Independent Assemblies Connection

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visitors Mar/Apr 2011 | Volume 2 Issue 6

A Year for Unprecedented Opportunities

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Year fo edente tunitie IA Conference speakers Gracia Burnham www.graciaburnham.org Danny Wegman www.pathwayoflife.org

Workshops topics Multimedia for churches Ministerial Ethics Women in Ministry The church and tax laws Christian leadership for today Biennial Business Meeting Tuesday, July 12 at 9:00 AM Ordination and Presbytery Meetings to follow.

Special fellowship after Monday night service for youth and youth leaders

july 11-13 • 2011

March

Interstate Fellowship Meeting Monday, March 14, 2011 Life Community Church Ada, OK Rev. Mickey Keith (580) 427-6230

March 17-18, 2011 ROAR Conference for youth and young adults at Evangelistic Center in Shawnee, OK- Contact Thomas Buckley for details at (405) 637.7817 or on facebook.

April

Interstate Fellowship Meeting Monday, April 11, 2011 Lifechanger Church Claremore, OK Rev. Ted Estes (918) 341-8344

Southeast Texas Fellowship Meeting Saturday, April 9, 2011 Rev. Herb Hawthorne (281) 723-2278

►For more information about upcoming events visit our website at www.independentassemblies.org

www.independentassemblies.org 2 • connection

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March/April 2011

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

Holding Fast to the Cross and Christ

5

Member Focus

6

The Great Commission

8

Get to Know Visitors

10

Missionaries to the Gypsies

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

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Holding Fast to the Cross and Christ! by: Mindy Wood

Ron and Linda Fritch

The versatile ministry of Ron and Linda Fritch has been varied by evangelism, pastoring, and teaching on the mission field of America and Africa. For nearly fifty years they’ve spent their lives furthering God’s Kingdom, provoking and equipping believers to become obedient servants of Christ.

The spark of mission work began with Ron’s ministry to some of the most broken people in Oklahoma City on skid row. He worked with the Rumanian immigrant founder of the mission, Paul Tulbare whose apostolic work was marked by disciplines Ron wouldn’t forget. “We had church everyday and every night and he fasted three days a week, sometimes a whole week and he prayed for hours everyday. He’s probably the only man I know of who was a true apostle.”

With ignited passion Ron began working with Native Americans in Little Axe, Oklahoma and doing revivals. In 1963 he pioneered a church there and married Linda, a fiery preacher who started ministering in revivals as a teenager. They continued revival meetings across the state and at the church, thirty-three in one year with the Pentecostal Holiness denomination. “The Lord really and truly gave us a revival. People came from a hundred miles and we lost track of all the miracles and salvations, people being filled with Holy Ghost,” said Ron. Ron and Linda later established Bible Temple Church in Shawnee as pastors for fourteen years.

They joined IA and both began their education, obtaining ministry and teaching degrees that would later play a role in their mission work.

Ron taught as an adjunct professor for Oklahoma State University and they taught one year at R.W. Schambach’s Bible college until it closed for lack of financial support.

God opened a door for them to teach at Jimmy Swaggert Bible College (now World Evangelism Bible College). During a student mission trip 4 • connection

they led to Africa, their hearts were smitten.

“They say if you ever go to Africa your heart won’t come all the way back home and that’s what happened to us. I couldn’t shake Africa,” said Ron. “I was creeping up in age at the time and was 52 when we arrived. We were there seventeen years.”

They established a four year degree granting Bible college in Primrose, outside of Johannesburg South Africa. Both taught and as Linda wrote curriculum, they secured equipment to print and bind it. They challenged their students, who spanned fifteen countries and thirty denominational backgrounds to to let the Bible speak for itself. “Every Baptist pastor who came ended up being filled with Holy Ghost,” laughed Ron. “I told them that they’d hear speaking in tongues and if I was in their church I’d speak up if I disagreed and expected the same from them.”

Since their return to the U.S. graduates have pioneered at least 210 churches without financial assistance. Dr. Pika L.E. Deogratias oversees the college under the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Ron and Linda preach wherever they are asked, provoking the church back to awakening and healing by way of the Cross. “Jesus went to the heart of the matter which was sin,” said Linda. “When people repent, then joy and peace flows out of that and they can enjoy their lives. We can’t rid ourselves of the behavior without the blood and the Cross.”

