Contents w w w w May 2012 • Volume 88, Number 11
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.
page 8
page 20
Calendar of Events For more information, visit www.cogop.org May 4–6, 2012 Great Plains Ladies Retreat Des Moines, Iowa May 10–13, 2012 CBL Consortium Introduction to Pentecostalism Jamaica
Features 7 SEVEN (For Young Readers) 8 Spirit Driven Youth and Mission by Aileen Reid
10 A Prayer for the Emerging by Jonathan Olavarria
12 The Move of the Holy Spirit in Youth and Emerging Leaders
page 18
26 Stewardship: Seven Reasons Churches Should Offer Electronic Giving Options 32 Children: Assembly for Children
by Levi Clark
14 Spirit Driven Youth Around the World 18 Youth Ministry Trends: The Emerging Underdogs by Morais Cassell
Editorials 4 Facing Forward: Youth Culture
by Randall E. Howard, General Overseer
20 Camp and the Holy Spirit: Perfect Together
31 Messages I’m Not Giving Up
by Adam Jones
by DeWayne Hamby, Managing Editor
22 2012–13 Youth Camp Dates
Updates
Ministries 24 Christian Education: Christian Educator of the Year Award 25 Women: Mission Breakfast
5 Worldview
Culture–International–Chaplaincy Women–Russia–Perspectives–Sri Lanka
30 In His Presence
Visit us online—www.whitewingmessenger.org
White Wing Messenger Editorial Board: Londa Richardson, Chair; H. E. Cardin; Daniel Chatham; Hanny Vidal; Cervin McKinnon; Perry Horner; Tapio Sätilä; Brian Sutton; 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.
May 17–20, 2012 CBL Consortium Pastoral Excellence in Hispanic Ministry Northeast Spanish Region New Beginnings, Passaic, New Jersey May 17–20, 2012 CBL Consortium Hermeneutics Warda, Texas May 17–20, 2012 CBL Consortium Homiletics Kirkland, Washington May 18–20, 2012 Central America Ladies Retreat Panama May 21–26, 2012 CBL Consortium Theology Survey II Nassau, Bahamas July 25–29, 2012 2012 International Assembly Kentucky International Convention Center Louisville, Kentucky www.cogop.org/Assembly 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.
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
3
FACING FORWARD Youth Culture The youth culture seems to be about the same as it ever was. On the online youth ministries site, thesource4ym.com, Jonathan McKee writes, “When I was 14 years old, I watched Kevin Bacon get ‘Footloose.’ In the eyes of a teenager, the movie was awesome: rebellion, self-expression, living for the moment, not flinching in any way to consider consequences. Oh, to be young.” Most people would say it was the same story for the Beatles generation, and so on, and so on, back in youth culture time. It seems to me that two things are fairly constant with youth as they break into the established culture and create their own. First, they are and have always been antiestablishment in so many ways. To boil it down to the simplest common denominator and most innocuous, children have been growing up with the parameters of their parents and wanting to defy those limits in every generation since Adam. It is the nature of the beast. Even so, we can see good woven into this behavior that for the most part makes parents want to pull their hair out. What generation has been so perfect that a good dose of reform would not do it good? Youth seem to be God’s gift to stagnating, comfortable, status quo generations. Youth arrive on the scene and expose the fallacies and covered cracks in each generation. Though to the established generation all of this seems like revolution, it often tones down to be social progress, or technical progress, or even moral progress in times of revival. The second thing that can be seen in youth culture is their honesty in seeking spiritual identity. Yes, it is regrettable that they often start by throwing off the spirituality of their fathers in order to discover truth on their own. But I like the words of the wise man of the Bible, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Just as he said, youth, like salmon, seem
We offer spiritual heritage and they supply spiritual fervor.
4
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
to swim back to the anchor points of spirituality that were poured into them when they were young. With their spiritual hunger, we would all do well to tap that pure, young stream of soul energy. Far too soon we older ones lose our passion and purity of conviction. We rationalize and compromise in religiously acceptable ways. We could benefit from the stark willingness of the young to ‘surrender all’ for the sake of the cause, to respond to the noble call to service without remuneration, or to sacrifice for others in the name of Christ. It could just be that we of the establishment need youth just as much as they need us. We offer spiritual heritage and they supply spiritual fervor. We offer experience on the journey and they bring a curious spirit of adventure. We have the head of wisdom in years, but they offer the legs of strength and stamina. If the Lord is saying anything in these very significant days, I believe He is saying we need one another to finish this race. Church of God of Prophecy, we have a Harvest goal to prioritize the Young Harvest in these last days. I call on leaders of my generation— yes, the establishment—to open your arms in new and fresh ways to embrace this new generation; love them and help them join the journey of faith in this movement and for the Kingdom of the King! Randall E. Howard General Overseer
CULTURE
The Evolution of the Abortion Holocaust? “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”—Romans 1:22 Pro-life advocates have warned that the justifications for abortion could lead to the sanctioning of murder for children and the elderly. Now it appears those concerns were well-founded. The London Telegraph recently reported findings published in a British medical journal advocated the killing of babies in instances where the newborns would create an “unbearable burden on the family or society as a whole.” The article, “After-birth abortion: Why should the baby live?” written by Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva, Australian medical researchers, concluded that born babies have the same “moral status” as a
fetus in that “both lack these properties that justify the attribution of a right to life as an individual.” The authors advocated that “after-birth abortions” should be “permissible in all the cases where abortion is, including cases where the newborn is not disabled.”
INTERNATIONAL Most Immigrants Claim Christianity A recent study finds of all people who migrate from their country of birth to another (currently three percent of the world’s population), Christianity is the religion of choice Other religions Unaffiliated for nearly half (49 percent) of all other religious preferences combined. The 9,110,000 19,330,000 Christian report also noted that Christians 4% 9% Jewish accounted for a greater share of 105,670,000 49% 3,650,000 immigrants (roughly one 2% in-two) than of Christians in Buddist comparison to the 7,310,000 world’s population 3% (roughly one-in-three). Hindu 10,700,000
5%
—Source: Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life Global Religion and Migration Database 2010
The ‘slippery slope’ of ethical reasoning has raised concern among Christians and pro-life advocates. “We continue to push reasoning further away from the moral absolute of valuing human life,” said Kathryn Creasy, international director of Children’s Ministries for the Church of God of Prophecy. “Killing fetuses isn’t permissible morally so therefore killing infants isn’t morally permissible, either. At what age or moment in time will it be permissible to value and protect our children?” The abortion industry currently claims the lives of 1.2 million babies annually in the United States. While that number has decreased from 1.9 million in 1990, pro-life advocates are determined to keep fighting until children, unborn and born, are valued and the abortion practice is outlawed.
—DeWayne Hamby
UPCOMING ISSUES
Planning ahead? Here’s a list of topics you’ll see in upcoming issues of the White Wing Messenger. Visit our website for information on contributing— www.whitewingmessenger.com
JUNE
Children
JULY
Personal Evangelism
AUGUST
Muslim 58,580,000
27%
Anointed to Lead
WORLDVIEW (continued)
Continued on page 28
CULTURE
Foxworthy to Host Bible Quiz Show
GSN announced today that it has signed comedian Jeff Foxworthy to host the pilot of the network’s original one-hour game show, The American Bible Challenge. GSN, which is currently developing the series, shot the pilot in March. The American Bible Challenge is a studio-based game show in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Questions will be designed to acknowledge and celebrate the Bible’s continuing importance in contemporary life and culture. The contestants will share their compelling back stories and each team will be playing for a worthy faith-based organization. “I am excited to be hosting a show about the bestselling book of all time. It will be interesting to find out what people really know, and an opportunity to present the Bible in a fun and entertaining way,” says Foxworthy.
Church Focuses on Community The ranking of Cape Coral, Florida, as one of the top cities in the nation for foreclosure and unemployment rates has prompted Generation one church to shift its focus— from building a $15 million-dollar of young worship auditorium to building a adults ages 18–25 100,000-square-foot park for its say they have moved city. After assessing how loss of back in with their jobs and homes was impacting parents because of families, Cape Christian Fellowship economic conditions. is launching a non-traditional church —Source: Pew Research Center, 2012 campaign to build Fellowship Park. Open to the public, Fellowship Park will include the city’s first amphitheater, a splash pad, four children’s playgrounds, sports and multi-purpose fields, common areas, a zip line, a jogging trail, a pavilion and a café. It will be funded, built and maintained by the church. In addition, Cape Christian Fellowship is launching a community-wide campaign, “Not in My City,” providing comprehensive resources to families facing hunger, homelessness, and poverty. “We were alarmed to learn that 350 children are homeless in our city. Assessing the community’s needs was sobering and led us to turn our attention outside the walls of our church,” says Cape Christian Fellowship’s lead pastor, Wes Furlong. “Even though we’ve outgrown our current facility, we have cancelled our plans for a new worship center. Instead, we are building a park where families can gather, play, or attend concerts and community events. We’re also providing resources to help families who’ve lost homes or jobs. We are a church that exists for our city.”
Boomerang 24%
CHAPLAINCY
Training for Chaplaincy The Chaplaincy Ministries Department for the Church of God of Prophecy will be conducting chaplaincy training, July 23 and 24, 2012, two days prior to the International Assembly. Dr. Douglas R. Stephenson and the Chaplaincy Ministries staff will provide 14 hours of chaplaincy training. This year we will be using curriculum from the Community Chaplains of America. The 14 hours will include the following sessions: “Evangelism: Building Bridges in a Multicultural World;” “Boundaries: Abuse and Permission for the Community Chaplain;” “Suicide: Relationships for the Despairing;” “Grief: Building Confidential Relationships to Help the Hurting;” “Critical Incidents: Availability and Compassion in Crisis;” “Jails and Detention Centers: Care Behind Bars;” and “Hospital Care: Practical Missions of Mercy.” This is completely new material from what has been previously presented. Training will be conducted at the Kentucky International Convention Center beginning on Monday, July 23 at 1 p.m. and ending Tuesday, July 24 around 7 p.m. Check-in begins at noon on Monday, July 23, 2012. To register for this training, send $25 to: COGOP Chaplaincy, 35 Dee Vue Lane, Rossville, GA 30741. You can also register on our website: www.ichaplains.com. For more information, please call Dr. Stephenson at 423-432-2715 or e-mail him at: drstep@aol.com. 6
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
A Q&A with Charlie Scruggs Who is the Holy Spirit to you?
The Holy Spirit plays a huge role in guiding, comforting, and refining in my life. At an age where decision-making is happening all the time, it is essential to have a heart that listens for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest blessings is His comfort. Trials and tribulations will arise, but so will His comforting grace walk us through those times. The Holy Spirit is also my Refiner. When my heart is not where it is supposed to be, He begins to nudge my heart and reveal to me the uncleanness of my heart. It is through the refining process that we are able to become like Christ.
