Regional Ladies Retreats Niagara (Canada) March 30-April 1, 2012
Skyline Hotels Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada Total cost (Canadian Currency) per person: 3 or 4 in a room $265.00; 2 in a room $290.00 Applications must be postmarked before February 10, 2012.
Pacific Southwest April 13-15, 2012
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel Ventura , California Total cost per person: 3 or 4 in a room $210.00; 2 in a room $250.00 Applications must be postmarked before March 2, 2012.
Atlantic Northeast
April 27-29, 2012 Sheraton Newark Hotel Newark, New Jersey Total cost per person: 3 or 4 in a room $190.00; 2 in a room $220.00 Applications must be postmarked before March 16, 2012.
Great Plains May 4-6, 2012
Sheraton West Des Moines Des Moines, Iowa Total cost per person: 3 or 4 in a room $185.00; 2 in a room $225.00 Applications must be postmarked before March 23, 2012. Visit our web page at www.cogop.org
Contents w w w w January 2012 • Volume 88, Number 7
Bringing honor to the WORD by the printed word, the White Wing Messenger strives to inspire Christian thought and practice as it imparts the “good news” of the Gospel while serving the connectivity needs of our church community.
Calendar of Events For more information, visit www.cogop.org January 5–7, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies III Midwest Region (English and Spanish) Denver, Colorado January 17–22, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies II Cayman Islands January 19–21, 2011 Youth Harvest Training Dominican Republic Operationomega.org
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Features 7 SEVEN For Young Readers 10 The Promise by DeWayne Hamby
13 The Place Where God Dwells by Rita Ford
14 Heaven: The Crisis of Eternity by Cathy Payne
16 A Certain Sound by Marsha Robinson
18 First Love by Samuel R. Williams
22 The Artist by Joseph “Bo” Robinson
18 Believe by Tyler Richardson
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9 Youth: Youth Ministry Priorities 20 Children: Let’s Talk with Kids about Heaven 21 Harvest Partners: Your Mission for 2012
Editorials 4 Facing Forward: Is Heaven That Important?
by Randall E. Howard, General Overseer
31 Messages: Jesus and the Hernandez Brothers by DeWayne Hamby, Managing Editor
27 Stories of Sharing Jesus Beyond Our Understading
Ministries 8 Stewardship: How to Make the Most of an Inherited IRA
Updates 5 Worldview
Church News–Giving–Music–Seniors– Stewardship
30 In His Presence Visit us online—www.whitewingmessenger.org
White Wing Messenger Editorial Board: Londa Richardson, Chair; Daniel Chatham; Hanny Vidal; Cervin McKinnon; Perry Horner; Tapio Sätilä; Shaun McKinley; and Adrian Varlack
Executive Editor/Publisher: R. E. Howard, Managing Editor: DeWayne Hamby, Copy Editor: Marsha Robinson, Editorial Assistant: Pamela Praniuk, Graphic Artists: Perry Horner and Sixto Ramirez, International Offices (423) 559-5100, and Subscriptions (423) 559-5114 Please submit all material to the White Wing Messenger; Managing Editor; P. O. Box 2910; Cleveland, TN 37320-2910; phone (423) 559-5128; e-mail us at Editorial@cogop.org.
January 20–21, 2012 CBL Seminar Kentucky January 23–26, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies II Brazil (Portugese) February 2–4, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies I Macon, Georgia (English) February 8–10, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies I South Carolina February 17–19, 2012 Northeast Youth Conference Mass Mutual Convention Center Springfield, Massachusetts Operationomega.org February 22–25, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies III North Carolina February 17–19, 2012 Pacific Islands Ladies Retreat Waikiki, Hawaii February 20–24, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies II Campeche, South Mexico February 22–26, 2012 CBL School of Practical & Advanced Studies II Chile White Wing Messenger (ISSN 0043-5007) (USPS 683-020) is published monthly as the official publication of the Church of God of Prophecy, 3750 Keith St NW, Cleveland, TN. Send all materials for publication to Editorial Department; PO Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37320-2910; e-mail: editorial@cogop. org, fax: (423) 559-5121. For subscription rates, visit wwm.cogop.org; call (423) 559-5114; e-mail: subscriptions@cogop.org. Subscription rate: $18.00 per year, payable to White Wing Messenger by check, draft, or money order. Periodical postage paid at Cleveland, TN 37311 and at additional mail office. Donations for the White Wing Messenger may be sent to the above address. All scripture references are from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to White Wing Messenger, PO Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37320-2910.
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FACING FORWARD Is Heaven That Important? Where has all the Christian language about heaven gone? Think about it. Does anyone notice a shift in perspective among the Body of Christ concerning heaven? Consider our singing. I grew up on a pretty strong diet of heavenward songs: When We All Get to Heaven, I’ll Fly Away, When the Saints Go Marching In, When the Redeemed Are Gathering In, etc. You don’t want to get me started because there were a ton of them. Consider our testimonies. Along Pentecost has with several other staple items some been known phrase about making “heaven my home” was consistently included. through the Our testimonies followed a standard decades as a formula in that there was tension of some difficulty, struggle against ministry that such tension in prayer and the life has reached to of faith, resolution by God’s grace infusion now, and anticipation of the poor and complete resolution in the peace of disenfranchised heaven forever. Consider our evangelism. The main of the world question was always where one would spend eternity and the desired answer was heaven rather than hell. I can recall what we called “altar calls” given by preachers that lasted what seemed like eternity as they posed this question and probed the heart and conscience of the congregation. Then our personal evangelism picked up on that theme asking about our confidence in going to heaven after this life. Consider our sermons. Preaching held the mandate to proclaim the Word of God so that believers would be prepared to enter heaven and bring as many with them as possible. Life down here would hold its blessings and battles, but heaven was the ultimate aim, on which everything in life focused. Today sermons are about living better now, more on the pattern of self help advice from the Word for today. There could be numerous other categories for consideration, but for here, consider economic status. Pentecost has been known through the decades as a ministry that has reached to the poor and disenfranchised of the world. For people with little of this world’s
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wealth, and for some who have even been oppressed, heaven was the hope at the end of life’s struggle. We see this today as once more the Spirit-filled message and ministry is reaching the isolated and often victimized urban poor of mega cities all around the world. Their despair is bolstered by the new reality of faith in an eternal home and they believe on Jesus in massive waves today. The jury may still be out on the impact, or even reality, of our possible shift in perspective away from heaven. I would encourage us though; the Bible treats heaven as a powerful motivator for Christian life and transformation. In the light of the Word we witness because heaven is real. We walk holy because heaven demands it. We build the Kingdom of God because the heavenly Kingdom and the King are soon to come. World mission is critical because so many have never heard about this eternal dominion. We endure suffering because this life is as short as a vapor but heaven is eternal. We lay up our treasure of good works and Christian charity because those rewards will never fade in heaven. We discipline ourselves on earth for a short time so that we may enjoy the liberty of heaven in God’s presence for time with no end. From the Bible view “heaven will surely be worth it all,” or as Paul says, “I reckon that the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Randall E. Howard General Overseer
Messenger Introduces Interactive Codes
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PRAYER
Join the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting January 1–21, 2011 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity;” Jeremiah 29: 12-14a I invite every individual and local church to join me for 21 days of prayer and fasting, as we seek God’s direction and blessing in the New Year. I believe that one of our strengths as a church is prayer, the ministry of intercession. What can defeat a church on its knees? All over the world God has rekindled the passion and call to prayer saying, “My house shall be called of all nations a house of prayer!” Join me and thousands of others from around the world as we unite our heart, minds, and prayers for our families, churches, and world. —Randall E. Howard General Overseer
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CONNECT
Visit us online at www.facebook.com/cogopprayernetwork or cogop.orgto:
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Learn About the 21 Days of Prayer Church Simulcast Event Watch 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Online Video View the daily prayer directives Download prayer guides, bulletin inserts, and other promotional materials • Sign-up for prayer e-mail alerts
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PRAYER SIMULCAST
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Simulcast Friday, January 21, 2011 LIVE! 8:00 PM EST Join us for this LIVE worship and prayer event as we celebrate the close of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, hosted by General Overseer Randall Howard with live worship and segments of prayer for united themes. Visit www.cogop.org to find a simulcast location near you or to register your church as a simulcast host. Make plans to be a part of this great event as we welcome a new year with a season of prayer together.
In this issue, readers will begin to see some new images popping up in an effort to provide additional content. These images are QR codes, which will make the printed magazine experience a little more interactive. These codes are computer-generated and are able to be read through an app on a person’s smart phone, tablet, or even mobile gaming systems. QR codes have moved from a strictly retail environment to a new way of reading magazines. One study reported that 14 million users scanned QR codes in the month of June 2011. When a code is scanned, the user will be taken to a webpage or video that gives more information or allows more interactivity on the topic. For example, scanning the QR code on the subscription form on page 31 will pull up the magazine’s online subscription form. Chances are your smart phone already has a QR reader. If it doesn’t, there are free readers available in the Apple Apps Store.
