September 30, 2000
Vol. 8 Issue 3
Adobe PDF Version
EDITORIAL
Phil 1:3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. 4. Always in every prayer of mine for you all …”
Thank you so much for praying for us as we spent our time on the mission field in Nigeria. The hand of God was evident throughout the trip as He ordered events and directed our minds and hearts in every visit and every message. Our hearts rejoiced at the working of God in our midst.
We thank all our helpers that filled in for us while we were gone. It is good to come home and find that things were cared for in our absence.
We trust the report of our trip will be informative and a blessing to you as you read the conclusion in this issue. Editor
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
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
NIGERIA REPORT IV
Friday August 25 continued: After sending emails today we went by the computer repair shop and purchased a new keyboard for the computer and it now works perfectly. The keyboard cost us $15.00. We began the pastor’s seminar at 1 PM with a session on “Instructions to the Pastors using I Tim. 1:1-4. We discussed that we should not waste our time with debates and arguments that do not edify. We agreed that to edify meant to build up, to help you serve God, to encourage, to strengthen, to motivate and to inspire. There was much good discussion about how to determine what is “Sound Doctrine”. I taught them that before they will debate a doctrine, they will first of all: 1. Make a thorough study of the scripture. 2. Thoroughly research the doctrine using all resources available to them such as books, tapes, sermons, pamphlets, Internet, counsel with others and look at both sides of the question.
At 3 PM Sister Cash presented the next session on the Pastor’s relationship with his wife. She instructed them that God must be at the center of their marriage and that they could not neglect their wife for the church. There was much discussion and all agreed that this teaching was much needed.
At 5:30 PM Brother Cash presented the 3rd session on “Purity In The Ministry” using I Tim 5:22. He used an illustration of how a pastor can become complacent and drift to rebellion and into sin. Then he continued to the process of restoration. There was much discussion.
We discussed and then established the times for the rest of the seminar.
Saturday August 26: At 9 AM I began the 1st session with questions from the day before. There were many questions and much discussion on the procedure to use in searching out the truth about any doctrine. There are many doctrines that they wish to debate. I suggested to them that with much prayer seeking God’s direction, they set their seminars from year to year and use casting of lots to determine which doctrine will be the agenda for the next year. That way they can be fully prepared to debate it when the time comes for the seminar.
At 10:45 Am: Sister Cash presented the next session on “Submission” using Eph 5:21 & I Peter 3. There was much discussion and many questions concerning the culture and the scripture.
At 1:30 PM Brother Cash presented the next session on “Purity in the Ministry” continuing with questions from yesterday. After much discussion and many questions that subject was laid to rest and he went on to “The Love of Money”.
Sunday August 27, 2000: I held a seminar session at 8:30 AM while Sunday School was conducted in another building. I gave a presentation on “Accountability” since Brother Cash told me he had nothing more on The love of money. I reminded them that the two greatest temptations to the minister is purity and the love of money. And that as a result they need to take precautions in both areas to be accountable to God and to their congregations. We discussed the procedures for accounting for the offerings, keeping of records, receipts etc. At 9:30 AM the morning worship service began. Brother Samuel preached on “Put On The Light For Many Are Coming” with text from Matt 5:14-16. His four points were: The light, the importance of the light, the light in you and when the light goes off. It was a very sound message. After this service many of the pastors returned home, especially those from the Universal Church of God that had come (8 pastors).
At 2 PM Brother Cash held a session on “Restoration”, Restoring a pastor that has fallen. Examples he used were Adam, Moses, Eli, Saul and David. There was much interest and discussion. The session lasted until 4 which was the close of the workers seminar. At the end of the session I gave them a hypothetical question, “if we have $10,000 to either use to come and visit you or to send to you, which shall we do?” , after some thought one pastor stood and said “Money is not everything, you will come”, and immediately they all joined in agreement rejoicing in the thought that we would come again to visit them. They are so excited and want to discuss everything with us that we have to be careful for some subjects cannot be properly addressed in such a short time and that is a snare that Satan has used to divide God’s people. Many of their questions I put on hold as we did not have sufficient time to discuss them properly. To delve into something that we cannot finish is to start to build and then not be able to finish. The end result is often destructive and discouraging. Wisdom will teach us some things if we will listen.
Monday August 28, 2000: We checked email, there was none. We then went to Brother John’s home village for a short visit. He wants to establish a church here but has not been able to over the years. They own plenty of land in this place. We then returned home by way of Nigerian airlines where we got information on flying out of Port Harcourt on Sunday for Lagos. Returned home by 3:30 PM and Brother & Sister Cash went back to town to the market.
