THE NEWSVINE “Every page an altar to His works!”
SUMMER 2019 REVIVAL CENTER UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 825 7th Street, Modesto, CA 95354 Business Phone: 209-522-5365
email us at thenewsvine@gmail.com
Google us at: thenewsvine or follow us on: issuu.com/thenewsvine EDITORS Assist. Ed. Multi-media Business LiaisonS GRAPHIC DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHERS CREATIVE TEAM
ColumnistS YOUTH REPORTER MAILINGS DISTRIBUTION
LEO AGUILERA VIRGINIA AGUILERA Joshua Aguilera Charlene Wilson Leo & Virginia Aguilera Leo Aguilera, Grover Hunt Gabriel Chavoya Autumn Amador, Tim Burciago, Alexis Diaz, Jocelyn Powell Jim Campbell Alexis Diaz Virginia Aguilera Norbert Feliciano
Church staff PASTOR H. TODD JOHNSON BISHOP RANDY G. KEYES
PULPIT STAFF MINISTERS Dana Le Blanc Ravind Narayan Uday Narayan
Administrative pastor church secretary resident missionaries Youth LeadER SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR K.R.E.W. Kids director prayer ministries Choir world missionS advanced modesto initiative director OUTREACH director Life groups public relations apostolic man ministry B.U.F.F.(Men’s 50+) HYPHEN (Young Adults) THRIVE (Young Marrieds) spanish services Nursing Home Ministry BIBLE QUIZZING GROWTH TRACK SUNDAY - 9:30 A.M. 9:45 A.M. 10:30 A.M. 12:15 P>M> 2:00 A.M. 5.30 P.M. 6:00 P.M. MONDAY - 7:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY - 7:00 P.M. Thursday - 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY - 7:00 P.M. SATURDAY - 10:00 A.M.
Jerry Powell Jonathan Quinones Jeremiah Williams Jonathan Quinones Charlene Wilson Uday Narayan, Ravind Narayan, Xenn Seah Joshua Aguilera Mary Aguirre Kim Johnson Charles Bispo Kellee Hopper, Matt Aguirre Jerry & Andrea Powell Carol Castillo Leonard Alvarez Jonathan Quinones Jeremiah Williams Alex Diaz Herb Jenkins Jeriann Powell Chris & Lindsay Castro Antonio Gutierrez Joyce Jones Sujay Diaz Dana Le Blanc
Sunday School-Children - Tuolumne Sunday School - Adults - Sanctuary Morning Service - Sanctuary Growth Track Spanish Service Prayer in Youth Chapel REVIVAL SERVICE All-Church Prayer Mid-Week Service, K.R.E.W Spanish Service Pulse (Youth Service) Saturday Morning Outreach
THE NEWSVINE is published quarterly by the United Pentecostal Church of Modesto, Inc., 825 7th St., Modesto, CA 95354-3414. Postage paid at 825 7th St., Modesto, CA 95354-3414. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Newsvine, 825 7th St., Modesto, CA 95354-3414. Any submitted articles to The Newsvine are subject to Pastor’s approval and editing by The Newsvine staff.
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SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019
Expanded Issue
AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM EDITOR LEO AGUILERA I am announcing a change in the NEWSVINE staff: Virginia Aguilera will now be co-editor with me as she is now able to devote more time to the production of our church magazine BECAUSE, MY WIFE HAS RETIRED! Hallelujah! She has finally joined the ranks of retired public high school teachers, even though her 18 years in education began having taught five years elementary school at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade levels. She then moved on to the Ceres Unified School District, teaching at Whitmore Charter High School American Sign Language, Yearbook, ASB Leadership as Activities Director, and the Literary Circle - Language Arts. She also was responsible for the digital school newspaper published monthly. Because of her hard work and devotion to teaching, her district recognized her as Teacher of the Year for her school site in 2017. Virginia will be jointly working with me on text, layout, and producing the expanded issue of each NEWSVINE found on the Internet. Her experience with her school publications will tremendously benefit the production of each future church magazine. At the same time of her retirement, Modesto Junior College announced her sister, Kathy Halsey (left photo), Alumni of the Year, for her prolific work in community service for the city of Modesto as Public Relations Director for AT&T, past president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, among other services. Kathy was also a special speaker at the commencement ceremony with graduation speaker Thomas Barker, our front cover honoree. This is indeed a special issue covering the many summer events of our church calendar. The compelling testimony of Thomas Barker will inspire any who contemplate going to college with the Lord’s blessing. Share this NEWSVINE with family and friends. MARANATHA, the Lord cometh! Sincerely, Leo Aguilera, EDITOR
WHAT DOES “GOD IN THREE PERSONS” REALLY MEAN?
