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REMEMBER OTHERS
So, it is little wonder that Pentecostals aren’t always thrilled when the holidays arrive. This Apostolic antipathy towards the holidays, however, need not cause us to be blind to the opportunities to minister to others. In fact, that’s the unwritten rule of passing through these holidays: remember others. During the Thanksgiving season, our churches and members volunteer to minister to the less fortunate at homeless shelters and food pantries. Families open up their homes to fellow church members who are separated
by Ken Gurley South Texas District Superintendent
Churches across North America use the Christmas season as the moment to reach those in need.
The holidays are upon us! (I can almost hear the collective groan while I write this.) We Pentecostals and holidays are like oil and water: we just don’t mix very well. The impending holidays of Christmas and New Years prompt many Apostolics to be confused if not chagrined at the prospect of a season filled with less “holy days” and more merriment. Ministries often suffer during the holidays and outside of the children’s presentation, attendance usually follows suit. Our dilemma is one familiar to Christianity in America and perhaps across the globe. While Puritans and Pilgrims initiated Thanksgiving, they did not celebrate Christmas when they came to America. Until the
Victorian Era, “High Church” worshippers nearly had the corner on Christmas celebrations. The majority of Protestants, especially those who emerged from the Holiness Movement, did not celebrate Christmas. The pagan overtones, commercialization, and the associations with ritualism caused many early Pentecostals to shy away from this holiday. New Year’s Eve became, for Pentecostals, more accepted and revered with the commemoration of Watch Night when the old year would be “prayed out” and the New Year “prayed in.” This tradition is thought to have begun with African-Americans meeting in hopeful, but sober gatherings on the eve of the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. For many Pentecostals, Watch Night became sort of an Apostolic Passover.
“In the next few weeks, God may bring one of the greatest moves of His Spirit into your midst.”
from their homes and loved ones. Many international exchange students know nothing of this holiday and are impressed with the warmth and sincerity felt in Pentecostal homes during this time of giving thanks. Churches across North America use the Christmas season as the moment to reach those in need. Through the years, the Christmas For Christ program has been our attempt to put the cause of Christ before the traditional trappings of the season. For years, our churches have given offerings dedicated to building churches across the United States and Canada. In this way, we treat Christmas – the time when the world celebrates Jesus’ birth – as the season we sacrifice to reach the world with the Gospel. For people outside the church, Christmas is not only filled with buying, gift-giving, and celebrating, but there are also some meaningful times – special moments when the Holy Spirit can reach them and warm their hearts. Festivities can leave people feeling lonely and depressed. Many are the stories in our churches of backslidden people returning to God during this approaching season. Providing moments during this holiday season where people can look beyond the tinsel and glitter to find a personal relationship with God is of paramount importance to the church. Families have members coming in from out of town and can
be reached during this time. Could this be a season for the Prodigal to come home? The month of January forms one of the greatest seasons for change in individuals’ lives. New Year’s Eve can be the beginning of that change for some. Many of our churches have Watch Night services or other special events on New Year’s Eve designed to connect people to the Lord who changes not in Himself, but changes each and every one of us. In summary, these holidays are a good time to set aside personal likes and dislikes and focus on reaching others. As a district, we began this year focusing on others; let’s end it the same. Who knows? In the next few weeks, God may bring one of the greatest moves of His Spirit into your midst. Lift up your eyes, you may be moving into a holiday harvest.
same way. True to the analogy, when we truly worship the King of kings, we can never return to what we once were. We will be different! Recognizing Him for Who He is, and giving to Him our very best will change us forever. This worship takes care of all our past, leaving it behind as we step into our new destiny. We will never be the same after having been in the presence of true Royalty— the King of the universe!
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WISE MEN WORSHIP
Worship represents our true expression of love for the
by Danny Jonhson South Texas District Secretary What exactly is worship? Is it only the outward show of emotion or just physical action? Is it shouting? Rejoicing? Weeping? Although all of these may be a part of worship, we can find the principles of true worship in the story of the kings from the East. Several kings had traveled far to “worship” a King whose location they had discovered by studying the stars. (See Matthew 2:1-12.) When they arrived at His house, they presented their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—to a small boy about two years of age, and then knelt down to “worship.” Several things from this scene are noteworthy. First, they did not base their worship on His abilities. What could a small boy who was less than two years of age do for them or give to them? Their desire was not to receive from Him, but to give Him their admiration and show respect for His Lordship! It is not what He will do for us; but it is who He is that should demand our worship!