Tuesday August 29, 2000: Went to town to check email, none received, I sent one home. It took all morning for the group to prepare for my canning seminar. I typed up a sheet of instructions for canning and printed out 9 copies, one for each couple or single. There were ten students, pastors with their wives and single ones that took part in the canning. We bought 10 kilos of green beans, which made 20 quarts and also canned 5 quarts of tomatoes. They have some okra that someone is to can today. The pastors with families are really excited about how this process can save them much money as they will be able to can their foods when they are in season. Their dry season here is like our winter when food becomes scarce and expensive. We had shipped them in 1998 160 dozen jars, 200 dozen lids a canner and some tools for canning.
Wednesday August 30, 2000: We are preparing to go to Enugu today for Brother John to cash his monthly offering check and convert it into Nigerian money. We were ready to depart at 8:30 AM and we were told that Brother John was not going along. I insisted that he go for he had told the money man that he would return today and there was no reason for him to just send his children and ministers. If that is to be his procedure, then he needs to go and establish it with the moneychangers. So he went with us. It took 3 ½ hours to get there, one hour to do our business and 3 & ½ hours to return. On the way home we checked our email, I had 2, one from Mom and one from Joyce. We were home by 5:15 PM. I discussed a few things with Brother John and reviewed the camp meeting schedule as to who was preaching which services.
Thursday August 31, 2000: We have many things to discuss with Brother John today and we need to go to the bank to help him set up a checking account. This is mostly a cash society and checking accounts are not used by the masses, only the businessmen and affluent. We held a long discussion with Brother John about our observations and gave him the best advice that we could on how to proceed with the work of The Bible Truth Church of God. After our discussion we went to the bank where Brother John established an account. We checked email and there was only one junk message, which gave us opportunity to explain the junk emails to Brother John. We then went by the place that has the large power generators for sale. I took a picture of one, “nearly new” they say, I think that means rebuilt that has a 31 day guarantee. The owner priced it to me at $7,500.00 and after some time agreed to take $6,000.00. This is the 100 KV capacity unit that we have been saving up for that Brother John had told us would cost $5,600.00. Now they know that American money is here and so the price has increased. That is the way things work in Nigeria. We then returned home, I ate supper and rested, the Cash’s went back to town to shop.
Friday September 1, 2000: The mini camp meeting is to start with service today at 5:30 PM, some will be coming in from far distant places through the day. We will have three services tomorrow. I am to preach tonight, and tomorrow morning. Sister Cash is to preach or teach tomorrow afternoon and Brother Cash tomorrow night. Our plan is to leave here Sunday morning to catch our flight to Lagos. Several went into town today, Brother John sent his daughter, Febe, to make a bank deposit but they would not let her do it. They said that before Brother John’s account would be complete he would have to get two references from current customers of that bank. When they returned from town Brother John went to the bank but it was closed for the day when he got there. We had not been told of such a requirement the day before when we helped Brother John set up the account. I suggested that he demand his deposit back $100.00 which we had made on Thursday and go to his old bank and set up a new account there. He is to go back tomorrow after 11:00 AM. The first service of the camp began at 5:30 PM with 13 children and 3 adults present. It is their habit to drag into the services late. We are constantly scolding them about such a bad habit. I preached on “Is Your Name Written In Heaven?” using text from Luke 10:17-20. I conducted a short alter call and no one responded. Their habit is to drag out the altar call, which seems to finally convince some to come forward just to get the service to end. After service I was handed a long list of expenses and things needed for the vehicles. I intend to address these at tomorrow’s business meeting which is to be held at 3:30 PM.
Saturday September 2, 2000: The first service today is to begin at 9:00 AM and I am to preach. I preached on “Forgiveness” with text from Mark 11:25-26. Their hearts were touched and several came forward for prayer.
At 1:00 PM Sister Cash brought a lesson on “Amend Your Ways” from Jer. Chapters 1 & 2.
At 2:00 PM the monthly Pastor’s meeting was held. The pastors presented their books and offerings for the month of August. Bro. John explained that their monthly offering from WMF could not be distributed today because the bank would not release the money until Monday (this is a different bank than the one he had been using – it was suggested to him by the new moneychanger).
I discussed the use of the support money with them and they decided to make some changes. They elected two Pastors to sign the checks, a treasurer and an assistant to keep the financial records in order for the national church. Each congregation has their own treasurer. I requested that they decide on their priority projects one at a time; I will keep the next one listed in the Info so everyone will know what they are planning to do next. They have so many needs that to list them all would be overwhelming. They decided that their next project would be to finish the mother church building at 279 Obohia Road which will cost between six and thirteen thousand dollars.
I authorized Bro. John to write an additional check from WMF (vehicle fund) to complete the needs for the vehicles and settle all current debts from our travels, vehicle repairs, printing materials, etc. At 5:30 PM Bro. Cash preached on “Heaven’s Fame & Hell’s Flame” from Luke 16:19-31.
