April 30, 2000

Vol. 7 Issue 10

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EDITORIAL

Psalm 41:1 “Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”

In 1989 a group of Church of God Ministers met in Arcadia, Ohio with the purpose of forming an organization that would structure our mission endeavors in a manner that would be more effective, more efficient and accountable. From that beginning emerged (WMF) World Missionary Fellowship, USA.

WMF continues to grow and at present consists of 28 delegates representing twelve congregations or organizations. Annual membership dues of $15.00 per delegate goes for general expenses and subscription to the Info+. No one person or congregation controls WMF. The delegates make all the decisions according to the established by-laws.

To those of you that are not members of WMF, let me encourage you to become members. If you would like a copy of the by-laws, please contact me. I am also available to visit with you or your congregation to discuss WMF or any of the missions that we support.

We have no paid staff; all of our work is done on a volunteer basis. All money sent to WMF goes to the missions. The accounts are audited on an annual basis and are available for inspection by contacting the treasurer.

Let us work together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Editor.

WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)

The annual meeting will be held on July 13, 2:00 PM at the Westerville Camp Meeting. All interested in the missions are encouraged to attend.

Continue to send offerings identified for specific missions to the Treasurer:
                World Missionary Fellowship
                C/O Bro. Steve Yoder
                P. O. Box 418
                Sugarcreek, OH 44681

PRESSING NEEDS

1. $450.00 For Brother John Agharanya’s medical care debt.

2. $4,000.00 to $15,000.00 to purchase a van for Nigeria. They have no vehicles and must rely on public transportation for all of their travel. $500.00 received toward this need.

3. $5,600.00 for diesel generator for Nigeria as electric power is rarely available for their printing business. $100.00 has been received toward this need. Thank you!

An additional $2,994.84 has been received toward Nigeria projects. Thank you very much!

NIGERIA

January/February Report

March 22, 2000

Dear Brethren,

Psalm 66:1-4 “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honour of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of your name – power your enemies shall submit themselves to you. All the earth shall worship you and sing praises to you; they shall sing praises to your name.”

We thank God for all the things He has been doing in our midst. We thank Him for life and salvation. We thank Him for really the devil is a liar. We thank Him for health, which is more than Gold. We thank Him for the brethren that contributed to the spiritual well being of the Church of God here in Nigeria. We thank Him for the restoration of His love and peace. May His name be worshipped now and forevermore in Jesus Christ most precious name.

After the first Sunday in January, I moved round and worshipped in Umuahia, 22 Umuegwere Road, Umunkama, Abalankamiri and Akpah. God is working in all these churches. Things are working out normally. We had series of meetings to map out our programs for the year.

As regards to my health, surely I have visited so many hospitals and laboratories and became confused. I decided not to visit anymore. All of them say different things. I depend solely on God for healing. I am all right. I am now carrying out my work. Nothing is wrong with my life. It is Satan’s ploy to destroy my life.

Thank God that the press is working now. Glory be to God. By the next report, I will tell you how much we realized in March. God is doing mighty things for us. It will cost $500.00 to install the Diesel engine that I bought for the press inside the town.

Psalm 68:19-20 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits. The God of our salvation! Selah. Our God is the God of Salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.”

We are preparing to hold our Spring Camp Meeting as from the 19th to 23rd April 2000. God answers our prayers and satisfies us with benefits.

Do not be weary in well doing. The landlord of the Nsukka branch has sold that place. The brethren are squatting somewhere now. You can come to their help.

Priority needs are as follows:
        Evangelical Bus: $4,000 - $15,000
        Nsukka land & Building: $4,000
        Omoba ………………….$1,000
        Akpah ………………….. $700
        Umunkama …………….. $700
        Umoko ………………... $1,000

Whomsoever God leads to help can send money through World Missionary Fellowship. We are undaunted and marching on. Continue your good works to humanity for the reward is imminent. God must surely bless you. Act now to save the situation.

God is good with us. He supplies all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. Continue to support us. It is an individual affair or ministry. It is the church of the believers. If you fail to support us, we would be static and only the mercy of God will see us through.

God bless you all for your sponsorship. We are praying for you all. Pray for us as well. Thanks!

March Report

Dear Brethren,

Greetings in Jesus Christ most precious name. I received your courier mail. God bless you all in Jesus Christ name.

This is farming season. We have tested the tractor. It is nice and serviceable. It tilled and made it possible for us to sow corn and other grains. Stumps hinder easy usage of the tractor. It requires labor to remove them but there is no money to hire laborers.

