connection Independent Assemblies
uniting ministries worldwide
all things
are possible
for
refueling youth ministry
January/February 2010 | Volume 1 Issue 5
calendar January
Interstate Fellowship Meeting Monday, January 11, 2010 Destiny Family Church Wagoner, OK Rev. John Sokolis (918) 441-0944 or (918) 682-1540
February
Interstate Fellowship Meeting Monday, February 8, 2010 Living Faith Church Moore, OK Rev. Jimmy Milligan (405) 794-3161
March
Interstate Fellowship Meeting Monday, March 8, 2010 Life Community Church Ada, OK Rev. Mickey Keith (580) 427-6230 Midwest Region Minister’s Meeting Monday-Tuesday, March 8 & 9 Calvary Life Church Granite City, IL Rev. Mark Maynard (618) 931-4106 or (618) 531-7645
Missions Rally Friday, January 15, 2010 Harvest Fellowship Church Aurora, MO Rev. Terry Fletcher (417) 678-6229 or (417) 678-0663
www.independentassemblies.org 2 • connection
connection moving? January/February 2010
If you are planning on moving or just recently moved, please contact the offices of the Independent Assemblies so that we may update your contact information. Also, keep us up to date with your current email and phone number. We want to make sure you receive your copy of the Connection Magazine and all other Independent Assemblies updates.
Contents 2
Calendar
4
Refueling for Youth Ministry
5
Member Focus
6
Mac Blackwell
8
All Things are Possible
10
Donnie Miller
11
Board Members
Independent Assemblies PO Box 1546 Ada, OK 74821 (580) 310-0222
Independent Assemblies PO Box 1546 Ada, OK 74821 (580) 310-0222 Produced by Layers Media, Inc. www.layersmedia.com
connection • 3
for youth ministry
Several years ago a friend and I took an extended road trip from Michigan to Alaska. Before our trip I investigated the route and realized there were significant stretches of highway that meandered through completely deserted wilderness regions. In addition, the gas stations on these mountain roads were often over 200 miles apart. This tiny bit of knowledge turned out to be extremely important. As a precaution, we carried eight gallons of gasoline with us at all times. I have a nice photo of myself standing in the middle of nowhere, pouring those eight gallons into the gas tank. I also have a close-up shot of my gas gauge on empty as we rolled across the Alaskan border. Thankfully, there’s a gas station right there. You don’t have to be in youth ministry long before you realize there are similarities with the Alaskan/Canadian highway. Ours can be an extremely tiring profession. Sometimes there are long stretches of ministry that have the same look and feel of a barren wilderness where there seems to be little opportunity for refueling. Having advanced knowledge of the terrain certainly helps. After just a few years as a youth worker, I learned to eliminate from my vocabulary that ten-letter youth minister cuss word, “all-nighter.” Yet even such a 4 • connection
drastic measure didn’t keep me from frequently feeling like I was running out of gas. As I noticed my power dwindling and eventually my spiritual, physical, and emotional engines sputtering simultaneously, I searched the Scriptures for some practical guidance from the master teacher. I wanted to know what secrets Jesus utilized in order to maintain power in ministry—against temptation, through the storms, and even in the face of death. A quick trip through the Gospel of Matthew revealed two of Jesus’ key strategies for staying powered-up for ministry. First, Jesus consistently modeled the power of solitude. He took a monthand-a-half-long spiritual retreat (Matthew 4:1-2), deliberately distanced himself from the crowd (8:18), escaped for some private focused prayer time (14:23; 26:36), introduced the spirituality of power-napping (8:24), and even just sat and relaxed (24:3). Also, Jesus was relentless with his delegation of power. At the beginning, he surrounded himself with disciples who would take over for him when he was gone (10:1). What would happen if we did that? Perhaps the opportunities for staying powered-up are there after all; we’ve just been too busy to stop for refueling.
