Wisconsin District neWs July 2013
BRO. J. E. PUTNAM
Wisconsin District News WDN EDITOR Craig Lundt PO Box 688 Beloit, WI 53512 wdn@wisconsinupci.org WDN SECTIONAL REPS Section 1: Loretta Lundt Section 2: Carole Keller Section 3: - Open Section 4: April Peckham Section 5: Kathy Fry WDN Proofreader: Dede Sharp DISTRICT OFFICERS Superintendent: Rev. John E. Putnam Secretary-Treasurer: Rev. E.A. Kaske Honorary Board Member: Rev. John Grant PRESBYTERS Section 1: Rev. Charles Welch Section 2: Rev. James Booker Section 3: Rev. Ed Herman Section 4: Rev. Rufus Parker Section 5: Rev. Paul Bennett DEPARTMENTS Foreign Missions: Rev. M.W. Rogers Home Missions: Rev. Rick Keilley Deaf Ministry: Renee Strand Ladies Ministries: Sis. Barb Hilderbrand Sunday School: Rev. Dale Pace Youth Ministries: Rev. Tim Vik Revival Commission: Rev. Michael Hook Multimedia Ministry: Rev. Scott Jacobs Men’s Ministry: Rev. Steve Rogers Music Ministry: Sis. Darlene Boyte Purpose Institute: Rev. J.D. Putnam Prayer Force: Rev. Don Rogers FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.
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WI District Superintendent
P S A L M S 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Over the last ten years, I have used this scripture numerous times in district meetings and conferences. Why? Because “unity” is something that cannot be taken for granted, nor ignored, as just a given in a group of born again believers. Unity must always be front and center as a constant goal so that we, as a “body,” can stay healthy and productive. Please consider the natural human body that our Heavenly Father created. For this God-created structure made of bone, tissue, organs, and blood to truly work and be healthy and strong, there must be unity in function and purpose. If this is true in our natural bodies, that same plan is needed in the physical body of Christ, the Church! I’m literally surprised by those who are so “spiritually minded,” yet are so fearful of working hand in hand with their brother in Christ. The principal prayer request of our Lord and Savior is…. John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast
given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. On the authority of scripture, which will not perish, Jesus wants His body to be ONE in Him! Though we may differ in personal preferences and methods, Jesus wants His Church to speak the same thing when it comes to doctrine and principle. There is only one ultimate goal for the body of Christ…. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them,
JAMES BOOKER - Section 2 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. The Word declares in the book known as “the preacher”: Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Continued on page 8
WDN: Tell us about your background. BRO. BOOKER: I am from St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up under the leadership of S.G. Norris. In 1967, at 9 years old, I received the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost. I attended Apostolic Bible Institute (ABI), which is where I met my wife, Mary. After graduating ABI, I became a full-time evangelist for a few years. God then opened up the door for me to become the pastor of Full Gospel Church in West Bend, Wisconsin, where I have been just shy of 30 years. WDN: Tell us about your family. BRO. BOOKER: God has blessed me with a wonderful family, whom I love dearly. My wife of 33 years, Mary, and I have three children and one daughterin-law: Jordan and Dana, Candace, and Natalie, as well as two grandchildren, Brylee and Jadon. Words cannot describe how proud I am of each of them and who they’ve become. WDN: Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Please tell us about it. BRO. BOOKER: Being a fourth generation Apostolic Pentecostal, I feel humbled to have such a rich heritage. My great grandmother Malmberg and
her daughter, my grandmother Ragna, came to the faith when, one day, they received a letter in the mail. This letter was addressed simply to “1128 Weeks Avenue, Superior, WI,” with the return address listed as the Azusa Street Mission. Inside the letter was a tract saying that the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost was speaking in tongues. My great grandmother and my grandmother kneeled beside their bed and simply prayed that if this was from God, that they would receive it. Immediately they were both filled with the Holy Ghost! My great grandmother never knew anyone from the Azusa Street Mission. It just so happened that the address “1128 Weeks Avenue” was laid on someone’s heart at the Azusa Street Mission. It’s because of this miracle, I am here today, sharing this gospel message! WDN: What do you enjoy about being presbyter? BRO. BOOKER: Recently, in 2012, I was elected to be the Presbyter for Section 2. As a presbyter, there are many things that I see going on in our section. It is amazing to see how God is moving in the Milwaukee-Metro area. I love seeing people come and work together to impact this section for the kingdom of God. WDN: What is your vision for Wisconsin? BRO. BOOKER: God is birthing many new churches, creating opportunities and opening up preaching points to reach hungry souls. And so, my desire for Section 2 is to see God continue to grow in our communities and in our churches. WDN: Please share with our readers a nugget of wisdom. BRO. BOOKER: One of the guiding Continued on page 8
July 2013
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BY STEVE ROGERS
“Proud pastor of Elim Tab”
Team Elim is absolutely amazing. Hands down, this was the best RockA-Block ever (and that’s saying a lot, as we’ve had a lot of success in the past with this)! An overwhelming number of volunteers from our church, as well as from our community, gathered together to help a distressed neighborhood right here in town. The MAJORITY of our church members were involved, and we ended up with R.A.B. money left over - absolutely wonderful! Forgive my amazement, but it is just way too fun serving the LORD! It’s hard to keep quiet about how much fun He is allowing us to have. “Happy are ‘WE’ the servants of the KING!” Over 1,000 people converged on the near south side of Milwaukee on the 2500’s 9th Place. We fed over 700 contacts of 180 households, with the average age of 18. No fights - no rain - nothing but GREAT all day! We had a few visitors Sunday morning and have organized a follow-up plan (something we’ve never done in the past).
