JULY 2013 - ALJC

JULY\13 ~ 1

J U L Y 2 0 1 3

2 Apostolic Witness

Introducing Empower for young men ages 12-18Empower for the young men will simultaneously be going on in the James R. Stephens Family Life Center of FAC

Early Registration: • $40 per person / $45 at the doorSend to: FAC - 1723 William Blount Drive • Maryville, TN 37801

Hotels

Rooms are blocked under “ALJC Men’s Conference” and will be dropped Aug. 28.

Special SpeakerSRoland Baker • Robert Martin • Kenny Chessor

Stephen Trachsel Jr • Cory Porterfield • Craig Taylor

SPeCial MuSiC MiniSTRylarry Carter

The Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Airport/ Alcoa

141 Furrow Way • Alcoa, TN 37701(865)977-8333

$89 + tax

Fairfield Inn by Marriott126 Cusick RoadAlcoa, TN 37701(865)984-9350

$70 + tax

Holiday Inn Express130 Associates BlvdAlcoa, TN 37701(865)981-9008

$89 + tax

Reverend Joe Fred Brown

YoUtH CAMPs

Mark Johnson, Chad McQueen,

Chad Erickson, Cory Porterfield

Ronda Lloyd ........................................8

WoRlD MIssIoNs

M.L. Walls, Tony Adams, Daniel Barber

Lowell Snow, Mark Naimy, Horst Krauss,

Hope Elkins .......................................20

eVANGelIst DePARtMeNt

Mark Bishop ...................................... 26

MIssIoNs AMeRICA

C. Edward Mejean, Bob Koonce .........28

APostolIC CRUsADeRs ........31

C O N T E N T S

N A T I O N A L D E P A R T M E N T D I R E C T O R S

World MissionsM.L. Walls

Missions AmericaGeorge Akers

MenistryKenny Carpenter

Women’s EspritPenny Carpenter

Apostolic CrusadersChad Erickson

KidzQuestNathan Roberts

Evangelist DepartmentMark Bishop

Christian Schools DepartmentJoe Nelson

28

Reverend Joe Fred Brown by Charles and Donna Hancock

18

by Rick Hilton 6

4 Apostolic Witness

ASSEMBLIES of the LORD JESUS CHRIST

DoCtRINAl tRUtHs

The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ asserts that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that the fundamental plan of salvation consists of these major doc-trinal truths: Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the one true God; Repentance from sins; Baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ; Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues.

eXeCUtIVe BoARDGENERAL SUPERINTENDENT • Robert Martin

SOUTHERN REGIONAL ASSISTANT • Mark McCoolNORTHERN REGIONAL ASSISTANT • tim Gill

WESTERN REGIONAL ASSISTANT • Charles HancockGENERAL SECRETARY • Roger Gray

DIstRICt sUPeRINteNDeNts

DePARtMeNt DIReCtoRs

HoNoRARY sUPeRINteNDeNtsDavid Mayo • Raymond Bishop • Steve Wilson

APostolIC WItNess875 North White Station Road • PO Box 22366 • Memphis, TN 38122

Phone: 901.685.1969 • Fax: 901.685.9443 • www.aljc.org

APostolIC WItNess (V 61 #7) JUlY 2013. Apostolic Witness is the monthly publication and official organ

of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ.Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, TN (USPS #028-040) and additional mailing offices.

To order reprints call 901.685.1969POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

Apostolic Witness • PO Box 22366 • Memphis, TN 38122-0366

sUBsCRIPtIoNsIndividual subscriptions $24 per year; bundles of 2 @ $2.00 per copy.

Send subscription info and check to: Apostolic Witness, P.O. Box 22366, Memphis, TN 38122

ADVeRtIsING1/8 page - $100 • 1/4 page - $200 • 1/2 page - $300 • Full page - $500

Discounts for multiple month ads. For info E-mail [email protected]

letteRsFax: 225.275.8905 • E-mail: [email protected] • Letters may be edited.

ALABAMA DISTRICTJames KnightARKANSAS DISTRICTlarry DavidsonFLORIDA DISTRICTStephen ReedGEORGIA DISTRICTNathan CarrellGULF COAST DISTRICTJames JohnsonHEARTLAND DISTRICTedward MacDonaldILLINOIS DISTRICTFrancis FarneyINDIANA DISTRICTDanny st. Clair

KENTUCKY DISTRICTJoel ClemonsLOUISIANA DISTRICTDavid PooleMICHIGAN DISTRICTshannon scottMISSISSIPPI DISTRICTJonathan VazquezNEW ENGLAND DISTRICTlisle lindsayNEW YORK/MID ATLANTIC DISTRICTPaul MurrayOHIO DISTRICTRobert FriesOKLAHOMA DISTRICTCurt Green

SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICTDavid AkersTENNESSEE DISTRICTJohn RobinsonTEXAS DISTRICTPeter GrayTRI-STATE DISTRICTBilly McCoolWESTERN DISTRICTClarence KingWEST TEXAS/NEW MEXICO DISTRICTDale BosticWEST VIRGINIA DISTRICTRalph Tisdale