Church Attendance Promotes Optimism, Extends Lifespan Regular church attendance not only adds to a longer lifespan, but also promotes an optimistic outlook, a recent study has suggested. The report, released in November 2011 in the Journal of Religion and Health and noted on the CNN Belief Blog, found that those who attend services frequently were 56 percent more likely to have an optimistic take on life than those who don’t and 27 percent less likely to be depressed. The report, which was conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative and funded by the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, surveyed more than 90,000 women. Eliezer Schnall, an associate professor of psychology at Yeshiva University in Manhattan who headed the initiative, told CNN, “We looked at a number of psychological factors; optimism, depression, cynical hostility, and a number of subcategories and subscales involving social support and social strain. The link between religious activity and health is most evident in women, specifically older women,” he said. The Women’s Health Initiative’s 2008 study had previously concluded that church attendance added to life expectancy. —Source: http://religion. blogs.cnn.com/
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WORLDVIEW (continued) MUSIC Top 10 Worship Songs
Praniuk to Release New Album
According to the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), following are the top worship songs being used in churches from March 2011 through August 2011 in the U.S. How many do you know?
Pamela Praniuk, editorial assistant for the White Wing Messenger, released “Caer,” the lead single from her upcoming album, on iTunes and Amazon’s MP3 Store. Praniuk, a worship leader and former member of Voices of Lee, says the Spanish-language album is the result of a “season that involved a lot of silence, stillness, and waiting.” “We live in a society that highly values productivity and I think we can oftentimes get so caught up in doing and defining ourselves by what we do that we deafen our hearts to God’s voice and we forget that who we are comes before what we do and not vice versa,” she says. “And so I found myself distracted by the noise in my life, by doing things for God and for God’s kingdom, focused more on the doing than being, that God took me to a quiet place of stillness and silence to strip me of my busyness and expose my heart, cleanse and purify my life, and called me to sit and wait at Jesus’ feet, like Mary did. And through this season, God became more than just my Savior, He became my peace (Jehova-Shalom), my provider (Jehova-Jireh), my joy, and my love.” Praniuk hopes that the songs from the album will be an encouragement to listeners going through times of doubt. “I hope that these songs would serve as a reminder of who God is and that everything we desire, whether it’s love, peace, or joy, we can only find it in Him.” For more information on Pamela Praniuk’s music, visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ PamelaPraniuk.
How Great Is Our God (Tomlin, Chris\Reeves, Jesse\Cash, Ed) Mighty To Save (Fielding, Ben\Morgan, Reuben) Our God (Redman, Matt\Tomlin, Chris\Myrin, Jonas\Reeves, Jesse) Blessed Be Your Name (Redman, Beth\Redman, Matt) Here I Am To Worship (Hughes, Tim) Revelation Song (Riddle, Jennie Lee) Everlasting God (Brown, Brenton\Riley, Ken) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)(Tomlin, Chris\Giglio, Louie\Newton, John) Jesus Messiah (Tomlin, Chris\Carson, Daniel\Reeves, Jesse\Cash, Ed) Your Grace Is Enough (Maher, Matt)
—Source: Christian Copyright Licensing International
GIVING Ghana Receives Bus Donation Through the Harvest Partners ministry, the nation of Ghana recently received, from a North American church, a 34-seat diesel bus for ministry. George Asante-Boateng, National Overseer of Ghana, expressed appreciation for the gift from Bishop Balram and the Rockville Church of God of Prophecy in Maryland. “The leadership, as well as the congregation in Ghana, is pleased with the kind gesture,” Bishop George writes. “In fact, Bishop Robin Balram and his local church have made us proud as much as mission abroad is regarded in Africa. “I hope this is a sign of enormous blessings that both Ghana and Rockville will receive by the grace of God.”
The 30 Hour famine To raise awareness and resources to fight global hunger, World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine is a unique youth group event being held February 24–25, 2012 and April 27–28, 2012. Youth group members can sign up to go without food for 30 hours and solicit sponsors who donate $30, which can feed a child in an impoverished country for a month. The experience not only helps with funding, but will help change the way you view the needs of the less fortunate. For more information, visit www.30hourfamine.org. 6
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SENIORS Speaking Life and Encouragement I am 86 years-old and have felt for a long time that I should write something to encourage older people to spend the last few days we have left on earth in peace. Philippians 4:7–11 says, “and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, there with to be content.” (continued on page 28)
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Uncommon:
Living Beyond the World’s Standard Young people find themselves in a world stifled with routine and complacency. As life accelerates, the cries of their hearts become desperate shouts for something greater. “I want something more!” “This can’t be all that God has for me!” Everywhere we turn we can find similarities, and eventually we become unnerved by the sudden awareness of our commonality. So how do we fix this lackluster life? How do we discover one that is fulfilling and meaningful? Do we change schools? Move to a new place? Change churches? Become an atheist? Experiment with mind-altering substances? What do we do?! The simple answer to this grand dilemma is one the world will never offer—become uncommon! Here are three steps to an uncommon lifestyle. Students and young adults, I encourage you to implement them now.
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Live in God’s Image
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Humanity was created in the image of God (Genesis 1). This isn’t just any god, but the Creator of all things! Can you imagine the ingenuity and creativity it took to create everything from nothing? We must realize who we are in Christ, and live in that image. It is this likeness that gives us the power to break free from the mediocrity of ordinary life. His likeness should stir us to be pioneers. When living in His image, we should have the most creative, most talented, and most unique teachers, doctors, nurses, artists, actors, athletes, physicians, students, producers, writers, photographers, designers, engineers, and the participants of any other profession or hobby. When we realize who we are in Christ, we begin to truly understand who He made us to be.
Live to Dream . . . . BIG!
The world is full of dreamers, yet somewhere along the way, people forget their dreams. In order to break free of the chains of mediocrity, we must dream again. Dreams are not reachable by living life in a box. A true dream is bigger than you. If you can reach your dream alone, your dream is not big enough. If your dream does not scare you, your dream is not big enough. Understand that God gives us dreams to move us toward the destiny that He has for us. The story of Joseph confirms that not only does God give us dreams, but that the dreams He gives us are to move us from where we are to where He wants us to be. To live outside of the world’s standard, you must dream. Dream often and dream big!
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Live Radical
Society offers a standard for people to live in, a box of sorts. And as long as you stay inside one of the boxes society offers, you’re okay. But God calls us to break free and live different, to be unique, uncommon! Paul fought the same battle we face with the people of his day. He wrote to them saying do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (Romans 12:2). The same challenge is applicable today. Be different! Be radical. Give love when shown hate. Offer a smile when given a frown. Lend a helping hand when rejected. You may not change the world, but you will change your world. Your life will be one that is alive, passionate, fulfilling, and full of purpose! I challenge you to open yourself up to something bigger—a life of greater purpose! Break free of the mediocrity and complacency that is holding you back! Live in His Image, Live to Dream (BIG), and Live Radical! Today and every day, be uncommon and live!
—Kris Dockery Georgia
Spotlight: Jamie Grace
In a society where teenagers and young adults are in desperate need of good role models, Jamie Grace, a 19 year-old singer/songwriter and new Christian artist offers genuine and encouraging messages for young people on her debut album One Song at a Time (Gotee Records). From her catchy and fun love songs “Hold me” (featuring Toby Mac) and “With You,” and her anthem “God Girl” Jamie sings about having a real loving relationship with God, focusing on Him and daring to be different.
Photo by Keith Allison
“I had to put Christ first before anything would change. And once I surrendered myself to him and told him he could do anything he wanted with me, it all changed. I wasn’t the same. He started working on me, from the inside. He changed my heart.” —Josh Hamilton
Taken from the book I Am Second (Thomas Nelson). For more information on the I Am Second campaign, visit www.iamsecond.com.
American League MVP, Texas Rangers outfielder
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MINISTRIES MINISTRIES
How to Make the Most of an Inherited IRA Beneficiaries sometimes make costly mistakes. Avoid the following moves: Transferring an IRA inherited from a parent into your own name. This immediately makes the entire account taxable. Unless you’re a surviving spouse, the original owner’s name must stay on it. Say William Jones designated his daughter, Jane Smith, as his beneficiary. If William died on January 20, 2011, Jane should retitle the IRA: ‘William Jones IRA (deceased 1/20/11) for the benefit of Jane Smith.’ Taking a check for the proceeds when transferring a parent’s IRA to a new custodian. A check made out to a non-spouse beneficiary is a taxable distribution. The financial institution that issues the check automatically reports it as a taxable distribution to the IRS, and a beneficiary doesn’t get a 60-day window to change that characterization by depositing the money in a new IRA. If Jane moves the IRA she inherited from
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means she’ll end up with a lot less than you meant to give her. An inherited IRA is governed by strict tax rules. Failure to observe them can be very costly. However, if you use the right strategy, an inherited IRA can provide its Beneficiaries aren’t the only people beneficiary with both a lifelong stream who inadvertently trigger taxes. A of annual payments and decades of taxcareless omission by an IRA owner deferred growth, potentially increasing can take a big tax bite out of his the size of the original inheritance. survivors’ inheritance. William Smith dies in 2011 and leaves his $300,000 IRA to his 40 year-old Failing to make sure your financial daughter, Jane. He also leaves her a institution has your beneficiary directive to tithe the IRA—leaving more designation forms on file and that your than money, he leaves a legacy of tithing executor has copies. If these forms are as well. missing, or if the person listed as your All scenarios assume that the primary beneficiary is dead and you failed IRA with beginning assets worth to list contingent beneficiaries, your $300,000 earns a 6% annual estate becomes the default beneficiary. investment return and If the IRA passes to your estate, your that Jane’s federal tax rate heirs may have to empty it within five years. People sometimes ask, “What’s the is 35%. difference between leaving my IRA to my —Jan Couch daughter in my will and naming her as Stewardship Ministries Director beneficiary?” The difference is that the IRA becomes taxable much sooner when she inherits it through your will. And that her father’s bank to an inherited IRA with her broker, she should do it as a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to avoid triggering taxes. Expensive Errors by IRA Owners:
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Jane mistakenly transfers Dad’s IRA into her own name the year after his death.
