Office of the President

Page 1

OFFICE

OF THE

PRESIDENT

Dr. John Fortino Bishop President

1


1


Dr. John Fortino Bishop President

APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY OF THE FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS LEGISLATIVE CONVENTION Long Beach, California, November 27-29, 2013 Presidential Address 20 “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ 21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. 22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. 25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.’1 Dear Ministers of the Lord, Praise the Lord. This has been another year of trial for the apostolic people and it’s leadership. Although have not yet lowered our guard, we feel that the effect of these developments has diminished considerably. At times we believed that the impact of those events would fracture the Church, but thanks be given to God, the Church, once again, passed through the crucible of the trial, and once again has came through triumphant. It is very complex explaining why the Church is experiencing such critical moments. Our history is brimming with difficult and confusing situations; but what we can explain, without any doubt, is that God is with the Apostolic Assembly - never has He abandoned it and He never will. Men and positions men come and go, but God remains faithful. The Church, here on earth, has two clearly defined sides that are extremely important for its proper functioning, the legal side and the spiritual side. Both walk hand in hand to keep the rhythm and life of the Church. You cannot attend to one and neglect the other. Religious organizations that do not understand this are destined to fail. Both sides are essential to ensure continuity and projection. During this Legislative Convention we will be working on the legal side of the Church. This is the side that speaks of our “reality” that, at times, we wouldn’t even mention. But there can be no spiritual blessing and development if we do not attend to it and clearly establish the legal aspect. For this, we must look at what is happening in our surroundings; we must look at what is happening in front of our eyes. 1

Deuteronomy 6:20-25. New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. by Tyndale House Foundation

1


Dr. Steve Brown, quoting the famous Augustine of Hippo said: “the Church, on occasions, looks like a woman of the street, but nonetheless continues to be our mother.”2 What do such words mean? What is the Bishop of Hippo saying? Why make such a statement? What happens is that the Church as an institution has a side that is very ugly and even embarrassing. The Church is not only the face that presents itself behind the pulpit on Sundays or at conventions. Unfortunately, there are times and situations where the Church shows its grotesque and shameful side. On the one hand, we love the Church, but on the other hand, we do not want to identify ourselves with it. This is what the legal aspect represents. However, not always is the legal aspect vile or shameful, (as in the cases of: weddings, the purchase of properties, vehicles, etc.) but it is when members of the Church have litigation, when pastors fight for their rights and demand strong sums of money as compensation, when lawsuits are brought by members of the congregations, when you must use laws to save a temple, or stop abuses. And what can we say to the arguments used by lawyers when they have sides that are in contention. All of this shows us a side of the Church that makes us all feel very bad. This is what the Bishop of Hippo was referring to. Those of us who are on this floor today, have a legal and moral obligation to discern and address our reality with courage. The structure of our Assembly is designed so that the changes or affirmations that may be necessary, become a reality by following the established channels in the Constitution, presenting them through Initiatives Proposals that can receive the Process of Resolution or not, with a simple majority of the pastoral vote3 which can become part of our practices. I take this opportunity to thank all proponents of Initiatives Proposals. We Ministers can get blue in the face, we can passionately and vehemently debate issues that merit an immediate change, but need to understand that until this change is not registered in the Constitution and is part of the Legal Text of the Apostolic Assembly, it will be never be carried out. The only way to achieve changes and modify the system of structure that we have, is through the use of the same system. The only way that the Apostolic Assembly can ensure that its march is uniform, is through legislative conventions such as these, where the constitutional process is developed and it follows the established parameters. But, to achieve this, we must first of all define our reality. Thomas P. Holland writes: “the most important obligation and the most urgent of all Board of Directors of any religious denomination, is to define its reality.”4 This statement seems very interesting and very wise in the context in which we are living and experiencing. The reality that the Church lives will determine the reaction of the leadership, and vice versa. I think that the clearer our reality is (as difficult as it may be), it will serve as a foundation, as a point of support to what we really want for our generation and the one to follow. The generation that follows us is watching us very carefully, and they are wondering what kind of church we are going to leave them. Let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and let that same God who led the pioneers, be the same that directs us. This Legislative Convention does not pretend to have the answer to all the doubts and concerns, but it is a good start. No one can dare to say that the answers or arguments that we present this week will be absolute or final. No one can pronounce such a statement, since on our journey to Zion; we keep encountering challenges and more challenges, which we will have to face with faith and courage. This week, we will be part of the history of the Apostolic Assembly, and as in the text of Deuteronomy, we can say to our children and grandchildren when they ask us, we took care of the Church, that we debated and agreed, we approved and we disapproved, but we did it with respect among us and loving God and His work. 2

