July 31, 1997
Vol. 5 Issue 1
EDITORIAL
Praise God for all He has done, is doing, and will do! Substantial offerings have come in to enable us to get the printing equipment shipped to Nigeria. We are getting close and with your continued support, we should soon see the shipment on the way. For more details see our report of World Missionary Fellowship.
As you read Brother Luzan's report under Philippines, you will see that there is a need to insure that thirty Pastors, six teachers, and four Pastor School instructors continue to be supported. If you can help with this need, please send a pledge letter to me as soon as possible. Please discuss with your Pastor as to your congregation's method of sending this support.
Pray much for the advancement of the Gospel in this time. Satan is hard at work to discourage all the people of God in every way that he can. Let us be wise to his wiles and do our part for our Lord. Editor.
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
Thank you all for your help with the Nigeria Printing equipment project. We received $2,532.40 this month toward the shipment. We now have $6,295.50 towards the shipment. That means that we have enough to pay the shipping. Now all that we need is approximately $1,500.00 to purchase some additional printing supplies and canning supplies to fill the container.
We want to send enough supplies that they will be able to set up operations and print for several months. Also we want to send canning jars, rings & lids so that they can preserve their food. Brother John took a pressure canner home with him last year and is using it to preserve his family's food during the harvest season. The harvest season is followed by a dry season when food becomes scarce and expensive. Editor.
Continue to send offerings for Nigeria to the treasurer:
World Missionary Fellowship
c/o Bro. Steve Yoder
P. O. Box 418
Sugarcreek, OH 44681
WMF ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting was held at Westerville, Ohio Camp Meeting on July 10, 1997. The following actions were taken:
A request for written renewal of monthly support to Brother John Agharanya in Nigeria will be sent to all supporters.
Brothers Stanley Rexroth and Arnold Lemke were authorized to proceed with the shipment of the printing equipment and supplies to Nigeria as soon as the funds are available.
The executive committee was authorized to proceed with an audit of the Nigerian mission in Nigeria.
A report was given of the audit of WMF and the executive committee was authorized to review the audit and report back at the next annual meeting.
Brother Phil McKnight was elected to replace Brother Fred Barrows and Sister Margene Burrell was re-elected to three year terms on the executive committee.
Chairman Wood gave a report on the efforts to establish a Church of God congregation in Togo, West Africa. Brother John Agharanya's son is currently there working to get a congregation started.
WMF was authorized to service the support of The Bible Holiness Church of God, Inc. in the Philippines.
The executive committee was scheduled to meet February 21, 1998. Editor.
NIGERIA
June 30, 1997
Received July 18, 1997
Dear Brethren,
Holy greetings to you all in Jesus Christ's most precious name.
The month of May was hectic and full of farm work. My wife and I have been busy tilling the ground and sowing the seed. On the other hand, that has not affected our ministry. The women's seminar and mother's day was well attended by women from all our churches. The 8th to 10th of May was marvelous, reassuring and rejuvenating. The Principal, my son, and myself lectured. At the end on my son's lecture, a woman rushed home in tears and made peace with the husband. The following Sunday, the husband came to church. Five women surrendered their life to Christ, many were healed of their sicknesses. A woman was delivered from Satanic possession. Hallaluy! The hearts of the women were rekindled for action in God's Kingdom. The weather was favorable to us. I exalt His most precious name for what He, God, has done for us. We are looking forward to our men's seminar and day coming up on the 10th to 13th July. Pray for us.
We appreciate you all in your effort to take care of the ministers. Your labor of love have boosted the work here. Proverbs 19:4 says: "Wealth maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor". Verse 17: "He that hath pity to the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again". I wish that you can come and see the good work your labor of love is doing here. I hope that you can revive your love for Africa which is now fertile for the harvest. We do sincerely need your advice, encouragement, and support. Job said in Job 29:12-16 "Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that hath none to help him, The blessings of him that was ready to perish came upon me: I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND IT CLOTHED ME; MY JUDGEMENT WAS AS A ROBE AND A DIADEM. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out". This is how we saw and are seeing World Missionary Fellowship. We humbly do beg you all (if you do believe that is sent to you monthly) kindly consider us in these things:
- The shipment of the printing machines and all other things donated for us.
- Kindly increase our monthly support.
- Consider coming yearly to see our work
The saints here have asked me to greet you all. Thank you all and God bless you all in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. Pray for us as we pray for you.
Thanks.