The place of worship was at the toddlerKing’s feet; the method of worship was individual acknowledgment of His identity. Who He was brought them to His feet with recognition of His majesty. True worship, then, must begin with the acknowledgement of His identity—the sovereign God—along with submission manifested by the attitude of bowing our hearts at His feet. Second, they opened up of their treasures and gave them to the adored One. They had brought with them things they could give to this King—not “garage sale items,” but the best they owned. This King was not deserving of their “leftovers.” Their worship demanded a sacrifice. He deserved their best! These men took nothing out of the King’s house with them. They left what they had brought. When true worship takes place, it is our gift—the very best we have—to Him without expectation of anything in return. No strings attached. No obligation to return the favor. No deals with the King. Just true worship.
Third, they did not return home by the
Lord. It humbles us by reminding us that He is supreme and we are mere mortals. It causes us to acknowledge our need of Him, our reverence for Him, and our recognition of His authority in our lives. Indeed, He is first, last, and everything in between. Our worship of God also represents our desire to someday worship Him for eternity. As we place our crowns of eternal life at His feet, we will experience the ultimate expression of worship. “What a day that will be!”
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Worship represents our true expression of love for the Lord
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Children’s Ministry Update by George O. Merrill II Children’s Director Dear Fellow Laborers, This is a wonderful season to celebrate our God and His amazing goodness! We’ve had a tremendous year and much to be thankful for in 2013. It was filled with prayer, giving, and miracles! We were able to see 196 children receive the Holy Ghost through district and sectional events! The attendance in all of our Sectional and District CM events was over 1,217! Our Goal is to see 250 children receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and 1,400 attend the CM events in 2014! The calendar is set, the table is prepared and we’re getting ready to receive revival that God has planned for us all. Our theme this year for Kids Camp is Life Savers! We need your help in promoting this theme to your church. Kids Camp 2014 is in August 4-8th , and the speakers are, Tim Rimmer and George Merrill. This will again be a banner year for we are going to build over 300 altars again for the Glory of the Lord! Each child that will attend camp will learn to, love, build and use their personal altar. They will be able to take them back to their homes and will work on tearing the devils kingdom down! We will see the revival in each child as you help promote & encourage your church to give of their time, talent, and treasure!
CHRISTMAS It’s all about JESUS The Shepherds heard – they came to see JESUS The wise men searched, found him and gave gifts to JESUS We heard, searched, found and experienced him …. WE CAN STILL GIVE A GIFT TO HIM!!
GIVE YOUR BEST GIFT TO JESUS BY GIVING TO
This year was a RECORD setting year and the STX District was in the top 10 and had the largest dollar increase in the whole UPCI! A very special thank you pastors and churches for answering the call! May God multiply it 100 fold back in the harvest at your churches! Our 2014 SOC goal is $45,000! Let’s do our best for Him! Blessings, George O. Merrill II
This year was a RECORD setting year for the South Texas District.
TARGET OFFERING DATE: DECEMBER 22ND
Women of Wonder 2013
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February 27 & 28
Embassy Suites San Marcos, Texas
Mickey Mangun evening speaker
Madonna Massey Day speaker
Lia Matthews Day speaker
Registration begins December 1
2014 heart. soul. mind. strength.