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Team Elim met with them wanting to share a positive message of HOPE. People should not dismiss their dreams of college, nor do they have to accept the violence and drug abuse that may feel at times to be closing in on them, as a part of their future. There really is HOPE!
Loving and believing in our community, we know that “with GOD all things are possible”and people CAN SUCCEED and find great heights of happiness right here in Milwaukee. We are blessed with great jobs and unlimited opportunities RIGHT HERE in the MARVELOUS MID-WEST. We fed them, laughed with them, gave them a lot of great gifts, prayed with them, sang with them, shook their hands, hugged their necks, looked them in the
eye and told them we loved them, and we told them that no matter what others have said to them, there are PEOPLE that truly do love them. Despite how some have presented what the LOVE of Jesus looks like, we wanted them to know that, like Him, we love them right where, who, and how they are. I wanted to publicly congratulate the tremendous love that the people of Elim have shown. Keep it up and YOU WILL change the WORLD. WORLD change starts right here, one block at a time. KEEP on ROCKING, Team Elim. YOU’RE changing the WORLD each time you ROCK-A-BLOCK. To the rest of you, I have to say, “Don’t ever judge a church by the pastor. Just cause the pastor is a lil’ nerdy does in no way reveal how cool the rest of the church is.” YOU GUYS are AMAZING! It’s not near as much about what is in the pulpit as it is what is in the pew, and when GOD is in it - you know you’re gonna win it… ha! There is no other church I’d rather be connected with - I love you guys … go Team Elim!
Calvary Apostolic June 23
What an amazing service tonight! Thanks bro. Danny N Kathy Cobb for obeying God with the Word! Two baptized and one healed from cancer!!!! Many prayed thru and some with laughter in the spirit!!!! God is so good! So very blessed to be visited by GODS PRESENCE!!! Dont want to ever take it for granted!!!! Thank you Jesus you are always on time!!!!!!
Apostolic Life Church June 23
In JESUS Name Names written down in glory, 4 Baptisms tonight. Crystal, Alexus, Calvin & Alliyah. Welcome to the Kingdom. — at Apostolic Life Church.
Apostolic Life Church July 3
God always keeps His Promise. God does it again, 6 get baptized in Jesus Name and 3 of the 6 received the Holy Ghost while in the water.
July 2013
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BY JOURDAN VIAN
The youth group at the Three Tomah girls are embracing church has been the spirit of charity with a lemonade raising money to stand at the corner of Hollister Avenue donate to Sheaves and Council Street. for Christ. Eva Aguinaga, 9, Ashlee Jones, 11, “We’ve been and Emma Migala, 8, are selling lemtalking about it at onade to raise money for Sheaves for home a lot,” AguChrist, a charity that supports troubled inaga said. teens. Sheaves for “They raised $40 (the first day),” Christ supports a Eva’s mother, Tanya Aguinaga, said. number of instiThe girls sell homemade lemontutions that help ade to passersby for 25 cents per plastic troubled teens deal cup. with addiction, “Mostly everyone gives us tips,” teen pregnancy and homelessness, inMigala said. The girls aren’t sure where the idea cluding Tupelo Children’s Mansion in Mississippi and Lighthouse Ranch for came from. “It just came up in the middle of Boys in Louisiana. “Forty percent stays in Wisconsin our head,” Migala said. to help,” Aguinaga said. Charity is normal for the Aguinaga The money helps church youths athousehold, however. Both Tanya Aguinaga and her husband, Rudy, are youth tend conventions and summer camps as leaders at House of Faith United Pen- well. When Eva Aguinaga approached tecostal Church in Tomah.
her mother with the idea for the lemonade stand to support the charity, Tanya Aguinaga was surprised, but supportive. “I was like, ‘OK, go for it,’” Aguinaga said. After watching the girls begin to organize the stand, make posters and, of course, the lemonade, Aguinaga was impressed, both with their abilities and with the girls’ willingness to give up their time and effort for others. “I’m a proud mama,” Aguinaga said. The girls say running the lemonade stand has been fun. “It was nice having the older people come and talk,” Jones said. The girls take the time to explain what the lemonade stand is for to people walking by. “They’ve already had repeat customers,” Aguinaga said. The three girls plan to run the lemonade stand off and on throughout the summer. It will be open for business at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the corner of Hollister Avenue and Council Street. Article was originally published June 2013 in the Tomah Journal. Used with permission.