Steve Brown, A Scandalous Freedom: The Radical Nature of the Gospel (West Monroe, La.: Howard Publishing Co.), 75.

3 Constitution – Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus, Procedures to Amend the Constitution of the
Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus, 2013 Revision, (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.: Christian Education Dept., 2013), 58. 4 Thomas P. Holland & David C. Hester, Building Effective Boards for Religious Organizations: A Handbook for Presidents, and Church Leaders, (San Francisco, Ca.: Jossey-Bass Publisher, 2000), 4.

2


Dear Ministers of the Lord, this week will continue writing the story, our story. We will unite with the story written by our pioneers, they also passed through crossroads similar to ones we pass through and they came out ahead. That is why it is important to know the history, because history gives us identity and maturity. Cicero said: “not knowing what has happened before us is like being permanently children.”5 The Constitution is part of that historical legacy that characterizes us as a church, in all parts of the world, wherever the shield with the crown, the torch, the cross and the text of acts 2:38 is displayed. In the explanatory note to the readers of the First Constitution of the Apostolic Assembly, 1945 Revision, it says: “...This Constitution has been written, in an effort to constantly enlarge the glorious cause of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to make effective the work of each Laborer, with its Statutes and Regulations, and is expected to have momentarily fulfilled an pressing needs.”6 Here we see how the men who wrote these articles and subparagraphs, already knew “that legal text”, “momentarily”, would answer the “pressing needs” of those years. They already knew that a second and third revision would come. It takes courage to write such a paragraph! They knew that the only thing definite is the Word of God, and that with time and the pressing needs of the cultural, social, economic and spiritual context of the Church, changes were coming that should be made with the same courage with which they worked. Some may think that these men did not know what they wrote, and why they said what they said, but in the same note to the reader, they wrote: “Those of us who were led to the fulfillment of this humble work, in favour of the cause of Christ, we did it moved by a feeling of gratitude and responsibility towards God, having entrusted our minds to God in prayer. “Putting our hands on our hearts and touching the most intimate feelings of our being, proceeded, trusting that the Holy Spirit has guided and assisted us.”7 My spirit trembles with emotion, as I read phrases such as these from our pioneers, They understood that the task was difficult and holy, and with their hands on their hearts, as a sign of covenant, oath and respect, they formed in that text, the First Constitution of the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus. The same spirit is in the current text of the Constitution, since in the introduction of the 2013 Constitution we read: “Only God is perfect. The Church and Constitution are perfectible, and can and should improve always. Our constitutional standards are neither finished nor untouchable products, but dynamic instruments, appropriate to the church. Like the body of Christ, these instruments are not an organization, but a living organism (Philippians 3:13-14).”8 In the first constitutional text as in the most recent, the consensus of those who participated in the formation of the same, is that paragraphs of the different chapters and articles, may be modified, changed, and even annulled depending upon the need the Church is living when this is carried out. History testifies that whenever the Church was going through hard and controversial moments, leaders met and confronted situations with the authority of the Word of God first, and then setting out guidelines that should be followed by all. This model, more than ours, is biblical. We see it in Acts 15, where the leaders gathered to address the problem of the requirements on the part of the Jews towards the new converts who had a gentile ancestry. It seems that the model to follow has always been, for both the early Church and the Apostolic Assembly: “Crisis - God’s Word - Council - Legalization.” 5 6

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/13755.Cicero (accessed February 15, 2012). Constitution – Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus, Explanatory Note to the Readers, 1945 Revision (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.: Christian Education Dept., 2007), 13. 7 ibíd., 13. 8 Constitution – Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus, Procedures to Amend the Constitution of the
Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus, 2013 Revision, (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.: Christian Education Dept., 2013), iii.

