Announcing - Church of God of Prophecy
Announcing - Church of God of Prophecy
Announcing - Church of God of Prophecy
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announcing<br />
International Leadership Development Institute<br />
Cleveland, Tennessee<br />
April 26–29, 2011<br />
(the week following Easter)<br />
Why be there?<br />
• Senior pastor focus<br />
• Addressing needs <strong>of</strong> local pastors<br />
• Top leadership will be sharing from a wealth <strong>of</strong><br />
firsthand experience. Your interaction will be recorded<br />
and used to help others for years to come. (We plan to<br />
record and <strong>of</strong>fer to others who will not be able to join<br />
us. You will help shape this material by your presence.)<br />
• Sharing from a <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> perspective<br />
• Special guests will be sharing from their perspective for<br />
our context<br />
• Other leaders are invited to teach, train, and share with<br />
their local church/state/regional/national counterparts,<br />
such as women, stewardship, heritage. This year, a new<br />
Communications/Media track will cover using media in<br />
worship, social media (Facebook, Twitter), and more.<br />
The fellowship is returning to Cleveland, Tennessee. While<br />
there, you can visit the White Wing Bookstore. Also, you<br />
can have fellowship with our General Overseer, General<br />
Presbyters, State/Regional/National Overseers, and<br />
International Offices personnel.<br />
Load up a van, and bring the entire staff!<br />
2 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Special Guest<br />
Bryan Cutshall<br />
Senior Pastor <strong>of</strong><br />
Twin Rivers<br />
Worship Center
Contents<br />
February 2011 • Volume 87, Number 7<br />
6 The High Cost <strong>of</strong><br />
Harvesting<br />
by David Bryan<br />
8 Youth Harvest<br />
Focus in Africa<br />
by Sherman Allen<br />
10 Empowering<br />
Women in Botswana<br />
by Phillip Segadika<br />
MINISTRIES<br />
17 Central America Leadership<br />
18 News From South America<br />
19 Youth: Conference Update<br />
20 Children’s Ministries:<br />
Around the World<br />
22 CBL Update<br />
23 Heritage: Fields <strong>of</strong> the Wood<br />
24 Stewardship: How Past Market<br />
Rallies Have Shown Staying Power<br />
26 Harvest Partners: Bicycles for<br />
Missions<br />
27 Women’s Ministries:<br />
Colombia Women’s Conference<br />
w w w w<br />
12 Tour <strong>of</strong> the<br />
South Pacific<br />
by David Browder<br />
14 Impacting<br />
Ukraine<br />
by Vitaly Voznyuk<br />
16 Haiti Rebuild<br />
by David Bryan<br />
Bringing honor to the WORD by the printed word, the White Wing Messenger<br />
strives to inspire Christian thought and practice as it imparts the “good news” <strong>of</strong><br />
the Gospel while serving the connectivity needs <strong>of</strong> our church community.<br />
Visit us online—www.whitewingmessenger.orgs<br />
White Wing Messenger Editorial Board: Londa Richardson, Chair; Daniel Chatham;<br />
Hanny Vidal; Cervin McKinnon; Perry Horner; Tapio Sätilä; Shaun McKinley; and Adrian Varlack<br />
Executive Editor/Publisher: R. E. Howard, Managing Editor: DeWayne Hamby, Copy Editor: Elizabeth Witt,<br />
Editorial Assistant: Ingrid Calcagno, Graphic Artists: Perry Horner and Sixto Ramirez,<br />
International Offices (423) 559-5100, and Subscriptions (423) 559-5114<br />
Please submit all material to the White Wing Messenger; Managing Editor; P. O. Box 2910;<br />
Cleveland, TN 37320-2910; phone (423) 559-5128; e-mail us at Editorial@cogop.org.<br />
The White Wing Messenger is the <strong>of</strong>ficial publication <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong>.<br />
FEATURES CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
EDITORIALS<br />
4 Facing Forward:<br />
To All People<br />
by Randall E. Howard<br />
31 Messages:<br />
Love Is Not . . .<br />
by DeWayne Hamby<br />
UPDATES<br />
5 News: Local <strong>Church</strong> / Connect<br />
28 Local/State/International News<br />
Continued • In His Presence<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
February 1–4, 2011<br />
CBL School <strong>of</strong> Practical & Advanced Studies I, II<br />
Dominican Republic<br />
February 3–6, 2011<br />
Youth Harvest Training—Costa Rica<br />
www.operationomega.org<br />
February 7–11, 2011<br />
CBL Leader <strong>of</strong> Leaders<br />
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<br />
February 16–19, 2011<br />
CBL School <strong>of</strong> Practical & Advanced Studies I<br />
Mexico (South)<br />
February 16–19, 2011<br />
CBL School <strong>of</strong> Practical & Advanced Studies II<br />
North Carolina<br />
February 18, 19, 2011<br />
Children’s Minister’s Intensive Training<br />
Brooksville, Florida<br />
children.cogop.org<br />
February 18–20, 2011<br />
European Ladies Retreat<br />
Cyprus<br />
February 23–26, 2011<br />
CBL School <strong>of</strong> Practical & Advanced Studies I<br />
Tennessee<br />
February 26–March 5, 2011<br />
Rebuilding Haiti Work Trip<br />
March 1–4, 2011<br />
CBL School <strong>of</strong> Practical & Advanced Studies I<br />
Kananga, DRC (French)<br />
For more information, visit www.cogop.org unless<br />
otherwise noted.<br />
White Wing Messenger (ISSN 0043-5007) (USPS 683-020) is published<br />
monthly as the <strong>of</strong>ficial publication <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong>, 3750<br />
Keith St NW, Cleveland, TN. Send all materials for publication to Editorial<br />
Department; PO Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37320-2910; e-mail: editorial@cogop.<br />
org, fax: (423) 559-5121. For subscription rates, visit wwm.cogop.org; call<br />
(423) 559-5114; e-mail: subscriptions@cogop.org. Subscription rate: $18.00<br />
per year, payable to White Wing Messenger by check, draft, or money order.<br />
Periodical postage paid at Cleveland, TN 37311 and at additional mail <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
Donations for the White Wing Messenger may be sent to the above address.<br />
All scripture references are from the King James Version unless otherwise<br />
indicated. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to White Wing Messenger,<br />
PO Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37320-2910.<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 3
Nations<br />
from every<br />
continent<br />
are rising<br />
up to send<br />
missionaries in<br />
numbers never<br />
known before.<br />
4 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
To All People<br />
Christianity has known its mandate for<br />
centuries now. We have been called “to<br />
all people.” We proclaim it, celebrate it,<br />
consider the scope <strong>of</strong> it, and work to fulfill<br />
it constantly. And we are in awe <strong>of</strong> the <strong>God</strong><br />
who has a heart for every nation, tribe,<br />
and tongue on the face <strong>of</strong> this planet. His<br />
all-nation passion has been sewn into<br />
His people, his body, as a seed from day<br />
one. Perhaps today we are seeing that<br />
expressed more fully than at any other<br />
time in the history <strong>of</strong> Christianity.<br />
Certainly the apostles did scatter out<br />
after Christ’s commission, but, to a great<br />
extent, this young movement remained<br />
a Jerusalem movement and a Jewish<br />
sect. Paul was born out <strong>of</strong> due season<br />
and pushed the envelope further into<br />
the Gentile world, but there was still<br />
much geography to penetrate. For many<br />
centuries, the Roman covering for the<br />
Gospel became as great a hindrance to<br />
world outreach as the previous Jewish<br />
dominion had been. Christianity was<br />
Roman, not Asian or other ethnicities, and<br />
so it was surprisingly limited by the largest<br />
and most powerful government <strong>of</strong> the day.<br />
After the fall <strong>of</strong> Rome, devoted Monks<br />
carried the message <strong>of</strong> Christ to the<br />
barbarians <strong>of</strong> the north, such as the<br />
Druids, Goths, and Vikings. After the new<br />
world was discovered, Jesuits launched<br />
ambitious projects to convert the natives<br />
<strong>of</strong> North and South America to faith.<br />
Later, William Carey was stirred to take<br />
the message to Africa, and Hudson Taylor<br />
was gripped with the passion that China<br />
should hear.<br />
And so the thrust “to all people” has<br />
been working in and on the people <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>God</strong> for many centuries. Possibly history<br />
might describe the pinnacle <strong>of</strong> this<br />
momentum when Great Britain and the<br />
younger United States were the bastions<br />
<strong>of</strong> faith and thus bore the burden <strong>of</strong><br />
spreading the “good news” across the<br />
earth. Great inroads were made; still, most<br />
observers and mission enthusiasts have<br />
longed to hear <strong>of</strong> true global sweeping<br />
reports doing far more than winning<br />
token numbers <strong>of</strong> natives.<br />
In all the illustrations I have mentioned<br />
from the history <strong>of</strong> Christian missions,<br />
there is one common thread. The<br />
missionary force was always being sent<br />
from a strong, central nation or culture<br />
with the idea <strong>of</strong> converting the rest <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world to faith. This was true <strong>of</strong> the early<br />
Jewish Christians, Rome, Britain, and, most<br />
recently, the United States. Today I would<br />
like to share with you that <strong>God</strong> has moved<br />
His mission strategy ahead to a new phase<br />
<strong>of</strong> operation that could be the actual<br />
world-sweeping force for which many<br />
have hoped.<br />
Today and into the future, <strong>God</strong> has<br />
shifted away from one central strong<br />
Christian culture responsible to reach the<br />
world. Now He is pouring out His Spirit all<br />
over the earth, and people <strong>of</strong> every culture<br />
are picking up the mandate and surging<br />
out into the world <strong>of</strong> darkness carrying<br />
the light. Nations from every continent are<br />
rising up to send missionaries in numbers<br />
never known before.<br />
Korean missionaries can now be found<br />
on many continents. Latin American<br />
missionaries are finding great success<br />
penetrating the Islamic cultures <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world. Philippine servant workers are<br />
spreading the Gospel in hard-to-reach,<br />
persecuted lands forbidding “<strong>of</strong>ficial”<br />
missionaries. Nigerian missionaries are<br />
planting huge churches in unlikely places.<br />
Missionaries from India are stepping out<br />
<strong>of</strong> this nation isolated in both culture and<br />
economics for so many centuries. Brazil<br />
is the largest mission-sending nation in<br />
Latin America. And China may be the<br />
rising giant <strong>of</strong> missions where a vision<br />
and passion to mobilize millions <strong>of</strong> Gospel<br />
missionaries is already being spread.<br />
This should come as no surprise to<br />
Bible believers. The <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> all nations<br />
is mobilizing all nations to finish the<br />
unfinished task, proclaiming Christ “to<br />
all people.”