Dad’s beneficiary designation form was missing, so Jane inherits his IRA through his estate.
Jane inherits Dad’s IRA as his designated beneficiary. She remains the IRA beneficiary, taking minimum annual distributions from the account over the remaining 43.6 years of her 83.6-year life expectancy.
The result: She owes taxes on the entire account (now worth $318,000) that year. Jane pays $111,300 in income taxes.
The result: She must empty it within five years of his death. That is in 2016 when it is worth $390,000. She pays $136,500 in income taxes.
The result: By 2036, when Jane is 65 years old, the IRA is worth $550,934. Between 2011 and 2036, she has also withdrawn $407,839– $16,314 average per year.
Total inheritance=$206,700
Total inheritance=$253,500
Total inheritance=$957,973
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(IRA balance at age 65 + 25 years of distributions.)
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As the New Year begins, we sat down with Youth Ministries Co-Directors Trevor and Aileen Reid about the past year and what’s ahead in the future.
What are some of the highlights of Operation Omega youth ministries in 2011? The Orlando youth conference in March was the start of us going regional with those events, which will continue in 2012 with Massachusetts and North Carolina. We’re even thinking of taking a youth conference out of the U.S. in 2013. We introduced Fusion in conjunction, a collaborative training event with Children’s Ministries. Youth Harvest Training (YHT) events continue to be our primary equipping event for leaders and introducing youth culture to pastors.
What‘s ahead this year? In the fall of 2012, we’ll be doing two Team Ups with the North American Presbyter’s Office. One in New Haven in September and a second in Kansas City in the later fall. We’re working on a youth leadership resource manual we hope to have ready by the Assembly. There’s also a possibility of an Emerge summer camp in 2013. At both Emerge conferences, we’ll be launching CCMN, the College & Career Ministry Network.
And there are two youth conferences coming up quickly. What can you tell us about them? The East Coast one in Springfield, Massachusetts—we’re very excited about it. It will be the most diverse youth conference we’ve done, encompassing three languages: English, Spanish and French. Then we have our conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. With both conferences, we’re focusing on the 4 D’s—Discern, Develop, Devote, Deliver. We’ll also have the college/career track on
Youth Ministry
Priorities
A Conversation with Trevor and Aileen Reid Friday morning, everything from financial aid to “how to pick a good college” to “how to prepare yourself now for the SATs,” etc. Everything college. We’ll also be doing the Bible Challenge, too.
What is CCMN? The purpose is to make a connection with our collegiate students and our young adults; to develop ministry to them and develop them in ministry. This has been a regional thing and we’re launching it nationally. Kirk Rising, Chucky Chandler and Adam Jones were instrumental in launching it.
What are the plans for this summer’s Assembly? We’ll be doing our Friday Night Youth Jam again; that was a good success. We had over 1,200 students.
What are the big challenges right now in terms of youth ministries? Budgets are always a big issue. Church stuff, also, like programming. As far as culture, they’re struggling with everything dealing with teens and sexuality, how to reconnect youth ministries with the home. The big issue in 2012 is how can youth ministry hand back to parents their spiritual responsibility for the discipleship of their kids and how can we supplement that? That’s a big issue for us and we’re
seeing it all across the board. That has become the focus of our training. There’s always the issue of church culture vs. youth culture and how do you reconcile that. Also, helping pastors make youth ministry a priority in the congregation.
Why is a college emphasis important? We understand that today’s millennials have to be educated in order to operate in today’s culture. We need believers to be prepared to go into the marketplace. The first step in getting them in that marketplace is getting them onto college campuses. So we see part of their discipleship process is taking their faith to secular campuses.
How would a pastor make youth ministry a priority? Again, budgets should be addressed first of all. Secondly, develop a leadership culture for developing leaders in adolescents. Create opportunities for them to minister, ministry outlets that extend beyond your congregation.
How would a young person reading this article get connected with some of these ministry events? Connect with us on Facebook, our website www.operationomega.org, Twitter@ omegayouth, and best of all, plan to attend one of these events. WWM J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 2
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Eternal Hope:
The Promi “Let not your heart be troubled,” He told them. “You believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions, if it were not true, I would have told you so. I am going to prepare a place for you, that where I am you may be also.”
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mise
I
It had the makings of an epic love story. Only a few days away from a violent death, the humble servant gave His friends and followers the assurance they would see Him again. Surely they would remember those words in the days to follow, as confusion and pain entered their hearts. Their friend would be waiting for them on the other side. They didn’t fit into the world’s mold. Jesus and his disciples were hated and despised. But they kept an eternal perspective. There was the blessed promise of a place where they would not have to run or hide, a place where their faithfulness would be rewarded and not punished. A place where they’d live happily ever after. It sounds like a fairy tale, too good to be true. But over and over again, the writers of the New Testament
point to that place and the person who can get us there. It’s a foundational belief of the Christian faith. Without this place called heaven, where will we be? Without eternal life in Christ, what do you have? Skeptics pop up all the time, drilling questions of us, asking how we can be sure. How do we know? What if there is no heaven? What if we just die and our life burns out like a match, never again to live or love? I can’t believe it. There has to be a paradise. “We are very shy nowadays of even mentioning Heaven. We are afraid of the jeer about ‘pie in the sky,’ and of being told that we are trying to ‘escape from the duty of making a happy world here and now into dreams of a happy world elsewhere.’ WWM J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 2
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But either there is ‘pie in the sky’ or there is not. If there is not, then Christianity is false, for this doctrine is woven into its whole fabric. If there is, then this truth, like any other, must be faced, whether it is useful at political meetings or no.”
—The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis
The Hope
Heaven equals hope. It’s the hope of something bigger than our day-to-day struggles with the evils of planet earth. When we see a news report of a gunman shooting down helpless preschoolers, we have to believe in the hope of heaven. We have to believe in a place where those children will be cradled in the arms of God. The apostle John testified that, “. . . God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). We dream of a place where those trapped in the flesh of a corruptible body will be gloriously transformed. Those challenged by the limits of their physical bodies will experience a freedom they’ve never known. In 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of exchanging fragile bodies for ones built to last: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15: 51–53 NKJV). Joni Earekcson-Tada, confined for life to a wheelchair from a tragic accident in her youth, speaks of the hope of heaven and her incorruptible body in Heaven—Your Real Home. “Nothing more radically altered the way I looked at my suffering than leapfrogging to this end-of-time vantage point. Heaven became my greatest hope. In fact, I wondered how other people could possibly face quadriplegia, cancer, or even a death in the family without the hope of heaven. It meant no more wallowing away hours by the farmhouse window, scorning Romans 8:28, and muttering, ‘How can it say all things fit together into a pattern of good in my life!’ God’s pattern for my earthly good may have smelled like urine and felt painful, but I knew the end result in heaven would exude a fragrant and glorious aroma: Christ in me, the hope of glory.” As I view the lifeless form of a loved one lying in a wooden casket, I cling to the hope that I will see them again. Somewhere, in a place unseen by human eyes,
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we will be reunited and our love will continue. So as I lean over to whisper “goodbye,” I know that it’s only temporary. I’ll see them on the other side. The small band of disciples must have felt that way as they saw their leader publicly shamed and murdered. With Him gone, the hard-knocks of faith began. When He reappeared, one can only imagine what kind of reunion took place. I look forward to the day when I will see Him face to face. I want to see Him and I want Him to see me. And I want to be with Him forever. Since I choose to believe in the hope, there’s no decision about whether or not I want to go. You can mark my name down on the list. As far as I’m concerned, I’m there. I just have to know the way.