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here is in the denominational churches an old tradi- one GOD manifesting three “personas” or roles in His tional hymn that begins with the words written by nature: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All first generation Reverend Reginald Heber: Christians knew that when they heard the phrase “God in three persons” or personas, they were accurately in Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! terpreting it to mean God manifesting or performing the Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; roles of His three natures. When ancient Jews converted holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, to Christianity, they did not feel they had forsaken the God in three persons, blessed Trinity! holy Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord!” They saw God the Father manifested as Jesus This hymn, written over a hundred and fifty years ago, is Christ and the Holy Spirit. Paul, a converted Jew, wrote still sung all over the world today and is a mainstay for of this revelation in 1 Timothy 3:16: “And without conmany churches in their morning worship. troversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manIt is the word “persons” we need to focus upon and ifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, look into its historic origin, for the word was popular preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, reduring ancient times when the Apostolic Christian church ceived up into glory.” was founded by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and However, by the fourth and fifth centuries, the word His apostles. The original meaning of the word was quite “persona” had taken on a different meaning: an individdifferent from what has evolved into the meaning of the ual, an embodiment of a single being. The Latin became word today. All high school senior English teachers who the mother language of several including Spanish, French, teach the classics introduce the word to students, making Italian, and Portuguese The word “persona” entered the it general knowledge for all. languages of Germanic origins, where in English “persoFor 37 years I taught English literature in public high na” became “person.” The original definition of “perschool. Most high schools across the nation require the sona” was lost in its evolution and translation into the ancient Greek play Oedipus, the King to be taught at the modern languages today. senior level. While introducing the background of the play In the first century of church history,“three persons in to my AP seniors, I spoke of the masks the ancient actors God” simply meant to the ancient Christian three maniwore on stage. The ancient Greek word for “mask” was festations or the three roles of nature in God’s awesome “prosopon” (πρόσωπον). The actor would play several Self - not three individuals or beings - but one Lord and characters, including female roles, since women were not Savior! allowed on stage. When the ancient Romans assimilated The word Trinity is NEVER mentioned in the Bible. the Greek plays into their culture, the ancient Greek word Jews and Muslims today find it very difficult to accept the evolved into the Latin word “persona.” The ancient Ro- Trinitarian doctrine of three individuals in heaven until man actors continued to perform the tradition of several they discover our Apostolic doctrine, unchanged since the roles by changing their “personas” or masks. Therefore, first generation of Christians. Trinitarians like to accuse ONE actor portrayed several characters or roles in the us Apostolic Pentecostals of being “Jesus only” where, play’s plot. It is easy to see that the ancient definition for in fact, we are “Jesus everything!” Therefore, we of the the word “persona” did not mean an “individual”, but Apostolic faith today can declare without confusion: the representation, manifestation, and/or role ONE actor could portray of SEVERAL. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord!” In the first and second centuries of church history, the DEUTERONOMY 6:4 word “persona” could easily have been used by ancient Christian preachers and teachers with the meaning of SUMMERNEWSVINE NEWSVINE2019 2019 3 3 SUMMER
RC Aims for Missions Brother Ravind Returns to India
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C continues to reach out to the country of India. In late spring, Brother Ravind and Sister Suman Narayan traveled again to this second-most populated country in the world with approximately 1.3 billion people. While they were there they baptized 19 people in Jesus’ name, two new churches started up, and a minister was ordained. They attended a minister seminar in which they had only expected 30 people, but 90 attended. “To God be the glory!” says Brother Ravind. “Thank you for your prayers and support.”
Elder Chacko Thomas and his wife greet Ravind and Suman Narayan with traditional flower garlands.
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Sister Arti Revisits Her Father’s Legacy in Fiji
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y father has invited me many times to go on his missionary journeys with him. This year things just worked out to where we could go to the Fiji Islands. A week before our journey, I attended a College/Hyphen retreat and was talking with a group of girls. I felt inspired to invite Mariah Amador as she had never traveled internationally. Miraculously, she got her passport, plane ticket within that week, and was able to go! Mariah was an absolute blessing to the people there with her beautiful smile, sweet spirit, compassionate heart, great sense of humor and not forgetting her photography/journalism skills that captured so many significant moments. I appreciate the sacrifices that she made to go on this trip. The work of God in Fiji started in 1985 when my father, mother, two brothers and I took a missions trip and stayed there for one year. We started by having open-air services in various towns, in the market places. I would sing, Ashish would play the guitar and my dad would preach. We met families like David and Suman, Desmond and Rahdha, Shaym and Chan-
dra, Bhoop Narayan and a few others. We conducted home Bible studies and taught them the word of God. Little did I know, at that time, that these humble beginnings and THESE precious people would revolutionize Fiji with this great gospel. My first night there this past visit, we had a gathering with some of the church leaders and their wives. I cannot describe the joy I felt in seeing these people whom I had met 30 years ago. They remembered me and I remembered them. What an awesome reunion. But more importantly, they have carried on this gospel and the work of God’s kingdom. God has used them to change lives and to lead people to this wonderful truth. Little did I know that by singing and having little open air services with just the five of us would have such an impact and grow incredibly decades later. We were able to visit several churches in the Suva area. We spent time with ministers and their wives to help strengthen and encourage them. The experience of worshiping God with them was so astounding. There is so much to share, but difficult to put into limited words. I want to thank our host family Bro. Nilesh and Sis. Jeshween for their love, hospitality and generosity… second to none, they were truly amazing! If you are seeking a deeper connection with God, fulfillment in life and happiness I encourage you to sacrifice your time, money and whatever it may take to take a missions trip. It is so worth it! This trip had a profound impact in my life and it was gratifying to see my father’s legacy live on.