COGOP Pastor, Daughter<br />
Reunite in Iraq War Zone<br />
Lawrence Jackson, pastor <strong>of</strong> the Lexington, North Carolina,<br />
COGOP, recently reunited with his daughter, Brooke, on the<br />
frontlines in Iraq, pr<strong>of</strong>iled in the article “Father, Daughter<br />
Continue Special Bond in Iraq” by Edward Daileg <strong>of</strong> the United<br />
States Department <strong>of</strong> Defense media department:<br />
“Brooke and her father, Master Sgt. Lawrence E. Jackson, the<br />
communication and information systems noncommissioned<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficer in charge for Task Force Troy have a special bond that<br />
always kept them together for the past 29 years, but this year<br />
they both deployed to Iraq and haven’t seen each other<br />
since January. . .<br />
“On October 1, Lawrence went to work and found Brooke<br />
waiting in his <strong>of</strong>fice. They greeted each other with hugs and<br />
happy smiles. The special bond between them showed as<br />
Lawrence introduced his daughter to the soldiers he works<br />
with. For Lawrence, who has made time to travel to Brazil and<br />
Paraguay with Brooke, a day in Iraq with her meant everything.<br />
“Lawrence, a combat veteran and a soldier for more than 24<br />
years, said that leaving his family for long periods <strong>of</strong> time has<br />
been the hardest part <strong>of</strong> his military career.”<br />
The Word Speaks<br />
Our Facebook friends shared a Bible verse<br />
that has spoken to them lately:<br />
”. . . Launch out into the deep, and let down<br />
your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4).<br />
Tony Comer<br />
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really<br />
love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold<br />
tightly to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NLT).<br />
Britta-Marie Nielse Kilby<br />
“And I will put my spirit within you, and<br />
cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye<br />
shall keep my judgments, and do them”<br />
(Ezekiel 36:27).<br />
Kerena Campbell<br />
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble<br />
me! many are they that rise up against me;<br />
Many there be which say <strong>of</strong> my soul, There<br />
is no help for him in <strong>God</strong>. Selah. But thou,<br />
O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and<br />
the lifter up <strong>of</strong> mine head. I cried unto the<br />
LORD with my voice, and he heard me out<br />
<strong>of</strong> his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and<br />
slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained<br />
me. I will not be afraid <strong>of</strong> ten thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
people, that have set themselves against<br />
me round about” (Psalm 3:1–6).<br />
Westralyn Ferguson<br />
“Make every effort to live in peace with all<br />
men and to be holy; without holiness no<br />
one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 NIV).<br />
Themba Mavimbela<br />
”And <strong>God</strong> is able to make all grace abound<br />
toward you; that ye, always having all<br />
sufficiency in all things, may abound to<br />
every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).<br />
Sue Nichols<br />
”. . . Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter<br />
1:16 NIV).<br />
Joan Herrera<br />
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is<br />
gain” (Phillipians 1:21 NIV).<br />
Keshia Peters<br />
Connect to White Wing Messenger on Facebook<br />
for ongoing discussions—www.facebook.com/<br />
whitewingmessenger.<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 5
One <strong>of</strong> our faithful leaders from a nation in Asia<br />
wrote to us recently. His words were a gripping<br />
reminder <strong>of</strong> the cost <strong>of</strong> obeying our mandate<br />
to reach the harvest. They give a glimpse into the<br />
emotional trauma:<br />
6 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
This is a very bad event and news . . . that 6<br />
November, 1:30 a.m., some people came by<br />
motorcycle at front <strong>of</strong> our main gate, and,<br />
suddenly, they did gun firing, and gate became<br />
full <strong>of</strong> holes. Two [bullets] came in my <strong>of</strong>fice, but<br />
thanks [be to] <strong>God</strong> who saved me. [My son’s]<br />
wife was moving for some reason, and two<br />
[bullets] pass[ed] very near from her head but<br />
[did] not touch her.<br />
We make call to police after firing. Police came<br />
and saw every hole at main gate and my <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
Now we are going to police station [to] register<br />
the case.<br />
Please remember my family in your prayers in<br />
this hard time.<br />
Your Brother in Christ<br />
Overt violence directed at a Christian for no other<br />
reason than following the teachings and life <strong>of</strong> Christ is<br />
an unusual experience for most <strong>of</strong> us living in Western<br />
nations. But it is the norm for many Christians in other<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the world. Why do good, godly people who love<br />
Jesus suffer this kind <strong>of</strong> vicious attack? Is this normal for<br />
global believers to face this kind <strong>of</strong> virulent opposition?<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the most uncomfortable truths about the way<br />
<strong>of</strong> Christ is that persecution <strong>of</strong> His followers is normal.<br />
Jesus included persecution as one <strong>of</strong> the “benefits” <strong>of</strong> a<br />
life <strong>of</strong> discipleship: “But he shall receive an<br />
hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren,<br />
and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with<br />
persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life”<br />
(Mark 10:30). Jesus, the early apostles, the first-century<br />
believers, and Christians in many lands since have<br />
died at the hands <strong>of</strong> the enemies <strong>of</strong> the Gospel. Lest<br />
we segregate their experience from our expectations<br />
and think <strong>of</strong> persecution as for some select spiritual<br />
heavyweights, Paul generalized in a way that is actually<br />
quite stunning: “Yea, and all that will live godly in<br />
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12,<br />
emphasis added).<br />
Our brothers and sisters are not being<br />
attacked because they are a bit too<br />
fanatical in their evangelistic strategies<br />
or upset their neighbors by being<br />
boorish and unpleasant. They live for<br />
Christ and share Him faithfully. That is<br />
their only crime. Couldn’t they just tone<br />
things down and not be such aggressive<br />
evangelists to avoid this kind <strong>of</strong> vicious<br />
attack? The truth is that persecution is<br />
a difficult but normal part <strong>of</strong> Christian
experience because the Gospel is light,<br />
and the forces <strong>of</strong> darkness (Satan,<br />
demons, evil spirits) are resolutely<br />
opposed to it—they will use every<br />
means to resist its spread.<br />
We have a mandate to share the Good<br />
News with everyone, regardless <strong>of</strong> their<br />
religious, ethnic, cultural, or political<br />
identity. Living as faithful Christians<br />
in places where opposing religious,<br />
political, or personal philosophies are<br />
antagonistic to the faith inevitably means persecution<br />
will be part <strong>of</strong> the package. I wish this was not the case,<br />
but the biblical facts and the experience <strong>of</strong> our brothers<br />
and sisters are undeniable.<br />
We seek the salvation <strong>of</strong> all human beings regardless<br />
<strong>of</strong> whether it is easy or not. Christians around the<br />
world are paying a great price to share the Gospel. In<br />
some nations, they are dying or their homes are being<br />
destroyed, their children taken from them, or they are<br />
being imprisoned. This is painful, but it is not a reason to<br />
stop preaching the Gospel. We do not seek martyrdom,<br />
but if we die for the cause <strong>of</strong> Christ, it is not a reason for<br />
despair but for rejoicing that we are counted worthy to<br />
suffer for our Lord.<br />
Pray for the safety <strong>of</strong> our precious brothers and sisters<br />
who are living as faithful disciples <strong>of</strong> our Lord Jesus in<br />
these difficult and extremely dangerous places, but do<br />
not be discouraged by the challenges they must make<br />
to follow our Lord. They are true soldiers <strong>of</strong> the cross,<br />
and they bring honor to the name <strong>of</strong> the Lord Jesus by<br />
sacrificing their lives to make Him known.<br />
Fulfilling the mandate to focus on the harvest may<br />
mean death for some <strong>of</strong> our faithful brothers and sisters.<br />
It may, one day, mean that we may make that sacrifice.<br />
We pray for governmental leaders so that respect for<br />
basic human rights will be a reality everywhere. Such<br />
an environment allows us to proclaim Christ without<br />
the threat <strong>of</strong> reprisal. But this conflict rages. We preach<br />
the Gospel in an arena <strong>of</strong> conflict between the forces <strong>of</strong><br />
light and darkness. There will be casualties.<br />
Pray to the Lord <strong>of</strong> the harvest to raise up more<br />
courageous harvesters. Give to support the work <strong>of</strong><br />
these faithful servants who share the Gospel despite<br />
the dangers, obstacles, and opposition. May we be as<br />
faithful to them as they are to the cause <strong>of</strong> Christ.<br />
David Bryan<br />
Director, Global<br />
Outreach Ministries<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 7
8 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Youth Harvest<br />
Focus in Africa<br />
New Leadership in Sierra Leone<br />
Sierra Leone has been in the news<br />
recently because <strong>of</strong> the tragic loss<br />
<strong>of</strong> five <strong>of</strong> our stalwart leaders in<br />
this nation from a motor car accident. This<br />
time around, Sierra Leone is once again<br />
in the news because <strong>of</strong> some positive<br />
happenings that will certainly impact the<br />
work in this nation for the better.<br />
The Third Biennial National Convention<br />
for Sierra Leone was held from Friday,<br />
October 29, through Sunday, October 31,<br />
2010. In order to give maximum support<br />
to the work, the Africa Administrative and<br />
Finance Committee decided to convene<br />
its finance meeting to coincide with this<br />
convention. This meant that all members<br />
<strong>of</strong> the said Committees had to travel to<br />
Freetown (the capital) to do two days<br />
<strong>of</strong> leadership training with all pastors and<br />
national workers prior to the opening<br />
<strong>of</strong> the convention. Subjects from the<br />
Ministry Policy Manual were taught by<br />
Bishops Levi Clarke (Africa Area Presbyter),<br />
Stephen Masilela (assistant to the General<br />
Presbyter’s Office), and Cyril Odendo<br />
(member <strong>of</strong> the Africa Administration).<br />
The national convention began on<br />
Friday morning with great anticipation.<br />
National Overseer Sherman Allen opened<br />
the convention with some timely and<br />
encouraging words. The sense <strong>of</strong> loss due<br />
to the loss <strong>of</strong> our five leaders was present<br />
from the very start, but the Lord had other<br />
things planned for this gathering and sent<br />
His Holy Spirit to cheer and comfort the<br />
church in a marvelous way.<br />
It was refreshing to see the brethren<br />
responding to the Spirit’s call to rejoice<br />
as several began to cry aloud with great<br />
rejoicing. In one session on Saturday<br />
morning, the moderator called for all the<br />
young people to form a line and asked the<br />
visiting senior bishops to pray for them.<br />
Again, the Lord was kind to His people and<br />
blessed them mightily.<br />
The Sunday morning session was unusual<br />
in that although the children were not<br />
included on the program, the moderator<br />
gave space and time to them. What these<br />
children provided to the convention was a<br />
unique blessing as many <strong>of</strong> them worshipped<br />
the Lord in songs and Scripture verses.<br />
National Overseer Bishop Allen used the<br />
occasion to announce the appointment<br />
<strong>of</strong> a director to the specialized ministry<br />
<strong>of</strong> ministering to the young harvest. He<br />
emphasized that no longer will the needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> children be neglected in Sierra Leone as<br />
the new director will be working with the<br />
International Children’s Director’s Office<br />
to formulate plans for the development <strong>of</strong><br />
this ministry.
