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Summer 2009 • Volume 56 No. 3 USPS 165-700
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Summer 2009 • Volume 56 No. 3USPS 165-700
Pages 10-11
2 Connexions Summer 2009
Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network4651 Westport Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Editor: Stephen R. TourvilleManaging Editor: Carole Bongiorno
Phone (717) 795-5921Fax (717) 795-5928
Email: [email protected]: www.penndel.org
ExEcutivE PrEsbytEry
Stephen R. Tourville, SuperintendentPaul Grabill, Assistant SuperintendentDavid Crosby Sr, Secretary-Treasurer
Jonathan Baker, NC SectionJames Balzano, SCW Section
Christopher Clark, NCW SectionDaniel Clark Sr., SE SectionSteven DeFrain, EC Section William Ellis, SWM Section Donald Immel, SWS Section Jeffrey Kettering, SC Section Kenneth Martin, NW SectionRandall Rhoads, SCE Section
James Rugg, NE Section Timothy Satryan, DEL Section
GEnEral PrEsbytErs
Stephen R. TourvilleDavid Crosby Sr
Bryan Koch
Honorary GEnEral PrEsbytErs
Philip Bongiorno, PennDel Superintendent Emeritus
James E. MorrisPennDel Assistant Superintendent (Retired)
ConneXions
ConneXions (USPS 165-700) is the official periodical published quarterly by the Pennsylvania-Delaware District
Council of the Assemblies of God. Periodical postage paid at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Circulation stands at approximately 7,500
Summer 2009
POSTMASTER:Send address changes to:
Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council4651 Westport Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-4887
For more informat ion, v is i t www.penndelchar i t ies .org
3Connexions Summer 2009
Pastor stePhen tourville, D.Min. superintendent
Citizens of the united states of america have enjoyed an extended time of relative peace and prosperity within our borders. those few events, like 9-11, that create such anxiety for us, have been relatively few and far between. the result is an expectation that life should be enjoyable, we should be prosperous, and all should go well. For believers, obedience to the Great Commission has become a matter of prayer, concern, and missionary offerings that enable missionaries who are called to various parts of the world to fulfill their distinct assign-ment from the lord. however, giving $5 or $10 in a missions offering will never accomplish the goal of global evangelization. the Mission will never be fulfilled just through a contribution of money. Much more is expected and required by our lord.
acts 17:26-27 provides a clue to our paradigm for the mission. God “determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live…so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” this scripture confronts us with some hard cold realities:
• This changes our view of immigration in america. People from around the world are not coming to america just for jobs or politi-cal asylum. God’s purposes are not directed toward national prosperity or our personal convenience, but for eternal values.
• God is intentional about people having the opportunity of hearing the Good news. he has “times set” for them, meaning there is a time of harvest when people are given an open door to respond to the Gospel. america has been given a “time,” and we are living in
that opportunity to fulfill our destiny. People coming to america may participate in that opportunity by receiving Christ and becoming part of the Kingdom of God.
• America’s time of visitation will one day come to a conclusion. We must seize our opportunity while it is available.
• God is also intentional about where people live; “the exact places where they should live.” have we thought of our neighbors being placed by the lord so we can influ-ence them for the Kingdom? it changes our perspective when their dog uses the front yard for a latrine. it makes us think about the language we use that the whole neighborhood can overhear. our neighbors are not living close to us by accident. Perhaps luke 10:30-37 (the Good samaritan) deserves another look in light of the Mission. We are all ambassadors for Christ and will be held ac-countable for what we say and how we say it.
We may never travel around the globe to preach a salvation message to those who have never heard, but our mandate is clear! When the offering plate is passed, go ahead and write out a check to assist the missionaries to fulfill their call. the mandate remains to make disciples of every nation, even those who are living in our community, county, state, and nation. the Mission does not just require us to give money. We are required to respond to the mandate and walk in obedience to the Great Commission of Christ.
Money or Mandate?
Rethinking the
M i s s i o n
We are all ambassadors
for Christ and will be
held accountable
for what we say and
how we say it.
Luke 10:30-37
Connexions Summer 20094
Paul e. Grabill, D.Min.
assistant superintendent
Think Like a
Missionarythis summer issue is full of great advice for furthering a historic core value of the heart of God (and of the assemblies of God)—missions.
i’d like to turn the tables on this page and suggest that it’s of no value for us to say “we are all missionaries,” unless we actually think like missionaries.
Yes, the united states has had the gospel preached fervently and perva-sively throughout our national history, yet we still have the 5th largest non-Christian population in the world. in fact, recent polls suggest that Christians are losing ground, not gaining ground. now, many, many nations in the world have a higher percentage of born-again Christians than we do in the u.s.