SOUTH TEXAS LADIES CONFERENCE
Mark 12:30
Brenda Agnew Nell Agnew Ninfa Aguinaga Jasmine Aiken Laura Ainsworth Lori Allen Mary Almendarez Debbie Alves Jessica Andrews Rita Andrews Gloria Aparicio Carolyn Ashcraft Velda Austin Sarah Bafford Lori Bagliore Megan Bailey Norma Barnett Cynthia Bates Nicole Battle Mary Battrell Roy Beams (IN MEMORY OF CLAIREEN BEAMS) Mary Bennick Janean Blackmon Machell Blackwell Norma Boothe Shirley Boothe Tonya Boothe June Borisow Alvi Bounds Rhonda Bourn Michelle Bowen Shelia Boyt Bridgett Braneff (IN HONOR OF IRIS BRANEFF) Cheryl Branham Tyisha Branham Geraldine Brister Terri Brister Ramona Brokaw Terri Brokaw Alice Brown Belinda Brown Karen Brown Louisa Brown Nancy Brown (IN MEMORY OF RUBY KEIP) Nancy Brown Sandra Brown Cheryl Brunson Linda Brunson Willie Caldwell Courtney Campbell Teresa Campbell Hector Campos (IN HONOR OF GLORIA CAMPOS) Cleo Can Alice Cantu Lonnie Cantu Paula Carpenter Lorene Carrabello Pam Carter Gena Caruthers Robyn Castleberry Autumn Castorina Dana Cecil Mary Alice Certain Barbara Cervenka Randa Chance Shirley Churchill Whitney Claiborne Sylvia Clemons Beth Cook Mindi Cook Tracy Cook Sheri Cooney
Carol Cooper Bonnie Copes Tom Corbett (IN MEMORY OF NEVLYNN CORBETT) Krystle Council Doris Craighead Tammy Crème Carol Crowder Hope Cruz Ashley Davis Linda Davis Dimity DeLano Lulu DeLeon Fina DeLosSantos Raquel DeLosSantos Alice DeRouen Charlene Desormeaux Christina DeWitt Marissa Dibrell Joyce Dool Sheryl Ducroz Nancy Duenas Nancy Duran Brenda Eddie Charity Ellis Jamie Emerson Janice Eppler Christina Escobar Connie Espinoza Sandy Esquivel Edith Essary Leticia Everett Carol Fallin Cathy Fauss Lois Fauss Shelaine Fauss-Everhart Gilda Flores Lydia Flores Bonnie Fluitt Frankie Fontenet Geri Foster Heather Fowler Annalisa Franco Brandi Friedrich Vicki Friedrich Pam Frizzell Inita Fruge Brooke Gage Margaret Gallegos Lettie Galvaz Irma Gamez Candy Garcia JoeAnn Garcia Reanna Garcia Theresa Garcia Alicia Garwood Mary Garza Tillie German Lisa Gilmore Barbara Gilstrap Joan Glass Blanca Gonzales Josie Gonzales Lori Gonzales Mary Gonzales Polly Gonzales Tonya Gonzales Juliet Gonzalez Lisa Gossett LaTayne Gott Brenda Gracia Mary Grant Glenda Griffin Cynthia Groover Elsa Guerrero-Wood Jerry Ann Guidroz Renee Guidry Gayla Gurley Jennifer Gurley Kinsie Gurley
Tessie Gurley C. Ivonne Gutierrez Sue Hall Elizabeth Halsey Joan Hammond Jeanette Haney Bobbie Hanna (IN HONOR OF IRIS BRANEFF) Kathi Hardy Christina Harris Amy Hartcraft Nicole Harvey Carolyn Hatcher Vella Hatcher Beverly Haygood Caroline Henderson Ehrin Hernandez Linda Hernandez Rachell Hernandez Diana Hicks Vicki Hicks Smith Norma Hinojosa Connie Hiser Yolanda Hite Mamie Hitt Dian Hodge Liz Hodges Kathy Holderfield Cherissa Holt Joyce Houlette Cecily Howard Deborah Hughes Esther Hunt Amy Huslage Cassie Huslage Cassie Huslage Debra Huslage Madyson Kaye Huslage McKenzie Huslage Sarah Huslage Gladys Hutton Rosie Jackson Sherry Jaganath Maria Jenkins Ann Jersey Dominga Jiminez Barbara Johnson (IN MEMORY OF MAMAW LAW) Kaylan Johnson Luwannah Johnson Melody Johnson Nelda Johnson Sylvia Johnson Tresha Johnson Kay Jones Rosa Juarez Dorothy Keith Evelyn Kelley Portia Kelley Yolanda Kennedy Sandra Kielcheski Frances Kight Darlene Killmer Gwen King Hope King Judy King Laurie Knight Francine Kourhais Gina Lafler Trudi Langley Mitzi Leatherwood Anite LeBoeuf Janine Lee Lillyan Lee Kay Leonard Gina Lewis Rachel Lewis Julliene Leyva Karen Licon
