September 1999 Contents

This is our September cover

In this issue

Personal

Mr. Tkach writes in this month's Personal that good feelings and moments of inspiration are indeed wonderful blessings, but without enduring faith that is built on knowing and understanding truth about God, those feelings alone cannot lead us into the changed life of unity and reconciliation with God that comes through knowing and believing in Jesus Christ. That is why doctrinal instruction is important, and why members need more than just, for example, a 10-minute sermon once a week. We are dealing with eternal truths and ultimate realities, as well as the less important, but seemingly more urgent matters, of day-to-day life. Pages 6 & 7.

Peace in Christ

In Part 6 of "Finding Peace in Christ," J. Michael Feazell looks at Christian worship.

No human activity has greater relevance than that of the worship of God. There is much to learn about how we can worship more effectively today by looking at how the people of God have worshiped in the past.

In the Old Testament we learn about God's holiness. We learn that God is faithful, that he loves his people with a steadfast love, that he makes promises and keeps his word. We learn that nothing can keep God from doing what he decides to do. And we learn that God's purpose is to save and redeem broken men and women, to heal the weak, to lift up the weary.

We learn that God cares about and is intimately involved in every detail of his created universe. We learn that even though sin is catastrophically destructive to human beings, God does not forget the work of his hand, and he acts to save and repair and set humans right so they can be restored to him. Pages 10 to 13.

Teen Ministry

During the first session of orientation for the Summer Educational Program (SEP) in Orr, Minnesota, Jesus Christ was invited into the assembly.

"If he is not here, then what we are doing is for naught," said director Jeb Egbert. And he came.

The first session began June 28. "Are you hungry?" Dr. Egbert asked the campers. "You've come to the place where the Bread of Life is served. You eat this, and you will never be hungry again. We serve Jesus Christ at SEP."

Inspiring messages and tremendous friendships helped to keep the community focused on SEP's mission--to promote Jesus Christ and his way of life. Pages 18 to 20.

Financial Report

The daily average mail income for July was $91,716, which brought the year-to-date daily average down to $94,625, writes controller Ronald Kelly.

We are in the planning stages for our 2000 budget. We are projecting donation income patterns, and department managers are adjusting expense budgets.

Although we struggle with budgets, our auditing firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, has once again given us an unqualified opinion on the 1998 audit. Pages 22 & 23.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999

Church announces
relocation schedule

By Thomas C. Hanson

Pastor General Joseph Tkach discussed a preliminary relocation schedule at an employee meeting in the Ambassador Auditorium Aug. 4.

Mr. Tkach gave dates that buildings need to be vacated before escrow closes on the headquarters property, estimated to be between the summer and fall of 2000. Plans are to lease a new headquarters facility within a 40-mile radius of Pasadena.

According to Dale Trow, facilities director, the relocation schedule will help ensure that the headquarters facility is vacated in an orderly manner, and in a way that meets contractual obligations with the buyer and maximizes income from the sale of surplus building contents.

Development plan

Legacy Partners, the prospective purchaser of the property, has submitted a preliminary development plan to the City of Pasadena. Legacy is further developing the plan and choosing sub-developers to make their plans. Escrow is scheduled to close 30 days after the City of Pasadena approves the final plan.

Mr. Tkach emphasized the tentative nature of the relocation schedule because the close of escrow can only be estimated.

One of the main tasks is removing corporately owned items from buildings, Mr. Tkach said. Buildings were placed in categories to mark the time when they needed to be readied.

Some buildings need to be ready immediately to be cleared out. They include the former library and library annex, the former publishing building, transportation and Imperial Schools.

Other buildings need to be ready by mid-February. They include the Science and Fine Arts buildings, Grove Terrace (former men's dormitory), Ambassador gymnasium and natatorium and the Fellowship Hall (former Student Center).

In late spring or early summer campus residences must be vacated, and corporate property must be removed from the Legal Office, PTM and the Hall of Administration.

Vance Gilless and Pete Arguien of Facilities are working with Ron Urwiller to schedule team days, when all available Facilities personnel work to clear a building.

To gain the highest value for building contents in a way most fair to all, the church will use a professional auctioneering firm to conduct at least three public auctions. They are scheduled for October, the spring, and late spring or early summer as buildings are vacated.

Pasadena congregation

Curtis May, senior pastor, met with ministry leaders July 31 and

noted enthusiasm for relocation from the Ambassador Auditorium to another location in Pasadena.

Mr. May said: "They expressed a strong desire to move out into the community and establish congregations as soon as possible. One congregation that will be re-established is the Los Angeles congregation. Members from that area are joyfully anticipating the move."

Relocation Committee

A Relocation Committee began meeting in early April. The committee is supervised by Bernie Schnippert, church treasurer, with Mr. Trow as chairman.Committee members are Nancy Akers, Charles Albrecht, Randal Dick, Mike Feazell, Ruthie Fuller, Ron Kelly, Deb Nickel, Mat Morgan, Amy Pieper, Cheryl Simpson, Ron Urwiller and Robert Meade, all church employees in Pasadena.

The Relocation Committee works with the Planning, Reengineering and Organizing Committee (PRO), also supervised by Dr. Schnippert. Ron Kelly is chairman.

The PRO Committee develops recommendations for the WCG board on the types of services headquarters will provide in the future, and the tools and personnel by which those services will be accomplished.

According to Mr. Trow, the Relocation Committee considers PRO conclusions and makes recommendations to the board on the future location and look of headquarters.

The church has retained William Boyd, senior vice president of the Grubb & Ellis Office Services group, to help locate an appropriate facility to lease.

The Relocation Committee focuses on creating workspaces based on specific job functions in order to maximize space usage and employee efficiency, and keep the lease rate to a minimum, Mr. Trow said.

"Our current facility served us well over these many years," Mr. Trow said, "but now it's time to move to a more cost-effective facility, which better matches our current mission"

RELOCATION PLAN--Mr. Tkach discusses
plans to vacate buildings before move.
[Photos by Ron Grove and Thomas C. Hanson

EMPLOYEE MEETING--Mr. Tkach
addresses employees Aug. 4.

Buyer withdraws
from Big Sandy transaction

The church learned Aug. 16 that La Roche College, the prospective buyer of Ambassador University in Big Sandy, Texas, has been unsuccessful in its attempts to obtain appropriate financing to purchase the property, and thus is withdrawing from the transaction.

"The church has always known that real estate transactions of the size and complexity of the university facility transaction are tentative until they successfully close," Pastor General Joseph Tkach said in an electronic mail message to pastors and headquarters employees.

From the beginning of the sale process the church has maintained secondary and even tertiary plans that could be adopted in the event the current escrow did not close successfully. These plans include renewed negotiations with other parties who informed the church they had interest in the case of a non-sale.

"Although it is of course disappointing that the current transaction was not successful, we are confident of the eventual sale of the property through various opportunities available to us," Mr. Tkach said.

Church income remains one percent under budget for the year. However, this budget was based on the successful closure of escrow in Big Sandy. Because the sale did not conclude, the church will have a larger than planned shortfall at the end of the year, and therefore remains in a financially troubling situation, despite the slight upturn in mail income.

"Please join me in praying for another good month of income as well as the successful completion of new negotiations," Mr. Tkach said.

Letters to the Editor

Finding Peace in Christ

Thank you so much for your articles, "Finding Peace in Christ."

I am 86 years old and have been a WCG member for 39 years. I have had a difficult time with the doctrinal changes. I still struggle, but you have pulled it all together with your writings.

Doris H. Cooke

Phoenix, Oregon

Witnessing for Christ

I have lived in a tumultuous environment (prison) for 13 years. More than a year ago, I was nearly murdered because of my Christlike behavior for witnessing for Christ.

During my ordeal, many family members and brethren from Ohio to Thailand were praying for God's healing on my behalf. Thank you to the hundreds of WCG brethren who prayed and sent cards. God has completely healed me of all injuries, and I am more courageous as God continues to use me as a vessel to proclaim his gospel.

Karl M. Klett

Marion, Ohio

Miracle on Memorial Day

It's just awesome! I broke down crying halfway through "Miracle on Memorial Day" (August WN), and my son, Kevin, 11, asked, "What's wrong?" So I started over and read it to him.

We are not used to following the lead of the Holy Spirit. At first, this seemed so strange, too embarrassing. I don't know if I could have or would have followed. But it was just awesome what happened.

God wants people he can use when, where and how he wants to use them. He knows what needs to be done and when and where to bring to him people who need him.

The WN is so valuable to us. It's a part of our Christian fellowship to encourage one another.

Marcia Manning

Louisburg, Kansas

WN to honor 100-year-old members
and those married 60 years or more

In the January 2000 issue, The Worldwide News would like to honor everyone in the Worldwide Church of God who is 100 years old or older (anyone born on or before Jan. 1, 1900 and all couples who have been married for 60 or more years (anyone married on or before Jan. 1, 1940).

Stan Bass dies at 70 

By Cecil Pulley

BIG SANDY, Texas--Stan Bass, 70, regional director in the Caribbean from 1968 to 1990 and Ambassador faculty member from 1990 to 1994, died at home of cancer Aug. 2.

Charles Fleming, Caribbean regional director, reported: "Mr. Bass went home to be with his Lord at 11:15 this morning.

"Thanks to the wonderful grace of God, he had a full assurance of his salvation. Two days ago he was visited by two of our ministers, and his final words to them were, `See you in the kingdom!'

"A true man of God, Stan Bass will be remembered by all of us in the Caribbean for his love of God, for his integrity, gentleness and for always being there for us.

"We in the Caribbean ministry are--directly or indirectly--his legacy, his heritage. Our prayer is that by the grace of God we may prove as faithful in our ministries as he proved in his."