3


The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word crisis. One brush stroke means “danger”, the other means “opportunity.”9 In a crisis one becomes aware of the inherent danger of the same, but one also recognizes the opportunity. In this Legislative Convention we have the opportunity to change our reality of danger to a reality of opportunity, if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and we place the Church of the Lord to ahead of our private agendas.

OUR REALITY Customarily in a normal situation, the Bishop President, as he assumes the position, and after a few weeks in function, presents his work plan to the General Board, Bishops, pastors, and ultimately, to the people in general. But these months have not been normal and assuming this position as President, were not in an ideal manner. We are very aware that your servant is President according to the Constitution and not by the pastoral vote. You voted for me to be Vice President (and that is why I am very grateful), but the situation that we are passing through has led us to this position. After legally assuming this assignment on April 2 before the Bishops of the Districts, I spoke with the International Board and said: “We have 18 months before we turn in these positions; and in before us we have two options: “Support the weight of the situation, let the time pass and wait for the elections of November 2014 or, do everything we can by our love for God and His work.” All chose the second option. Then someone added: “In 18 months you can have two ‘babies.’” This is part of the reality that I spoke of at the beginning, a reality that we have to confront before developing projects and ideas. I have therefore had to relegate the projects and ideas to the background. These months have been very difficult for me, my family and the Church in Miami, although we never stopped seeing the Hand of God with us. He has never left us, and has given us weapons to fight this spiritual battle. I am declaring and confessing the complete victory in the Name of Jesus. In these months, God has given me the opportunity to receive hundreds of emails and phone calls from Bishops, Pastors, and the Lord’s People in general, expressing their concerns, fears, dreams and discontent. Those that could did so in person, and some, even with tears in their eyes. But in all cases, I spoke with great respect and I could perceive the love they feel for the Apostolic Assembly and the desire that they manifest so that our Church will triumph. The Presidential Office definitely polarizes people, and if allowed to, makes brothers express their dissatisfaction as well as their ideas. Many times I have heard the phrase: “The Apostolic Assembly has to change”. Although nobody tells me how or in what manner, there is a deep desire to see something different. Perhaps those who write or speak do not represent the majority, but are those who have the courage to do it. In these emails and talks, I have discovered that there is a reality in the Apostolic Assembly, which is not necessarily that we see every day, but one that is hidden behind a compromising silence that has affected the development and growth of the Church. A silence that is not normal; I am not sure if this silence is a socio-cultural matter or a spiritual problem.

9

4

John F. Kennedy. http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/crisis (accessed November 2, 2013).


