May 31, 2005
Vol. 12 Issue 11
Adobe PDF Version
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 42 delegates representing eighteen congregations or organizations. Annual membership dues of $20.00 per delegate go 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.
Let us work together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Editor.
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
Annual meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM July 21 at the Licking County, Newark, Ohio Camp Meeting. All who are born again, support missions and have an interest in helping us to serve missions, foreign and domestic, plan to attend.
Continue to send offerings identified for specific missions to the Treasurer:
World Missionary Fellowship
C/O Bro. Steve Yoder
P. O. Box418
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 April:
Abam/Abala, Pastor Cyriacus Nwachukwu: Attendance = 54 to 72. 1 soul saved. Activities of the last April went smoothly, God was with us Brethren attended a 3-day lecture, Topic: was Satan cast out from Heaven? Since some seasonal works became less, they all including visitors from other denominations came to hear the teaching O! It was wonderful.
Calabar 1, Pastor Johnnie Austin: Attendance = 73 to 82. Evangelism movement changed gear due to raining season but this did not disturbed the house to house preaching which brought into the church new longer normal church activities were carried out. Weekly meetings carried out during the month, ending bible class on Wednesday also miracle services on Friday and the usual Sunday service.
Once again l want to remind this ministry about caliber project, which is over due. Umuahia have benefited and Aba Nkamiri. We should be fair to all. May God help us all?
Calabar 2, Pastor Bassey Ekpe: Attendance = 47 to 61. 1 soul saved. THERE were prayers that comprised WMF USA and us. House-to-house evangelism. a soul has been won. Thank God for the improvement in the church. God bless all.
Umuahia, Pastor Christian Ogbuka: Attendance = 47 to 57. IT is God that worketh and to do his great pleasure. ON 28-29th we had fasting and prayer to enhance our spiritual and physical well being. So far, work has stopped at our sight due to funds.
Omoba Isiala Ngwa, Pastor Ronald Iheanacho: Attendance = 24 to 33. Every Mondays in the month used for bible studies, every Fridays Wednesdays used for revival prayer: house-to-house evangelism and pastoral visitations were made.
Omoba branch is desperately in used of land, which shall be our permanent site so as to avoid what has happened to bro James at Ehere. We are in the school premises and the place is too strait for us, the cost of land here at Omoba is not all that costly come and help us. The parsonage rent paid for last year, N800 per month for a year: N9, 600 (Nine thousand six hundred naria) has elapse in this month of April. Now the parsonage rent is urgently needed to avoid embarrassment, for one year also that is Nine thousand six hundred naira (N9,600) ($70.00).
Ikot Edibon, Pastor Okon Jim Ibok: Attendance 13 to 24. Fasting and prayer hath been conducted on one day, one day revival meeting hath been conducted and House to house evangelism were visited.
Ikot Inyang Eti, Pastor Udobong Okon Essien: Attendance: 78; 7 souls saved. 2 Baptized. Evangelical activities include Bible class, prayer and fasting s, evangelism, open-air service, tarry night prayer and house fellowship. Pray for us .
Ehere, Aba, Pastor James Igbokwe: Attendance: 21 to 24. 6 souls saved. I received seven hundred U.S I am thanking all the (W.M.F) missionaries. Pastor Cyriacus and our secretary volunteered to lead me to the landlord for formal agreement. Work proceed at the place I felt so joyous that God used WMF to help out in problem the church continued in prayers for all of you and we are looking forward for your coming. People around us also joined us in fellowship in such a high rate of faith. I believed the congregation is pregnant concerning soul winning we will put to bed.
Eket Urban, Pastor E. David: Attendance: 18 to 28. Evangelistic activities included three days daily prayers.
Evavalley Amafor Isingwu Umuahia, Pastor Albert Emeh: Attendance = 16 to 22. Thanks and greeting from this church months of March and April were horrible months for us as a result of break off of our church roof .W e regained the place last Sunday. We kept re-grouping and having our weekly activities. By God’s grace we lost no members. My wife really worked hard on visitation and conducting counseling to weak members. She teaches the ladies and children as well to make sure we really gain our ground.