Audrey Huntley, Mr. Fleming's administrative assistant, had traveled from Florida to Big Sandy to help Millicent Bass take care of her husband.

Mrs. Huntley said she could feel God's presence in the house over the last few days, and knew that many people were praying for the Basses.

Family history

Mr. Bass was born in Ennis, Texas, Dec. 6, 1928. He was baptized in 1954. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, and a master of arts from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Mr. Bass began serving in the ministry in 1961 as a ministerial assistant in Chicago, Illinois, working with the late Harold Jackson and Dean Blackwell. He attended Ambassador College from 1963 to 1964, after which he participated in a baptizing tour through several Southern states.

In October 1967, he married Millicent Kerr, and a few months later they were sent to Barbados to pastor the church there and to lay the foundation for the church's work in the Caribbean.

Over the next 22 years, they were instrumental in establishing congregations and Bible studies in numerous countries throughout the region, from the island of Bermuda in the north, to Guyana in the south. They also visited countries in Central and South America.

In 1974, Mr. Bass set up the Caribbean Regional Office in Puerto Rico from which he could adequately serve all the islands. While there, he learned to speak fluent Spanish in order to serve the Spanish-speaking members of the church.

In 1990, he was transferred to Ambassador University to teach in the English Department and subsequently retired in 1994.

Funeral service

The funeral was conducted Friday, Aug. 6, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, Texas.

Many tributes were expressed by family, friends and fellow ministers. He was described as a man of compassion, humility, kindness, gentleness and patience, with a good sense of humor and a love for music.

Mr. Bass was a mentor and father figure to many ministers and members alike, an outstanding example of true Christianity.

Pastor David Orban, in his eulogy, described Mr. Bass as a man who exemplified many of the attributes of holy living found in Colossians 3:12-17.

Mr. Bass will be fondly remembered by the thousands, whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Millicent. The couple had no children.

"We will all greatly miss Stan Bass," said Pastor General Joseph Tkach.

No members hurt
in Salt Lake City tornado

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--No members were hurt or suffered property damage in a tornado that struck downtown Salt Lake City Aug. 12, according to pastor Mike Kuykendall.

One person was killed and at least 85 were treated for injuries.

Lee Hutson, a member of the Salt Lake City congregation, drove through the back edge of the tornado not knowing what was happening.

"With tornadoes occurring so infrequently in Utah, most residents don't anticipate dealing with them," Mr. Kuykendall said. "It was not until Mr. Hutson arrived at his workplace that he realized what had happened and was grateful for the protection."

Mr. Hutson is employed by Utah Disaster Kleenup, which specializes in restoring damaged personal and commercial property.

Personal from Joseph Tkach

Understanding our faith

"I don't want to study doctrine," a member said. "I'm tired of doctrinal arguments. I want sermons to be short and inspiring--I don't want them to be doctrinal."

I can understand the feeling. Doctrinal arguments can certainly be wearisome, and doctrine can turn people off.

Yet I must point out that we still need doctrine--not in the sense of arguments, but in terms of understanding our faith. A doctrine is a teaching, and the important teachings of the church are those relating to truth about God.

Truth of God

Our teachings and beliefs about Jesus Christ are doctrines. They are truth about God and the foundation of all that we do.

Enduring Christian faith is not built merely on good feelings, on brief moments of sensing God's presence in the beauty of the creation, or on a short inspirational story once a week.

Good feelings and moments of inspiration are indeed wonderful blessings, but without enduring faith that is built on knowing and understanding truth about God, those feelings alone cannot lead us into the changed life of unity and reconciliation with God that comes through knowing and believing in Jesus Christ.

That is why doctrinal instruction is important, and why members need more than just, for example, a 10-minute sermon once a week. We are dealing with eternal truths and ultimate realities, as well as the less important, but seemingly more urgent, matters of day-to-day life.

What Jesus has done for us, as well as how that affects us and the way we live, must be explained again and again, continually, week after week, from many different angles, expounding again and again the many different biblical lessons, prophecies, instructions and stories that God has provided to teach us about it.

Classes and sermons

Some of our congregations offer discipleship classes as well as sermons. The classes are more doctrinal and explanatory, with opportunity for questions and discussion. They may be geared toward specific groups, such as new Christians, teenagers, pre-teens and others.

Then, the sermons are shorter, with more of a motivational orientation, based on a short passage of Scripture. The sermon includes plenty of solid instruction, of course, not just platitudes and nice thoughts.

Understanding our faith

As Christians, naturally we want to understand our faith, and it is the role of our Christian leaders and teachers to help us do so.

Christians realize that faith in Christ goes much deeper than just good feelings and inspirational platitudes, and we enjoy and appreciate being fed in all the good things the Word of God has to offer.

How valuable the worship service is to us depends largely on how much spiritual nourishment we are getting during the week. Are we opening ourselves to God's instruction in prayer, Bible study and small group fellowship?

When we are seeking God in these ways, we are also more interested and excited about listening to sermons. The more time we spend with God the more we have a hunger for God. Christ is, after all, the most important thing in our lives and in our future.

I am convinced that doctrine is important--even though not all doctrines are equally important. At times in the past, it sometimes seemed as if earthquakes were just as important as the resurrection of Christ.

Perhaps they seemed more relevant to daily life, but in actuality, Jesus' resurrection is always more important to us, even if we are in the middle of an earthquake. The doctrine of the resurrection is always relevant--especially when death is a real possibility! That is why all sermon and Bible study instruction needs to be rooted in Jesus Christ.

I think our history illustrates the need we have to learn doctrines, especially to have a clear focus on Jesus Christ. All Christians need a strong doctrinal foundation that will help them discern crucial teachings from fringe ideas.

Some Christians are attracted by New Age teachings or the teachings of quasi-Christian cults because of a lack of doctrinal grounding. We need to give attention to doctrine, because only doctrine gives us a defense against heresies that are often preached with enthusiasm and confidence.

New Testament filled with doctrine

The early church had a great need for doctrine. The New Testament is filled with doctrine--with information about Jesus Christ and the difference he makes in our lives. But not all biblical teachings are of equal importance. For example, the teaching that the apostles numbered 12 is not as important as the teaching that Jesus was raised from the dead.

The early church developed a short list of doctrines they felt were essential for new believers to know and accept. Different regional churches had slightly different lists, and in time these lists became more standardized. They are now called creeds, from the Latin word for "I believe." These creeds were simple statements of belief. (See "The Apostles' Creed," pages 8 and 9.)

Our church also has a Statement of Beliefs, developed through much discussion in our doctrinal team. This provides a relatively brief list of doctrines, even though it doesn't include everything. (We do plan to add a statement on worship because of its importance in Christian life.)

But even our Statement of Beliefs is longer than a list of what is essential to Christian faith. The doctrinal team has therefore developed a shorter list of 10 essential beliefs, which we are calling a Doctrinal Summary.

Doctrinal Summary

We believe:

* In one holy, loving, all-powerful and gracious Creator God who exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

* That the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, the ultimate authority for all matters of faith and practice.

* That Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man, is both Lord and Savior.

* That Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for human sin, that he was raised bodily on the third day, and that he ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father.

* That Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead and reign over all things.

* In the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who brings sinners to repentance, who gives eternal life to believers, and who lives in them to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ.

* That Christians should gather in regular fellowship and live holy lives that make evident the good news that humans enter the kingdom of God by putting their trust in Jesus Christ.

* In the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

* That salvation comes not by works, but only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

* In the resurrection of the dead, the saved to the resurrection of life and the lost to the resurrection of judgment.

This list may be more suitable for public relations, local brochures and visitors. These are the core doctrines.

Friends, I hope that these doctrines never become boring and never seem irrelevant. Granted, we human speakers can sometimes make them sound boring and irrelevant, but the doctrines themselves are vital for us all.

These are short and inspiring doctrines. I for one am thankful that God has given his truth that is worth teaching again and again, as we follow the Teacher, Jesus Christ.

The Apostles' Creed

By Michael Morrison

As the church spread throughout the Roman world in the first century, and as the first leaders died out, there was a practical need for local churches to have a basic statement of beliefs. As false teachers began to bring in strange ideas, Christians needed to know "Just what is it that we believe?"

Some of these churches had a few books of the New Testament, perhaps some of Paul's letters or one of the Gospels. But none of the churches had all the New Testament. They needed a standard to judge whether a teaching was truth, or heresy.

The early Christians also realized that new people didn't have to know everything before they could be baptized and accepted as believers. How much should they know and accept before being admitted into the church? This was another reason that early churches wanted a brief statement of what they believed to be most essential.

Churches in different cities and regions made their own lists, which had many points in common, since all the churches had traditions tracing back to the apostles in one way or another. The small differences were eventually eliminated as church leaders discussed these things with one another. They shared not only the scriptures they had, but also their statements of faith.

When Christianity became a legal religion in the fourth century, this process became easier. Churches throughout the empire agreed on which books should form the New Testament, and they agreed on several basic statements of faith.

A summary of apostolic teaching

One of the doctrinal lists commonly used in the Western empire was called the Apostles' Creed. The word creed comes from the Latin word credo, meaning "I believe." It was called "Apostles" not because the apostles themselves wrote it (although some people may have thought this), but because the Creed was believed to be an accurate summary of what the apostles taught.

The Creed was useful in several ways:

* The Creed was a public statement of faith, a standardized way in which new people could confess their faith in Jesus Christ.

* The Creed anchored Christian faith to a tradition, to make it difficult for people or churches to be led astray by strange doctrines.

* The Creed was a preaching and teaching tool, giving an outline for further discipleship.