As to their future plans, they are allowing God to lead them daily as they’ve always done while reflecting on the wonder of God’s faithfulness. They are especially appreciative of IA. “We’ve watched it grow and change over the years,” said Linda. “They supported us faithfully and were a great encouragement to us.”

by: Mindy Wood

Pastors and evangelists Thomas and Cathy Meares are passionate about bringing God’s people Biblical principles that “pertain to life and godliness.” Equipping saints at home and abroad through pastoring, education and apostolic ministry is the heartbeat of their lives and ministry.

They began a ministry of evangelism through Gospel music in 1978 with three of their songs hitting the top 50 charts of the Singing News and the Gospel Voice magazines. Being on the road gave them a unique perspective on the American church. “It was a valuable time because we got to see so many different needs and sides of the church,” said Thomas Meares.

Those impressions laid the groundwork of their pastoral and apostolic ministry. In 1994 Omega Christian Center was founded in Lumberton, North Carolina. A significant impact in their ministry would come the following year when they met Mike Murdock. “He had a fresh revelation of the person of the Holy Spirit. He was full of wisdom and very genuine. I was drawn to his life and ministry and our relationship has developed over the years.” They would later travel with Murdock in 2001, shaping their future work.

While pastors, they continued to travel and minister through song and scripture with prophetic and practical dynamics in teaching as God birthed an apostolic ministry abroad.

Touching nations across Africa, Central America and the Dominican Republic they come alongside the local people. “My desire is to help them with the insight God has given me. I want to see them excel and be more effective in their countries. We’re there to strengthen them for the work they’re called to, for the vision God’s given them,” said Meares. Their mission work includes establishing and building churches, feeding the hungry and helping with financial needs whenever possible.

God expanded their work stateside with the launch of Omega Christian Academy in 2007, a radio program and Thomas’ book, You Decide Your Future, endorsed by Mike Murdock. “My teaching is about helping Christians renew their

Thomas & Cathy Meares minds to God’s way of thinking and being right. As Christians we must see that God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who’s called us to excellence. When He gives you an instruction there’s a reward that follows it.

We can’t expect to be rewarded unless we follow instructions and we can only be rewarded by the one whose instructions we follow.”

An upcoming opportunity for television ministry in Greenville, South Carolina is also opening to the Meares who hope to see revival reach the American church and the lost. “We have so much in America that we’ve forgotten to depend on God for everything. Revival brings us back to the awareness that He created us with a need for close relationship with Him and that everything we need will come from us being before Him and in His presence. Out of that, we can be those who manifest His glory.

I believe God wants to work through us as He did Christ but we must be revived and totally alive to God.” Working with a strong pastoral team in North Carolina, the Meares are free to travel and minster more now than ever. “We hope to do more stateside ministry and welcome the opportunity to do that,” said Meares. Wherever they minister, they bring biblical instruction and wisdom to equip churches, thus helping others pursue their divine purpose, discover and use their gifts, and live Christ’s abundant life.

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The Great Commission in Salem, Missouri! by: Mindy Wood

When Dr. Bill and Sheri Stack answered God’s pastoral call on their lives, they had no idea just how far reaching the impact would be locally and internationally. Both involved in ministry from a young age, they were devoted to the Lord’s work while successful in the financial industry. Sheri’s father, founding pastor of Salem Full Gospel died abruptly in 1996 and became even more involved in the church.

Bill finished his masters in theology from Jackson Theological Seminary in 1999 and by 2000 the Lord called them to pastor SFGC. “I was working in financial planning for a bank, responsible for seven branches and assistants. It was the best job I’d ever had as far as hours and pay, but when the Lord taps your heart, you’re not going to be happy until you obey,” said Stack.

It wasn’t Bill and Sheri’s first assignment. While a Cadet at West Point, Bill was a founding elder of West Point Full Gospel, the only Pentecostal ministry at the military academy.

Sheri was a student at ORU, before graduating from Evangel University where she traveled the world ministering with the

Twyla and Kerry Ruggles

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Continental Singers. After Bill served as a US Army officer during the Gulf War, the newlywed couple, ordained by IA, started ministering on base in Germany and at home. Sheri was instrumental in starting a Sunday School program on base for area children, and Bill served as an elder on the military base.

Just when the Stacks settled in as pastors, the 911 tragedy hit. “There I was in small town rural Missouri and glad I was there. I’d served in war, saw tragedy and was glad I didn’t have to travel. I was getting comfortable until I read in Romans where Paul said, ‘I thank God your faith is spoken of throughout the world.’ That jumped out at me,” Bill said.