Thank God for the printing press. The Offset Machine started operation in the middle of March. We realized N15,500:Ook. We spent N12, 500:Ook on expenses. The balance is 3000 Niara. The burnt platemaker has been restored. It cost me huge sums of money to put it back into operation. The camera is the next one before the month runs out. I will by God’s grace put it back into operation. I have finally installed the fairly used generator for the machines in the town. It is being tested today the 5th of April. We are looking forward to a better improvement in the months ahead. Pray for our success.

We are preparing for our camp meeting, which will start as from the 20th to the 23rd of April 2000. We are looking unto God the author and finisher of our faith.

We are also preparing for the coming of Brother Stanley J. Rexroth and other brethren. Our decked building of worship is dropping water seriously. To be frank it needs $3,000.00 to roof and zinc. It is 108 feet long and 52 feet wide. We pray that God will touch you now to come to our help now.

Late News: Because of not having money to build on Omoba land, somebody went and farmed on it. The brethren are crying. Can you remember us at this time and come to our aid.

Special Request

None of my relations live in America. I humbly beg you all in the name of Jesus Christ to help me break that taboo by helping any of my children to come to America. It will help me train my children. Thank you for considering my request.

Yours in His Will
J. N. Agharanya

Editor’s Note: Brother and Sister Cash and I are making preparations to visit Nigeria in August of this year. Our plan is to spend one month visiting the churches, holding meetings and working with the people. Pray that our needs will be supplied and that our trip will be a blessing to the church.

PHILIPPINES

April 3, 2000

Dear Bro. Rexroth,

Greetings in the Mighty name of Jesus the lover of our souls, the one we can depend on and be trusteth. We praise and thank God so much for His love and support through you all dear saints abroad that his work shouldered upon us is going on victoriously despite of so many burdens and heartaches cause by the man made religions and those false brethren who are trying to destroy the beauty of unity and fellowship. By His grace we are still in the winning side doing our responsibility in the Fathers task and enjoying the joy of salvation day by day.

It is again our privilege to share you how the work is going on before this month ends. For the information of the WMF churches of God in U. S. and individual congregations and all our brethren who are missionary minded, glad to report that there were victorious revivals, youth and adult fellowship here in Mindanao and in Luzon district.

By His grace and help we were able to start a new church building in Marcelina church of God in which the Pastor, Bro. Zalde Layma and the congregation have prayed so long. They were very glad and the Pastor said they are praying much that God will bless you all dear saints abroad who have contributed for their chapel.

Truly we cannot find a word enough how much we thank God and those concern brethren that our cease offering was already solve. There’s even an excess that we are using now for building projects. We are praying earnestly to God the one who feed the sparrow and source of every need to continue blessing His dear people abroad who are at our back more abundant blessings for we know if they are blessed they cannot forget us in the mission field.

Yours in God’s Labor,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan, Sr.

GUATEMALA

March 27, 2000

Dear Mission Friends,

Greetings to all in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice today in His great love and faithfulness. What a privilege to serve the King of Kings. What great satisfaction and joy we have found in Jesus. I am reminded of the words of Paul to the church, “For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor 6:20) As true believers we belong to God and all our living must reflect His redeeming grace. We no longer can live for our glory, but for His. May God encourage all our hearts to move forward in faith, honoring our heavenly Father.

When Linda and I came home in February we were unable to bring all our personal belongings. We felt it necessary to return and close our work there and also to bring back the personal property that would be useful here. The trip went very well. It was so good to see the brethren and to view the work again. Being involved directly in mission work is very exciting and we thank God for having allowed us a few months in Guatemala. We will continue to assist in that work in whatever way possible. While we were in Guatemala there were some deep and meaningful relationships established. It is a sad thing to have to tell the brethren good-by. Also, my dear little friend, Juan Carlos, became so near to my heart. I will miss the saints there and look forward, God willing, to a visit in the fall of this year.

On February 27 we resigned the pastorate in West Bend. I had been with the congregation for over 29 years and felt it best to step aside, that both they and we might move on in the work of God. We are currently meeting with a small group, located some 20 miles from West Bend. We are praying for God’s leading and direction for the future. Please join with us in this burden.

My main purpose for writing was to once again express to you our sincere appreciation for your love, prayers, and support while we were in Guatemala. We want you to know that what you have done helped to make a difference. I’m certain that the brethren were blessed and strengthened during our visit. We would not have been able to go and work without your help. I pray that God will reward you for your giving to His cause.

I trust that God will allow us to meet in camp meetings, revivals, etc. in the near future. We all need to be praying that God will help us to have a real revival across the land. The needs are so great.

Thanks again for all you’ve done. God bless and keep you until we meet again.

Grateful,
Harold & Linda Kelly

April 3, 2000

Dear Brethren,

We write to you today giving thanks to our merciful savior who has enabled us to be workers together in His great cause and kingdom. The purpose for this letter is to inform you of the progress and needs of the mission work in Guatemala.