* The Creed was memorized through frequent repetition, which helped the many believers who could not read.

* The Creed provided a doctrinal basis for different churches to accept one another, and to reject those who did not accept the basic truths.

The Bible itself contains brief creed-like statements (1 Cor. 8:6; 15:3-4; 1 Tim. 3:16). The early church leaders also wrote short creeds, perhaps as baptism ceremonies. These eventually were recited by congregations in their worship services.

Writing in Greek somewhere around the year 200, Irenaeus describes a creed that has some similarities to the Apostles' Creed, and may have been a precursor.

He presented his creed not as something new, but as something the church had been using for a long time. He lived in what is now France, but had grown up in Asia Minor, where he had been taught by Polycarp, a student of John.

An early Latin version of the Creed is in the writings of Tertullian, from North Africa, about the year 220. About a century later, Marcellus, from Asia Minor, shared a similar creed. In A.D. 390, after study in Rome, Egypt and Palestine, Rufinus had a similar creed in northern Italy.

Augustine, bishop in North Africa in 400, had a nearly identical creed, and it was apparently standard in Gaul in 650, even before Charlemagne. The text accepted today is identical to what was written in 750 by Pirminius, who lived in what is now Switzerland.

This history shows that churches in many different regions were involved in the development of the Apostles' Creed. As churches in one part of the empire communicated with others, their short list of doctrines became standardized.

What does the Creed say?

Let us look at what the Creed says, and comment on some of its points. It is short, so we'll begin by quoting all of it.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth;

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

(translation by the International Consultation on English Texts)

The Creed, although having a trinitarian structure, is not explicitly trinitarian. The Creed began to be developed before the trinitarian controversy arose, and the Creed (unlike the Nicene Creed) was not an attempt to correct a specific heresy.

Numerous scriptures could be mentioned as support for the various points of the Creed. The Creed was believed to be in full agreement with the apostolic writings, and the same churches accepted both the Creed and the Scriptures as authoritative, as faithful reports of what the apostles taught.

The Creed begins with a simple statement of faith in God, who has all power and is the originator of everything. This statement is a rejection of pagan mythologies, but it was acceptable to Jews and to some of the more educated Greeks.

Most of the Creed is about Jesus Christ, for he is the definitive doctrine of the faith. Beliefs about Jesus separate Christians from everyone else. Jesus was a specific person, born of a woman, executed under a specific Roman governor. Unlike mythological deities, he did not come from the distant and hazy past--he interacted with the real world.

He had a real body that was born, crucified and buried, and yet he was divine, too--conceived by the Holy Spirit, resurrected, ascended into heaven at a position of supreme power. He is the unique Son of God, a unique Lord who is above all earthly lords, and he is the Judge who will return to earth to determine everyone's reward.

The early church knew about Jesus' earthly ministry and his miracles, but they did not feel that these were essential to the Christian faith. The Creed focuses more on his supernatural birth, his ignominious death and his supernatural power. These are of greatest theological significance, and were therefore included in the statement of faith.

'Descended to the dead'

The phrase "descended to the dead" is of special interest, in part because it used to be translated "descended into hell." Some medieval theologians came up with elaborate theories about what Jesus did in hell, but this misses the original purpose of the phrase.

Irenaeus and Tertullian do not have this phrase; it first appears in the writings of Rufinus, who said that it meant only that Jesus went to the grave, the "place" of the dead. This is in agreement with Scripture, which says that Jesus rose from "the dead" (a plural adjective used as a noun, meaning the situation that all dead people are in, as in Acts 4:10).

Peter applied the words of Psalm 16 to Jesus: "You will not abandon me to the grave"--to Hades, the realm of the dead. When Jesus was dead, he was in Hades. Some believe he was conscious, and others believe he was not, but either way, he was in Hades, the realm of the dead.

The phrase "descended to the dead" disappeared from the creed for more than 200 years. Augustine, for one, did not have it. It occurs again in the Gallic Creed of 650 and remained from then on.

Some are troubled by this phrase and its history in the Creed; others are troubled by ancient and modern misinterpretations of the phrase. Some would prefer it be eliminated, since it does not add anything essential to the Creed, and is a point of disagreement rather than agreement.

Wayne Grudem argues that "unlike every other phrase in the Creed, it represents not some major doctrine on which all Christians agree, but rather a statement about which most Christians seem to disagree. It is at best confusing and in most cases misleading for modern Christians. My own judgment is that there would be all gain and no loss if it were dropped from the Creed once for all" (Systematic Theology, Zondervan, 1994, pp. 583-594).

Nevertheless, the words are in the Creed, and we cannot change the tradition. However, we can understand the words correctly so we can agree with them. Others may interpret these words differently, but we do not need to argue about that.

'The holy catholic church'

The Creed ends with a few brief statements. We can easily agree to a belief in the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection and eternal life. (Some may question "resurrection of the body." First Corinthians 15 says that our body will be transformed to be spiritual rather than fleshly, but it will still be our body.)

Some people are also put off by the words "holy catholic church." The word catholic comes from the Greek words kat' holos, literally meaning "by the whole," or in actual use, worldwide or universal. (In some languages, worldwide and catholic are both translated as "universal," making our denominational name similar to the name of Roman Catholic Church.)

The word catholic became part of the Creed before catholic became associated with the Roman church, and many Protestant churches use the Creed with the word catholic.

In the Creed, we do not express faith in a specific denomination, but in the church worldwide--that is, that there is one body, united by God's Spirit. The phrase "communion of saints" implies the same thing--that as we all commune or have unity with Christ through the Holy Spirit, we also commune with each other. We will be united to one another forever.

The Apostles' Creed has been part of the Western church tradition for many centuries. It has not been perfect, but it has been useful for Christian confession, doctrine and discipleship. The Worldwide Church of God accepts the creed as a valid statement of faith for Christians.

For further comments on the Apostles' Creed, you may want to read Alister McGrath, "I Believe": Exploring the Apostles' Creed (InterVarsity, 1998). Several other authors have also written on this subject, including William Barclay, Stuart Briscoe and Michael Horton.

Finding Peace in Christ

Part 6

The Object of Worship

By J. Michael Feazell

In previous installments, we have seen that Jesus commands his people to love one another, that the day on which people worship is not what determines the validity of their conversion, and that Christians should not condemn one another over times chosen for worship (Part 1).

We have also seen that Sabbath keeping cannot be added to the gospel as a requirement for salvation, that it is wise to follow the Bereans' example in how to approach new ideas, and that members who cause division in the church are to be removed from fellowship (Part 2).

We have seen that the Law given to ancient Israel was designed to last only until Christ came, and that it should not be confused with the law of Christ given to the church (Parts 3 and 4). And we have seen that the Christian Sabbath is not a day of the week, but our eternal rest in Jesus Christ (Part 5).

In Part 6, we will look at aspects of the purpose and content of Christian worship.

Worship in the Old Testament

No human activity has greater relevance and meaning than that of the worship of God. There is much to learn about how we can worship more effectively today by looking at how the people of God have worshiped in the past.

The Old Testament is a treasure trove of instruction about God and worship. It is primarily from the Old Testament that we have learned what we know about this invisible Being we call God. In the Old Testament we learn that God is unapproachable by anything or anyone unclean, or anyone tainted by sin. In order for the people of Israel to come into the presence of God, they had to undergo careful and detailed rituals of sacrifice and cleansing from sin.

In the Old Testament, we learn about God's holiness, his utter perfection and complete "otherness" from all created things. God is revealed as so bright that he must "clothe" himself with dark clouds in order for the Israelites not to be destroyed by his mere presence on Mount Sinai.

Free and faithful

In the Old Testament we learn that God comes and goes in the affairs of humans as he pleases, not as humans decide. We learn that God is the architect and maker of all that is, and that everything has its being and continued existence only in him.

We learn that God is not manipulated by rituals, magic, sacrifices or incantations like the gods of the nations around Israel.

We learn that God is faithful, that he loves his people with a steadfast love, that he makes promises and keeps his word. We learn that nothing can keep God from doing what he decides to do. And we learn that God's purpose is to save and redeem broken men and women, to heal the weak, to lift up the weary.

We learn that God cares about and is intimately involved in every detail of his created universe. We learn that even though sin is catastrophically destructive to human beings, God does not forget the work of his hand, and he acts to save and repair and set humans right so they can be restored to him.

We learn that humans are helpless without God, that everything humans do is possible only because God allows them to have their own way. We learn that God wants people to love him and obey him because that is how they can have and achieve everything for which their souls truly long and become everything they were created to be.

We learn that God prizes and values the people he has made, and that it grieves God's heart to see people destroying themselves and others by their evil deeds and their evil hearts. And above all, we learn that God decided long ago that at the right time he would act powerfully and decisively to redeem and heal humans from their sin and rebellion.

Israel learns to worship

The people of Israel were given precise instructions about how they must go about worship of the one true God.

These instructions were carefully designed to teach the Israelites that God is completely unlike the gods of Egypt and completely unlike all the gods they would encounter in the nations around them or in the countries they would possess.

As they followed God's instructions for worship, the Israelites learned that God is perfect and holy, that he is good and faithful, that he is never deceived or tricked, that he knows everything, and that impurity cannot even come into his presence. They learned that he is subject to nothing and nobody, that all things are subject to him, and that he is to be worshiped on his own terms.

They also learned that God is personal, and that there are degrees of intimacy humans can have with him. The tabernacle, and the temple that replaced it, had an outer court, an inner court, the holy place and finally, the most intimate place of all, the holy of holies. No one was permitted to come that close to God except the high priest, and even then only once a year, and only after intensive purification rites.

