January 31, 2002

Vol. 9 Issue 7

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EDITORIAL

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Some of my most precious memories are of times when I was in the presence of God and my brethren. There is something special about assembling together in the presence of God, praying together, sharing together and encouraging one another as we sit together in heavenly places. A tremendous opportunity is coming up to gather with Pastors, teachers, elders and other Gospel workers at the Minister's Meeting March 6-8 at Licking County Church of God in Newark, Ohio. Come and sit together with us in the presence of God.

Also thank you all for your prayers and response to our plea in the November Info+ to help Bro. & Sis. Luzan bring their two eldest sons to the US this year. The money needed for the tickets has been pledged; a letter of invitation has been issued to them, pray now that they will be granted visas to come. Editor

WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)

Plans are being made to visit Nigeria in 2002 to attend two Pastor's Seminars. Those planning to go are: Bros. Stanley Rexroth, Henry Marquiss and Rube Gayheart. Plan is to depart March 18 and return April 4. Airline tickets have been purchased. Applications for visas are planned for next week. Pray that God will anoint the seminars and ministry of God's Word during this trip.

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

I am available to visit congregations or groups to present needs and discuss WMF, Nigeria or the Philippines. Bro. Stanley J. Rexroth, Secretary

NIGERIA

January 14, 2002

Evangelistic report for the month of December, 2001 in Nigeria as covered by the ministry:

The Church of God World Missionary Fellowship Inc., Nigeria: Abam/Abala Nkamiri C/O Pastor Christian Ogbuka:

After the Camp meeting, I, Ronald and some elders namely, Brother Kingsley Ogbonna Adiele & Brother Friday Ekeke set off to following the work of visiting those that came out for altar call, living around and those that came in newly. Our evangelistic follow up has been yielding good result. We had additional families and some youths who are now coming up. Also we have intensified our evangelistic visitation effort preaching from house to house.

Also an effort to open the church at Akpaa Mbato is seriously being put together by the elders. Of a truth God has been blessing our effort.

On the 23^rd we had a special thanksgiving. On the 31^st we had New Year service. It was an all night till January 1, 2002.

I thank God for the fruit of the Camp meeting and the New Year Prayer. We in the Church of God Abam/Abala Nkamiri thank God for His protection and guidance throughout the camp meeting and to a New Year. We also thank God on behalf of WMF for their great and blessed contribution towards Nigerian Mission.

Pastor Christian Ogbuka

The Church at Isingwu Umuahia C/O Pastor Cyriacus Nwachukwu:

The church at Isingwu Umuahia had their evangelistic outreach and prayers. Thank God for the newborn baby boy of our Pastor, Cyriacus Nwachukwu.

The Church at Nsukka C/O Elder Okechukwu Nwosu:

At Nsukka the Lord has been using our brother, a trustee, Okechukwu Nwosu to labor there all alone and the family, then the Holy Spirit is over all. The church there is brother Okechukwu's house needs a place of worship and a pastor.

Also the same is Ikot Edibon, the pastor there is trying to see that the gospel prevails over the life of the people there.

The Church at Ikot Eti C/O Pastor Udobong Okon Essien:

At Ikot Inyang Eti, the church though newly raised but is progressing through the hand of Pastor Udobong. They engage more on outdoor outreach.

The Church at Calabar C/O Pastor Johnnie Austin:

The year was a very good year, so to speak. It was a year the Lord added 2 new congregations - Ikot Edibon and Ikot Inyang Eti to our band. Also, we have adequately received for the first time the WMF monthly stipend. Blessed be the name of the Lord our God forever.

The month of December witnessed some crash programs including street preaching and house-to-house evangelism. The greatest focus day in that month was the 16^th when the host Pastor Johnnie Austin organized a special thanksgiving service to mark God's love for saving him and his family from a ghastly motor accident on the 13^th of September 2001. In showing his appreciation the Pastor and his family donated the following items for evangelical work in the church: Megaphone, Sunca rechargeable lantern, rechargeable automatic electric light, Two wireless microphones and receivers, AC/DC adaptor, Two wooden pulpits, Two clothe banners, Popsonic dynamic speakers and an Automatic stabilizer.

To round off the year, the church finally organize a special 3 days fasting and prayer from 27^th to the 29^th with a special Tarry Night on the 31^st to usher more of God's greater blessings into the church in the year 2002.

Ministers at Ikot Edibon, July 2001

Minutes of the Pastors Meeting / 8th joint meeting of the ministers/elders-workers of the Church of God WMF Nigeria. Held at Isingwu Umuahia January 5, 2002:

The meeting came up at about 12:10. There was much delay due to the lateness of most brethren. All congregations were represented. Minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed. Certain matters that arose were discussed.

Prayer was offered by Pastor Christina Ogbuka who also gave the words of exhortation with the scripture 1 Tim 5:17 captioned "Christian Stewardship". He made the house to know that we elders are stewards in the vineyard of Christ. Also that a steward's faithfulness is required. From the scripture he quoted, he expressed the need for we elders, Pastors, Deacons & Deaconesses should join hands and labor so as to receive honor from God and man by laboring in the word and doctrine. It was concluded with prayer.