Financial Accountability<br />
The national treasurer, Brother Mark<br />
Sesay, gave a financial report covering the<br />
two years from the last convention. The<br />
report was very transparent and accurate.<br />
Every detail <strong>of</strong> funds received into the<br />
national treasury and how they were<br />
spent was handled with integrity. At the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> the treasurer’s report, the National<br />
Overseer and moderator commented, “One<br />
day, all national treasurers’ reports will be<br />
given in similar fashion.”<br />
It is interesting to note that although<br />
Sierra Leone is one <strong>of</strong> the poorest nations<br />
in the world where most <strong>of</strong> its citizens live<br />
on less than a dollar a day, it paid into the<br />
international account <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong> more<br />
than US $400 in tithes and <strong>of</strong>ferings. This is<br />
highly commendable for a nation gripped<br />
by such a terrible economic plight.<br />
New Overseer Appointed<br />
On Sunday, October 31, during the<br />
convention, General Presbyter (and<br />
current National Overseer) Sherman Allen<br />
appointed Bishop Levi Clarke (Africa Area<br />
Presbyter) as National Overseer to the<br />
country <strong>of</strong> Sierra Leone.<br />
Evangelism and Discipleship<br />
Agenda Background History<br />
In 1797, the British Parliament freed<br />
the slaves it had working on its sugar<br />
plantations and in its coal mining industry.<br />
These freed slaves, suddenly coming into<br />
a lifestyle where they were not forced to<br />
work but having time to do whatever they<br />
wanted, ended up in mischief and crime.<br />
They had no jobs to go to. The British<br />
government decided to use the colony <strong>of</strong><br />
Sierra Leone as a home for the freed slaves<br />
and sent them to live there.<br />
Embarking from their flotillas, these<br />
former slaves wept tears <strong>of</strong> joy and delight<br />
to be in a land where they would now<br />
have to determine their own destiny. They<br />
gathered under a cotton<br />
tree in what is now the<br />
center <strong>of</strong> the city and called<br />
the town Freetown. This is<br />
the <strong>of</strong>ficial name <strong>of</strong> the<br />
capital to this day.<br />
When eventually Sierra<br />
Leone took independence from Britain in<br />
1961, the population was overwhelmingly<br />
Christian and <strong>of</strong> traditional religion. Today,<br />
however, Islam has made inroads from the<br />
North into Sierra Leone, changing totally<br />
the demography <strong>of</strong> this nation. Islam<br />
has now risen to become the majority<br />
religion (70 percent) while Christianity<br />
has decreased to third position behind<br />
traditional ethnic with 11.72 percent <strong>of</strong> the<br />
population (taken from Operation World<br />
21 st Century Edition, p. 563).<br />
Islam will stop at nothing until it takes<br />
the very heart and soul <strong>of</strong> this nation.<br />
Knowing this, the Africa Administration, in<br />
conjunction with the present leadership<br />
in Sierra Leone, has decided on a plan <strong>of</strong><br />
action to train two teams <strong>of</strong> locally based<br />
missionary workers to witness to Muslims.<br />
Much thanks to the Global Outreach<br />
Department and Director David Bryan,<br />
who has been instrumental in providing<br />
some funds to train and equip these teams<br />
<strong>of</strong> missionary workers. They will be trained<br />
by qualified <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong><br />
missionary-overseers such as Peter Koyea<br />
and Koissi Antoine, who are presently<br />
working in strongly Islamic nations in<br />
the northwestern sector <strong>of</strong> the African<br />
continent. They have gained invaluable<br />
experiences in their ministry efforts.<br />
It would be appreciated if the general<br />
<strong>Church</strong> could make this project a<br />
prayer priority.<br />
Sherman Allen<br />
Africa General Presbyter<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 9
10 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Empowering<br />
Women in Botswana<br />
In the past four years, we have come up with<br />
several initiatives to help church women in<br />
Botswana to be economically self-sufficient.<br />
There are at least four programs that are<br />
currently available, which include mentoring<br />
<strong>of</strong> younger ladies by older women, short-term<br />
training through seminars and workshops,<br />
long-term training (one year), and special<br />
skills impartation.<br />
We were first inspired to assist our faithful<br />
members who do not have a chance to go for<br />
further education, who are unemployed, and<br />
who are vulnerable to abuse but continue to<br />
faithfully serve the Lord. Women in Botswana,<br />
like elsewhere, are <strong>of</strong>ten having many<br />
dependents as children, relatives, or elderly<br />
parents. Much research has shown that all<br />
over the world, women are <strong>of</strong>ten forced into<br />
ungodly relationships and habits because <strong>of</strong><br />
economic dependence.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the women who has benefited from<br />
this project is Maduo Dube, age 46, who is also<br />
a local church pastor <strong>of</strong> the Molapowabojang<br />
<strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> in Botswana. Even<br />
though Sister Dube had done a three-year<br />
pastoral training course, the challenges <strong>of</strong><br />
planting a non-sustaining church in a poor<br />
and rural area meant that she had to keep<br />
two other jobs—a full-time job as an assistant<br />
teacher in a nursery school and managing a<br />
kiosk in order to make ends meet. Things were<br />
not easy because, at the time, her husband was<br />
also unemployed, meaning that she had to be<br />
a bread winner for the family, which includes<br />
her three children.<br />
The Botswana Women Empowerment<br />
Program received Sister Dube’s application<br />
for assistance after Sister Josephine Carty<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Virgin Islands contributed $1,000 in<br />
funds for her nursery school training. Sister<br />
Dube showed great commitment; she had to<br />
suspend her kiosk work and engage in a daily<br />
evening study, pursuing a one-year course in<br />
nursery school training, while she continued<br />
with her daily assistant teaching post and<br />
pastoral work.<br />
Sister Dube stated, “I had been working as an<br />
unqualified teacher in a nursery school for ten<br />
years when this scholarship was given to me. I<br />
had no option but to quit my other engagements<br />
because I knew the training would have longterm<br />
benefits for my career and family.” She<br />
stated further, “I could not afford to pay for<br />
myself because we had three children to take<br />
care <strong>of</strong>, and they were a priority.”<br />
After one year, Sister Dube was able to get a<br />
distinction from the accredited nursery school<br />
teacher’s course. “It was not easy; there were<br />
many assignments, so in the evening, I and my<br />
children were all students doing homework.”<br />
However, on completion, she immediately<br />
got a job as a qualified teacher in a Catholic<br />
mission school where she has been working<br />
for three years now.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the beneficiaries <strong>of</strong> this project,<br />
Gomolemo Chirongwe, is not working as a<br />
teacher but attests to the fact that she outcompeted<br />
others on her current job (in a<br />
government department) because she now<br />
possesses something extra to show, apart<br />
from the O Level certificate. However, Sisters<br />
Chirongwe and Dube are currently registering<br />
a nursery school business so as to open<br />
their own nursery school in partnership with<br />
the Lobatse COGOP local church. “With the<br />
experience I have from working so long in the<br />
nursery schools, and especially now that I am<br />
qualified, I am more than prepared to open my<br />
own school, <strong>of</strong>fer a service to the community,<br />
and employ other women,” states Sister Dube.<br />
Asked if she is discouraged by the lack <strong>of</strong><br />
capital to begin, Sister Dube responds, “Look,
I am not discouraged. Some years ago, my<br />
husband was not employed, we did not have<br />
a proper house, and now look at the provision<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Lord.” As she points to her newly built<br />
house, she states, “My husband is now working,<br />
I am now a qualified teacher, I have a stable job,<br />
my son completed his training as a plumber, and<br />
Pendani [daughter] has just started University.”<br />
Overseer Phillip Segadika has this to say:<br />
“We thank brethren who have heeded our<br />
call for assistance, especially Sister Josephine<br />
Carty from the Virgin Islands through whose<br />
assistance we have now trained four women.<br />
However, we have many still waiting to be<br />
assisted and whose lives can be transformed<br />
by $1,000 US dollars, which covers tuition and<br />
fees. As I once mentioned, this project is not about<br />
giving fish to the people. It is empowering<br />
women to take care <strong>of</strong> themselves, their families,<br />
and to restore their dignity in society.”<br />
Regarding the future <strong>of</strong> the project, Overseer<br />
Segadika says, “We started with our members,<br />
but we see even more serious problems out<br />
there <strong>of</strong> dispossessed, disempowered women<br />
who are, however, trainable. . . . We are currently<br />
doing research to see if we can’t open a whole<br />
school where the church actually runs the whole<br />
preschool teacher training<br />
program. The thing is that in<br />
Botswana, pre-schools are<br />
privately run, meaning that<br />
they are an open business<br />
opportunity for people who<br />
have some capital to start<br />
their own businesses. We want<br />
to help these women help themselves.<br />
We have our church buildings that are not<br />
used throughout the week when there are<br />
unemployed women and many children in<br />
these communities. That’s wasteful.”<br />
Even though the local town council has now<br />
introduced stringent rules meaning that part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Lobatse <strong>Church</strong> building will need to be<br />
renovated to make it “kid-friendly,” the vision<br />
is not abandoned. The renovation includes<br />
adding kindergarten-size toilets and building<br />
a separate kitchen and eating area, which adds<br />
up to at least $20,000 US dollars in materials<br />
alone. For this, we need some assistance as we<br />
train a few more women.<br />
Reported by Neo Segadika and Seboneso Bantusitse<br />
Phillip Segadika<br />
Overseer <strong>of</strong> Botswana<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 11
I<br />
12 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Tour <strong>of</strong> the<br />
South Pacific<br />
want to invite you to go with me to the<br />
South Pacific through the means <strong>of</strong> the<br />
following word picture. As you read, I<br />
believe you will understand why Patricia and<br />
I love this part <strong>of</strong> the world to such a great<br />
degree. <strong>God</strong> has truly blessed us to work in<br />
the Asia/Oceania area, and He is doing great<br />
things through the faithful people <strong>of</strong> this part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
As we board the plane in Atlanta on October<br />
23, 2010, we can feel the great anticipation<br />
<strong>of</strong> being able to see the “happy people” <strong>of</strong><br />
the South Pacific. Of course, the only thing<br />
that could make it better is if Patricia and the<br />
children could be on the plane as well.<br />
When we land in Honolulu, Hawaii, Bishop<br />
Gary Langley is there to take us to his house<br />
where we will stay for the next five days. Bishop<br />
Langley will spend part <strong>of</strong> that time catching<br />
us up on things that are developing in Hawaii.<br />
For example, we have mission possibilities on<br />
the Big Island that are very promising. There is<br />
also a pastor from Oahu who has become very<br />
good friends <strong>of</strong> the church, and his family is<br />
attending our services at Reunion.<br />
On Sunday morning, we go to the Reunion<br />
church service where the crowd continues to<br />
grow, and lots <strong>of</strong> new faces are seen. Of course,<br />
it is good to see the friends and members<br />
that Patricia and I made while we lived there.<br />
Brother Gary and I discuss some business<br />
matters and come up with a strategic plan for<br />
dealing with them. Then, on Thursday evening,<br />
it is time for us to leave Hawaii and head for<br />
American Samoa.<br />
As is typical with the two flights each week<br />
that go to American Samoa, our flight will be<br />
leaving at 5:00 p.m. and arrive in Pago Pago<br />
at about 9:30 p.m. Pastor Noni Que, one <strong>of</strong> his<br />
leaders, and Bishop Asalemo Kuka, the National<br />
Overseer, greet us at the airport. By the time we<br />
get to the room, it is well after midnight. After<br />
contacting Patricia to let her know I made it okay,<br />
it is time for a little rest.<br />
The next morning, we walk about two miles<br />
to the Tafuna <strong>Church</strong> where we see that they are<br />
erecting a new sanctuary. This is very interesting<br />
to see since Patricia and I began having services<br />
in a little hurricane house in 1993. The building<br />
is constructed by manual labor, and there are<br />
no cement mixers or other machines to help in<br />
getting the work done.<br />
The next day, we borrow Pastor Noni’s car and<br />
drive to Faga`alu where we look at the property<br />
on which they are going to build a multipurpose<br />
building. On Sunday morning, we attend church<br />
at the English-speaking church, where Pastor<br />
Noni is the lead pastor. They are in a fairly new<br />
warehouse-type building that they have rented<br />
and turned into a really nice sanctuary.<br />
Next, we travel on to Samoa (Western) where<br />
we only have one day but manage to visit with<br />
our Sinamoga pastor, Elisaiah Kelemete. The<br />
church is growing, and the pastor and his wife<br />
are very happy to be serving the Lord in this<br />
village.<br />
From Samoa, we fly across the International<br />
Date Line to the islands <strong>of</strong> Fiji. Once again, the<br />
flight is a night flight, so we don’t leave Samoa<br />
until midnight and arrive in Suva, Fiji, at 6:00 a.m.<br />
on Wednesday. Remember that we left Samoa<br />
on Tuesday morning, flew about one-and-ahalf<br />
hours, and landed in Fiji on Wednesday<br />
morning? Are you confused yet? After getting<br />
some rest, that afternoon I work on answering<br />
e-mails and trying to get my thoughts together<br />
for handling the business in Fiji. On Thursday<br />
afternoon, we meet with key leaders to discuss<br />
the strategy that needs to be implemented. The<br />
pastors are very receptive and help more than<br />
they could ever imagine.