The Way
During high school, a Muslim was giving a lecture in my Contemporary Issues class, including his opinion on eternal life. His faith allowed that Jesus was a good man, a prophet, but not the Son of God. Mohammed was his prophet of choice. He was congenial, charismatic and warm feelings abounded in the class. Trying to get the heart of his message, I asked if he felt like we Christians were going to heaven with him. “I would like to say that many different roads lead to God,” he began, “but my religion dictates that you are not going.” According to him, whether or not you made it to heaven would rely on whether or not your good deeds outweighed your bad ones. With faith like that, how would you know? I have trouble keeping up with my bank accounts, monthly bills, and other details of life. How can I expect to be able to count up the words I’ve spoken in anger versus the times I’ve done a selfless deed? So how does the classroom guest speaker know for certain there’s a home for him above? Unfortunately, he said he doesn’t. He hopes that his good outweighs his bad and that on that final day, he is allowed into the richness of eternal life. He is determined to work and work, collecting an impressive list of charitable activities. I believe in a different way, and, according to my sources, the only way. Only the Son of God could have bridged the gap between our sinful state and God’s holiness. Only His innocence could pay the price. If there were any other way besides the sacrifice of His only Son, then God would have chosen it. If there is any other way to get to heaven, Christ’s death was in vain. He is the way. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). —DeWayne Hamby Managing Editor
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The Place Where God Dwells We all want to go there someday; the place where
Heaven has streets made of pure gold, walls of jasper,
our Heavenly Father dwells. “Then hear thou in heaven
and gates of pearl.
thy dwelling place, and forgive and do, and give to every
Revelation 21:18, 19, 21 says, “And the building of the
man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest,
wall of it was jasper and the city was pure gold, like unto
for thou, even thou only, knowest the heart of all the
clear glass, and the foundations of the wall of the city
children of men” (I Kings 8:39).
were garnished with all manner of precious stones; the
Heaven is a place of peace and joy, where all are happy and continually praising and worshipping God. Ezekiel 3:12 says, “Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place.” Heaven is a place where the angels rejoice over one coming to the Lord. “Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” ( Luke 15:10).
first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald. The twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” There’s not a church in heaven because our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, are there. Revelation 21:22: “and I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” There is no need of the sun and moon in heaven for
There is a throne in heaven that God sits upon, and
God’s glory is there. “. . . and the city had no need of the
where Jesus sits at his right hand interceding for us.
sun, for the glory of God did lighten it. And the Lamb is
It’s a place where God hears our prayers and knows
the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).
our hearts. “The Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man
Heaven, oh how I want to go. I won’t be hard to find.
looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looked
Just look for Jesus, I’ll be sitting at His feet, worshipping
on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).
Him forevermore. —Rita Ford Autryville, North Carolina WWM J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 2
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A few years ago I attended a women’s conference with a group of friends. This one day mega-event was designed for women as a day off from the routine of weekend work and as an opportunity for fellowship with friends and worship unto the Lord. The day moved along as expected and our group was enjoying our time together as well as receiving new insight concerning the challenges of the life in which we were living. As the last speaker of the day moved to the stage, I realized that she was going to share a very different kind of message addressing the topic of heaven. The introduction alone sent me into an immediate adjustment crisis. As a child when I would hear someone get started in exhortation concerning heaven, it was always overwhelming for me. One response I noticed was that most people, when asked, affirmed that they wanted to go to heaven. Yet no one was ready to go to heaven at that particular moment. Another response concerning heaven that I recognized as a child was at the death of a faithful saint. Without fail, whenever anyone died and others spoke of that person as being in heaven, most everyone wept openly. In fact, it seemed
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to me that whenever anyone spoke of someone being in heaven, a round of tears (and sometimes wailing) followed. For me, the recurring unsettlement concerning heaven grew. The resulting reality was that I was not sure I ever wanted to go to heaven. The biggest problem I had with the consideration of heaven was the suggestion that once we got there we would live forever. I’m confident that for most of us eternal life is one of the best and most precious promises of our God. However, the lack of clarity and the inability to comprehend such a huge concept sent my child’s understanding into major conflict. An enlarging hole would begin working in my stomach until I reached the conclusion that I did not want to go to heaven, and I was pretty sure I did not want to live forever. I told my mother more than once that God would have to find something else for me. After all, what could we possibly do forever in a place like heaven? Today I thank God for a mother’s faith that listened and responded with not only comfort but with the love and grace of God. Sitting in the conference that day, surrounded by literally thousands of
women rejoicing in and affirming the message on heaven, I found my mind passing from the terror of a young child’s reasoning into an attempt to catch up to the speaker and put together a thought pattern that would enable me to hear the presentation. As I reflect, I can’t recall many specifics concerning its outline or major points. What I do remember was the personal impact at the conclusion of the anointed Word. I found that I felt something different; not the familiar growing discomfort of unresolved fear, but rather a longing and home-sickness for heaven lingering in my spirit. Over the last few years, I have studied more than a few Bible passages concerning heaven. While there are many such passages, I will share a few which have affected me the greatest. Perhaps the last couple of writings from the book of Revelation have most helped transform the parameters of my understanding and description of heaven. The 21st chapter begins with the revelation of a new heaven and new earth. In the difficult days in which we are currently living, where we are daily challenged by disasters and quakes and the indication and possibility of our
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world literally falling apart, sovereign God makes us aware of His provision for the foundation of a new heaven and a new earth. This indication suggests that this earth on which we now live was never built for nor intended to last forever. Excitement rises as understanding imparts that God has already made provision for eternity. From that revelation rises an amazing promise, in that God Himself will dwell in the midst of this new heaven and earth and we will be his people and He will be our God (v. 3). My heart is comforted by the declaration of God Himself, that He will be in the midst of heaven and I will be with Him throughout eternity. This revelation reminds me where my home is and where it is not. Immediately, revelation enlarges concerning eternity as to what will not be in that new heaven and new earth. The passage clearly states five specifics that will not be there. God will wipe away our tears, and proclaim with finality no more death, no more mourning, no more crying and no more pain (v. 4). This same passage and into the 22nd chapter continues to describe the aesthetics and beauty of heaven including a description of the natural
brilliance of priceless stones, gates of pearls, streets of pure gold, a crystal clear sea in the midst of the throne of God, and the tree of life where the leaves are produced for miraculous healing. The passage also affirms the worship and honor continuously lifted unto the name of our God forever and ever. Further, comfort rises with the assurance of knowing that family and friends who are in Christ and those who have already died in Christ will also be in heaven and will share in this worship and honor unto our God. Over the past few years especially, I have been grateful for the writings to the Thessalonians concerning this very revelation of resurrection in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). God’s Word speaks hope and assurance that heaven will be home for all who are in Christ. Perhaps the greatest longing for heaven is motivated by the comprehension that Jesus will be in heaven. The 14th chapter of John brings comfort as Christ encourages the disciples not to be troubled, rather, only believe. Christ Himself is the one who is preparing a place for us that where He is, we may be with Him (John 14:1–6). He clearly marks the path to heaven as the way, the truth, and the life.
Now as I ponder the magnitude of heaven and eternity in the quietness, I am still limited by the parameters of my understanding but there is no longer an overwhelming crisis or panic. I have the revelation and the longing for my home in heaven as God has laid the provisional foundation. I have the knowledge that heaven will never hold fear, death, mourning, or pain. While heaven’s beauty may be beyond my ability of expression and explanation, I know in part some of what eternity holds. I have the assurance that in heaven I will see again family and friends who have lived and died in Christ as they have passed from this life into eternity. And I have the confidence that not only will Jesus be there, but He is right now making preparations for us to be with Him forever in our eternal home in heaven. What great comfort to long for my home in heaven where I will forever be in the presence of our God. What a day of rejoicing that will be!
—Cathy Payne Cleveland, Tennessee
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A Certain Sound
T
There was once a popular television program called, “This is Your Life.” On the show, an unsuspecting guest would be brought on stage to hear the highlights of his life. The best part was watching the guest’s face as he tried to identify the voices of people telling stories about him from backstage. Just as a contestant in that studio considered himself alone and among unfamiliar voices but was not, there are valleys we walk through where just beyond our view, on the periphery of our understanding, is our own cheering section. In a quiet hospital room, two sisters sat with their father. He had come through a surgical procedure but had taken a turn for the worse. The doctors had told the family that he most likely would not survive. As that night crawled by, his almost imperceptible breathing and the soft gurgle of an oxygen humidifier lulled his daughters in and out of fitful dozing. They were posted in different parts of the room, one on a rickety cot and the other in an uncomfortable straight-backed chair. The nursing staff had been in periodically to check his vital signs. Knowing that their patient was in his final hours, 16
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they performed their duties wordlessly, making sure he was comfortable, but providing no active treatment at this point. “Thank you,” one daughter whispered as a nurse slipped past her on her way out of the room. “Oh, you’re welcome, honey,” the nurse replied quietly, sounding almost surprised at the expression of gratitude. She put a compassionate hand on the seated woman’s shoulder. “He’s not in any pain. It won’t be much longer, Minnie. Call me if you need anything.” The nurse then left the room. The younger sister on the cot did not stir. “Vonda,” Minnie whispered. There was no response. Good. She’s asleep, she thought as she settled back into her chair. She put her head back and let the tears run down her face. Their mother was already gone and now it looked as if their daddy would die in the next few hours. He had been a Christian for awhile, but this was after decades of being what they call in the South, a “rounder.” He had gambled, he drank—some weeks he spent his whole paycheck before coming home to his wife and seven children.