AMAEFULA, C/O 270 OBOHIA PASTOR AMBROSE: Attendance: 33 to 45. Evangelical report from the church for new members who came to the church and we have a nearby building for sale near the church so we decided to price the building by faith to have it. the owners said N3.5m ($25,000.00). So we have zeal to have it. and the premises is large enough.
PHILIPPINES
May 7, 2005
Dear Pastor Rexroth,
In behalf of the 34 congregations of the Bible Holiness Church of God in PI, summer greetings,
With the quick passing of days we’re again returned home from attending our 6th National Ministerial Conference in Cotabato held April 20-25. We’re 32 delegations who made it to be there as two folds Ilagan & Bullongan were absent due to workers critical illness etc.
As reported, the Lord has been so gracious to us this fiscal year. He added new converts to His church during revivals, evangelistic services and others. In the Seminary He enabled the trainees to survive the 7-month rigid training in pastoral. Now all of them were distributed to temporarily support established congregations or in charge the ones without pastors while waiting for the next opening of the Seminary.
In the field God wondrously met the needs of the churches and the ministry through your foreign aid, donations & churches local resourcefulness; that they were able to improve & even build house of worships & parsonages, do extension works to nearby localities and accomplish significant projects.
Majority of the churches increased in services’ attendance and also in their giving for the Lord. Last year our total giving was P1,584,445 ($29,341.58) while this year it increased to P1,805,066 ($33,427.16). Praise God!
A new promising congregation in Surigao was also born with mostly of them came out from Wesleyan Church. At present they have already a lot still praying for chapel and parsonage by God’s help.
Back to conference news: by God’s supervision the gathering became so orderly and victorious as supported by saint’s prayers, finances and attendance of all who made it. The travels of the delegates were safe and the weather condition throughout the meeting though warm but bearable. We had two services daily, Bible studies, lectures, singings, healing of the afflicted, fellowship, business meetings, observance of ordinances, Bible & Ball games, Seminary presentations and reporting of district pastors & in-charge committees about the achievements, projects and financial status of the local churches from April 2004 to March 2005.
Culminating the gathering, twenty (20) new converts were baptized at Damulog River Sunday afternoon. For details of the conference, they’re noted on the journal we’ll be sending you next. With our grateful hearts, beloved pastors and saints abroad, we fervently pray unto God to reward you overflowing prosperity on earth and in heaven as you love aiding His needy church missions (1 Cor. 16:15-18).
Your Servant in Philippine Labor,
Sis. Noemi L. Esteban
For Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Jr.
INDIA
May 3, 2005
Dear and precious saints of W.M.F,
Precious greetings in the gracious name of Jesus The Lord and Savior of the World.
FAITH “FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH OF GOD” has been launched in T.P.Gudur –INDIA based on certain goals and aims and guiding principles leading to sustained excellence in all walks of spiritual life.
The concepts of Fellowship of the church of God had been implemented in execution of different evangelical and social service programmes and got out standing results in completion of different works.
The Missionary movement started in 2002 through Father and Mother Jennings B and Gail Wood as the missionary arm of the Faith Fellowship of the church of God of INDIA. In the beginning the thatched huts of churches in the district were facing several problems like: Leaking of church sheds caused to stop worship meetings and reduced souls attendance .The lack of support to the pastors was the one of the reason to not extending the ministry in to many villages. In order to over come these problems, father and mother Jennings B Gail Wood have enthusiastically came forward in a big way to take up the ministry by their prayers.
After formation of Fellowship of the God the Lord’s ministry enlarged and many branches were protected. The committee and the chairman are acquainted with their responsibilities and regularly by conducting pastor’s seminars and monthly meetings.
“Fellowship of the church of God” become a popular name in Nellore, Chittoor, Bellary for its humble services. The good co-operation and supporting help from the noble missionaries and saints of W.M.F is unprecedented and solved the problems to a large extent. They invested time, energy sacrifice perseverance are all needed to made this real. The moment we sow the seed we do not reap the harvest Even before sowing the seeds much work should go in and constant application of hard labour had done by the saints and the noble missionaries.