Dear Ministers, we need to understand that “silence gives consent.”10 This phrase communicates that silence, although it does not emit sound, also has a voice and can be interpreted in many ways, and not necessarily as one thinks. From the moment that I assumed this position, I felt the need that everyone feel the freedom to express themselves without fear of reprisal, even if later in the dialogue they are voted against or is in disagreement. And that is precisely the new paradigm that we implemented at all levels of leadership of the Apostolic Assembly. There are many things that need a serious cross-examination, but only hearing everyone’s voice and accepting the vote of the majority will we achieve this. After much prayer and reflection, and based on the events that have recently hit the Apostolic Assembly, we believe there is a need to create a forum where the pastors can discuss their concerns and proposals for the better functioning of the same. I think that leaders need to prepare for an open and sincere dialogue, where we can all present our points of view, with respect, and without reservation. We need to re-examine or re-affirm the practices, doctrine, structure and administration. The reality that we live in is crying out to us every day that we need to do something, because if we leave everything as is, this church that we all love so much, is in danger of fragmentation. The generations coming behind us are demanding for us to answer to them about everything that is happening. They question us about our practices, doctrine, administration and structure, and if we don’t answer them with the Bible and common sense, we are going to lose them. The Apostolic Assembly is slowly becoming a “first generation” church. We are losing past generations simply because there is a segment that is not willing to dialogue. The structural and organizational design that has governed us, worked very well in the past, but needs an adaptation and assimilation to the environment we live in. For many years we thought that the legal structure of the Apostolic Assembly was airtight, impenetrable, that there was no way that it would crack and much less break. Unfortunately, that is no longer true; we can already see the cracks in the walls. Things that were not allowed in the past, now we see in many churches, in district services, and even conventions. We already see how the Apostolic practices are ignored, constitutional principles are violated, and even false doctrines are being introduced before our eyes. The Constitution uncovers it, but we... remain silent. This silence is confusing to the brothers because they also look and ask: Can you practice that or not? Can you believe that or not? This generations of this time, due to the influence of the Cyber generations, question everything, and if they don’t know it or disagree, they simply “Google” the matter, even while it is still being discussed. The leaders of the 21st century must understand that everything we speak and say will be questioned and criticized. Biblically, we hear of a generation that demanded “a sign,”11 well, this generation demands “an explanation.” We are all being questioned and criticized: our doctrine, practices and Organization. This is the reality of the 21st century. This is the reality of the Apostolic Assembly. We are all honored to belong to the oldest Hispanic religious organization in the United States, and it has achieved a place in the pages of secular history. But our current reality tells us that our identity, doctrine and organizational system are in danger. We currently have churches where Holiness standards have been debilitated, or simply are not practiced more. They are very good brothers, polite and very respectful, but they don’t believe the same way they did in the beginning. I repeat, they are very good brothers and sisters, but their way of life is confusing to the rest of the organization. On the Internet are published photos of brothers and sisters with inappropriate clothing, and doing things that are not our custom, and the rest of the people are wondering: “is it allowed or not allowed? And faced with this dilemma, the pastors no longer know how to respond and remain in silence. 10

Rudy Spillman, (1950-present) Poet y Jewish writer, born in Buenos Aires Argentina. Author of untold number of short and profound thoughts. 11 Matthew 12:38-39.

5


The Church is the Lords, but He needs all of us. Let us look at the reality and confront it with courage, and begin the dialogue. We respect the views of our brothers, we hear what we are saying. Our generation has the obligation to re-examine and define our theology, make a serious and exegetic presentation of the same, and then present Initiatives Proposal so that all the Pastorate can study them, and decide if we need to change, or re-affirm what we believe. I would like to clarify that this cross-examination, which can lead us to a change or re-affirmation, is a journey, not an instantaneous action. Although the revelation and the light that brings the change may be instant, change itself is a road, a journey, and will take time. It is like a ship on the high seas that needs to change its course because a storm is forming in its path. The cruise liner turns but that 180° turn whatever turn that is necessary, should be performed slowly, otherwise the ship will breakdown. It is the same way with the Church, everything that it intends to re-affirm or re-examine, must be done very carefully, if not the Church can be fragmented. Based on the analysis of emails, calls and personal talks, I have discovered that we have three well defined groups as to what review or re-affirmation refers to in the Apostolic Assembly. The first group, is he who thinks that everything is fine and that it is not necessary to make changes. The second group, is he who believes that there are “certain” things that should be changed; and the third group, which is waiting to see what happens between the first and second group. I want to tell you that I understand each group; I am aware of my reality. The solution to this dilemma is complex, and while we reach it, we have to understand that everyone must respect the agreements that are already in effect. An agreement is valid until “another” agreement is reached. We cannot be lawyers and judges at the same time. Meanwhile, we must not criticize or hurt one another; we must learn to tolerate each other, until we all come to the unity of the faith. Agreeing on everything and all the time is not unity it is a miracle. Allow me to explain why I understood each group. Once again, history is our teacher. In the past, the practices reflected the reality that the Church was living at that moment, but that now are somewhat different, not necessarily better or worse, but different. For example, to mention a few: the young ladies should wear a white veil, ministers must wear lace-up shoes and long-sleeved white shirts, drums were not permitted in the services, the television “is” still a contentious issue, only songs from the hymnals could be utilized for congregational songs, in the services the brothers sat on one side and the sisters on other, etc. My pastor told me (a day before recording) that if we did not sing songs from the hymnal, we could not record. Each generation teaches what you learned at your school. With the passing of the years, demands and rules have changed, are different, and that is what produces the friction. We are all the product of the teachings we have received. Although the solution is complex, I think it starts with what we are doing this week, opening up the floor for the open and sincere exegetical dialogue. I believe that this dialogue we will get us closer, and will eventually help us to find the solutions we need. Ministers of the Lord, I exhort you not to despair, do not walk this path alone. I exhort you that with integrity and patience, you wait for the controversial issues to arise with Initiative Proposals and discuss among the pastors so that we may arrive at a general consensus, and the constitutional process is followed. Meanwhile, we must all submit to the constitutional text. At present time, we have study commissions within the International General Board, with some Bishops and Pastors, who are working on the presentation of an analytical thesis of the “taboo” topics and controversial doctrines among us. The purpose that this analyses is to be prepared for a crossexamination or re-affirmation of our faith. Someone may think that what we are presenting is an ideal, that it will never be achieved. I will confess that I was one of them. I thought that the inevitable would happen and no one could stop it, that the Church was going to go through the crucible of identity and that everything was going to be ruined. But after speaking with so many brothers from one sector and also from another, I realize that I was very wrong. I believe that the maturity and wisdom of the generation that precedes us as with ours is ready to educate and engage in dialogue with the generation that follows us. We have an army of young men and young women who love God and the Apostolic

