January 31, 2004
Vol. 11 Issue 7
Adobe PDF Version
EDITORIAL
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
If you have fellowship with Jesus, then you have fellowship with me. How do I know that you have fellowship with Jesus? I know when I can recognize that His Holy Spirit dwells in you and you produce the fruit thereof.
Galatians 5:22-26 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Let us come together at this year’s Minister’s Meeting in Hagerstown, Maryland; March 3-5 and enjoy the fellowship of His Holy Spirit through each other. Letters of invitation, agenda, registration details and lodging information have been sent out to all Church of God Ministers that I have addresses on. If you did not receive one, please contact me. Editor
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
The Executive Committee is scheduled to meet February 7. If you have any items to be discussed or acted on, please contact one of our committee members.
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 December:
Abam/Abala, Pastor Christian Ogbuka: Attendance = 73 to 101,The season saw us with much blessing of members who came home for the Christmas eve. Our services were blessed tremendously.
Umuahia, Pastor Cyriacus Nwachukwu: Attendance = 73 to 101; Our normal activities continues after our return from camp meeting. Our sister Nkechinyere lost her husband and he will be buried on January 5.
Ikot Edibon, Pastor Okon Jim Ibok: No report
Ikot Inyang Eti, Pastor Udobong Okon Essien: Attendance = 70 to 72, 8 souls saved; Evangelical Activities included four days revival, tarry night and child dedication. Praise God.
Ehere, Aba, Pastor James Igbokwe: Attendance = 15 to 39. Weekly activities included Thursday: Waiting upon the Lord, Friday: Midnight Prayer, Saturday: Street Preaching and Sunday service. Ehere church is moving and there is a need to relocate the church from the market store.
Calabar 1, Pastor Johnnie Austin: Attendance = 35 to 75; 7 souls saved; The church organized 7 days fasting & prayer. The program attracted outsiders, which many were touched and healed of various sicknesses. Above all 7 people gave their lives to the Lord. We conducted our annual thanksgiving service and ended the year with testimonies and thanksgiving.
Calabar 2, Pastor Bassey Ekpe: Attendance = 7 to 15. 2 souls saved. Evangelistic Activities: We gear up evangelistic operations around the location two of Calabar congregation and this was followed by our participation in the 7 days prayer & fasting organized by Area one, so as to get into God’s presence by renewing our faith in God for the new year.
Eket Urban, Pastor E. David: Attendance = 29 to 38; Evangelistic Activities: A revival was held from the 22nd to the 28th. During that time three days were set aside for general fasting and Bible studies. There were daily prayers, preaching and teaching on the theme “Crossing The Jordan”.
PHILIPPINES
December 10, 2003
Received January 5, 2004
Dear Bro. Rexroth and Saints,
Holy greetings to you and to all our dear supporters, here and abroad in God’s wonderful name.
Before the close of the year 2003 we will come through this letter to express our much gratitude for the continuous support of the pastors and congregations including the individual direct supporters of your faithfulness in supporting us that help us in the prosperity of His Kingdom here in the Philippines mission.
Truly we can’t express all in words but the Lord knows our hearts and all of us know that God is responsible for the rebound.
For your information we were not able to open the Pastor Training School this year 2003 because of reasons. The School ground in Antipolo where we will transfer is unprepared because we have only building wherein the Pastor and instructor will stay. That’s why saints help us pray that God will supply the needs so that next year we are able to build 2 more buildings. We’ll start again.
Another information we want to share you for prayers is that some workers decided to leave their pastoral responsibility due to financial needs. They decided to go abroad for better income that help their family who are going to High School and college. In our remembrance we have done our part; we teach the church responsibilities to their God and their pastor in addition to what the mission could give from our loving supporters, but still not enough due to the severe crises as result of our government corruption and failed economy.
According to our coworkers letters and reports this month they have just finish their Zone fellowship and victorious revivals that increase their attendance and their giving. Now we’re again busy preparing for our Youth Conventions. The coworkers are all busy preparing so they can attend the gathering.
In closing we want to give thanks to all members of WMF for your continuous love and support for us in the Philippine mission.
In God’ Labor
Bro. & “Sis. D. B. Luzan Jr.
December 22, 2003
Dear Bro. Rexroth & Saints,
Here’s again our brief report and greetings to all our beloved supporters in Jesus precious Name. We are very glad to received our beautiful paper, The Info+ and the early arrival of our December offering exactly just a few days before our Youth Conventions. Surely it will help much all the Pastors expenses in their coming to attend the gathering and their going home to their home churches.
I believe the coworkers are very happy to return to their respective station to double their efforts so that their work will prosper in response to your continuous remembrance financially to us in the Philippine Mission. How we love and appreciate you all dear saints in the WMF and also to our individual direct supporters. It is always our earnest prayers that our great God may bless you abundantly for we are sure and believe that if God bless you, you can continue helping us in the mission field.
In the Philippines at present it’s cool with continuous rain that poor people and farmers are in sore crisis due to their small harvest, due to continuous rain there are landslide in Leyte where houses collapse and people were buried until now and others drown in the river. Glad to hear the government sends help through helicopter in response to the Governor of the Province appeal. Thank the Lord the churches both in Luzon and Mindanao are safe from this bad calamities.