Beth Lindsey Ruth Lingle Jeri Linsteadt Tina Lopez Arlyn Lowe Jeanna Macey Debbie Marcotte Alfonsa Martinez Angie Martinez Crystal Martinez Cynthia Martinez Heather Maxey Sherri Maxey Jessica McAdams Sandra McAdams Marcie McDaniel Mary McFarland Doris McLaurin Laura McLean Brenda McNew Marguerite Medina Sabrina Medina Mary Melcher Melissa Melcher Mary Mendoza Victoria Meraz Delores Mercer Alane Middleton Hayleigh Middleton Victoria Millard Geneva Miller Diana Milligan Shirley Milligan Jonett Miniel Gloria Montemayor Audra Moody Twyla Moody Juanita Moore Shunte Moreaux Donna Moreland Jamie Moreland Terri Moreno Ruth Morin Kathy Morris Annie Mosely Miriam Mullen Paula Mullen Sarah Mullen Ima Mullins RosaLinda Mullins Jana Needham Margie Netro Penny Nichols Regina Noble Cheryl Norris Jerry North (IN MEMORY OF OKLA NORTH) Liz Nunez Mary Nunez Linda Oliver Kelli Orange Martha Ornelas Clara Ortega Dawn Ortega Amber Ortegon Adriane Ortiz Lee Ortiz April Oyer Tellie Pabon Angela Parker Debra Parker Meda Pate Rhonda Payne (IN HONOR OF TAMARA TISDALE) Lois Peden Alicia Perez Michelle Pierce Rebecca Plant Fay Poisso Eliada Preciado
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Cindy Price Deborah Taylor Tracey Prieto Judy Taylor Karla Ramage Kas Thayer Irma Ramirez Krysta Thompson Lisa Reddy Mary Dale Thompson Wanda Redig Sultra Thompson Ruth Reid Rebecca Torres Sheree Reynolds Elizabeth Richard- Haleigh Troxel Gwen Turk son Eugenia Richardson Pam Turner Kathie Ulmer Joyce Rives Tina Underhill Karen Robles Liz Vaughn (IN Sharon Roch Francine Rodriguez HONOR OF MILDRED KREBS) Lisa Rodriguez Liz Vaughn Lupe Rodriguez Iva Veal Ruby Rodriguez Yesenia Vela Judy Rogers Glory Ann Rothlis- Dina Villarreal Cheryl Wagoner burger Kay Waldrep Dewana Ruiz Linda Walea Rose Ruiz T’Neil Walea Sun Russell Denise Walker Tina Russell Shirley Walker Roxanne Salinas Kathy Watford Christa Sanchez Pam Webb Mary Sanchez Ginger Wedgeworth Sally Sarreon LaWanda Weidman Betty Saulter LaDonna Welch Judy Saunders Brittany Wells Jaime Sayers Darlene White Ruby Schuff Susan Whitmire (IN Karen Schweiger HONOR OF MELISBertha Scoggins SA BRISTER) Teresa Seamans Susan Whitmire Saundra Sharp Patsy Wiggins Sylvia Sharp Ruth Anne Sheffield Juanita Wigginton Bobbie Raye Williams Aimee Shelton Dee Williams DeAnna Sibley Jan Williams Margarite Silva Tiffany Williams Vicki Simoneaux Kimberly Wilson Mary Sirmons Betty Skowronski Siouxsie Wilson Winnie Wolfe Mary Slade Thelma Womack Syble Slatter Misty Wood Cecilia Smith Christi Wright Kimberly Smith Pam Yancey Mary Ann Smith Lupe Ybarra Pam Smith Emily Ysassi Tina Smith Cynthia Zargoza Renee Solis Margarita Soto Gina Sowers Miranda Sowers Mya Spradley Tyra Spradley Sara Srubar Carol Stallard Larry Stansberry (IN MEMORY OF EVA LOIS STANSBERRY) Jean Starks Cerena Steele LaKay Steele Tanya Steele Charles Stephens (IN MEMORY OF BERTIE STEPHENS) Susan Stephens (IN HONOR OF DORIS JACKSON) Ann Stewart Bobbie Stewart Kristin Strange Rinnae Suggett Valerie Syptak Linda Tanner Deborah Taylor
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Top 25 Churches
THE REAL MCCOY
1) $10,120.13 Houston Bethel Tabernacle 2) $10,000 First Church of Pearland 3) $5,400 The Jesus Church (Castroville) 4) $5,000 New Life Church of Austin 5) $3,000 Deer Springs of Life UPC $3,000 West Columbia Apostolic Lighthouse
SETH SIMMONS
6) $2,456.00 Christian Revival Center Corpus Christi 7) $2,000 Greater Life, Webster
YOUTH PRESIDENT
$2,000 Houston Royalwood Pentecostal Church $2,000 HOPE Center 8) $1,683.21Calvary Apostolic Church
The vision for the South Texas Youth Ministry is fundamentally shaped by the preaching of Peter on the Day of Pentecost; he preached “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17). Our youth and young adults are an integral role of the mission of the Christ, and now is the time to activate their calling and involvement in the church. As Paul David Tripp writes in Age of Opportunity, “It is time for us to reject the wholesale cynicism of our culture regarding adolescence. Rather than years of undirected and unproductive struggle these are years of unprecedented opportunity. These are the years of daily ministry and of great opportunity.”
