A Pastor’s Advise to a College Bound Student | Planning my Funeral | Youth Camp | Talking with your Teenager The Official Magazine of the Oregon District UPCI
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July 2014
Oregon District Apostolic Accent Volume 50, Number 7
www.ORUPC.com Editor……………………..........…………….Kassie Meyer kassiemeyer@hotmail.com (503) 689-3589 District Officials Superintendent……………......……………Ted Graves Secretary/Treasurer……..........……..Dan Sargeant Presbyters Section 1…………………......…..…………Gary Gleason Section 2……………………........…M. Dennis Johnson Section 3………………………......……..Kevin Goodwin Section 4…………………………......Steven L. Johnson Honorary Board Member M. David Johnson North American Missions Director…………………………….......…..Steve Hanson Secretary…………………….……….....…Virgil Alldritt Global Missions Director…………………………….......David Reynolds Apostolic Man Director……………………………..……......Mark Edday Ladies Ministries Director…………………………......….Geanice Langley Secretary…………………...…….....…….Rachel Sparks Sunday School Director………………………….…......…Darrell Sparks Secretary…………....………………….....…..Joe Higgins Oregon Youth President………………………….......…Shane Graves Secretary………………………………......……Kevin Neu Spanish Ministries Director……………………………………......Fito Avenia
Editors Note As I reflect back on when the Apostolic Youth Corps came to Portland, I can’t help but feel proud and blessed. Proud of each one of those young people who sacrificed time, money and many other things to come be a part of that trip. Blessed that Portland was the city of choice for that year and that 23 young people embarked on a new mission and one that would impact their lives as well as ours and the city of Portland. Blessed that many of them continue to pray for the city of Portland and keep in touch In this day and age it is hard to find young people who are willing to sacrifice to be a part of a mission’s trip...to sacrifice to help a church plant...to give up what finances they do have and work so diligently to be a part of something so life-changing! Two years later, my heart is still overwhelmed with seeing the love, sacrifice and desire in these young people. It is also amazing seeing so many of them embark on other mission’s trips around the world and to see their desire to work for the kingdom of God. They are mission-minded young people and I know God has great rewards for them ahead! It is my prayer that we will teach our young people, that we will plant seeds for the kingdom in each of them so they will embark on the greatest mission in life, to do the will of the Father!
Kassie Meyer
Life in Focus Coordinator…...........Bill Tittsworth Prison Ministry Coordinator….....….Doug Lethin Media Missions Director……......David P. Johnson A.C.T.S. President………...….......M. Dennis Johnson Senior Quiz Coordinator.…......…..Brian Huffman Junior Quiz Coordinator.…......…Jonathan Toews
(These young people amazed me with their prayer boards...one of many)
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Inside this Issue Articles/Columns 2 Editors Note KASSIE MEYER 4 A Pastor’s Advise to a College Bound Student KEVIN GOODWIN 7 Planning my Funeral RACHEL COLTHARP 10 Talking with your Teenager DAVID REYNOLDS
Promotions
5 Youth Camp
YOUTH DIVISION
6 Global Missions Giving GLOBAL MISSIONS 8 Missionaries in July
GLOBAL MISSIONS
12 NAM Giving NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONS
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A Pastor’s Advise to a College Bound Student
By Kevin Goodwin
It is the middle of summer, and perhaps a bit early to think about going back to school. However, for those young adults who are anticipating making the transition from high school to the halls of higher education, let me offer you a few pearls of wisdom… − Pray everyday − Be careful of your associations; Choose your friends wisely − Read the Bible everyday − Sharpen your existing gifts and develop new talents − Remember who you are − Remember the people who have invested in your life to this point − Pray and read the Bible everyday − Embrace the challenges that come your way − Don’t be afraid of failure − Listen more than you speak − Develop friendships, but don’t rush into relationships − If you find yourself in a relationship, make sure it is with someone who shares your passion and commitment for the truth − Pray and read the Bible everyday
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− As you embrace liberties, make sure they are safe, legal, and moral − Find a home church...do not church hop − Make yourself accountable to a local pastor − Get involved in the youth, music, outreach, etc... whatever your schedule allows − Don’t do anything to bring shame to your family name...to your church...to your pastor...and especially to the name of Jesus − Pray and read your Bible everyday − Fast − Study hard...do your best...seek to excel − Stand by your convictions...don’t be surprised if others do not share your beliefs − Anticipate trials and difficulties...but know that you are not alone in those trials...do not hesitate to call your pastor or your parents when you feel overwhelmed − Cooperate with the policies of the college − Be humble, submissive, and obedient − Pray and read your Bible everyday − Have fun − Remember where home is − Not every opportunity is the will of God − Be teachable...remember you don’t know everything − Love God...love His Word...love the ministry − Be thankful...be gracious...be kind...be compassionate...be loyal...be forgiving − Pray and read your Bible everyday ___________________________________________