How is He driving your life?
The Holy Spirit is driving my life through the place of prayer and continual surrender. The number one influencing factor in my spiritual life is the place of prayer. If I do not set myself apart to the Lord daily, He will not be able to use me like He truly desires. The place of prayer is the fuel for my faith. It is where daily I must go to the Lord, because I need Him and will not be able to make it through a day without Him. The place of prayer also opens the ears of my spirit. It is when I get alone with God, that the Holy Spirit can truly begin to drive my life because I start to listen to His voice speaking. It is also through continual surrender that the Holy Spirit is able to drive my life. How will the Holy Spirit be able to drive my life, if I do not yield to Him and let Him do so? I must daily surrender my life to where the Holy Spirit wants to lead by faith. I believe that the Holy Spirit is not only leading me, but also many others in my generation.
What do you sense He wants to do in your generation?
I refuse to believe the lie that floats around about my generation that says, “You’ll never amount to anything.” I sense now in this generation, that God wants to raise up young people who are completely surrendered to the Lord and to His will for our lives. The Holy Spirit is stirring the hearts of young people all over the world to yield their dreams and plans to the Lord. I believe if the world can have their icons like Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift, or Miley Cyrus, I believe the Lord can have some Daniels, Davids, and Josephs; young people who are willing to stand up and proclaim the Gospel amidst the adversity of the world, no matter the cost, even if it means laying down our lives for the Kingdom.
Moriah Peters Releases Debut
Being Spirit-Driven:
One of the newest voices in Christian music is from Grand Canyon University college freshman Moriah Peters. Her debut recording, I Choose Jesus (Reunion Records/Provident Label Group) recently released, introducing her bouncy pop style to listeners young and old. “I Choose Jesus,” the lead power ballad is a stirring declaration and ties into the overall theme of the record, which includes additional songs such as “Know Us By Our Love,” “Well Done” and “Miracle of Love.” “The overall theme of the record is about making a choice,” Moriah said. “All of these songs are songs about being in different circumstances and choosing Jesus in each circumstance. I know that God has a blueprint for every single one of our lives. He has a plan and a purpose, and He wants to make His Son known through us. If we trust Him in every situation, if we choose Him in every situation, God will give us the desires of our heart.”
Humility “In the Bible, (it says) the Lord exalts humility. When people tell me I’m great, I (remind myself that I) can always be better. I always work on what I have now. I’ve just got to be thankful to the Lord for the gifts He’s given me. My gift back to Him is to always be humble and to always try to work as hard as I can.” —Kevin Durant
2012 NBA All Star MVP Source: Inspiring Athletes by Chad Bonham http://features.beliefnet. com/inspiringathletes
Photo by: Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA
Continued on Page 30 WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
7
Who is the Holy Spirit to this generation? Is He the “it” that they are admonished to seek for at the altar until they speak in tongues? Or, is He the “feeling” that causes that overwhelming emotional response during intense worship? No, to this generation, He, the Holy Spirit, is the One that is driving them to fulfill the mission of God in this world, no matter the cost. To be driven means to be propelled or motivated by something (or someone). Like generations before them, this Omega generation is serving the Lord in radical ways, as the Holy Spirit enables it.
SPIRIT-DRIVEN IN MISSION Statistics show that today’s students are the most serviceoriented generation that the world has ever seen; an estimated 73 percent of 12-17 year-olds in the U.S., or 18.8 million youth, have engaged in a volunteer activity.1 Consider their influence; they are able to get us to give and to care in ways like we have never done before. We have seen and heard numerous examples of children and youth raising millions of dollars to dig wells in Africa, help orphans, clean up communities, etc.2
8
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
Luke 4 records the story of Jesus, who being full of the Holy Spirit, is driven into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. After His 40 days of overcoming the devil, He returns to Galilee in “the power of the Spirit” to Nazareth, where He enters the synagogue, picks up the scroll, reads Isaiah 61, closes it and declares, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:121). The Holy Spirit is calling, anointing, equipping, releasing, and driving our students (your sons and daughters) to live out Isaiah 61 from Jerusalem (where they live) to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). He is driving them to the ends of the earth until every one of Earth’s seven billion inhabitants is touched with the Gospel of salvation. To accomplish this, many, like Jesus, will have to endure their time of perfecting in the wilderness. Many will leave family, home, and possessions to fulfill their call. Certainly, many will have to endure persecution, trials, and suffering. But, it will be worth it all if at the end of their ministry and life on earth, they could see the Scripture fulfilled—the Good News preached to the poor, the brokenhearted comforted, the blind receive their sight, and the oppressed are set free.
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
SERVING THE LORD IN THEIR OWN GENERATION In Acts 13:36, we are told that David served the Lord in his own generation, and then he died. But David’s story did not end at his death. Because David faithfully and radically served God in his own generation, he was a blessing to the generations that followed, even throughout the life of our Messiah, Jesus. We know that this was the work of the Spirit in David’s life. He was a worshipper, sacrificial giver, warrior, and an administrator (1 Chronicles 15). He worshipped and served in uncommon ways, ways that his fathers rejected as worship or would not have considered (2 Samuel 6:22; 24:24). And, while David was not a perfect man, he was excellent in God’s eyes: for God said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22). Today, in spite of what the statistics tell us about youth and young adults leaving the church (that three out of five will likely disconnect from the church permanently or for an extended period of time after age 15)3, we must believe and lay claim to the fact that God indeed has reserved a remnant of resilient, Spirit-driven youth who have not and will not bow their heads to Baal, and who will do everything God wants them to do. They may not be perfect (yes, they will make mistakes), but they will be so driven by the Holy Spirit that their love, worship, and service to God will be nothing short of excellent. They will execute it in different, unconventional, radical, and even more dynamic ways than their leaders, but we must allow them to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. As a result, the impact of their life and service will last for generations to come. “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:3).
THEIR AGENDA: SOCIAL JUSTICE “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing” (Isaiah 61:8). Social justice, as defined by the Business Dictionary, is “the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice.”4 Proponents of social justice place great emphasis on the value of each individual’s human rights and the dignity that each human life deserves, regardless of their status in life. Our educational system is one of the primary sources of this influence on our students. From the environment to poverty, war, the economy, etc., schools (followed by media) are teaching (and in some case demanding) our students to be good global citizens. A deciding factor among college applications today is the amount of service that students have given to their community. As a result we have a generation who understand and are characterized by social responsibility and justice. They challenge others to take an active part and celebrate it. But, they don’t just want to do it in a superficial way. As reported in Barna Group’s research, many teens and young adults “check out” of church because their experience of Christianity is shallow.5 In other words, they want to see the church live out its mandate to serve and heal the world. But instead, they see churches preoccupied with everything other than bringing hope, healing,
and restoration to the world. Our spirit driven students want to live out their Christian life through involvement in improving social conditions for the glory of God. They desire to bring healing and restoration to our broken and fractured world.
PRIORITIES FOR PASTORS, LEADERS AND PARENTS So, how can the Church and families partner with, equip and release our students to serve the Lord in the uncommon and unconventional ways of the Holy Spirit? I would like to suggest several areas that should be a constant focus of student leadership development.
PRAYER Our students must be taught to pray without ceasing and “in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests,” giving them a sensitivity to hearing God’s voice and yielding to his direction (Luke 1:1-5;1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18). A lifestyle of constant prayer in the Spirit will also help students to activate the power gifts of the Spirit that will validate their authority as Spiritdriven agents of deliverance and healing.
DISCIPLESHIP Every effort must be made to produce spirit-empowered Christ followers who live like Jesus, serve others, and walk in humility. They must understand the cost of following Jesus; that following Jesus may cost them their home, family, and possessions (Luke 9:5762). This means that not only are we to arm them with the Gospel, so that they can share it and defend their faith, but we must give our students life skills that would help them to be “tent makers” regardless of where the Holy Spirit takes them. We must also encourage professional ministry development where possible. Last but not least, we must teach them how to abide in Christ by obeying the Word and living exemplary lives so that they themselves can become disciple makers.
SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND MOTHERS Everyone can play a part in youth ministry without specialized training. We are at a critical juncture in time where we must acknowledge that culture has a significant influence in the lives of youth, and in some cases, more influence than their parents. Yet, we must persist in lifting up and recapturing the family’s influence and responsibility to transfer our Holiness faith. Spiritual fathers and mothers must be available in abundance in our local churches and communities because students learn best by example. We must model holy living and sobriety, service and community. Regular adult contact with students helps to train, mentor, and refine their personal character development, motivate and push them out to try new things. The heart of every spiritual parent must be that students and leaders grow marvelously strong in the Lord. continued . . .
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
9
TEACH AND PREACH ON THE HOLY SPIRIT The conviction and necessity that students be baptized with the Holy Spirit must be a common thread in each local church in our movement. This is not emphasized enough and in some instances has ceased to become a criteria for leadership. When leaders are not filled or are not seeking to be filled, we weaken the potency of our ministry and ability to reproduce Spirit-filled leaders from among our students. Second, the ministry of the Holy Spirit must be evident in our churches. We must properly and consistently teach and preach on the person of the Holy Spirit and His Lordship in our lives. He is the One who will call, anoint, and commission our students. He will move their hearts with compassion and motivate them to give their lives away to restore our broken world. Thus, we must provide opportunities for students, in and out of church, to encounter God and be filled with His Spirit. We must make room for all of His gifts to fully operate in the church and community through our students. Then the Scripture will be fulfilled: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul [instead, insert students’ names] for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2, 3). And they turned the world upside down!
Lord, help us to recognize, train, and equip Spirit-empowered students who will go into all the world and reclaim it for your glory! Amen. Operation Omega International Youth Ministries exists to reach, raise, and release the Omega Generation in the power of the Holy Spirit for Christian service.
Aileen Reid, Co-Director International Youth Ministries
_____________ http://blog.volunteer.com/volunteer_ guru/2009/09/youth-volunteering-onthe-rise-awesome.html#axzzlodbWbeYu 2 Some examples: hoops4hope.org (Astin Gutwein); Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis (2011) 3 Barna Research, Faith that Lasts Project, 2007–2011; You Lost Me, David Kinnaman (2011) 4 http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/social-justice.html 5 You Lost Me, David Kinnaman (2011) 1
Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus. I present my generation and those after it.