by: Mindy Wood
Pastor Charles Kendrick has spent the past forty eight years sowing God’s Word into the hearts of people and reaching out to local pastors to build the kingdom of God. A former regional youth director for the Assemblies of God, he is an IA Regional Representative in Arkansas where he hopes to see a more united front in the battle against the family and the advancement of the Gospel. For eighteen years he has served as pastor of New Beginning Independent Assembly in Center Ridge, Arkansas. Focusing strongly on their children and youth, Pastor Kendrick hopes to see a crop of strong families. “We spend a lot of time on the kids and youth programs because we feel like we’ll end up with good parents.” In addition to supporting IA missions, they also support various missionaries. For the first ten years of his ministry, Pastor Kendrick worked with Indian Reservations in the Dakotas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Pastor Kendrick feels a heavy burden for the field right in front of him. “We reach out to other missions groups but we realize we have a great mission to do around us. We focus a lot of effort to reach the un-churched youth and families in our area.” Another concern that troubles Pastor Kendrick is the recent statistic from the University of Arkansas that stated two-thirds of young couples aged twenty five drop out of church. “It seems to me that it’s harder today to get people really committed to Christ, to the point that they want to have a relationship with Him. Somewhere they’ve been sold the idea that it’s enough to know about Him but we need to know him.” With these burdens, he hopes to see
Charles and Amanda Kendrick pastors unite and change that. “My goal is to get people committed to building the kingdom of God but also to pull pastors together. We’re all working for the same cause. I think these are the hardest times I’ve ever pastored in and I’ve been doing this since I was eighteen. We want to see pastors unite and work together to reach out. I think it’s our time to stand up and be counted.” Although Pastor Kendrick hopes to see even more pastors attend their bi-monthly meetings this year, several pastors are catching the vision of pulling together and concentrating their work to build the kingdom of God. “We’ve got a wide open field out there to work in,” said Pastor Kendrick. “There’s a multitude of people.”
connection • 5
Mac
Blackwell by: Mindy Wood
Mac and Sondia Blackwell
When Mac Blackwell stepped inside Word Fellowship Church for the first time, he was there to minister a funeral service. “Prepare for a future,” the Lord said. Although he had no idea what God had in mind, it burned in his heart until nine months later he met Pastor Mark Johnson and the two hit it off. Pastor Johnson placed Mac Blackwell over the helps ministry and for the last six years he has ministered to the church and the un-churched. Pastor Blackwell is an ordained minister through the IA and a Regional Representative covering northeastern Oklahoma. Additionally, he and his wife, Sondia founded Mac Blackwell Ministries, an outreach offering Bible studies, marriage counseling, and help for the hurting. Many people today are shy of the church doors from false impressions or serious “church” wounds that haven’t healed. A home is sometimes more inviting. “It’s pretty surprising who will open up because you’re not in a church. We intended to hold a Bible Study three or four weeks and it ended up lasting eighteen months.” They also had five denominations represented which he says was not easy. “We agreed to discuss anything, not argue. When something came up, we would turn to the Bible to see if it was scriptural. With the Holy Spirit, we overcame it.” As an IA Regional Representative, Pastor Blackwell is in the habit of bringing pastors together from different backgrounds. He helps them find the common ground of ministry and personal life. “We know how to preach to each other but we don’t know how as men to sit and
talk with each other. If you can do that with transparency, which is hard for most people to do, you’ll find a whole lot of people are having the same issues you’re having. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel because someone else has already been down that road. That’s the basis of our fellowship, to get together, communicate with each other, confide in each other, even cry with each other as necessary.” As a minister of helps, Pastor Blackwell hopes to model an important truth to church members and other pastors. “The calling I have on my life in the helps department is to be a witness in front them that each of us are very important and an intricate part of the body. As we come together and do our part, the body becomes stronger and more viable. The works of the enemy are further destroyed.” Word Fellowship has followed that model even in their youth and children’s ministry. They’re training them to take a vital place in the church by cultivating servant hood. Missions’ trips for the youth include working on houses in poverty stricken areas both close to their community and abroad. Last year their children travelled to St. Louis Missouri to reach out to the nursing home community with puppets, prayers and songs. “They don’t expect anything except to help someone else, just little servants who are learning how the body is supposed to operate.” This year Pastor Blackwell hopes to see churches have greater impact. “If more people discuss the issues, then you’ll have a better idea to form a plan to address those problems.”
