May 31, 1997

Vol. 4 Issue 11

EDITORIAL

Your help is requested in two areas this month. First the itinerary for Bro. & Sis. Luzan. So far this is their schedule:

June 12-15: Shippensburg, PA
June 16-21: God's Acres Camp Meeting
June 22-23: Mason, OH
June 24-30: Sylacauga, AL
July 1-4: Alta Pass Camp Meeting., NC
July 5-6: ??
July 7-13: Westerville Camp Meeting, OH

From there they are to go to Niles, MI; Bellville, OH; Dover, OH; Lancaster, OH and Pine Flats, PA. If your congregation is not on this list and you want the Luzan's to be scheduled to visit your place, please contact me by June 14 so I can complete their itinerary in such a way as to make the best use of their time and travel.

Also, if you can help us with the expense of their trip, we would appreciate it very much. My congregation advanced them $2,000.00 to help purchase their tickets; the remaining money came from their project account. The total cost for their tickets was nearly $4,000.00. Send offering for this to: The Church of God of Cumberland Valley, 611 Shippensburg Rd., Shippensburg, PA 17257. Thank you very much.

The other area that I need your help on is the annual WMF dues of $15.00 per delegate. Dues are to be paid to the Treasurer at or before the annual meeting which will be July 10 at the Westerville Camp Meeting. Members, please help us by making arrangements right away to take care of your dues. Remember that half of your dues goes for your subscription to WMF Info+. Thank you very much!

Your Servant,
S. J. Rexroth

WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)

PRAISE THE LORD! $1,000.00 was received this month toward the shipment of printing equipment to Nigeria. We now have $3,409.70 towards the $5,795.00 needed to send the equipment. We still need $2,385.30. We thank those that helped us this month and continue to pray that others will help us with this project. 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

April 15, 1997
Received May 14, 1997

Dear Brethren,

We are thankful to God for you all mentioning you in our prayers daily. We do appreciate you all. God bless you all. Be encouraged to continue your good work; uplifted in your spirit and mind in Jesus Christ's name. Amen!

The crusade at Amaukwu/23 Umuegwere Road ended with a combined service held on March 23. Two sisters and a man, two boys, two girls and many children came to the altar and we were very glad. Their pastor is trying hard. The pictures enclosed herein depict so.

I will go to Ikoro Ekpe in Akwa Ibom State to attend six days convention crusade. I will, by God's grace preach from the 22nd to the 27th of April. This is at the invitation of Pastor Joseph Akpanama.

Pastor Gershion Amaechi has come into the Pastoral service of the church.

We are now in the farming season. We are short of funds to help out in the farming. We have not canned any thing due to the fact that crop yield last year was poor. We have fertilizer early and planting has commenced in earnest but money to buy the fertilizer is our problem.

Pray for us as we pray for you. Pastor Israel Adindu went to the hospital and was operated on. He had a hernia. He is recovering. We thank God for his loving kindness.

The school closed for their second semester. They will resume May 5.

Thank you all.

Yours in His Service,
J. N. Agharanya, Pastor

Those who are added to the church at Umuegwere Rd, Amaukwu.

Section of the congregation.

PHILIPPINES

April, 1997 (received May 10)

Dear Bro. Rexroth & Info Reading Saints,

Warm greetings this Summer in God's Holy name.

As expressed in our Camp meeting caption that says, "We are Builders for God's Kingdom," we unceasingly thank you brethren for your unforsaking, continuos support and dedication in helping us further build up the Kingdom of God here in the Philippines.

We're again through with our 5 day national Camp Meeting held here in Banawag this Summer 1997. God really aided us through it to end up with good outcome. There were about 23 congregations represented by delegations who attended led by 58 active ministerial workers mostly married from the five zones of our country church division. To counterpart the host church covered the food expenses throughout the meeting, the attending saints registered each contributory amount of p100.00 for adult and p50.00 for used speakers and children, plus the inkinds given and each donations of the other local churches & the more privileged members that unably attend the occasion. As noted by the host, the whole feast spent p20,000.00 cash for the meals & snacks aside from the inkinds contributed like rice, vegetables, etc..