Through this elaborate system of worship, Israel learned that God is absolutely holy, and that it is impossible for a person to come to God unless God makes it possible. They also learned that the most intimate relationship with God is possible only through the high priest, who represents the people before God and must be as ritually pure as possible.

When the Israelites left Egypt, their concepts about divinity were heavily influenced by the Egyptians and the other nations of the region. There was much to learn. Chart 1 illustrates a number of aspects of the education about himself that God revealed to Israel and preserved through them for the world in the Old Testament.

Worship in the New Testament

In the New Testament, something completely new happened. Just as the Israelites learned that only one person, the high priest whom God appointed to represent the people, could come into the most intimate presence of God, so Christians learn that only by being identified with Jesus Christ, God's own Son, can they come into the presence of God.

Jesus is our high priest. He represents us before God. In him only can we come into intimate fellowship with God. That is the meaning of the Lord's Supper--a profound object lesson of our identification, or unity, with the sinless Son of God, our perfect and eternal High Priest.

Jesus is everything to us and for us. He is our perfect High Priest; through him we can come into intimate personal fellowship with God. He is our perfect Prophet, who declares to our innermost being the perfect and certain Word of God.

He is our perfect sacrificial Lamb, whose slaughter purifies completely our sins and our consciences so that we can enter into the "holy of holies" with him. He is our perfect King, who rules us in perfect righteousness, wisdom, justice and mercy. He is our perfect Teacher, who instructs us perfectly in the ways of God.

Barrier destroyed

When Mark recorded in his Gospel that the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, he was recording much more than the mere tearing of a piece of cloth. The veil was the curtain that separated the holy place in the temple from the holy of holies.

When Jesus died, the barrier between God and humans was destroyed. In Jesus, and in Jesus alone, humans may now enter freely into the "holy of holies," that is, into the most intimate communion with God that is possible for redeemed humans (see Hebrews 9 and 10; Mark 15:38).

In the New Testament, worship is no longer defined by the regulations of the old covenant. That is not because those regulations were faulty. It is because those regulations had served their purpose.

Through the rituals and regulations of temple-centered worship, God taught the Israelites, and through the Israelites the world, who he is and how humans can be restored to their original purpose and standing with him.

World prepared

In the fullness of time, Paul writes, God sent his Son, born of a woman (Gal. 4:4). Think of that! God sent his own divine Son to become one of us, so that through him, the perfect, sinless sacrificial Lamb, we might be cleansed of our sinfulness and brought into harmony and communion with God.

God had prepared the world for this Time of all times. Through the people of Israel and his covenant with them, God had prepared a lineage through which his Son would be born. He had also prepared the context, through Israel's worship of him, necessary for the world to understand who Jesus was.

Had there been no promises to Abraham, no Israel and no exodus, no covenant, no priesthood and no prescribed worship form, no captivity, no Davidic royal lineage and no messianic promise, then there would have been no context in which the world could rightly understand who God was, who Jesus was, and how Jesus' death and resurrection could be the salvation of the world.1

God acts, the people respond

When Christians come together in worship, they are responding to the grace and power of God in their individual and corporate lives. God acts; the people respond. This is the essence of Christian worship: the response of the people of God to what God has done.

This response--the corporate worship of the people of God--involves some form. The people gather at particular places and particular times and participate in worship in particular ways.

Through this means, the people of God respond to God together in humility--to his holy majesty and righteousness, his power and glory, his grace and mercy, and his great acts of salvation.

They recall what God has done, take joy in what he is doing, and look forward to what he will yet do. They rehearse, reenact, participate, proclaim and celebrate. They listen to his Word.

They confess, repent and intercede. They praise, rejoice and give thanks.

Ancient Israel was given a temporary form or system of worship appropriate to the content of that worship. That form, described in the Law of Moses, enabled the Israelites to respond in worship to the miraculous things God had done for them--saving them from Egypt, bringing them into the Promised Land and making them his own people. That form of worship was to last until Jesus came, and then to fade.

Then, just as God had planned from the very beginning (Eph. 3:9), through Jesus Christ he did something amazingly new and transcendent, both for Israel and for all peoples everywhere. As a result, the worship practices of God's people demanded a new response to the new thing God had done.

A new act demands a new response

Just as Isaiah had prophesied, at the fullness of time God did a new thing (Isa. 43:19)--he sent his Son. The response of the people of God to this new thing is a fitting new response. New response to a new thing demands new worship content, content that must be carried out in appropriately new forms. In other words, the new wine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be placed into new wineskins (Matt. 9:17).

Old covenant worship forms have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus brought something new to the worship of God. Since worship is the response of God's people to his mighty acts of salvation and grace, the content and form of worship is a direct reflection of the fundamental beliefs of God's people.

Jesus summarized the essence of Christian belief in Luke 14:44-48. Luke records: "He said to them, `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.'

"Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, `This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.' "

Likewise, Paul recorded the heart of the Christian faith in his letter to the church at Corinth: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve" (1 Cor. 15:3-5).

New content, new form

A comparison of the biblical creeds of the people of God under the old and the new covenants illustrates the passing of the old and the arrival of the new. The old covenant people of God remembered and celebrated the great power and grace of God displayed in their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt and gift of the land promised to the patriarchs.

The new covenant people of God, on the other hand, remember and celebrate the great power and grace of God displayed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He is the defining point of our salvation. The content and form of our worship, then, reflects our belief that through confidence in Jesus all peoples everywhere can be delivered from slavery to sin and given entrance into the new life of the kingdom of God.

Israelite worship was for ancient Israel. It lasted till Christ came. Now God's people worship in new forms reflecting their response to new content--the transcendent new thing God has done in Jesus Christ.

Chart 2 compares biblical creeds of the old and new covenants.

New festivals celebrate new exodus

Christian worship involves new festivals because it celebrates the new exodus, an exodus from slavery to sin for all humankind, not the old exodus, which was an exodus from slavery in Egypt for the people of Israel.

In worship, Christians do not merely look back to a historical event. Through worship, we enter into the essence of our faith--the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We gather before God in Jesus' name. We rehearse the gospel story. We submit to God's Word, repent of our sins, rejoice in our Savior and give him thanks. We eat and drink specially sanctified bread and wine, through which Jesus richly nourishes us in himself in unseen, spiritual ways.

When Christians worship, what God did in Christ is brought into our collective "here and now" experience as his people gather in his name. This rehearsal of the gospel story unites us with and renews us in God's miraculous saving work in Christ. Regardless, therefore, of when Christians choose to gather, then, the real issue is whether their celebration becomes a genuine rehearsal of the gospel story.

In summary, Christian worship is entering into the gospel; it is not entering the Israelite exodus.

The worship pattern given to ancient Israel was for them, given specifically to them so they could properly respond in worship and celebration for what God had done for them at the Red Sea, in the wilderness and in the Promised Land.

Christian worship, on the other hand, is Spirit-guided and is not found in a written code, just as the law of Christ is rooted in the Spirit and not in a written code (John 4:24).

Christian worship specifically responds to the gospel--the surprising and amazing new thing, planned from the very beginning, which God did in the fullness of time in Jesus Christ for the salvation of all the people of the earth.

Next month

This month, we have seen that worship is our response to the gracious acts of God on our behalf. Israelite worship was designed to help Israel respond in worship to their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the gift of the Promised Land.

Christian worship has transcended Israelite worship, and is designed to help Christians respond to God's supreme and conclusive act of human deliverance from sin and death through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on behalf of all who believe the gospel.

Next month we will look at the biblical events that shaped the new "wineskins," or basic forms, into which the new "wine," or content, of Christian worship was poured.

Chart 1

A Brief Comparison of the 'Gods' of the Nations and the Lord God of Israel as Revealed in the Old Testament

The 'Gods' of the Nations

There are many gods, and they often fight with each other.

The gods can be manipulated by magic and ritual, including human sacrifice.

The gods are fickle.

The gods are sometimes good and sometimes not.

The gods are local, and are usually impotent outside their geographic area.

The gods often exhibit selfishness and immorality.

The power of the gods is limited.

The gods emerged from primordial matter.

The gods have the same moral problems as humans.

The gods manage and manipulate human beings.

Some gods are wise; others foolish.

The gods operate only on a repeating annual cycle.

The gods only have local influence.

The gods were induced to provide fertile crops by the participation of the priests and rulers in sexual rituals.

The Lord God of Israel

There is one God.

God cannot be manipulated.

God is faithful and keeps his word.

God is always good.

God is God of heaven, earth and all that is.

God is holy, just and merciful.

God is almighty and his power unlimited.

God created everything there is.

God is the author of righteousness.

God loves human beings.

God is all-wise, the author of wisdom.

God promised a Messiah who would redeem his people.

God rules not only his people Israel, but all the nations of the world.

God eliminated sexual activities from all worship.

Chart 2

Creeds of the Old and New Covenants

Biblical Creeds of Israel Reflected in its Worship

"Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: `My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried unto the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.' "

Deuteronomy 26:5-9

"Tell him: `We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the Lord sent miraculous signs and wonders--great and terrible--upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.' "

Deuteronomy 6:21-25

Biblical Creeds of the Church Reflected in its Worship

"For what I received I passed on to you, that which is of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve."

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

"He appeared in a body,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory."

1 Timothy 3:16

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:6-11

Footnote

1. The church is the new Israel in Jesus Christ, the dynamic continuation of the Old Testament people of God, a new community of faith precisely without national or racial walls, transformed and empowered for God's service by the Holy Spirit. Peter expressed the apex of the Christian understanding of the church as the people of God in 1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy" (New Revised Standard Version).