We need to (again, like years ago) think missional. america is not just a missions sending nation (thank God for that), but is itself a “missions field.” in fact, we should probably get rid of that unbiblical term. the whole planet is God’s “missions field.” From everywhere to everywhere.
so, get ready. i’m really going to challenge your thinking a bit (actually, probably a lot).
1. Repeat to yourself 100 times this line from an old gospel song: “This world is not my home, i’m just a passin’ through...”
My friends, i’m really serious here. it’s obvious to God and everyone else that we american Christians care much more about this world’s kingdoms than we do the heavenly kingdom. a missionary understands that their home is not in
the nation to which they are sent. neither is ours. america is not (repeat—not) our “home, sweet home.” our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). the next time you hear someone bemoaning “our culture” on Christian radio, feel free to shout back at the radio, “it’s not our culture!” if friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4), then many (most?) of us have become idolaters in our total love of america. idolatry is the most serious sin in the bible. i beg of you; stop it now. God will not bless idolaters.
2. Cleanse yourself of national pride.
a missionary may have a degree of affection for the nation to which they are sent, but they don’t become big flag wavers. in fact, the assemblies of God is officially apolitical in every nation, except the u.s. remember that “pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18). i am aware of only two nations since the Protestant reformation where the Christian churches made it a normal practice of placing the national flag in a prominent, honored place in their worship spaces. one of those nations killed 6 million Jews and had a great fall some 60 years ago. the other, officially and systematically, has killed over 50 million innocent babies, and yet Chris-tian churches still proudly wave the flag and gladly send our young people to fight and die for earthly, evil empires. God help us to get rid of our pride before he gets rid of using us.
3. see people as God sees them.
Years ago there was a song, “let me see this world, dear lord, as though i were looking through Your eyes…” like missionaries, we should not see people from a worldly point of view (2 Cor. 5:16)—good looking, rich, educated, republicans, liberals, ethnic identity, etc. there are two categories of people on the planet: Jesus followers and non-Jesus followers. that’s it. every other perspective gets in the way of being missional.
4. Live simply.
since where we live is our temporary home, let’s get our focus off of houses, lands, and stuff (yes, and 401Ks), and be willing to lay it all on the line for the sake of our eternal Kingdom. these things (Matt. 6:33) are only necessary parts of existing for a time which will soon fade away (James 4:14). nothing short of this is new testament Christianity.
5. Know your calling.
God didn’t place us in america to live a comfortable life and die a respectable death. he has called and equipped every single one of us to give ourselves away to reach the lost all around us. that’s what Jesus came to do. What are you doing?
so, do you think like a missionary, or just like a missions contributor?
the u.s. assemblies of God needs a lot more than 2+ thousand full-time missionaries.
We need 2+ million whole-time missionaries.
5Connexions Summer 2009
A missions experience can challenge people to break out of their shell.
Placing someone in a different culture and language helps to break down one’s inhabitations. The best missions experience is one you can bring home and
continue in your own neighbor-hood. Looking for just such
a trip? Ministering to the homeless and poor in a culture and language you are familiar with will help you bring the missions experience home.
Travel with us to New York City to minister to the poor and homeless. We will work with the “New York School of Urban Ministry” ministering to the homeless on the streets every evening and feeding Thanksgiving dinner to those in need throughout the city. GeorGe Krebs
Christian education
Bring Missions Home
Our New York Missions trip is marketed to
young adults, but is also open to any age;
we will assign teams accordingly.
This is one of the most affordable
missions’ experiences you will find.
This year, bring missions home!
WHEN: November 20-22, 2009
WHERE: New York City, NY
HOUSING: Dormitory style rooms at NYSUM
INVESTMENT: $195 before Oct 15; $205 after Oct 15
Missionary
Connexions Summer 20096
DaviD CrosbY secretary and treasurer
World Missions
With The Lord:Kevin Wagley, age 33, died on saturday, March 7, 2009 because of an automobile accident. Kevin failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into the intersection where he hit a utility trailer another vehicle was towing. his car ran into a ditch and he was ejected from his car. Kevin was a licensed Minister serving as Youth Pastor/evangelist at the Duncannon assembly of God. his service was held at the Duncannon assembly of God with Pastor Dale rosenberger officiating.
Daniel schreiner, age 85, went to be with the lord on Janu-ary 28, 2009. Daniel pastored round top assembly of God, Middletown, Pa for 33 years from 1957-1990 and he held full-time employment with hershey’s Chocolate. Daniel never married.