We started the gathering with a combined Welcome Service and GBS (God's Bible School) Graduation Rites. The Pastoral School ably produced this school year with seven (7) graduates: 6 of the Ministerial Course and 1 of the Christian Worker Course. They are all now among the old working force of the ministry on the 28 different areas of our church fielded districts.

For the spiritual feeding of campers, the host utilized eleven (11) ministers who preached in our three times a day worship service: MORNING, AFTERNOON & EVENING as well as ten (10) other workers for the teaching assignments. The daily Bible Lecture was made prior to every morning service. For the Youth activities, the attending national and district young people officers also utilized the vacant times in between services especially in the afternoon before supper.

With God covering, the Camp Meeting has been victorious from the holy singing, on fire preaching, Biblically founded teachings and other reawakening activities. The altar has never been empty with souls praying at every closing appeal of every message delivered. As mostly of the attendees were the active representatives of every local churches, there were only few new attendees to the gathering. In the last day of the meeting, we observed two of the church of God ordinances: the Lord's Supper and Water Baptism. Eight souls were baptized after lunch break of Sunday at the nearby river of barangay Aringay.

One good thing reported in the feast was the increase of the church national giving from past church year's 1996 reported p603,783.62 or $24,151.34 to the current church year's 1997 reported income of p653,062.48 or $26,133.49. The increase is p49,278.86 or $1,971.16. Because of this unaffected giving vision of God's people, the church & ministry were able to survive and went well through its mission the past year of toil. The Lord be praised for this!

A day past after the Camp Meeting, a simplified seminar in ministerial job was conducted for the 8 precious brethren that attended same time the Camp Meeting. Majority of them came from Luzon district. The subject areas touched were: Homiletics, Theology, Revelation, Ministerial Ethics and Church Administration. At least these rigidly lectured delegates could be an asset to assist in the work of the home churches they'll return to. After the Camp Meeting also, two GBS graduates were solemnized into marriage: Bro. Dominador Tayocnog Jr., & Sis. Rezanie Luzan. They are now the destined couple to pastor Guintales congregation in Lebak area (Zone IV). To close, we covet from you brethren your effective prayers & support to the Philippine work. We also pray to meet you this June. We're scheduled to leave Manila for the United States June 11, 1997.

In Philippine Labor,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Jr.

GRADUATED

Beth S. Rexroth, daughter of Stanley & Martha Rexroth graduated from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia on May 3, 1997. Beth earned a degree in Music. Pray for her as she seeks God's direction for her life. Her intended marriage, to have been May 31, has been canceled.

ORDAINED

Brother Timothy Bash, Pastor of Pine Flats Church of God, Pine Flats, Pennsylvania was ordained in a special ceremony held May 10, 1997. The master of ceremonies was Pastor Charles Beltz. Retired Pastor Wilber O. Campbell Officiated. Pray for Pastor Bash and his family as they continue to labor for the Lord in Pine Flats.

REVIVAL REPORT

We were privileged to attend one night of Revival at Robinwood Church of God in Hagerstown, Maryland on May 16, 1997. Bro. Bobby Coulter was the evangelist. He preached on "Our God is Our Refuge" with text from Psalm 46:1-3. He reminded us of where God fits into our lives. Editor

FELLOWSHIP MEETING REPORT

We thank God for the opportunity to attend the Joy Acres Fellowship Meeting in Lancaster, Ohio from May 23 through May 25.

The first message Friday evening was preached by Bro. Tony Bartlette on "Focused On The Purpose of Your Life - Your Life Mission" with text from John 17:4 & Acts 20:24. He emphasized to each one to complete the work that God gives you to do.

Saturday morning's message was preached by Bro. Earl Wilson on "Will Thou Not Revive Us Again" with text from Psalm 85:1-6. He reminded us that we are on the defense so much that we fail to rejoice in God and "How we treat one another is how we view God".

