Apostolic Accent April 2014 by Kassie Meyer

What’s in it for Me? | emPowered | Mother’s Memorial Pictures | Fertile Soil

The Official Magazine of the Oregon District UPCI

| “...But I can’t take in Foster Kids”

accent

April 2014

Oregon District Apostolic Accent Volume 50, Number 4

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 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

Editors Note “I am blessed. I am blessed. Every day that I live, I am blessed. When I wake up in the morning Till I lay my head to rest, I am blessed. I am blessed.” That song still tells my life story! Looking back through the years, I have never had to worry about what tomorrow holds because He has always had it in His hands. When your paycheck doesn’t come, when the doctor bills are piling up, when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, when an unforseen illness stricks, etc. God is still faithful and just and we are still a blessed people! After I had our son, Javin, I desperately wanted to stay home with him and be there for all his “firsts.” Convincing my husband was another thing. How would we afford it? - this is a genuine concern for many men. However, we did make the decision that I would stay home and worked a budget out and realized that God had prepared us for this without us even knowing it. Then about six months after that, we were called to Portland. And before our son’s first birthday my husband felt that he needed to quit his job and travel full time until we arrived in Portland. We had no doubt that God would supply our every need and make a way. Even when our home in Ohio sat vacant for 7 months and we had rent to pay, there was no doubt that He would come through and that everything would be okay. Time and time again He has proved to be faithful. We may not know how or when it is going to happen but God does. Many times He is testing our faith! So, when a situation arises, I happily think back over my life and see that I am blessed and I know that even when I don’t understand, He has it all under control . Knowing our Savior gives me all the confidence in the world that things will be alright! There is nothing too great for my God...no situation... no illness...no financial stress...NOTHING!! I’m reminded of a passage of scripture, Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tributlation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Yes, I am blessed!

2 APOSTOLIC ACCENT April 2014

Kassie Meyer

Inside this Issue Articles/Columns

Everyone welcome!!! West Coast ACTS Student Convention April 30 - May 2, 2014 Palace of Praise 6750 SW 198th Ave Aloha, OR

2 Editors Note KASSIE MEYER 4 What’s in it for me? TED GRAVES 8 Fertile Soil KATHLEEN VANDEVENDER

Wednesday, April 30 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Track Competition held at Hare Field*, 1151 NE Grant St, Hillsboro, OR (Directions to Hare Field are on the website) 2:00 p.m. BBQ at Palace of Praise 3:00 p.m. Orientation at Palace of Praise 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Volleyball and Basketball Pre-finals Competition held at South Meadows Middle School*, 4690 SE Davis Rd, Hillsboro, OR (Directions on website) *Competition locations tentative, watch for updates. Thursday, May 1 8:30 a.m. Prayer 9:00 a.m. Devotion/Judges Meeting 9:30 a.m. Jr. Performance events & other activities 12:00 noon Pizza and Soda available for $5 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Evening Rally, Evang. Chris Green 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Junior Awards 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Top Ten Junior performances. Basketball/Volleyball Finals following the service. Snack bar will be open after service. Friday, May 2 8:30 a.m. Prayer 9:00 a.m. Devotion 9:30 a.m. Sr. Performance events & other activities 12:00 noon Lunch at reasonable cost will be available on campus 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Evening Rally, Evang. Chris Green 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Senior Awards 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Top Ten Senior performances

Special Guest: Evangelist Chris Green

May 2, 2014 5:00 p.m. ACTS Business Mtg before evening rally at Palace of Praise

(Rally, Awards & Top Ten will be streamed live both nights at www.oregonacts.org )

12 “...But I can’t take in Foster Kids” DAVID REYNOLDS

Promotions

5 emPowered

ACTS STUDENT CONVENTION

6 Missionaries in May

GLOBAL MISSIONS

10 Mother’s Memorial Pictures

LADIES MINISTRIES

14 SFC Kick off YOUTH MINISTRIES 14 Hyphene

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

April 2014 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 3

What’s in it for Me?