10
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
Lord, I’m crying for You, Your grace, and Your mercy upon all of us. I’m praying for Your loving fire to burn in our hearts and consume our entire being. I ask for Your precious Holy Spirit to be poured over us all. That we may be empowered to bring change to this world and turn this world upside down for the glory of God. You only needed 12 young men to say yes to Your call to start this revolution and those 12 said, “Yes,” and they followed, obeyed, and submitted themselves to You. We are more than 12 men and women today who say, “Yes,” to Your will, Your way, and Your glory. Open the windows of heaven and pour out Your Spirit upon every city, state, nation, and continent. Raise warriors that fight for You, for grace, and for the Gospel of Peace. That we not be ashamed to be Your sons and daughters heralding the Good News of Abba. That we may stand on our two feet and testify to the world of what You can and will do in these last days as the Day of the Lord approaches. We need You, Lord! Every breath we take and every move we make, it still makes us fall short from You. Therefore, Your presence is necessary in our lives. We say like Moses, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here”. We say like Jacob, “I will not let You go unless You bless me.” We cry out like Solomon, “Give Your servant an understanding heart that we may discern right and wrong and be able to lead Your people correctly.” Lord, take us beyond our boundaries to drive us beyond ourselves in Your Spirit and bring people to Jesus. Let us go into the drug houses, liquor stores, and prostitution chains and cancel them out of our societies that we may rebuild our cities for our God!
We pray for an aggressive and violent spirit. That we may move forward in Jesus name. There are numerous false prophets in media proclaiming false teachings and thoughts boldly. We see examples such as Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dog, Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Jay-Z. We pray for their salvation but we ask that you silence them already. They’re coming very hard on us and many are being deceived and abused. You are the God who brings order and clarity. You silence the enemy and prepare feasts for us before them. Therefore we trust in You, Jesus. Through the authority of Christ we come against every wrong spirit, every evil thought, and twisted attitude, demons and principalities that try to come into our minds and hearts. We come against every weight that is slowing us down and we lay them at the feet of Jesus.
I pray for this fatherless generation; a generation that lacks mothers and fathers and compact spiritual families. I pray that You cover each of them. That they may not fall through the cracks of drugs, alcohol, gangs, illiteracy, shame and death. In fact, as they engage in Your Word, may it come alive! Let Your God-breathed Word bring conviction to our hearts, healing to our souls, wisdom to our minds, and freedom to our spirit. I pray that this generation will protect their testimony. That the Spirit of Holiness will continually rest on our hearts. No more shame! No more promiscuity! No more intoxication! No more hatred and bigotry! No more lawlessness! We ask for Your assistance to remain blameless before You and men. Let us walk worthy of the Gospel. We proclaim VICTORY! We have faith that we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength. You are the supplier of strength and passion. You allow the college students to be bold on their campuses and refute all wrong teachings and philosophies. You give them vision to reclaim education and campuses for the glory of Christ. You motivate them to stand in their circles of influence and let the glory rush through You. Give us beautiful feet! Let’s go into the worst of communities and change them for the glory of God. Guide our feet and lead us into where love is needed. Let the kingdom of God come down. Let Your will flourish over all the earth. Let the kingdom of agape come down over our lives, families, churches, communities, and nations. We submit to You right now! Let the city of God come down! We proclaim “shalom, shalom” over all the earth. And we find rest in Your presence! We rejoice in Your marvelous deeds! For You are our Savior and God! In Jesus Name, Amen!
Jonathan Olavarria Hoboken, New Jersey
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
11
What an exciting time to be in ministry working for the Lord, especially to be able to catch a glimpse of how the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts and lives of youth and emerging leaders of this generation. I am personally passionate about the youth and emerging leaders for a number of reasons, but let me just mention two: First, I was once a youth and I know the potential that God has placed in every young person, and second, in a general sense, the future of any organization will largely depend on how much it is willing to invest in its youth. For the most part this article will focus on youth and emerging leaders on the continent of Africa where I ministered and worked for over twenty-eight, wonderful years. Being somewhat of a westerner, I knew that a good portion of my work was to spot
12
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
emerging leaders, mentor, develop and help to deploy them when the time came. This, as my preoccupation, kept me in an arena of the youth, knowing quite well that the future would largely depend on them. In spite of the assault that Satan has made on our youth, destroying the minds of many by the way of drugs, pornography, and immorality, I can proudly say that I have seen a generation that is focused, determined, and just as excited as I was—youth just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to bow down to the golden image or dance to the king’s music.
Youth Harvest in Africa
All over the continent of Africa I have seen youth who are Spirit-filled and on fire for God. Some have been
raised in homes where the norm is to follow ancestral practices; but I have personally seen these Spirit-filled youth renounce these ancestral practices and commit their lives to Jesus Christ. Some of these have suffered intense persecution, rejection, and in some cases total abandonment. I recall visiting one particular country on the continent for a series of meetings. A young man was assigned as my driver to pick me up and take me to the service and take me back to the hotel after the services. This young man was approximately 21 years of age and he said very little. I asked the national overseer, “Who is this young man?” because he would not come into the services but would just stand on the outside. Then I was told that he is a Muslim. After three days in the service, as I was preaching, the Holy Spirit moved in
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
a tremendous way and I saw this young man stand at the entrance of the door. I was somewhat shocked; however, I asked him what he would like. He replied, “I want what you have.” He fell to his knees, wept, and sweetly accepted Christ into his heart. On my way home, when I asked him what happened, he replied, “For the past three days I have been observing you and your friend and I noticed that you have something special.” His family later found out that he renounced Islam and sure enough, he was rejected. However, this young man remained faithful to his newfound faith, and today he is a worker for the Lord. Yes, the Holy Spirit is doing mighty and marvelous things among the youth of our time. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, He certainly does provide hope for the future of the youth. “Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13).
The events of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2:1 have been the fulfillment of this awesome promise to the church. The coming of the Holy Spirit had a specific purpose. The Holy Spirit was to live and work within the heart of man, to deliver and free him from the enslavement of this world, from sin, death, and hell. The Holy Spirit comes to set man at liberty even as God had delivered the Jews out of Egyptian slavery. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1: 21–22).
A Perpetual Anointing
As I set out to prepare this article, I was drawn to Exodus 40:12–16. In this passage we see that God is instructing
Moses on the priesthood preparation of Aaron and his sons. In this preparation, both Aaron and his sons are to be washed and given holy garments. But what is even more significant is that they would have a priesthood anointing and that anointing would be a perpetual anointing. We, the older folks often cry, “Lord, bring back the old days.” I want to believe that this generation of youth does have the legacy of an anointing. 1 Peter 1:3–5 puts it this way: “Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto lively hope by resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” There are youth that have already accessed this anointing who are doing exploits for God and others are yet to access it. I can see the Holy Spirit at work everywhere that I go on the continent. Young men and women are passionate, wanting to do more for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom. I encounter young people just like Nehemiah, who was strategically situated as cupbearer in the king’s palace but refused to become complacent and requested time off to return to his homeland to assist in the rebuilding of his nation and people (Nehemiah 2:1).
Releasing Youth Releases Blessing
Approximately sixteen years ago I was ministering in a conference on the challenges of the Great Commission to leaders of the twenty-first century. After my presentation, a young man walked up to me with tears in his eyes and told me that he felt the call to the ministry. He was one of those young emerging leaders that I had been working with for a number of years. I needed him
around me, but the move of the Holy Spirit speaking naturally outbid me. I released that young man and God used him over the course of that time to plant many churches and do other great things for God. Sixty-five percent of the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo is between the ages of 12–35. During my tenure there (1985-1996), I quickly recognized that there is a young harvest in this nation that must be reaped, trained, developed, and deployed if we are going to have a bright future. We started the process and our successor continued. We have seen the Holy Spirit move upon young people, especially young men that would make any sacrifice to serve the Lord. Today, approximately sixty percent of the leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Church of God of Prophecy is fifty years of age and younger. Yes, there are youth leaving their confinements and comfort zone and off into the unknown as a response to the Spirit calling.
Prayer Points
• I definitely feel that our youth want clear and precise directions, especially at their level where they operate and function. In a world that is so dysfunctional, most of our youth are coming from backgrounds where they are lacking focus and proper direction; therefore, we must pray that God will raise up men and women who are blessed with the ability to offer godly mentorship. • Islam is moving quite swiftly among our thirty-five schools operating in the nation of Sierra Leone; more than one half of the teachers are Muslim. Please pray that the Church of God of Prophecy will be guided by the Holy Spirit to change this trend.
Levi Clarke, Africa Presbyter Overseer , DRC & Sierra Leone
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
13
CHILE
In the year 2011, thousands of young Chileans began a revolution, a historic student-based movement that crossed borders, demanding improvement in their education. Many of them lost a year of studies fighting for what they considered was fair and worthy of their sacrifice. These young men and women brought the country to a halt with their creative demonstrations designed to get the attention of the authorities, the nation, and the world. These are the young men and women who live in Chile, in South America, and in many parts of the world; youth who are willing to make an effort, to sacrifice themselves for something worthwhile—young men and women full of gifts, talents, abilities, and creativity, ready to give their all. As a church, we are responsible for embracing these youth, leading them to our Lord Jesus Christ so they will firmly follow Him and be able to give their all to obey His calling.
We can also see a small remnant, hungry for God; a remnant that needs Him and seeks more of Him, despite circumstances, problems, and situations they encounter day to day. This gives us a great opportunity to minister to these young men and women and work with them. Youth willing to take action need leaders who are also willing to take action; leaders who want to abandon apathy and conformity and seek God’s direction and move toward what He wants for these youth. This presents a big challenge for our youth leaders and the church leadership in general. One of our greatest needs is the specialized training of our current and future youth leaders. This has motivated us to prepare ourselves to minister more appropriately to our youth, but especially it has motivated us to seek God’s direction and the filling and guidance of the Holy Spirit in everything we do, primarily with our leaders. We understand that without God’s help we will not be able to do anything that will produce fruit. We must depend completely on Him. In this context, the YHT has helped us to realize that we need to change the way we are working with the youth living in the twenty-first century. This has helped us change our
SPIRIT-DRI SPIRIT-DRIV Today’s youth do not want to remain stationary listening to someone talk to them all of the time. Today’s youth are eager, dynamic, and strong; they possess the ability to do things, to bring change, and break free from what has been established. As a church we need to tap into that strength and their drive to serve God. Our youth need our love and support. Are they going to make mistakes? Yes, it’s possible, but if God is willing to forgive them when they make mistakes, we, as the church of God, can do no less. They don’t need us to scold and punish them for their mistakes; they need our love, example, and God’s Word to teach them how to correct their mistakes. There are young men and women who are hurting and resentful. We need to help them; we can’t afford to lose them and have the enemy do what he wants with them. The enemy knows that there is power in today’s Spirit-filled youth and he is using everything in his power to hinder and destroy them—and in many cases he is succeeding. But “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). We need to love them and lead them to God for healing and freedom. We need to fulfill God’s calling and reap the young harvest who will rise to be the next leaders of the church. 14 WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
perspective and give us the necessary tools to minister to youth effectively in a post-modern world. God calls us in 2012 to reach our goal, pressing toward God’s calling (Philippians 3:13, 14). We have to pray for our youth ministries. Ministering to our youth must be a priority in every local church. We need to seek God and create youth pastors and leaders who are passionate for Him and the young harvest. Our young men and women need to love God and fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19, 20 and take the Gospel message to every young man and woman. —Hazael Dorantes, National Youth Director, Chile
CARIBBEAN
For some of the attendees it meant boarding an airplane, for some of them it meant jumping on a ferry boat, for some of them it was a car ride. Whatever the mode of transport, young people came
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
from across the Caribbean excited and expectant to the fifth biennial Caribbean Youth Conference held at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, St. Maarten, January 27-29, 2012. Under the theme “Purchased for His Glory”, young people from Jamaica, St. Kitts, Bahamas, Cayman, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua, Anguilla, Barbados, Curacao, Turks and Caicos Islands, St. Maarten and the United States gathered in a weekend full of praise, worship, the Word of God, fellowship, impartation, training, and development. Led by Pastor Timothy and Sister Deanne Johnson, Caribbean Youth Ministries Co-Directors, this kairos moment in the lives of this generation of warriors will forever be etched in the spiritual journey of those in attendance. The transforming power of worship, dance, workshops and the Word of God, through His anointed vessels, Ministers Trevor Reid, International Co-Director for Youth Ministries, Sherma Maynard and Timothy Johnson, left all conference participants empowered and renewed, because of their understanding of the purpose of Calvary. We were blessed and honoured to have our church leaders in attendance to this life changing conference including our General Presbyter for the Caribbean, Bishop Clayton Martin and Sister Sonia Martin, the host Overseer Bishop Michael Greenaway, and our National Overseers for the Caribbean Nations, Bishops Elgarnet
back to their regions, are now equipped to fulfil God’s divine purpose for their lives and will bring change to their environments. New relationships have been formed and the answer to the call of God has been given as this generation rises to be all that God has called them to be!
