Vol. 11 Issue 1
EDITORIAL
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
It is the desire of my heart that my Lord is pleased with the things that I do. As we enter into our 11th year as editor of the Info+ I want to thank God and you for your support. Please continue to pray that God will direct our efforts to spread the Gospel into all the earth.
Because of generous donations, we will soon be printing the Info+ with color pictures. I am in the process of selecting the appropriate printer. May God bless you all! Editor
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
World Missionary Fellowship Annual Meeting July 17, 2003 Minutes
Brother Arnold Lemke opened the meeting with prayer. Chairman Brother Stanley Rexroth read Matthew 21:28-31 and Ephesians 4:11-16. He spoke to us about our obligations as members that if we say we are going to do something we must do it. We work together as one body and all the members are important.
The minutes of the July 18, 2002 Annual meeting were read by Secretary Brother Dale Rexroth. Motion to accept the minutes as read by Brother Kenneth Yoder and seconded by Brother J B Wood. Motion carried.
The minutes of the February 8, 2003 Executive Committee meeting were read by Secretary Brother Dale Rexroth. These minutes will be approved at the next Executive Committee Meeting.
Three new members were accepted from Bladensburg Church of God. They were Karl Lohr Sr., Thorney Kirk and David Carpenter.
On roll call of members 28 of 43 were represented.
The treasurer’s report was read by the Treasurer Brother Steve Yoder. Motion to accept the treasurer’s report by Brother Rube Gayheart and seconded by Sister Gail Wood. Motion carried.
The treasurer’s status report on Nigeria mission support was read by the Treasurer Brother Steve Yoder. Motion to authorize the special committee of Brother Stanley Rexroth, Brother Rube Gayheart, Brother Wiley Cash and Brother Henry Marquiss III to adjust the pastoral support to the Nigerian pastors as needed and as the support increases by Brother J B Wood, seconded by Sister Kathy Strickler. Motion carried. The remaining funds required to complete the purchase of property at Umuahia, Nigeria was pledged during this meeting. The next priority for Nigeria is to register the Church.
The treasurer’s status report on Philippine support to The Bible Holiness Church of God was read by the Treasurer Brother Steve Yoder. Brother D B Luzan’s medical bill was stated to be around $3300. So far there has been $650 received. Chairman Brother Stanley Rexroth will request the amount received by Brother D B Luzan so far to determine any remaining balance needed. There was a request to send a letter of invitation for Sister Noemi Esteban, Brother Wesley Luzan and Sister D B Luzan to come to the US in 2004. This will be discussed more at the Executive Committee meeting in February 2004. More churches are being added to the Philippine mission and there have been requests for more support as pastors and churches are added.
Brother J B Wood gave a brief report on the India mission. Brother K B Emmanuel has assumed the role of overseer from Brother John Rao. There are currently 14 congregations in the fellowship. The largest need at this time is for a four-wheeled vehicle similar to the four wheelers used by people in the US to run around in the fields, woods and wet terrain.
Brother George Wilson gave a brief report on Cuba.
Brother Stanley Rexroth reported on the current situation of printing the Info+. The printing cost was $471.90 short. There is a need for a new printer and Brother Stanley Rexroth recommended that the WMF Info+ should be printed in color. This would be an additional cost of $1200 a year. Motion by Brother Rube Gayheart to cover the current loss and go to printing in color with Brother Stanley Rexroth purchasing a new printer at his cost. Seconded by Brother Arnold Lemke. Motion carried. Other contributors offered to pick up the extra cost of the color printing, resulting in no additional cost to World Missionary Fellowship.
Brother Rube Gayheart reported on Liberia. There is continual political unrest in the country at this time. There will be a visit scheduled to visit the 26 congregations there once the situation stabilizes.