Window on the World

By Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions

Scotland, Italy
and Bulgaria

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland--Greetings from the bonny banks of Loch Lomond.

I thought I would give you a report from some of the places I visited in late July and early August. I am sitting in a caravan, or trailer, looking out over some of Scotland's finest beauty. Sailboats are scudding across the water in the stiff breeze.

Our Summer Educational Programs are some of the most important facets of our fellowship. While observing the camps in action, whether in Orr, Minnesota, Scotland or Australia, one can see a microcosm of who we are as a people of God.

This year in Scotland, at the European SEP, are more than 160 young people, from 17 countries, ranging in age from 13 to 18. From the outset, camp director Andrew Silcox and other ministers here to serve the young people have leveled with them--making it clear that they "are the future of the WCG in Europe."

The entire camp, set in a relaxed atmosphere, is reflective of a love for God and the calling that he has given. The beauty of life at camp is that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish where theology leaves off and life begins. They are beautifully integrated during the two weeks of SEP. It seems to me that this is the way it should be in our daily lives.

Christ can manifest himself more effectively when we live a life where our upward, our inward and our outward are well integrated.

The staff members here are all volunteer. It is edifying to see almost as many adults, moms and dads, and some grandmothers and grandfathers, who camp in tents or tiny campers for nearly three weeks--arranging for time off from work so they may make this investment in the future of the church.

This is the second year that SEP Scotland has implemented the Bring a Friend program, where campers can bring a friend as a guest. If the guest likes SEP, then he or she can return the following year and bring a new friend. This year 25 of the campers are friends, or friends of friends.

Italy

I worshiped with members from Northern Italy July 28 to 31. The church in Italy, though small, is alive and well.

The church in Italy now has about 11 small congregations in Italy and Sicily, as well as one family in Sardinia.

I spent two days with the national leader in Italy, Daniel Bosch, his wife, Columba, and their son, Alessandro. Together with John Halford, regional director for Europe, we reviewed the opportunities and challenges that have presented themselves to the Italian church, and discussed how the church might be effective instruments in the hands of Jesus Christ.

The challenge of presenting the gospel in Italy is a little different than in most other places. Every Italian sees himself or herself as being "in the church" because of the absolute majority of Catholicism.

Yet, it is generally accepted that in behavior, the Italian culture is secular. So, there is a national religious culture of being a Christian but not practicing its tenets.

Another challenge arises from the fact that the WCG Italy is relatively new and was almost totally the result of an intense media campaign.

Since we have had to curtail our media efforts, Italian members must take up the responsibility of being the medium whereby God calls additional servants. This has taken time, but is now beginning to happen.

Nikolay Nikolov

In the last Window on the World (August) I wrote about a miraculous intervention that took place in Bulgaria in May.

I mentioned a man from Bulgaria who is a friend and brother in Christ named Nikolay Nikolov. When I was in Bonn, Germany, July 24 to 27 for a meeting of the board of directors, Nikolay arrived from Bulgaria. I was able to understand better what God is doing through Nikolay in Bulgaria.

Nikolay was born into a Christian home in 1952. The communist system was already in place at the time in Bulgaria, and life as a practicing Christian was not easy.

Even today Bulgaria does not give as much freedom to practice one's religion as most Christians would desire. If you go to Nikolay's city, he will show you where his church meets. He can also show you where the church building has been bulldozed six times over the years by the previous governments.

One step the communist regime took in the 1950s was to force all Christians in a given area to meet in one place. This threw Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Evangelicals and Pentecostals all into the same congregation. The government would then select a person to serve as pastor.

This forced all the denominations to band together as one, emphasize their similarities and bond into one fellowship in order to survive. It is sad that in Bulgaria today, schisms are starting to arise over matters of worship style and other issues less important than the gospel.

Nikolay is saddened by this, and is working to promote harmony and renewed focus on spreading the gospel to the unreached.

Nikolay has felt for years that the children are the future of Christianity in Bulgaria. He feels that Bulgaria, given a population that is ethnically diverse and divided between Christianity and Islam, could end up like Kosovo.

He has a burden to spread the gospel to the Bulgarian people in order to avoid such a calamity. For years Nikolay has been working on preparing a children's Bible. No such resource was available in Bulgaria, until now.

Nikolay, during a time when he had to flee his home, ran across a copy of Klar & Wahr, the former German magazine. When the time was right to produce the children's Bible, he approached the Bonn Office and asked for help.

Nikolay is a printer by trade, and all he needed to complete the project was paper. German members rallied to help buy paper, and within a few weeks the Bulgarian children's Bible was a reality.

It has been widely received, especially by orphanages, which are begging for additional copies. The German members have continued to help with the paper, and the Bibles continue to be greatly sought after.

In addition, Nikolay and his team have produced a monthly magazine. It also is being widely distributed, with about 75,000 copies in circulation so far.

Nikolay's current goal is to translate and print a parallel Gospel in Bulgarian and Turkish. He feels that these people may be quite receptive to the gospel and wishes to sow seeds of peace between the two ethnic groups through Scripture.

In addition, Nikolay has been impressed with the quality and depth of celebration experienced at our festivals. He and the Germans are exploring the possibility of a joint fall festival site in Bulgaria, on the shores of the Black Sea in 2000.

I will revisit Nikolay's progress, and tell you more about the spreading of the gospel in Bulgaria in a future issue of Windows.

For the record

In the August issue, an error in a subhead attributed the final five paragraphs as "A final note from Santiago." However, the comments were from Mr. Dick.

SEP LIFE--Lasting friendships formed at SEP.

SEP SCOTLAND--Campers relax before the
day's activities. [Photos by Randal Dick]

NORTHERN ITALY--Greetings from members.

PASTOR--Pastor Daniel Bosch with his
wife, Columba, and their son, Alessandro,
in Bergamo, Italy.

MEMBERS IN ITALY--Women from Northern
Italian congregations, which met for combined service July 31.

Teen Ministry

Jesus Christ served at SEP

ORR, Minnesota--During the first session of orientation for the Summer Educational Program (SEP) in Orr, Jesus Christ was invited into the assembly.

"If he is not here, then what we are doing is for naught," said director Jeb Egbert. And he came.

The first session began June 28. "Are you hungry?" Dr. Egbert asked the campers. "You've come to the place where the Bread of Life is served. You eat this, and you will never be hungry again. We serve Jesus Christ at SEP."

On the next day, Jon Whitney, a 19-year-old staff member in the windsurfing and sailing department, died of respiratory arrest (August WN).

Inspiring messages and tremendous friendships helped to keep the community focused on SEP's mission--to promote Jesus Christ and his way of life. Twenty-five young people were baptized during the first session.

Inspiring testimonials during both sessions demonstrated the power and presence of our Lord. Camper after camper commented that they found peace and freedom by becoming lost in Jesus.

Sadly, many of those giving testimonials struggle every day with debilitating circumstances. Many campers had not experienced spiritual joy until coming to SEP.

"SEP is the best place to meet God," said second session camper Jesse Marquez. "At SEP, we make friends for life," chimed in a friend. And, when you put those two thoughts together, you arrive at the fundamental reason SEP exists--to meet your new best lifelong friend--Jesus Christ.

Pastors who came to camp expressed how inspired they were by the young people.

"I came to camp expecting to minister and make a difference," said Greg Williams, pastor of the Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Dillon, South Carolina, congregations. "But I feel like these young people have ministered far more to me than I have to them."

The second session saw another 45 baptisms, bringing the summer total to 70 baptisms. Several who were involved in the baptisms said they had never had an experience quite like it. With the entire camp on the shore of Pelican Lake and some 20 to 30 campers and staff walking into the water simultaneously, camp baptisms are simply indescribable.

Henry and Jean Berger of Fort Worth, Texas, served on the staff this year. Mr. Berger served as the business manager and Mrs. Berger helped in the camp laundry. "You cannot describe SEP to someone else and do it justice," they commented. "And when you experience it, it is one of the most inspiring things you can ever be involved in."

During the final banquet, Floyd and Mardell Kielczewski, along with their family, were lauded for their tireless efforts with SEP over 35 years. The Kielczewskis retired, but still plan to live in the area. Tom and Sandy Kennebeck, formerly of Big Sandy, Texas, will serve as the new facilities managers.

"The one word that describes the Kielczewskis is dependable," said Kermit Nelson, former camp director, on hand for the retirement festivities. "When it was time for camp to open, it was always ready, due to the tremendous contributions of the Kielczewskis."

Mike Feazell, director of denominational publications, was on hand as well. "A hero is one who does the extraordinary at a time when the extraordinary is needed. Floyd and Mardell Kielczewski are heroes," Dr. Feazell said.

Several parents have shared what the Summer Educational Program has meant to their children. Parent Mary Lynne Walton from Richlands, North Carolina, wrote: "I know the church has had to make so many cutbacks be cause of finances, but I hope the one thing they won't have to cut back is SEP. If our church is going to have a future, we have to continue to invest in our youths now.

"Most importantly, we need to continue to teach them how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I wish everyone could go to SEP at least once to understand how wonderful it is. I know that these experiences are ones that last a lifetime."

Plans for SEP 2000 are under way. If you would like to have your name put on the Friends of SEP mailing list, send your name and address to SEP Office, Box 2211, Frisco, Texas, 75034, telephone 1-972-712-5737, e-mail sep.orr@wcg.org See page 7 of this Worldwide News for camper award winners.

ORR, Minnesota--Following are the major awards for campers and staff at the Summer Educational Program. (See articles pages 18 to 20.)