By Ted Graves

You have probably heard this

phrase down through the years. Most of the time we associate it with someone who has selfish motives in mind. As Christians we know the Bible says, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Bible also tells us that if we lose our life for His sake we will find it (Matthew 10:39). It also tells us to prefer our brother. However, I want to show you that the choices you make in life will determine “what is in it for you.” First of all the Word of God tells us that the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, goodness, faith, etc. found in Galatians chapter 5) is a byproduct of living for God. When you live for God you not only get rewards now but also later. I Peter 1:4 says “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you.” Colossians 1:12 says, “Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to the partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” We have the greatest benefit both now and later when we follow the Lord. I’ll tell you what’s in it for me: all good things that are coming from the Lord. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” There is also something in store 4 APOSTOLIC ACCENT April 2014

for those who choose not to follow God. Galatians 5 also says the works of the flesh are things like hatred, witchcraft, envying and murder. Boy, doesn’t that sound great. Matthew 25:33 says, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” Why is there a definite distinction? Because the rewards are going to be totally different. The Bible tells us the Natural Man (Carnal Man) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. James 1:15 tells us when sin is finished it brings forth death. This is all that Satan and living for the world has to offer. There have been many men and women in the Bible that thought one thing was coming and something completely different came. I think Adam & Eve thought they would live forever eating the forbidden fruit. Haman thought he was building gallows for Mordecai. Goliath thought he was going to kill David. The snake thought he was going to kill Paul. Satan thought he had gotten rid of the man called Jesus. You see, when you are on God’s side the outcome is so different. I encourage every individual to consider the consequences when it comes to completely selling out to God or Satan. The Bible teaches us we can’t serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other. This world is on an all-out attack on Christians to convince them that going to church is not important,

holiness is old-fashioned, loving God with all your heart is optional. We must not sell out to the world and all that it has to temporarily offer. Don’t mistake the pleasures of sin as happiness. It is not. Let me close this thought with the wonderful news that we have an inheritance coming. An inheritance is something you are in line to receive because of position or birth. The Word of God calls us the children of God. We have been cleansed, delivered, set free and adopted. Jesus himself said in John 14:13, “Let not your heart be troubled. In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you… and if I go and prepare… I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am ye may be also.” “What’s in it for me?” Heaven, happiness, no pain, no tears, eternity with the Lord… Am I going to change, sell out, trade off? Not in this life. I’m going to claim all the wonderful things God has prepared for me. I’m looking forward to “what’s in it for me.”◊ ____________________________ Ted Graves is the Pastor of Apostolic Worship Center in

Gresham,

Oregon.

He also serves as the Superintendent Oregon District.

the

Everyone welcome!!! West Coast ACTS Student Convention April 30 - May 2, 2014 Palace of Praise 6750 SW 198th Ave Aloha, OR

Special Guest: Evangelist Chris Green

May 2, 2014 5:00 p.m. ACTS Business Mtg before evening rally at Palace of Praise

Ken and Kay Burgess on 25th g e r thO n I y 20 Ma

El Salvador

Ken and Kay Burgess were appointed missionaries in 1991, and they began their fifth term as career missionaries in Argentina in February 2010. Shortly after their return to the field, Brother Burgess felt it was time to step down as president of the work in Argentina. Subsequently the Burgesses transferred to the tiny but revival-packed nation of El Salvador in the Central American Region. As missionary supervisor in El Salvador, Brother Burgess serves as director of the Pentecostal Bible Institute and on the national board of El Salvador. They have been instrumental in the purchase of a new facility which will house the national offices and the Bible school. Plans are also underway to reopen the Cathy Killoren Memorial Clinic and to establish a children’s home in El Salvador. Sister Burgess was recently named director of a national pastors’ wives ministry, and she manages the national bookstore.

News! Parkers completed their PIM’s right here in Oregon and are going back to the field! Praise God! This poster and other info is available online at www.globalmissions.com.

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April 2014

n ne 1st o g e In Or 27th-Ju May

SHALM Allan & Georgene

Pakistan & Malaysia The Shalms received career missionary appointment in 1980. After becoming General Superintendent of Pakistan in 1994, Brother Shalm planned a series of major crusades which saw the work grow from 325 churches and preaching points to almost 3,060 churches and preaching points by the time they left Pakistan in January 2012. They helped raise the funds to buy property or construct 40 churches in India and Pakistan as well as funds to buy property for a Bible college in New Delhi, India, and build a new Bible college in Lahore, Pakistan. The Shalms moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2012 and are now travelling throughout the Asia and Pacific regions, teaching, evangelizing and promoting end time Apostolic revival. This poster and other info is available online at www.globalmissions.com.