The Executive Committee nominated Brother Arnold Lemke, Brother Rube Gayheart and Sister Margene Burrell for reelection to the Executive Committee. Sister Margene Burrell sent a letter, read by Secretary Brother Dale Rexroth, declining the nomination due to health issues. She would be willing to help audit the records as long as she is able. The Secretary Brother Dale Rexroth will send a letter of appreciation to Sister Margene Burrell for her service to World Missionary Fellowship as a director. Brother Kenneth Yoder nominated Brother Alan Vossler to replace Sister Margene Burrell as director, second by Brother J B Wood. Brother Henry Marquiss III made a motion to close the nominations and accept by acclamation the nominees. Second by Sister Martha Rexroth. Motion carried.
In new business there is a major building project at the Shelby County Church of God, Memphis, TN where Brother Wiley Cash is pastoring. Anyone able to help support them monthly until their debt is paid is encouraged to contact him. The first service to be held in the new building will be on August 10, 2004.
The date and time of the Executive Committee meeting will be 10 AM, February 7, 2004 at the Licking County Church of God.
Was the Missionary Day at Camp Meeting informative and helpful? Please send us any suggestions for improvement. Help us to determine the fields to be represented, the focus we should have and any recommendations for the missionary offering distribution.
Secretary Brother Dale Rexroth recommended the creation of membership cards. A membership card would be a way of identification for the membership when visiting domestic and foreign missions. This will also provide a photo ID for use when required (two photo ID situation). The membership cards will have an expiration date for the year that dues have been paid. The cards will be printed on business card paper and laminated. Motion by Sister Willa Marquiss to approve the creation of membership cards for all WMF-USA members at no cost. Brother Dale Rexroth, the secretary is to print the cards and they will be laminated by Brother Arnold Lemke and mailed to the membership with the minutes for the annual meeting, July 17, 2003, held at the Licking County Church of God Camp Meeting. Seconded by Brother Kenneth Yoder. Motion carried.
Brother J B Wood gave a brief summary of the proposed assumption of the WMF-Canada Tanzania missions by WMF-USA. They are servicing around 200 congregations, at least 3 clinics and 3 to 4 Bible Schools. Brother Kenneth Yoder made the following motion. Be it resolved to appoint Brother Jennings Wood, Brother Ralph Farmer, Brother Alan Vossler, Brother Edward Beck, Brother Kenneth Yoder and Brother Stanley Rexroth to investigate the transfer of the Tanzania mission servicing to WMF-USA and present a plan of implementation to the executive committee on February 7, 2004 for this action. Be it further resolved that the executive committee will prepare a written report to the Annual meeting, July 16, 2004 for consideration by the Body of the membership. Second by Brother Henry Marquiss III. Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn by Brother Dale Rexroth. Second by Brother Edward Beck. All stood in favor of adjournment. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale S Rexroth, Secretary
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, Chairman.
NIGERIA
REPORTS FOR THE MONTH OF June:
Abam/Abala, Pastor Christian Ogbuka: Attendance = 60 – 126; 6 souls won; Praise God, we have continued to have additional number of souls in this month of June. God has been using our prayers to cause precious souls to come. I agree with a saying, which says “God works as the church prays”. Also there is some manual progress work going on in the church. For instance, the parsonage has been zinked, two rooms put in place for the pastor and the family to pack in. The support of our foreign missionaries has been encouraging. We had a child blessing service on the 29th. On 6-8 I was on a revival service at Ikot Inyang Eti. The Spirit of God worked massively, souls were revived and won to the Lord.
Death: it’s a pity that one of our Brother Friday Ekeke lost one of his children about 2 ½ years on the 8th.
We thank the Lord for the success of His work this season. Here is a photograph showing so far the extent of progress on the parsonage. More work remains but as soon as we get more building fund we start off with the main church building to make room for the forthcoming camp meeting. We thank God for your support.
Re: the Licking County Camp Meeting: I appreciate the support in the way you brethren handled it. It seems no one took my present condition to heart. My father was in the major hospital where he was transferred for 3 weeks. After some serious medical work he was discharged to go home and continue on his drugs. I borrowed to help out the situation; even some of the drugs prescribed by the doctor are yet to be bought for after an x-ray his problem was heart failure and kidney problem. Please put consideration to it.