Ministers Transferring Out:LoWAns, James (ordained) – to southern MissouriPARKs, William (ordained) – to PotomacsCRiMALe, Charles (ordained) – to new JerseysCRiMALe, Jean (Certified) – to new JerseyVAn HoUWe, John (licensed) – to indiana
Ministers Transferring In:HALeY, Marshall n. (ordained) – From PotomacLinDsAY, Michael (licensed) – From ohioMiLLeR, nathan (ordained) – From PotomacMinsTeR, Ralph (ordained) – From West FloridaRiCe sR, norman A. (Certified) – From Peninsular FloridaVAJDA, Brittany n. (licensed) – From southern new englandWesT, James L. (licensed) – From new York
New & Upgraded Credentials:Certified Minister:GorniCZ, MatthewGuiterreZ, anthonyhunsinGer, DennisYinGlinG, leah
Licensed Minister:brYan, Jessica buChanan, GaryCornWell, alexandriaFisChl, MatthewFitZWater, JoshuaGrenier, abbeylynGuerin, sarahheist, timothyhooPs, ashleyKline, Daniellee, JoshualehMan, andrewleins, ChristopherleMon, andrewMarKer, reneeMiChauX, timothyoPenbrier, amyreese, Matthewsabella, Phillipsantistevan, MarkshaFFer, JonathansteinsDoerFer, MichaelWilliaMson, beauWillis, susanZinGer, Gary
Specialized Licensed Minister:naGel, Megan
Robert H. Shipp Celebrates
100 Years!Robert H. shipp celebrated his 100th birthday on June 18, 2009! robert was born in Pittsburgh, Pa and graduated from Dormont high school. he committed his life to Christ while attending a Christian and Missionary alliance church, was spirit-filled at bethel tabernacle, and was water baptized at the Mahaffery Camp Ground. his first biblical training was at Whiteside Memorial bible school in Pittsburgh, then he was a 1931 graduate of nyack Missionary training institute. Following graduation, he was an instructor at emmanuel bible training school of Pittsburgh until 1937.
in the 1940’s robert pastored a church in Washington, Pa when he received a license to Preach with the Gen-eral Council. he was ordained at living Waters Camp, Cherry tree, Pa in 1943. robert pastored Glad tidings assembly of God, Canonsburg, Pa until 1961 when he was called to Pentecostal lighthouse assembly of God, Windsor, Pa. he served the church for 13 years and then retired in 1981 after 37 years of pastoral ministry.
robert will be married to lillie 72 years on august 4, 2009. they were married in Coraoplis, Pa by rev. McKinney and rev. Welker bevingten and honey-mooned in Washington DC. they are the proud parents of two children, Gerry Cook of Dallas, texas, and Donald of east Petersburg, Pa., and one granddaughter, tracy Wenzel of shippensburg, Pa.
Church Transitions:Karey L. schaffer to Fair ridge Pentecostal assembly of God, shade Gap, Pa.
Jonathan srock to new life assembly of God, shillington, Pa.
stephen White to rock Full Gospel assembly of God, Mifflin, Pa.
Kevin Garman to Pleasant valley assembly of God, brodheadsville, Pa.
About People
Connexions Summer 2009 7
PennDel Missionary Family NewsKevin and Annie Folk have completed their assignment in spain and returned stateside for a year of itineration. they have been approved for reassignment to Mexico where Kevin will work in a national bible college. Gary and Cindy Higgins have completed compassion ministry to 4 countries. in el salvador they distributed food to 800 families plus food to refugee centers. in the Philippines they installed water purification units in 3 different regions of the country. in venezuela they assisted in a new church plant with grocery distribution, dental care, health screening and haircuts. More than 140 people made commitments to Christ. and in the West indies they trained 55 church leaders in disaster training for compassion ministry. sam and Jan Mayeski assisted in a new church plant on the Great exuma island of the bahamas in February. Mike and Debbie Hampton will complete language training in august and then transition to the netherland antilles in september to begin their missionary work. Fred and Betty Howsare continue to see God open doors in restricted countries of asia Pacific. Jeff and Rebecca Wiles need construction team in Jamaica for building projects of churches and latin american Child Care facilities.
Top Ten PennDel Churches In Missions Giving
1. Camp hill, Christian life .................... 494,792
2. bethel Park, south hills ...................... 259,818
3. reading, Glad tidings ......................... 236,068
4. state College ....................................... 207,972
5. roaring spring, Faith .......................... 191,038
6. Monroeville ......................................... 186,523
7. newark De, Praise ............................... 172,716
8. littlestown, bethel ............................ 149,036
9. allison Park Church ............................ 145,405
10. erie, First .............................................. 132,611
Our Newest MissionariesJuan and shirley ocasio served as Missionary associates for the past three years in the republic of Georgia as Missionary associates. While learning the Georgian language and culture, they taught english to young adults, led discipleship groups from their home, served as leaders and bookkeepers within the tbilisi international Christian Fellowship, and helped develop church planting profiles.