connection • 7
possib possible all things are
by: Mindy Wood
Dr. Daniel Sue
P
astor Dr. Daniel Sue is living proof that with God all things are possible. As pioneer pastor, high school teacher, and survivor of severe health problems, Dr. Sue’s life and testimony are an example of God’s grace at work. He started preaching in churches when he was just twelve years old under founding member of Independent Assemblies, the late Dr. Dale Mercer of Anchor of Hope Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now in the ministry for forty-five years, Dr. Sue somehow managed to earn six degrees in between teaching and starting churches alongside his wife of thirty five years, Edna, a musician and songwriter. Edna also ministers alongside her husband and reaches out to other women at conferences
8 • connection
and within the community of Kemp, Texas where they pastor Living Word Church. Dr. Sue has an Associate’s Degree in Theater Arts, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts Education, a Master’s Degree in Education Computer Technology, a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Theology. He also earned his Doctorates of Divinity. He and his wife pioneered churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Georgia. Dr. Sue serves as an IA Regional Representative for north Texas and teaches at the high school. The average day of work for Dr. Sue is very busy. He teaches school all day and when the final bell rings he’s off to return phone calls before heading out to do visitations and handle church business. Although sometimes it makes for a long
day and late night, Dr. Sue said he enjoys his work and God has always given him grace. “I’ve always been the type of person who enjoys being with people.” It takes a patient person to teach high school these days too but Dr. Sue reported that his students rarely give him any trouble. He often has the chance to share the Gospel with them as well. “Most of them have not been raised in church and when I introduce myself at the beginning of the year I tell them I’m a pastor. They don’t know what a pastor is. Because they ask, they open the opportunity for me to talk about it. Often students come to me after class or school and ask me to pray with them or ask questions about the Bible. I’ve never been reprimanded for it. In fact the superintendent of the school who hired me ten years ago said, ‘We’ve tried everything but we haven’t tried a minister. Maybe you can bring some cohesiveness to the school.’ It’s worked well for me.” As a regional representative, Dr. Sue is encouraged to see progress. “The pastors are very supportive of each other and we have built a good rapport. Without that encouragement from each other many would give up and not continue going on when times get tough. IA has always been a great source of strength to me and very beneficial as I’ve endeavored to do God’s will in my own life.” Dr. Sue talked about their focus for next year, strengthening ministries for growth. “In February we will host a round table meeting to encourage them in the great work they’re doing and challenge them for the anointing in their lives with emphasis on women’s ministry. In May we will meet
about church growth, and how to get to the next level in building expansion, staff and ministries. In August we will talk about finances and the law of the IRS.” Of course life is never only mountains but valleys too. In addition to managing diabetes, Dr. Sue has died three times. At first doctors were mystified because they couldn’t find anything wrong. As it turned out he contracted a virus that shut down the electrical system of his heart. When his doctor discovered the problem Dr. Sue recalled his comment: “Evidently the good Lord doesn’t want you yet. We can medically prove you died at least three times. You should have already gone.” Dr. Sue said people often ask about his near death experience. “If I saw the Lord I don’t recall it but I know I am well persuaded that He’s kept me here to finish the work he’s called me to do so I keep going at it.” For the rest of his days he and Edna will continue to keep “reaching, preaching and teaching” wherever God leads them. “I try to train those I’m privileged to pastor to understand that we’re like a vapor, here today and then gone. When you consider how short our lifespan is on this earth, we must be able to reach out and help others, minister to their needs, encourage them, and keep them going on for the Lord to become instruments who bring others to the saving knowledge of Christ.” Planting churches, sowing seeds in young hearts and bracing up pastors means Dr. Daniel and Edna Sue have their work cut out for them. But that’s okay with them. They know they have God’s grace to keep up with His plans.