The following motions were adopted.

Ministers' transfer was adjourned till after our Foreign Missionaries come and go, for now each pastor should continue to mind his area.
Itinerary of our Foreign Missionaries was discussed and stated in regard to the dates.
Time Table for the Seminar was programmed on two services each day.
There was Fasting & Prayer fixed at Ikot Inyang Eti coupled with a general meeting in the same place dated January 3 - February 3, 2002. The Fasting & Prayer was captioned "Contending for the Faith and for our Foreign Missionaries to arrive Nigeria safely by March". 31st will be used to deal with Draft Constitution on a large scale. Other elders were included on the 31st meeting after which these elders will go and the Ministers will continue with their Fasting & Prayer.
All Tithes from our local congregation must come to the central Trustees.

Finally motion was moved by Elder Okechukwu Nwosu and was supported by Kingsley Ogbonnaya Adiele. The meeting ended around 5:25 PM. Closing prayer was by Bassey Ekpe from Calabar.

From Pastor Christian Ogbuka (General Secretary & Head of Service, WMF Church of God, Nigeria)

PHILIPPINES

December 4, 2001

Dear Pastor & Sis. Rexroth,

Christian love and greetings in Jesus precious Name and it certainly is a precious Name in this troubled world. Days, months and years is so fast to pass by that we are again at the close of 2001. We thank God for all His goodness, protections and countless blessings throughout the past years of serving Him, who hath redeemed us from the miry clay of sin. Praise His name.

Well just a few lines brother & sister, we're coming to you through this letter to come and express our much gratitude to you and to all your dear people, who have been faithful sending your financial support through the World Missionary Fellowship of the churches of the United States of America, that words are not enough to explain. Truly, had it not been for your love and unceasing support we are not progressing in the Mission Field little by little in preaching the truth of God gospel to this sinful world up to this days.

It's our joy to share you that the Bible Holiness Church of God in the Philippine Mission is still surviving, though we're really persecuted without a cause and in the minority comparing to the man made religion, but we're not discourage, but we're so happy for we know God is not looking to the quantity, but He is looking after the quality, Amen ...

This year 2001 there were activities in both district in the Mission field. Such as young peoples fellowship, one day meetings and revivals in addition to our scheduled youth conventions and camp meetings. By God's help we were also busy working for the church lot's legal papers for titling to be sure that the properties are own by the church.

In the other hand glad to inform you that our Pastor's Training School is still in operation. We're very grateful because the WMF of The churches of God in United States still continue their financial support for the operation. Lord willing, there are 9 graduating students this coming National Conference on April 2002 to be held in Baguio City Church of God. After their graduation they will be station as pioneering gospel workers. So please help us pray for this precious young people that they will be ale to finish, to be use someday to help souls bound for heaven.

Lastly our national Youth Conventions is divided into 2 Venues due to the distance and expenses. First in Luzon District December 22-25, to be held in Amaronan Church of God. Second here for Mindanao District December 27-30, to be held here at Bannawag Church of God. Please help us pray for the success.

In closing we want again to express our heartfelt gratitude for all you have done for us in the Philippine work this past years. It's our prayers to the great God of heaven, to continue blessing you all abundantly this year and through the years to come for His cause.

In God's Labor,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Sr.

YOUTH CORNER

UPCOMING EVENTS
Check the Calendar.

Hello everyone it's time again to visit the corner to see what God has for us. Can you believe that it is already 2002? I know I can hardly believe it.

Another year has passed and now we have a whole new year to Live God Loud! To serve Him with all we've got!

The question has come up to me several times how to serve Him with all we've got? Well think of it this way, many of you are driving now and/or you have friends who drive and you ride with them. Have you ever been somewhere and ran out of gas? The only thing that was going to get that car going again was some good old gasoline, some fuel right?

We need to let God fuel us. Everything we do needs to be controlled and powered by God and His will for you. David was fueled by God's love and a willingness to serve Him. Just listen to what David says in our POWER VERSE:

Psalm 63:8 "My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me."

David had the pedal to the metal in living for God. He followed hard after God. He wasn't chasing after other things. He was fueled by following hard after him. Everything he did he wanted God to be glorified.

What are you fueled by?

Questions from you:

"I heard that in the recent movie the Lord of the Rings, which is based on some books that it has a Christian meaning, is that true."

Answer: Well as far as I know, the author of the book J.R.R. Tolkein was a devout Catholic. He was said to have written the series for his children as a moral tale of good winning over evil. Some Christian scholars believe it was written as an allegory for the Christian life, but it was never proven. Hope that answers the question. As far as the movie goes I don't know because I haven't seen it.

If you have anymore questions, comments or testimonies about what God is doing in your life, please send them to:
            Brian Bridges
            123 Lambert Drive
            Manassas Park, VA 20111- 1829
            E-mail: Badleg@juno.com
            Phone: 703-368-0805

Remember to Live God Loud!

Let God fuel your life!

Bro. Brian Bridges

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January 31 2002