Since Friday is a holiday in Fiji, very little<br />
can be done. Of course, Saturday is also a day<br />
when the government <strong>of</strong>fices and many <strong>of</strong><br />
the businesses are closed. I work on some<br />
documents that need to be written. On Sunday<br />
morning, we go to church with Pastor Jason<br />
Verma, and I am the guest speaker for that<br />
service.<br />
Following the service, we go to McDonald’s<br />
for a burger, fries, and Coke. Once again, I finish<br />
the day by working on documents that need to<br />
be completed. When Monday comes, we are at<br />
the government <strong>of</strong>fices bright and early where<br />
we begin to tend to the business at hand. It<br />
takes us from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to get the<br />
necessary information from the one <strong>of</strong>fice that<br />
we have been to. We learn that there are other<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices and documents that are necessary in<br />
order for us to complete our task.<br />
It is at the end <strong>of</strong> the day that we find out<br />
we have to make a trip to Nadi to check about<br />
another point <strong>of</strong> business. Nadi is a threeand-a-half<br />
hour drive from Suva on a winding<br />
highway, which winds along the shoreline.<br />
We have to spend the night in a hotel and get<br />
up early the next morning to complete our<br />
business in Nadi so that we can return to Suva<br />
in time to finish the business there.<br />
We arrive back in Suva at noon on Tuesday.<br />
We go straight to the bank where we wait<br />
again until about 3:00 p.m. before we finish our<br />
business. Then we go for a quick lunch at Pastor<br />
Jonathan Lakshman’s house before going to<br />
the airport for the flight back to Samoa.<br />
The flight leaves Suva at<br />
6:00 p.m. and arrives in Nadi<br />
at 6:30. The flight to Samoa<br />
leaves at 9:30 p.m. and arrives<br />
in Fale`olo at approximately<br />
11:00 p.m. When we have<br />
cleared customs and<br />
immigration, it is well after midnight. Then we<br />
have a 45-minute drive into Apia where we will<br />
be staying.<br />
Bishop Asalemo is at the airport to drive us<br />
to the hotel. We rest a few hours, and then we<br />
and Bishop Asalemo begin our tasks that need<br />
to be completed before we leave Samoa on<br />
Thursday morning.<br />
The work is still growing in Samoa.<br />
I ask you to please pray for the Asia/Oceania<br />
area. This part <strong>of</strong> the world has some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most hostile people in the world toward<br />
Christianity. Even in Samoa, which has been<br />
considered very much a Christian nation, the<br />
Islamic people are beginning to set up their<br />
homes and mosques. So we really need your<br />
prayers. Remember that we are praying for you<br />
as well.<br />
David L. Browder<br />
General Presbyter for Asia,<br />
Australia, and Oceania<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 13
14 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Women’s Ministries<br />
<strong>God</strong> gave us the opportunity to host two<br />
women’s conferences in different cities <strong>of</strong><br />
Ukraine. A wonderful women’s conference was<br />
held on June 1 where Pastors Tatiana Voznyuk<br />
and Irina Voznyuk, along with eight sisters <strong>of</strong><br />
the Emmanuel <strong>Church</strong>, hosted an evening <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>God</strong>’s love, anointing, healing, and questions<br />
and answers for women <strong>of</strong> the local church<br />
in Vasilkov.<br />
On June 12, at the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> Living Faith<br />
in Alexandria, Kirovograd region, a unique<br />
women’s conference was held where sisters<br />
gathered from more than 20 churches,<br />
including several different denominations—<br />
Orthodox, Pentecostal, Baptist, Greek Catholic,<br />
and others. The main speaker <strong>of</strong> the conference<br />
was Pastor Tatiana Voznyuk.<br />
Summer Outreaches<br />
Impacting<br />
Ukraine<br />
My team and I ministered in conferences in<br />
Donesk (southeastern Ukraine) and Bobrinets<br />
(central Ukraine hometown <strong>of</strong> the pastor)<br />
as well as mission outreaches in Armenia<br />
and Georgia.<br />
In the city <strong>of</strong> Donesk (southeastern Ukraine),<br />
we hosted a regional conference <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ukraine. In Dimitrov,<br />
we gathered the largest number <strong>of</strong> pastors,<br />
many <strong>of</strong> whom are pastors <strong>of</strong> new churches<br />
that have opened up, and the Kingdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong><br />
continues to expand.<br />
In Bobrinets (central Ukraine), Kirovograd<br />
region, on July 9, 10, 2010, we hosted a<br />
conference with the participation <strong>of</strong> a group<br />
from the Emmanuel <strong>Church</strong>. On July 9, an<br />
evening service for women was led by Pastor<br />
Tatiana Voznyuk. Her messages were about<br />
Christian women in today’s society as well as<br />
the family.<br />
On Saturday, July 10, the service was attended<br />
by the pastor <strong>of</strong> the church <strong>of</strong> Bobrinets as well<br />
as pastors <strong>of</strong> the Emmanuel <strong>Church</strong>—Alexander<br />
Voznyuk, Irina Voznyuk, and Oleg Molar. I was<br />
the main speaker there and after the message,<br />
I prayed for the church and imparted blessing<br />
for all pastors and members in attendance.<br />
Also, I was able to lead a mission team from the<br />
Emmanuel <strong>Church</strong> to minister to churches in<br />
Georgia and Armenia. In Georgia, the host was<br />
Pastor <strong>God</strong>erzi Todadze where the Georgian<br />
churches continue to grow and develop. <strong>God</strong><br />
is working mighty miracles and helping to<br />
restore post-war actions in their country.<br />
Local <strong>Church</strong><br />
On June 12, in Kiev, the capital <strong>of</strong> Ukraine,<br />
the Dnieper River became the site <strong>of</strong> our<br />
baptism service for new brothers and sisters<br />
making a decision to serve <strong>God</strong>. Nine young<br />
people, including the daughters <strong>of</strong> both myself<br />
and Pastor Alexander Voznyuk, committed their<br />
lives to Christ. During the Sunday morning<br />
service, our new church members were presented<br />
the Bible and, for the first time, took part<br />
in communion.<br />
Youth Ministries<br />
In August, we hosted a youth conference.<br />
<strong>Church</strong>es from many different parts <strong>of</strong> Ukraine<br />
sent delegates from their churches, youth<br />
leaders, and active participants in ministry to<br />
participate in this conference. Representatives<br />
from Kyiv, Ternopil, Odessa, Alchevsk,<br />
Dnepropetrovsk, Bobrinec, Krasnodon, Poltava,<br />
Priluki, and Chernigov participated in this<br />
conference. Also in attendance from Tbilisi<br />
was Georgia Todadze Juliet, the daughter<br />
<strong>of</strong> the bishop <strong>of</strong> Georgia. One-hundred and<br />
five participants were registered. During<br />
the whole week, the young people were in<br />
<strong>God</strong>’s presence, after which no one remained<br />
the same. As the delegates were leaving the<br />
conference, there was a desire and passion to<br />
serve <strong>God</strong> and people.
Miraculous Testimony<br />
We have to share about the miracle that<br />
<strong>God</strong> has done in one family from our church.<br />
Dmitriy and Inna Evdokimova, who have long<br />
been members <strong>of</strong> the Emmanuel <strong>Church</strong>,<br />
rejoiced in the birth <strong>of</strong> their fourth son. The<br />
doctors had given them a disappointing<br />
diagnosis: the child’s lungs had not opened,<br />
and he couldn’t breathe independently. The<br />
child, from the first minutes <strong>of</strong> his life, was<br />
connected to a respirator; doctors predicted<br />
his chance <strong>of</strong> survival was close to impossible.<br />
The church and the pastors prayed for the<br />
child, praying over his clothes and passing it<br />
on to the hospital, where he was kept. Two<br />
days later, the child was healed! The respirator<br />
became disabled because the child began to<br />
breathe on his own. A day<br />
later, the child began to eat,<br />
and now doctors are fully<br />
confident in his complete<br />
and full recovery. His parents<br />
and the church thank the<br />
Lord <strong>God</strong> for showing this<br />
miraculous power!<br />
Throughout the summer, we saw the hand<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> over all the ministries and our travels.<br />
We thank you for your prayers and support.<br />
May <strong>God</strong> bless you!<br />
Your Partner in the Harvest,<br />
Bishop Vitaly Voznyuk<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 15
16 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Haiti Rebuild:<br />
Forging Ahead<br />
Tim McCaleb, project coordinator, led his<br />
first construction team to Port-au-Prince, Haiti,<br />
on September 6, 2010. Buoyed by the amazing<br />
generosity <strong>of</strong> our members and churches<br />
from around the world who have given an<br />
unprecedented <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> more than $516,000<br />
in response to the Haiti earthquake, the<br />
International Offices provided emergency aid<br />
as well as funds to help Haiti rebuild.<br />
The five team members who accompanied<br />
Brother McCaleb were deeply touched as they<br />
gave a week <strong>of</strong> their lives to the Haitian people.<br />
Brother McCaleb reported on a busy week<br />
<strong>of</strong> work including surveying the orphanage<br />
property in Leogane and rebuilding a large<br />
section <strong>of</strong> the wall around the orphanage,<br />
extending from the front entrance north to the<br />
sea wall. The wall had collapsed, exposing the<br />
property to outsiders in the aftermath <strong>of</strong> the<br />
January trembler.<br />
The team worked hard, digging out the<br />
old foundation, laying rebar, and pouring<br />
the concrete footer. The plan calls for placing<br />
concrete columns every three meters to<br />
reinforce the wall, which will be approximately<br />
ten feet high. The team also tore down walls <strong>of</strong><br />
one <strong>of</strong> the major buildings on the property and<br />
inserted steel posts.<br />
There are a number <strong>of</strong> bungalows that were<br />
not destroyed in the earthquake. They cleaned<br />
and installed screens over the windows in<br />
preparation for using these for future teams<br />
who will stay onsite. The orphanage is close to<br />
an area where numerous churches collapsed<br />
since Leogane was the epicenter <strong>of</strong> the<br />
earthquake. Brother McCaleb commented,<br />
“Overall, it was a great trip, and many good<br />
things were accomplished. I learn more every<br />
trip I make, and I anticipate greater successes<br />
each time I go.”<br />
Six churches are also being rebuilt. The<br />
national church on Truman Boulevard<br />
sustained some damage to the walls and is<br />
being restored. Other church buildings in<br />
Canope Vert, Main Street, Cite Soleil, and Sans<br />
Fils are being reconstructed. Brother McCaleb<br />
plans to begin work soon on two more church<br />
buildings in Dufort and LaSalle.<br />
So many wonderful groups are seeking to<br />
make a difference in Haiti. Representatives<br />
<strong>of</strong> Samaritan’s Purse will be bringing in<br />
a bulldozer to remove the rubble <strong>of</strong> the<br />
collapsed buildings at the orphanage site.<br />
G.A.I.N., the relief and development arm <strong>of</strong><br />
Campus Crusade for Christ, has already begun<br />
work clearing rubble, renovating bungalows,<br />
and promising to provide help with<br />
reconstruction <strong>of</strong> the orphanage.<br />
The passage <strong>of</strong> Hurricane Tomas through<br />
the Caribbean delayed the arrival <strong>of</strong> the second<br />
construction team led by Brother McCaleb, but<br />
he and a team <strong>of</strong> brothers from Alabama and<br />
Mississippi are in Haiti at press time. Future<br />
trips are planned for March and May 2011.<br />
David Bryan<br />
Director, Global<br />
Outreach Ministries
On November 3–6, 2010, more than 200 key leaders from Mexico, Central<br />
America, and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean met in Santo Domingo to<br />
discuss the vision and mission <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong> in this area.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the time was dedicated to discuss the VISION 2020 documents<br />
(featured in the August issue <strong>of</strong> the White Wing Messenger). The dialogue<br />
was coordinated by Bishop Don Brock from the International Administrative<br />
Committee, with the participation <strong>of</strong> Bishops Randall Howard, E. C. McKinley,<br />
Gabriel Vidal, Paul Holt, and Ben Feliz, General Presbyter <strong>of</strong> Central America.<br />
Additional special guests included Bishop Sam Clements, who brought a<br />
challenging word to the attendees, Dr. Hector Ortiz, Bishop Elias Rodriguez<br />
from CBL, and Bishop Esteban Rodriguez from Kissimmee, Florida.<br />
On Saturday, November 6, Bishop Howard delivered a powerful word<br />