Yours in His Love,
J. N. Agharanya, Pastor
PHILIPPINES
July 6, 1997
Greetings from the Philippine Mission in our dear Savior's name. We are so grateful to the Lord who made the way for us to attend the Spring Camp Meeting at God's Acres for the fourth time. For we didn't have the assurance before when we inform God's Acres our decision the response is there's no way. But thank the Lord when we informed Bro. Rexroth that we like to talk to Bro. Decker personally about the problem in the mission field; he immediately responded to us with love that he will do his best to help us through the cooperating ministers and congregations so that our longing to come and attend God's Acres Camp Meeting be materialized. Praise God for He answers prayer.
In God's Acres we meet good and loving people that really inspire us. We heard encouraging messages given by His anointed evangelist, heard shouts of victory in the Camp and victorious prayer meetings in the barn, we ate delicious foods in the dining hall prepared by the loving people at God's Acres. God bless their hearts.
While attending the camp Meeting we did enjoy to stay and fellowship with Mother Wilson, the wife of the former loving Pastor of God's Acres. In our short stay with her we were really blessed and encouraged. How we appreciate her and her children with their families. We have seen in them the beauty of being a child of God.
One morning before the service started, the Pastor, Brother Decker, called me into his office and talked to me informing me of his final decision to cease the offering for the ministry. This is the reason why we wrote this to the Info for prayers that please remember the gospel workers in the field of labor who are working full time sacrificially to advance His Kingdom in the Philippine Mission.
Presently we have 29 congregations overseen by 30 Ministers. There are also 6 Kindergarten teachers and four Pastor School instructors.
In closing how we need your prayers Saints, as we travel from congregation to congregation and attend Camp Meetings to inform the needs in the Philippines under the banner of the Bible Holiness Church of God, Inc.
In His Cause,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Jr.
INDIA
June 26, 1997
My Dear Brother in The Lord,
Loving greetings in our Lord's precious name, who loved us with everlasting love. His mercies endureth forever.
Trusting this finds you all well. I could not write to you for a long time as I am not in good health. But the preaching of the Gospel is continuing – a thousand copies of "Peace Message" sent out every month. Our believers recently built two churches (too small) in two villages around here. Thus the ministry of the Gospel is increasing for His glory.
We need a printing press and a mini bus for our constant travelling. We look to the Lord for all our needs.
I have a desire to see you all if it is god's will. I have noted Westerville Camp Meeting; praying to open the way for this my final visit.
Please pray for me.
Lovingly,
Your Brother in Christ,
K. H. Paul
CAMP MEETING REPORT
We were privileged to attend a few days of Camp Meeting at AltaPass, North Carolina from July 2 to 4.
July 2 morning Brother D. B. Luzan, Jr. from the Philippines gave a report and testimony of his work. He has established 29 congregations with 51 buildings including chapels, schools and parsonages.
The afternoon was devoted to a business meeting of the Camp where a set of by-laws were adopted and some elections were made to complete the board of directors.
The evening message by Brother Kenneth Yoder was on "Comparison of New Testament Ethics with Old Testament Ethics" with text from Matt. 5:27-28. He told us that "contradictions exist only in the minds of men … God never intended for man to live with lust in his heart … the sum of your thoughts is your character".
July 3 morning was devoted to Guatemala with Brother John Collins reporting.
The afternoon message was by Brother Stanley J. Rexroth on "Learn To Be Content" with text from 1 Tim. 6:1-11. He reminded us that God desires for us to enjoy the present and that godliness with contentment is great gain.
The evening message was by Brother Kenneth Yoder on "A Weak Heart" with text from Eze. 16:30. He told us that "one with a weak heart is one whose love for God is lukewarm, who has not successfully resisted temptation … inconsistencies in your life destroys your testimony to the lost".
WESTERVILLE, OHIO CAMP MEETING
The Camp started with the evening service on July 7 with Brother J. B. Wood bringing the message on "Man's Dilemma" with text from Psalm 8:1-9. He told us "We all have sinned" is man's dilemma and "if you cry from the deep of the heart, God will hear you".
July 8 morning message was by Brother Glenn Dryden on "Your Responsibility To Discipline" with text from Prov. 23:13-14, 13:24, 19:18 and 22:15. He told us "generally speaking the church is long on truth and short on practice … we make impressions on our children that last their lifetime".
The evening message was by Brother Arnold Edmondson on "The Easy Yoke" with text from Matt. 11:28-30. He told us "only the holy spirit of God can fix people .. God did not call us to put our yokes upon one another".