Remembering those days, Minnie wrestled with worry. Had her father had enough time to make up for all of his failings? She felt guilty for thinking that way, there in the dark of his hospital room. She knew that God’s grace was abundant and free, but was her daddy really ready for heaven? With that question came another one. Should she call the others? The siblings had learned through their topsy-turvy lives to depend on each other. They had each been at the hospital in the last few days but it was now the middle of the night. Would they want to be here? Minnie tried to think clearly, but lack of sleep and feeling overwhelmed made her distrust her decision making skills. “Vonda,” she whispered again, this time a little more urgently. “Yeah.” Minnie could tell from the way Vonda responded that she had not been asleep. “Do you think I should call everyone?” “No. You can call them in the morning. Let them get some sleep.” “But did you hear. . .” “Yes.” There was no more talk for a couple of hours. Then, all of a sudden, the younger sister sat up. “Do you hear that?” Minnie responded immediately. “Yes, I do.” There was the distinct sound of people talking in the room. “Where do you think it’s coming from?” It was very odd to be hearing what could only be described as “crowd noises” in a hospital room. “I hear a lot of voices and every so often a big cheer goes up, is that what you hear?” Vonda nodded her head sheepishly. “Uh huh. And I hear music in the background.” She cocked her head to listen. “Like this.” She hummed the tune. Convinced they were hearing the same thing, Minnie looked around the room for a radio. There was not one. She inspected all of the monitors and equipment in the room, wondering if some stray radio signal was coming through one of them. The sounds were not emanating from any of them. There was an intercom on the wall. She leaned in to see if the voices and music was originating there. They were not. She was determined to locate the source of what she and Vonda were hearing. She stepped out of the room and the sounds could no longer be heard. She walked down the empty hallway and there was not a conversation going on anywhere. In her desperation to identify the sounds in her father’s hospital room, Minnie even checked the newborn nursery. Fast asleep was one, tiny, silent baby. As she made her way back to the room, she saw large double doors which opened onto a balcony. She stepped through those doors, thinking, “Maybe there’s a ball game going on.” The total silence of the town at 4 a.m. made her feel silly for even checking. The moment Minnie reentered the room, she heard the same sounds she had heard before she left: the voices of a large crowd of people, calling out, cheering. And she still heard the music. It started to dawn on her that what she was hearing sounded familiar: like approaching the open-air
tabernacle where she had attended camp meeting services, hearing music and the roar of people praying and joyously shouting. Vonda was sitting there wide-eyed. She looked relieved that Minnie was back to stay. The whole thing was a little unnerving. They knew at this point that there was no logical explanation for what they were hearing, having ruled out radios, ball games, equipment malfunction, and babies. They continued to hear the inexplicable cheering and lilting music for quite some time. As the daylight filtered into the room, their father woke up. They each took a place at the side of his bed. He motioned for them to lean in, as if he was going to tell them a secret. “They’re all here,” he said. “I’m going over there to speak to Mr. Jones.” “Mr. Jones, Daddy?” Vonda queried. “Do you see Mr. Jones?” The only Mr. Jones that he had known was Minnie’s father-inlaw who had been his friend and who had died a few months earlier. In answer to his daughter’s question, he repeated, “They’re all here,” this time making a circular motion with his hand, indicating the area around his bed. He died a little while later. It was Sunday morning, about the time that he would have been getting ready for Sunday school. Minnie and Vonda shared with their brothers and sisters about the events of the previous, noisy night. The oldest sister, Ruby, said, “While I was praying last night the Lord told me to look up Hebrews 12:1. It says, ‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.’” As Ruby finished quoting the Scripture, another sister, Gayle, couldn’t contain her excitement. “It’s my dream!” she said. “Last night, I dreamed that I was watching a race. Runners were making their way into a walled city and there was music playing from somewhere inside it. People lined the sides of the road and there were more people up on the walls, all of them cheering. Each time a runner would pass through the gates, the entire crowd would roar. Don’t you see? What you heard was Daddy finishing his race! He was surrounded by that cloud of witnesses cheering him on. And Mr. Jones was there! That’s what Daddy saw. And that is what you heard.” Nine o’clock one Sunday morning, my grandfather finished his earthly race and made his entrance into heaven surrounded by rejoicing saints. How compassionate of our Heavenly Father to give my mother, Minnie, and her sister, Vonda, a seat in the grandstands to hear that celebration.
—Marsha Robinson Cleveland, Tennessee
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“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:2–4
One of the most important rules in giving criticism is to ensure that the criticism is constructive and beneficial to the individual being criticized. In the second chapter of the Book of Revelation, Jesus in His dialogue with the church of Ephesus, through the writer John, is having what many parents, employers, teachers, and anyone holding a position of authority may regard as a classic one-on-one critique. It is thorough, rudimentary, truthful and undoubted beneficial to the Ephesians as well as readers of the Gospel. 18
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John begins by first clearly acknowledging a genuine relationship and then points out several important positive elements. He thereafter identifies the negative characteristic, recommendations towards a path to reconstruction are provided, and finally identification of a reward for following the recommendations is given. The Lord specifically identifies five positive characteristics and then gets into more details before identifying the single negative flaw. The positive characteristics are works, labor, WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
patience, not bearing evil, and the trial of apostles. The one negative trait is the act or process of leaving what is defined as a “first love.” Whether the Scriptures are interpreted literally or figuratively (both are exceedingly beneficial), then the church, the individual, or the entity stands to gain spiritually, as long as the concept of identifying and maintaining the original “first love” is the end result. As the Body of Christ and as individual Christians, the main focus must be soul winning. The Scripture implies that while there are many spiritually beneficial practices which both the Church and we as Christians may become involved in, the goal of leading someone to the Lord cannot be placed on the back burner. Taking a closer look at the Word directly, there is a deliberate harping on word usage, which the Holy Spirit, without doubt, influenced John to use to naturally incite spiritual curiosity. The second verse opens with the phrase “I know thy works, and thy labor,” and the reader instantaneously and almost subconsciously asks the question, what is the difference between “works” and “labor”? One obvious interpretation is that works refers to the grand scale or the so-called “big picture” of a goal or idea, while labor refers to the specific tasks needed to fulfill that goal or idea. For example, for an outreach program which provides food to the poor, the works may be categorized as the organizing, funding, and the determination of community needs and the organizational support limits, while the labor may be classified as the actual setting up, packaging, preparing, and physically attending to the needs of the community. In addition to works and labor, there is emphasis on highlighting and rewarding the characteristic of patience. Patience implies strength, fortitude, and endurance in carrying out the goals and task related to works and labor. The next two positive characteristics point to internal and high level spiritual development, which by their very nature are difficult to identify and even more difficult to attain. In a world that is increasingly more and more evil, this Scripture is singling out those who abide under the influence of the Holy Ghost and are thereby capable of differentiating between holiness and sin. Truly as written in this Word, very few can genuinely distinguish between good and evil, and therefore very few indeed cannot “bear them which are evil.” There are many people in the world who think that they know the difference between godliness and evil, however, only those whose lives are anointed by the Holy Ghost and live in a genuine Christlike manner have this characteristic. Of course, they of themselves make no such determination, but such a differentiation is made through the unction of the Spirit of the living God through the Comforter granted by the risen Savior, Christ Jesus, who is Lord and deliverer of all. Verse three takes the communication to a more intimate level and there is almost a direct repeat of the initial characteristics. If we correlate “borne,” directly to “works,” then verse three’s use of the words patience and labor is as though a good friend has initially discussed an issue and is now more intently repeating the characteristics. The word “fainted” is a further sealing of the commentary on works, labor, and patience, and in closing out the positives, more
spiritual praise is heaped upon this church as they have the gift of identifying and challenging corrupt ministers in the Body of Christ. Finally, after all the praise and the doubling and intimate repeating of this praise the communication turns to the necessary negative criticism and the corresponding recommendations. Jesus points to spiritual shortcomings by stating, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” This calls for a time of deep contemplation, spiritual determination, and individual accountability with respect to a true relationship with the Lord. Jesus said to Peter, “If you love me feed my sheep,” and this is a great starting point in our internal questioning. In a world where tens of thousands gather to hear watered down half-truths, the question is “Are we doing all that we can to feed the flock of the Lord?” Can it be said with all certainty that every available amount of energy that can be utilized is being used in the field of soul winning? There is little doubt that soul winning and the spiritual feeding of those led to the Lord are the first love referred to. The verse begins winding down this discourse with a stern warning. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” The reference to the
As the Body of Christ and as individual Christians, the main focus must be soul winning. removal of the candlestick is an obvious identification of those already deeply involved in the work of the Lord, and also there is implication that some works are more valuable than others—which is the root of the passage. What makes this reading more concerning is that fact that there are so many good characteristics that, without this warning, it would be extremely easy to live an apparently fulfilled spiritual life while actually falling short of the attainable goal. Our primary focus at all steps in our journey with the Lord must be on the “first love” called out in this Scripture. In addition to the dangers of failing to prioritize, there also remains the possibility of being distracted. In a world where there is constant distraction from media, politics, education, business, employment, sports, community and other activities, there is even a greater challenge to find this “true love” and maintain it until the end of our Christian journey.