TEXAS
One hundred fifty-four young people gathered at Camp Lost Pines for a weekend of worship, the Word, and fellowship for Texas Winter Joy Fest 2012. Director, Mark Hobson, challenged our youth to strive for “More Than This” in their walk with the Lord. Special guest, Palma Hutchinson, continued the theme with anointed preaching and ministering to each one. It was an awesome, life-changing weekend. Youth returned home with a desire to work for the Lord and win the lost. They realized God had a plan for their lives and “More Than This” in the relationship with Him!
—Lee Ann Holmes, Camp Coordinator
IVEN VEN YOUTH
around the World Rahming, Withbourne Hutchinson, Edward Payne, Clarence Williams, Winston Leith and Maurice Jones. During the opening night, the parade of the nations, provided an atmosphere that fostered a spirit of unity, and set the pace for the weekend. The feedback is still coming from the workshop participants, who were instructed on topics such as “Reproducing Student Leaders,” Understanding Me,” “Waging War,” “Creative Youth Ministries,” “The Twenty-first Century Bridge Builder,” “Show Me Your Glory,” “Counseling Teens in Crisis,” and “Cyber Etiquette.”
TENNESSEE All glory, honor, and praise is given to our King of kings and Lord of Lords, for His divine visitation during the conference. Our prayers were answered as the conference attendees who have now returned
On November 18, 2011 approximately 350 youth and youth workers arrived at Camp Hickory Hills for POWERHouse. This year’s challenge was “SaltLight.” Friday night’s opening service focused on the challenge to be catalysts for revival and how God had created us for such a time as this. In particular, focus was given to the call to repentance spoken by the LORD through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:12–17). We were reminded to “Return to the LORD with all your heart”, “Rend your heart and not your garments”, “Declare a holy fast,” and for the leaders to call out to the LORD to “Spare your people.” A final challenge was given to be the church that added thousands to the church daily. WWM M AY 2 0 1 2 15
Saturday opened with classes focusing on being the kind of church Christ can use. Classes covered our response to current events (David Brown), our identity in Christ (Jay Johnson) and holiness (Lindsey McKinley). Jason Dasher shared the message challenging the youth to be the salt and light of the world. His sermon focused on reaching out to the world around you but also being a person that impacts the entire world asking the question, “How can we make this world a better place?” After the message, instead of focusing on the traditional altar call, the youth were divided up into POWERGroups to discuss how they can impact their world and for a time to pray with each student about issues in their own lives. Saturday night closed out with a concert by Knoxville band OnTheBrightSide. They not only rocked the house but they lead the students in worship and the lead singer preached on Christ impacting our lives. Sunday morning capped off the themed weekend with a powerful message brought by Sharron Farruggia. She focused on how the Holy Spirit can change our lives. Sharon also called for the youth to live a life in the spirit of excellence, which is the Spirit of Christ, in all they say and do. She closed with a time of prayer for those students feeling the call of Christ on their lives. Youth leaders anointed and prayed with each one and provided them time at the altar to seek the face of God. Sunday’s session closed with Bishop McKinley leading the students and youth leaders in a time of reflection and communion. The students then left with the closing blessing and challenge to go and be the salt and light.
NEW YORK
The headline read, “Over 500 Gather in New York City for Prayer in the Face of a Ban on Organized Worship in New York City—NYC Suffering from an ‘Over-Separation’ Of Church and State /After This Weekend, Any School Being Used For Worship Must Be Vacated” The article following shared this shocking information: “A ban on organized worship in New York City school buildings will take effect next week—a controversial change that could leave as many as 17,000 worshippers looking for a new place to pray. More than a few of those people live in the Bronx, reports CBS 2’s Lou Young. In a city seemingly full of churches a debate is raging over places where prayer might be off-limits.” —February 10, 2012 CBSNewYork The night of Friday, January 20, 2012, could very well be deemed one of the most monumental nights in the history of the COGOP Northeast Regional Youth Ministries, Metro New York area. More than 500 youth as well as local, district, and regional leaders gathered at the Richard Green Middle School auditorium in the Bronx, for “The ACTS (AX) Generation” Series I Prayer Summit, on the eve of a controversial “ban on organized worship in New York City school buildings.” The entire evening only served to heighten the ironic urgency circulating in our city’s atmosphere. “Organized Worship” harmoniously began with the declaration that our Strength Will Rise As We Wait Upon the Lord and we want Jesus at the Center of It All. Prayerful tears flowed and unrestricted praise rang out as hundreds of hearts bellowed, “From my heart to the heavens, Jesus be the center; it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You.” Our Northeast Regional Youth and Transitions Ministry Director, Minister Morais Cassell, emerged with an ax in his hand and conveyed 16
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
God’s heart as described in 2 Kings 6:1–7 and Acts 2:17–19, to the attentive ears of those whom he affectionately renamed “The Acts (Ax) Generation.” “God has given you a name from heaven—you are The Acts (Ax) Generation. The Acts Generation that will show forth God’s power and as the Ax Generation, you are going to chop up and destroy things in this generation. You need to be filled with the Holy Ghost. The ax represents the Holy Spirit. When you move, you move in power, fire, and anointing. But life, people, ministry, and expectations will make you dull, so we need to be sharpened.” The message concluded with a barrage of thought-provoking questions for every heart: “What are we giving this generation? Are we giving them dull axes? Dull ministries? Dull visions?” Minister Lona Beckford led the assembly into a prayer of covering over our pastors. Each church was instructed to gather its pastor and pastor’s family and surround them in prayer. We learned we need a pastor’s covering but many of them are carrying spiritual ax heads which have been dulled. They are preaching to us while bleeding. The auditorium resembled a battlefield of besieged cities. After the prayer, a memorial video presentation lit up the screen with faces of our region’s most recently departed trailblazers. This led straight into Jacob’s Genesis 48 ‘Cross Blessing’ prayer. It was a very solemn time as family and church members grieved afresh over wounds of loss not yet healed, while criss-crossing arms all over the auditorium and praying for God to bless each one with the ability to exceed the legacy our trailblazers left behind. All of a sudden, the atmosphere seemed to drastically change mid-stream as people were directed by district to the third floor gymnasium. Upon entering, some were baffled at the sight of a lifesized obstacle course: a children’s bouncy house, a table containing platters filled with bread, a door with no room, a cross with nails, and a junk box filled with various items. But, without vision the people perish! Each station was deliberately designed to address specific prayer needs instrumental in refocusing every heart back to the urgency of the hour, both in our region and in Christianity—Jesus at the Center of it All. He is our Bread of Life—daily sustenance and strength; He is The Door—our beginning and end; He is the One carrying us through every obstacle of life who guides us safely to victory, and from whosoever will cast their cares on Him, He collects our junk and lays it all at the cross where His blood still relieves burdens and forgives sins. Finally, as midnight approached and the summit came to a close, youth workers prayed with age-specific groups of young people. A group of four teenaged young EMERGING leaders took center stage and prayed individual and strategic prayers covering their generation and solidifying the acceptance of their new name. A few weeks later, February 10, 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the Department of Education’s fight to ban churches from worshipping in New York City school buildings. However, they failed to realize that they can ban the church from the building but they can’t take Jesus out of the children that they are legally obligated to educate within those school buildings. Stay tuned for the release of the Acts (Ax) Generation near you. —Nicole C. Bonnick
SPIRIT-D SPIRIT-DR
North Carolina area to help paint their walls. We also had several young people stay at the campgrounds to do some yard work and clean up for the upcoming camping season! The weekend was powerful and the youth of North Carolina are thriving and excited about the things of God! We are excited about our upcoming Fall Conference on October 12-14, 2012!
QUEBEC
More than 400 gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Quebec Winter Retreat (QWR), held at the NAV Conference Center in Cornwall, Ontario, February 3-5, 2012. Alumni from past QWR traveled from as far away as Ontario, Florida, Delaware and Tennessee to honor retiring QWR director, Norma James, who had faithfully planned and led this tri-lingual ministry for the French, Spanish, and English youth and young adults of the Quebec-Ottawa district for the past 20 years. The weekend was filled with worship, laughter, great fellowship, and many walks down memory lane. The very first QWR was convened with only 30 people; today, it is an annual retreat to more than 350 regular attendees, including sister Quebec and Ottawa churches outside of the COGOP fellowship, who have come to make QWR their own over the years.