at the installation service <strong>of</strong> new General Presbyter Bishop Feliz. The<br />
installation service was open to the churches.<br />
Ben Feliz, General Presbyter for Mexico,<br />
Central America, and Spanish-Speaking Caribbean<br />
For Such a Time As This<br />
2011 International Pastors Summit<br />
September 26–29, 2011 • Tegucigalpa, Honduras<br />
Shared at Central American<br />
Leadership Conference<br />
Pastors and spouses, join us for this historic gathering to see what <strong>God</strong> is doing in Mexico, Central America, and the<br />
Hispanic Caribbean. This Pastors Summit will include four days <strong>of</strong> challenging teaching, preaching, and inspiration. We<br />
are expecting to host one thousand pastors, and there will be special ministry targeted to pastors’ wives as well.<br />
Sessions will address topics such as “Pastoring and Discipleship,” “Pastoring and <strong>Church</strong> Growth,” “2020 VISION,” and<br />
“Pastors and the Young Harvest.” Speakers will include Randall Howard, Trevor Reid, Kathy Creasy, Cathy Payne, Mario<br />
Vega, Renee Peñaba, Dr. Hector Ortiz, and José Garcia.<br />
Sponsored by the General Presbyter’s Office <strong>of</strong> Ben Feliz and Global Outreach<br />
In the next issue, more information will be provided, including hotel accommodations. For more information, e-mail<br />
dfeliz@cogop.org or bfeliz@cogop.org.<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 17
Advances in the West-Central<br />
Region in Venezuela<br />
We glorify the name <strong>of</strong> the Lord for<br />
the change in attitude and mentality<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ministers and pastors in our<br />
region. We rejoice in the presence <strong>of</strong><br />
the Lord because He has allowed us<br />
to have 17 new fields, ten <strong>of</strong> which will<br />
be organized by the time this report<br />
is published. The Lord’s work does not<br />
stop. Our region is, first, standing in the<br />
18 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
News From South America<br />
Venezuela<br />
promises <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>, and second, we are<br />
counting with most <strong>of</strong> our young people<br />
to work in establishing new fields.<br />
This is the fulfillment <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>’s Word<br />
in Acts 2:39 (NKJV): “For the promise is<br />
to you and to your children, and to all<br />
who are afar <strong>of</strong>f, as many as the Lord<br />
our <strong>God</strong> will call. ” This scripture was<br />
We are grateful to the Lord for His blessings.<br />
This van is owned by the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> Uruguay<br />
<strong>Prophecy</strong> in Uruguay, which will help to extend<br />
the Kingdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> in this blessed nation.<br />
We are happy to inform you that last night we received<br />
a mission team composed by Ronald Bland and brethren.<br />
Sherene Kelly, Starlyn Murphy from the state <strong>of</strong> Missouri,<br />
United States, as well as Pastors Angel Vasquez and<br />
David Rose from Peru, will be collaborating with the<br />
work in Uruguay for ten days. This is the first team we<br />
have received for a long time. Our Lord knows we need<br />
the help, and we are grateful for the ministry <strong>of</strong> our<br />
brothers and sisters who have come to give us a hand.<br />
read and declared by our brother Luis<br />
Gomez, national overseer <strong>of</strong> Venezuela<br />
at the time <strong>of</strong> his participation during<br />
our meeting in November 2010. At<br />
this meeting, a tremendous presence<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> was present, and the people<br />
praised and glorified the Lord with<br />
enthusiasm and a joyful noise.<br />
Pedro Pablo Gutierrez<br />
Regional Overseer<br />
We would like to take this opportunity<br />
to invite our brothers and sisters <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> to come to Uruguay<br />
and help us rebuild the church in our nation. Uruguay<br />
is the most secular country in Latin America. We are<br />
committed to break that statement for the glory <strong>of</strong> our<br />
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please come to Uruguay.<br />
Milagros Travieso<br />
—Submitted by Gabriel Vidal,<br />
General Presbyter for South America
Update<br />
In just a few weeks, we’ll be together in Orlando, Florida, kicking <strong>of</strong>f the EMERGE<br />
Conference. We’re so glad you’ll be with us. We are praying earnestly for this<br />
conference that each attendee will have a divine encounter with the Holy Spirit.<br />
We trust that you will also join us in prayer for the event.<br />
Here’s the latest information:<br />
CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES: Several unique activities are planned for this conference. On Friday morning, we will host a Christian College Fair.<br />
High School juniors and seniors and their parents are encouraged to arrive early (Thursday) to participate in the college fair. Workshops on<br />
college admissions and financial aid will also be <strong>of</strong>fered. Also, there will be a Youth Leaders and Parents training track from Friday through<br />
Saturday morning. In addition, there will be Bible Challenge and Sports competitions among states. Look to download both the Bible<br />
Challenge info and Sports competition guidelines on December 1. All teams will have exactly three months to prepare. Come represent!<br />
WORKSHOPS: There will be several workshop tracks <strong>of</strong>fered for students, young adults, parents, and leaders. Of note, our guest worship<br />
artist, Freddy Rodriguez, will <strong>of</strong>fer a worship track. Participants in this track will join Freddy for Sunday morning’s worship set.<br />
We are looking forward to seeing you in Orlando!<br />
Pre-Conference Activities, Friday<br />
College Fair*<br />
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.<br />
Bible Challenge<br />
*Letter given for school attendance.<br />
Tentative Conference Schedule<br />
Friday Night<br />
General Session featuring Harris III, Chris & Conrad,<br />
Freddy Rodriguez, and Robert Madu<br />
Saturday Morning<br />
General Session<br />
Workshops<br />
State/Regional Basketball/Volleyball<br />
Competitions<br />
Mission Encounter<br />
Enjoy the resort on your own.<br />
GUEST WORSHIP ARTIST<br />
Did you know you can be<br />
part <strong>of</strong> Freddy Rodriguez’s<br />
worship team? Attend his<br />
workshops on Saturday, and<br />
you’ll be part <strong>of</strong> his team on<br />
Sunday morning.<br />
Saturday Night<br />
General Session with William McDowell, Freddy Rodriguez, and Jerry Chalk<br />
Saturday Night Live!<br />
Sunday Morning<br />
General Session with Conference worship team led by Freddy Rodriguez and Trevor Reid<br />
• Visit www.operationomega.org for the latest information.<br />
Trevor & Aileen Reid<br />
Co-Directors, International<br />
Youth Ministries<br />
MISSION ENCOUNTER<br />
Missionaries Jerry Chalk from<br />
Ukraine and Hopeton<br />
Buchanan from Dominica as<br />
well as many others will be<br />
onsite to share about how<br />
you can partner with their<br />
nations in prayer and giving.<br />
Operation Omega Youth Ministries<br />
• Special room rate <strong>of</strong> $109 per night available until February 23. Reserve your room today at 1-800-228-9290 or 1-800-621-0638.<br />
Mention group code “COG.”<br />
• It’s not too late to register early and save with the group rate! Online registration is open until March 10.<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 19
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16:9 remind me that there is<br />
an open door <strong>of</strong> evangelism and discipleship <strong>of</strong> children and<br />
youth. This open door is great because <strong>of</strong> the abundance <strong>of</strong><br />
children around the world.<br />
• Children under the age <strong>of</strong> 18 make up 32 percent<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world’s population.<br />
• Forty-three percent <strong>of</strong> Africa’s population is below<br />
the age <strong>of</strong> 15.<br />
• Twenty-seven percent <strong>of</strong> all the world’s children<br />
and youth live in Asia.<br />
This open door allows for effective ministry. Between the<br />
ages <strong>of</strong> 5–12, lifelong habits, values, beliefs, and attitudes are<br />
20 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Around the World:<br />
Evangelizing Kids<br />
“A Great Door for Effective Work Has Opened . . .” (1 Corinthians 16:9 NIV).<br />
formed. Whatever beliefs a person embraces while young are<br />
unlikely to change as the individual ages (Barna). Therefore,<br />
if we evangelize children, they will be saved adults. If we<br />
disciple children, they will be spiritually mature adults. If we<br />
equip children, they will be commissioned adults.<br />
This door is now wide open because <strong>of</strong> the receptivity<br />
<strong>of</strong> children to the message <strong>of</strong> the Gospel. Several mission<br />
organizations are adopting a 4–14 mission strategy that<br />
focuses on reaching children from 4 to 14 years <strong>of</strong> age. Why?<br />
The majority <strong>of</strong> people who will ever come to Christ do so<br />
between the ages <strong>of</strong> 4 and 14. With every year after age 14,<br />
people become less receptive to spiritual things and less<br />
receptive to the Gospel.
The door is also now wide open because <strong>of</strong> the ability to<br />
reach children in even the most remote regions due to the<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> media—radio, television, cell phones, and the<br />
World Wide Web.<br />
But Paul continued with these words: “. . . and there are<br />
many who oppose me.” This is definitely true <strong>of</strong> the open<br />
door <strong>of</strong> evangelism to children and youth. This opposition is<br />
seen throughout the world.<br />
• Governments prohibit or oppose Christian evangelism<br />
<strong>of</strong> children. One-third <strong>of</strong> the world’s countries have<br />
high or very high restrictions on religion. Many <strong>of</strong><br />
these countries refuse to allow children and youth to<br />
be evangelized.<br />
• Media worldwide promotes negative images <strong>of</strong><br />
Christians and/or Christianity.<br />
• Many children are victimized in the Western world as<br />
well as in developing nations<br />
—There are 42 million abortions throughout the world<br />
each year (Center for Bioethical Reform).<br />
—Worldwide, 40 million children are subjected to abuse<br />
each year (World Health Organization, 2001).<br />
—Twenty million children have been forced to flee their<br />
homes because <strong>of</strong> conflict and human rights<br />
violence (UNICEF).<br />
—There are children living in abject poverty, orphaned<br />
children, children sold into slavery, children dying<br />
with treatable diseases, and children infected with HIV.<br />
• The church in the Western world is <strong>of</strong>ten apathetic,<br />
and the church in developing nations lacks<br />
necessary resources.<br />
While many individuals, governments, and organizations<br />
contribute to the victimization <strong>of</strong> children and opposition to<br />
child evangelism, we must fully grasp that this is a spiritual<br />
battle. The spiritual battle for godly seed (children) began<br />
in the Garden <strong>of</strong> Eden when <strong>God</strong> said, “And I will put enmity<br />
between you and the woman, and between your <strong>of</strong>fspring<br />
and hers . . .” (Genesis 3:15 NIV). This spiritual battle for<br />
the minds, emotions, and desires <strong>of</strong> children is increasing<br />
in intensity as we come nearer to the end <strong>of</strong> this<br />
present age.<br />
What can we do as individuals and congregations to fully<br />
engage in this battle?<br />
Pray<br />
Jeremiah spoke so clearly <strong>of</strong> the plight <strong>of</strong> children when<br />
he said, “This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears.<br />
No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit.<br />
My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed”<br />
(Lamentations 1:16 NIV).<br />
How did Jeremiah confront the fact that “the enemy had<br />
prevailed”? He recognized that it was a spiritual battle, and he<br />
demanded that the Israelites “Arise, cry out in the night, as the<br />
watches <strong>of</strong> the night begin; pour out your heart like water in<br />
the presence <strong>of</strong> the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives<br />
<strong>of</strong> your children . . .” (2:19 NIV). He called the people to prayer.<br />
If we are to bring the good news <strong>of</strong> the Gospel to<br />
children—children in nations around the world and children<br />
right in our own homes—we must pray. We must cry out to<br />
<strong>God</strong> for their salvation.<br />
Understand and Embrace <strong>God</strong>’s<br />
Instruction Toward Children<br />
As parents, children’s ministers, pastors, and leaders in this<br />
body <strong>of</strong> believers, we can develop a good understanding <strong>of</strong><br />
what <strong>God</strong> says about the value <strong>of</strong> children in the heavenly<br />