Session 1

Robert Fleming--full tuition refund for recruiting five friends

Outstanding Participant Awards

Archery: Justin Morgan and Rachel Nichols

Riflery: Aaron Cotter and Amber McLaughlin

Basketball: Justin Morgan and Suzi Brown

Volleyball: Adriel Schmidt and Kristen Whitehead

Water Polo: Darren Hanway and Jessica Berg

Windsurfing: Brad Guss and Katy Mancewicz

Sailing: Travis Abels and Jasmine Jackson

Canoeing: Nick Kirby and Jessica Berg

Dance: Brandon Harper and Jessica Berg

Challenge Course: Jesse Lafforthun and Claire McDaniel

Softball: Shaun Nix and Rebecca Smith

Christian Living: Stephon Watson and Jamie Rivers

Dorm awards (Outstanding Participant): 1G--Shaina Starks; 1B--Jesse Lafforthun; 2G--Delyse Center; 2B--Stephon Watson; 3G--Layla Matthews; 3B--Seth Matthews; 4G--Kelly Gregg; 4B--Brad Guss; 5G--Kristen Whitehead

Outstanding High School Volunteers ($50 cash award): Robert Wheatcroft (softball staff) and Christy Krumm (laundry staff)

Extra Mile Award: Ronnie McCartney, Brad Guss, Layla Matthews

Inspiration Award: James Dooley, Monique Etienne

Director's Award (automatic acceptance to SEP 2000 as staff): Seth Matthews, Shaina Starks

Session 2

Jonathan Davis--full tuition refund for recruiting five friends

Outstanding Participant Awards

Archery: Brian Miller and Jenn Redmond

Riflery: Dan Greider and Holly Hofer

Basketball: Joseph Underdue and Amanda Eysallenne

Volleyball: Brad Ackerman and Desirea Daniels

Water Polo: Andrew Fredrickson and Janae Parman

Windsurfing: Ben Bjurstrom and Allary Hofer

Sailing: Cory Brewer and Layla Matthews

Canoeing: Richard Yoder, Katie Whitney, Layla Matthews

Dance: David Peitz and Dana Umbarger

Challenge Course: Scott Orban and Sara Daugherty

Softball: Justin Butler and Sharon Techiera

Christian Living: Jonathan Gross and Jennifer Moore

Dorm Awards (Outstanding Participant): 1G--Jennifer Moore; 1B--Joseph Underdue; 2G--Hollie Barnes; 2B--David Monzon; 3G--Camille Barnes; 3B--Jesse Marquez; 4G--Heidi Jutsum; 4B--Jason Underdue; 5G--Rachael McCormick

Outstanding High School Volunteers ($50 cash award): Natalie Wendt (softball staff); Kimberly Gregg (dance staff); Brent Eicher (windsurfing and sailing staff).

Extra Mile Award: Jason Underdue and Crystal Cocomise

Inspiration Award: Joseph Underdue and Chelsea Ceaser

Director's Award (automatic acceptance to SEP 2000 as staff): Katie Whitney and Jesse Marquez

SEP LEADERSHIP--From left: pastors Greg Williams and Jim Blackwell, SEP director Jeb Egbert and Kermit Nelson, former director.

SEP 1999:
leading teens to Christ

By Ted Johnston

When SEP director Jeb Egbert invited me to teach Christian living at the second session of SEP, I gladly accepted. But what would I teach 200 teens in three one-hour classes that would not only capture their attention but also equip them to live as Christians in a dark, sin-sick world?

As I prayed about it, God said in that still small voice of his, "Ted, teach them the gospel." Of course, I thought--for isn't the essence of Christian living Christ himself? And isn't the gospel the message about Christ? What teens need is what every person needs--salvation through Jesus Christ with entrance into the new life of the Spirit.

As I prayed about the assignment a song came to mind--"Lord I Lift Your Name on High." The chorus proclaims that Jesus, "came from heaven to earth, to show the way; from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay; from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord, I lift Your name on high" (lyrics by Rick Founds, Maranatha Music, 1989).

Music is a powerful teaching medium, and I knew most of the teens would know the song, so I chose it as the outline for my three classes.

He came from heaven to earth to show the way.

The first class examined Jesus' coming in the flesh. How awesome that the eternal Son of God set aside the privileges of deity (Philippians 2:6-8) to arrive as a human embryo in the womb of a young Jewish virgin (Matthew 1:18-20), herself probably yet a teenager.

That Jesus came that way was consistent with his mission as revealed in two of his names: Jesus (Savior) and Immanuel (God-with-us) (Matthew 1:21-23).

Think of it. The one who created us personally in the womb of our mother (Psalm 139:13-16) came in similar fashion to be with us to save us so we could be with him forever.

To illustrate what Jesus is like, I showed the Matthew 8:1-4 segment in the Visual Bible video The Gospel According to Matthew. In that segment, Jesus full of compassion, heals a leper, providing a powerful example of how Jesus seeks to relate to us.

From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay.

In the second class we discussed how all humans are naturally separated from God by the huge chasm caused by sin (Romans 3:23). We saw how Jesus came to provide a bridge to span that chasm. The bridge is Jesus himself.

Then I showed how great a price Jesus paid to build the bridge. We viewed the Matthew reenactment of the crucifixion. And when it ended I looked into the eyes of those wonderful teens and shared the most important message I can share with anyone: Jesus loves you so much that he did that for you.

We then talked about crossing the bridge to God by turning to Jesus in repentance and accepting his sacrifice in faith. We also had a lively discussion about what keeps some people from crossing the bridge.

If they felt God was leading them to cross the bridge, we would provide an opportunity for them to do so in a worship service near the end of camp. In that service, at the invitation of pastor Jim Blackwell, dozens of teens and young staff members received Jesus as their Savior and Lord for the first time. Many more rededicated themselves to Christ.

In the second class we also examined baptism as the biblical symbol of one's commitment to Jesus Christ. Later in the camp, dozens of the teens came to separate classes for prebaptism counseling. During the last few days of the session, we baptized 45 campers and young staff members

.

From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high.

In the final class we talked about living on the other side of the bridge as born-again children of God. We noted that Jesus did not remain on the cross--that he is now alive as our "merciful and faithful high priest" (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to lead us in living a life that glorifies God.

We discussed how to walk in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25) through the minefield of life that teens face every day. We talked about how they can share in Jesus' continuing mission--bringing sinners to salvation.

I also encouraged them to understand that, like every Christian, they will make mistakes, they will sin, but under the covering of Jesus' blood, they receive the Father's full forgiveness as they continue forward in the Spirit.

What a joy to share the best news there is with more than 200 campers and young staff members. And how wonderful to see their openness and responsiveness. SEP is one of those special places that the Holy Spirit uses to bring sinners to their Savior. It was my great pleasure and privilege to have a small part in his work.

Update from Finance & Planning

July income
continues slow decline

By Ronald Kelly

The summer is rapidly passing, with lots of activity in our church fellowship.

However, income for the month took a disappointing turn during the final days of July.

Through the first two thirds or three quarters of the month, donation income was holding fairly stable. But those last few days of declining income brought the daily average for the month down to $91,716 and the year-to-date daily average down to $94,625.

Dear brothers and sisters, I don't report this information to in any way discourage you.

Two types of messages

We receive two kinds of messages regarding our finances. On the one hand, some members feel like we spend too much time and effort reminding members of the financial needs of the church.

All this talk about declining income and negative percentages is not enjoyable. So some seem to prefer less knowledge about the church's money problems.

On the other hand, some members feel like they are being fully informed. They feel like they are part of the team. They know better what to pray about and what the specific needs of the church are. And even though the financial news is a bit dispiriting, some members appreciate being kept in the loop.

Of course, our hope is that everyone will feel like the second group. So please don't take my monthly column as any kind of inappropriate pressure. So many members, as we often write, are giving above and beyond the call of duty.

Inspire and encourage

If some church members have not been contributing because they are upset over denominational decisions, if they are upset with their pastor, or if they are having conflict with another member, we hope we can educate them, inspire them and encourage them to be an important and contributing member of the team.

2000 budget

We are already in the planning stages for our 2000 budget. We are projecting donation income patterns, and department managers are adjusting expense budgets.

This is an extremely stressful process because budget reductions primarily equate, sadly, to unavoidable employee downsizing. But we all try to approach the planning process prayerfully and ask you to join us in prayer that God will provide according to his will as he knows our needs and what he has in mind for us during the coming year.

Our planning process for next year is different from any previous year. That's because, God willing, the headquarters staff will be moving to a new location before the end of 2000.

Our staff will be even further reduced, although we have not yet determined how many employees we will retain, nor have we yet identified a location and building. Much work is yet to be done.

We so much appreciate your loyal and dedicated support for the Worldwide Church of God during these exciting times.

Internet donations

Save postage! If you have Internet access and a credit card, you can make donations to the church through our website.

Direct your computer to https://www.wcg.org/DonationForm.asp and give us your personal identification number, name, address, card number, expiration date and donation amount.

You can make a one-time donation, or set up an automatic monthly donation. You can choose which day of the month your donations will be effective, and if you already have a monthly donation established, you may change the credit card information or donation amount by submitting the new information.

Church receives
'unqualified opinion'
on 1998 audit

By Ronald Kelly

Although we seem to regularly struggle with budgets, we have received good news from our auditing firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

For the past several years, we have employed this multinational firm to review our books and issue a professional opinion on the financial state of our church. This helps ensure all our members and the many firms with whom we do business that appropriate financial procedures are in place and are followed.

For 1998, once again we have received an unqualified opinion. That means, in the auditor's opinion, the financial statements of the church "present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of the Worldwide Church of God ... in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles."