NORTH CAROLINA
On October 21-23, 2011 over 400 young people gathered at our campgrounds in High Point for the “Core,” the 2011 North Carolina Fall Youth Conference. We had an awesome weekend with more than 20 salvations, many were delivered from bondages, and many were called into ministry. We had a full weekend of worship, fellowship, games, food, and much more! We were blessed to have Bishop Rolf Woodard, pastor of the Asheville Family Church speak on Friday night. He delivered a word of encouragement to the youth of North Carolina to walk in the calling God has placed on their life. Saturday night Chucky Chandler, South Carolina State Youth Director shared how the young people need to “REACT” against the enemy and live a life for God unashamed! Sunday morning, the State Youth Council commissioned the young people to leave the weekend full of the Spirit of God and go make a difference in their schools, community, and churches! This year we also offered something exciting; On Saturday afternoon we planned several “Outreach Projects”. We carried more than 30 young people to a local shelter in the High Point,
—Kenneth Lee
VIRGINIA
God is truly blessing our youth with a fresh anointing. During our “Fall Refuel”, state youth convention, we experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that many had never witnessed before! As the youth and staff came into the sanctuary to pray for the service, the song “Set a Fire” by Will Regan, was playing. God moved passionately in the hearts of the young people. Youth were laying and kneeling before the altar more than two hours, intoxicated by the moving of God. We were being prepared for miracles! One of our pastors had been very ill and the doctors were unable to diagnose his illness. During a prayer line at the retreat, the pastor reported that he felt the healing touch of God and later when he returned to his home and went back to his doctor, the doctor confirmed that the illness was gone without an explanation. We know God performed a miracle! There also was a youth minister with a broken collarbone, who had been told it would need three months to heal. This was heartbreaking, as he was preparing to go on a mission trip in two months! The Holy Spirit prompted a prayer for him at his local church and the bone was instantly mended back together! The church in Galax, Virginia has also experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, resulting in phenomenal growth. A youth pastor, Doug Fleming, shared that the youth group started out with four and has now averaged between 35 and 40 youth. The youth attended the Spring Renewal Convention and caught the fire of God! —Robbie Boyd, State Youth Director
DRIVEN RIVEN YOUTH
around the World
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
17
Youth Ministry Trends:
The
Emerging Underdogs As youth ministers, we are often asked questions such as, “What is the latest trend with the youth?” “What is the hottest and most popular?” The church often attempts to find out the newest trend with youth in order to be on the cutting edge. I believe that we can take a risk by listening to and drawing some things from the culture—listen as the culture speaks. Although we are “in the world, but not of the world” (Romans 12:2), there are times we miss some things that are happening in the world our young people live in, under the premise the culture/world is evil. I am grateful that I am a part of a church that understands that we need not be afraid. We can draw from and impact the culture. We are not afraid of the culture; we are Spirit-filled people, with wisdom and discernment. We can engage the culture. As a youth minister, I have been listening as the culture speaks and the trend that I have seen is an old school trend—the underdogs are emerging. Underdog: 1) a person or group that is losing, or is expected to lose in a contest or struggle 2) A person who is handicapped or at a disadvantage because of injustice, discrimination, etc. (Webster’s, 1988). As the culture speaks, today’s recurring words and phrases are: the most unlikely, 18
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
means “God is salvation” and that he was from a little known family and city. Elisha is often best known in relation to and often confused with his predecessor Elijah. However, the Bible records that despite his little known history, Elisha did great exploits for God. In fact, history records that Elisha did even greater miracles than his well-known predecessor (Elijah).
unheard of, misunderstood, the ones you would not think, the ones without a name, the forsaken ones, the misfits— to name a few. Some of the most vocal voices are Christians who are speaking with their lives and testimony.
The Old Trend
In order for our youth ministries to be effective and impactful, the old trend must somehow touch the new trend. According to 2 Kings 13:20–21, when Elisha died there was a group of men who were burying another dead man. While they were burying this man, a group of thieves (grave robbers, body snatchers) came along and in order to keep them from stealing the dead body, they threw it in Elisha’s grave. When the dead body touched Elisha’s dead body, the dead man came alive (revived). In other words, as we embrace the new and latest trends the stability of youth ministries is dependent on being “touched” or drawing from some of the “old” trends, such as prayer, fasting, faith, mentoring, discipleship, and the emergence of the underdogs.
The Underdog Effect— 1 Kings 19:16–21
Little is known about the Bible character Elisha. We know his name
Who are the underdogs in your family, church and community? We are hearing such names as: Tim Tebow, the famously religious quarterback, led the Denver Broncos, from a 4-1 record to 7-1 and several “miraculous” wins. Tim Tebow gained great attention by publicly praying on the field and visibly declaring his faith. Jeremy Lin, star guard for the New York Knicks, credits his meteoric rise to stardom to his faith. “I’ve learned how to be open and bold about my faith, but in terms of my influence, I just try to lead in a godly way. What that means for me is to serve them, whether it’s just doing the dirty work, like cleaning up sweat on the floor, or deferring to other people or carrying equipment bags.” Victor Cruz, wide receiver for the New York Giants, rose to stardom after almost being waived by the team. The New York Giants, American football champions, called the underdogs of the century (New York Post) after posting a WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
record of six wins and six losses, had a dramatic turnaround, leading them to their championship win. Melanie Amaro is an American-born British Virgin Islands singer who won the first season of The X Factor USA in 2011. Melanie rose to fame after stating that she struggled with her identity as a Caribbean-American. “Not lots of people come out of the Caribbean to become big stars. I’m so humbled and so gracious and so thankful to be where I am that it just came out. I could not help myself.” (Amario, 2011) Octavia Spencer won the 2012 Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role in the movie The Help, which chronicled the lives of African American maids, bringing them to the forefront and revealing the importance of their role in the lives of the families they served. The latest trend in the culture challenges the church to intentionally seek out the underdogs, to take a risk and invest in them. The greatest investment is in the life of a young person; the return and benefits are Tremendous. When the church invests in young people, they will return and be a blessing. The seeds you plant will bear fruit and visit you in your season. I think about my own life and how so many leaders of our organization have taken a risk and invested in me. I think of former overseer of the Northeast Region, Bishop Rufus Rogers, who took a risk and appointed me to the role of Regional Youth Ministries Director. I was an unknown and unheard of local youth leader who was given an opportunity to serve on a larger scale. I think of our former International Youth Ministries Director, Palma Hutchinson, who gave me opportunities to minister across the world. I am eternally grateful to my pastors: Bishop Horatio Cameron, Bishop W.E. and Ingrid Hutchinson, Bishop Marion Richey, Pastor Chester Lobban, Pastor Ruby Jones-Carty,
and other leaders such as Yvonne Hutchinson, Cecelia Barnett, Germaine Florent, Pastor Eulalee Hall, Bishop Linval Hendricks, Bishop Earl McKay, Bishop Leroy Greenaway, Bishop Cervin McKinnon and so many others along the way for taking risks and investing in me. Today, I am challenged to invest in the lives of others.
The Latest Trends
What are the latest trends in youth ministries? They are old trends such as prayer, revival, urgency of the hour, the end times, and the importance of the ministry and Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The old/new trend was noted in the recent 12 Days of “Code Orange Youth Revival” hosted by the Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to the reports, “hundreds gave their lives to Christ in
Charlotte and online. We also saw over 200 people take their first step of obedience through baptism. Online, the Code Orange Revival was viewed over 350,000 times in 138 countries on six continents by over 130,000 people. Over 25 percent of these visits were on mobile devices. Hundreds of people reached out for prayer and shared stories of life change and salvation from all over the world.” According to Elevation Pastor Steven Furtick, “Code Orange is meant to imply a heightened sense of urgency. The website states: ‘Probably the most fitting example that relates to our revival is the description for the Code Orange stage of a volcano.’” The latest trends in youth ministry challenge our church to return to the old trends—prayer, fasting, emphasis on the word of God, personal revival (transformation), evangelism,
mentoring, discipleship, and investing in emerging leaders. While ministering at the Code Orange Youth Revival, guest speaker Pastor Jentezen Franklin stated, “I believe we can affect our children for generations to come. Our lives can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks.” Morais Cassell Brooklyn, New York
Some of the leading research projects that the following trends will impact youth ministries in the next 10 years: 1. Missional youth ministries 2. Intergenerational programs 3. More than Sunday morning programs 4. Same sex conversations will increase 5. Community of caregivers, as opposed to one leader. 6. Youth workers will be older 7. Increase in resources and opportunities for youth workers 8. Children’s ministry will be most influential in impacting families in the community. 9. Youth ministries will increase the use of technology to help kids connect with Jesus. 10. Churches will be intentional in engaging children and youth to serve.
References http://briandoddonleadership. com/2012/02/12/11-quotes-on-leadershipand-faith-by-new-york-knicks-jeremy-lin/ http://www.realitytvworld.com/ news/melanie-amaro-i-didnt-plan-revealcaribbean-accent-on-x-factor--12906.php http://www.christianpost.com/news/ jentezen-franklin-talks-gods-faithfulness-atcode-orange-revival-67126/ http://whyismarko.com/2012/10-trendsthat-will-reshape-youth-ministry/
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
19
While in the world, teens are being pressured on many sides to conform and adapt. At camp those pressures are relieved while a holy embrace is applied. 20
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
A few years ago during a Camp Committee meeting, Bishop Billy Adams asked us to create a vision statement for Camp Echeconnee here in Georgia. At the end of the session, the following words were adopted as our vision statement: “An environment that leads to an encounter with God.” When I think of how our camping ministry and the Holy Spirit are related, my mind immediately went back to that vision statement. The other day, I listened to some of our elder members give a passionate plea to other church leaders to invest in our camping ministry. Their focal point was how many ministers and church leaders were products of the camp. They used the words “saved,” “filled,” and “called” to describe some of the experiences that these leaders had encountered while at camp. I myself was filled with the Holy Spirit and received my calling into the ministry while attending camp in North Carolina. While in college, I heard my professor make a statement saying that many kids will become a product of their environment. This is so true and can be applied to camp as well. The camp setting is an environment that is saturated with the power of the Holy Spirit. When our kids attend camp we are purposefully placing them in an atmosphere to have an encounter with the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is then released into their lives to help them break the mold of which the world is trying to make them a product of. A biblical example of this can be found in Acts 1:12–14. It was during this ten-day gap between our Lord’s ascension and Pentecost that those present “continued together in prayer with one mind.” This environment in which they were enveloped opened an avenue in which they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit, thus becoming a product of God’s power. This setting is very similar to our camp setting in that participants are purposefully pulled away from the outside world to focus on God’s desire for them. Similarly, when kids and staff alike convene at camp, we are purposefully setting aside time and structure in order that everyone involved may receive all that God has for them. Another aspect that I would like to draw from is the pressures that one faces from their respective environments. If one allows himself to be produced by their environment then he is allowing himself to be subjected to the pressures that come from that area. Romans 12:2 states, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you
will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect”(NLT). Paul recognizes that there are pressures that are coming from the world but also emphasizes that God has the power to transform a person through the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Similarly when we send kids to camp there are pressures that are being applied as well. While in the world, teens are being pressured on many sides to conform and adapt. At camp those pressures are relieved while a holy embrace is applied. It is in youth camp that God is using the Holy Spirit to apply pressure known as conviction. This leads to many salvation experiences but at the heart of God is the desire for the campers to move deeper in a relationship with Him. Throughout the week, campers are inundated with the loving pressure of God that urges freedom from the world, sin, and self. In essence, He is continually drawing the campers to God where they find freedom as well as purpose for living. Lastly, the necessity of the local church in the role of camp and its relationship with the Holy Spirit is not to be overlooked. We who serve at local churches must realize the importance of teaching and preaching about the Holy Spirit and who He is before our kids ever get to camp and when they return. We must realize that our camping ministry has these campers for one week each year while our local churches have the other 51 weeks to allow them to grow in their relationship with God. It is vital that our smaller churches and larger alike allow campers to return from camp and continue their experiences in their local churches. We must ask ourselves this question, “If our kids respond passionately to God at camp because of the power present, then what must we be willing to establish for that passionate pursuit to continue?” In order to grow the next generation we must allow for “planned failures” or “a planned mess” to occur so that they can begin to identify who the Holy Spirit is for themselves. In essence I am suggesting that we set aside the appearance that we have it all together in order to allow our kids room to grow into not only their physical lives but also their spiritual lives as well. Allow the youth to lead worship. Allow them to preach. Allow them to walk beside us leaders as we allow God to lead us!