Recently the 15th Fellowship of the church of God pastors meeting is successfully completed with many blessings and much progress.1st pastors meeting was started on Feb 2004. The Fe pastors meetings continuously going on mainly encourage pastors to reach the unreached with Jesus the Lord.
Fellowship of the church of God has two fold objects:
To take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the evangelized people. Our goal is a church among every people and the Gospel to every one. Our motto: Isaiah 54:2 Three pillars on which the Faith Fellowship of the church of God stand FAITH, VISION, and SACRIFICE. Number of missionaries –30, number of mission stations –32, No. of Districts covered-2 No. of church buildings 15. Types of ministries: -Evangelism and church planting -Bible training -Leadership development among new congregations-Short term missionary training-construction of church buildings for new congregations -developing missionary vision in local churches -On sight evangelism -Missionary literature -Audio visuals - Out preach -prayers and counseling -Survey of unreached people
-Bible teaching -River ministry -helping to widows and orphans -academic school
--literacy -community development -church of God literature translation in Telugu -Medical aid for missionaries.
Regular support needed for: missionary support and missionary training, short term Bible school training.
Some another evangelical need: Building for the Bible training centre, three more church buildings One in Temple city, Nellore, one of the River village Varagali and Orphanage building.
Since the work is taken up under Fellowship of the church of God has won the appreciation of noble missionaries, the works also can be taken up by involving saints and pastors. Fellowship of the church of God is successful for its 1.Praying hearts 2.helping hands 3.Transparency 4.involvement of the saints and sharing of responsibility. This is all done only by your prayers and supporting help. Without your prayers and supporting help we cannot move forward.
The 15th pastors meeting were started by praises and prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ for His great plan and works towards the FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH OF GOD. After praising the Lord, Pastor Bobby shared the wonderful message selected and collected from a famous teacher and preacher’s message file “BUILDING OUR SPIRITUAL HOUSE” scriptures: Roman 12:1-21,1cor6:19-20.
The pastors congregation was encouraged by the message, they realized themselves in which they are lack of knowledge, lack of awareness and heart for sacrifice for the service of the Lord. A spirit filled message moved every heart for the service of the Lord. With much prayer the message was delivered in a revival way.
We are praising the Lord Jesus Christ who is the reason for all this success. The Lord strengthened us through His saints and servants to distribute monthly salary to all the missionaries of FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH OF GOD. upto now we could distribute salaries for every missionary for 15 months by your loving kindness. This unfailure help is unspeakable and unestimated. We are very happy that we could provide Two-wheelers to our missionaries, the two-wheelers distributed to our pastors in a special ceremony. It is the answer for our prayers for the two wheelers. It is the great miracle in our pastor’s missionary life. Indeed it is a need to reach the unreached. Praise the Lord. We offer our thankful hearts to all the missionaries and saints of W.M.F. Praise the Lord Jesus all the glory to God only.
Your humble servant Bobby My name is Ramakrishna. I belong to very high Hindu cast family. I am very proud of my family caste. I use to look very inferior to my low caste people. I have got two sons and two daughters. All are got married. My youngest daughter’s husband sent my daughter to my home since 6 years, she is with me. My youngest son's wife left in her bad behavior, and my eldest daughter's husband passed away. I became psychic patient, because of my children sufferings and separation. I use to habituated for opium leaves. All my earnings, I use to spend for my bad habits. I became peaceless, I thought of killing myself. My native place, L.S.Nagar, Tirupati. Some people worship Lord Jesus. Every Sunday, the local Pastor conducts worship service. But I never attend that service. They have invited me many times, but I refused them because they worship the low caste God on 7.12.04. They all invited to participate the newly built Church in the village. Though I cannot interest, I thought one day, to visit the Church. With much force of local pastor i attended opening service. The American pastors preached about the benefits of presence God the words gave me peace and happiness. Some force lead me to take prayers from the people. What the opium did not give peace but after hearing Jesus words, I enjoyed the peace from them on words. I used to attend the Church. I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. My wife and youngest daughter are also follow me to the Church. Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ and Heart fully thanks to the missionaries. Please pray for my family. My family took baptism by Noble Missionary. We are regularly attending church service in L.S Nagar. Please pray for our area people to receive like me Jesus Christ.