Church members should feel confident that finances of the church are handled with integrity in a professional manager. Our accounting firm has complimented church officials on their ability to make difficult decisions over the past few years as income has diminished. Even though these decisions have been painful, they have been necessary to keep church expenses in line with donation income.

Because these annual audits are quite lengthy and technical in nature, we do not publish the audit in The Worldwide News. However, a copy can be sent to any church member who requests one by sending your request to Ronald Kelly, Controller, Worldwide Church of God, 300 W. Green St., Pasadena, California, 91123.

Rather than publish a once-a-year financial statement, we keep you up to date with our monthly column and accompanying charts and graphs. For most members, this provides an appropriate overview of the financial affairs of the church.

Update: News of people, places and events

Joseph Tkach speaks at denominational conference

ANAHEIM, California--Pastor General Joseph Tkach addressed the General Conference of the Iglesia de Dios (Septimo Dia) (Church of God [Seventh Day]) July 3.

This is a Hispanic denomination with 38 congregations in the United States and eight congregations in Mexico with attendance of more than 3,000.

Most of their congregations meet on Saturday, with a few conducting Friday evening and Sunday services. They were formerly associated with the Church of God (Seventh Day) but have been separate from them for more than two years.

Accompanying Mr. Tkach to the conference were Charles Fleming, regional director in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and his wife, Carmen; and pastor Raul Ramos and his wife, Sylvia.

Mr. Ramos met their pastor who lives near him and was invited to speak in their congregations. In the concluding message of the conference Mr. Tkach was asked to speak on the second coming of Jesus in light of the gospel.

Mr. Tkach noted that there were 800 in attendance and that there is serious interest in some sort of partnership with the WCG in the future.

Russell Duke teaches class in Korea and Japan

AZUSA, California--Russell Duke, director of the Ambassador Center at Azusa Pacific University, taught a course in servant leadership in June in Korea and Japan.

The class is part of a master of arts in leadership studies in Azusa's Education Department, and Operation Impact, which in its 25 years of service has provided educational support to more than 1,900 leaders of mission organizations and businesses.

Select faculty travel to sites around the world during the summer to teach courses.

In Seoul, Korea, the nine students taking Dr. Duke's course had English as a second or third language.

They are Korean missionaries and pastors in a Christian organization called Kingdomizers. Most of the students in Tokyo, Japan, are expatriates of the United States.

Students attend class four hours a day for a week and then read assigned texts and fulfill assignments over the following year. Four courses are offered over a two-week period. Term papers, reports and projects are evaluated to assign grades.

The program exists in more than 19 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, and in the state of Alaska.

The cost is $120 a unit for a 39 unit master's degree. Contact Grace Barnes, director of Operation Impact, at 1-626-815-5483, by e-mail at gbarnes@apu.edu or Azusa Pacific University, Operation Impact, 901 E. Alosta Ave., Azusa, California, 91702, Attention: Grace Barnes.

Ministers attend Billy Graham School of Evangelism

TORONTO, Ontario--Eighteen WCG ministers and wives attended the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Toronto July 19 to 22.

Dave Gilbert, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pastor, said: "The amount of material and its excellence and presentation was outstanding. Speakers from a wide variety of denominations and backgrounds gave moving, Spirit-led expositions on evangelism and discipleship."

Ken Williams, district superintendent in Rochester, New York, said: "God wants his children to share their faith in and love for Christ. He longs for the burdened, harassed, lost of this world to come to his Son to receive salvation and be cared for in his flock." Steve Botha.

EVANGELISM SCHOOL--Standing, from left: Jim and
Kim Meade, Phillip Baldwin, Donna and Briscoe Ellett,
David and Hinke Gilbert, Ed and Thelma Faulk, Ken Williams,
Jim Rosenthal, Roger and Donna Abels. Front row:
Joan and Rejean Vautour and Steve Botha. Not pictured:
Eric and Edna Vautour.

Philippine evangelical group ratifies WCG membership

CEBU CITY, Philippines--The general assembly of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), the equivalent in the Philippines of the National Association of Evangelicals) voted July 6 to accept the membership of the Worldwide Church of God.

Pastor Rey Taniajura reported that several questions were raised about the church's transformation, so Bishop Efraim Tendero, president of the organization, asked him to come up to the stage to answer them.

When the issue of ratification was resolved, no one raised any objections.

Yong Chin Gee, pastor in Asia, suffers heart attack

BURLEIGH HEADS, Australia--Yong Chin Gee, senior pastor in Malaysia and an area including Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia, suffered a heart attack Friday, July 23, while visiting relatives with his wife, Yuet Siam, according to Rod Matthews, regional director for Australia and Asia.

Over the weekend, doctors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, treated him for blocked arteries. The doctors asked him to remain in the hospital under observation for the next week, and he has been instructed to rest from work for the next six weeks.

Mr. Matthews talked with Yong Chin Gee in the hospital, and said he is doing well considering the potential seriousness of what he experienced. The doctors told him it was a major heart attack, but the fact that he got to the hospital quickly helped the miracle of his recovery.

San Antonio congregation gets community spirit award

SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The Great Northwest Community Association chose the San Antonio congregation's New Beginnings Community Outreach Ministry as the organization that most exemplified the Fourth of July spirit in its annual parade.

"We had the largest and most spirited group there," said pastor Frank Parsons. During the parade, members handed out balloons, candy, American and Texas flags, and distributed invitations to the congregation's Fourth of July services honoring those who have served in the military.

Rita Persyn built a wagon that would hold 10 to 12 people, and it was pulled by Don Persyn driving his lawn tractor.

The parade began right behind the San Antonio congregation's church building and proceeded for nearly two miles through the neighborhood members have been evangelizing.

SAN ANTONIO--The New Beginnings Outreach Ministry of the San Antonio, Texas,
congregation, most exemplified the Fourth of July spirit. [Photo by Frank Parsons]

Harlingen, Texas, congregation has festive weekend

HARLINGEN, Texas--The Harlingen congregation, the southernmost U.S. congregation, had a festive weekend with outdoor services, food and live music by Hispanic entertainers Saturday, June 19.

Tony Antonacci and his wife opened their home for the activity. Pastor Dan Flores Jr. conducted the service and introduced pastor Frank Parsons and his wife Jane.

Each week the Harlingen congregation writes a Christian article for the newspaper.

FESTIVE WEEKEND--Harlingen members.
[Photo by Frank Parsons]

San Antonio conducts vacation Bible school

SAN ANTONIO, Texas--For the third straight year the San Antonio congregation has conducted a vacation Bible school. Many neighborhood children attended.

This year's theme was Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure! by Group Publishing.

Consuelo Orduno has served as the director for each of the three sessions.

At Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure the children learned one Bible point each day. The instructors focused on one key biblical concept: The Bible shows us the way.

This point was reinforced daily through Bible stories, Bible verses and hands-on activities that helped children discover that the Bible is like a treasure map that leads us through life.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL--Children portray
biblical characters. [Photo by Frank Parsons]

Fort Worth congregation celebrates 35th anniversary

FORT WORTH, Texas--The Fort Worth congregation celebrated its 35th anniversary July 3 with 132 members and guests present. Fourteen of those were present at the first service July 4, 1964, and are still attending the Fort Worth church.

Dean Blackwell was guest speaker.

A potluck meal was served after the service. Then, Mr. Blackwell, pastor Tom Pickett and his wife, Adrienne, cut an anniversary cake.

FORT WORTH ANNIVERSARY--From left:
Dean Blackwell and Adrienne and Tom Pickett.

Randal Dick earns master's in missiology from Fuller

PASADENA--Randal Dick, superintendent of missions, was awarded a master's degree in missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary June 13.

Mr. Dick defined missiology as the study of what takes place along the boundary between the church and the world. He was the first WCG student to attend Fuller's School of World Mission, one of the world's leading institutions in the field of missiology.

"Although it has taken six years of sandwiching classes between work assignments, it has been a worthwhile endeavor," Mr. Dick said. "It seems that all the classes were tailor-made for our needs."

Ross Flynn earns master's degree in counseling

DETROIT, Michigan--Ross Flynn, pastor of the Detroit East congregation, graduated with honors April 25 with a master's degree in counseling from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

Mr. Flynn was honored with membership in Chi Sigma Iota, the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International in recognition of scholastic and professional excellence.

During a nine-month internship at the Oakland University Counseling Center, he volunteered 900 hours to assist individuals, couples and families in crisis.

A focus during his studies was on differentiating between mentally healthy and destructive forms of faith, religion and spirituality. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and will soon receive the designation of Limited License Professional Counselor (LLPC) and Limited License Psychologist (LLP).

WCG members participate in district leadership seminar

ST. PAUL, Minnesota--Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul was the setting for a Midwest district leadership seminar July 17 and 18.

More than 130 pastors and church leaders from congregations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota heard from Greg Bourgand, dean of academic affairs and director of advanced degree programs at Bethel.

A number of WCG ministers and members are enrolled in various areas of study at Bethel Seminary.

Doug Peitz, pastor of the LaCrosse and Baraboo, Wisconsin, congregations, approached Dr. Bourgand about presenting a seminar after attending his class on leadership.

A praise and worship service led by Diane Kraft and Barry Stahl began each day. A Saturday night church service included a sermon by Dave Fiedler, district superintendent, on "Despise Not the Day of Small Things." Members were encouraged to promote evangelism in their areas. Linda Fiedler.

New energy in congregations in Rochester district

ROCHESTER, New York--"Most pastors in the Rochester region report a new energy in those who are serving in the congregations," said Ken Williams, district superintendent.

"We find this encouraging, considering that several leaders from each congregation had left our fellowship over the past three years.

"Where possible, the pastors looked for people with the spiritual gifts necessary to fill the vacancies. These leaders have a renewed enthusiasm for the gospel, and their service is spontaneous."

