March 31, 1997

Vol. 4 Issue 10

EDITORIAL

(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.

The prayer of our Lord for all of His children to be one is a central theme of ours as Church of God people. As I prepare once again for our tenth year of inviting all Church of God Ministers & leaders together, I carry a deep burden, for it seems that many among us are preaching "Unity" and practicing "division".

I thank God for those that will take the time to come together to sit at one another's feet, to pray together, to preach under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and to extend their hand in fellowship. It will be a time of refreshing, expanding our acquaintances, and being challenged to live according to God's Word.

The basic, fundamental steps of unity, begin with worshipping together. If our leaders will not take that step, how will our people? If ever there was a time that we need to stand together and work side by side, it is today. What are you doing to "Practice" Unity?

A reminder to all that are planning to attend: Let me know by April 12 your desires as to the agenda and program so I can send out an agenda to all attendees. I hope to see you in Bellville.

Your Servant,
S. J. Rexroth

WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)

$91.00 was received this month toward the shipment of printing equipment to Nigeria. We now have $2,240.10 towards the $5,795.00 needed to send the equipment. Please pray with us and do what you can to help us ship this equipment soon. 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

NIGERIA

Feb. 17, 1997 (received March 17, 97)

Dear Brethren,

Calvary Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I do believe that the good Lord has been with you saints during the past winter. We had harmattan winds for some time now. We thank God for His mercy towards us.

The month of January is always filled with activities in the rural areas more than the urban areas. After our camp meeting, many brethren left for home. It took some brethren three weeks to come back. Our ministration then was in the rural areas. Revivals were held in different churches of God. Prayer meetings were conducted in some areas. The results were tremendous.

On the 15th of January, 1997, The deacons and all the ministers assembled at 279 Obohia Road, and held three days fasting and prayers and on the 18th being Saturday, a general meeting was held. It was a nice gathering of the saints. At that meeting we agreed that our problems which needs urgent solution are: 1. Printing and publishing our tracts, Sunday School materials, magazines and whatsoever will help us reach the unreached. 2. Buying of an evangelical van. 3. Completing of our building at 279 Obohia Rd., and taking care of the native houses.

The Bible College is moving in a right direction. We have three of our pastors as teachers and two more ministers in our church. The matriculation service will be held in July, 1997. We need books. So many have wanted to enroll for their degree course. Kindly send the courses both on video and course study papers.

We look forward to this year of Harvest of souls. We have paid rent for two years as the receipt shows, enclosed herein. We are opening so many churches here and there and taking care of the existing ones. We are preparing to go to Togo. Pray for us as we pray for you all.

Goodness and mercy shall follow you all that support the Kingdom of God and His existence and expansion here in Nigeria and Africa.

Pastor Joseph Akpanama and his son visited me on the 19th of January, 1997. They have decided to work with us. He has four local churches and he is from Akwa Ibom State. I will visit them on a future date in April. I appreciate you all. I will like to ask for the increase in the monthly support.

Thanks and God bless you all.

Yours in His Truth,
Pastor J. N. Agharanya

PHILIPPINES

March 3, 1997

Dear Bro. Rexroth & Saints,

Greetings in God's wonderful name to all the family of God in the foreign and home mission at large.

Glad to receive the check for our fare in coming to U. S., the letter of invitation and support. Thank you very much. If God will help us to pass the interview in the U. S. Embassy, then will be sending you another letter. How glad and thankful we are for another privilege to attend the Westerville and God's Acres Camp Meeting.

Presently we are busy processing all the necessary papers before going to Manila this first week of March to file our application for visa in the U. S. Embassy, then inform you the result, the date of our coming and place where you will meet us.

In the other hand, we're so busy too in preparation for our incoming camp meeting to be held here at Bannawag Church of God on April 16 - 20, 1997. Help us pray that this camp meeting will be successful, that the good Lord may visit us in a very special way, bless His chosen evangelist for His glory.

Well the condition of the Lord's work at present is still stable. Other religion who believe the standard of holiness decline from the experience. But thank God the Bible Holiness Church of God is still standing in the Bible Standard. Praise His Dear Name.

In closing, thank you saints for all your prayers and financial support, that help us to be in the winning side. Our earnest prayers to the great God of heaven He will continue to bless you all and give you the rebound 100% to all the blessings you've given to us in the mission field.