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district Calendar of Events
BY CRAIG & LORETTA LUNDT To kick off their annual summer Vacation Bible School program, the Pentecostals of the Fox Cities Sunday School Department hosted a children’s revival on Friday, May 31 and Sunday, June 2. This year’s theme is “Lava Lava Island: Where Jesus’ Love Flows.” The adventure will continue each Sunday through August 25. Bro. Wil Rowland ministered to the children (and young at heart). He showed how you can experience God’s love and joy through: skits/ drama, clowning, illusions, juggling, ventriloquism, ballooning, music, and more.
There was a cookout after the service with giant inflatables, games, and other exciting activities for the children. Bro. Wil Rowland is also the author of the “Wise and Silly” series of children’s books. These books can be purchased through the Pentecostal Publishing House. If you would like to schedule Bro. Wil Rowland for your camps, rallies or seminars, he can be reached at rowlandcreativeministries@yahoo.com.
AUGUST 1- SFC Scholarship Deadline 7-9 National Youth Congress, Louisville 16—17– PI— Appleton, Madison 15—CFC Applications due to GHMD 23-24- PI, Oak Creek & Eau Claire 31—Youth Dept—SFC Six Flags Day SEPTEMBER 2 —Labor Day 8-SFC Sacrifice Offering 13-14 -WI Sunday School Seminar, Fond du Lac 23-21—PI, Madison, Appleton, Eau Claire 27-28—PI—Oak Creek OCTOBER 1– CFC Kickoff 1-5—UPCI General Conference, St. Louis, MO 18-19-– PI— Appleton, Eau Claire and Madison 10 & 11– Intercessory Prayer Seminar— Sponsored by Revival Commission, WI Dells 11 & 12—WI Men’s Ministry Conference, Chula Vista, WI Dells 11 & 12—Mosaic Conference, Wisconsin Dells 15—Christmas for Christ Launch Date 18-Section 3 CFC Dinner, Madison, 7 pm 21-24– WI District Board Meeting and 2014 Planning Session, Green Bay 25-Section 4 & 5 CFC Dinner, Eau Claire 25-26—PI Oak Creek 28—Section 1 CFC Dinner, Appleton 29—Section 2 CFC Dinner, New Berlin
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 July 2013
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The Strength and Fragility of Unity Continued from page 3
“UNITY” is an important matter to our Lord! The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 133 that those that will dwell, which is defined in Hebrew as: (yashab - yaw-shab’…. meaning: to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:), is where God will pour out His blessing! The Wisconsin District has been blessed in many ways. The assemblies that make up this district have been blessed. The pastors and ministers of this district have been blessed. This doesn’t mean that we don’t face trials and tribulations in our walk with God, but what is absolutely awesome, is that
when we do go through these times of struggles, there are brothers and sisters of like precious faith that are willing to stand by our side; if our actions and stands have been righteous. There is unbelievable strength in the “unity” of the body! The Word tells us that we need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We need to understand that “unity” is also extremely fragile. The enemy of the Church will always be about his business of trying to divide and conquer. It only takes one act of unethical behavior on the part of any of us, to cause a seed of doubt and mistrust in our brother or sister. The enemy will always try to chip away at the “unity” of the body. Just as the physical body, whose functions are not working in unity, experiences sickness and disease, disunity
in the body of Christ causes its effectiveness to wane. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue when he wrote to the church in Corinth. He attributed the sickly condition of “the body” to unworthily participating in communion when there was “disunity” in the body. I Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. The Greek word for “discerning” is defined as…. (diakrino - dee-ak-ree’-no... to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively)
hesitate). How it behooves all of us to continue to preach the Word, and work together in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Working together to see the Kingdom of God continue to grow and prosper here in Wisconsin, as we all put our hands to the plough and labor in our God-given giftings and callings. As one pastor expressed to me, “Sin always demands a crowd…but love will stand alone.” Jesus, the lover of our life, did just that. He endured, and it is that same body of Christ that will prevail in unity, as God’s Spirit blesses the unselfish effort of all that will work together in truth!
Meet Your Presbyter Continued from page 3
principles in my life comes from a quote that says, “Your talent can take you to places your character cannot sustain you”…the emphasis being on guarding your heart. You may have the greatest talent in the world, but if you don’t guard your heart, you have lost your character. Interview conducted by April Peckham, WDN Rep. Section 4
We are looking for a WDN Representative to report on events and take pictures in Section 3. If you are interested or have questions please contact: editor@wisconsindistrictnews.org
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