Umuahia, Pastor Cyriacus Nwachukwu: Attendance = 50 – 95, one soul saved; Outside normal activities our little children displayed their drama and their evangelical movement to the entire village. Actually God was with them. Secondly, we have secured or gotten a land for the church in Umuahia now! Please, we are thanking WMF for their provisions and at the same time begging them to complete the remaining money before the owner of land can take it away from us. Land appreciates most here in Umuahia every month. Editor’s note: The balance needed for this land purchase has been pledged; as soon as it is received we will send it to Pastor Cyriacus.
Omoba Isiala Ngwa, Pastor Ronald Iheanacho: Attendance = 10 –14; We had one day House-by-house evangelism, one day visitation and one day a waiting service which included fasting and prayers which has proved fruitful. I was also indulged in bus evangelism.
Ikot Edibon, Pastor Okon Jim Ibok: Attendance = 15 – 21; One soul saved; One day fasting & prayer was held and 3 days revival was conducted. Also, house-to-house evangelism. I want also to explain to you that in Nigeria we had more hardship in everything. For that please I am pleading you to consider my transport fare. It costs me N2200 ($16.30) to travel to Aba for our monthly meeting.
Ikot Inyang Eti, Pastor Udobong Okon Essien: Report will be late due to transportation problems.
Ehere, Aba, Pastor James Igbokwe: Attendance = 26 – 35; The month gave us surprise converts, the theme of the month’s revival was “God favor the road to success”. When one yield to the call of God and he/she is saved from sinful life.
Calabar, Pastor Bassey Ekpe/Johnnie Austin: Attendance = 59 – 78; 3 souls saved; The church conducted a special seminar in all the Sunday’s in June for her members. The theme was “How To Increase Your Prosperity In Tithe And Offering”. It was well attended by members and non-members. We conducted 3 days fasting & prayers for motherless women & marine spirit control people. These spirits manifested themselves during deliverance. Thank God they were all cast out. We conducted our monthly Tarry Night, many outsiders attended and God healed a lot of people through our hands.
We are yet to commence worship in our new location of the church in Calabar. The delay is caused by the land-lord. We pray by the grace of God, we shall overcome the temptation and when we move in we shall get all informed.
Eket Urban, Pastor E. David: Report will be late due to transportation problems.
PHILIPPINES
June 17, 2003
Dear Bro. & Sis. Rexroth;
Christian greetings from your Co-Servant in the Philippine Mission in Jesus Name. As For me and Sister Luzan, by His help we're all fine physically and spiritually. Praise His dear Name. amen.
Thinking of the victorious Camp Meetings in United states of America, starting this June to August 2003, we are lead to send this short note to inform your good office, that our prayers are like the past year 2002 that we have attended and have been blessed. Surely we've taken our part from all the messages delivered by His powered Evangelist by the Holy Spirit of God, that strengthen and encourage us, till the present time.
Through this letter dear Saints, we bring our humble report to the beloved Chairman and to all the executive members of the W.M.F and all the members of the said fellowship in U.S. who really sacrifice to support the increasing numbers of Gospel preacher in our area of responsibility “THE BIBLE HOLINESS CHURCH OF GOD OF THE PHILIPPINES INC.”
By His grace and help the work is going forward to reach our goal of having more gospel workers and congregations to stand for truth, this last days. Two ministers with their congregations from the Bible Methodist church, decided to join with us in the divine church. Praise God!
So we bring our prayer request, to please continue your Macedonian love for their support and also for helping them to built a house of prayer for them to worship the Lord.
Hope and pray saints, you can understand us and please bear with us to carry the load for His dear cause.
Your Co-laborer in Gods labor.
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Sr.
Philippine Mission
July 9, 2003
Dear Bro. Rexroth & Saints;
Christian greetings from the Philippine Mission this Month of July in Jesus precious Name. Hope and pray this letter finds you with sister Rexroth, including all our loving supporters. It’s our prayers that though we are in the last days of Luke warmness, God may give us strength to fight the good fight of fight.