YOUTH CORNER
Well it is time to catch up on the corner. As I sit here typing, there is a song that I just can’t get out of my head. And that song is . . . “Pomp and Circumstance” for those of you who do not know what that is, that is the song that is played during graduation. Yes, many of you have walked across the stage already and the rest of you dream of the day when you graduate from High School and some even from college. You know that is a great accomplishment. You have walked across one stage of life onto another. Our heavenly Father has designed this life to be a series of graduations. He wants us to first move across the stage of sin and death and into a victorious life in Him. It doesn’t stop there, He also wants us to graduate from a spiritual baby into a mature adult. Many of you have become contented in the grade level of spirituality that you have attained. However God is calling you to walk across the stage and graduate to the next level.
Power Passage: Proverbs 3:3-6
“3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.” [1]
That is all for now, take care and don’t hesitate when God calls you to graduate.
If your youth group is doing something cool this summer e-mail and let me know. Also if you have some cool pictures send them to me as well.
See Calendar for Upcoming Events
Bro. Brian Bridges
123 Lambert Dr.
Manassas Park VA 20111-1829
E-Mail Badleg@juno.com
Phone: 703-368-0805
FELLOWSHIP DAY REPORT
We were privileged to attend Pine Flats Church of God Fellowship Day in Pine Flats, PA April 30, 2005. Bro. Lee Green preached the morning message: “Is The Dream Still Alive?” from Genesis 37-46. He told us to dare to dream, dare to dream aloud, there are dream killers, there are obstacles along the way to our dreams, endure reverses and dreams do come true.
Bro. Charles Beltz preached the afternoon message: “The Everlasting Kingdom of Christ Jesus” from Mal 3:6, Gen 3:15, 8:21, 9:8-16, 13:16, 22:17-18, Daniel 2:44. Isaiah 9:6-9, 45”17 Luke 1:26-33 & Rev 4:16. He reminded us that Our God is a Covenant making God. He made a plan of salvation and covenanted to himself to not smite any more every living thing. God made a covenant with man, He promised an everlasting Kingdom and He has kept his promise. “Redeemed souls entered into the Kingdom of God almost 1964 years ago. The resurrection power of Christ continues and will continue are as long as children are born on earth”.
REVIVAL REPORT
It was my privilege to attend revival service May 1 at Robinwood Church of God in Hagerstown MD. Evangelist Tony Bartlette preached: “Glorify God Through Your Body” from Romans 12:1 & 1 Cor 6:9. He told us that both powers, God & Satan, are looking for a Body to express through. “Remember that although what’s in your heart is what counts, your body is what displays”. Their body not the Holy Spirit today rules many. The present focus on the body is undermining God’s control of you. If the emphasis is only on the body, the church is in trouble.
PASTOR’S FELLOWSHIP
It was my privilege to attend Pastor’s Fellowship in Winchester, KY May 2-3. Bro. Gerald Rudd preached on “Biblical Leadership” & “Biblical Unity”. Bro. Bill Neece preached on “Biblical Holiness” & “Biblical Church Growth”. Bro. John Conley preached on “Biblical Role of the Pastor” & “Biblical Church Discipline”. Bro. Richard Bradley preached on “Biblical Tongues” & “Biblical Name of the Church”
TESTIMONY
Around the first part of September, 2004 the Lord spoke to my heart while I was mowing the back yard lawn. It was just a few days after I gave my heart to Jesus and was saved on August 30. The words echoed in my ear that still small voice, which said, “Preach my gospel to save souls”. Well this was a very powerful command to me. I continued mowing in tears & protesting, “Lord I can’t preach”.
I have been struggling to even stand up & give a few short words of testimony in the Church of God Chapel. But, He repeated it in the same words. Tears continued to flow and I could hear my own words over the sound of the mower saying, “Of course Lord, I’ll do as you will, I don’t know how, but I’ll learn with your guidance”. So I’ve read several dozen books, searched the scriptures & prayed.