Sunday September 3 2000: We departed for Port Harcourt Airport at 7:50 AM. We went to the airport, purchased our tickets and then went to visit a congregation, which has newly been started by Pastor Sunday. He purchased a lot and has begun erecting a building; they have a temporary canvas shelter to hold their services under. Pastor Sunday had known Bro. John for 10 years or so and had come to see him while we were in Aba. He did not know about our coming to Nigeria but since we were there he requested us to visit his place. After taking some pictures and having prayer we went back to the airport to catch our flight to Lagos.
The tickets to Lagos cost us $60.00 each and an additional $5.00 each for excess baggage (they only allow a maximum of 40 pounds regular baggage). Our flight departed at 1:50. When we got off the plane in Lagos, an Army Sergeant was standing by the terminal with a sign “Cynthia Cash”. He escorted us through the airport, got our bags and drove us to Laurie’s home. We are back in some civilization as she has air conditioning, hot & cold water under pressure, satellite TV with CNN and coffee. We much enjoyed our rest here for two days.
Monday September 4 2000: This is Sis. Cash’s birthday. Two Kwagi daughters, Ferina & Jana are going to boarding school in Togo and they left today. Larai’s son Dauda went with the driver to take them to Togo. He will return as he attends college here in Lagos. Sis. Cash went with Larai to the beauty shop, Bro. Cash & I spent the day watching the news and the USA basketball team play a game.
Tuesday September 5 2000: A rest day and repacked for our departure to Amsterdam.
Wednesday September 6 2000: Rested most of the day and departed for the airport at 6 PM. We were supposed to go at 4 but Larai was not home yet and then we waited on the driver to go home and change into his uniform. We got checked in by 8 PM and our plane left at 10:20 for Amsterdam.
Thursday September 7 2000: We landed at Amsterdam at 6:15 AM. I was too uncomfortable on the plane with my aching leg to sleep any. We went to our hotel, 15 minute shuttle ride from the airport, stored our luggage in some lockers and went back to the airport. We decided to take a 3-½ hour tour of Amsterdam, which included a cheese factory, a clog factory, the red light district, a diamond factory and a canal cruise. It was a beautiful day, in the 60s, and we had a good time. We bought some souvenirs and I got my hair cut. We returned to the hotel around 4:30 PM, took our baths and ate a good supper in the hotel restaurant. I was ready for a good night’s sleep and it was great to be clean and cool. This was my first night of good rest since leaving home.
Friday September 8 2000: Breakfast was part of the hotel charge and I ate at 7 AM. It was a good buffet style meal. We left for the airport at 8:30, got checked in and waited for our departure at 10:10. We departed about 10 min late and arrived in Dulles airport 8 hours later at 2:30 PM EDT. We checked our baggage through customs and said our good byes and headed for home while Sis. Cash cried. We arrived home around 6 PM after stopping for supper along the way.
Now the work begins of putting together a power point presentation with some of the 179 pictures that I took, writing a report for WMF and sending emails to Bro. John and the pastors concerning their progress. All the pictures are posted on the web site at www.churchofgodcv.org under the Pictures link. By Bro. Stanley J. Rexroth
Nigeria's Mitsubishi Van
Nigeria's Land Rover
Pastors' Seminar
PHILIPPINES
August 8, 2000
Dear Bro. Rexroth & Saints,
Holy greetings in the glorious Name of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to all our loving supporters abroad. Hope this August letter finds you all well both physical and spiritual enjoying the joy of salvation being a part of the divine family.
Surely we thank God for our answered prayers a good result of your ministers meeting at Licking County Church of God for giving us a building fund. We’re very glad saints of God because we can pursue the church building in Amaronan that was started last 1998. Last month the storm destroyed their temporary bamboo chapel where they are worshipping the Lord. Maybe this is not enough to finish the building but it will finish the important part so that they can use the building already in their worship.
We’re praying much for more building funds to pursue our church building projects that was already started like in Cadiz and Bullongan Church of God. Even here in Ma-a, Davao City.
Concerning our coming to state, we plan to bring Rolando and Diowesley, if the Lord provide the needs, and they can pass the requirements in the U. S. Embassy, so help us pray that God will help and intervene that this plan will be materialize if it is His will.
In the next place I talk to Brother Tom Wilson in the Phone and he told me Lord willing they plan to come on October. We’re praying much that God will give us a peaceful time here in Mindanao so that they can visit all the Zones of both districts, Mindanao and Luzon.
Closing with our much gratitude to all our loving supporters for the Lord’s work in the Far East Mission. May God’s abundant blessings by upon you all is our prayers.