Mr. Williams continued: "Our pastors have held Jesus on high. It's as if we have received a new vision of Christ, and we are learning to focus on him. Members are showing evidence of being alive in Christ."

Eric Vautour appears regularly on Canadian radio

MONCTON, New Brunswick--Pastor Eric Vautour has been invited to appear regularly on radio station CJSE in Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada.

This came about after a Baptist ordination ceremony, where Mr. Vautour saw a high school friend, Adrien David Robichaud, pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Moncton, and host of a radio program. He asked Mr. Vautour if he would be interested in being a guest on the program.

The name of the program is: "Quatre vents ê l'Äcoute," which basically means "Listening From the Four Winds."

Mr. Vautour usually appears on the program once a month.

Batavia congregation honors longtime deacon Tony Kota

BATAVIA, New York--The Batavia congregation honored longtime deacon Anthony J. Kota Jr. at the worship service June 12.

Mr. Kota has served as a deacon for more than 33 years in four congregations.

Ken Williams, district superintendent, spoke about the church being a family and the loving service family members give.

Pastor Charlie Piscitello, along with the congregation, presented Mr. Kota with a plaque and a watch in recognition of his faithful service. Barbara Woodworth.

Festival Updates

Endless Mountain congregation

HUGHESVILLE, Pennsylvania--The site for the Endless Mountain congregation's Sept. 25 to 29 festival celebration will be Crystal Lake Camps & Convention Center, north of Hughesville.

The site has 960 acres of mountaintop woodlands, three lakes, hiking trails, dining facilities, conference rooms and recreational facilities.

Worship services are planned each day and include Ken Williams, district superintendent, as guest speaker.

Lodging consists of cabins housing eight to 17 occupants. All cabins have bathrooms and showers. Three meals are included per day except for the first and last day.

Costs including lodging and meals for five days and four nights of the celebration are $155 per adult (age 12 and older), $120 per child (ages 7-11), $115 per child (ages 3-6), and children younger than 3 are free. Payment is not refundable if you cancel your registration unless someone else fills the available slots.

Please register by Sept. 7. However, room is available, you may register after that date. Please make your payments payable to Endless Mountain Church--LCAF and mail to Lou Tsiknas, R.R. 3 Box 110, Towanda, Pennsylvania, 18848. For more information call Lou and Donna Tsiknas at 1-570-265-8640 or Gene and Fallie Padwa at 1-607-754-4746.

Bradenton, Florida

BRADENTON, Florida--The Christian Retreat Conference Center on the banks of the Manatee River will be a festival site, Sept. 24-26.

This will be a weekend of dynamic praise and worship to our Lord Jesus Christ. For more information, call Ken Smylie at 1-352-374-6585 or by e-mail at ken_smylie@wcg.org

Janesville congregation meets
in New Hope Lutheran church

JANESVILLE, Wisconsin--Soon after his arrival in the Janesville area, then pastor Ron Jameson began attending a Thursday morning prayer group of evangelical pastors.

There he became friends with pastor Percy Smerek of New Hope, who volunteered and got his congregation's approval for the WCG to use New Hope's building.

A sign advertising the Janesville congregation stands beside New Hope's sign. Doris Walter.

Mildred Frentz turns 100

SAVANNAH, Georgia--Mildred Frentz celebrated her 100th birthday July 23.

Mildred was born to Edward and Hattie Wiese in Hammond, Indiana, and spent part of her childhood growing up on a farm. Her parents dug a pit for food storage, churned their own butter and used a horse and buggy for transportation.

In 1928, Mildred married Fred Frentz and together they raised two children.

In 1958, she first heard the World Tomorrow radio program and started to attend the WCG in 1962 at the age of 63. She has attended congregations in Michigan City, Indiana, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now attends in Savannah. She still enjoys good health.

The Savannah congregation honored Mrs. Frentz July 17. Larry Wooldridge.

Joplin conducts youth day worship service

JOPLIN, Missouri--Teens conducted the worship service in Joplin July 31.

Jessica Peterson performed a violin solo of "Amazing Grace." J.R. Darby sang "The Door." Chad Pendergraft conducted the worship songs. The songs were from last year's Acquire the Fire event in Joplin.

The teens put on a skit titled Peer Pressure. Jessica Peterson talked about her mission trip to Canada to help bring youths closer to Jesus.

Jennifer Williams spoke on prayer and violence in school.

The teens enjoyed an afternoon of miniature golf and video games, then went to a member's house for a lock-in that included fellowshipping, watching movies and playing cards. Ron Swinehart.

Middletown, New York, congregation honors youths

MIDDLETOWN, New York--The Middletown congregation honored the following students: David Green for graduating from high school; Derrick Goodfriend for receiving an award in French; Matt Finch for his achievements in Boy Scouts; Jasmin Mitchell for being chosen by the "Who's Who" organization for her art work; and Cheyenne Mitchell for receiving the elementary school's Carol Bosch award for Outstanding Character, Leadership and Scholarship. Susan Mitchell.

1999 Men's Ministry Equipping Conference

KANSAS CITY, Missouri--The 1999 Men's Ministry Equipping Conference will take place Oct. 30 and 31 (Saturday morning to mid-afternoon Sunday) at the Salvation Army MoKan Camp & Conference Center, 16200 E. Highway 40, Kansas City, Missouri, 64136; telephone 1-816-373-4153.

The cost is $60 for each person, which includes Saturday night lodging and four meals; dorm-style units (four people per room, private bath, air conditioned).

If anyone wishes to stay in a motel instead of at MoKan Camp, an appropriate refund will be granted. Contact Ray Meyer at 1-816-734-4025 for motel information.

A $25 deposit is required by Sept. 22. Send registration and deposit to Ray A. Meyer, Box 28183, Kansas City, Missouri, 64188. Make check payable to LCAF Kansas City North.

The purpose of the conference is to help enrich and equip Christian men in the areas of spiritual formation--receiving and growing in the faith; evangelism--sharing the faith; apologetics--defending the faith; and to promote such in the Worldwide Church of God.

Though time for recreation will be limited, the following are available: hiking, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, billiards, tennis and swimming in a pool.

Registration Form

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Church area:

Pastor:

Deposit: $25 (check or money order) payable to LCAF Kansas City North, balance due upon arrival

Mail to Ray A. Meyer, Box 28183, Kansas City, Missouri, 64188

Central American ministers meet in San Salvador

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador--Central American ministers met in San Salvador June 13 to 15.

The conference dealt mainly with the basic characteristics of a healthy church, according to coordinator Salvador Barragan.

WCG leaders attended from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador. Speakers were Mr. Barragan from Mexico; Hector Barrero from Colombia; and Mike Medina from Uruguay.

Juan Laguer, supervisor of the congregations in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, also made a presentation.

After the closing ceremony, the ministers and wives participated in the Lord's Supper, which was ministered by David Agreda, a member of the El Salvador church. Patricia H. de Arg¦ ello.

Arline Connelly wins gold medal in senior olympics

PASADENA--Arline Connelly, 52, lifted 85 pounds to earn a gold medal in weight lifting at the seventh annual Crown Valley Senior Olympics, May 30.

Her husband, Robin, won a silver medal.

Mrs. Connelly said that the biggest reward was the self-esteem boost for her and her family, including their daughter, Sarah, 24, who is blind and has other health problems.

Vicki Ann Ferda honor roll winner

HIGHWOOD, Montana--Vicki Ann Ferda has been recognized for academic achievement as a United States National Honor Roll award winner.

Vicki, who attends Highwood Schools, will appear in the United States Achievement Academy yearbook.

Vicki is the daughter of Phillip and Laureen Ferda. She attends the Great Falls, Montana, congregation, and is a member of the Highwood Youth Group and Girl Scouts.

Houston South congregation honors high school graduates

HOUSTON, Texas--The Houston South congregation honored three high school graduates May 29.

They are Rosalinda Gonzalez, Kyle McChesney and Ruth Van Acker.

Rosalinda plans to attend the University of Houston and major in business administration. Kyle will pursue a chemical engineering degree at San Jacinto College and complete courses at the University of Houston. Ruth plans to attend Dickinson College and major in foreign languages.

Houston South congregation has women's day service

HOUSTON, Texas--The Houston South congregation had a recognition day for women May 22.

This service was organized by the Women's Ministry under the direction of pastor Mark Mounts and Margaret Ryan.

Women participated in many areas of the service including ushering, worship leading, special music, prayers, announcements and devotional readings.

Messages presented were Women's Ministry, by Cathy Hedrick; Women in the Spirit, by Laura Francis; Women of the Bible, by Weada Gordon; and Experiencing God, by Margaret Ryan.

The messages focused on developing a relationship with Christ and others. Cathy Hedrick.

Kansas City region conducts pastors conference

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Missouri--Ministers, deacons, lay leaders and spouses in the Kansas City district met for a three-day conference May 14 to 16 at the Lake Doniphan Conference and Retreat Center in Excelsior Springs.

Topics included why various personalities fit in with various styles of worship and discipling current and future leaders. Each day began with praise and worship.

Guest speakers were Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers; Ron Kelly, church controller; and district superintendents Carn Catherwood, Big Sandy; and Gerald Schnarrenberger, Salt Lake City. Dick Mann.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY LITTER CONTROL--
Some members of the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,
congregation along a stretch of highway they help clean
three or four times a year. [Photo by Howard Blakeney]

BIVOCATIONAL PASTORS CONFERENCE--Al Dueck
of Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, speaks on marriage counseling
at a conference for bivocational pastors July 26 to 30 in Pasadena.
[Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999