Pray for me that the Lord will give me strength, energy, power, knowledge, understanding and wisdom to carry out the duties of soul winning, and that when my time comes to stand before God Almighty that He will say to me, as in Matt 25:23, “well done thou good and faithful servant”.
Bro. James Molle’
YOUTH PASTOR SOUGHT
Robinwood Church of God, located in Hagerstown, Maryland, is seeking a youth pastor with a love for God and a love for youth, together with strong leadership skills to direct our growing youth group currently from 20 to 40 members. This includes age 5 through 21. Initially, we are offering a part-time position, which we hope to expand into a full-time position in the future. Inquiries please send resume to Troy Cosner, President of the Board, 14219 Rockdale Road, Clearspring, MD 21722 or email at troy@intrepid.net or by phone at 301-582-3336
CALENDAR:
May 31-June 7: Altapass Church of God Camp Ground Work/Clean-up Week. Unfinished projects need to be completed; Grounds & buildings need cleaning and a new roof must be put on the dining hall. Need some strong, willing men to help. Contact Bro. Hoyt Runion 423-473-6091
June 4, 2005:Annual Fellowship Day, Ebenezer Road Church of God, 12051 Cumberland Hwy, Orrstown, PA 17244. Service times: 10:15 AM & 2 PM; Meals provided; Contact Pastor Charles Beltz 717-532-5801, cbeltz@innernet.net
June 13-18, 2005: Camp S.O.S. 2005 Senior Youth Camp, LOCUST SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RETREAT CENTER, Greenville TN. Please contact Bro. Bradley Zoladz for information at (304)-291-2723 E-mail: bzoladz@adelphia.net
June 26 – July 2, 2005: Camp Crossroads Youth Camp, Senior Week, Burnside, PA Contact Bro. Brian Bridges for further information at (703) 368-0805 e-mail badleg@juno.com
July 3 – 9, 2005: Camp Crossroads Youth Camp, Junior Week, Burnside, PA
July 1-7, 2005: Altapass Camp Meeting, Spruce Pine, NC. Evangelist: Bro. Hayden Hutton, Christchurch, New Zealand (A life-long missionary to India). Meals & lodging free-will offering; Youth services daily. For information phone Hoyt Runion 423-473-6091; For reservations phone Tillie January 828-728-2808
July 15-22, 2005: Camp Meeting, Licking County Church of God, 2181 Riggs Road, Newark, Ohio. Made possible through the efforts of a group of cooperating Church of God congregations. For general information contact the Camp Meeting Committee, Phone: 740-345-7841. For lodging information contact: Chris or Sonia Lindner at 47 Spring Valley Dr., Newark, OH 43055-4089; Phone: 740-366-4089, Fax: 740-366-5890; Email: campmeeting@adelphia.net
July 23-29, 2005: Camp Meeting, Green Chapel Church of God, Oak Grove, LA. Three preaching services daily. Contact Pastor William Moden Office: 3184282237, Home: 318-428-2680
July 29 – August 5, 2005: Burnside Family Camp, Burnside, PA. Evangelist: Ben Jordan. Music director: Clarence Brannon; Director of youth Activities: Vaughnie Zopp, Brian Bridges. For youth program info contact Vaughnie Zopp at 304-392-6862. Annual fish fry with Ed & Gerri Carpenter on Saturday, July 30 at 5:00 PM. Lodging: Angela Ford 864-288-3492
September 16-18, 2005: Fellowship Weekend, Chapel of Hope, Lenoir, NC. Service times: Fri 7 PM, Sat 10 A , 2 PM & 7 PM, Sun 10 AM. Camper hook-ups & limited lodging on grounds. Call for local hotel listings. Pastor Mike Spicer 828-758-2340, vspicer@caa.k12.nc.us
September 24, 2005: Annual Fellowship Day, The Church of God of Cumberland Valley, 611 Shippensburg Rd., Shippensburg, PA. Services: 10:30 AM & 2:00 PM. Preaching by visiting ministers. Noon and evening meals provided by the congregation. Contact: Pastor Stanley J. Rexroth 717-423-6389, Church: 717-423-6988 stanley@rexroth.net
Maintained by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
Copyright © 2006