July 9 morning message was by Brother Chuck Scroggs on "God's Love of Restraint" with text from Phil. 1:23-26. He told us "We need to restrain ourselves and let God do what He wants to do".
The evening message was by Brother Ralph Farmer on "Rock of Consequence" with test from Is. 28:14-17. He told us "God's method of Revelation is by progression rather that instantaneous … your indifference to Him will not prevent the consequence of rejecting Him".
July 10 morning message was by Brother Tony Bartlette on "The Fire of God" with text from 1 Kings 18:1, 17-19, 24, 26, 30, & 32. He told us that we desperately need God. "We need to ask ourselves, am I troubling Israel? .. only God can turn the hearts .. how much are you willing to sacrifice to have God's presence in our midst"?
The evening message was by Brother Nobles Darby on "Looking For Something Different" with text from John 1:35-46. He told us "In many churches across the land today the Gospel has been replaced with jokes .. some are trying to worship God and remain in a sinful condition .. everything that sounds good is not good for us."
Brother Wiley Cash was ordained July 11. He and his wife Cynthia have moved to Memphis, Tennessee to Pastor Shelby County Church of God.
July 11 morning message was by Brother Tommy Shelton on "Stay In The House" with text from Luke 15:11-24. He told us "It's the devil's business to get us out of the house .. as long as we stay in the house we will be blessed".
The evening message was by Brother George Wilson on "Let God Finish His Work" with text from Phil. 1:6. He told us "God has begun the work and He will perfect you … Man's human tendencies are to rule over others .. the world is full of men & women whose lives are evil … God did not force man in the beginning .. in the middle and He will not in the end".
July 13 morning message was by Sister Sylvia Brown on "Ask For The Old Paths" with text from 1 Sam. 4:21-22. She told us "Can a man know more than his maker? We must be willing to consecrate ourselves to the Lord and choose the old paths where is the good way".
In the afternoon Brother Luzan gave a report of his work in the Philippines. (see his report above under Philippines).
The evening message was by Brother Harold Kelly on "Deliverance Through The Cross" with text from Gal. 6:14-16. He told us "When you leave out the cross, the sermon on the mount is meaningless .. God did not call us to control others .. Legalism is the way Satan tries to control those that have lost their vision of the cross .. Are you keeping man made rules to be accepted by God"?
July 13, Sunday morning, Brother Gayheart brought a lesson on "God's Other Sheep" with text from Acts 11:19-26 & 10:34-35. He told us "The disciples did not, at first, understand the Great Commission – Go into all the world and preach the Gospel unto every creature teaching all nations - .. God worked with Gentiles in the Old Testament leading them to the time of Christ".
The morning message was by Brother Iran Watson on "Made Perfect In Love" with text from 1 John 4:1-12, 16-17. He told us "God will move in your life if you let Him move .. we need to quit telling people that we love them .. we need to demonstrate our love .. you can't clean up, you need God to help you".
The final message was at the 3 P.M. service with the message by Brother Darrell Clemons on "Ambassadors For Christ" with text from 2 Cor. 5:19-20. He told us "We are saved for service. As ambassadors for Christ we are to be involved in reconciling souls with God. Ambassadors of Christ do not originate their own message, nor to aim at their own comfort or pleasure, they go where they are sent, must communicate the mind of the Lord, defend His Lord's honor, and to make the Master's business preeminent".
This is the best Camp Meeting that I have attended for many years for the moving of God's Spirit throughout the meeting. The altars were well used, The Campers received much strength and encouragement. Editor.
A note from the Children's teachers: What a privilege to come to camp meeting and bring the family. We have truly enjoyed wonderful preaching and fellowship with the Saints of God.
The blessings of God were in the children's services. And we appreciate each and every child who was in our meeting. We pray that the Lord will keep their hearts tender toward Him. Sis. Becky Bukner had beautiful flannel stories about Moses. Sis. Jean Crouch, Sis. Brenda Borders, Sis. Tricia Queen.
Camp Meeting tapes may be ordered from:
Steve Knighton
346 Washington St.
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: 614-345-2189
Tapes are $3.00 each or $31.00 for a set of all the messages.
DEATH
Pastor Willie E. Gordon of Chicago, Illinois passed from this life on Sunday, July 6, 1997. Pray for his family and congregation at this time.
Created by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
Maintained by: Dexter Horst
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