Forever changed, a vision for the church emerged. They challenged the congregation and themselves with the The Great Commission as their mission statement. “The early church didn’t have phones, a postal system, internet, or airplanes but their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world. I challenged them that we could have an impact from our little town. Two weeks later I received three invitations to travel for ministry.”

The Stacks have ministered in Mexico, the Philippines, India, Africa, Guatemala and Nicaragua with IA Missions Director, Dr Robert Johnson or Rev John Sokolis, and later as an ambassador of the Christian Men’s Network to Papua New Guinea and Australia.

“I was privileged to work with these men in an environment where you get to see people for who they really are. I appreciate the influence they’ve had on my life,” said Stack. They’re now supporting an underground network of believers

in Pakistan, using the internet for teaching, and planning a trip to the Punjab province soon.

Giving up to thirty-five percent of church revenue to missions, they responded to the local harvest when they started Shepherd’s Nook Food Pantry in 2001. They began feeding and ministering to 300 people monthly, now over 1,000 people a month. “We’re giving away $30,000 worth of food every month and God miraculously provides the means.” Numerous patrons have been healed and saved as the result of that outreach ministry.

With a heart to train and commission the church for ministry, they pioneered Yeoman Ministries International offering bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees of ministry. YMI is the parent organization to WLI Heartland, a branch of C. Peter Wagner’s Wagner Leadership Institute where Bill graduated with his Doctorate of Practical Ministry in 2008.

Their endeavors are grounded in the Great Commission. “There’s a whole generation in the United States who believe all they need to do is say a prayer for salvation and then go their own way but Jesus said to teach them to observe all things He commanded. So our focus is helping to do that locally, regionally and internationally.”

Both Bill and Sheri continue to be bivocational pastors. The Lord has blessed their business, Stack Financial Services LLC and Sheri, a Master Tax Adviser and Enrolled Agent is the office manager and staff accountant for a local H&R Block office in Salem. Bill was recently named among the top 1% of financial advisers worldwide, in the Million Dollar Roundtable organization.

2011 Embassy Suites • Norman, OK

A Year for Unprecedented Opportunities

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get to know visitors.

Hello my name is

visitor This old saying rings true, no matter the situation. It is especially important when that first impression is being made by your church. One never knows who is going to walk through your doors for the very first time. First-time visitors to a church often have had their home church move away, dissolve or merge into a mega-church in which they were uncomfortable. Perhaps they themselves have had to undertake a relocation and are seeking a home church. But no matter the reason, you want these visitors to feel truly welcome when they enter your church. You want them to feel the Spirit of Love-which is the Spirit of God. Have you addressed the crucial issue of welcoming visitors- to your congregation? It is a worthy subject to present to the church; especially if you want your church to grow. It 8 • connection

is amazing how many churches never address this issue-and therefore are completely unprepared to properly welcome visitors!

What would you say to your church when teaching them how to properly welcome first-time visitors?

To begin, the worst thing your congregation can do is to completely ignore a visitor. You may never get the chance to apologize for not welcoming them the first time they walked through your doors: it may be their last. It is just as bad to descend upon them like headhunters with pen and notebook in hand, pressing them for their name, phone number, address and other personal information for your records. Asking them if they would mind a visit from your Pastor is not the thing to do on the first visit, either.

Don’t pressure them. If they are seeking

counsel, they will ask someone.

They are probably unfamiliar with your doctrine. That is a crucial element in deciding whether or not to continue visiting your church. But it is a thing that must be presented in love; not as a “Book of Laws” of your church. After a few visits, people will generally begin to ask questions, because they will begin to feel comfortable if they like what they have seen and heard in their first few visits.

“Testing the waters” is a thing that every visitor must do. When you see a new face in the crowd, it is not always a good idea to draw attention to them by pointing them out and thereby causing everyone to look at them. They may be shy. It may embarrass them. Instead, smile a genuine smile at them but say nothing to draw attention to them. If they have remained throughout your service, make it a point to welcome them as they exit along with everyone else. If they have questions for you, they will linger behind and wait to speak with you and introduce themselves.

In conclusion, let them be-but don’t ignore them. Don’t pressure or push them. Everyone needs to feel as if they are in control. No one likes to be pushed or pressured. Smile at them, but don’t embarrass them by announcing that they are among you. Save that for later when they have contributed some wonderful talent to the church. As you smile and look directly at them, say something to the effect of” Isn’t God GOOD?” Make your message especially loving and accepting; it will make them want to return. Even if you have chosen another sermon, always have a little “message of love” ready in case you see new faces.