As for us in the Mission field by His grace we are still in the winning side doing our part and best for the prosperity of His kingdom.
Presently we are in our rainy season. We are all experiencing heavy rains and floods. Farmers are sad because of too much rain that destroys their crops specially its time for their harvest.
About our peace and order condition, just the same. Though the Government is trying her best to talk with the rebels to stop their terrorist acts and sit down to settle the problem, but till now the problem still unsettled. In our part we believe that with out the intervention of God the peace and order in our Republic will become worst.
Brother, and saints thank you so much for we've already receive the offering for May and today July 9, 2003, we receive the offering for June. We believe all the workers are happy to receive their offering, for they have something to use for their children going to School for our School start the month of June in our Country. Its our prayer that God will rebound more blessings to you all .
We fully trust and prayed much that God will grant you very successful Camp Meetings this year 2003. Though we are not able to attend those gatherings but our earnest prayers to our dear God to richly bless, and intervene in you midst, bless His evangelist and all His people in the Camp meetings and that you have not forgotten us in the Mission field.
Before close my brother I followed your instructions for our INFO + for the first and the 2nd time. Pastors are happy to receive their INFO+ for they can read what is going on in the work of the church of God and the Mission field including the Philippines.
For His Cause,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan
Holiness Church of God
Philippine Mission
INDIA
July 8, 2003
JENNINGS RIVER MINISTRY 25TH TO 27TH 2003.
"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where the Christ was not known" --Romans 15:20.
The most honourable father and mother Jennings Byron and Gail Wood and all the saints of the WMF, community church of God. Precious greetings in the gracious name of Jesus The Lord and the God.
Our hearts are stirred with joyful noise as I write about the Jennings River ministry, our fourth crusade of this ministry overflowed with many blessings. People agitated with joy to heard the word of God. And inspired by our previous camps have hungered to know more about Jesus and His wonderful salvation, this camp started like this 25th of June three groups of church of God saints started from various villages.
At first Pastor Premnath and Pastor K. Paul and four couples two younger sisters started from K. M. Nagar church and reached Kakupally by bus. From there they catched another bus and got down at K. Patnam Port. At 5pm they sailed on a boat and crossed the creek to reached Gummalladhibba which is situated at the river bank.
The second group of saints Pastor K. Martin and his family (his wife Linda and two little children 9 & 7 years old) with them my wife Jonse children little Jennings and Keerthana Over Bay, one couple trainee pastors went on. In the same way they too reached G. Dibba and met first group. There they commenced a small gospel meeting. And at 8pm again they started to Thamminipatnam where we should conduct night meeting. they walked four kms along with children and carried all the materials. I myself was started at 7pm from Nellore at the time boat sailing was stopped so I had to changed my way and traveled 75kms by bus to reach my people, In Nellore I had purchased some food materials.
Thamminipatnam is very remote village people also very poor and hard workers, most of the people are illiterate some people cultivating cashew nuts trees and some of them are fishing, and others selling toddy ( palm wine). Every day they use to come back at 9pm from the fields in the same time our saints started gospel meeting as they were singing songs people started to come one by one, meanwhile I met my people. Pastor Premnath preached about the Lords great salvation and Pastor Martin preached the Love of God, also witnessed. At the end of the meeting some people came forward for prayers. At 10:30pm we closed the meeting, and ate lemon rice with tomato pickle prepared by Jonse and other sisters, after the supper we collected mats from the villagers and slept in a open area the sky was full of clouds and it was rained, as we were searching for shelter the same movement rain was stopped, but some our saints ran away in to some huts but in next minute they came out, we had a big laugh.