“My name is Brooklyn Nichols, and I’m the 2013 Real McCoy for South Texas. I’m extremely thankful and honored to have been selected to represent my church and my district at the Real McCoy experience in St. Louis, MO. My Real McCoy experience can be described in a single adjective: life-changing.
Meeting Real McCoy winners from all over North America was an incredible opportunity! We all had different personalities and accents, but one thing connected us – our love for God. The testimonies shared during our service at the World Evangelism Center both astonished and inspired me. We laughed together, played together, and prayed together. I will A shining example of our vision cherish those memories forever. for this generation is Brooklyn Nichols, our 2013 Sheaves for Christ Real McCoy winner who raised $2,556.00 for SFC. Below I can honestly say that I’m not she shares her experience as the the same person I was before South Texas Real McCoy. This is this trip. My passion for Jesus our South Texas Youth. Christ has multiplied to a degree so intense that it surprises me at times. This generation is sold out to Him. Now it’s our responsibil-
ity to share that passion with our friends, our youth group, and our world.
Through Sheaves for Christ, we are supporting missionaries so they can carry the message of Christ to others around the world. Sheaves for Christ is a cause that changes lives. It changed mine.” Brooklyn Nichols (16) Houston, TX
9) $1,646.09 Pentecostal Church of Atascocita 10) $1,565 First UPC of San Antonio 11) $1,010 Marble Falls UPC 12) $1,003 H.O.M.E. Church 13) $1,000 Austin First Church $1,000 New Braunfels Greater Life UPC 14) $ 500 Georgetown Apostolic Lighthouse $500 Hutto New Life UPC $500 Peace Tabernacle $500 First Love UPC $500 The Pentecostals of Santa Fe $500 Christian Life Church (Sugarland) $500 Pasadena Apostolic Temple
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$500 Tabernacle de Vida $500 The Pentecostals of West Houston $500 Raymondville $500 San Benito $500 Crossing Point $500 Primera Iglesia Pentecostal Unida $500 Life Tabernacle of Seguin
Honorable Mention Kerrville Pentecostals Cedar Park Sanctuary Christian Apostolic Church Goldthwaite Evangelism Center Giddings Calvary UPC Revive New Braunfels Columbus Reese Lane Pentecostal Church Sealy New Life Sanctuary UPC Bay City (Moore) Iglesia De Altisimo Kingsville First UPC Alvin Hope Tabernacle Simply Jesus UPC Channelview UPC LaPorte Victory Tabernacle McAllen Life Florence Victory Tabernacle UPC Fredericksburg Calvary Pentecostal Church Jarrell Pentecostal Lighthouse Round Rock Spring of Life San Saba UPC Taylor New Life UPC Grace Tabernacle Corpus Christi Iglesia del Nombre de Jesus Angleton Christian Tabernacle UPC New Abundant Life Clute Rock Church Tabernaculo de Vida (Burnett) Edinburg La Feria Harlingen Faith Tab Glory Rise Tabernacle Iglesia Fuego Pentecostal If your church is not represented and it should be, please contact the District office to confirm that your offering has been received and that our records are accurate.