*Volume 68 *No. 01 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * January 2005 broken wrists. …….My calamitous days helped me put confidence in the Lord‘s help. Frequent visits in our home by my Godly aunt revealed her smile, her encouragement, and her prayers…. A Tribute to Orville Coleman Our home was a fine training place for (Beloved Missionary children. Besides good hard work, there was with discipline. I grew up with the understanding that if Christian Triumph Company) we received a whipping from our small country schoolteacher, we would get another whipping Orville Coleman passed away on November when we got home. 10, 2004 at the age of 93. He is survived by his I never married but helped care for my sister, Ester Coleman and nephews, Mervin, Claire, parents and at their passing, I was already 57 years Wayne and Milan Coleman and nieces, Elaine old and felt it unnecessary to stay on the farm. I Chapin and Meredith Parde. Born and raised on a read in Brother Janes‘ paper about help that could farm in Southeast Nebraska, Brother Coleman never be used… and so I burned all my bridges behind me married and cared for his aging parent until their and came. I think the Lord was in such a choice death. When he was 57, he moved to Corpus and for 33 years, I have tried to be helpful.‖ Christi to dedicate himself full time to God in the ****************************************** ministry of Christian Triumph Company. He THE NECKLACE remained a vital part of the ministry, donating his The cheerful little girl with the bouncy time and talents, until he suffered a stroke at age 90. golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her Funeral services were held at Christian Triumph mother at the checkout stand, she saw them – a Church of God on November 13, after which he was circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. buried in Nebraska. Donations to honor Brother ―Oh, mommy, please, Mommy, Can I have them?‖ Coleman may still be sent to Christian Triumph Quickly, the mother checked the back of the Company. little foil box and then looked into the pleading blue HAND WRITTEN eyes of her little girl‘s upturned face. ―A dollar WORDS ninety-five. That is almost $2.00. If you really BY ORVILLE COLEMAN want them, I will think of some extra chores for you; and in no time, you can save enough money to ―The Lord has been good but that doesn‘t buy them for yourself. Your birthday is only a mean I have escaped all troubles and all calamities. week away, and you might get another crisp dollar I was raised on a farm in Southeast Nebraska and bill from Grandma.‖ (lived) with my kindly parents, a sister, and 2 As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her brothers. It was a very regular habit to go to church penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After on Sunday and some through the week. This was a dinner, she did more than her share of chores, then fine country church where the Word of God was went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if taught and believed. Bad weather and poor roads she could pluck dandelions for ten cents. On her did not hinder much of our 3 mile trip each time the birthday, sure enough, Grandma did give her church was open. In those early days, it was travel another new dollar, and, at last, Jenny had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel by team and wagon. It was a meeting place for dressed up and grown up. She wore them friends and relatives of like faith. everywhere – Sunday school, kindergarten, and May I condense a few happenings from even to bed. The only time she took them off was those days? Of course, there was sickness and when she went swimming or had a bubble bath nervous breakdowns but it seemed my lot to have because mother said if they got wet, they might turn more broken bones than the other boys my age. At her neck green. one time in a fall in a building, I suffered two
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Jenny had a very loving daddy. Every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, ―Do you love me?‖ ―Oh, yes, daddy, you know that I love you.‖ ―Then give me your pearls.‖ ―Oh, daddy, not my pearls. You can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She‘s my very favorite.‖ ―That‘s okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.‖ And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About one week later, after the story time, Jenny‘s daddy asked again, ―Do you love me?‖ ―Daddy you know that I love you.‖ ―Then give me your pearls.‖ ―Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll, the brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.‖ ―That‘s okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.‖ And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. ―What is it, Jenny? What‘s the matter?‖ Jenny did not say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a quiver, she finally said, ―Here, daddy, this is for you.‖ With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny‘s daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a new set of genuine pearls. He gave them gently to Jenny. He had them all the time and was just waiting for Jenny to give up the dime-store necklace so he could give her the genuine treasure. And so it is with our Heavenly Father. God is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that He can give us beautiful treasures.