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Thank You Oregon! Oregon District UPC David Reynolds, Director Global Missions Giving
July 2013- May 2014
Oregon City UPCI Gary Gleason $34,916.00 Palace Of Praise
Darrel Sparks/Barry King
$29,880.00
Apostolic Worship Center
Percel T. Graves
$22,901.00
Apostolic Truth Tabernacle
Mark Edday
$15,564.00
Portland Pentecostals Steven Hanson $10,174.00 UPC Corvallis Donald Eastham $ 9,855.00 Landmark UPC Kevin Goodwin $ 9,515.00 United Pentecostal Randy Langley $ 8790.00 Apostolics of Portland
Virgil Alldritt
$ 6640.00
Christian World Fellowship
James Dillon
$ 6320.00
Apostolic Life Center
M David Johnson
$ 4754.00
Bethel UPCI Ronald Bohde $ 4308.00 Christian Life Center
Gary Miles
$ 3810.00
Hope Fellowship
David Bragg
$ 3380.00
True Gospel UPC
Steven Johnson
$ 3325.00
Redmond Heights UPC
Kevin Seibold
$ 2460.00
Springfield UPC
Jim Swank, Jr
$ 1550.00
Living Waters Fellowship
Dallas Brock
$ 1150.00
Rest Home Ministry
David Van Beek
$ 1100.00
Tabernacle de la Verda
Ruben Bahena
$ 1085.00
Lighthouse UPC Daniel Sargeant $ 1070.00 Grace Point Ministries
Mark Meyer
$ 1013.00
Apostolic UPCI
James McGrath
$ 1000.00
Faithpoint Ministries
Keith Whorton
$ 850.00
Abundant Life UPC
Dennis Mostyn
$ 820.00
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Planning my Funeral By Rachel Coltharp I am planning my funeral. I know EXACTLY what I want. The least expensive coffin on the market. Do NOT waste precious dollars on a fancy box that is just going in the ground. I was frugal in life. I have a reputation to protect. Bury me in a size 8. Maybe something with lace or sequins. Or even better, lace AND sequins. I know you’ll have to cut it open and drape it over me, but DO PLEASE bury me in a size 8. Save your money. Don’t send flowers. Instead, have a meal with someone you love. Feel free to have tacos, chocolate cake, and sweet tea to remember me by. And here is the best part. I want these words said. I want my kids to say, “My Mom was a woman of integrity. She lived at home like she lived in public.” I want my husband to say, “She treated me with dignity and respect, and made me want to be my best self.
Rachel made me proud to be a man.” I want my neighbors to say, ”She shared her veggies and flowers with us, and our kids had a safe place to play over at her house. She sure loved our kids. Mrs. Coltharp, she really loved her church. She invited me to come every time we talked.” I want my friends to say, ”Rachel always told me the truth. It wasn’t always what I wanted to hear, and I didn’t always agree with her, but she always had my best at heart.” I want my bank account to say, ”She always paid her tithe, and gave generously to the Kingdom.” I want orphaned and abandoned children to say, ”She shared with us when we were alone, cold, hurting and hungry.” I want my Bible to say, ”She slap WORE ME OUT.” I want my computer, cell phone, debit card, check book and mailbox to say, “She served Christ first with me, herself second.” I want my house to say, “I heard her pray every day and watched her discipline her children right here within my walls. She made
me a holy place.” And, I want it to all be true. So, like I said, I’m planning my funeral. Every day. Every time I plan a meal. Every time I open my web browser. Every time I whip out my debit card. Every time I pay my tithe. Every time I open my door to a neighbor, friend, or a child. Every time I reach for my Bible. Every time I choke back my sarcastic reply, choosing a gracious word instead. Every time I stifle my irritation and serve with humility, as unto the Lord, and not men. For when my voice has ceased to speak, my words will echo in the hearts of my children. When my prayers have ceased to be breathed, they will still fan the flames in the souls of my loved ones. When my fingers stiffen and are folded into eternal stillness, my life will still touch those I leave behind. I’ll be gone, but I’ll still be here. I’m planning my funeral. Are you?◊ ____________________________ Rachel Coltharp is the District Superintendent’s wife of the Illinois District. She has a blog at: http:// rachelcoltharpblogspot.com. Rachel will be one of the guest speakers at the 2014 West Coast Women’s Conference.
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In OregonMissions August 12th-17th Global Service
BRAINOS `tÜvâá tÇw exÇxx
As a missionary to France, Marcus has taught in the Bible school, worked on French literature, and participated in all facets of church ministry and outreach. The Brainos family also served as furlough replacements in the Châtellerault, France, church. Renee has been consistently involved with Sunday school ministry and, after attending language school, taught Sunday school in French. Their children, Christopher, Philippe, and Morgan are active in youth, music, and Sunday school ministries. The Brainoses were appointed as missionaries to France in March 2004. They look forward to planting a new church upon their return to the field.