Samuel R. Williams Atlanta, Georgia
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MINISTRIES MINISTRIES In November 2010, the book Heaven is For Real was released. It has become a best seller with more than 1.5 million copies sold, followed by the recent kids edition Heaven is For Real For Kids. The books tell the story of Colton Burpo’s near death experience, his visit to heaven. In 2003, Colton’s appendix burst. The 4 year-old lay in the hospital near death for 17 days. A few months after leaving the hospital, Colton opened up about his brush with death, describing in vivid detail his trip to heaven. When his mom, Sonja, asked him about his memories of being in the hospital, little Colton replied: “Yes,
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Mommy, I remember — that’s where the angels sang to me.” Then Colton told his parents more—about sitting in Jesus’ lap, watching his parents while he lay near death, and meeting his great-grandfather. And, most touching, Colton described meeting his second sister in heaven— even though he had no way of knowing that his mother had miscarried two years before he was born, since his parents had never told him. And even his parents had not known the sex of their unborn child. Colton’s experience has made all of us more inquisitive about heaven. For parents and children’s ministers it has also made us aware that our children can understand and be blessed by knowing what heaven is really like.
Kids have many unanswered questions about heaven: “Where will I live in heaven?” “Will I be an angel or a ghost?” “Will pets be in heaven?” “What will I eat?” All of these are interesting to children and answers for each of these can be found in God’s Word. Here are a few questions that will help our kids know about heaven and be ready to go there.
“Should I Be Excited About Going To Heaven?”
Our excitement for heaven vanishes when we think about having to die before reaching that wonderful place. And I think that is why we are hesitant to talk with our kids about the joys of heaven. But a good way to help kids become excited about going to heaven is to compare it
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with taking a family vacation or a school field trip. Before going on the vacation or field trip, parents or teachers share information about the destination. They may share pictures and tell the kids about what they will see and do. As the kids hear about the adventures they will have and the sights they will see, they become excited about their future trip. 2 Peter 3:13 says, “We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised.” Children can’t really get excited about heaven unless they know about it. Heaven will be their home one day so we want to help them know all they can about it now. Then they will be excited and have a longing to go there.
“What is Heaven?”
For most children, heaven seems like an imagined place in outer space. But heaven is a real location. The Bible talks about it many, many times. In fact the word “heaven” is used 551 times. The Bible tells us that heaven is just as real as the earth where we live now. If you want the children to understand about heaven, a place they have never been, you might compare it to places they have seen or experiences they have had. Some of the Bible writers used words to describe heaven that kids
are familiar with—a city, paradise, a garden, the kingdom of God. In heaven, there will be no sadness or suffering. There will be no darkness. In heaven the lamb will lay down beside the lion. Study Bible passages with the children that describe heaven. Lead them to discover how heaven will be like their lives here on earth and how it will be different.
“How Do I Get To Heaven?”
Children have lots of different ideas about how they get to heaven. They think they have to be good to go to heaven. They think that if their parents are Christians they will go to heaven. They think that they can go to heaven by obeying their parents or their pastors and teachers. But the Bible tells us that only those who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin can go to heaven. To help children get ready to go to heaven tell them about Jesus—He came to earth as a tiny baby, He lived a life without sin, and He died on the cross to take the punishment for the wrong things we have done. Tell them what sin is (Isaiah 56:3) and what the consequences of sin are (Romans 6:23). Tell them that there is only one way to heaven (1 John 1:9, Acts 16:31). Teach them to pray and give them opportunities to confess their sins and receive Jesus as their Savior. Just as the song says, “Heaven is a wonderful place.” It’s a place all believers will go one day. We can help our kids anticipate heaven and help them get ready to go there one day. —Kathryn Creasy International Director Children’s Ministries
Suggested Resources for Parents and Children’s Ministers: Heavenquestions.com Heaven Is For Real For Kids, Colton Burpo, Todd and Sonja Burpo Tell Me About Heaven, Randy Alcorn Heaven for Kids, Randy Alcorn
Your Mission for 2012
It’s hard to believe, but 2011 has quickly come to an end and is now history. January is here and marks a new beginning for all of us—so, what is our mission for 2012? As I “Googled” the happenings of 2011 and reflected on both the good and bad, I became even more aware that our time and opportunities to make a difference in our world are at a critical stage. For instance, did you know that 42 significant earthquakes were recorded in less than 10 months—January 1 through October 23, 2011—according to the statistical data available at this writing? And, this data does not even include the numerous floods, mudslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, typhoons, wildfires, famines, government uprisings, various wars, etc. Could this be the day in which Matthew 24 is being fulfilled? And although these disasters may tend to cause one to become troubled, let us remember that these signs simply mean one thing: Jesus is coming back, and most likely, sooner than some anticipate! Thus, every day should be considered as an open-door opportunity to fulfill our God-given mission in life. So, exactly what is that mission? As we face this new beginning, let’s ask ourselves some relevant questions about where and how we fit into His plans. Christ spoke to his disciples in Matthew 9:37, 38, “. . . the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Is this an even greater moment for us to pray such a prayer? Are there other ways in which we can labor, or help provide the means for laborers who can go? And, what about the harvest field right next door? How are we impacting our next-door neighbor with the Gospel? If we haven’t been called to go, we all have been called to pray and give so that others can fulfill the command (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). Yes, this is a “New” Year, and we have been given another opportunity for a fresh start. As Partners together in this vast Harvest, let’s determine to reach our world and strive to fulfill our mission in life.
What is your mission in 2012? —Annette Taylor, International Director Harvest Partners Ministry WWM J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 2
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The
Artist
God is the artist painting the portrait of our lives. We are the paint. It depends on how we work with Him as He works with us as to how the portrait is completed. The master artist is working something that is worth far more than the moment. All that we have encountered combined with all that we will continue to encounter in this life are the brush strokes of God in our lives. There are some strokes upon the canvas of our lives that make no sense at all. But when connected with other strokes, He brings together every event, both joyful and sorrowful, to produce what He alone can see in us. This is why our destination is not as important as the journey itself. God is not as concerned with what we are trying to accomplish as He is the process to reach the other end of it. It is in the process that the relationship with us is cherished and that the journey has its worth. I have never been one with the desire to see the sights to be seen across America. To me, one mountain is no different than another, one city than another, or one monument than another. My wife Ramona has been the one with the desire to see these things. Even though I have had no desire to sightsee, I have enjoyed every mountain, every city, and every monument, simply because I have enjoyed the journey with Ramona. She has had enough excitement for the both of us. It has been through the joy in the relationship that these events have meant anything to me. Her joy became my joy, her excitement over these things has become mine; the journey with her has been more important to me than the objects in the journey. Likewise, the events in our lives are no more different than each other to God. It is the process that has taken us through the events that means something. It is how the process has affected us that God is moved in His heart. God just wants us. He wants to be with us, and He wants to experience us as we experience Him. “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life” (Psalm 42:7-8). The deep way down inside of God calls for those things that are rooted inside of us. He longs for us to taste the journey, to experience the artist in every stroke, to feel the emotion behind the intention of the heart as the brush reveals what He sees in us. Only God can reveal who we are and make sense of why we are in this life. He is both the author and finisher of our faith. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). —Joseph “Bo” Robinson Dahlonega, Georgia
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Believe
There comes a time when the subject of “faith” will either become strength to us, or an abandoned truth that we will find no personal application or fulfillment in. This moment will undoubtedly arrive in one’s life at some juncture or another. Here lies the situation: you will take a firm stance on what God has said, or you will not. continued on next page
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There is no in-between. But is it possible that our decision to not believe boldly is one of many things holding us back from a new promotion, a lost family member, being healed, and beyond. Consider Abraham and how the Lord told him that he would be the father of many nations. Most would agree that Abraham would not be the ideal candidate for such a task, but it was entrusted to him just the same. “And God brought Abraham outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then He said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:5 ESV). The word believed there actually means to stand firm like a pillar, signifying that when you receive a word from God, every wind of change that life throws at you never nullifies the word, regardless of circumstances, finances, education, or age. Whatever you expect to disqualify you, God can take as one more opportunity to show Himself mighty. This passage in context also depicts the image of how a mother nurses her child, shining the truth that sometimes you have to nurture the word that God gives you, believing that in that word there is life sustaining substance for you. The word counted in this passage means to weave or to fabricate. This is a term familiar to those who make a tapestry. A tapestry is a richly and complexly designed cloth. Revealing to us that when make a choice to stand firm and to carefully nurture the word that God gives us without relenting, He creates a tapestry, a cloth into which He instills a remembrance of this faithfulness. The final word righteousness depicts mainly a status of government, painting this final picture. When you hear a word from God for you, your life, and the lives of those you love, keep this pattern. Take that word and stand on it. Nothing can move your absolute confidence that the Lord will come through one hundred fold on His promises. The second is to guard that word, chew on it, and to let it marinate on the inner parts of your soul where it has become bread to you. The word of God
shows us that this determined pursuit of faith creates something the Lord can place on us as a sign of our dominion. A dominion to walk in the fullness of everything that God has told you He would do for you and through you. I’m reminded of a story my mom used to tell sometimes when she would preach, of a woman in a country church. She was an older woman and didn’t have a lot of money, no children, not much of anything, but she loved God and that was enough for her. She would always be the one to stand up in the middle of the preacher’s sermon and be the first if not only one to shout “Hallelujah!” with all of her might. One day that church hired a new pastor who was more on the reserved side. He approached this woman knowing her poverty stricken state and told her that if she would stay seated and not shout while he preached that he would buy her some new blankets. Bewildered at the offer to stay warm on bitter cold nights, the woman regretfully accepted the offer. Until one night she’d had enough. The spirit of God came upon her and she stood up in the middle of the sermon and shouted, “Blankets or no blankets—Hallelujah!!!” That story immediately makes me think of a statement by a late saint who said, “Faith always has a shout!” That’s the mindset we must have to keep the fight of faith alive in our own hearts! If God said thousands were going to be saved in your church, He meant thousands. If He said someone was getting healed or that lost family member was getting saved, He said what He meant. Take your eyes off the obvious and place them in the realm of the unseen. Let heaven give you a proper prospective of your city, family, and situation. You will quickly see that your largest mountains melt in the presence of a real God. BELIEVE!