July 2013

April 2014 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 7

FertilE Soil By Kathleen Vandevender How many times have the mercies of God been shown down on each of us, yet we continue to be critical of others situations. Are we who measures the growth of a flower, or when alfalfa should bloom, or perhaps how soon a child should walk? No, yet that is our attitude towards another we think should have already bloomed. We are not the harvester of the wheat. We are merely the sower of the seed. I Corinthians 3:5-7 states, “5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” We are mere instruments for the Glory of God and for Him to use for His pleasure. In the parable of the sower, there are several variations of soils. They are all given the same possibilities of growth and full maturity, yet due to unforeseen circumstances, some flourish and some falter. The seed did not choose what circumstances would enhance his growth or what would hinder his growth. They were just that, circumstances. The sower did what

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he could to sow the seed on the best soil available. There was no forethought of sowing on stony or shallow ground purposely; nor was there forethought of sowing on thorny ground. The sower did what he had set out to do – sow the seed to the best of his ability. The fertility of the ground is what allowed the seed to grow. This is a very vivid picture of our walk with God. We are who makes the choice to allow our hearts, which is the ground God works with, to be fertile, shallow, stony or allow the circumstances of life to choke out the word. We can make the choice to allow the Pastors in our lives to direct, rebuke, exhort, and lead, or we can chose to be stubborn and think we know it all and do not need anyone else to assist in leading our lives and helping us grow. As Pastors (and their helpmates) we can sow the seed in all humbleness with love, compassion and kindness which will create an atmosphere for hardened soil to become fertile once again and fruit to begin to be produced. Here are a couple of scriptures

to ponder: 1 Peter 5:5 ~ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Proverbs 13:18 ~ Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 2 Timothy 3:16 ~ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Hebrews 12:6 ~ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. It’s our life, right? Wrong! It is a life God created for His glory, for His pleasure, to glorify Him (or to be fertile soil), to love Him, to exalt Him, to encourage others to follow Him. No, it is not your life, you belong to God ~ the creator of the universe ~ the everlasting father ~ the prince of peace ~ Alpha and Omega ~ Lion of Judah ~ King of Kings ~Lord of Lords ~ and the list continues. Revelation 4:11 says, “ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou

hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” What does it mean to glorify God? What does it mean to have fertile soil as unto the Lord? How do we glorify God? How can we change our type of soil or how we accept the seed (or word of God)? It means to bring Him honor through what we say, how we act, how we look and how we think. Having fertile soil means to be pliable in the hands of the potter. To have fertile soil means to be open to what work the Lord has for us. To have fertile soil means to be humble and thankful that we were called for a purpose to serve in His Kingdom. To glorify God means to acknowledge His glory and to value it above all things. To glorify God means we make it known to others. To glorify God means we have a heartfelt gratitude. We glorify God through our faith (trust). We glorify God through our love. We glorify God through our desire to obey Him (our obedience). We glorify God through our desire to know Him. But the main way we glorify God is by allowing our hearts to be or become fertile soil once again.

As Home Missionaries and Pastors, we see the variations of soil in the field of labor. Soil that is fertile is often the same soil that is pliable and willing to help. Fertile soil is ready and willing to learn, to be taught and to work in the Kingdom of the Lord. Fertile soil is normally the faithful souls that arrive in prayer ready to see the presence of the Lord ushered into the sanctuary. We have watched as those souls who are willing to be used for God’s glory, come and ask “what can we do, how can we help, we want to be a useful vessel that God may be glorified in our lives. We will teach Sunday school, clean the restrooms, pick up souls for church, whatever is needed; we will offer ourselves to do.” Wow! What a spirit! What fertile soil! This type of soil does not allow circumstances of life, stony ground or thorns to steer them in the wrong direction. They have their eyes fixed! We can choose how we allow the circumstances of life to affect us. We can react in a positive manner and allow the ground to be fertile with the leading of the Lord. We can dispel fear and doubt and allow the seed within us to grow deep roots of kindness and rid ourselves of an unforgiving spirit, distress, bitterness, and mistrust and grow in the path God has set

for our lives. We can allow our lives to show blossoms and fruit of production and souls that we have been privileged to touch for the glory of God! We can make a difference in someone’s life for eternity! Whether we are Home Mission Churches or Well-established Churches, we can still have that zeal and positive out-look and be Kingdom minded with fertile soil! 1 Peter 2:9 states, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”. It is a choice. Choose to

be fertile ground! Choose to sow seeds with kindness and love as unto the Master harvester.◊ ____________________________ Kathleen Vandevender is a North American Missions pastor’s wife in Medford, Oregon. She holds her Master’s of Science in Management as well as her Master’s of Business Administration. She enjoys writing encouraging notes, singing, and has years of experience teaching adults, ladies, youth, and children the encouraging truths of God’s Word. Pastor G.F. and Kathleen Vandevender have been married for thirty-eight years. They have four children and ten grandchildren who are all working in the Kingdom of God.