A New Year‘s Goodbye No one emerges from the past into the present without some changes. Remember the person you were at age 20? 39? 60? Hopefully, you learned from experiences, changed for the better, and became a person of strength. Although the past holds happy memories, it can also haunt us with guilt and sorrow. Sometimes, our family or friends choose to remember our failings and make it difficult for us to live in the Present. There is a scripture that states we do not have to accept this kind of condemnation. ―Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? Will God? No! He is the One Who has forgiven us and given us right standing with Himself.‖ (Rom. 8:34). In his past, the author of this scripture was a persecutor of the Church. Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, and Paul became a follower of Jesus. Although others continued to remember Paul‘s sins, he laid them aside and became a great missionary and writer of the New Testament. The past can be used as a stepping-stone! God is the forgiving God of our Past, God is the Merciful God of our Present. Jesus is the Triumphant Son of God Who changes us And proceeds to build and transform our lives! In Romans 6:11, Paul, once again, advises us to forget about our sins of the past and be joyful in the Present because of Jesus: ―…look upon your old sin nature as dead and unresponsive to sin, and instead be alive to God, alert to Him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.‖ Is it time to say ―goodbye‖ to the past and live abundantly in the Present? If someone has hurt you in the past, those memories are very painful. It takes trust in God‘s justice and mercy to move beyond that grief. To allow that injury to continue in the present, however, may keep you from enjoying today‘s blessings. Seeking the power of God to help you forgive can free you. TODAY is the only day we have. Our past is G O N E! Our future is uncertain. 2
A ― NUTSHELL‖ FOR THE NEW YEAR ―Do for others what you want them to do for you. This is the teaching Of the Law of Moses In a Nutshell.” (Matt.7:12)
TODAY, I sit looking out upon the green fields embraced with the colors of Fall. The golden leaves pass by my windows, floating gently to the ground. The huge dark- limbed trees lift their arms toward Heaven as the few remaining leaves of red and brown stir lightly in the breeze. The blue sky fills with gray and white tumbling clouds of soft cotton. The sun tries to peek through to bring its warmth as the darker clouds hide it from the earth. I am enjoying this scene TODAY. In the past, there have been other sights, sunrises and sunsets, but I can only vaguely remember them. TODAY, I am experiencing the fullness of this earth‘s beauty with all my senses. If I live in the past, I allow this day to go by without my full attention. What joy and beauty I would miss TODAY, if the past continues to rob me of my Present. You have no obligation to live in the past! Although God is there, He is also with us abundantly in the Present. ―The Holy Spirit helps with our (today‘s) problems.‖ (Romans 8:26) As the New Year, 2005, unfolds each day, consider resolving the issues of the past. Consider saying ―goodbye‖ to its memories that haunt you. Accept the forgiveness of God, and learn to forgive yourself and others. Let go of the weights that make each day and night a painful memory. Open your heart to the renewal of God‘s restoration. Allow yourself the freedom to live again with joy and happiness. Dream those dreams; reach out to endless possibilities through the grace of our Lord Jesus. Remember that little saying, ―TODAY is a gift; that is why they call it the Present.‖ Thank God for your gift and consider saying ―goodbye‖ to a painful past. Nancy Hunter (Inspired by Pastor Adan Espinoza)
Rev. 14:6, ―Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and the people. He said in a loud voice, ‗Fear God and give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.‘‖ ****************************************** Dear Ministry, The Spanish congregation of Green Haven Correctional Facility as well as myself would like to thank you for the material that we had received from your office. And we will be…thankful for any forthcoming Spanish material that your office feels free to donate to us. ―For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.‖ (Heb. 6:10) Again, thank you in the name of the One whose return I eagerly wait, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Rev. Jose Luis Mattos Coordinating Chaplain ****************************************** THREE EMAIL REQUESTS: Dear Beloved in Christ Jesus, I Am Revd. Samson Olaposi Olasupo, an ordained and full time pastor of a local Baptist Church…here in Nigeria…I am, through the grace of God, the Founding Rector of a Bible College known as Soul Winners Bible Institute. The institute aims at training Christian men and women for effective church related ministries…The purpose of this mail is just to seek for your assistance towards the growth of the Institute in the
“And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you… And I will put My Spirit in you so you will obey my laws…” Ezekiel 36:26-27 “God is still working on me!” 3
area of teaching materials and resources for the use in training our student s for effective ministries in the Body of Christ. Being an independent and free tuition Bible College in Nigeria, Africa, we are unable to pay for the cost of the materials...we are appealing to you to please come to our aid by supply us with the teaching materials so that the name of the Lord shall be glorified…I hereby promise you that all…resources…shall be used wisely. Waiting to hearing from you soonest. Revd. Samson Olaposi Olasupo. Rector