Following the brief war in august 2008, they became very involved in compassionate ministry among people displaced during the war. their team delivered many different kinds of supplies to several sites and encouraged people, letting them know that they were not forgotten and they are loved. recently, they learned that three churches have been planted at the sites of humanitarian aid distribution!
the assemblies of God World Missions board approved Juan and shirley’s missionary appointment in april 2009. after itineration, they will return to Georgia to continue in the discipleship ministry with young couples and families, compassionate outreach to displaced people, and partnering with the national church in church planting endeavors. they will continue to learn the Georgian language and culture to broaden their opportunities for missionary ministry.
Juan and Shirley Ocasio
8 Connexions Summer 2009Connexions Spring 20098
toM rees assistant to the superintendent
honorbound Church Planting
and Development
the driveway to Cowboy Church was lined with horse trailers. inside, visitors stomped the mud from their boots as country music filled the length of the arena. Many wore their cowboy hats. the atmosphere was relaxed, the sermon straight-forward and assisted by bentley, a 4-year-old Dutch Warmblood.
Cowboy Church’s mission is to reach those in the equestrian world who don’t regularly attend church or have felt injured or intimidated by conventional Christian settings.
“they’re a community that doesn’t go into a church that often,” said brandy Crago. “For some reason, rodeos and horse shows are often on sundays.”
Cowboy Church, meets monthly and is a site church of Freedom valley Worship Center, Gettysburg.
horse owner Pat Gentry of Cumberland township has attended Cowboy Church since its launch. she’s found it allows those in the horse and rodeo community to learn about God on their own turf. “some people i’ve invited to church won’t come,” she said, “but they will come here because there are horses and it’s not a ‘church.’”
every weeknight throughout the summer, the outdoor arena at Freedom valley Worship Center on route 30, west of new oxford, bustles with activity. volunteers prepare for the evening’s therapeutic riding lessons of grooming and tacking up horses, and positioning barrels, poles, and props within the arena. a riding helmet is fitted; the student is mounted; safety checks are completed; and with the command “Walk on!” the lesson begins.
shining stars riding Ministry was founded by Gardner’s resident, brandy Crago, with only “a dream and a shoestring budget. the dream has become a mission of shining stars: to provide therapy for persons with special needs, using horsemanship skills to help them overcome their physical, learning and emotional disabilities. since then,
shining stars has grown to 83 students and 110 volunteers. the public schools have now contracted services for their disabled students. During school hours, students are transported to one of the ranches where the horses reside, for lessons. Finally, the host church is considering building an indoor riding arena to allow sstr to operate year-round.
Crago sums up the life-altering effect of shining stars on the participants: “For those unable to walk, riding a horse becomes a means of movement. their disabilities disappear when they are on a horse. therapy riding literally puts these kids on top of the world.”
For more information, go to www.shiningstarstherapeuticriding.org
Shining Stars Riding Ministry
Cowboy ChurCh
Connexions Summer 2009 9
Workshops:“Moving Your life into overdrive” leadership“tachs and tips” technology“avoiding the Wreck” Purity“the ride of Your life” Mission trips“building a Great Pit Crew” Men’s Ministry“raising the next Generation of racers” Parenting“team sponsorships” Personal Finances“racing to Win” Marriage
Date: october 16-17, 2009
Place: trinity assembly of God
lutherville, MD
www.penndel.org
registration: 410-781-6376
10
.1
6-
17
.0
9
speakers:
ReggieDabbs
Mark Batterson
Bob Reccord
Men of Promise Men of Promise
10 Connexions Summer 2009
Omar Beiler is Eurasia Regional Director for Assemblies of God World Missions. He oversees ministry in 44 nations, focusing on establishing a gospel witness among the 4,000 plus unreached and neglected people groups across Eurasia.
His passion is to see God raise up new workers, both missionaries and national believers, who will go to the hardest places of Eurasia with the gospel. He also serves on the World Missions Executive Committee.
Omar holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, and a master¹s degree from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. He and his wife, Pat, have two children, Jennifer and Justin, and a grandson, Benjamin.
A young woman feels God confirm her call to missions. A teenage boy decides to start giving to missions. A family makes a commitment to kneel and pray together for missionaries and the lost souls they reach. An entire church sees exponential growth in missions giving almost overnight.
What’s the impetus for such events? The Eurasia Experience.
Wherever this unique, new, elaborate and powerful missions tool has gone it leaves a wake of stirred hearts and opened eyes.
“The Eurasia Experience opened my eyes to the aching hearts of lost people,” says Leah Cammack, a young woman in Louisiana. “What you hear from other people cannot compare to experiencing their world and feeling their need for hope, love and forgiveness.”
Pastors and district leaders who have exposed their people to the Eurasia Experience report a dramatic increase in missions support.
“The Eurasia Experience created the atmosphere for the greatest missions convention our church ever hosted,” says pastor Andy Harris of Central on the Hill (AG) in Haughton, LA.
But what is this Experience? What makes it so powerful?
If you can imagine the following, then you are only getting a taste…
You arrive with your group at customs and an “immigration agent” eyes you suspiciously (he’s a volunteer actor). A teenage girl in your group is asked, “Are you a Christian?” She answers “yes.” So she is thrown in jail.
Next, your group emerges into a marketplace. Vendors and pickpockets converge on your group. The marketplace experience is intended to be multisensory. A blend of aromas flows over you.
Some are familiar. Others are completely alien.
Already, some in your group are overcome. A few are crying. They didn’t expect it to be so real. There is a “no customer service” attitude here. This is Eurasia. You feel like a stranger in a strange land.
After you experience Eurasian religious culture—possibly a Muslim Imam calling others to prayer—you come to the end and are greeted by someone portraying an Assemblies of God missionary or a national worker. They tell you shocking and inspiring stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
At the conclusion he or she says, “Why do I live here? Why would I bring my family to such a place? Because these people are lost and they need Jesus Christ. And we love them.”
After you leave the Eurasia Experience and have seriously processed the issues our missionaries and national brethren face each day, there will be few dry eyes in your group. You’ve experienced life across Eurasia in a realistic way in just one hour.
Gary Denbow, president of Central Bible College, recalls his first one-hour walk through. “I just don’t know of any other experience that can open your eyes to the needs of millions of people in our world who do not have an adequate witness of Jesus Christ.”
The Eurasia Experience is for everyone. We are bringing it to the PennDel Ministers Enrichment and I challenge every pastor to let the Experience do something powerful in his church.
We receive reports of people called into missions, inspired to give sacrificially, or moved in their spirits to pray because of the Eurasia Experience. Yes, even entire congregations are radically moved to missions-mindedness. Just ask the pastoral staff of
Central Assembly of God in Houston, PA.
“Every pastor needs to see this as an investment in the future of missions giving and praying,” says Steve Getchell, senior pastor.
Adam Brock, a staff pastor at Central, says, “What an awesome and creative way to open up eyes to something that we, as Americans, hardly ever get to experience.”
Take a trip through the Eurasia Experience. I truly believe your church and district can have the greatest missions conference and missions-giving year in its history.
11Connexions Summer 2009
Omar Beiler is Eurasia Regional Director for Assemblies of God World Missions. He oversees ministry in 44 nations, focusing on establishing a gospel witness among the 4,000 plus unreached and neglected people groups across Eurasia.
His passion is to see God raise up new workers, both missionaries and national believers, who will go to the hardest places of Eurasia with the gospel. He also serves on the World Missions Executive Committee.
Omar holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, and a master¹s degree from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. He and his wife, Pat, have two children, Jennifer and Justin, and a grandson, Benjamin.
A young woman feels God confirm her call to missions. A teenage boy decides to start giving to missions. A family makes a commitment to kneel and pray together for missionaries and the lost souls they reach. An entire church sees exponential growth in missions giving almost overnight.
What’s the impetus for such events? The Eurasia Experience.
Wherever this unique, new, elaborate and powerful missions tool has gone it leaves a wake of stirred hearts and opened eyes.
“The Eurasia Experience opened my eyes to the aching hearts of lost people,” says Leah Cammack, a young woman in Louisiana. “What you hear from other people cannot compare to experiencing their world and feeling their need for hope, love and forgiveness.”
Pastors and district leaders who have exposed their people to the Eurasia Experience report a dramatic increase in missions support.
“The Eurasia Experience created the atmosphere for the greatest missions convention our church ever hosted,” says pastor Andy Harris of Central on the Hill (AG) in Haughton, LA.
But what is this Experience? What makes it so powerful?
If you can imagine the following, then you are only getting a taste…
You arrive with your group at customs and an “immigration agent” eyes you suspiciously (he’s a volunteer actor). A teenage girl in your group is asked, “Are you a Christian?” She answers “yes.” So she is thrown in jail.
Next, your group emerges into a marketplace. Vendors and pickpockets converge on your group. The marketplace experience is intended to be multisensory. A blend of aromas flows over you.
Some are familiar. Others are completely alien.
Already, some in your group are overcome. A few are crying. They didn’t expect it to be so real. There is a “no customer service” attitude here. This is Eurasia. You feel like a stranger in a strange land.
After you experience Eurasian religious culture—possibly a Muslim Imam calling others to prayer—you come to the end and are greeted by someone portraying an Assemblies of God missionary or a national worker. They tell you shocking and inspiring stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
At the conclusion he or she says, “Why do I live here? Why would I bring my family to such a place? Because these people are lost and they need Jesus Christ. And we love them.”
After you leave the Eurasia Experience and have seriously processed the issues our missionaries and national brethren face each day, there will be few dry eyes in your group. You’ve experienced life across Eurasia in a realistic way in just one hour.
Gary Denbow, president of Central Bible College, recalls his first one-hour walk through. “I just don’t know of any other experience that can open your eyes to the needs of millions of people in our world who do not have an adequate witness of Jesus Christ.”
The Eurasia Experience is for everyone. We are bringing it to the PennDel Ministers Enrichment and I challenge every pastor to let the Experience do something powerful in his church.
We receive reports of people called into missions, inspired to give sacrificially, or moved in their spirits to pray because of the Eurasia Experience. Yes, even entire congregations are radically moved to missions-mindedness. Just ask the pastoral staff of
Central Assembly of God in Houston, PA.
“Every pastor needs to see this as an investment in the future of missions giving and praying,” says Steve Getchell, senior pastor.
Adam Brock, a staff pastor at Central, says, “What an awesome and creative way to open up eyes to something that we, as Americans, hardly ever get to experience.”
Take a trip through the Eurasia Experience. I truly believe your church and district can have the greatest missions conference and missions-giving year in its history.
Connexions Summer 200912
2009 PennDel MinistrieSummitEvangel Heights Assembly of God • Sarver, PA
ReUBen HARTWiCK50 YeARs oF seRViCe
eDUCATionAL QUALiFiCATion CoMMiTTee
2009 JUBiLiARiAns50 YeARs oF oRDAineD MinisTRY
Peter Miller Jack Provard Jack bremigan
Aro
und
the District
DeDiCation oF eDuCation WinG
Pastor Don & robin immel
assembly of God, new stanton, Pa
90th anniversarYPastor David & sarah Martinspecial Guest: Dr. George o. Wood, General superintendent Pitcairn assembly of God
6th anniversarY Pastor vincent & Pamela bellancaeagle’s nest assembly of GodGreenville, Pa
13Connexions Summer 2009
2009 PennDel MinistrieSummitEvangel Heights Assembly of God • Sarver, PA
2009 oRDinATion CLAss
Phillip & beth baker
Jason & sarah Fitch
K.r. & Gina Mele
Paul & Jill boisvert
Jason & Wendy Gornicz
Philip & Jane Propson
Frederick Pettet iii
liz & steven DeFrain
scott & Danielle Gray
todd & tina Pugh
David & laura York
Joseph Dutko
David & sarah Martin
r. lee & Christine rogers
2009 oRDinATion CLAss
DouG saYers Youth
www.penndelyouth.com
Congratulations to the 2009 District Youth Scholarship Recipients
Third Place Recipientaudrei heath from new Freedom, Pa. audrei attends shrewsbury assembly of God in shrewsbury, Pa. this fall audrei will attend valley Forge Christian College. she received a $500.00 scholarship.
Bible Quiz Regional Finals Congratulations to the PennDel bible Quiz teams that competed in the northeast regional bible Quiz finals. Placing in the top 10 of the a division was:
Journey Church in Bridgeville, PA – 3rd place
evangel Heights AG in sarver, PA – 7th place
south Hills AG in Bethel Park, PA – 9th place
Christian Life AG in Chambersburg, PA – 10th place
Congratulations to Grant Warnock from Journey Church who was the number 1 quizzer earning a total of 1555 points, averaging 130 points per round! We are very proud of these students’ accomplishments as they memorize the Word of God!
Bible Quiz Training Camp bible Quiz training Camp is august 13-15, 2009, at the Philip bongiorno Conference Center in Carlisle, Pa. this three-day camp offers practical hands-on experiences that will prepare veteran quizzers and coaches for the new season, as well as help train first time quizzers and coaches.
For $81, both teens and adults will receive housing and meals, instruction on bible Quiz
techniques, quizzing, coaching, officiating, and more. Whether your church has a bible Quiz team, is planning to start a quiz ministry, or wants to learn more about bible Quizzing, you will benefit from the experience of bQ Camp!
the deadline is august 6th and space is limited, so send in your registration today! Please contact Pastor bernie elliot, Jr. at [email protected] for further information, or call (412) 469-3959
First Place RecipientJohn Mowery from salunga, Pa. John attends First assembly of God in lancaster Pa. this fall John will attend valley Forge Christian College. he received a $1,000.00 scholarship.
Second Place Recipientsamuel krahe from Wattsburg, Pa. samuel attends First
assembly in erie, Pa. samuel will attend north Central university this fall. he received a $750.00 scholarship.
Discount Hersheypark Tickets AvailableWhether you need hersheypark tickets for your family or for your group, you can purchase them from PennDel Youth Ministries for $34.00 (ages 9-54) and $28.00 (ages 3-8 and 55+) until our discounted supply is gone. Please send a check (made payable to PennDel District) for the full payment along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Park Days 2009, 4651 Westport Dr., Mechanicsburg, Pa, 17055.
Connexions Summer 200914
Connexions Summer 2009 15
Jason laMer Youth alive
Here
When we think of Missions, our mind quickly goes to the far lands of countries we’ve never heard of and to people who look and live much different than ourselves. We are fully aware that a small percentage of these people have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. the representation of “Christ follow-ers” is so small in that area that the need for missions and outreach seems so obvious. When you consider a community of people who have such a low percentage of Christians among them, it might come as a surprise to learn that a similar group exists much closer than you may realize. there is no question that missions consists of far reaching, but there is truth that missions also exists within arms reach. the public schools of america represent such a missions field where an average of less than 4% are exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
i encourage you to pray and consider what God would have you do in reach-ing out to this important community. as we begin our 6th year of the seven Project in the PennDel District, we are asking God to give us 5,000 student salvations in the upcoming school year that will match the numbers we have seen in the previous 5 years combined. the need is great, the time is short. the need is reachable, the time is now.
Ideas for Reaching the Public Campus:• Register and equip students as Campus Missionaries to their schools
(www.yausa.com).• Set aside the entire Sunday morning or a few minutes on Campus
awareness Day, september 20 to commission Campus Missionaries and to pray for the schools of your area.
• Coach a Campus Club or assist a student in developing a Christian Club on their campus. Contact PennDel Youth alive for ideas or support.
• Sponsor a Seven Project Community outreach to your city. For a free promo packet, email your request to [email protected].
16 Connexions Summer 2009
i recently had the opportunity to take a worship team to Zambia, e. africa to teach seminars and lead worship services. it was an incredible experience for our team and truly life-changing, but we actually came home wondering what kind of impact we had on our Zambian brothers and sisters. they already know how to worship (and do so with so much passion) and have unbelievable natural musical ability. Why did we leave our families for 2 weeks, go through the effort of raising the financial support, take the risk of exposing ourselves to unusual diseases and go to a land thousands of miles away to do what we do at home every week? one answer has flooded my heart and mind as i have ‘debriefed’
with God and reminisced with him about the trip: We Were CalleD to Go. bottom line…
how many times do we ask the question, “What am i really accomplishing in my min-istry?” We often don’t see the immediate tangible results of our efforts for God and that can be difficult, but we are called to
be faithful in offering what little we have to be used in God’s hands. a few days after returning from Zambia, i received this email from one of the ministry leaders we worked with that really convicted me of asking those questions. here’s an excerpt:
“Hi Pastor Walker and team. We praise God for the time you had with us. The seed you planted in Zambia is already bearing fruit. The hearts of our people have been stirred. We had one of the best Sundays of worship we have ever had this past week and exciting things are hap-pening… We are very grateful for everything you taught us! Thank you for hearing from God and following His call. He is faithful! Regards, Djondo Sikalangwe.”
Continue to be diligent in following God’s call even when there seems to be no tangible results, and know that “the One who called you is faithful, and HE WILL DO IT” (I Thess. 5:24). May “the eyes of your heart be enlightened, that you may know the hope to which He has called you…” (Eph. 1:18)
Kristian WalKer
District Music & Worship liason
www.kristianwalker.org
FIELD REPORT
Zambia, E. Africa
Faithful to the Call
Connexions Summer 2009 17
GreG sCott royal rangers
[email protected] royal rangers has spent the last 18 months evaluating its ministry to boys and men alike and making important directional changes to take the ministry to a new level of ministerial influence and effectiveness. our goal is to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” at our 2009 national Council new designs purposed to enhance outpost success were unveiled. the improvements will make royal rangers more responsive, affordable, and flexible with greater emphasis on being boy-led and to creating a wider range of advancement-interests to facilitate the mentoring relationship. everything has been purposefully designed to lead boys closer to Christ.
opportunities to challenge boys’ lives abound in every community. our job is to be with Christ so we tune into his voice and see his creative response to those opportunities. We must focus our efforts to equip men and boys to transform the next generation of boys and young men into Christlike manhood, and to empower lifelong servant leaders. believe it or not your ministry reaches further than you think, all the way into eternity to be exact. it is our responsibility to work together as local, district, and national leaders to ensure that the ministry of royal rangers is appealing and attractive to all boys and that no “calls” are lost through a too narrow application of our ministry methods. our assistant General superin-tendent, l. alton Garrison, told the Council “i have never been more convinced that ministry to young boys should be of the highest priority in the assemblies of God.” he emphasized that our passion for discipling young men will pay great dividends for the kingdom of God. ranger leaders have to hold above all else their personal commitment to evangelize (reach), equip (teach), and empower (keep) boys for Christ.
i truly believe that royal rangers can be all (and more) that we’re believing it can be. it won’t be easy. “With God’s help” as our motto says, we are determined to be the premier mentoring ministry for future men in america – period! there are many ideas in people’s minds that will need to be explained away and replaced by our new vision and methodolo-gies. if your church is searching for a life-changing ministry to boys, throw away all those preconceived notions and past experiences and check out the new royal rangers. also, if you are not aware of or have not seen information on the joint royal rangers-Girls Ministries “together Plan”, check it out. it is now available online at www.royalrangers.ag.org/programs/. For more information on any of the above contact your sectional commander, or district royal ranger office at (302) 736-3058.
Rethinking the Mission
District BB Gun Competitionnewport a/G, newport, PaJuly 25th
District self-assessmentstaff Development seminarFirst assembly of God, York, PaJuly 31st - august 1st
District Leaders ConferenceFirst assembly of God, York, Paaugust 1st
West Division Fall Camporeelaurel hill state Park, Paseptember 18-20
east Division Fall CamporeeCamp bashore, Paseptember 25-27
Northeast region Colonials Territorial rendezvousYards Creek scout reservation,blairstown, nJoctober 9-11
New Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship ScoutCongratulations to Chris “spinning Hawk” Hamilton of outpost 311, Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship church, who earned the title of Chapter scout for the George Washington Chap-ter of the FCF. Chris earned the position through a series of skills and knowledge tests he underwent at the FCF spring trace held at the Penn-Del rr Camp berry in May. he wasted no time in implementing his new position by holding a Young buck meeting to ask the boys what they liked about the current FCF ministry and what they would like to see changed or introduced. he received a great response from our future young leaders and i think you will like their ideas. Chris is also a Gold Medal of achievement recipient and i know we will see many great things from him in the near future as a young leader in our ministry.
Coming
Events
in 2009:
Rethinking the Mission
18 Connexions Summer 2009
ruth Puleo Women of Purpose
in september, 2008, God used a Missions team of
28 women to touch the lives of hundreds of women
and children in the slums of new Delhi, india. We
witnessed many give their hearts to Christ in spite
of persecution, individuals received the baptism
of the holy spirit and miraculous healings took
place. they were forever changed and so were we.
everyone on this Missions trip actively participated
in some form of ministry as they worked with their
team leaders to make a spiritual impact on the
women and children of the slums. With the help of
many fine national leaders we were able to share
the love of God with women at two women’s con-
ferences and ministered in two churches on sunday.
our children’s team organized three children’s cru-
sades and taught children’s sunday school classes in
a national church. the paint team created masterful
murals in the Carmel Community Church and the
Grace Karuna Children’s home which were both
recipients of our Project offering for 2008. We are
planning an india Missions trip for 2010. if you are
interested, contact ruth for more information.
India
Refresh & Refuel Sessions are for everyone this year. There are three different sessions to select from. We ask that you select which one you wish to attend and indicate this on the registration form in order to help us with the seating. These sessions are offered on a first come basis due to limited seating in each room. You may divide your group so ladies are able attend different sessions and later they can share together about what they have received.
“This is another of those awesome experiences God has given me.”
A Trip of a Lifetime
“I will never forget this time.”
“I will never forget the children, people, and country of India.”
“Refresh and Refuel ” Sessions
How did I get so busy - Valorie BurtonRaising up Boys - Sheri Rose ShepherdRaising up Girls - Dannah Gresh
November 13 & 14Friday 9 – 11 am
Women of Purpose Conference 2009
Connexions Summer 2009 19
sharon Poole Girls Ministries
Achieving vs. Mentoring
National Girls Ministries Week
September 13-19Theme: “Shine Like Stars”
Scripture: Philippians 2:15
in high school i was not involved in organized sports. it’s not that i had anything against sports, but i just wasn’t that interested. looking back on those days, i wish i had been on a “team” of some sorts. it would have enhanced my social life as well as my education.
i love reading stories of athletes and how they relate to their coach. a coach is an important part of the team. With no coach, the team would be without direction, experience, and the vision to see where each teammate is to work towards.
i wonder what is more important, win-ning or the lessons learned through the mentoring of a coach? Certainly (being a Pittsburgh steelers fan), the achieving is significant. Why work towards some-thing if there is not a goal? achieving in a sport (or a Club such as Girls Ministries) would seem to be the ultimate. but i wonder, in today’s world, as we look at athletes and their lack of moral depth: are they better for winning or for having played the game?
Girls Ministries is a wonderful achieve-ment program through the assemblies of God. it has ministered to and mentored thousands of girls in the PennDel District. i believe in it and the core values that it teaches.
but if it is simply achieving and not mentoring, we are failing the very girls we hope to shape. i believe it is more important to meet the spiritual needs of our girls than to have them become honor stars, Friends Graduates and Girls only Graduates. Don’t misunderstand: those who achieve are incredible and should be honored. but we need to see the whole picture of the whole girl.
the material we have to share is the best foundational mentoring program available today. as we are teaching, let’s not forget to live the practical side of it. let us not forget to mentor.
National SleepoverSeptember 25-26Theme: “Called to Stardom”Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18
As we are teaching, let’s
not forget to live the
practical side of it. Let
us not forget to mentor.
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