Adam Jones Lizella, Georgia
WWM WWM M AY 2012
21
STATE/REGION
DATES
LOCATION
CONTACT
Alabama
Outreach (Ages 9-12) May 2012 Collegiate(Ages 16-21) June 2012 Senior (Ages 12-14) June 2012 Discovery (Ages 9-11) June 2012 PeeWee (Ages 6-8) June 2012
Camp Booth Church of God of Prophecy 3111 Grey Hill Rd. Green Pond, AL 35074 (205) 938-2444
Tim and Bethany Beck
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico
July 13–16 (Ages 7–12) & (12–25)
Pine Rock Precott, AZ
Rozy Marquez (602) 690-6849 Rozy_aja@hotmail.com
Arkansas
Senior Camp (Ages 13–18) June 4–9
North Little Rock, AR
Junior/Intermediate Camp (Ages 7–12) June 19
Little Rock, AR
Stephanie Thompson stephanie.thompson@heartlandcogop.org (501) 833-2828 Debbie Thompson debbie.thompson@heartlandcogop.org
Teen Camp (Ages 12–18)
Frazier Park
College Retreat November 30–December 2
Ponderosa Pines
Winter Retreat January 18–20, 2013 Junior (English) August 6–11 Big Shot (English) August 3–5
NAC Canada Center Cornwall, ON
Florida
Senior Camp (Ages 15+) June 11–16 Intermediate (Ages 12–14) June 16–21 Junior (Ages 7–11) Hot Shot (Ages 5–7) June 28–30
Camp Sunshine Brookville, FL
Camp Coordinator: Tim Reynolds (772) 223-0131
Georgia
Senior Camp (Ages 15–19) June 10–16 Junior (Ages 7–11) June 17–23 Freshman (Ages 9–11) June 24–30 Explorers (Ages 5–8) July 1–7
Camp Echeconnee Lizella, GA
Direct to: COGOP Youth Camp 637 Mt. Paran Rd. Lizella, GA 31052
Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, WI)
July 8–12
Camp Quaker Haven Sysacuse, IN
Heartland Territory (KS, MS)
Kids Camp (East) (ages 7–11) July 1–4 Senior Camp (Ages 12–21) July 4–8)
California (Spanish)
Canada East
Linda Plaisimond (French) Maloulou@yahoo.com (514) 977-4293
Ontario Ontario
Directors: Eric & Shaun Kaut Directors: Rodney & Dawn Wilcox Mail applications for both above camps to: Rodney & Dawn Wilcox, 14319 174th St., Bonner Springs. KS 66062 Directors: Scott & Crystal Fuller, 18733 Greenway Lane, Olathe, KS 66062
Regional YA Kamp (Ages 18–35) May 25–28 Pee Wee (Ages 6–9) May 28–June 1 Senior (Ages 13–17) June 1–6 Junior (Ages 10–12) June 6–11
Kamp Kumbaya (MS)
Idaho
Junior & Senior Camp August 5–11
YWAM camp grounds
Director: Frank Avila (208) 866-7031
Kentucky
Junior High/Senior (Ages 12–18) June 18–23
Camp Nikao Elizabethtown, KY
Directors: Mike & Dana Estep Michael.estep@towell.kyschools.us (859) 749-9843 Directors: Scott & Sherry Waley waleysherry@yahoo.com
Junior (Ages 7–11) June 24–28 Louisiana
22
Ernie Tomayo (951) 961-4077) cogopcaliyouth@facebook.com cogopcaliyouth@yahoo.com
WWM M AY 2012
Same info as MS
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
STATE/REGION
DATES
LOCATION
CONTACT
Mid-Atlantic Region (DE, DC, NJ, MD, DELMARVA PENN)
Senior Camp (Ages 16–18) July 2–8
Bear, Deleware
Director: Chris Greenaway ladygreenaway@verizon.net (302) 834-7542 Director: Moneah Clemmings moneahclemmings@yahoo.com Director: Sabrina Mitchel Faraboverubbies1230@yahoo.com (443) 735-7033
Junior Camp July 8–12 PeeWee Camp July 12–15
Midwest Region
Junior & Senior Camps June 11 Champ Camper June 13
Camp She-Ki-Nah, Pennsylvania
Junior Camp/Campamento de Adolescents June 27–July 1 Nebraska Family Camp TBA Campamento de Jovenes Regional Senior Camp July 15–20
Iowa
Hermanos Shipleys
Nebraska Nebraska
Pruitts Directors: Louie & Cindy Moore Directors: Ryan & Jennifer Napalo
Mississippi
Regional YAK Camp (Ages 18–35) PeeWee Camp (Ages 6–9) May 28–June 1 Senior Camp (Ages 13–17) June 1–6 Junior Camp (Ages 10–12) June 6–11
North Carolina
Senior (Ages 13–14) June 11–16 Junior High (Ages 11–12) June 18–23 Junior (Ages 8–10) June 26–30 Primary (Ages 5–7) July 4–7 Senior High (Ages 15–college) July 9–14
Camp Marnatha High Point, NC
Youth Camp P.O. Box 517 Pine Level, NC 27568
Northeast (English) (NY, CT, MA, NH, RI, ME, VT, BERMUDA
Teen (Ages 13–18) Junior (Ages 9–12) PeeWee (Ages 6–8) August 12–17 Young Adult (Ages 19–21) January 2013
Swan Lake, NY
Morais Cassell Office: (518) 489-0753
Ohio/WV
Senior (Ages 14–18) June 16–21 PeeWee (Ages 5–9) June 21–25 Junior (Ages 10–13) June 25–30
Oregon
Senior & Junior July 15–19
Suttle Lake Campground
Director: Randy Clearly (509) 552-2195
South Carolina
Senior June 17–22 Junior June 23–28
Camp Agape 6952 Fairview Rd. Batesburg, SC 29006
(803 328-2030
Tennessee
Senior (Ages 16–25) June 2–7 Big Shot (Ages 6–8) June 9–13 Junior (Ages 8–10) June 16–21 Preteen (Ages 10–12) June 23–28 Teen (Ages 12–14) June 30–July 5
Camp Hickory Hills 1955 Wilson Hollow Rd.
(615) 763-6149
Texas
Senior (Ages 16-25) June 11–16 Intermediate (Ages 10-12) July 16–21
Ranger, TX Hamilton, TX
Directors: Buster & Terry Robinson Directors: Art & Robbie Camacho
Utah
Junior & Senior August 12–17
Park City Campground
Director: Erica Roberts (801) 455-7972
Virginia
Spring Renewal (Ages 13–19) April 13–15 Hot Shot (Ages 4–7) June 1–3 Junior (Ages 8–10) June 20–23 Senior High (Ages 14–19) June 23–28 Senior (Ages 11–13) June 29–July 4 Fall Refuel (Ages 13–19) October 5–7
Washington
Senior June 24–29 Young Adult June 29–July 1 Junior July 1–6 PeeWee July 6–7
Camp Roganunda
Directors: Shelly Symonds Directors: Bill & Cindy Davison Directors: Robert & Pam Murkerson Directors: Ramon & Icela Maldonado
Western Canada
July 1–6
Deer Valley Meadows Alix, Alberta, Canada
Contact: (778) 475-5878
West Virginia
Senior June 10–16 Champ Camp June 10–16
Camp She-Ki-Nah Fayettville, WV
Directors: Don & Jennifer Markham info@bcogop.com (440) 526-6081
Directors: Robbie & Mindy Boyd Directors: JD & Mary Chapman Directors: Malinda & Gigi Kay Directors: Robbie & Mindy Boyd Directors: Erik & Emily Nelson Directors: Robbie & Mindy Boyd
WWM M AY 2012
23
Christian Education Nominate a Ministry Leader for the Christian Educator of the Year Award
Purpose
Christian educators play a vital role in the lives of children and adults. The purpose of the Christian Educator of the Year Award is to . . . • recognize excellence in the Christian Education Ministry. • affirm those who give sacrificially to equip others through teaching. • inform the Church of God of Prophecy family of the exceptional quality of instruction in God’s Word occurring among us. Christian Education in a local church is much broader than just the Sunday school ministry. It consists of ministry leaders of small groups, children, youth, and adults. It is any individual serving in a role where he or she is effectively discipling others to follow Jesus.
Criteria for Nomination The most important criterion used in evaluating the nominated Christian educators is their ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to reach their full potential in Christ through the Christian educational process.
Why Nominate a Ministry Leader for Christian Educator of the Year?
apostle Paul was clear: “know them which labor among you . . . esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake . . .” (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13). How often do we regret our failure to praise someone for a job well-done or thank someone for their positive influence on our lives? This is your opportunity to recognize a ministry leader for his or her outstanding contribution to the ministering of God’s Word.
Process Nominations must be returned to the Director of Christian Education by June 10, 2012, for consideration. An advisory committee will select two candidates (children’s leader and adults’ leader). These individuals will be contacted and honored at the 97th International Assembly. This nomination form can also be found online. Go to www.cogop.org, and click on the Christian Education link. There in the sidebar, you will find another link to “Teacher of the Year Nomination Form.” You may also mail to the following address: Church of God of Prophecy Director of Christian Education P. O. Box 2910 Cleveland, TN 37320-2910
Darren Schalk Christian Education
Henry Brooks Adams, an American historian, stated, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” The
Church of God of Prophecy Christian Educator of the Year Official Nomination Form Leader’s Name Phone
Address City
State
Country
Zip
• He/she inspires students to study the Bible and develop their relationship with Christ by . . . • He/she shows involvement with students by . . .
Additional comments
Area of Ministry
Number of Years Leading/Teaching Pastor
Church
Church Address City
State
Country Fax
Zip
Phone E-mail
Please use additional sheets to answer the following points: I believe my ministry leader deserves special honor because . . .
• He/she shows dedication to teaching the Word of God by . . . • He/she shows creativity/innovation by . . .