Saturday evening's message was preached by Bro. Jack White on "Fellowship" with text from Gen. 3:1-8 & Phil. 1:1-18. He told us the "sin severs and destroys fellowship between the sinner and God and between the sinner and the Christian".

Sunday morning's message was preached by Bro. Stanley J. Rexroth on "The Sacrifice Made For Your Freedom From Sin" with text from Isaiah 53:1-12. He reminded us that God's word teaches us that we do not have to commit sin for Jesus died to set us free from sin.

The messages were challenging and the fellowship sweet. Editor

FIRE

On the afternoon of May 29, a fire broke out in the Church & home of Pastor Lee Green and his family at Jones Avenue, Morgantown, West Virginia. The fire, smoke and water destroyed nearly everything. They are presently processing the insurance claims and living and worshipping in temporary quarters provided by a local Realtor. Bro. Green reports that lots of help has been offered by the local community and right now they have many decision to face as to what to do and how to do it. The family is all safe; none were harmed in the fire. Pray for them as they work through this time of trial. Editor

DEDICATION

Waynesboro Church of God, 2026 Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro, Virginia was the scene of a building dedication and Fellowship meeting May 31, 1997. Following is a brief history of the church:

On March 21, 1941, Bro. and Sis. John R. Crouch moved their family to Waynesboro, Virginia to Pastor the Church of God Congregation at Winchester and Fourth Streets. For seventeen years Bro. Crouch cared for his congregation, as a Shepherd would care for his sheep, always with love and gentleness, but always faithful to the calling God had bestowed on him. He had a burden to see souls saved and worked valiantly in the Church of God. In April of 1958 Bro. Crouch passed from this life to his heavenly home. Since that time, there have been many changes. For a number of years some of the people from Waynesboro, worshipped with the Lakeroad Church of God in Charlottesville, where there is still a congregation of faithful saints. But God had other plans for us. He gave a burden to Sis. Crouch and the folks from Waynesboro to come back and start a work in their home town area.

On October 16, 1988, the first service was held in a rented building on Main Street. This proved not to be as "temporary" as we anticipated. For eight years we had services there, and felt the presence of God as He blessed us and answered many prayers during that time.

Bro. Tom Littek, who was saved shortly after we started having services in Waynesboro, gave us the first offering designated for a "building fund". Bro. Littek did not live to see the purchase of the building, but we have fond memories of a Christian Brother who had a vision for the work here. We looked at buildings, prayed and hoped for something that we could feel was right for us and have God's approval in our choice. In January of this year, after much prayer and God working for us, we became the new owners and occupants of the church property at 2026 Lyndhurst Road. Since this purchase, some of our people remembered that in the summer of 1948, Bro. Crouch had a tent meeting in this community, and the tent was located on the grounds, which today displays the sign "Waynesboro Church of God".

We thank God for each one in our Congregation, who have all worked so faithfully in all aspects of the work here.

We want this to be a place where the Saved can worship God and have sweet fellowship together, and where the Unsaved can come to hear the Good Tidings of the Gospel and find answers to their Spiritual needs.

We welcome all who have come to spend this day with us and May God Bless Each One Of You.

Pastor: Sister Lillian Crouch

The morning message was preached by Bro. Tony Bartlette on "Choosing Your Standard" with text from Judges 17:6. He said "Your beliefs determine your behavior .. we no longer value the truth in America, we value convenience".

The afternoon message was preached by Bro. Stanley J. Rexroth on "This Is The House of God" with text from Gen. 28:10-22. He reminded us that Jacob had a vision, made a commitment to that vision, and was faithful to that commitment. In so doing Bethel was established as the place where his descendants went to hear from God for the next one-thousand years.

Sis. Crouch & Congregation invite you to worship with them. Their services are:

Sunday School 10:11 A.M.
Sunday Worship 10:45 A. M.
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 P.M.

Editor

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