Dear Christian Triumph: Sorry for delay in contacting you. Mom passed recently…God in His mercy has kept me, and I believe in His grace, chastening, and healing power. I send out tapes and books about prayer and healing. Jesus was Immanuel ―God with us‖. God is Spirit. God is Holy. Holy Spirit is ―God in us‖…Where the voice of the King is, there is Power and authority. He has put His words in our mouths, mind, and hearts. (Isaiah 59:21)…I do try and encourage the broken hearted. (Micah 2:7). Psalms 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.‖ Ruth Williams (Ruth sent us some good materials. She may also write for the FAITH MESSENGER.) ***************************************** FAITH MESSENGER: Just a few lines to say I enjoy reading the Messenger. The news says our gas bill will be more than last year so thought I had better send (my offering) now…My husband is still in the nursing home…he will be 82 in May of 2005. Remember us in prayer, Mrs. Daisy Lee (Please pray for Mrs. Lee. She also has a serious health problem.) ****************************************** Dear Christian Friends, I am enclosing an offering for your many needs as I read the wonderful paper from Christian Triumph. Am asking you to please send the paper to this person…and the paper in Spanish to… (another name)….. God bless your good work, and remember me in your prayers. Thanks, Ressie Fulton Editor’s Note: We’d like to thank Ressie for sending over 20 names to add to Christian Triumph’s mailing list in the last couple of years. ****************************************** WE WELCOME ANY ARTICLES OR LETTERS FROM OUR READERS. IF YOU HAVE A TESTIMONY, PLEASE WRITE US, AND WITH YOUR PERMISSION WE WILL CONSIDER PRINTING IT. PRAYER REQUESTS
SENT FROM CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH: Sunday school materials, Books, and 2 pounds of English tracts. ****************************************** Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to bring to you the request of sending me urgently Bibles which I have to distribute at my upcoming crusade…I fellowship with Deliverance church Kampala and we usually have meetings and Conferences where we minister to mainly non-believers. We are however faced with the problem of Bible shortages… Isaac Muhangisa Ndyagenda Uganda, East Africa SENT FROM CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH: 3 N. Testaments and Bibles ****************************************** Warm greetings in the name of most high: I am a police officer working in Andhra Pradesh, India. In my free time I share the gospel of Jesus Christ with my colleagues. But they don‘t have enough time to share their time with me. I want to present Christian literature to them so that they can read it in their own time. Therefore, I request you to send few Bibles and some literature for distribution. Thanking you, Yours in His eternal bonds, K.P.V. Raju, India SENT FROM CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH: 4 N. Testaments, 2 Bibles, and 2 lbs. English tracts. ****************************************** Faith is believing what God says simply because it is God who says it. 4
Remember - your letters requesting prayer are of great concern to us. We value you each one and pray for your needs. ****************************************** The Church of God, Chile: Slow but Steady Growth By Donna L. (Anderson) Schillinger When we think of the Church of God movement in foreign countries, we often focus our attention on our American missionaries‘ work. American missionaries do make extraordinary sacrifices to live away from friends and family and live in circumstances often substandard compared to our way of life. But they are by no means the only catalysts for growth and expansion of the Church of God in foreign countries. In these pages, our readers have come to know many diligent workers, especially in Latin America, who are themselves Latin Americans. Far from relying on missionaries from Anderson, Indiana, (Church of God Missions headquarters) to shoulder the burden of seeding new churches, these dedicated workers make similar sacrifices as our Anderson missionaries. Many of them come from Catholic families who reject them once they join Protestant movements such as the Church of God. And many leave friends and family to travel to some of the most remote regions of their countries to bring the Gospel of Christ to those in need. One such missionary is Narciso Zamora, a dear friend of Christian Triumph Company for many years. Narciso‘s name and picture have appeared in the Faith Messenger times before and we have rejoiced as we follow God‘s accomplishments through him and his family over the years. Narciso is from Peru and began evangelizing in the jungles of Peru some 20 years ago. At that time, the threat of the terrorist group, The Shining Path, was very serious and Narciso has his share of war stories about near misses with great danger. As God added two sons to his family, Narciso and his wife Udelia sought a less hazardous assignment and were lead to move to Quito, Ecuador and begin churches there. This is where I first met Narciso and his family in 1989. They lived in one of the worst neighborhoods of Quito and started a church there that is still going strong. While in Ecuador, they began more than 8 churches
in various parts of the country and left the work there in good hands with stable leadership as they decided to depart to Chile and begin Churches of God in Latin America‘s longest, thinnest country. In October, my husband, John, daughter, Gwen, and I visited Narciso and Udelia in their home in Isla de Maipo, a suburb of Santiago, the capital of Chile. We were proud and happy to see the various congregations that these missionaries have established and are excited to learn of their work in progress. Narciso arrived in Valparaiso, Chile, a city of 500,000 on the Pacific Coast, about 12 years ago. He left his wife and sons in Ecuador for several months until he was established in Chile. My grandmother, Evelyn Anderson, provided Narciso with the name and address of another long-time friend of Christian Triumph Company who hosted Narciso in his first weeks in Chile. While Valparaiso seemed promising and Narciso did purchase an inexpensive property there to begin a work, he felt a calling to the capital city, Santiago. There his family met him and they began working to establish a church. They met with a lot of opposition and only a little success and housing problems to boot. To seek affordable housing, they moved, finding a good deal in housing in Isla de Maipo, about 45 minutes outside of Santiago.