Take your eyes
off the obvious
and place them in the realm of the unseen.
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Tyler Richardson Cleveland, Tennessee
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MINISTRIES MINISTRIES
A Seasonal Review of North American Fall Regional Ladies Retreats 2011–2012 The rising testimony from this season of retreats is one of relevance and timing. Marked by a year of natural disasters, economic distress, and national uprisings, this retreat season has been a journey of discovery for the place of comfort, safety and inspiration - indeed the very Dwelling Place of the Lord. The colors on the mountains signaled the evidence of transition as we traveled into the Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina for the Southeast Retreat, the first retreat of the season. Women began arriving from ten regional areas with excited anticipation. Healing, anointing, and restoration were immediately present from the beginning of the retreat and throughout the weekend. Sunday morning capped the weekend with the supernatural anointing and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The next retreat, hosted in Branson, Missouri, brought groups of women from the different regions of mid-America. Each session began with beautiful bilingual worship and celebration directed toward the Lord. Once again, His presence completely filled the weekend with witness to the power and interacting care of our God. We rejoiced as we were touched by the miraculous, specifically through salvation and healing.
continued on page 30
Rocky Mountain Retreat Rocky Mountain Retreat
Southeast Retreat Gulf Shores Retreat
Southeast Retreat
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Beyond Our Understanding Sometimes when we share the story of how Christ changed our lives, we encounter resistance or it appears to fall on “deaf ears.” Our discouragement then affects our zeal toward future evangelistic encounters. Yet God simply wants us to respond to His leading and let Him work. In the book, The Unexpected Adventure, Lee Strobel relates a story about feeling the nudge of the Holy Spirit to witness to a coworker: “I reminded him that Easter was coming and asked if he would want to come to church with Leslie and me. He turned me down cold. I asked if he was interested at all in spiritual matters, and he emphatically said no. I asked if he has any questions about God, and again he said no. I talked to him about why the resurrection was so important, but he clearly wasn’t interested. “With all of my evangelistic overtures being instantly shut down, I was beginning to get a little embarrassed.
Why was he so disinterested in talking about spiritual matters if God was indeed prodding me to talk with him? Finally, I stammered, ‘Well, uh, if you’ve ever got any questions, um, I guess you know where my desk is,’ and I walked out. “What was that all about? I couldn’t understand why he was so adamantly resistant. In the end, I concluded that maybe I was going to be one link in a very long chain of people and experiences that would eventually lead him to Christ. Still, as far as I know he remains a skeptic to this day. “Fast-forward several years. By this time I was a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago. After I spoke one Sunday morning, a middle-aged man came up, shook my hand, and said, ‘I just want to thank you for the spiritual influence you’ve had in my life.’ “’That’s very nice,’ I said, ‘but who are you?’ “’Let me tell you my story,’ he replied. ‘A few years ago I lost my job. I didn’t have any money, and I was afraid I was going to lose my house. I called a friend of mine who runs a newspaper and said, ‘Do you have any work for me?’ He asked, ‘Can you tile floors?’ Well, I had tiled my
bathroom once, so I said, ‘Sure.’ He told me, ‘We need some tiling done at the newspaper. If you can do that, we can pay you.’ “’So one day, not long before Easter, I was on my hands and knees behind a desk in the business office of the newspaper, fixing some tiles, when you walked into the room. I don’t think you even saw me. You started talking about God and Jesus and Easter and the church to some guy, and he wasn’t interested at all. But I was crouching there listening, and my heart was beating fast, and I started thinking, ‘I need God! I need to go to church!’ “’As soon as you left, I called my wife and said, ‘We’re going to church this Easter.’ She said, ‘You’re kidding!’ I said, ‘No, we are.’ We ended up coming to this church that Easter, and my wife, my teenage son, and I all came to faith in Christ. I just wanted to thank you.’” “I was dumbstruck! Who could have foreseen that, except the amazing God of grace?” Taken from “The Unexpected Adventure” by Lee Stroble and Mark Mittelberg. Copyright ©2009 by Zondervan. Used by permission of Zondervan. www. zondervan.com
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SENIORS
UKRAINE
Speaking Life and Encouragement
Reaching the Unreached of Ukraine
Continued page 6
When Bishop Vitaliy Voznyuk, National Overseer of Ukraine, challenged his congregations to send out two-member teams to minister in unreached areas of the Ukraine, the people readily accepted that clarion call. Lives are being changed as Jesus is being lifted high throughout the nation of Ukraine. Here’s just a little taste of what is happening:
I cannot kneel to pray, but I can pray lying in my bed, sitting in my chair, walking around my kitchen, and walking in my driveway. I used to solicit money to buy land on which to build churches. I have helped cook and deliver chicken dinners and sold donuts but cannot stand up when the congregation stands in service. I am not a bench warmer; I have graduated. I am now a prayer warrior and an encourager. I place encouraging scriptures and sayings all around my house where I can read them often and encourage myself. I cut out a picture of three lovely ladies from the newspaper. One lady is very young, one is middle-aged and one is elderly. The caption under the picture says, “The setting sun is no less beautiful than the sun rising.” Once I was having a dull day. As I started down my front steps, a big yellow butterfly flew up and stopped a few feet from my face. I said, “Thank you, Lord, for the encouragement.” One day, a hummingbird flew up just a few feet from me. It paused and fluttered there for a few minutes. Again, I said, “Thank you, Lord.” I thank the Lord that despite health issues that one can expect having lived 86 years, God has allowed me to still be able to cook and take care of my husband of almost 69 years. My husband had my very small house painted blue and I call it my “Little Blue Heaven.” In closing, I will leave a Scripture. Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. So speak life. —Virginia W. Minter, LaFayette, Georgia
In Ternopol, we had an interchurch charitable program called “My Trust in Jesus.” Throughout five days, we carried out social and charitable actions: worked with children, invalids, clinic patients, and visited children’s shelters. The church took active part in evening concerts. We had two evangelism sessions in the central square. We distributed 70 thousand copies of Christian literature and New Testaments. About 100 people repented and accepted Jesus as their Lord. In the Kherson region, there were two water baptisms, and 16 took their covenant with God. We also held a monthly seminar for leaders in this region. In the Transcarpathian region, in the city of Mukachevo, there was a conference for Romanian churches. Three people repented and accepted Christ as their Lord. We also ordained two deacons to serve in this region. In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, 15 people were baptized. We praise God for all He is helping us accomplish in this region.
CHURCH NEWS New Multi-Racial Delaware Congregation On Sunday, October 30, 2011, a new church was organized in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The New Castle Mission was organized with 25 members. The moderator, Regional Overseer Leroy Greenaway gave a brief overview of the Church of God of Prophecy worldwide. “We are a Bible believing and practicing church—there is a covenant of obligation for membership”. After reading through the teachings of the church, and outlining a brief synopsis of the Church’s beliefs, 25 people raised their hands for membership and became covenanted members of the Church of God of Prophecy. The senior pastor is Pastor Zackery Madric and associate pastor, Pastor Alfredo Gonzales. We give God the glory for this new and multi-racial congregation in the Church of God.