Your Name Address City
State
Zip
Country Phone
Please include, with this form, a detailed explanation as to why you feel your teacher should receive this reward. You can also 24 complete this form online at www.cogop.org WINGMESSENGER.ORG
WWW. WHITE-
Women’s Ministries Assembly Mission Breakfast Archibald Cochran Ballroom The Galt House Hotel Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Assembly Mission Breakfast has become one of the highlight ministries of the International Assembly. The morning provides the opportunity to be transported to a beautiful island, an exotic jungle, or a historical city for breakfast, as representatives from around the world are seated at most of the tables as your morning host. This year, while enjoying a plated, Southern traditional breakfast, you will learn about the work, needs, cultures and lifestyles, as well as the challenges these missionaries encounter, in their particular area of ministry. Please join me, state/regional/national women’s ministries directors from around the world, and various mission representatives, at 7:00 a.m. at the waterfront in the “heart of Louisville” at the Archibald Cochran Ballroom on the third floor in the Rivue Tower of The Galt House Hotel for this time of sharing with our sisters (and brothers) who are ministering on the mission fields. The Galt House is a few minutes’ walk from the KICC Center via the Louisville Skywalk. Limited space is available and you must have a ticket to attend, so if you have not already made your reservations, please send $25.00 U.S. per person (a portion of which goes toward the cost of breakfast for your national host) to the Women’s Ministries Department to reserve your space. Tickets may either be mailed to you or picked up at the Women’s Ministries booth. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012. We look forward to sharing the morning with you there.
International Director Women’s Ministries
2012 Assembly Mission Breakfast Reservation Form Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________ City _______________________________________ State _________ Zip _________________ Telephone (_____) _____ - ____________ E-Mail _____________________________________ Number of Tickets __________ @$25.00 each Please return to:
Women’s Ministries Church of God of Prophecy P.O. Box 2910 Cleveland, TN 37320-2910
Amount enclosed $ ____________
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
25
MINISTRIES MINISTRIES
A year ago, church stewardship expert Brian Kluth explained the seven reasons churches should offer e-giving options now. Here is his article, reprinted by permission. For many years, churches pondered (and even debated) whether to collect offerings by placing a box in the back of the sanctuary or by passing the plate. Today there is a much more important issue that is transforming how people give and how churches collect offerings: various forms of electronic giving, such as websites, mobile devices, electronic funds transfer, and more. To dramatically illustrate my point, consider what would happen if you went up to the average 28-year-old and asked that person to write you a check for something. In most cases, he or she would look at your strangely and say something like, “Checks? Ahhh, I don’t use checks.” But the truth is, whether someone is 28, 38, 58, or 78, fewer people are using checks and instead are using various forms of electronic options for all of their financial and giving transactions. So, let’s take a look at the top seven reasons your church must offer (more) electronic giving options: 26
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
1. Scripture instructs ministers to “collect” people’s offerings. When I have been in other countries, I have sometimes seen churches use VERY LARGE offering baskets (as big as waste paper baskets!) to collect people’s offerings. People were taught to “give from what they had,” which often included eggs, bread, rice, money, and so on. The baskets had to be large enough to hold everything people brought. In some cases, I saw churches that built “tithe houses” so people could bring the best portion of their harvest to the church. The biblical mandate is that ministers “collect” people’s offerings and churches and ministers need to use whatever methods are available and most helpful to empower their people to be faithful and generous givers. 2. Some of your people do not use checks at all. Or, many will not have a check with them in the service. When you limit giving options to checks or cash, those without checks either will give nothing or will only put in a small amount of cash since they don’t carry much cash and mainly use debit cards, credit cards, smart phone apps, and online transactions to handle their finances. WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
3. Each weekend, 25 percent to 30 percent of the people who regularly attend your church are gone. If you have a church of 100 people, your average weekly church service attendance is probably 70 to 75 people. In a church family of 1,000 people, you likely have 700 to 750 attending on Sunday. Sickness, family commitments, sports, vacations, out-of-town trips, and other reasons will keep many people away from church each Sunday. Most people that miss a church service also will miss giving because the church has limited their giving opportunity to just a few minutes during a worship service. While some people will give more the next time they are in the service, most people will not. 4. Each weekend, 10 percent to 15 percent of your people will be in the building but will not make it to the worship service. Many people that serve in the nursery or a Sunday school class often miss going to a worship service on the weekends when they serve. There are a number of people who will only be able to get to church for one hour, and will choose to attend their Sunday school class rather than the worship service. When you limit giving to only happen in a worship service, many of these people will not give at all. 5. Electronic giving is a growing trend that will not go away. Church leaders must respond in a positive and appropriate way. Technology donation companies are finding more and more churches and nonprofits are turning to them to help fulfill their desire to offer electronic giving options. As a growing number of people depend on electronic giving to manage their finances, churches must come along side their people to help them be faithful and generous givers. Electronic giving is here to stay and it is growing. While ministering in a church in Australia, I found out from the pastor that more than 90 percent of people’s giving was done electronically (online, electronic funds transfers, and through giving “cards” in the pews that allowed people to give by debit or credit card). 6. Electronic giving helps you easily connect for special offerings. In every church, there are monies collected for a variety of things beyond the general weekend offerings, including building projects, benevolence giving, missions projects, missions trips, Christmas offerings, year-end offerings, pastor and staff love offerings, and more. When you have electronic giving available, a simple e-mail with a “Click here to donate” link is all you need to encourage generosity that will generate significant extra gifts in your church family. Without electronic giving, you’re confined to collecting an offering in the church services and sending out time-consuming and expensive mailings. 7. Churches in America are in the midst of the worst economic downturn in our lifetime. In the STATEofthePLATE. info research we conduct annually in partnership with Christianity Today International, we are in the midst of
a two-year, double-digit percentage decline in church giving—something we’ve never experienced in our lifetime. Nearly 40 percent of churches last year saw their giving decrease from the year before. I believe that scarcity brings clarity. We are now at a time when we need to teach God’s Word on finances and generosity and create as many ways as possible for people to be faithful and generous givers to God’s work. This will mean offering more electronic ways for people to give 24/7/365.
Evaluating E-giving Options
When working with any company that can provide electronic giving options for your people, you want to make sure they can offer you: • Online giving (one-time, recurring). • Electronic funds transfers (where people sign up to have their offerings withdrawn weekly, biweekly, or monthly) from one of their financial accounts. • Debit and/or credit card giving options (some churches prefer to only use debit cards). PDA/iPhone/Blackberry/Cell/Smart phone applications. • • Facebook fan page donations. • The ability to collect and process debit/credit card information on a mail-in offering envelope, sanctuary offering envelope, or registration form for a retreat, conference, event, and so on. • Note: While there are some small fees associated with processing electronic giving, the amount you gain will be far, far, far greater than any costs incurred. In closing, if you are collecting offerings by passing the plate and/or by having a box in the back, don’t stop doing this! With electronic giving, you are adding to what you are currently doing. This provides people with a variety of workable options for them to be faithful and generous givers to the Lord’s work.1 These seven reasons make a great case for online giving. I suggest this article be distributed at your next Finance and Stewardship or Board Meeting. Members should give online giving serious consideration.
Jan Couch Stewardship Ministries Director
Kluth, Brian 7 Reasons Churches Should Offer Electronic Giving Options; http://blog.managingyourchurch.com/2010/12/7_reasons_ churches_should_offe_1.html,
1
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
27
WORLDVIEW (continued)
Continued from page 6
WOMEN
Pacific Islands Ladies Retreat
This particular retreat and this specific venue are a dynamic combination which always generates excitement among the women who participate in the Regional and International Ladies Retreats. Hosted by Hawaii for the past several years, the Pacific Islands Retreat is always a sweet season of ministry and fellowship on one of the beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean. This year was no exception. Most might believe that the beautiful weather, the amazing hotel, and the incredible food would be listed among the best memories of the weekend; rather, it was the amazing worship, the sweet fellowship, the powerful prayer ministry both in small groups and in altar decision moments and the anointing on the Word of God which the Holy Spirit used in life-altering opportunities that were the most moving reflections of the weekend. We enjoyed some of the sweetest and intimate worship as any meeting I’ve been in. Each general session held a wonderful word and the liberty of the Spirit. We were witnesses to the presence of the Lord as some were saved, some filled with the Spirit, some healed, some restored, and some greatly delivered. All of us were challenged to arise in this day to become great women of God as we experienced the move of our sovereign Lord. The ministry of the weekend did not end as we vacated the hotel. One testimony came to me a couple of days later as a woman was sharing her testimony with her family on the way home from retreat. She shared about the work of the Holy Spirit. Her 10 year-old son began to weep and declared his desire to be baptized. The woman turned to him in the backseat of the vehicle, laid her hands on him, began to pray, and he immediately received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. We rejoice in this precious time of ministry with our family in the Islands. We continue to trust in God as our Dwelling Place. We are especially grateful to Bishop Gary Langley, Sister Amy Langley, and their ministry team in Hawaii for their assistance with the retreat and their support in ministry during the weekend. —Cathy Payne, International Director, Women’s Ministries
RUSSIA
Healings in Russia
At the Last Harvest Ministries in the Ural Mountains, Russia, each Sunday service we have special prayer for the needs of our congregation. People write their requests and then we read them during this special time of the service and pray. Sometimes we call a person to the altar and pray for them, laying hands on them. Last month we heard several testimonies of how God had miraculously healed when there was no hope. In our church there are many former drug addicts. They have various diseases acquired by using dirty needles. The most common of these are hepatitis C, HIV, and AIDS. We understand that the doctors have no cure for these diseases, so we encourage these people to completely trust in God and in His healing power! In a previous letter, I wrote how God had miraculously healed a young man in our church named Dmitry of hepatitis! After his testimony of healing in the church, many people cried out to the Lord in prayer. Faith in God’s healing power rose up and recently two young ladies, Ekaterina and Julia, came forward with testimonies of healing. Ekaterina testified how the Lord had healed her of hepatitis C and Julia testified how the Lord had healed her of uterine cancer and hepatitis C. At the next service, we heard testimony of how God had healed another young lady, Olga, of stomach ulcers! God is a miracle-working God! Please join your faith with ours as we pray to God for revival in our city!
28
—Missionaries Dmitry and Iryna Kavaleuski
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
PERSPECTIVES
SRI LANKA
When Your Preacher Is Not John Piper
God Is In Control!
Many who have had the privilege of hearing John Piper preach in person would testify that it felt like a monumental event. His preaching powerfully combines truth and passion, leading to convicted and exhilarated listeners. After the sermon, certain hearers might leave wondering if they were just in the presence of a figure that will be talked about in future centuries. Then they go back to their home church where several things are different including the preaching. Thankfully, the Gospel is still proclaimed. In fact, the sermons are thoroughly biblical but the ability of their regular preacher simply does not measure up to the phenomenal preaching they recently heard. Unless you attend a church led by of one of the celebrated preachers of our day, you most likely have faced a similar situation. Either at a conference or on the internet you have heard exceptional preaching but each Sunday you’re back in your simple little home church that hardly anybody beyond your town knows about with its “nobody” of a pastor who will probably never preach to thousands. What if your Gospel-preaching pastor is not as good as one of the great orators of our day? Is it time to sell the house, pack up the family, and change churches? No, I don’t think so. But what should you do?