We got up at 5am for morning devotion immediately we started street preaching, and our sisters began to sing songs the villagers started to come out of their huts for their works, they came forward and stood before us to hear, we said good morning to everybody in Jesus name, with holding hands they replied NAMASHTE all our pastors preached the gospel after that we came back to campus and had breakfast then we moved to other village by preaching and singing we visited many people. To reach other village we should cross the meadows, bushes and streams, by the side of our ways there are many cashew nut and bamboo trees. We reached a village Gangavaram there we stopped under a big fig tree where the people were seated we began to preach the word of God our sisters distributed the handbills. And we took move forward in the middle of little children were tired and could not walk, they felt thirst because of the sacristy of the water we could not get a drop, meanwhile a cyclist coming in the same way we requested him to carry they, and they went by cycle. As we were walking a group of people were sitting by side of the road we took the opportunity to preach them. The Sun was shinning over our heads we were swatting like any thing. Jonse and Linda and young girls felt tired could not move forward as we were passing the bus was coming all the sisters got in to the bus to reach the village Varagaly. We the rest of the people continued to walk for preaching, after all were reached sisters borrowed some cooking vessels and cooked. After the lunch we took rest for a while. Some brothers had done personal evangelism.
We prepared every things for the night meeting at 7pm and started the meeting, as the sisters singing the songs the children of this village gathered around us and stared clapping, then one by one came to the meeting at 8:30pm Premnath, Martin, K B Emmanuel preached the word of God, the people were enjoyed like any thing and encouraged us to sing some more songs and to tell the stories of JESUS we continued the meeting up to 10pm, sick and needy people came forward for prayers then we packed all the things went for supper.
Again at 5:30pm we had got up for morning devotion and prepared ourselves to come back. by bus we reached the village which situated near the creek there we waited for one hour for a boat , already a big crowed was waiting for the same boat some were with palm wine pots, we were afraid to cross the creek in a little boat with the big crowed, if we miss the boat we may lose the bus also, just we prayed and sailed. Praise the Lord our great captain Jesus led us safely to other bank, as soon as we got down the boat we catch the bus we reached the Kakupally form there we three wheeler and reached the T.P.GUDUR.
That day was Friday we had prayer fellowship, we conducted with praising and prayers we were very much thankful to our great God who strengthen us and led us safely we proudly say this could be possible by only your precious prayers and supporting hands and hearts. We request you please continuously uphold us in prayers to establish a church and provide a minister for the village of the THAMMINIPATNAM.
With prayers and praises,
Your servant,
K.B.EMMANUEL.
And all the saints.
LICKING COUNTY, NEWARK, OHIO CAMP MEETING REPORT JULY 14-19
Monday evening, Bro. Tony Bartlette preached “Arise And Shine” from Isaiah 60:1-3 & Acts 13. He reminded us that nothing can take the place of the Holy Spirit. If you don’t have the glory of God on you, there is no backup. “This is not a time for closet Christians, it’s show time”. Are you trying to put your glory on sinners? Sinners need to see the glory of God. When you put the emphasis on things, you diminish the power & demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday morning was devoted to Mission reports. 9 minute reports were given on the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania, Cuba and the United States.
The evening message was “But God” preached by Bro. Henry Marquiss III. He began with Acts 13:28-30. He reminded us that God interrupts the Christian’s world. Some Christians wander. Some ignore God’s interruptions. God interrupts the sinner’s world. God watches over lost sheep; He sends restraint, a witness and a plan. Some respond to God’s call.
Wednesday morning Bro. Detrick Clark preached a message on “Know God in a Greater Way” from Phil 3:1, 7-14. He reminded us that we all need more of God, “the greatest need of all the world is to know God better”. We need a personal knowledge of our Lord. We need to know Him in the power of the resurrection. We need to know Him painfully and practically.
The ministers met Wednesday afternoon for a time of discussion about the camp and fellowship.
Bro. Wayne Absher preached Wednesday evening on “Is Your Life Directed by God” from Psalm 37:23-25. He told us that the 1st step to having God direct our life is for us to be good men. How do we become good? Walk in humility, you can fall. If we sin & don’t confess it & repent of it, we cannot receive the Kingdom. Allow God to care for you.