September 11, 2000
Dear Bro. Rexroth and Saints,
Greetings to you all in the most blessed name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and the one we can depended on in times of needs and troubles.
Once again we are coming to express our much gratitude to the great God of heaven and to you all our dear supporters who are sending your offerings to the WMF Treasurer brother Steve Yoder and others.
Thank you saints for the offerings that we sent to Amaronan Church of God for them to pursue the concrete chapel we have started for a long time. Though it’s not enough to complete, but they can already use for worshipping vacating the old bamboo chapel that was affected by the past successive typhoons in Luzon district. No doubt the pastor and members are very happy that the Lord hath heard their long prayers.
Last week we were in Ma-a, Davao City fencing the church lot there for safety purposes. One thing more in preparation for the incoming district youth convention to be held there the second time. As it is the center in the district of Mindanao. So those co-workers with their young people in Zone 1, 2, 3, & 4 will not spend so much in their fare by bus reaching the Venue of the youth gathering.
Saints, please help us pray for the plan of Brother Tom Wilson and companion from the Church of God at Newark, Ohio to visit the Philippine Mission, under the banner of the Bible Holiness Church of God Incorporated of the Philippines. They will be arriving Manila September 30 and return to state October 6, 2000. Please remember them that if it’s God’s will this plan will be materialize for His Cause.
In Closing, once again we would like to thank you all for all your continuous love, and concern to us in the Philippine Mission. May God richly bless each one more abundant blessings is our prayers.
In God’s Labor,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Sr.
Holiness Church of God
Philippine Mission
DEAR JUDY
This column is a burden to help Christian singles get together for encouragement and friendship. Names, addresses, ages and interests are available through your participation. Should you care to receive a list, please send your name and address along with the information about yourself to: Dear Judy PO Box 2053 Ponca City, OK 74602-2053 Email: agape157@Juno.com
Dear Readers,
It seems as if just last month I told those of you who attend any type of schooling, to be ready to be a good witness and salesperson for Jesus. It is that time again! Time is flying! This keeps us reminded how imperative it is to be ready for our meeting in the air! (that was just a free commercial) We were privileged to host a Youth Rally here in our Church in July, in which 7 young people gave their hearts to the Lord. Praise God! Shortly thereafter, an 81 year old gave her heart to God! No matter what age we are, or what station in life, Jesus expects us all to come the same way to eternal life. Through Jesus! Praise our precious Lord for who He is and for His continuing urging of our souls. Young people, singles, God may be calling you to work with a soul not in your age group!? Don't put "God in a box" and keep your spiritual ears keen, as this new school year begins. You will either be a missionary or a mission field. Think about it.
Praying for you all,
Judy
FREEDOM CHURCH
Dear Pastor Stanley,
I am excited to share with you the good things God is doing for us. He has brought a team of prayer partners together along with other supporters for our new church plant in Norman, OK. We are gearing up for our first meeting with the planting team and all the volunteers. Please help us pray for the location that is on our hearts. We have not yet nailed down this location for our services but hope to do so this month.
Putting a team together that can fill each position needed for a service is not easy. From the music to the media, we are seeking God’s will in all. So far the people that are coming together have been a God send. We give Him all the praise.
There are two things that I would like you to consider. The first is the absolute most important. We need people who are called to pray. We appreciate prayers from churches and groups but are also looking for those prayer warriors that can touch heaven on a regular basis for our church. We can not go forward without those kinds of prayers. If you feel you know anyone in your church or in your circle of influence that fits the prayer warrior description please consider sharing this with them. If they will take on the burden of prayer for us, we would like their name and address so that we can keep them personally informed on the progress of the church.
The second thing is not easy to talk about but we are in great need of financial support. Starting from scratch is very difficult. Our estimated startup costs are well over $20,000. Everything from sound equipment, printing, and rental space are a necessity for getting off the ground successfully. We are printing 60,000 door hangers for the city of Norman. We will pass out 30,000 in the fall and the other 30,000 in the spring. I am confident that God has called us to Norman to be effective in winning the lost and creating a biblically functioning community for them to worship. We hope and pray that we can become completely self-supporting within two years of starting. Until that day comes we pray that God will send the right people and groups to help. I am asking you to pray and see if God would have you be one of those supporters. Whether or not God lays it on your hearts to help financially we ask they you focus on the prayer first. Please let the financial thing be secondary to the issue of finding prayer warriors for us. We want everything we do in Norman to be right at the heart of God.
May God richly bless you and your work,
Pastor Chuck Scroggs Jr.
Lead Pastor
Freedom Church
PO Box 721561
Norman, OK 73070
Freedomchurch@prodigy.net
Maintained by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
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