Top row from left: (1) Elder Uday Narayan, Arti Narayan, and Mariah Amador get ready for their 11 hour flight to Fiji. (2) Elder Narayan, Arti, and Mariah are honored with flowers. (3) This woman lives in a remote village with a humble home and the bare necessities of life. “We traveled to visit this family,” said Arti, “and the joyous embrace brought tears to my eyes and was a very touching experience.” (4) Arti and Mariah try on Indian Sarwhal Kameez dresses in a shopping center in Suva, the capital city of Fiji. (5) Elder Narayan with Brother Nilesh and Sister Jeshween who were their host family. (6) Posing by a blue truck that has been driven for 30 years by Brother Sam who takes people to church in it. He drove the Narayans to church in this same truck in 1985. “It’s a miracle and blessing!” says Sister Arti. (7) The final photo is with pastors from churches and villages in Suva.
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More Mission Outreaches
Lauren Hunt and Autumn Amador, Missions Trip to Ecuador
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y missions trip to Ecuador with Autumn Amador was the most humbling experience of my entire life. I had the incredible opportunity to lead worship and praise sing for each service, and I can honestly say that during this trip, I had never felt a stronger call to the ministry. I went with high expectations and God by far exceeded those. It was difficult to fully comprehend everything while I was there, but once I returned that first Sunday, it all hit me. Every service came rushing back, every moment where a kid in the alter received the Holy Ghost, each conversation with them about God. I want a By Sister Lauren Hunt passion and fire for God that the Ecuadorian people have. Ecuador was a life changing experience and I encourage Rather than focusing on the very little they have, they put their desires and trust in the Lord. I am overflowing with all of our youth to go on a missions trip if possible. You tangible things, but am I equally full with a heart for God? won’t ever regret it.
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NCYI Team Ministers in Dominican Republic NorCal Youth Impact Team in front of the Bible college in the Dominican Republic.
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n July, young people from five different churches traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of the Northern California Youth Impact Team. The group was led by Brother Dean DeAscentis, pastor of Lincoln Lighthouse Church. He was assisted by Brother Rich Jones and his wife Tammy who are youth pastors from Marysville. In total, there were 24 team members including chaperones. Revival Center sent four young people: Youth Leaders Josh and Jeannette Aguilera, and Jazmin DeAndra and her brother Adrian. Revival Center’s Missions Director Jerry Powell chaperoned. While there, Brother Josh had the opportunity to preach at both a regional youth camp, as well as at Brother Juan Batista’s church. In addition, Brother Powell and Sister Jeannette both each taught a morning devotional to the group and team chaperones ministered at a beach service for the team on the last night. A highlight was the opportunity to
Brother DeAscentis with Brother Shrekise interpreting,
Jungle road
sit down with missionaries Brother Shirley and his wife while they shared their burden for their people. “They truly are people after God’s own heart,” said Josh Aguilera When asked how this missions trip impacted his life, youth leader Josh Aguilera said, “It showed me how we all can make a global impact. By helping to build a church, we literally built the kingdom of heaven on earth.” Brother Shirley told the group that it would have been very difficult for that region to raise the amount of money they needed to paint and put a roof on their church. By providing the manpower, money, tools, and materials, the team helped to put this area’s progress ahead by five years. “Knowing we directly impacted these people, our brothers and sisters in the Lord, was a great blessing to us, and we will never be the same!” said Josh.
Josh Aguilera preaches at youth camp with Brother Shrekise interpreting.
Brother Juan Batista speaks to the group.
The NorCal Impact team along with local churches place the 12 tresses they made to construct the roof for the church pictured above.