Bro. George Wilson preached the Thursday morning message on “Positives & Negatives in the Christian Experience” from Joshua 15:16-19. He reminded us that Satan is in control of the world. Man through sin yielded to him. Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of God se we can be freed from Satan’s control. The Kingdom of God is not and will not be a literal Kingdom. God is not a slave owner, His rule over us is not by force, it is by love. Concentrating on the negatives, what we don’t do, we need to progress and to ask God for more positives.
The WMF annual meeting was held Thursday afternoon.
Thursday evening was a singspiriation.
Friday morning Bro. Chuck Scroggs preached on “The Hem” from Luke 8:43. He asked, “how many times have you pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus?” Many want to touch Him without allowing Him to clothe them. You may be doing great at having church, but how are you doing obeying the great commission? The hope of the world is the Christian ministry. “Get to the Hem and then be the Hem”. Jesus wants you to be the Hem.
Bro. Nobles Darby preached Friday evening on “Beyond The Walls” from John 17:12-20. He told us the Christian life is to be lived beyond the church building. Are you prepared for those God is sending your way? “The church is placed in the world to be an instrument of salvation”. Today many are the church on Sunday morning, but any other time you can’t tell them from the world. You cannot influence the world for Christ by being a one-day a week Christian.
Editor
BURNSIDE, PA CAMP MEETING REPORT
It was my privilege to attend a day at the Burnside camp meeting July 30 –31. Wednesday afternoon Bro. Ed Beck brought a lesson on “Winning The Lost” from Luke 5:29. He taught that high potency (high power) will only come from us being genuine, authentic, compassionate & sacrificial. Souls need to be nurtured, but do you want them established? 6 styles of evangelism are: confrontational (direct), intellectual (logical), testimonial (good listener), interpersonal (friendship oriented), invitational (persuasive) and serving (patient). Different approaches need to be used by and with different people with the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Bro. Dors Wilson preached the evening message, “Give Me A Man” from 1 Samuel 17:3-11. He reminded us that the battle is not on the mountaintop; it is down in the valley. The devil tries to drag you down. “Instead of running from, let’s put him on the run”. Completely turn your life over to God and you can win your battles and put the devil on the run.
Bro. George Wilson preached Thursday morning on “Zion Under Siege” from Psalm 74:1-3. He told us those who work to build or rebuild the city of God will be opposed by the enemy. “Can a city where God is dwelling be broken down?” If Christ is in the ship, it will not sink. The church today has put Jesus outside. He is on the doorstep, knocking & telling us it is in our best interest to invite Him in. With Christ on the doorstep, there is scarcity in the church of such qualities of love, kindness, compassion, goodness, faith, mercy etc. With Him on the inside there is a banquet of all those qualities. “Sin separates sinners from God; things of God separates Christians from God.” The things of God are not the essentials, God Himself is the source of life. Editor
Video ($6 donation) or audio ($3 donation) tapes may be ordered from:
Campmeeting tape order
525 Kelley Lane
Newark, OH 43055
YOUTH CORNER
Hello all, it’s time again to catch up with the news on the corner. As summer is coming to a close, many of you are facing the winter blah’s thinking about school and all the things that go with it. Thinking about new classes, new schools, college, it can be pretty scary. It can almost be overwhelming at times, but we must remember that God is in control. You know many times we can allow fear to stop us from experiencing what God has for us. The children of Israel were scared to go into the land of Canaan because of Giants (Numbers 13-14) Joshua and Caleb and Moses told the people that God was in control and He would give them the land but they were still afraid. We must not let fear rob us of the blessings God wants to give us. We may be afraid but we need to let God calm our fears. Remember God has not given us the spirit of fear.
Power Verse : 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Summer in the Son
Has God done something great for you this summer? Was there an outing that was especially good, or a camp meeting that really meant a lot to you? Let us know, we would love to hear from you! Send it to:
Bro. Brian Bridges
123 Lambert Drive
Manassas Park, VA 20111
e-mail: badleg@juno.com
Phone: 703-368-0805
Well that about wraps it up for this time. Remember to Live God LOUD, and serve Him with ALL YOU GOT!
Upcoming Events:
See Calendar
Bro. Brian