Finally, put yourself in their place. What if you were visiting a new church for the first time? Would you want to be a silent observer or would you want to be put in the spotlight and embarrassed? Just show them the same kindness and consideration that you would want if it were you.

This is how churches grow.

1. Understand the mind of a guest.

They want to be welcomed. They want to observe our church service and be provided an easy opening if they choose to come again. Most of all, they don’t want to be pressured.

2. Welcome everyone.

Not only do newcomers need your warm welcome, regulars attenders also need a friendly greeting. Develop a good handshake.

Be enthusiastic – about the day, the worship that is about to take place, about Christ.

3. Anticipate the newcomers.

When people enter the door who you do not recognize, approach them by saying something like, “We’re glad to have you here today. I don’t recall meeting you before.”

Avoid “Is this your first time?” You might embarrass yourself or offend a regular attender.

4. Help newcomers connect.

While you are getting to know them, introduce guests to another regular attender who walks in and suggest they sit together, or feel free to invite first time visitors to sit with you.

5. Say goodbye with warmth.

After the service, bid farewell to visitors, inviting them to return next week. Ask them if they have any questions. Introduce them to other members and to the pastor.

After visitors are gone, feel free to visit with people.

6. Avoid Church Business.

Avoid using pre or post service activities to conduct church business that could be done over the phone during the week. Focus on visitors.

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Missionaries to the

Gypsies Mike and Ruth Matthews

Former small town Kansas pastors, Mike and Ruth Matthews might have missed their future in missions if it hadn’t been for “divine dissatisfaction.” Ordained by their church in 1980 and five years later with IA, the couple set out in ministry as pioneer pastors. After ten years in ministry something began to change in their hearts.

“I became really unhappy pastoring and didn’t know why,” said Mike Matthews. “I couldn’t understand it. I finally decided to resign and thought I would leave the ministry for a teaching career. Of course God wouldn’t have that,” laughed Matthews. “I’d finished two semesters in college and then we went on a missions trip to England, Wales and Scotland.

God spoke and showed us that this is what He wanted us to do.”

They worked with “Hungry For Christ” in Budapest, Hungary in 1992 and then on to Bulgaria returning to the U.S. in 1995 to graduate from Victory World Missions Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They taught in VCC’s Bible Schools throughout Central and Eastern Europe and in Malaysia and later started Breakthrough Global Missions. In 2001 they pioneered Breakthrough Christian Church in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The Matthews discovered an ethnic group with their own government, whose culture and traditions are despised by all of Europe: Gypsies. “Their government functions within the ramifications of the country they reside,” said Mike. “Many of them still ‘sell’ their daughters for a dowry in marriage and usually the couples have never met. They have their own culture, their own traditions.”

Predominantly Catholic, often in name only, Gypsies and Slovakians were hungry for the true Gospel. “I rented a room when we started the church and didn’t really invite anyone. I expected maybe five people to show up but sixty people came and none of them had 10 • connection

been invited,” said Mike. “I still don’t know how they knew about it. It was their hunger for God that led them there.” Ruth added, “They’re very warm and passionate when they turn to Christ.”

The Matthews established a leadership team over the church while they continue to provide oversight, using Bratislava as their base to minister in Europe. They’re encouraged by a recent spark of revival in eastern Slovakia. “The Gypsies were impacted by the power and presence of God. They saw people healed, delivered, and the revival struck the city so strong that all the bars closed up. People are getting healed and delivered. A grocery store owner was interviewed on Slovak TV and he said he stopped stocking cigarettes because no one’s buying them.”

They’re praying for the revival to spread throughout the nation and touch Europe.

America isn’t far from their hearts either.

“God has given us a message in missions but also in America to see awakening and reformation. The church has experienced awakenings in the past but revivals fade without reformation. Real reformation is when people’s lives are changed to the point that we don’t have to tell them to stop sinning. God does something in them and they don’t want to do that anymore. The Lord said make disciples, not converts. Our goal is to see people experience the Kingdom and power of God, to be unshakable people who demonstrate the character, the presence, and power of God.” That’s a vision they plan to bring Norway and Ireland where they know God will eventually lead them. In the meantime they’re praying for global awakening and reformation. Sign up for their monthly newsletter when you write to them or send an email to bgm@stjoelive.com

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 (918) 341-8344 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

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 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

Board Member PO Box 862 Elgin, TX 78621 (512) 281-5316 Jedmon1234@aol.com www.fwcelgin.com

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www.independentassemblies.org

Independent Assemblies P.O. Box 1546 Ada, OK 74821