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From the Desk of Elder Chacko Thomas Dear friends in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus! I pray that this update finds you well in the Lord. God has been gracious to us and we are doing well here. The monsoon has started with force and we are having good rains, and unfortunately, flooding that comes with it. A few church families were affected with some water flooding inside their homes. But one family had waist deep water with considerable damage. But all are okay now and recovered. BIBLE SCHOOL : We had a few busy months as usual. We had two months of Bible school in April & May. 20 students studied the Word of God and evangelism, and were sent back prayerfully to their churches and villages so they can impart the truth that they have learnt and save the unsaved with the living Gospel. ORPHANAGE : On June 11th, we celebrated the orphanage's 10th anniversary and also did the opening service of our new church hall at the orphanage. God helped us to build a big hall to hold Sunday church services for the children and staff, and also to be used for functions. In spite of hindrances God helped us to finish it on time and provided for it. We are humbly grateful to all the sponsors and donors who have supported the orphans throughout the decade and even before it. The orphanage has started again after the summer break. The much awaited license is still .. awaited. However the government has allowed us to start with 30 children since our application is in process. Please pray that the formalities will be completed soon and we can function officially and full-fledged. MEDICAL CAMPS : Over the past few months at several mission places we had over 75 baptisms and professions of faith. Pray that these new believers will stand strong for the Lord and in His Word. God is blessing the church and ministry in Kerala. We have a new believer who is a Muslim convert and an Ayurvedic doctor. Under his guidance we organized a few medical camps, conducted free medical checkups, film shows, organized awareness camps against smoking, alcoholism, dia-
betes, cholesterol and AIDS, and presented Jesus as the Great Physician who heals the body and transforms our lives. In May we distributed school books, bags, stationery, umbrella, etc. to over 100 deprived tribal children of 5 schools in Kerala in Elder Thomas preaches at a church the presence of the govern- in India. God bless his efforts in ment minister, police officers India, and village leaders. All these events and functions were covered on local television news and newspaper. VILLAGE MINISTRY: The village ministry is going on well and new believers being added to the church and baptized. The church planters and leaders are working to spread the good news. Many of them are facing problems in the children's education as their kids grow and go to higher grades and college, and cost of education and house rent gets unfordable, specially for those in full time ministry. We are not able to support all of them; they are solely dependent on their church offering and tithes. Please pray for their ministry, family's provisions and children's future. Over the past few months at several places we had over 75 baptisms and professions of faith. Pray that these new believers will stand strong for the Lord and in His Word. Lastly, our family has grown and God has blessed us with a cute granddaughter, Abigail, born to James & Glory in February. She is a beautiful 4 month old little bundle of joy! We continue to thank God for all His blessings and for you. Your prayers are a blessing and support for us. Thank you for uplifting us in prayers. God bless you abundantly! Yours in His service, Chacko Thomas
Top row from left: a church hall, worship in the church hall, teaching at the Bible school, another picture at the Bible school. Bottom row from left: Brother Chacko presents a backpack to one of the children attending the education camp, children at the education camp, children praying at the children’s camp, an outside service at one of the villages in India. God bless Elder Thomas’ efforts in the vast country of India!
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Did You Know?
By Jim Campbell
I heard this on the radio several months ago and would like to share it with everyone.
. . . s i sus
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Jesus is the Savior so the world would know him. Jesus is the Rock so the geologists would know him. Jesus is the Truth so the politicians would know him. Jesus is the Counselor so the psychologists would know him. Jesus is the Lily of the Valley so the botanists would know him. Jesus is the Teacher so the educators would know him. Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star so the astronomers would know him. Jesus is the Healer so the physicians would know him. Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah so the genealogists would know him. Jesus is the Messiah so the theologians would know him. Jesus is the Light so the astrophysicists would know him. Jesus is the Vine so the agriculturalists would know him. Jesus is the Way so the travelers would know him.