kingdom and <strong>God</strong>’s heart toward oppressed children. We can<br />
seek to understand what the Bible says about child evangelism<br />
and discipleship. We can embrace the roles <strong>of</strong> the family and<br />
the local church in evangelism, discipleship, and “sending out”<br />
<strong>of</strong> children into the work <strong>of</strong> ministry. There are many questions<br />
that must be asked and answered so that we can align our<br />
ministry practices with what <strong>God</strong>’s Word says about children.<br />
Minister<br />
Ministry is an action word. As we pray and develop a correct<br />
belief system based on <strong>God</strong>’s Word, we will act. For individuals,<br />
those actions may include interceding for a particular child,<br />
building relationship with a child, or meeting a need that a<br />
child may have. For congregations, those actions will include<br />
evaluation and sometimes rebuilding our ministries to<br />
include prayer for children, relational ministry to children,<br />
and programs and events that effectively evangelize and<br />
prepare children for works <strong>of</strong> ministry. Regional, national, and<br />
continental leadership will develop leaders who can effectively<br />
serve children, children’s ministers, and families. They will<br />
include the evangelism and discipleship <strong>of</strong> children in vision,<br />
strategizing, and goal-setting. They will continually speak <strong>of</strong><br />
the value <strong>of</strong> children in the kingdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> and the urgency<br />
<strong>of</strong> reaching them with the Gospel message.<br />
Sometimes it seems that the opposition to worldwide child<br />
evangelism is too great and our resources are too small. But<br />
<strong>God</strong>’s Word clearly states that our “Father in heaven is<br />
not willing that any <strong>of</strong> these little ones should perish”<br />
(Matthew 18:14 NIV).<br />
When we align our actions (prayer, sound theology, and<br />
ministry) with <strong>God</strong>’s Word and His will, we can be sure that He<br />
will work with us. We can be sure that He will provide all that is<br />
needed to reach and disciple this generation <strong>of</strong> children and<br />
youth.<br />
Kathy Creasy<br />
Children’s Ministry Director<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 21
22 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
CBL Update<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Practical and Advanced Studies<br />
Since our last report in the White<br />
Wing Messenger, the School <strong>of</strong> Practical<br />
and Advanced Studies (SOPAS) has<br />
conducted ten schools with 939 students<br />
receiving certificates <strong>of</strong> completion.<br />
Schools were conducted in Jamaica,<br />
Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador, Brazil,<br />
Alabama, Colorado, New York, Mexico,<br />
and Puerto Rico.<br />
CBL staff members Dr. Hector Ortiz<br />
(CBL Director), Mark Menke, Adrian<br />
Varlack, and our newest faculty member,<br />
Elias Rodriguez, served as instructors. Phil<br />
Pruitt, Jesse Yañez, and Rahadames Matos<br />
served as adjunct faculty.<br />
Each host overseer provided excellent<br />
hospitality and organization, and <strong>God</strong>’s<br />
presence was manifested in each school.<br />
Three <strong>of</strong> the schools were marked<br />
by notable encounters with the Lord.<br />
In Honduras, two students were filled<br />
with the Holy Spirit. In El Salvador,<br />
electrical power went out during an<br />
evening session, and the power <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong><br />
descended as the students worshiped<br />
and prayed. As a result, Overseer Bishop<br />
Miguel Flores reported 1 sanctified,<br />
8 Holy Spirit Baptisms, 14 healed, 29<br />
renewed in their ministries, 9 receiving<br />
prophecies, and various others who had<br />
callings confirmed in their lives. In Brazil,<br />
during a special move <strong>of</strong> the Spirit, two<br />
people were filled with the Holy Spirit,<br />
one reported healing, and various people<br />
were sanctified and renewed.<br />
We are thankful to <strong>God</strong> for His<br />
blessings and visitations!<br />
Mark Menke<br />
CBL Instructor<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Practical & Advanced Studies (SOPAS) 2010 Attendance<br />
SOPAS I Jamaica 198 March 25–28<br />
SOPAS I Argentina 84 April 28–May 2<br />
SOPAS I Honduras 271 August 10–13<br />
SOPAS I El Salvador 31 August 15–18<br />
SOPAS I Brazil 181 September 3–7<br />
SOPAS I Alabama 85 September 15–18<br />
SOPAS II Midwest, Denver, Colorado<br />
(16 English, 23 Spanish)<br />
39 September 23–26<br />
SOPAS II Northeast Spanish Region<br />
(First Term, 66; Second Term, 52)<br />
118 September 30–October 3<br />
SOPAS I Mexico Central 77 October 13–16<br />
SOPAS I Puerto Rico 37 October 28–30<br />
Total SOPAS Attendance: 939 (848 for First Term; 91 for Second Term) from March 2010 to October 2010.
Heritage Ministries<br />
News From<br />
Fields <strong>of</strong> the Wood<br />
Minister Revisits Site <strong>of</strong><br />
Dramatic Conversion<br />
On October 14, Rev. Rick Moyers<br />
(pictured at right) returned to the<br />
Fields <strong>of</strong> the Wood theme park for an<br />
anniversary <strong>of</strong> his dramatic conversion.<br />
Rick and his wife, Danna, were at the<br />
“road’s end” <strong>of</strong> their marriage when they<br />
had a “last chance weekend together,”<br />
the minister remembers. They stopped<br />
in Murphy, North Carolina, to spend the<br />
night, and Danna noticed a brochure for<br />
the Fields <strong>of</strong> the Wood biblical theme<br />
park. She suggested a trip, downplaying<br />
the “biblical” aspect.<br />
Before leaving the hotel, Moyers got<br />
high and later went “ballistic” when he<br />
saw the Ten Commandment Mountain.<br />
Wanting to leave, he conceded to at least<br />
go to the top <strong>of</strong> the mountain to admire<br />
the view. The couple came out <strong>of</strong> their<br />
car to sit at a picnic table.<br />
“I looked down at the shrubs that say<br />
‘Jesus Died for Our Sins,’ and the Spirit<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Lord began to move me,” Moyers<br />
said. “It felt like the concrete I was sitting<br />
on was moving. I sensed <strong>God</strong> speaking to<br />
me in a still, small voice. I fell down to the<br />
ground and asked <strong>God</strong> to save me. In that<br />
moment, I knew I was a changed man.”<br />
Feeling instantly delivered from a tenyear<br />
drug and alcohol addiction, Moyers<br />
drove back to Georgia with Danna,<br />
telling her they and their daughter<br />
would be attending church together that<br />
Wednesday night for the first time.<br />
Ironically, the pastor <strong>of</strong> the church<br />
Moyers visited was a pastor he’d<br />
previously cursed at and forced <strong>of</strong>f his<br />
property for trying to witness. In the next<br />
few weeks, all three family members<br />
would be baptized at church,<br />
and Moyers would begin a<br />
journey into ministry.<br />
Moyers is a licensed minister<br />
in the Baptist church in<br />
Loganville, Georgia, and has<br />
served as youth pastor, drug<br />
addiction counselor, and bus<br />
ministry volunteer. Since his conversion,<br />
Rick has returned to the park every year<br />
to celebrate his transformation.<br />
A Dying Wish to Visit Fields<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Wood<br />
A dying man made a final trek to<br />
Fields <strong>of</strong> the Wood in September, a<br />
dream fulfilled by Second Wind Dream,<br />
affiliated with Regency Hospice <strong>of</strong><br />
Hiawassee, Georgia.<br />
Everette Payne, 82, wanted to return<br />
to Fields <strong>of</strong> the Wood, where he had<br />
dated his wife. In accordance with his<br />
other last wishes, Payne and his family<br />
were transported to the park in a private<br />
luxury tour bus and received a phone<br />
call during their visit from country singer<br />
Steve Wariner. The staff <strong>of</strong> the park,<br />
including managers Wayne and Jenna<br />
Allen, provided Payne and his family with<br />
a meal and gave him a T-shirt and photo<br />
plaque from the park.<br />
Closing out the day, Payne realized<br />
the fulfillment <strong>of</strong> a more personal wish,<br />
baptizing three <strong>of</strong> his children in the<br />
park’s baptismal pool.<br />
Payne’s visit was chronicled in the<br />
September 23 edition <strong>of</strong> The Clayton<br />
Tribune newspaper.<br />
Wade Patterson<br />
Heritage Ministries Director<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 23
It is not my intention to try<br />
to spiritualize the stock market.<br />
However, history clearly shows a<br />
cyclical pattern. At a time when I<br />
was in a very interest-rate-sensitive<br />
business—real estate and homebuilding—the<br />
bank <strong>of</strong>ficer said that<br />
over a period <strong>of</strong> many years, we see<br />
about a six-year cycle.<br />
Being a Sunday school teacher<br />
who loves the Old Testament<br />
principles, patterns, and lessons, I<br />
thought <strong>of</strong> the Sabbath year that<br />
<strong>God</strong> established with Israel. They<br />
actually experienced three years <strong>of</strong><br />
24 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
provision—in the sixth year, the sixthyear<br />
crop, the seventh year, when the<br />
land would rest, and the eighth year<br />
until the harvest. It was a tangible<br />
reminder that <strong>God</strong> is our provider<br />
and is in control <strong>of</strong> everything. “But in<br />
the seventh year shall be a sabbath<br />
<strong>of</strong> rest unto the land, a sabbath for<br />
the LORD: thou shalt neither sow<br />
thy field, nor prune thy vineyard”<br />
(Leviticus 25:4).<br />
The 70 years Israel spent in<br />
Babylonian captivity were the exact<br />
number <strong>of</strong> Sabbath years they<br />
refused to keep. “To fulfill the word<br />
Stewardship Ministries<br />
How Past Market Rallies<br />
<strong>of</strong> the LORD by the mouth <strong>of</strong><br />
Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed<br />
her sabbaths: for as long as she<br />
lay desolate she kept sabbath, to<br />
fulfill threescore and ten years”<br />
(2 Chronicles 36:21).<br />
Cycles tell us that a bad year in<br />
the market most <strong>of</strong>ten is followed<br />
by five positive years. No one is giving<br />
any guarantees, but history is a<br />
great indicator.<br />
After the stock market lost much<br />
<strong>of</strong> its value in 2008 and early 2009,<br />
many investors fled the market,<br />
only to miss out on one <strong>of</strong> the most
Have Shown Staying Power<br />
dramatic rebounds in history. After<br />
hitting a low on March 9, 2009, the<br />
market soared 72 percent during<br />
the following 12-month period.<br />
What lies ahead? Although we<br />
can’t predict the future, a look at<br />
what’s happened in the past <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
a worthwhile perspective.<br />
Some investors worry that the<br />
stock market can’t possibly sustain<br />
itself after such a remarkable rally.<br />
Yet an examination <strong>of</strong> seven periods<br />
reveals how rapidly the market<br />
can rebound after bottoming out.<br />
From 1929 through 2009, losses<br />
varied widely in intensity, length,<br />
and frequency, but, in many cases,<br />
they were followed by years <strong>of</strong> gains<br />
interrupted by only the occasional<br />
down year.<br />
As this chart indicates, the stock<br />
market has produced an average<br />
gain <strong>of</strong> 55.95 percent in the first<br />
year following a major drop, 16.14<br />
percent in the second, 10.26<br />
percent in the third, 15.15 percent<br />
in the fourth, and 11.70 percent in<br />
the fifth. Some rallies have lasted<br />
even longer. (These figures are past<br />
results and are not predictive <strong>of</strong><br />
results in future periods.)<br />
A regular investing program can<br />
help take some <strong>of</strong> the emotion<br />
out <strong>of</strong> financial decision-making<br />
by reducing the temptation to<br />
abandon the market after a big<br />
gain and then trying to guess<br />
the best time to re-enter. With a<br />
systematic investment plan, mutual<br />
fund shareholders invest the same<br />
amount at regular intervals—$500<br />
a month for example—regardless<br />
<strong>of</strong> whether stock prices are<br />
rising or falling. While this<br />
strategy, known as dollar cost<br />
averaging, does not ensure a<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>it or protect against loss,<br />
it does make it possible for<br />
investors to purchase a greater<br />
number <strong>of</strong> shares when prices<br />
are low and a smaller number<br />
when they are high. It also limits<br />
the tendency to lock in losses<br />
during downswings and helps<br />
ensure participation in any<br />
eventual recovery.<br />
Jan Couch<br />
Stewardship Ministries Director<br />
1 The percent decline is based on the index value <strong>of</strong> the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index excluding<br />
dividends and/or distributions. Each market downturn reflects a period <strong>of</strong> more than 80 days and a decline <strong>of</strong> about<br />