First, the Lord has blessed the efforts of the ministry here through the prayers, encouragement, and support of the church in the States. The church here is growing in numbers as well as in spiritual matters. New congregations and new pastors are joining with us to fight the good fight of faith. We rejoice in the additional opportunities of fellowship and labor. As with all increases, there comes the need of greater resources to satisfy the growing pains and to keep the foundations shored up. Just as sure as God has instructed to build, we believe He also will provide the completion of each needed project.

We are appealing to you, Brethren, to prayerfully consider putting this mission in your annual budget if possible. There are urgent needs for additional funds to complete three church buildings and the pastor’s living quarters. Also, we have been presented with the possibility of operating a small radio station, which would reach folks nearby with the gospel. The radio station will be located at the church property in Guazacapan and would only cost a thousand dollars to get gospel programs on the air.

The day to day expenses of revival campaigns, transportation costs and many miscellaneous expenses dig deep into the monthly offerings leaving little for expansion. If the Lord directs you to make this mission a personal concern, we would be so grateful for your help.

Our main focus is the spreading of the gospel; but we have found it necessary to help people with food, clothing and medical assistance in this suffering country. We recently visited a squatter’s area that had thousands of people living in tin sheds that were not as good as some people’s doghouses here in America. The dust was so terrible and little children have to live in these conditions. We feel we must try to do more to help these people, please pray for them. We want to be all that we can be for our fellow man. We need your help.

Sincerely,
John Collins

REVELATION CHART WANTED

Brother Mike Spicer is trying to locate a Revelation Chart. If anyone has one or knows where he can purchase one please get in touch with him. 3536 Terra Firma Dr., Lenoir, NC 28645; Phone: 828-758-2340; Email: alevms@conninc.com

CAMP MEETING REPORT

We were privileged to spend a few day at the Rock Chapel Church of God Camp Meeting in Granite Falls, North Carolina April 17 – 20. God blessed and His presence was felt throughout the meeting.

Monday evening’s message was brought by Brother Bob Rauch on “Greens” with text from 1 Cor 12:4, 1:11-13, 3:3-9. Brother Rauch asked, “which green is the right green? The true green? The official green? The green that our God honors? He reminded us that all were created by God. “Unity can only be achieved through diversity. Sameness is not unity.” To follow personality is human, Christ is not divided. We should never divide from anyone that is in Christ.

Bro. John Petty brought the message on Tuesday morning on “The Extravagance of Love” with text from Mark 14:1-9. He told us that the cost of anointing Jesus was equal to a year’s wages. It was extravagant. Holiness has much to do with extravagance of love for our savior. “Extravagance of love will ever be exasperated by logic. What does it cost to go to your church? Christ requires that we lay aside the cares of this world.” We say, it’s too expensive, it’s inappropriate; Jesus says: what great love!

Bro. Tom Hannold brought the Tuesday evening message on “Forgiveness - The Walls we build” with text from Joshua 6:1-6, 12-16, and 20. He told us “we build walls to protect us from being hurt.” Over time the walls we build set our attitudes. Jesus gave his life to reconcile sinners to God. Our purpose in living for Christ is to reconcile man, not to divide. Over time the walls we build become hardened, the longer we wait the more difficult it is to bring them down.

Bro. Stanley Rexroth brought the Wednesday morning message on “Fishing for Men” with text from Matt 4:18-20. He interviewed Bro. Don Mowery, a fisherman for more that 50 years. They told us that a fisherman makes a plan, prepares for fishing. Fishing takes priority and passion. The cost is no object. Different equipment and different techniques are required for different fish. The fish must be cared for after they are caught. A fisherman is always fishing. Fishing is competitive. A fisherman does not give up easily. All these points were related to fishing for men.

Bro. Brian Free gave a concert Wednesday evening with a message and appeal to know Jesus Christ as your savior.

Bro. Scott Arnold brought Thursday morning’s message on “What The Resurrection Does For Us” with text from John 21:1-19. He told us that each of us acts differently to events. The resurrection provides us someone to correct us. “Good things will happen to us if we do the right things.” The resurrection gives us a covering. The question has never been does God love you, but rather do you love God? The resurrection gives authority to commission.

Bro. Robbie Spencer brought Thursday evening’s message on “The Relevance of The Gospel” with text from Eccl 11:9-12:1. He told us if the gospel is not relevant to you, you will not act upon it. “You need to see its’ connection to you.” Young people’s lives are so filled up with things that they believe to do more relevant than the gospel. If these things are really more relevant, then why are so many turning to suicide? Why are they so bored? It is because there is nothing more relevant that the Gospel. Too many live without a vision. They lack wisdom to consider the end of life. Editor.

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