Just a Thought... for the Christian Student
s a retired high school teacher, this is the first time in 18 years I have not been busy getting ready for a new school year. As I think back to my time working with students, I remember how some of them, like many of us adults, struggle with some very basic life skills. With this in mind, I have a few suggestions to help make life smoother this term. Most people think school is all about learning algebraic formulas, hours of homework, and memorizing historical dates. I remember thinking myself, I’m not going to use most of this. Why do I have waste hours calculating the circumference of a circle? School is not just about academics, it is preparation for what comes later--adulthood. One important life skill that school teaches you is to show up every day on time--even if you are tired, even if you don’t feel like it. This is real life. According to Careerbuilder.com, 53% of employers still expect employees to be on time, and 41% have fired workers due to tardiness. High school is a great time to figure out strategies to beat that tardy bell. Find what works for you. Maybe you need to wake up or plan on getting to school 15 minutes early, get your clothes ready the night before, or put your backpack and any other school materials in the car the night before. A great idea for homework is to have a binder, and as soon as you complete your work, but it in a designated spot in that binder and when all homework is done, put your binder in your backpack, along with any textbooks you will need the next day. Having systems in place will help prevent you from tardies and their repercussions. Another critical area for success is to come to school everyday. How can you learn if you are not there? If you are not contagious, in the hospital, having stomach or serious family
By Editor Virginia Aguilera
issues, you need to be in your seat ready to learn. If you must miss a day, be sure to contact your teacher to find out what you missed and what assignments are due. It is your responsibility, not your teacher’s to hunt you down. My final tip is to put your best effort forth. This means for you to do all of your homework to the best of your ability. If you don’t know what to do, contact your teacher right awaynot 10:00 the night before. Pay attention and participate in class. Set aside sufficient study time for tests. Maybe you ask, how does this relate to life after high school? If you want to stand out to your employer, you need to be that employee who shows up early and rarely misses work. Every day you need to do your best work with a positive, enthusiastic attitude, working cooperatively with others. How does this apply to us as Christians? Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...” Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) says “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...” Finally, Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) states “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” It is clear from these verses that whether we are at school or work, we should always do our best as though we are working for Jesus Christ Himself because that is Who we are representing to those around us. And should this not apply even more to our attitude about church? Are we on time? Do we seldom miss services? Do we put our best effort forth in worship, giving, and serving? Most of us would agree we could improve. Let’s make this new school year a fresh start for all of us--whether we are students, employees, or even retirees--and glorify God in all we do.
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NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CONGRESS
2019
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very special event happened this past summer at the The Dome in St. Louis, Missouri--North American Youth Congress! Approximately 37,000 young people and adults from North America gathered together in one of the largest Christian youth events in the country. This massive event was organized by General Youth President Joshua Carson and his hard-working UPCI Youth Ministries team and takes place every two years. There is definitely something for everyone at NAYC. After morning Jump Start sessions, there were a variety of breakout sessions for teens, Hyphens, youth workers, and young ministers taught by a variety of speakers including our very own Associate Pastor Jonathan Quinones and UPCI Gerneral Superintendent Dr. David Bernard. Evening services began with prayer and then exploded with spirited worship and Holy Ghost anointed preaching. Night speakers were: Joshua Carson (Wednesday), Jack Cunningham (Thursday), and Matthew Tut-
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tle (Friday). There were also after-service fellowship events with activities, games, and food. For those musically inclined, they had the opportunity to compete in Talent Search-Worship Arts with a first prize of $2500. Wow! On Friday afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to give back by filling 2,000 buckets with disaster relief items provided by Reach Out America and Feed the Children. In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Carson referred to this year’s theme, Kingdom Come, saying, “That means we are called to serve the needs of others, particularly when they are suffering through a crisis.” Plan to attend the next Youth Congress happening in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2021. Follow North American Youth Congress on Facebook for upcoming information. Don’t miss this life-changing event!
“Kingdom Come” Yesterday - Today - Forever
RC attendees to NAYC
Jon Quinones teaches at NAYC
Matthew 6:10 (KJV) SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019 11
Student Pastor Taylor Fairbanks Apostolic Restoration Church
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rother Taylor Fairbanks is the son-in-law of our pastor. He married Sister Mehgan Johnson and carried her off to West Monroe, Louisiana, 2000 miles away! We are reminded of this almost every service by our pastor. We do miss her, but this summer they returned with an invitation for him to preach. WOW! What an anointed preacher he is! He preached a very timely sermon entitled “A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place.” He reminded us of the essential will God has in our lives and with our congregation. In the middle photo above, we see his father-in-law and grandfather-in-law agreeing with all Brother Fairbanks says. In the top right photo, Brother Fairbanks receives a special blessing from our Bishop who told this editor this was the first time he heard his grandson preach. We can’t wait to have him back.
Pastor Paul Pamer
Apostolic Church of Barbeton, OH hen Pastor Johnson joined ministers across the nation to attend the Times of Refreshing conference in Israel this past spring, he heard Brother Pamer preach “My Grandfather’s Table” to the ministers there. He asked Brother Pamer to come to our church this past July and preach the same sermon here. What a message! Brother Pamer gave a mighty testimony of his grandfather, the patriarch of his family, who gathers them all every Sunday for a prayerful meal. They all attend church that day, multiple generations, continuing his legacy. Brother Pamer then assembled a legacy table on our platform and gathered the Johnson clan around it (above middle photo). He expounded on the vital blessing that a legacy can have with everyone of our church families. He then had each family gather at the altar to make special commitments of passing on this Apostolic gospel for the kingdom of God. Sister Johnson in the top right photo poses with Brother and Sister Pamer and their daughter, Sullivan. evival Center only has had four pastors in its 76 years’ history. Pastor J.D. Dansby was the second pastor. Pastor Rodney Nielsen is his grandson. He preached here for the first time at his grandfather’s church. The powerful message, “Release the Anointing,” had our congregation standing to its feet. He prophesied that our church has seen nothing yet. God has a great future for our evangelistic vision. The right photo shows Brother Nielsen working the altars with Adult Sunday School teacher, Robert Evans. During the service Brother Evans was pointed out that God had healed him of stage four cancer. All glory to our Healer, Jesus Christ! Pastor Rodney Nieslsen East Valley Pentecostal Church, San Jose, CA
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Summer Revival Flames Burn Brightly!