15% or more in the S&P 500}s value.<br />
2 The returns shown include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect <strong>of</strong> sales charges,<br />
commissions or expenses.<br />
3 This figure represents the average <strong>of</strong> the 16 returns shown directly above.<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 25
Helping native missionaries<br />
(COGOP pastors/ministers)<br />
go farther and faster with<br />
the Gospel <strong>of</strong> Jesus<br />
Christ has been the<br />
cry from the nations for<br />
many years. Can you<br />
imagine walking as<br />
your only means <strong>of</strong><br />
transportation to carry<br />
the Good News into<br />
your community or<br />
city? Think for a<br />
moment about sore<br />
feet, blisters, cuts, bruises,<br />
dust, or mud-covered<br />
feet from monsoon rains!<br />
Would you be challenged if<br />
this was your only means <strong>of</strong><br />
transportation to share<br />
the love <strong>of</strong> Jesus with<br />
your neighbor?<br />
26 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> us are safe and secure within<br />
our comfort zones and never even<br />
think in such terms. However, many<br />
<strong>of</strong> our <strong>Church</strong> family live out these<br />
circumstances on a daily basis. So<br />
you may ask, “How can I change that<br />
scenario?” or “What can I do to help?”<br />
The answer is as simple as helping<br />
to provide “Bicycles for Missions.” All<br />
around our globe, the necessity for<br />
such simple transportation is prevalent,<br />
and missionary ministers are overjoyed<br />
when <strong>God</strong> uses you and me to supply<br />
such meager needs.<br />
Recently, National Overseer<br />
Ntambwe Beya was able to purchase<br />
75 bicycles for ministers in Democratic<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Congo because <strong>of</strong> the<br />
contributions given through Harvest<br />
Partners and Helping Hand Ministries.<br />
Applause, thanks, and deep gratitude<br />
are certainly in order to all those who<br />
have participated in this project.<br />
However, this is only the beginning!<br />
Most especially across the vast<br />
continents <strong>of</strong> Africa and Asia, there<br />
still remain massive needs to provide<br />
bicycles to assist our pastors, district<br />
superintendents, and evangelists who<br />
are willing to carry the Gospel on<br />
two wheels in order to impact<br />
Kingdom ministry.<br />
To take a spin <strong>of</strong>f the words <strong>of</strong> a<br />
familiar credit card commercial that<br />
has been embedded in our minds:<br />
“Bicycle—$100. Smiles on pastors’<br />
faces—immeasurable. Spreading<br />
the Gospel on wheels—priceless.”<br />
Get inspired! Think about the many<br />
ways that you can involve your<br />
congregation, youth, and children<br />
to provide “Bicycles for Missions.”<br />
Follow through!<br />
“But this I say, He which soweth<br />
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and<br />
he which soweth bountifully shall reap<br />
also bountifully. Every man according<br />
as he purposeth in his heart, so let him<br />
give; not grudgingly, or <strong>of</strong> necessity:<br />
for <strong>God</strong> loveth a cheerful giver. And<br />
<strong>God</strong> is able to make all grace abound<br />
toward you; that ye, always having all<br />
sufficiency in all things, may abound<br />
to every good work: (As it is written,<br />
He hath dispersed abroad; he hath<br />
given to the poor: his righteousness<br />
remaineth for ever. Now he that<br />
ministereth seed to the sower both<br />
minister bread for your food, and<br />
multiply your seed sown, and increase<br />
the fruits <strong>of</strong> your righteousness)”<br />
(2 Corinthians 9:6–10).<br />
Contact our Global Outreach Office<br />
for more details on providing “Bicycles<br />
for Missions”:<br />
Phone: (423) 559-5205<br />
E-mail: harvestpartners@cogop.org<br />
Online donations: www.cogop.org.<br />
Click Global Outreach tab; go to Harvest<br />
Partners or Helping Hand tab; click<br />
Donate Button to respond online.<br />
Annette Taylor<br />
International Director,<br />
Harvest Partners Ministry
National Bishop Benjamin Aldana and his wife, Sister Juddy,<br />
began to share the vision for ministry scheduled for the weekend<br />
in October 2010 for the nation <strong>of</strong> Colombia. A capacity crowd<br />
was expected for the weekend, and a capacity crowd was the<br />
exact response.<br />
Friday morning began the weekend <strong>of</strong> ministry with a pastoral<br />
marriage seminar for all the pastors in the nation. The Lord met with<br />
us during the morning through worship, instruction, communication<br />
exercises, and an amazing time <strong>of</strong> prayer and healing.<br />
The Friday evening session was the conference opening service,<br />
and it began with an explosion <strong>of</strong> worship as the national worship<br />
team led us in celebration to the Lord. The power and presence <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>God</strong> was mighty throughout the evening, and more than 40 people<br />
responded to the invitation to know Christ as Savior.<br />
Saturday was a full day <strong>of</strong> ministry as young women shared the<br />
Word <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>, worship, and the dance ministry as well as other<br />
forms <strong>of</strong> creative and anointed ministry.<br />
Again, at the day’s end, there was an<br />
outpouring <strong>of</strong> the presence <strong>of</strong> the Lord<br />
through ministry.<br />
Colombia<br />
Sunday was an amazing day as it seemed<br />
our people from the entire nation began<br />
pouring into Bogota for this specific time <strong>of</strong> ministry. In the morning,<br />
the Word came for the necessity <strong>of</strong> the indwelling <strong>of</strong> the Holy Spirit.<br />
In response, more than a hundred women came to receive the<br />
baptism, with many receiving this wonderful gift.<br />
In the afternoon, there was a wonderful dramatic presentation<br />
followed by the Word. That evening, in an incredible response during<br />
a miraculous prayer line, we witnessed the outpouring <strong>of</strong> the Holy<br />
Spirit with the evidence <strong>of</strong> tongues, instantaneous physical healings,<br />
salvation experiences, other healings, and the move <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> in so<br />
many areas <strong>of</strong> need.<br />
Thank <strong>God</strong> for His servants Benjamin and Juddy<br />
Aldana and for the anointed work <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> they are<br />
contributing in the nation <strong>of</strong> Colombia. Thank<br />
<strong>God</strong> for Felicia Payano, who is an anointed vessel<br />
<strong>of</strong> ministry and translation. And I thank <strong>God</strong> for<br />
the opportunity to have been a<br />
participant and witness to the<br />
anointing and work <strong>of</strong> the Lord<br />
in Colombia.<br />
National Women’s Conference<br />
Cathy Payne<br />
Women’s Ministries Director<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 27
<strong>Church</strong> News<br />
Dedication <strong>of</strong> New Worship Center at Harvest Ministries <strong>Church</strong> in Roanoke, Virginia<br />
On August 8, 2010, Senior Pastor Milton Atkins led 340 people in dedicating the new Harvest Ministries Worship Center:<br />
• To the honor and glory <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> the Father, <strong>God</strong> the Son, and <strong>God</strong> the Holy Spirit<br />
• To the carrying out <strong>of</strong> the Great Commission<br />
• To the teaching <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>’s Word<br />
• To the preaching <strong>of</strong> the Gospel<br />
• To the worship <strong>of</strong> the Lord<br />
• To be a house <strong>of</strong> prayer<br />
• To the fellowship <strong>of</strong> believers and the communion <strong>of</strong> the saints<br />
• To the service <strong>of</strong> mankind<br />
• To the preservation and proclamation <strong>of</strong> divine truth<br />
This landmark day was accompanied with great rejoicing and praise to the Lord for His faithfulness during this stage<br />
in the history <strong>of</strong> this local church. It began five years earlier, when the Holy Spirit moved upon the church to purchase<br />
23 acres <strong>of</strong> land just a couple <strong>of</strong> miles from their existing church. The congregation had outgrown that building, and,<br />
with only five acres, that property presented real challenges to any additions.<br />
But <strong>God</strong> had a great plan! After the church stepped out in faith and obedience and purchased property sufficient to<br />
accommodate growth, <strong>God</strong> sent a buyer for the old property just at the right time. And not just any buyer—it was the<br />
specific one who fit into His overall plan. The old church was sold to a Seventh Day Adventist congregation, with whom<br />
Harvest Ministries entered a lease agreement permitting them to continue to worship in their familiar surroundings on<br />
Sundays and Wednesdays while their new building was being constructed.<br />
The new property included a 3,410-square-foot brick ranch house, which was ideal for conversion to <strong>of</strong>fice space.<br />
That building was renovated to accommodate church <strong>of</strong>fices, and the staff was able to continue their duties there and<br />
oversee construction <strong>of</strong> the new facility. The Worship Center contains 9,490 square feet on the upper level and 8,800<br />
square feet on the lower level. The combined square footage <strong>of</strong> the two buildings is 21,700, almost twice the size <strong>of</strong> the<br />
old church.<br />
After the site work was completed and the contractor was ready to begin pouring concrete for the building, the<br />
church gathered for a very memorable outdoor service at the site on September 20, 2009. A Bible was placed in each<br />
<strong>of</strong> the four corners <strong>of</strong> the building, symbolizing the commitment to <strong>God</strong>’s Word. Each person wrote their name on a tile<br />
that was later covered in concrete, thus becoming a part <strong>of</strong> the foundation <strong>of</strong> this building.<br />
Every Sunday now, the new Worship Center bustles with activity. Both levels are filled with activities designed<br />
especially for kids, youth, and adults. The loving congregation welcomes visitors who come to check out the new<br />
building, and many <strong>of</strong> them have decided they like it so well that they have become part <strong>of</strong> the family.<br />
Praise <strong>God</strong> for all He has done in this stage <strong>of</strong> our journey and for the future into which He is leading us!<br />
28 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
Veronica Venable<br />
Roanoke, Virginia
<strong>Church</strong> News continued<br />
Altoona, Alabama<br />
On Sunday, September 12, the Altoona<br />
<strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> presented a<br />
check for $250 to the Pine Grove United<br />
Methodist <strong>Church</strong> to be used for building<br />
a new church. The Children’s <strong>Church</strong><br />
raised the money for the church. Pine<br />
Grove’s building was destroyed by a fire<br />
several months earlier, due to arson. It<br />
was a beautiful, 150-year-old church. The<br />
money was given in memory <strong>of</strong> Maria<br />
Leighann Patterson, who was a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> our Children’s <strong>Church</strong> when she died<br />
on June 24, 2010, at nine months old.<br />
Dora-New Haven, Alabama<br />
Our youth had free shaved ice for the<br />
housing community <strong>of</strong> Sumiton. This was<br />
done as a means <strong>of</strong> outreach to invite<br />
youth to come to church. Everyone had<br />
a good time, and the youth witnessed to<br />
several individuals.<br />
Hackleburg, Alabama<br />
Hackleburg is determined to help<br />
reform America! <strong>God</strong> has called us to<br />
pray and fast for a breakthrough. He has<br />
brought revival to our city. We witnessed<br />
many miracles in September services with<br />
Guests Tim Sheets, Dutch Sheets, and<br />
Eddie James. Our faith is growing as we<br />
pledge ourselves to be a house <strong>of</strong> prayer!<br />
We have begun to pray against<br />
strongholds such as drug and alcohol<br />
abuse in our city. Local law enforcement<br />
have found more than five meth labs<br />
and arrested several individuals this<br />
month alone. We refuse to let the enemy<br />
continue to corrupt our friends and<br />
families. <strong>God</strong> plans for us to CONNECT<br />
people to Jesus, GROW them into<br />
disciples, and release them to SERVE.<br />
Thank you, Pastor Clint, for your vision<br />
and leadership.<br />
Winfield City Family Center (WCFC):<br />
Organized October 3, 2010<br />
Wow, what an awesome day yesterday<br />
at WCFC! From the very first opening<br />
prayer to the last amen, the presence <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>God</strong> was upon us. You know, without the<br />
anointing, we’re not much anyway. Three<br />
years in the making, and we now have<br />
a local <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> in<br />