*** Not long after moving there, they located a very nice property, again very inexpensive, and purchased the land and built the church pictured here, which is now their largest congregation in Chile. The main ministries are a children‘s ministry on Sunday mornings and on Friday nights they project films outside in the church yard, which draws quite a crowd of many that would otherwise not come to church. Christian Triumph was privileged to assist Narciso in purchasing the projector which hooks up to his VCR and projects an excellent quality on to a large screen (Narciso uses a sheet.) Sister Anna Morgan of Odessa, TX, who has visited Narciso many times, took the projector to Narciso about 3 years ago and he maintains that it has been his most valuable piece of technology for evangelizing. Narciso also purchased another property on which sits a very small church that holds services 5
once weekly with a small congregation of about 10 believers—some 15 minutes outside of Santiago. Many of the students of the Bible Institute that Narciso administers assist in the pastoring of this smaller congregation, which also has an active youth ministry on Saturday nights. In summary, between the different ministries of the two congregations and the Bible Institute, Narciso is busy every night of the week. One great outcome of the church in Isla de Maipo is that a young family that came to know Christ there, left to become missionaries themselves in Peru, pastoring several churches that have been without pastors for years. Despite obvious progress, Narciso feels an urgent burden to do more. Thank God that his two sons are now of age and both have graduated from seminary. The older, Gerson, attended seminary in Costa Rica and will be finishing his doctorate in theology from a seminary in Peru next summer. At that time, he plans to move back to Chile and renew the effort to seed a successful congregation in Santiago. The younger son Eliezer and his new bride Cristiani, who both just graduated from seminary in Brazil last year, have been helping in the ministries in and near Isla de Maipo until last month. During our visit, we went with Eliezer, Cristiani and Narciso to see the property in Valparaiso, where Eli and Cris now reside and are beginning a Church of God in, as Narciso always seems to choose, the most seedy of neighborhoods. The house pictured at the end of this article, has been used as a drug rehabilitation home in these years since its purchase but while Narciso did not have the resources to begin a work there. Now Eli and Cris, with God‘s help, will attempt, what seemed to John, Gwen and me, the impossible, by fixing that shack into a home and whipping a steeply sloped property (the only kind available in Valparaiso as it is on a mountain that juts into the ocean) into shape and beginning a viable church work there. We were so impressed by the young couple‘s optimism in the face of a disastrous living arrangement and very little monetary support from the other Chilean churches to be able to make an impact in the property first and then the neighborhood. We would like to invite you to join
us in supporting Narciso and Udelia as they continue to expand the work in Chile and Eli and Cris as they start a new life and a new work. Although the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana can claim these works in their statistics due the official affiliation, you will probably find it interesting that they do not provide any monetary support or much of any kind of support. All the accomplishments in Chile were financed by the savings that Narciso and Udelia accumulated while living in Ecuador. There they had a very successful small business selling vinyl Bible covers to Christian book stores. In eight years, they were able to save enough to purchase their home in Isla de Maipo and the three church properties Chile now has. Of course, there have been generous individual supporters along the way as well, including some of our own dear readers. Whereas our American missionaries receive considerable recognition and monetary support, perhaps those like Narciso and his family, who are carrying on the work of the Church of God without financial assistance of Anderson and without much formal recognition, deserve our equal or greater attention.
*** Narciso Zamora in his office in Chile.
*** The house pictured here has been used as a drug rehabilitation home since its purchase.
Poet‘s Corner GIVING FOR THE NEW YEAR ―…if you give, you will get! Your gift will return To you In full and overflowing measure, Pressed down, Shaken together To make room for more, And running over. Whatever measure you use to giveLarge or small – Will be used to measure What is given back to you.‖ (Luke 6:38) 6