May Revival Services
June Revival Services
July Revival Services Covering Service: Pastor Johnson prays a covering over our students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other school sta.
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RECENT EVENTS
Baby Dedication: The Narayan Mother’s Day: Sister Johnson is honored Mother’s Day: Sister Keyes, seated Bishop Keyes, is handed a bouquet of flowers family celebrate their newest arrival at by her oldest daughter Mehgan as Pastor by Jon Quinones. this very special service. Johnson looks on.
Bilingual Service: Brother Robert Rodriguez preaches with fire as Brother David Amador interprets.
Growth Track Graduation: Brother Dana Le Blanc leads our Growth Track classes which our month long courses which focus on church doctrine and Christian living principles. These classes are open to new and long term members and take place after the Sunday morning worship altar call. In fact, there are three tracks, each focuses on a different area. Above are our most recent graduates of this outstanding program. Congratulations!
B.U.F.F. SUMMER MEETING
Father’s Day: Pastor Johnson hugs Josh Aguilera after he spoke about how much he has appreciated our Pastor’s influence in his life. Josh’s wife, Jeannette, claps in appreciation of Pastor Johnson.
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(Right) B.U.F.F. leader Herb Jenkins updates the group on past and future projects. (Left) Brother Jim Campbell shares his testimony. (Right) B.U.F.F. members note upcoming events.
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he Life Group Building Up Firm Foundations, AKA B.U.F.F., continues to be active. This summer this group of men ages 50 and above met at the Aguilera home. Leo Aguilera and Leo Gomez hosted the event. BUFF Director Herb Jenkins went over the coming fall and winter season. B.U.F.F. will continue doing maintenance on the cars belonging to the single ladies of the church, including checking fluid levels, checking air pressure in tires, and providing a free car wash. This faithful group has also built ramps for handicapped and elderly saints of the church. Ramps are built free of charge. For you men 50 and above, B.U.F.F. is a great opportunity for you to fellowship with other men your age and to band together to serve others.
SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019
MATURE LADIES HOST SIS. JOHNSON
Joyce Jones (left) introduces speaker Sister Johnson (center). Right, what a delicious spread! In the top photo, attendees gather for a picture. Thank you, Nicole, for providing the photography for this event.
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he Mature Ladies’ Fellowship, led by Sister Joyce Jones and assisted by Sisters Joann Gann and Kay Hall, was blessed by having Sister Kimberly Johnson, our pastor’s wife as the speaker. After a time of fellowship including a delicious potluck (I wish I hadn’t been dieting that day), and some very competitive games, Sister Johnson addressed the group of women. She spoke of the importance of this age group, emphasizing that these seasoned women need to be examples and teachers to the younger women in the church. Thank you, Sister Jones and your team for providing this and other opportunities for us young at heart to fellowship and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord and in service to others. If you are a lady 50 or older, see Sister Jones to get information about the next event. You won’t want to miss it! SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019 15
MEMORIAL DAY CHURCH PICNIC
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t has been a tradition of our church for many years to celebrate Memorial Day together with a picnic at a local park. It is a time to honor our veterans, enjoy a potluck feast, play games, and just enjoy each other’s company. A huge thank you to John and Amy Rodriguez and their crew for organizing this fun-filled day, and God bless everyone who attended. Brother Jeremiah Williams honors our veterans.
John Rodriguez
Thank you to our kitchen crew for the day!
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KREW and SUNDAY SCHOOL UNITE
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his summer KREW led by Sister Kim Johnson and Kidz Zone led by Sunday School Director Mary Aguirre, combined for a kids’ service complete with balloons and Popsicles afterward. The kids had a great time singing and worshiping and learning more about our great Savior. Thank you, Sister Johnson and Sister Aguirre and your very talented and faithful team, for having a burden for our children. May the word of God and a love for Him be planted deeply into the hearts of these children, the future of Revival Center.