April 2014 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 9

Mother’s Memorial Banquet (Section 1)

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How it all began . . . Mothers Memorial 2014 Fashioned for Purpose

In 1953, Mary Cole became the first Ladies Auxiliary president for the United Pentecostal Church Intl. In 1956 the Mothers Memorial fund raising Drive began with an offering of $4,930.63. Ila Ashcraft followed as president in 1960 and served until her death in 1964. Vera Kinzie then served as President until 1994. Gwyn Oakes became president in 1994 and continues to serve. The name has changed to Ladies Ministries and Mothers Memorial continues as the name of the annual fund drive.

April 2014 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 11

“...But, I can’t take in Foster Kids” By David Reynolds

“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” Lamentations 2:19

(Joshua & Katherine Kilroy fostered two beautiful girls and then adopted them.)

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This next month is Mother’s

all the children who needed us! they cost us our leisure. If you Surely, someone could bring a cannot have more children of Day. Thank God for Godly child to camp that needed Jesus. your own --will you not open mothers, our children are blessed. Give us some unsaved children in your home to one of the hurting But… just last week a mother our Sunday Schools and churches! children around you? strangled her child right here If you are honest you will confess “But Brother Reynolds, I can’t in Gresham, in a park while that in our churches in America we take in foster children. If I open supervised by a caseworker. are ‘circling our wagons’ to protect my arms to them I may fall in love Two weeks before that a mother our families from the world—by with them…and when they are drowned all of her children while doing so we are not reaching taken away it will break my heart. in a state of depression. More and our world. I will ask you the same They have so many problems I more grandmothers are raising question my daddy asked me. do not think I can handle them… the children in our culture while “David, are besides, they the parents are spaced out on we a saved I will ask you the same ques- will be a bad drugs. c h u r c h — tion my daddy asked me. “Da- influence to my Where is the church while this or a saving vid, are we a saved church— own children.” is going on? We have church church?” or a saving church?” If you close attended by saved people. We Yes, I your arms and are conducting Sunday School believe in home schooling and ‘your bowels of compassion’--you classes for saints’ kids. Where Christian schools. I still believe will have empty arms, an empty are the unsaved children? —But in the home, the church and the house, an empty church, empty Brother Reynolds you do not school teaching our children cars going to church, an empty understand; those bus children with one voice; but what about retirement --and no sheaves to lay are a bad influence on our the masses of hurting children at His feet.◊ saved children. Those kids are so crying at the top of every street. ____________________________ disruptive—I can’t handle them Will anyone pay the tuition for a David Reynolds has been the Minister of in my classroom. Besides…it is hurting child? Will we fill our cars Discipleship at Portland so hard to meet the needs of when we come to church? Pentecostals since 2007. He is a graduate sinner children and still challenge Why are we not adopting these of Conquerors Bible our own kids. Our church bus is children into our families? If we College, Cascade College, Portland State University broken down and I don’t know really wanted to make a difference and post graduate work when it will be fixed. at the University of He served as we would take foster children into a teacher, assistant Oregon. Principle & Principle. At family camp we ministered our homes in order to love them Since retiring from public education he has to seventy children desirous to and to teach them. We would traveled extensively to over 37 countries & teaching in Bible Schools and see many receive the baptism of train them in the ‘nurture and preaching has written several books on Education, The the Holy Ghost. When we asked, admonition of the Lord. “And of Family & Parenting. “How many of you children need some having compassion, making the Holy Ghost this week?” Only a difference … pulling them out six children put of the fire.’ [Jude up their hands. We live in a land that is 21-23] When we We live in started to teach limiting the numbers in a land that is them Acts 1:8, our families—because limiting the they beat us children cost. numbers in through it. They our families— all are in Junior Quizzing. They because children cost. They cost knew Acts better than we did! us money, they cost us time and Wonderful, Yes! But where where April 2014 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 13

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