Five Suggestions
First, rejoice that your preacher is a man who proclaims the Gospel. In some towns, finding someone who preaches the true Gospel is as difficult as locating that precious new golf ball you sliced 100 yards into the thick woods. I once endured a 40-minute sermon that consisted mainly of the preacher telling about his family’s vacation. Though that might be an extreme example of non-Gospel preaching, too many preachers fail to speak of the holy God, sinful humanity, and the redeeming work of Christ. But not your preacher—he speaks honestly about sin, boldly proclaims “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2), and then lovingly invites listeners to repent and believe. That is a reason to rejoice. Second, recognize that certain men are uniquely gifted by the Lord to have an international ministry and appeal, but this is not the norm. The typical local church should be satisfied to appoint as pastors men who are “above reproach” in their lives, who believe the Gospel and are able to teach God’s Word, and who have an aspiration to serve as shepherds (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9). Most preachers will not be strikingly smooth and polished. They may never be the keynote speaker at a big conference, but this is not a tragic shortcoming in your corner of God’s kingdom. It is precisely His design. Third, if your pastor is (honestly) dull but he preaches the truth faithfully, a little statement I once heard might be helpful for you to remember: “The mature worshiper is easily edified.” When hearing lackluster (even if biblical) preaching, immature worshipers will typically not listen to the message because they wish the messenger was more exciting. Conversely, mature worshipers eagerly receive the truth as it is proclaimed, even if it sounds like the preacher is reading a phone book. Fourth, listen “outwardly” to the preaching. Here’s what I mean: Sit with your Bible open and routinely make eye contact with the preacher. An occasional nod of your head when he makes a point will encourage him and stir up his confidence. In my
The Church of God of Prophecy is only a decade old in the predominately Buddhist nation of Sri Lanka. The COGOP was birthed in the midst of a horrifying civil war that had been ongoing since the early 1980’s. This conflict has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced over one million additional people. Add to this the devastation of the 2004 tsunami with 35,399 killed, over 500,000 displaced, and 114,069 houses destroyed or damaged—this is a challenging place to share the Gospel. But in the midst of all this difficulty God was present and sovereign and the Holy Spirit was still touching lives. What started as a single family and a home Bible study has grown to four organized Churches with vibrant missions/outreaches ministering to nearly 1000 people every week. —Dennis and Carmen Casey
continued on next page WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
29
WORLDVIEW (continued) PERSPECTIVES When Your Preacher Is Not John Piper continued from 29
experiences of both preaching and listening to sermons, I can confirm that yawning listeners with glazed-over eyes make mediocre preaching worse, while eager listeners inspire better preaching. Fifth, verbally encourage the preacher(s) in your church. Every preacher who is not extraordinarily gifted has heard remarkable preaching and moaned, “After listening to that, why do I even try?” This is a strange phenomenon, but great preaching from the renowned teachers of our day makes many “ordinary” pastors discouraged. Here’s a simple way you can buoy your pastor: After a sermon, instead of just saying “Nice sermon!” as you head out the door, take a few moments to tell him what was especially helpful and/or convicting from the sermon. In the first church I served as a pastor, one young couple would stay after the service, about once a month, conversing with me about what they learned. These helpful conversations sometimes lasted for more than an hour. Even today, I am heartened when I recall their zeal for what was taught. We should praise the Lord for giving us outstanding, well-known preachers, but let us not forget Paul’s command to Timothy, who was entrenched in a local church with pastors whose names none of us knows: “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). —Steve Burchett Copyright © 2008 Steve Burchett, www.BulletinInserts.org. Permission granted for reproduction in exact form. All other uses require written permission.
Continued from page 7
How can leadership play a role in this process?
We cannot accomplish what God wants to do in this generation on our own; we need the prayers, the support, and the belief of the leadership. Serving the Lord at a young age, especially with a call on our lives, is no easy task. The enemy would have no greater joy than to shut us down, because there are only a few of us. We need the leadership to help pray with us through our battles, our struggles, and our fears. Sometimes the most comforting thing to a young leader is to have someone who is an influential leader just say, “I am praying for you.” We need the leadership to support us. As a young leader, when God puts something in our heart to do, it seems incredible but often it is easy to become intimidated by those older than we are. We also need the leadership to just believe in us. Personally, the greatest feeling in the world as young leader is to have a pastor or leader say, “Will you help me
In His Presence MINISTERS
30
Harley R. Morrow; Murphy, NC; February 3, 2012; Licensed minister for 44 years.
Roy Williams Carter; Cleveland, OK; February 15, 2012; Licensed minister for 60 years.
Bobby L. Dean; Abilene, TX; January 29, 2012; Licensed minister for 52 years.
Lacy T. King; Altavista, VA; February 15, 2012; Licensed minister for 46 years.
Clarence Lamar Dotson; Manchester, TN; February 13, 2012; Licensed minister for 47 years.
Edna Mae Fritts; South Boston, VA; February 15, 2012; Licensed minister for 69 years.
WWM M AY 2 0 1 2
with this, or will you preach for me?” And sometimes I think, “Really, me? You want my help?” But to a young person who may have had no one believe in them before, this can change their life. A lot is being said about the need for spiritual mothers and fathers to this generation. What would you want in a spiritual father? One of the greatest needs in this generation is the need for spiritual fathers and mothers. Unfortunately, more young people are coming to church even though their parents do not. This is a growing trend. Therefore, this creates many baby Christians, who have no parents to help nurture their faith. Our generation needs spiritual fathers and mothers. We need godly men and women who will teach us how to mature in our faith, pray for us, and mentor us. Baby Christians need a lot of attention; the attention of a spiritual father or mother; someone who is simply involved in our life. They greatest thing that spiritual fathers and mothers have to offer is their love. My generation needs to know they are loved and cared for by someone in the church. Too often, young people turn from the church because they never experience the love and nurture of a spiritual father or mother. This generation may seem hopeless and dead, but with the help of the Holy Spirit and spiritual fathers/mothers, this generation will rise up with great strength to spread the Gospel to the corners of the earth!
WWW.WHITEWINGMESSENGER.ORG
MESSAGES
DeWayne Hamby, Managing Editor
I’m Not Giving Up Sometimes I run across a young, babyfaced version of me who stares at me in my high school senior picture. It was more than twenty years ago and the world has changed, but so many things are the same. Inspired by a friend’s post on a website thanking God how his mindset has broadened to become less “narrowminded,” I began to contemplate and thank God for how mine hasn’t. I accepted by faith the promise of a God who sent His Son for me, a person who would never ascend to anything worthwhile without Divine intervention. While through the years, my faith and love for people have been stretched, I know we are all God’s children stained by a fallen human condition we can’t cure on our own. I believed in such a thing as sin back then, when it was popular, and I still believe in it now, when it’s not so much. It separates us from God and puts us on a course for destruction. Like many, I’m less judgmental than what I used to be but I don’t think it’s the taboo some have made it. God is a God of love and of judgment. We shall all give an account for our choices, good and bad. Without salvation through Jesus Christ
alone and putting on His holiness, none shall see God. That’s what I believe. Sometimes I wonder what has happened in our world that the concept of an exclusive Savior has suddenly become so shocking. Did people suddenly forget the words of Christ in John 14:16 that are central to mainstream evangelical Christianity? Jesus is the only way. I love reconnecting with old friends through the internet and I’d love for everything to be all crackerjacks and sunshine. But I don’t need relationships bad enough to compromise or water down the faith that I committed to even farther back than high school. I owe it not only to God but also to that little kid who stepped forward, to the ones who pioneered this road, to my children and their children that I will endure to the end. I will run this course and I will finish this race well. I am not going to give up. I am not going to water down the message. I am not going to sidestep. I am not going to be intimidated. I am not going to become “enlightened” by or enamored with anything on this earth to the point of forgetting who I really am—a child of the most high God whose life was purchased by the blood of His precious Son.
I am going to run. I am going to press on with everything I’ve got. I am not only going to see the angels escorting me to the gates of heaven; I am going to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” spoken from the lips of my heavenly Father. “. . . The life you see me living is not ‘mine,’ but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that” (Galatians 19:20 The Message).
Sometimes I wonder what has happened in our world that the concept of an exclusive Savior has suddenly become so shocking.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! YES! I want to subscribe to the White Wing Messenger: Enclosed is my payment for:
o One-year subscription (Choose Language) o Church Bundles (English) Minimum of 5 @ $10 each o English (12 issues)–$18 (Examples: 5/$50; 15/$150; 20/$200) o Spanish (6 issues)–$10 Increments of 5, ONLY! o French (6 issues)–$4 o Two-year subscription (Choose Language) o English–$36 o French–$8 o Spanish–$20
NAME _________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________ CITY _____________________________________________ STATE ________________ COUNTRY _______________________________ ZIP CODE _________________________ PHONE ________________________ E-MAIL _________________________________
o VISA
o MASTERCARD
o DISCOVER
o AMERICAN EXPRESS
CARD # ____________________________________________________ EXP. DATE ________________________________
SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________________________________________
Subscribe: online—wwm.cogop.org; phone—(423) 559-5114; or mail to: White Wing Messenger • P.O. Box 2970 • Cleveland, TN 37320-2970
Assembly for children Thursday, July 26—Saturday, July 28, 2012 ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! (Preschool Ministry, Ages 4, 5) Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Rooms 218–219
9:30 a.m.—12 noon
Preschool ministry will be packed full of activities just right for your preschooler. They will be involved in learning through games, music, creative Bible story presentations, and relational ministry as they learn how they can participate in this amazing Christian race.
MEET THE CHALLENGE
(School Age Ministry, Ages 6–12) Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 9:30 a.m.—12 noon
Rooms 213–217
Each day children will race to a new continent to participate in challenges that decide whether or not they win the amazing race.
RUN THE RACE (Worship, Ages 6–12) Rooms 208–210 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:00 p.m.—9:30 p.m. Every child will be challenged to run the race marked out for him through creative ministry, engaging worship, and interactive preaching of God’s Word.
NOTE TO PARENTS: To help ensure your child’s safety, you will be asked to fill out a registration for each child. To further ensure his safety, each child must be brought and picked up by a parent. Every activity is age appropriate, so please do not bring your child to an “Assembly for Children” activity that is not designated for his age.
The Assembly for Children is an exciting part of the International Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy taking place July 25–29, 2012 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, visit http://cogop.org/assembly.html.