Yours For His Cause,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Jr.
Holiness Church of God Inc.
Philippine Mission

GUATEMALA

January 10, 1997

Dear Friend,

The new school term for the children in the Church of God school in Guatemala begins on January 20, 1997. This year we have added the fourth grade and will have a total enrollment of 165 children. In the next two years we hope to add grades five and six. The enrollment this year will include a number of children from other towns where we have church congregations. We will bus these children to the school with the fifteen passenger van that was donated to the mission this past fall by two ladies who reside in Lakeland. It is not a new van, but is in good condition and hopefully has many more miles of service, so that we may continue to bus the children to school. This was a nice miracle the Lord did for His children. I wish you could visit the school and see the joy on the faces of the children. Many of the children arrive an hour early to be with friends and begin a new school day. The parents are equally as eager for their children to learn and be able to improve their lives as they grow into adults. The lord has been so good to help us in making such progress and we give Him all the Glory. "Praise His Name".

The young people had a convention in December and there were new converts as a result of these meetings. Several vacation bible schools were also held in November & December.

Sister Ethel Jackson from Grand Cayman Islands has been at the mission station since October and has been a great help. One of her duties has been, the official chauffeur for the mission.

The last two (2) years we have received free food to help us with the expense of feeding the children at lunch each day. However, we no longer receive this help due to the urgent needs of starving people in the remote mountainous regions of northern Guatemala. It will mean our expenses will be greater due to this and a larger enrollment. Please help us pray that God will supply the need. construction on the school cafeteria has been temporarily discontinued. We hope to resume construction soon.

Some of you gave us a check for the full year last year, and if you wish to do that again, now would be a good time to help us Jump Start the new school year. Others send a check monthly, that helps us along the way. Please pray and ask the Lord what He would have you do at this time.

Our goals for this year are: 1. To work through the church congregations for new converts. 2. Increase our child evangelism in the school and increase academic achievement. 3. Establish congregations in new areas of the regions. 4. Reach out to the needs of the people in the communities, such as helping with their poor housing, hygiene, and their illiteracy. 5. complete construction of the school

Please remember us in Guatemala when you pray.

Yours for a prosperous New Year in the Kingdom,
Brother Collins

YOUTH PASTOR'S WANTED

The Church of God in Pauls Valley is in need of someone who has the calling of the Lord upon their life to minister to youth. For further information contact Pastor Glen Edmondson at 405-238-6169 or write to P. O. Box 435, Pauls Valley, OK 73075.

Qualifications: a Christian, a definite Call of the Lord, able to teach and preach.

Robinwood Church of God, Hagerstown, Maryland is seeking the Lord for a Youth Pastor. If you feel the Lord calling you for this part-time position, please contact Pastor Henry Marquiss at 301-714-0789 or reply to his home address at 20823 Jefferson Blvd., Smithburg, MD 21783. God has blessed us with more than fifty youth ages high school and under, and the church feels a need for a dedicated Youth Pastor to lead these precious souls.

SERVANTHOOD

Every year on the Wednesday before Easter, our church has a feet washing and communion service. It is a very special time and I look forward to it every year. We separate by genders for the feet washing, women in the sanctuary and men downstairs. I always love the lightheartedness among the women as we sing songs during the feet washing. There is always a twitter of voices as the partners talk of little odds and ends and ask if the other's feet are dry enough! It is always fun to watch the little girls as they learn how to be servants, the towel-aprons wrapped around their bodies, falling to the floor. They must be taught well as they are the church of tomorrow. My first year, I was paired with my boyfriend's cousin. I had never been to a feet washing service, so I was a little bit nervous. She gently washed my feet and taught me the ritual of hugging your partner afterwards. I enjoyed it and couldn't wait until the next year.