6


Assembly just like we do, and they are willing to maintain the Apostolic flag waving and the fire of the altar burning. I think that this type of dialogue is paving the generational bridge that must exist between them and us. The Church has shown year after year that it has unique endurance, and the fact that it is still standing, after everything that it has gone through, is conclusive proof that it has an unmatched strength. This is the time that God has given us to unite and carry the Apostolic Assembly to a revival like never before in its history. Let’s work on the things that unite us first, and then on the things that need revision. As long as we maintain an open communication and a sincere dialogue, we are going to achieve it. Our Church has a future, and a bright future at that. The fact that we are here, and speaking in this fashion, is a clear indication that we are going in the right direction and in the direction towards victory. This week we will be challenged by Initiative Proposals that will be presented, as well as by the pioneers of the past, we are going to face them with courage and determination; understanding that change is a journey. This journey begins with a first step, and then the second and so on until we reach the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.12 We all want a healthy Church with healthy pastors. In addition, when the brothers and sisters are aware that the leadership of the Apostolic Assembly is united in purpose and vision, they will also join us. It’s time to stop being the laughing stock of the Jesus Name community, and be what God wants us to be. You are the men that God has chosen to lead His Church on this earth, and if we do not do it, God and the Church will demand it of us. Ministers of the Lord, as I said before, it is impossible that we all agree on everything, all the time. That is not unity it is a miracle! We have to learn to live with differences. We should all hear and respect the opinion of everyone while not equal to ours. At the end, the majority will always be the one that governs by means of the vote, and everyone must respect the opinion of the majority, even if it is not ours. During this Legislative Conference, I urge all pastors to submit their arguments with passion and respect, that they do so understanding that what they present is simply their opinion; no one owns the truth. Let us keep our composure at all times and hear the words of those that think differently. When a discussion is closed and we vote, do so freely, without intimidation, and thinking, above all, on the work of God. I would like to conclude with a prayer: Lord, I pray a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit to descend on this place. I apologize for the sins of our ancestors, and for all persons who have suffered unjustly. Give us freedom to speak during this Convention without fear or intimidation of anything or anyone. Help us to see the Church as you see it. Free us of all carnal passion and private agendas. Send a revival that wake the sleeping, reinvigorates the weak, and return to the fold to those who have fallen away. And finally, unite us in the unity of Your Spirit, so that the world may believe in you, by the love within us. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask it. Amen. Fraternally, Dr. J. Fortino, Bishop President

12

Ephesians 4:3

7


Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus

Apostolic2014 Assembly of the Faith Christ Jesus National Theme: “United In Thein Mission” 2014 National Theme: "United In The Mission"