—Christina Greenaway
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LOCAL/STATE/INTERNATIONAL
STEWARDSHIP Prepare for Stewardship Emphasis Month One of the greatest blessings I received during the International Assembly was the many good reports shared by pastors and teachers who had experienced the joy of a successful stewardship emphasis month. In some instances, a leader in the church arose to this challenge as a result of God’s unction. One such sister shared that the tithes tripled from $4,000 to $12,000 after the lessons on stewardship were taught. A young pastor shared how he and his family had made changes in their personal finances. The entire family is enjoying a peace and contentment that had evaded them previously. He also shared that his church went from less than the base pay to $22,000 over the base amount in just one year after a stewardship emphasis campaign. When we preach and teach stewardship, we are in good company. You would have to preach on stewardship seventeen Sundays out of the year to preach about stewardship as much as Jesus did. Our accuser would like to convince us that talking about money will turn people away from our churches. The truth is, it will meet a desperate need in their life and draw them to the church. When biblical stewardship is taught–rich in proven biblical principles, with one motive in mind–to meet the need of the people, bringing everything under the Lordship of Jesus–it is always a blessing. An increase of 20-50 percent in giving will follow a stewardship emphasis month. However, that is the tangible means to measure the intangible. The release that is experienced by tithing and giving goes beyond any other Christian obedience. The joy, the worship, and the peace goes beyond our ability to measure. We enjoy many blessings of practicing biblical stewardship. One we won’t fully know until we reach heaven is the fruit that comes as a result of our giving. The following stewardship manuals have been prepared by our own writers. They each include four sermons, four adult lessons, four youth lessons, four children’s lessons, four bulletin inserts and resources. These manuals are available in English and Spanish from the Stewardship Ministries Department. You can request a copy by Emailing liz@cogop.org, or call 423.559.5109. The cost is $5 each, plus shipping. If you desire to preach and teach stewardship and this cost is a hindrance, the manual will be sent at no charge. The adult lessons work well in Sunday school or Bible study. The youth lessons have been used successfully in youth services. Sunday school or Children’s Church teaches our children early how to honor God with all He gives us. 1. The Lordship of Jesus/El Señorío de Jesús 2. Stewardship in the Next Millennium/La Mayordomía en el Próximo Milenio 3. Stewards by Grace/Mayordomos por Gracia 4. Stewardship Taught by Jesus/Enseñanzas de Jesús Sobre la Mayordomía 5. The Stewardship Journey/La Aventura de la Mayordomía 6. The Economy of God/La Economía de Dios 7. Grace Is Always Generous/in translation DVD’s are also available in English in the following titles: 1. Spending Plan (creating a personal budget) 2. Living Debt Free 3. Planning for Retirement 4. Why Have a Will? 5. Tithing and Giving, Part 1
6. Tithing and Giving, Part 2 7. The Financial Structure of the Church 8. 403(b) Retirement Plan for USA Overseers, Ministers, Church-Paid Employees 9. Pastor’s/Overseer’s Compensation Package 10. Minister’s/Church’s Tax Requirements These are 30-minute videos of my presentations. A CD is also included from which handouts can be prepared for a class setting. The cost is $10 each, plus shipping. Visit Stewardship’s web page within the Church’s web site at cogop. org. Select ministries, then stewardship for additional resources. Stewardship Ministries’ objectives for the stewardship emphasis: • Inspire those who do not tithe to experience the joy of tithing. • Inspire those who tithe their net increase to move to tithe their gross increase. • Inspire ministry to model stewardship by not deducting expenses of ministry before the tithe is paid. • Prayerfully consider a household spending plan—budget—that includes a resolve to become debt-free. Prayerfully draw a will, appointing a spiritual guardian for minor • children, and tithing the estate. • Assume responsibility for the lean years by saving during the fat years. • Ask God, by His grace, to move each of us to a level of sacrificial giving. The preached, taught, and practiced Word will produce faithful, joyful stewards.
—Jan Couch Stewardship Ministries Director
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Ladies Retreats continued from page 26
The Rocky Mountain retreat was held for the first time in Billings, Montana. While cowboys made their way to Billings for participation in a regional competition rodeo, our women came with an expectation for the Lord and His wonder working power. Without disappointment, the Lord faithfully ministered among us with instruction in and direction to the safety of His dwelling. The Pacific Northwest retreat, hosted this year in Vancouver, Washington, began with a cold front moving through the area. While warmth in the natural was a sought-after blessing, the fire of the Holy Spirit was evident throughout the weekend. Many women testified of the present presence of the Lord through each session, often commenting that this retreat had been marked by the supernatural God. The Lake Barkley retreat hosted in Kentucky always feels like a journey that is taking us home. The familiar and welcome Kentucky lakeside retreat has become one of our legacy places to celebrate as we rejoice in His power and presence and are reminded of His great love. We enjoy the breeze of the Holy Spirit in this particular retreat that is specific to this region.
And once again, the ocean-drenched shores of the Gulf Coast wait for us in our last scheduled fall retreat in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The weekend is usually marked by intimacy and fellowship with one another and resting in and trusting the work of the Holy Spirit. We continue to thank God for allowing us to experience incredible redemption moments, amazing works of healing, the refreshing work of Holy Spirit, and the rest, hope and confidence that is ours in the Dwelling Place of the Lord. Four more regional retreats are scheduled this spring in North America (see page two). Additionally, Women’s Ministries is planning to sponsor three more International Retreats this spring: Hawaii (Pacific Islands) in February; Cuba in the spring; and Panama (Central American/Spanish Caribbean) in May. For more information on these retreats please contact our International Offices by phone (423-559-5337), E-mail (womens@cogop.org), or Facebook (Women’s Ministries). —Catherine Payne International Director for Women’s Ministries
In His Presence Sherman Allen
to reach out to hundreds of thousands. He was an apostolic missionary leader Bishop Sherman Allen for the Lord working with Last Days died November 11, 2011. fervor to spread the gospel He was born April 12, over Africa. Heaven is 1948. Bishop Allen, celebrating a great general along with his wife returning home.” Flowers, served God faithfully in the Church View a memorial clip of Bishop Allen preaching of God of Prophecy for at the International Assembly in 2008. 46 years. He joined the Church in 1965, became a minister in 1974 and ordained a Bishop in 1981. Bishop Allen most recently served as Don B. Thomas, 93, of General Presbyter for Africa from 1998– Papillion, Nebraska, 2011, raising up and encouraging leaders died November 14, 2011. who lovingly referred to him as “Papa,” He was born February 1, and overseeing the greatest harvest of 1918, in Winnett, souls the Church has experienced. Prior Montana. He was to this assignment, he served the Church married to Pearl Myler as Mission Representative, National Thomas who preceded him in death in Overseer of Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, 2002. They had been married 63 years. Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone, local Brother Thomas served the Lord as a church leader, evangelist, district youth minister in the Church of God of Prophecy leader and national youth leader. for 71 years. Licensed in 1940 and “Our dear Bishop of Africa has gone ordained a bishop in 1946, he pastored home to glory,” said General Overseer churches and was the overseer of many Randall E. Howard. “He labored nearly three decades in the great harvest land of states, including Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Africa and led the way for our ministries South Dakota, and Michigan.
Don B. Thomas
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Bishop Thomas was known by many as a mentor and role model. General Overseer, Randall Howard, in an Upper Room service at the International Offices, referred to Don Thomas as a spiritual father to other ministers. Brother Thomas will be remembered with great affection by many people.
MINISTERS James E. Hutchins; Byhalia, Mississippi; October 15, 2011; Licensed minister for 39 years.
MEMBERS Virginia M. Jones; York, South Carolina; October 27, 2011; Virginia was the widow of Reverend William C. Jones. Daldy Welsh; West End, Jamaica; August 12, 2011.
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MESSAGES
Honduran families walking the dark roads these brothers once found themselves on, can see living, breathing testimonies to the grace of God and a strong family of faith.
DeWayne Hamby, Managing Editor
Jesus and the Hernandez Brothers One of the highlights of my fall was a trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to participate in the Central America Pastor’s Summit. Bishop Benjamin Feliz, General Presbyter for Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, graciously allowed me time to promote the Mensajero Ala Blanca, the Spanishlanguage version of this magazine. During the trip, I met the Hernandez brothers. In fact, they were the first members I encountered, since they greeted us at the airport as part of the Welcoming Committee for the conference. They grabbed our luggage, directed us to vehicles, and carried us safely through the busy streets of Tegucigalpa to our hotel. There are four of them—Santos, age 47; Roberto, age 43; Francisco, age 41; and Carlos, age 27—and they all pastor in the Tegucigalpa area. Four siblings covering the area in ministry; isn’t that incredible? Even more inspiring is the fact that this solid ministry brotherhood was birthed out of a painful childhood. The brothers’ mother passed away when the youngest, Carlos, was only three. “When our mother died, as the oldest, I became like their father,” Santos told me. “I was an employee of a bank and with what I earned I was able to help them. “
Still, adding to the pain of losing a mother, the boys and their father struggled with alcoholism, physical abuse and drug use. It was a situation that seemed beyond hope and yet perfect for a miracle-working God to redeem. Not only did the wonder-working power of the blood of Jesus Christ breathe new life into the family, but God began to call the brothers into full-time ministry and their father into church leadership. Honduran families walking the dark roads these brothers once found themselves on, can see living, breathing testimonies to the grace of God and a strong family of faith. Francisco, who was the first accepting the call into ministry, told me, “This family
ministry model is part of God’s plan. It could be a living testimony for a society that’s fallen apart.” As the oldest brother, Santos said he is “so grateful to God because of our unity. We are strong in family. When I have problems, they have problems. When my brother Francisco has problems, we all have problems. We’ve been able to maintain unity since our youth.” I thank God for the ministry of the Hernandez brothers and the foundation for ministry that is being laid for future generations. “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7 NKJV).
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