
Montego Bay, Jamaica Michael Mitchell 83
Baguio City Jerry Ortiguero 527
Cebu City Romy Pusta 150
Daet Abelardo Balisnomo 191
Davao City Ric Deligero 150
Kiara, Bukidnon Ted Sernal 302
Tacloban City Arturo Reyes 107
Zamboanga Nilo Belarmino 62
Acapulco, Mexico Salvador Barragan 71
Colombia Hector Barrero 73
Ghana 501
Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria 396
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999