Winfield, Alabama. Praise the Lord!<br />
We were so honored to have local<br />
Area Presbyter John B. Butler, State<br />
Overseer L. V. Jones, and North America<br />
Presbyter Sam Clements with us for this<br />
momentous occasion. Bishop Clements<br />
brought an outstanding message. He<br />
preached from Acts 20:32. What a timely<br />
word to build us up! Brother Clements<br />
also came bearing gifts, a check for<br />
$3,000. Wow, what a day! These monies<br />
will be applied to the purchase price <strong>of</strong><br />
the property located on Highway 129 just<br />
north <strong>of</strong> Winfield and <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> I-22. One day,<br />
our goal is to erect a church building on<br />
this property. After the message, we then<br />
went into the conference and formally<br />
organized the church. I still like the old<br />
term, “We set her forth.”<br />
I am still rejoicing over the 23 members<br />
we accepted yesterday. Already several<br />
others have approached with a desire to<br />
become part <strong>of</strong> this family. Great things<br />
are ahead! I’ll leave you with what Bishop<br />
Clements said to us: “Think big, very big.”<br />
Pastor Dewayne Smith<br />
Winfield, Alabama<br />
Covington Drive <strong>Church</strong> Small<br />
Group Leadership Training<br />
and Development<br />
Moving away from the same old<br />
methods <strong>of</strong> maintaining, serving, and<br />
exhorting ourselves and moving toward<br />
outreach, evangelism, and meeting<br />
the needs <strong>of</strong> our communities was<br />
the theme emphasized at our first<br />
Small Group Leadership Training and<br />
Development Seminar held on May<br />
7, 8 at the Covington Drive <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong>. We were honored and<br />
blessed to have as our guest instructor<br />
Bishop David Bryan, our Global Outreach<br />
Director from Cleveland, Tennessee. The<br />
seminar was moderated by our pastor,<br />
Lloyd G. Phipps, Sr., and consisted <strong>of</strong> three<br />
sessions.<br />
In his presentations, Bishop David<br />
Bryan expressed that, in order to<br />
minister effectively and fulfill the Great<br />
Commission Christ gave the church, we<br />
must build relationships based on trust<br />
and respect. He emphasized that those<br />
kinds <strong>of</strong> relationships cannot be built<br />
solely through large group activities,<br />
such as what occurs mainly on a Sunday<br />
morning, but through the intimacy <strong>of</strong><br />
small, vitally functioning, ongoing small<br />
groups that are meeting the needs <strong>of</strong><br />
the whole man spiritually, emotionally,<br />
and physically. In order for this to be<br />
accomplished, Bishop Bryan stated that<br />
we must get out <strong>of</strong> our comfort zone<br />
and truly start to minister. He shared<br />
that this must be a conscious effort on<br />
everyone’s part.<br />
Berchard Jacobs<br />
Georgia<br />
State Children’s Intensive at<br />
Lynchburg, Virginia<br />
The Lynchburg <strong>Church</strong> recently hosted<br />
our state children’s intensive workshop.<br />
On Saturday, April 10, Kathy Creasy and<br />
Sandy Knowles blessed us with a wealth<br />
<strong>of</strong> information and ideas for children’s<br />
ministry. They challenged children’s<br />
workers and pastors from across the state<br />
to examine the current program and<br />
ministry at the local level to make sure<br />
we were indeed raising disciples, future<br />
leaders, and strong Christians. We prayed<br />
and believed together for revival with our<br />
children’s ministries.<br />
Member News<br />
Laura Kline Jackson<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Hamlet<br />
COGOP in Virginia<br />
recently released<br />
the radio single<br />
“Teach Me to Pray”<br />
to 1,300 radio<br />
stations through Higgins Music<br />
Group <strong>of</strong> Nashville, Tennessee.<br />
Since 2008, Jackson has had<br />
two songs on the country<br />
gospel charts, including “In<br />
the Fourth Watch,” which was<br />
number 10 and “Teach Me to<br />
Pray” at number 56. To learn<br />
more about Jackson’s music,<br />
visit www.myspace.com/<br />
lauraklinelarkmusic.<br />
WWM FEBRUARY 2011 29
Testimony <strong>of</strong> Healing<br />
My granddaughter, Jennifer, became ill around Easter 2010. She went to the doctor<br />
complaining with headaches that became more intense each day. On Monday,<br />
the doctor treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics and pain medication. On<br />
Wednesday morning, the headache was more intense, and her left arm shook for a<br />
few seconds. She was admitted to the hospital for tests. That afternoon, the results<br />
showed a blood splatter on the right side <strong>of</strong> her brain.<br />
Many believers were praying for Jennifer, including a prayer phone line and<br />
Christians from other churches. On Friday, the doctor ordered another CT scan that<br />
showed no blood leakage. The doctors decided this must have been an artifact,<br />
something they could not explain.<br />
The Lord healed my granddaughter, and she had no more blood leakage in the<br />
brain. Still, she had urinary problems with great pain so the doctor ordered another<br />
blood test to check the adrenal glands. Because <strong>of</strong> medication that Jennifer was<br />
on, she was unable to go back to work. All she could do was stay in the bed. The<br />
following Monday, the results from the blood test came back negative for the<br />
adrenal glands with pain and headaches continuing. Since no specialist appointment<br />
could be made for weeks, we were all concerned that she would become addicted to<br />
this pain medication. Also, she wasn’t eating.<br />
In His Presence<br />
MINISTERS<br />
Marion Alva Wilson<br />
Marion Alva Wilson <strong>of</strong> Owensboro,<br />
Kentucky, passed away on Friday,<br />
November 5, 2010.<br />
Bishop Wilson, husband to Joyce,<br />
served as State Overseer in West<br />
Virginia, an international evangelist,<br />
state youth leader, and pastor <strong>of</strong> various<br />
churches in Kentucky, Ohio, Florida,<br />
and Georgia. During his lifetime, he<br />
preached more than 12,000 sermons<br />
and saw thousands <strong>of</strong> conversions. He<br />
was a licensed minister for 60 years.<br />
30 WWM FEBRUARY 2011<br />
David M. Arias<br />
David M. Arias, 71, <strong>of</strong> Sylmar,<br />
California, passed away on Thursday,<br />
November 11, 2010.<br />
Bishop Arias, husband to Gloria<br />
O. Arias, was a licensed minister for<br />
39 years, serving the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> as State Overseer for<br />
California Spanish as well as National<br />
Overseer in Uruguay and a member <strong>of</strong><br />
the Questions and Subjects Committee.<br />
Iris Davis-Walker<br />
Fort Lauderdale, Florida; July 2, 2010;<br />
licensed minister for 25 years.<br />
MEMBER<br />
Gertrude Phipps Persinger<br />
Trion, Georgia; March 22, 2010.<br />
My daughter, Peggy (Jennifer’s<br />
mom), came to work with me the next<br />
morning, crying, saying, “Mama, what<br />
are we going to do?” After we prayed,<br />
I told her we were going to go pray<br />
until the Lord healed Jennifer.<br />
That afternoon, we went to<br />
Jennifer’s house. We prayed for<br />
approximately an hour without<br />
stopping, and the Lord began to bless.<br />
Jennifer was slain in the Spirit, and the<br />
Lord healed her. Her husband, Danny,<br />
was also slain in the Spirit.<br />
Jennifer went to work Thursday<br />
and took no more pain medication.<br />
But, praise <strong>God</strong>, Jennifer wanted us<br />
to come back and pray for her on the<br />
following Monday. Her father, Ronnie,<br />
was there. He put oil on his hands<br />
just like the rest <strong>of</strong> us, and he prayed<br />
for her. You could not hear him say a<br />
word, but the tears were rolling down<br />
his cheeks. He was able to witness<br />
the power <strong>of</strong> the Lord. Jennifer was<br />
touched again right before his eyes,<br />
and he could see the difference.<br />
Since then, Jennifer has had<br />
no more problems. Through this<br />
experience, however, she and Danny<br />
have received the Holy Ghost, and her<br />
father now goes to church. We praise<br />
Him every day for this miracle and all<br />
His blessings. What an awesome <strong>God</strong><br />
we serve!<br />
Betty Bennet<br />
Member <strong>of</strong> Valdosta, Georgia, <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong><br />
New <strong>Church</strong>es<br />
Franklinton, Louisiana<br />
organized on October 19, 2010;<br />
Pastor Shirley Vicks.<br />
Winfield, Alabama<br />
organized on October 3, 2010;<br />
Pastor Cecil Dewayne Smith.<br />
Olivehurst, California<br />
organized on August 27, 2010;<br />
Bishop William E. Gunter.
MESSAGES<br />
DeWayne Hamby, Managing Editor<br />
While this line <strong>of</strong><br />
thinking is commonplace<br />
in the business world, it<br />
Love Is Not . . .<br />
“Though I speak with the tongues <strong>of</strong> men<br />
and <strong>of</strong> angels, but have not love, I have<br />
become sounding brass or a clanging<br />
cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV).<br />
unfortunately also makes<br />
inroads into our personal<br />
relationships. You attend church with a<br />
group <strong>of</strong> people you love and care for<br />
and one misspoken comment or lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> appreciation sends you to retreat<br />
As I drove to work early one morning, a and you vow to never again “darken<br />
radio commercial came on spotlighting a those doors.” A perceived cold-hearted<br />
local restaurant. Being back in Tennessee Facebook comment riles your political<br />
for a few months, we had already heard or moral sensibilities and you click<br />
friends talking about this hip new lunch “de-friend,” and you’re done. A friend’s<br />
spot. At first, they sang its praises, talking supposed apathy toward you drives you<br />
about how they’d enjoyed several<br />
further into isolation, creating a problem<br />
delicious meals there. Soon after, the where there may not have been.<br />
service and the food didn’t seem so<br />
We don’t tend to clean up these<br />
good, so it began to slide down on their messes because we don’t have to. We can<br />
collective culinary totem pole. Before my move on, carrying only bitter memories<br />
wife and I would have had a chance to and feelings. But it shouldn’t be that<br />
join the bandwagon, the former fans are way. In the familiar “love” chapter <strong>of</strong> 1<br />
already poised to move on.<br />
Corinthians 13, among other things,<br />
You could have dozens <strong>of</strong> wonderful love is characterized as not being “easily<br />
experiences, but, for some reason, one angered,” according to one version. The<br />
misfire is what you’ll remember. In our Message <strong>of</strong>fers up the “love” checklist<br />
town, we have shells <strong>of</strong> businesses, retail this way:<br />
shops, and restaurants that once had a “Love never gives up. Love cares<br />
good thing going, only to be cut short more for others than for self. Love<br />
by a bad experience and word-<strong>of</strong>-mouth. doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love<br />
We are less likely to stick with a company doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled<br />
through difficulties today because we head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t<br />
don’t have to. We have choices. We can always ‘me first,’ Doesn’t fly <strong>of</strong>f the<br />
easily close the door on them and open handle, Doesn’t keep score <strong>of</strong> the sins<br />
the door with another.<br />
<strong>of</strong> others, Doesn’t revel when others<br />
grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering <strong>of</strong><br />
truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts <strong>God</strong><br />
always, Always looks for the best, Never<br />
looks back, But keeps going to the end”<br />
(1 Corinthians 13:4–7).<br />
For me, relationship is the key. If<br />
you constantly “fly <strong>of</strong>f the handle”<br />
with someone in particular, chances<br />
are they’ve cashed in every bit <strong>of</strong> love<br />
currency you gave them, or maybe they<br />
didn’t have any to begin with. The closer<br />
we are, the more likely we are to work<br />
past the disappointments and difficulties<br />
and believe the best about the other.<br />
We shouldn’t purposely provoke our<br />
friends, but on the other hand, the strong<br />
bond <strong>of</strong> love we share means we don’t<br />
completely shut the door on someone<br />
because <strong>of</strong> a perceived <strong>of</strong>fense. We walk<br />
through it, however uncomfortable it<br />
may be.<br />
I know . . . it’s easier said than done.<br />
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child,<br />
I understood as a child, I thought as a<br />
child; but when I became a man, I put<br />
away childish things. For now we see in<br />
a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.<br />
Now I know in part, but then I shall<br />
know just as I also am known. And now<br />
abide faith, hope, love, these three;<br />
but the greatest <strong>of</strong> these is love”<br />
(1 Corinthians 13:11–13 NKJV).<br />
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