This 2003 Youth Convention, because of my health I appointed Rolando, my eldest boy to oversight the work in Luzon District and Wesley here in Mindanao. I also appoint Noemi to oversight the church training school as well as our Elementary School in Pasig City and other branches like the Kindergarten throughout the Philippines.
Before close, here is our scheduled April Camp Meeting: April 8-11 in Mindanao District and April 15-18 in Luzon District. Anybody who are led to come and attend among our supporters they are welcome. So if anybody desires to come, please inform us earlier specially the date so we can meet you in the airport. Seek the advice of Bro. Stanley Rexroth or Bro. Tom Wilson for they can help you.
In closing let us pray for one another that we can still reach that time of fellowship with good health. Love, regards and happy New Year to all.
In God’s Labor
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Jr.
January 12, 2004
Dear Info+ Editor and Saints,
Blessed New Year 2004. With the gracious help of the Lord, the mission work in the Philippines culminated triumphantly with the two district conventions of our youth held in Bannawag (Mindanao) and in Rizal (Luzon). Both gatherings began December 25 and ended December 29, under the themes, Put On The Whole Armour of God (Mindanao) and In All Things Shew Thyself A Pattern of Good Works (Luzon). A total of thirty delegations comprised the campers excluding provisional works and observing attendees. In The 4-day events we had the following activities: morning – Bible Lectures on church doctrines, practical admonitions for youth and challenge of vision to support God’s Work.
This is followed by morning’s worship then Business Meetings for youth and ministers. In the youth, the officers reported the department’s whole year achievements, projects and financial statements. The other agenda were the election of new officers and next year’s convention venue. In the ministers for Mindanao, Bro D.B. Luzan, Jr. presided while for Luzon, Bro. R.S. Luzan charged the meeting. Both reviewed the workers pointers they need to consider in improving their pastoral working.
In the afternoon, we had indoor contests (Bible Games and Singing Contests). Evening, we had evangelistic service and fellowshipping activities of young people.
In this year’s convention, we had an increase of youth attendance and also of new converts baptized – a total of 33 souls.
We thank the reigning of the Holy Spirit throughout the occasions – the singings, lectures and preaching became really touching, correcting, challenging and reviving that the altar in all it’s opening were all time crowned with many souls extending beyond the crowd.
To close, next to the Lord we thank you saints for your continuous prayers and missionary support to His ministry endeavor in Philippine Island that made the conventions fruitful and His nationwide work booming. God may abundantly bless you, His church and your family as well this year 2004.
Enclosed are sample pictures taken during gatherings.
P.S. We’re praying also for the result of your February Ministerial Meeting about our plan to attend your camp meetings there and visit congregations this year 2004.
Your Philippine Servant Sis Noemi L. Esteban For Bro. & Sis. D.B. Luzan, Jr.
YOUTH CORNER
It is that time again to meet here on the corner. I hope all of you had a blessed holiday season and are ready for the new year.
You know as I think about 2004, I am excited about what God is going to do, but I also have to let you know that sometimes it is a little scary to think about what lies ahead. You know what I mean right? It’s kind of like going down a road you have never been before and not being able to see what lies ahead.
Recently I was on a trip to a place I had never been before. For the first leg of the trip I was all alone, and did not know where to go. So I kept my eyes out for the signs and such and I was a little afraid (okay a lot afraid) of getting lost and not getting where I needed to be on time. I also couldn’t wait for the second leg of the trip when I would meet up with someone who knew the rest of the way.
When I met up with that person I was so relieved and I could rest easy. You know sometimes we feel like we are all alone in this journey of life but God is with us all the way. Not only that but God sends people along the way that have been along the way before and can help us.
Remember to let God be your guide and follow Him and fear not.
POWER VERSE: Isaiah 26:3 -4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in thee.
4 “Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”
Upcoming Events
Camp Crossroads Youth Camp:
Senior Week Camp: June 27-July 3rd.
Junior Week Camp: July 4 –10th
Contact Bro. Brian Bridges for further information at (703)368-0805
e-mail badleg@juno.com
Well that’s about it for this time, Remember to let God have total control of your life, because when God RIEGNS, BLESSINGS POUR.
Living God Loud,
Bro. Brian Bridges
DEATH
Sarah Ruth Marquiss-Longerbeam went to be with the Lord on January 9, 2004. She spent 81 years here on earth and is now spending eternity with our Lord. Mother passed a great heritage on to me through her example and her teaching. When I was young my father was not saved and my mother filled in for him. She was the one who took us to church Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. She was the one who would gather the children at night to read to us and pray with us.
I can remember as a child hearing those stories and wanting to grow up and serve Christ like the people she would read about. I remember one Wednesday night she told me I could stay home to work on my homework if I needed to. I went with her to service and later that night she told that she hoped I'd always remember to keep the Lord first in my life. To this day I can remember the message that was preached, the move of the Spirit in the service and the encouragement my mother gave me that night.
My mother’s grandparents were saved under the preaching of D.S. Warner. Her father was a Church of God minister. and publisher of the Way of Truth. Her father-in-law wrote Sunday School lessons and was a Church of God song writer. I am her oldest son and the pastor of Robinwood Church of God in Hagerstown, Maryland. I praise God today for my wonderful mother. “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them”. Proverbs 20:7 (NLT) Henry Marquiss III
PASTOR NEEDED
The West Side Church of God in Lebanon, Missouri is in need of a pastor. Interested persons may contact Bro. Mike Griffin 417-532-4784
Maintained by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
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