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Life Groups Kick Off
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o you want to get better connected to our church family and make new friends with common interests? Then Life Groups fits the bill. The purpose of this ministry is to bring people together, developing and strengthening relations. It is a place where ministry meets lifestyle. Our second semester of Life Groups, which will run from August to October, kicked off in July. There are over 20 different life groups with many different interests ranging from community service to prayer to men’s and women’s groups. Financial Peace classes are available, and if you like bowling or motorcycles, we have a group for you. Check out www.revivalcenterca.com to sign up for a life groups and get connected to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Second Semester Life Groups
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 18
SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019
G.R.O.W. B.U.F.F. Motorcycling Miracles Thrive Community Compassion Games & Snacks Mom Squad Mature Ladies Intercessory Prayer Connecting Generations Men of Valor Readers Are Leaders
Financial Peace Kids & Kiah You Had Me At Brunch God’s Grocers Sisters Helping Each Other Moms & Tots Espanol Por Favor Women of Worth Moms on the Fast Track Holy Rollers Bowling Scriptures & Scholars Dust & Disciples
District Summer Youth Camps JUNIOR CAMP
“Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” - Proverbs 22:6 (GNT)
SENIOR CAMP
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CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2019!
C
ongratulations to, Mehgan Fairbanks, our only four-year university graduate this year! Mehgan, daughter of Pastor Todd and Sister Kimberly Johnson, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Oregon University. She plans on getting her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. From left: Mehgan with her proud parents and sister, MaKayla Johnson; Mehgan with her diploma; Mehgan with her husband, Taylor Fairbanks.
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e also commend our both our graduates from Modesto Junior College, Thomas Barker and Kristy Zapien. Thomas graduated with an associates of arts degree in history. He will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall, majoring in history. Becoming a history professor is his ultimate goal. His girlfriend, Kristy Zapien, also graduated from Modesto Junior College with an associates of arts degree in sociology. She will be attending UC Davis in the fall, majoring in sociology and minoring in art history. She would like to become an art curator.
High School Graduates
AUTUMN AMADOR
Whitmore Charter HS College: CSU, Stanislaus Major: Biological Sciences
PETER DIAZ
Ecademy Charter HS College: MJC, SCU Major: Psychology
GRACE ROSHAN
CHLOE ESPINOZA
Endeavor HS College: Abrams College Career: Medical Assistant
SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019
Johansen HS College: Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design College Goal: BA in Fine Arts in 3D Animation
MORGAN LOFTUS Valley Charter HS College: MJC
SARAH ROSHAN
Both graduated from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts and both plan on becoming physicians College: CSU, Stanislaus
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JORDAN JACOBS
Pastor Johnson congratulates this year’s graduates at a recent service.
Testimony of Faith: Thomas Barker
Newsvine Editor Leo Aguilera with Thomas Barker and Kristy Zapien.
INTRO Since we included our graduates in this issue, we decided to focus on the accomplishments of one of our outstanding young people, Thomas Barker, in hopes that his life will be an inspiration for others young and old. Although never graduating from middle school and dropping out of high school at the start of his senior year, Thomas Barker, not only graduated with honors from Modesto Junior College, but was also chosen as its graduation speaker. Remarkably, Thomas was its only history major ever to be accepted into the prestigious university, Cal Berkeley, whose acceptance rate is just under 17%. What changed the life of this once unmotivated student? FAMILY LIFE Thomas was born into a family which struggled with addiction and physical abuse. His father, Bill Barker was addicted to meth and alcohol. He was monstrously mean and violently abusive. His mother Carol was hopelessly addicted to Thomas with his mother Carol at his drugs. Thomas remembaby dedication in 1998. Roughly nine bers searching through years later the family returned to dumpsters for leftover Revival Center to stay, and Thomas was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled food for snacks for his sister and him to eat. with the Holy Ghost. His mother remembers Thomas wandering down to the river near their house as a child unsupervised, now terrified at the thought of what could have happened to her young son. Addiction ravaged the marriage of Bill and Carol and they divorced. Carol later married another Bill, William Paul and they started attending Revival Center when Thomas was nine years old. Thankfully later, God miraculously delivered Bill Barker. He received the Holy Ghost and was baptized
in Jesus’ name and now teaches an anger management class at the UPC congregation in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The Paul family began faithfully attended church, exposing Thomas to Holy Ghost anointed preaching and prayer. Young Thomas felt God’s spirit tugging at his heart, repented, was baptized in Jesus’ name, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. He right away became very involved with Bible quizzing, which he credits with not only putting the word of God into his heart, but also teaching him how to memorize and quickly recall large passages of information. He was also surrounded by children and adults who positively influenced him with their dedication and passion for God. Thomas did so well in Bible quizzing that he was awarded Quizzer of the Year for the Western District and even went to Nationals! Even though Thomas with his fellow Bible quizzer, Thomas achieved success in Bible quizzing Noah Wells. Thomas went on to become the Western District’s Quizzer and was faithful to of the Year. church, he was indifferent to his academic success in school which would lead him down the road to becoming a high school dropout. ACADEMIC INDIFFERENCE Thomas’ apathy became apparent beginning in middle school. Although he participated in class discussions, he
Thomas shares his testimony to the KREW children at his last KREW session before he goes off to UC Berkeley.