Interpreting at national youth convention
ComingACCENT to ourJuly church 8 APOSTOLIC 2014 on _____________________________________ This poster and other info is available online at www.globalmissions.com.
February 2013
FOREIGN MISSIONARY SERVICE Here on
In Oregon August 26th-31st
Bob and Judy Addington New Zealand Judy with a group in Papamoa that wanted to know more about living for God.
New Zealand children also seek God.
Deliverance!
The Addingtons arrived in New Zealand in 1986 to pioneer the UPCI work in Christchurch. They began with Bible studies in their home and held services in a school hall. They later moved to Hamilton to pastor and to open a Bible school. They are also responsible for overseeing our churches in the Cook Islands. July 2014 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 9
This poster and other info is available online at www.foreignmissions.com.
August 2006
Talking with your Teenager By David Reynolds
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“And
these words... shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest... when thou walkest... when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deut. 6:6,7 We are not talking enough to our children about our faith -or about anything else. Our schedule is so hectic that we all are “ships passing in the night”. Even when we take trips together we are usually all listening to a stereo system as we are hurled parallel to each other down the road. Then we criticize the teenagers who go around wearing a ‘Walkman’ glued permanently on their heads. We are not talking enough with them when they are children -when they want to talk. Suddenly they are now teenagers and we are surprised and hurt when they shut us out and do not wish to talk. The time to open up communication and talk with them about the changes they will be facing in their life is just before puberty. I had many parents who were willing to get involved with their children when they were in the Elementary School. Now when they are teenagers, they will not darken the halls of the Middle or the High School. We, as parents, are backing away at the very time when they need us the most. Their habits and attitudes many times repel us, so what conversations we do have with them is not judgmental. It is up to us, as Christian parents, to bridge the gap. We must first change what we are now doing and then pray
that they will react positively to us. Here are a few ideas: 1. When they make a ‘mess’ -don’t ask ‘Why?’. Just hand them a rag so they can clean it up! If we are honest, most of our conversations with them go something like this: “Why did you...?’, “Why can’t you...?”, “How come you didn’t ...? These are not questions. They are ‘put downs’ and criticisms. Remember there is always positive intents behind most parental ‘put downs’. They need encouragement not criticism. Stop all sarcasm and ‘put downs’ anywhere in your home. The home should be a sanctuary and a Criticism Free Zone. 2. When there is a problem -Focus and address the Behavior, not defame the Character. With a firm voice you can say, “It makes me feel angry when I find your coat in the Living Room. I would like you to hang it up when you come home. Next time I find it in the Living room I will put it away for two weeks, and you will have to find other ways to stay warm.” When you find it there; put it away without falling for the desire to lecture -do not argue or defend your action -do not give it back for the two weeks. Surprise! They will not freeze. Celebrate each step in the direction of improvement rather than focusing on the mistakes. 3. Make sure your ‘Body Language’ is also nonjudgmental and is saying t h e same thing as your voice. 4. Talk with and to them - not at them. Take time to talk not just about what’ they did but rather
about how they ‘feel’ about what they did. “It makes me feel so good when you bring home a good report card.” 5. When they share something shocking; do not act shocked Thank them for sharing. 6. Make special time for them. To make this time I drove my son Richie each morning to his Christian School. I made sure the radio was off, and I kept the conversation going -hoping he would open up to me. “What are you looking forward to today?”; “What is your biggest problem today?” 7. Ask them for their opinion on a subject -Let them know you trust them and value their opinions. If you are willing to listen to their small talk, they will be more willing to share serious thoughts. Give them your time -rather than your things. You will never be sorry!◊ ____________________________ David Reynolds has been the Minister of Discipleship at Portland Pentecostals since 2007. He is a graduate of Conquerors Bible College, Cascade College, Portland State University and post graduate work at the University of Oregon. He served as a teacher, assistant Principle & Principle. Since retiring from public education he has traveled extensively to over 37 countries preaching & teaching in Bible Schools and has written several books on Education, The Family & Parenting.
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North American Missions June Giving Apostolic Worship Center $50.00 Apostolics of Portland - Alldritt $50.00 Bend, True Gospel U.P.C. $90.00 Corvallis, United Pentecostal Church $25.00 Cottage Grove, Hope Fellowship UPC $25.00 Grace Point Ministries $25.00 Hillsboro, Bethel U.P.C. $50.00 Klamath Falls, United Pentecostal Church $50.00 Oregon City, United Pentecostal Church $1,200.00 Redmond, Heights Pentecostals $50.00 Springfield, United Pentecostal Church $20.00 TOTAL $1,635.00
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