“Evidently the good Lord doesn’t want you yet. We can medically prove you died at least three times. You should have already gone.”
connection • 9
Donnie Miller Cyril Full Gospel
by: Mindy Wood
Donnie and Teresa Miller
Pastor Donnie and Teresa Miller of Cyril Full Gospel in Cyril, Oklahoma are reaching the unreachable and training them up to send them out. Their love for people is a true reflection of Christ’s compassion and God’s relentless pursuit of lost souls. IA Regional Representative for southwest Oklahoma, Pastor Donnie Miller is also bridging gaps between pastors to reach more people for Christ. Cyril Full Gospel Church makes every effort to meet their impoverished community’s needs and bring joy to a lot of children and youth. They have a food pantry and do what they can to help struggling people and this year will focus on building strong marriages and families in the community. The children and youth ministry is especially strong, busing in as many as forty children and packing in sixty teens on average. “We don’t water the message but find relevant ways to get it to them.” When God told the Millers they would train up and send out ministers they were excited but admitted sometimes that’s hard. He laughed, “You want to say, ‘wait not that one Lord!’” They now have six individuals in ministry from their church. He often thinks about how dramatic their conversions were, how enormous the strongholds they faced. “God has changed their lives and grown them into ministry.” Those testimonies encourage the Millers to reach everyone who comes through the doors. That makes for some tough cases but since God’s
10 • connection
love doesn’t quit, Pastor Miller says he can never give up on people. “We have people say things like, ‘why do you keep giving those people chances?’ and I just think, ‘God gave me a bunch of chances!’They may be in the same situation they were in last year but they still need Jesus.” Their passion for people hits home too. Six years ago they took in a six month old baby girl who was in the foster care system. “She’s not in foster care anymore but she still lives with us because we created such an attachment to her. Her mom and dad are still trying to get their lives together so she stays with us eighty-five percent of the time.” With that same relentless dedication, Pastor Miller is on a mission to build relationships with pastors in his region and disarm the spiritual enemies of unity. He recently helped a new church in town lay their carpet. “People told me I was crazy but it really doesn’t matter if they end up with a bigger congregation. I don’t care. They’re preaching the Gospel.” Several local pastors are on board for a city wide crusade this year. “I think our churches are starting the get the sense of unifying our efforts. I hear pastors and people saying we should do more things together.” Pastor Donnie and Teresa Miller are determined to bring unity and transform their community. “When churches in a community unify their efforts and resources, they can reach more people for Jesus. That’s the ultimate goal.”
Executive Board Mickey Keith
President PO Box 1546 Ada, OK 74821 (580) 310-0222 mickey.keith@gmail.com www.life623.com
Dr. Ted Estes
Vice President PO Box 2248 Claremore, OK 74018 pastorted@lifechangerchurch.com www.lifechangerchurch.com
Ken Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer PO Box 1120 Lexington, OK 73051 (405) 527-6030 kda@valornet.com www.libertygospelok.org
Robert Johnson
Director of World Missions PO Box 978 Blackwell, OK 74631 (580) 363-2734 roj@clarionmissions.org www.clarionmissions.org
Jerry Edmon
Board Member PO Box 862 Elgin, TX 78621 (512) 281-5316 Jedmon1234@aol.com www.fwcelgin.com
Regional Representatives Southeast Oklahoma District Rev. Billy Hunter Antlers, OK (580) 298-2740 Southwest Oklahoma District Rev. Donnie Miller Cyril, OK (580) 464-2224 (580) 512-3657 Northeast Oklahoma District Rev. Mac Blackwell Locust Grove, OK (918) 479-6057 North Central Texas District Rev. Dr. Daniel Sue Kemp, TX (903) 498-4704 Southeast Texas District Rev. Herb Hawthorne Baytown, TX (281) 723-2278 South Central Texas District Rev. Jerry Edmon Elgin, TX (512) 281-5316 Midwest Regional District Rev. Mark Maynard Granite City, IL (618) 931-4106 Arkansas District Rev. Charles Kendrick Alexander, AR (501) 303-0831
connection • 11
Independent Assemblies P.O. Box 1546 Ada, OK 74821