Last year, I paired myself with a young single mother whom I had led to the Lord. I taught her, just as I had been taught the year before. I felt like a pro! Then, came this year. The boyfriend of my first year is now my husband and I had the pleasure of being paired with my mother-in-law. My mother-in-law and I have always had a special bond. I think that we are exceptionally close and share many common interest. I have admired her from day one, so I was delighted to be able to wash her feet. I did it just as I had been taught. As I looked at the smaller, feminine version of my husband's feet, I was so grateful that he had been raised by a godly woman. I dried her feet and gave her a big hug. I love you's were exchanged and it was now my turn, or rather, her turn. Before I go on, I must tell you that my mother-in-law is a bit larger than I am. Standing tall at 6' and me at my 5'6" (if I am lucky) we make quite a pair. So as she enveloped my tiny feet in her beautiful large hands, I was struck by the awesomeness of the situation. She kept her head down and lovingly poured water over my feet. Then she rubbed them softly over and over. As I watched her, I realized that she was crying. I couldn't figure out why. What was going on in her mind? It made me think of the way the disciples must have felt when Jesus washed their feet. Did they wonder what He was thinking? Of course. Peter specifically told Jesus he wasn't going to let Him was his feet. Jesus then explained that in order to be a good leader, you must be a good servant.

She dried my foot with such care and made sure that it was dry in every spot, even between my toes! Then she started on the other. I couldn't get over the love conveyed in her every movement. This will be a lesson I hope to never forget. I have learned so much from her already, but the act of servanthood done in love is an important one indeed. We have a saying in my family and Wednesday night it really fit. My mother-in-law is truly my mother-in-love! by Leighann Marquiss of Robinwood Church of God, Hagerstown, Maryland

REVIVAL REPORT'S

The Church of God of Cumberland Valley, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania had a Revival with Evangelist Bro. Bob Rauch from Lancaster, Ohio March 3 - 9, 1997.

On Monday he preached on "The Power of God" with text from Matt. 28:16-20 and Eph. 3:13-21. He emphasized that God has given us the power to be a witness in our homes, our communities and in our world.

Tuesday's message was "The Power of God's Word" with text from Heb. 4:12. He reminded us that we can count on God's Word. It will accomplish that which He says.

Wednesday's message was "The Power of Prayer" with text from James 5:13-20. He reminded us that God has promised to hear and answer your prayer and your ability to move God is far greater than you may realize; Prayer is omnipotent.

Thursday's message was on "Imputed Righteousness, Imparted Power" with text from Ro. 4:3, 5-6, 19-25. He told us the Holy spirit working in our lives gives us the power to overcome sin.

On Friday a special message was brought which focused on the youth: "How Can We Know The Will Of God For My Life?" with text from 1 Tim. 4:12. He told us to get all the education we can, have all the fun we can and make all the money we can in the Lord.

Saturday's message was on "The Power Of The Church" with text from Matt. 16:13-19. He emphasized that the church is a powerful force in the world.

Sunday's closing message was "The Power of Vision" with text from Pro. 29:18. He reminded us that we may have no vision, blurred vision, or 20-20 vision and that there is nothing we can't accomplish with Christ.

The revival was good; we had many visitors, souls sought help at the altar. We thank God for His goodness to us. by Pastor S. J. Rexroth

We were privileged to attend one night of Revival at Robinwood Church of God in Hagerstown, Maryland on March 14, 1997. Bro. Tony Bartlette was the evangelist and he preached on "Choices - Decisions You Made" with text from 2 Chro. 33:1-13. He told us that we are a people familiar with regret. God has a plan for you to be released from the prison of regret. The service closed with souls bowing at the altar. Editor

CAMP MEETING REPORT

We were privileged to attend a few days of the Granite Falls Church of God Indoor Camp Meeting from March 24 to 26.

On Monday evening Bro. Bob Rauch preached on "The Power of The Tongue" with text from James 3:1-14. He reminded us that the power of life and death is in the tongue.

Tuesday morning Bro. John Dablemont preached on "The Unbelief We Have And Those We Fail To Reach" with text from Mark 16:14-18. He reminded us that millions have never heard the Gospel - every aborted child is flesh and blood and none had the Gospel preached to them.

Tuesday Evening Bro. S. J. Rexroth preached on "Spiritual Maturity" with text from Heb. 5:1-14. He reminded us that we need to grow spiritually and that there are too many babies in the church that need to grow up.

Wednesday morning, Pastor Earl Wilson preached on "I've Had It" with text from 1 Kings 19:1-8. He reminded us that none of us get too much encouragement.

Wednesday evening Brother Jack White preached on "The Joy of Ministry" with text from Is. 61. He informed us that the assets of ministry far outweigh the liabilities.

The messages were solid, The Holy Spirit anointed, souls were saved and many others sought help at the altar. Editor

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