WORLD MISSIONS DIRECTORM.l. Walls

MISSIONS AMERICA DIRECTORGeorge Akers

EVANGELIST DIRECTORMark Bishop

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTORNathan Roberts

GENERAL YOUTH PRESIDENTChad erickson

WOMEN’S ESPRIT PRESIDENTPenny Carpenter

MENISTRY PRESIDENTKenneth Carpenter

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DIRECTORJoe Nelson

eDItoRRick Hilton

MANAGING eDItoRRobert Martin

GRAPHIC DesIGNeRKayla LeBon

337.217.3473

6 Apostolic Witness

As a young teenager in a small Louisiana town, I was fortu-nate to grow up with the guidance of faithful members of an amazing Pentecostal church. Without the time, energy

and support that they put into me, I’m certain that my life would have turned out much differently. Of all the things they did for me, none made more of a lasting impression than allowing me to attend youth camp. Every year, my home church made a concerted effort to be sure that every young person had an opportunity to attend camp. Through the years, I mowed grass, washed cars and did several odd jobs that were worth only a fraction of the generous pay I received. It was always enough to pay the registration fee and have something left to spend on concessions. Still to this day, I remember acciden-tally breaking a shovel at the home of my former pastor, Kevin Cox. The church I grew up in, just like the one I attend now, under-stood the importance of making a way for every kid to go to camp. As one on the receiving end of those blessings, I would like to share why it made such a lasting impression in an effort to thank every saint of God who has ever made a way for a kid to go to church camp. Youth camp was my brief interruption from the culture clash that took place in my home. As a teen, I realized that God had some-thing greater for me and that I would have to endure hardships to outlast the atmosphere that fought against me on a daily basis. I kept a lock on my bedroom door, spent most of my time studying or playing sports and tolerated an inordinate amount of physical and verbal abuse. During many summers as a teen, I vividly remember riding back from youth camp with my friends. After sharing so many

by Rick Hilton

6 Apostolic Witness

JULY\13 ~ 7

memories, we often spent the drive home singing the same camp songs, talking about our experiences, laughing and praying one for another. For that reason alone, it was money well spent. I remember my childhood friends driving me back home and watching me unload my week’s worth of luggage. I was a little embarrassed for them to see strange men and women sitting on the rails of my front porch in cut-off blue jean shorts and tee-shirts with sleeves rolled up to hold their cigarettes or other tobacco products. Sometimes I knew these people and sometimes I did not. Most of the time, they were just sitting there on the porch drinking beer and smoking cigarettes wearing sunshades to hide their blood shot eyes. In my teenage years, my father was never in our home. The men in our home were usually my mother or my sis-ter’s lovers…or both. There were more drunken orgies that took place in my home than I would like to admit. On many occasions, I observed my mother and my older sister bring lovers and friends in the living room, sit in a circle and pass a blunt of marijuana from one to another. I was often invited to join the group, often ridiculed for my refusal and mocked because of my stand for godliness. But, for an entire week every summer, I could escape from this. Youth camp was a time to seek God, cultivate friend-ships and allow the Word of God to take root at my very core. It anchored and validated my beliefs. It healed wounds, gave clarity and increased my confidence that I could overcome every obstacle. Without a doubt, there have been thousands of young people who have sat on tab-ernacle pews soaking up the goodness of God with similar stories. Consider that most young people will make at least three life changing decisions between the ages of 17 and 25. First, they will decide whether they should be fully commit-

ted in their daily walk with God as they enter into adult-hood or if they will simply give in to every youthful lust and wanton desire. Second, they will form preferences in dating and begin to seek out a lifelong spouse. Third, they will invest resources to further their education beyond high school or learn skills that will provide income for a lifetime. Perhaps there is no greater atmosphere to promote the pro-cess of self-inventory and to galvanize one’s decisions than an altar after a week of separation from the confusion of other influences. Because of the opportunities given to me by church members, I was able to endure the hardships and become the first in my family to graduate from high school and col-lege. I was blessed to marry a young lady who was equally devoted to God throughout her teenage years. She is now our church secretary, and I am blessed to minister in our local assembly. God has blessed us with two healthy chil-dren and has allowed us to enjoy the fruit of our labors. I thank God, and the saints of God, that I was allowed to make lasting decisions at youth camp altars. Try as you might, you’d never notice a difference between me and my friends whose parents lived for the Lord simply by seeing us on a church camp pew. Likewise, we’ll never know the challenges some young people face who sit in our congrega-tions. Just like at the foot of the cross, the ground is level for them if for only one week in the summertime. Youth camps change lives. They are money well spent because they pay eternal dividends. Heaven knows the lives that have been changed because of the generosity of ordinary, often anonymous, people. Here’s to believing for a generation of teens to do even greater things because you cared.

Rick Hilton is the Editor of the Apostolic Witness.

JULY\13 ~ 7

8 Apostolic Witness

The theme for Camp Olla 2013 was “Filled” and that is exactly what God did to many young people in our junior and senior youth camps.

In two weeks of camps, more than 105 students were filled with the Holy Ghost and 18 were baptized in Je-sus’ name! This began with prayer and fasting. Forty-two days before camp started, the sectional youth direc-tors of the district were asked to fast and pray at least one day a week. We asked that the Holy Ghost would fall on our students. Josh Wilson, one of our senior camp speakers, asked us to pray specifically for unity and for God’s anointing to saturate our campground. During three nights of junior youth camp, more than 50 junior campers received the Holy Ghost. Na-tional KidzQuest Director Nathan Roberts spoke at night and Mike Bocz along with the children’s minis-try team from Voice of Pentecost in Baton Rouge min-istered during the day. The junior camp altar services were some of the deepest that I have ever seen in my life! