Church of Christ©1995 by KINGDOM NEWS NETWORK.

All rights reserved.

A KINGDOM PICTURES RELEASE

A Kingdom Pictures Release “ARABIAN NIGHTS” A KINGDOM NEWS NETWORK PRODUCTION

Featuring: CORY & MEGAN BLACKWELL • AL & GLORIA BAIRD • SCOTT GREEN • BRIAN & ADRIENNE SCANLON • GUILLERMO & TERRI ADAMEBOB & PAT GEMPEL • DR. MARTY WOOTEN • AND A HOST OF MIDDLE EAST DISCIPLES

PRODUCED DIRECTED SCREENPLAY PRODUCTIONBY AL BAIRD BY ROGER LAMB BY MARYANN ROSE DESIGNER EMILY BRINGARDNER

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

KNN

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THE HIGHWAY OF BLESSINGIn that day there will be a highway from Egypt toAssyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and theEgyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrianswill worship together. In that day Israel will bethe third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessingon the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them,saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria myhandiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”

Isaiah 19:23-25

he headlines of the Los Angeles Times, Sunday,November 5, cry out “Rabin is Assassinated atRally – Jewish Student Seized at Scene; Israel

Stunned.” One of the articles goes on to say,“Standing on the White House lawn two yearsago with Palestine LiberationOrganization Chairman YasserArafat, the Israeli Prime MinisterYitzak Rabin summed up histransition and that of hiscountry as he quoted in anemotion-choked, gravely voicefrom the book of Ecclesiastes:

“A time to be born and atime to die, a time to killand a time toheal, at ime

to weep and a time to laugh, a time to love and atime to hate, a time of war and a time of peace...”

The Nobel Peace Prize winner also said inhis speech at the September, 1993, signing of theIsraeli – PLO Agreement, “We who have foughtagainst you – the Palestinians – we say to youtoday, in a loud and clear voice: Enough of bloodand tears. Enough.”

Peace does not come cheaply, especially tothe Middle East. The enmity and killing startedthousands of years ago beginning with Abraham,his son of the flesh, Ishmael, and his son ofpromise, Isaac, as recorded in Genesis 16:21.The Arabs descended from Ishmael, and the Jews

descended from Isaac. Withthe near-daily bloodshedbetween the Palestinians andIsraelis, ironically, Rabin’skiller was Jewish. In fact,for the first time since the newstate of Israel was foundedin 1948, an Israeli leaderwas assassinated by anotherIsraeli. How this tragic eventwill affect the peace processis anyone’s guess. Discipleseverywhere need to raise uppowerful prayers to God thathe will prepare the heartsof the Middle East peoplefor the good news of JesusChrist that is on the way.

The final frontier is theperfect description of the Middle East. The twentynations with a total of 325 million people aredesperate for peace – God’s peace. Rabin was right;“Enough of blood and tears. Enough.” But the taskbefore us will require more blood and more tears.Whatever the cost, we must pay it. Whether it is atime of war or a time of peace, it is the time forJesus to be preached to the nations. Our scrip-ture in Isaiah tells of Egypt, Assyria and Israelbecoming a blessing on the earth. Churches now

exist in Egypt and blessings are flowing. Assyria,which is now Iraq, will be planted within the nextfew weeks by a zealous group of disciples. WithGod’s help, a team will plant the church in Israelwithin the next three months. Brothers and sister,do chills run up and down your spine as you real-ize prophecy is being fulfilled before your very eyes?No longer will it be in the future tense: “The LordAlmighty will bless them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egyptmy people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel myinheritance.’ But it will now be: The Lord is bless-ing them . . .”

This issue of L.A. Story is about the MiddleEast, the final frontier. You will notice that it israther vague. Few names are recorded; few citiesare named; few details are given. This is done verypurposely. We in the United States and westerncountries take religious freedom for granted. Mostof the Middle East has no freedom of religion.Ninety-five percent of the region is Muslim, and it isa crime to convert someone from the Muslim faith.We need to pray daily for this world sector being socapably led by Cory and Megan Blackwell, for thedisciples who are already there building God’shighway, and for the thousands who will walk on itand work to extend it in the next few years.

God’s highway must not only be built to allnations and to all peoples. It must also be kept ingood repair. We are working hard to keep thesaved, and to learn how to do that more effectively.Recently the Los Angeles Church of Christ held achurch-wide Bible Talk leaders meeting at theShrine Auditorium. Nearly 2,000 were challengedby our Lead Evangelist, Kip McKean, to develop ashepherd’s heart toward our people. Kip suggestedthat we no longer call ourselves Bible Talk leaders,but rather Bible Talk shepherds. I appreciate Kipand the other leaders of the InternationalChurches of Christ — hearts that recognize aproblem, acknowledge it and set out to fix it.That’s just another great thing about being on theHighway of Blessing. May God continue to blessus all as we follow his way. ■

Editorial By Al BairdEditorialK I N G D O M M I L E S T O N E S

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Remember those earlier days after you hadreceived the light, when you stood your groundin a great contest in the face of suffering.Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insultand persecution; at other times you stood sideby side with those who were so treated. Yousympathized with those in prison and joyfullyaccepted the confiscation of your property,because you knew that you yourselves hadbetter and lasting possessions.

So do not throw away your confidence; it willbe richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:32-35

he Middle East is a land steeped in history andtraditions, where life on earth first began andthe most ancient of all civilizations came to

exist. Incredibly, this fertile land of contradictions,where hatred and strife happen to be the mainstayof life, is where God sent his light into the world.Although these countries are rich in resources,their inhabitants suffer from the severe conse-quences of poverty, illiteracy and disease.

God chose the Middle East to receive his sonand to see his gospel shine out into the rest of theuniverse. The first century witnessed the birth ofchurches unparalleled since that time. In spite oftremendous cruelty, severe persecution andextreme poverty, these churches boasted numbersexceeding 20,000 disciples per church. Theirzeal was burning, their commitment unwaveringand their love ran so deep as to touch the heartsof both friends and foes. Disciples multiplied,churches were planted and martyrs, with theirblood, claimed our Lord’s sovereignty over thepowers of evil.

After the first century, a time came whenpeople no longer tolerated the truth. They gaveinto the lust of the flesh, the love of money and thepursuit of worldly power. False doctrines and newreligions found a fertile land, and claimed many

followers. Over the years utter darkness prevailedand Satan ruled freely in the hearts of millions,even in what was called Christianity.

A few short years ago, in the thick of darkness,a light shined over the land. A band of raggeddisciples planted the first church in the Middle East.In spite of intense opposition and persecution, thenumber of disciples continues to grow and thenumber of churches has increased from one churchin one country to five churches in three countries.

Recently, for the very first time in God’smodern-day movement, the disciples in the MiddleEast gathered to celebrate the inaugural MiddleEast Jubilee. Over 150 disciples from around theworld gathered together to worship and give gloryto God. Most Middle East disciples had never metbrothers and sisters outside their local church.The angels in heaven rejoiced as the unity in Jesusbonded the body of Christ across cultural andhistorical barriers that have stood for thousands ofyears. They rejoiced at the appointments of twomore Middle Eastern evangelists and two morewomen’s ministry leaders during the Jubilee. Weall rejoiced with the angels in heaven as wecelebrated the baptism of a new sister.

Godly leaders from around the Kingdomdelivered fiery messages that challenged all thebrothers and sisters of Middle Eastern backgroundto truly love God, bag all their excuses andexchange their worldly dreams for Jesus’ dream.With the extremely difficult task of evangelizing theentire Middle East before the year 2000, the callwent out to all the disciples who live abroad toreturn to their homeland to help save their people.

The response was awesome! Many whowere filled with renewed faith, love and godlydreams, made decisions to leave the comfort ofthe West and return home. Church leadersencouraged many of their young leaders of

Middle Eastern descent to strengthen existingchurches and plant new ones, all the more showingthat we are part of a truly united Kingdom.

By the power of God, three more churches willbe planted in three additional countries before theend of this year. We pray that 1996 will see theplanting of six new churches, increasing the numberof evangelized countries in the Middle East to twelve.Many of the remaining unevangelized countries areamong the hardest to reach like Iran, Saudi Arabiaand Libya.

The daily challenges that our brothers faceare numerous: very low wages (average salary:$200 per month), inability to share their faithopenly, no public meetings. They must gather insmall groups, unable to enjoy the large fellowshipof brothers and sisters around the world, andthey live under the constant threat of expulsion orimprisonment. In the midst of all these challenges,God’s word cannot be chained. These disciples,through their faith, zeal and love, are rewritingChristian history. God is working on our behalfas he sees and hears of our desire to run therace and finish the task before the year 2000.

Peace is being struck between age-longrival enemies, causing wars to stop and bordersto open. A new spirit of openness and cooperation isreplacing the atmosphere of rigidity and hostility.

Walls that hindered thespread of God’s word forcenturies are crackingand falling. Now is thetime for renewed vision,strong faith and bravehearts, to win the MiddleEast for God. To God bethe glory! ■

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Arabian NightsArabian Nights

▲✹▲ During the Jubilee, a disciple interprets as her physical and spiritual sister speaks. ▲ The Middle Easterners are a strong people who can be a great force for God.

▲ God is opening doors in the Middle East.

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First Middle East JubileeFirst Middle East Jubilee

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1&2 Cory and Megan Blackwell, World Sector Leaders forthe Middle East.

3 Rula was appointed Women’s Ministry Leader atthe Jubilee.

4 Guillermo Adame, Geographic Sector Leader for the Southwest United States, spoke powerfully.

5 The Church will be planted in Morocco this fall.6 Palms along the Nile River.7 Jerusalem - a Church should be planted here within the

next three months.8 Scott Green, World Sector Leader for China, brought

insights and inspiration to the Jubilee.9 Brian Scanlon, Geographic Sector Leader for Europe,

is training French-speaking teams for MiddleEast plantings.

10 Newly appointed evangelist, Maher, dynamicallypreaches the word.

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“Family Matters” (Above)Two days after the mission team arrived in this country, one of the

team members attended a family reunion and renewed an acquain-tance with her cousin. When she invited him to church, she learnedthat he had been baptized by a disciple named Simon who was con-verted in the San Diego Church three years earlier, shortly beforereturning to his middle eastern home. Simon then served his country inthe military for two years. When discharged he shared his faith withhis family, converting several of them. The team met with these unknowndisciples and realized that a Church was already there!

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George Baptized at a prestigious

university in Boston only oneweek before leaving the US,this brother returned to hisnative middle eastern countryas the only disciple there.Due to communication diffi-culties, he had almost nocontact with other disciplesfor one year. Yet when the teamarrived to begin the church,he had not only grown in hisfaith and convictions, but also,out of his meager salary, hehad saved up his weeklyofferings through the yearto help God’s work.

MAP LEGEND1 - WESTERN SAHARA2 - TUNISIA3 - CYPRUS4 - LEBANON5 - ISRAEL6 - JORDAN7 - QATAR8 - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ▲✹ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲

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▲✹ ▲▲▲WORLD RELIGIONSWORLD RELIGIONS By Dr. Marty Wooten

6 11/26/95 L.A. STORY

ne of the challenges to world evangelism is the different religions of the people ofthe world. Familiarizing ourselves with

these religions will give us a better under-standing of what the churches are facing. Hereis a brief description of three of the major reli-gions outside of Christianity and Judaism.

HinduismHinduism is a religion native to (and mostly

limited to) the country of India with a followingof approximately700 million people. Hinduism,unlike the other major world religions, has no founder. Ithas emerged througha long evolution ofideas and philoso-phies, traces of whichdate back to 3000BC. It has its ownsacred writings thatconsist of the sayingsand interpretations ofvarious Hindu wise menpassed down throughthe years. Hinduismmakes no claim atobjectivity. In fact, itis known as a veryinclusive religion whichallows its followers anybelief. On the one hand,Hinduism contains sys-tems of philosophywhich attempt to explainthe origin and meaningof life exclusive of thespiritual world, and, on the other hand, offers itsfollowers a strict devotion to endless gods,idols, and sacred places. A Hindu may worshipas many gods as he wishes or no gods at all. Tothe Hindu, Jesus Christ would be only one wiseman among the thousands through whom thetruth about the universe can be discovered.Hindus believe that your soul is reincarnatedinto another life each time you die based onthe goodness of the life you last lived (karma).This belief is fundamental to the intricateHindu caste system that determines jobs, mar-riages and social circles.

BuddhismThough Buddhism is most thought of to be

associated with the Asian countries of China, Korea,and Japan, it actually originated in India. SiddhartaGuatama, born around 560 BC, also known as “theBuddha,” founded Buddhism because of hisfrustration and dissatisfaction with Hinduism.Through an experience while meditating, he formu-lated the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Pathwhich are his basic teachings. Unlike Hinduism thatlacks any real missionary zeal, Buddhism spread toother Asian countries and today numbers around300 million followers. New sects within Buddhismwere formed and other wise men among these sects

were also considered to be of the same level of Siddharta Guatama and were elevated toBuddhahood. Buddhism, like Hinduism, hasits own sacred writings based on the teachingof the Buddha and his disciples’ interpretationsof those teachings.

IslamIslam was founded by a man named

Mohammed in the early seventh century AD.Because of the conviction and the evangelistic fervorof the followers of Mohammed, the Islam religiontoday numbers approximately 1 billion people.

After receiving visions which Mohammed believedwere from their one and only God (Allah),Mohammed began preaching in the city of Mecca,Saudi Arabia, at the age of 40. With some 40converts, he began preaching in Medina in 622AD, the date the Islamic calendar begins.

Having been influenced by both Christians andJews and having observed that they were people ofthe book, he encouraged his followers (a followerof Islam is a Muslim) to memorize and recite thecontents of his sermons which later becamecodified into what is now the Qur’an (Koran).Much of his preaching and emphasis on the onetrue God was in reaction to the pagan idolatrous

practices of his coun-trymen at the time.Even today traditionalIslam forbids anyimages in worship ofAllah. Islam law recog-nizes no separationbetween religion andthe state, emphasizingthe Muslim communityas one entity politically,socially, and religiously.Therefore, it is againstthe law to evangelizeIslamic people in mostMuslim countries. Islamis known for its strongemphasis on monothe-ism (the belief in oneGod), and unlike someof the other worldreligions previouslydiscussed, Islam hasin no way deified its

founder. Mohammed has been highly respectedthrough the centuries for his deep convictions andhis steadfastness during times of intense persecutionand his attempt to unite the tribal groups of his area.

Islam is found mostly among these ethnicgroups: the Arabs (North Africa and the MiddleEast); Turks and Turkic peoples (Turkey, parts ofthe former USSR, and Central Asia); Iranians;Afghans; the Indo-Muslims (Pakistan, India,and Bangladesh); Southeast Asians (Malaysia,Indonesia, and the Philippines); and a smallpercentage of Chinese. Islam is the secondlargest religion after Christianity in Europe. ■

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▲ Numbers of Followers of All ReligionsMost religions are practiced in fairly specific world regions. The spread of religions occurred mainly due to human migration andthe development of telecommunications. The chart above shows the number of believers of each of the world religions in thousands.Over one-third of the world’s population adheres to a form of Christianity . . . Islam is practiced by nearly one-fifth of the world’spopulation, most of whom live in parts of Asia, particularly the Middle East. Judaism, though a major world religion, has fewerfollowers than Hinduism, Buddhism, and various other religions practiced primarily in Asia. Atheists and those who considerthemselves non-religious make up more than one-fifth of the world’s population. MICROSOFT ENCARTA ‘95

4TH WORLD CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN Action For Equality, Development and Peace

“The light shines in the darkness...” John 1:5

od is all powerful and he wants his daughters tohave a powerful impact in this dark world. Never have I felt his guiding hand

more powerfully than in Beijing at theFourth World Conference for Women!From the airport rendezvous with disciplesin the first hours in Beijing to the miraculoushonor of presenting the HOPE Village andHOPE Unity Award videos at the Non-GovernmentOrganization (NGO) Conference, it was trulya “riding on the wings of angels” experience.

When you ride on the wings of angels, youhave to hold tight and be prepared for anything buta boring flight. Fueled by daily prayer, a good studyof the book of Joshua, and the support of a fewgood disciples, an otherwise restless ride turnsinto a relentless air raid on the Kingdom of Satan.

The overall goal of the WCW was to facili-tate the elimination of barriers to the advance-ment of women between now and the year 2000.Specific areas of concern include poverty, edu-cation, health care, employment, human rights,violence and environment. It was attended by topwomen leaders in the international community,governments, non-government organizations andthe private sector.

People came from all over the world topreach their cause and plead their case, hopingto find supporters to march with them. Itseemed that as purposeful as the individuals

were, the lack of organization andpossible forums kept all but the mostdetermined women separated! God,

however, pulled his six disciples togetherand allowed us to worship, with our vis-itors, on the Lord’s day.

Then, miraculously, as wewalked along the road later that daywe met Karen Beatty from India.

Karen has been a great friend to HOPEand to the church, and is one of theheroines of India today. We arrangedto go together to see the Great Wall of China,Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City.It was a fun-filled day of friendship. Whenwe arrived at the Great Wall, it just so hap-pened that most of the Indian delegation toConference was also visiting the exact placeon the 1,500 mile-long Great Wall at theexact same time as we were. We stood inawe of God’s power and sovereignty. TrulyGod chooses the times and places (Acts17:24-27) and sets before his disciples a

great plan to share about him and his power.The next day brought torrential rains. We

were to present both the Village of HOPE and theHOPE Unity Award videos at the NGO Conference.Hillary Clinton was giving a speech to the womenat 9:30am. We were to make our presentation at

11:00am in the same building. After standing inthe rain for an hour, we finally made it inside. At11:00 we were ready. By 11:15 we had standingroom only and our presentation began. Theresponse was overwhelmingly positive to bothHOPE videos. Our message of peace and ourexample of positive action was such a contrast tothe protesting and complaining. It is great to be adisciple in 1995 and it is clearer to me than everthat only God has answers for today’s women. ■

L.A. STORY 11/26/95 7

4TH WORLD CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN Action For Equality, Development and PeaceBy Pat Gempel – Beijing, China 1995

GPat Gempel presenting a video ofHOPE’S international work at theNGO Forum on Women 1995.

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Helen Nanjundan from New Delhi, Karen Beatty from India, PatGempel from Philadelphia, and Lynne Green from Hong Kong.

▲ Rain or shine, the conference continued. Most of the meetingswere held in open tents.

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US AID Advisory Committee MeetingOct. 11, 1995 – Washington, D.C.Because of our presentations in Beijing,HOPE was invited to attend a meeting inWashington, D.C., to give advice to US AIDregarding women’s and children’s programs,particularly in the southern hemisphere.HOPE sent Padma Venkatraman and HelenNanjundan from India, Kitty Chiles from NY(representing the Caribbean), Jeanie Shawfrom Boston (representing Eastern Europe)Roxanne Armes (HOPE Youth Corps) andJeannie Fredrick and Sandy Foster (fromHOPE WW, Philadelphia) – 7 total – to themeeting. Padma was part of a panel discussion.The message of HOPE was delivered to all.Truly, the light is shining more and more.▲

Kingdom News Network ▲ 3530 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1750 ▲ Los Angeles, CA 90010 ▲ Phone (213) 385-5434 ▲ Fax (213) 251-4123

Church of Christ

Copyright ©1995 by the Kingdom News Network.All rights are reserved. No part of the publication may be

reproduced in any form or by any means without thepermission of the editor and publisher.

Published by the International Churches of Christ.

Volume 2, Issue 16 ■ November 26, 1995

Metro Super Region Marty & Chris Fuqua..............................(818) 799-8386Admin.: Eric & Susan Hauck ...................(818) 340-0522CENTRAL REGION

Anthony & Saun Galang ....................(818) 545-9100Downtown Sector

Kevin & Mary Mains..........................(818) 241-7540Central Los Angeles Sector

Anthony & Saun Galang ....................(818) 545-9100Rich & Renee Ruegsegger ...................(818) 458-8873

Latin SectorRafael Lua ........................................(310) 838-9535Nora Chavez....................................(818) 956-1258

Pasadena SectorDr. Henry & Lanna Cramer .................(818) 248-9706

Arroyo Cities SectorReese & Mary Kay Neyland ...............(213) 256-2963

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessCurtis & Lynn Kan; Harvey & Kellie Woodford

NORTH REGIONMark & Connie Mancini .....................(818) 363-7464

Antelope Valley SectorBob & Barb Harpole ..........................(805) 723-7533

North Valley SectorRon & Renee Quint ............................(818) 347-5039

South Valley SectorRon & Cheryl Hammer .......................(818) 347-6763

Santa Clarita SectorMike & Margaret Isenberg..................(805) 254-0307

Cal State Northridge SectorMark & Connie Mancini .....................(818) 363-7464Mike Hammer ...................................(818) 407-1979Jackie Pulopot ...................................(818) 885-7981

Deaf MinistryTDD (Ron Hammer) ............................(818) 347-4575

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessJudy Oakman; Eric & Susan Hauck; Lathan & ErinCollins; Doug & Nancy Domel; Ken & Joyce Guidroz; Dr. Jerry & Erlyn Sugarman; Dean & Debi Wilson

WEST REGIONRon & Lavonia Drabot ........................(310) 474-9591

Marina SectorEric & Janet Mansfield .......................(310) 260-5944Jennifer Crowder ...............................(310) 444-7849

UCLA SectorRon & Lavonia Drabot ........................(310) 474-9591Jon & Lori Augustine ..........................(310) 444-0995

West LA SectorDaryl & Charon Reed.........................(310) 441-5438Norm Holloway.................................(310) 836-9659

Westside SectorCurt & Patty Simmons.........................(310) 477-0681Greg & Shelley Metten.......................(310) 474-7929

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessGeoff & Robin Fawcett; Tom & MaryAnne Briscoe;Pete & Beth Hayes; John & Frances Thorne;Lawrence & Sherry Williamson

Southland Super RegionBruce & Robyn Williams .........................(714) 551-8400Admin.: Jeff & Debi Sabotin....................(714) 551-2121AMS REGION

David & Coleen Graham....................(818) 558-7070Arts/Entertainment District

Chris and Sonja Chloupek ..................(213) 965-9126David & Coleen Graham....................(818) 558-7070Kai & B.J. Foster................................(818) 752-0780

Media DistrictJeff & Lane Morrell ............................(213) 936-2399

Sports/Entertainment DistrictJess & Cindy Asper............................(310) 376-2285

Studio DistrictKevin & Tracena Holland....................(818) 559-8702

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessJohn & Gretchen Snyder; Mike & Kim Upton; Roy & Gwen Smith; Roger & Marcia Lamb

Upside Down Club.................................(213) 957-9993

EAST REGIONArturo and Jolie Gandara...................(909) 861-4808

Latin SectorJoe & Gloria Rodriguez......................(818) 369-1690

Diamond Bar SectorArturo and Jolie Gandara...................(909) 861-4808Judy Salgado ....................................(909) 876-4720

West Covina SectorSteve & Jacqueline Gansert ................(818) 810-4997

Arcadia SectorRodney and Denise Mosely.................(818) 294-9981

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessKen & Robin Heskett; Humberto & Sylvia Castillero;Luis & Eunice Catougno; Dan & Susan Stroebel

ORANGE COUNTY REGIONWillie and Tonya Flores......................(714) 551-2600

Anaheim SectorMike and Libby Rock .........................(714) 256-9400

Cal State Fullerton SectorDelano & Nadine Stewart ..................(714) 524-1927

Irvine SectorWillie and Tonya Flores......................(714) 551-2600Jim and Jenni Hornbuckle ...................(714) 552-3633

Mission Viejo SectorDave and Kathy Eastman....................(714) 699-0120

Newport SectorJoel and Julie Landi............................(714) 675-1720

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessJake & Nancy Jensen; Jeff & Debi Sabotin;Lee & Jackie Spath; Joel & Teresa Vink

VENTURA REGIONEd & Karen Townsend ........................(805) 532-9200

Santa Barbara SectorKip & Bethany Harms.........................(805) 682-9978

Tri-Valley SectorEd & Karen Townsend ........................(805) 532-9200

Ventura SectorDon & Suzanne Decker ......................(805) 647-0329

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessDebbie Carpenter; Keith & Robin Bauer;Jim & Beth Beiermann; Ken & Sara Maupin;John & Andra Walsh

Tri-County Super RegionCory & Megan Blackwell........................(310) 672-7300Admin.: Mike & Janice Mines..................(310) 534-5642INLAND EMPIRE REGION

Marvin & Sharisse Lucas ....................(909) 887-9596Palm Springs Sector

Steve & Lisa Serafin ...........................(619) 773-1935Riverside Sector

Tim & Linda Montoya.........................(213) 385-5434San Bernardino Sector

Marvin & Sharisse Lucas ....................(909) 887-9596Victorville Sector

John & Karen Unzueta .......................(619) 947-5859Administrator

Michelle Brown SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

Chuck & Carol Bray...........................(310) 673-4500Inglewood Sector

Chuck & Carol Bray...........................(310) 673-4500Al & Gloria Baird ..............................(310) 973-1222

Mid-Cities SectorAnton & Sharon Ivy ...........................(310) 803-3629

Dominguez Hills SectorDoug & Angella Wens .......................(310) 515-4882

South Gate SectorSalvador Velasco...............................(213) 566-1833Candice Figueras ..............................(213) 567-1418

Prime Time SectorCharles & Katrina Waller ...................(213) 291-9755

AdministratorBrian Beceiro

SOUTH REGIONJeff & Mary Wadstrom .......................(310) 433-4813

Lakewood SectorDon & Jennifer Splitt ..........................(310) 633-4001

Long Beach SectorJeff & Mary Wadstrom .......................(310) 433-4813

Peninsula SectorJay & Carol Kelly ..............................(310) 373-4739

Administrator/Deacon/DeaconessTed & Kathy Ott; Brian & Karen Plymell

Elders & TeachersDr. Albert W. BairdDavid GrahamDr. Gregory MettenBruce WilliamsDr. Martin Wooten

Lead EvangelistKip McKean

Super Region LeadersCory BlackwellMarty FuquaBruce Williams

Leader of Women’s MinistryElena Garcia-McKean

Women’s Ministry LeadersGloria BairdMegan BlackwellChris FuquaColeen GrahamRobyn Williams

Congregational Deacons& Deaconesses

John & Emily BringardnerMarvin & Lillian JonesTom & Etta McCurryKeith & Maryann RoseJohn & Frances ThorneCecil & Helen Wooten

MissionsCopenhagen, DenmarkMoscow, RussiaOdessa, UkraineHelsinki, FinlandNovosibirsk, RussiaVladivostok, RussiaStockholm, SwedenSt. Petersburg, RussiaKiev, UkraineOslo, NorwayMinsk, BelarusTallinn, EstoniaKharkov, UkraineYekaterinburg, RussiaTashkent, UzbekistanNizhny-Novgorod, RussiaRiga, LatviaAlma-Ata, KazakhstanAshkhabad, Turkmenistan

EditorDr. Albert W. Baird

Managing EditorRoger Lamb

Associate EditorMaryann D. Rose

Art DirectorEmily Bringardner

Assistant EditorMarcia Lamb

Cover & Middle East PhotosRoger Lamb