Ephesians 4:3 “... endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

Ephesians 4:3 "... endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" Greek: σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ Πνεύματος, ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης

Greek: σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ Πνεύµατος , ἐν τῷ συνδέσµῳ τῆς εἰρήνης

Endeavoring (σπουδάζοντες - spoudazontes): be diligent, pay close attention

Endeavoring (σπουδάζοντες - spoudazontes): be diligent , pay close attention

To keep (τηρεῖν - terein): protect, care, watch, chase

keep(τὴν (τηρεῖν - terein): protect, care, watch, chase TheTo unity ἑνότητα - henoteta) unanimity, agreement unity(τοῦ (τὴνΠνεύματος ἑνότητα - -henoteta) unanimity, agreement OfThe the Spirit pneumatos): spirit, wind, divine force Spirit (τοῦ Πνεύµατος - pneumatos): spirit, wind, divine force In Of the the bond (ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ - sundesmo): a link, the band that binds the (τῆς bondεἰρήνης ( ἐν τῷ- eirenes): συνδέσµῳ sundesmo ): that a link , thesurpasses band thathuman bindsunderstanding. OfIn peace the-peace of God, which Of peace ( τῆς εἰρήνης - eirenes ): the peace of God , that which surpasses human understanding. Dear Bishops and Pastors, Praise the Lord. Receive the theme for the year 2014. Use it in your district and local programs, but above all, put it into practice. The fragmentation of the Church in recent times has been a cause of wonder and in some cases, even of shame. We cannot keep thinking that living this way is fine or normal, it is not. Unfortunately, there are leaders who are already accustomed to living in this manner. As leaders, we cannot allow Christ's body to be lacerated and mutilated. It's time we say amen to the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Although these are not all, you can create your own; here I propose 10 ideas of unity: 1. Promote the unity of the Churches in the District for numerical growth. So that each District can plant two new churches in 2014. Yes we can! 2. Promote the unity of the District with a National and International Mission Field. So that the missionary spirit never ends in our churches. I propose to visit a mission field once a year. I have been doing so for 22 years now, and I find it to be very good for my soul. It is also time for the mission field to begin to polarize our people in the United States. 3. Promote generational unity among our generation and the following generation. To build a bridge to unite our generation and the following generation. So that we not lose anymore youth.

8


4. Promote family unity. So that relationships between spouses and between parents and children can be restored. This can be achieved through a series of conferences in the month of February. 5. Promote the unity of the Church with the community, so that the Church is not invisible to the community. Here you can invite key people from the community to talk about the different needs and be part of a well-delineated social action. 6. Promote the unity of the congregation with those who suffer. So that the Church can identify with the phrase: "To heal the brokenhearted." It would be good to dedicate a month to inner healing. Invite apostolic professionals to visit our Churches with relevant issues. 7. Promote unity in the global mission. So we may place the apostolic flag in every country in the world that God allows us to enter. We've had our first meeting with the board of the Apostolic Church of Mexico and it was a complete success. The theme that God put in my heart is, "Independent in government, United in the mission." I think it is time that the Apostolic Assembly begins to have a little more contact with Churches of the Name. Not to interfere in their business or they in ours, but to evangelize the world. 8. Promote the unity in the doctrine. So that through apostolic themed seminars, we can achieve the unity of the faith. That apostolic Christian education is a priority in 2014. 9. Promote unity among Apostolic Leaders. That we can witness to the world of Christ's prayer in John 17. I propose that we invite Bishops into our home and our Church, so that we can be close in friendship and fellowship. In the same way that the practice among Bishops be to have an exchange of visits between pastors of the same district, or other districts. In order to have a network of friends with whom we can share. 10. Promote unity in the Strategy of Jesus. So we can break the barriers of 100, 500 and 1,000 brethren. So that we can break the barrier of 1,000 churches in the United States. This is the best evangelistic program to save the lost and retain them in the Church. Both at home and abroad, we need to speak the same evangelistic language of the seven gears in the Strategy of Jesus.

Fraternally,

Bishop, J Fortino

9


NOTES ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 10


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.