never turned in his homework. His grades were so dismal, that he did not participate in his eighth grade graduation, and was merely moved onto high school. Academic failure seemed certain to follow him into high school and beyond. SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019 21
High school began where middle school left off: a continuation of dismal grades. But Thomas was about to meet a teacher in his sophomore year who would be key in beginning shifting the direction of his life. After earning all D’s and F’s the first semester of his sophomore year, Thomas walked up to his English teacher, Julia Quinn and said, “You watch, I am going to get a 4.0 this semester in every one of my classes.“ When Thomas got his report card at the end of the semester and had all A’s, he told her, “I did it! I did it!” Seeing his potential, Ms. Quinn enrolled him in AVID, a program that supports college readiness. She also got him enrolled in IB English where he was surrounded by highly motivated students for the first time. Unfortunately, his ways did not change, and he continued to get D’s and F’s in his classes, although he did get a C- in his IB English class. Thomas also gives credit to his junior US History teacher, Christopher Peterson, who sparked his interest in history. He was very impressed with the skillful teaching of this California Teacher of the Year. If only he would have turned in the homework for his classes or taken summer school classes to make up for his missing credits, he could have been on track for graduation, but Thomas remained unmotivated and unconcerned. During the first semester of his senior year after looking at his high school transcript, he thought what’s the use of going to school because I’m not going to graduate, so he dropped out. When asked why he was so unmotivated, he said: “There was no inherent goal. From K-10, I really never heard about college. I didn’t know the importance of it. I was just going through the motions. My mindset was that I’m not going to school to learn anything; I am just going to school not to get in trouble for not going.” A HUGE TURN AROUND
Thomas Barker with Newsvine editors Leo and Virginia Aguilera prior to his graduation speech at MJC’s 97th commencement.
on his first attempt without even studying and completed the required prerequisite courses. In addition to Kristy, he was also positively influenced by the example of his college educated church friends, Joshua Aguilera, Noah Wells, and Scott Boyle. He was on his way! FROM HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT TO COLLEGE SUCCESS! Thomas began MJC with low expectations. “I thought I’d give it a try,” he said. However, with the encouragement of the staff and professors, Thomas finally saw his mindset shift. He was energized by his instructors and finally saw himself succeeding. He was particularly impressed by his English professor, Sam Pierstorff (“He is a wiz,” said Thomas) and his history professor, Dr. William Newell, both gifted and passionate instructors. He graduated from Modesto Junior College in May of this year with a GPA of 3.82! He beat the odds by completing his coursework within two years time--only about 18% of MJC students achieve this. In addition, he was among the approximately 15% of students who met the requirements to transfer to a four-year university. He applied to all the top public universities in California: UCLA, UC Davis, and UC Berkeley, as well as all of the CSU’s. “I got accepted at every college I applied for,” said Thomas. He received full rides at all the universities except for UC Berkeley, but chose it because he felt it had the top history department. He will be attending the University of California, Berkeley, this fall with his eye on becoming a college history professor.
At this time, Thomas was working at Taco Bell, faithfully attending church, and dating Sister Kristy Zapien, a senior in high school. “We were both fully invested in church,” he said. When looking for a prospective girlfriend, he followed the advice of his pastor: find the person you date in the altar. When it came time to sign up for college in April of that year, Kristy was surprised to find out that Thomas had dropped out of high school as she assumed they would both be attending college together. She encouraged him to enroll in Modesto Junior College as students only GOD’S BLESSING AND FAVOR CONTINUE needed to be 18 years old and able to benefit from taking Thomas applied for and was awarded the Achievement classes. She was not worried because she knew he could handle it. When he found out he could attend MJC with- Award Program scholarship. He was one out of 7 transfer out a high school diploma, he got busy, passed the GED students to receive it. “It is an insanely competitive one,” 22 SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019
The Newsvine
REVIVAL CENTER United Pentecostal Church of Modesto 825 7th Street Modesto, CA 95354
said Thomas, and it is funded by Berkeley Alumni. He will receive $6,000 annually, plus he will receive a free laptop. He also decided to apply and audition to be the MJC student graduation speaker. He felt he had a compelling story and was anxious to publicly give glory to God for his accomplishments. He almost backed out at the last minute, but we were all thrilled when he was selected by the interview committee made up of faculty and administration. His academic journey was chronicled in the commencement program which included such quotes as: “No longer content watching other people achieve amazing accomplishments, Thomas turned to his church community, led by Pastor Todd Johnson, and God for the ‘backbone’ in his life, the power to overcome.” His article concluded with the statement: “He also extends deep gratitude to his church for instilling in him the concept of never giving up.” All glory to God for taking this high school dropout and miraculously turning his life around.
Congratulations to MJC commencement speaker, Thomas Barker! SUMMER NEWSVINE 2019 23
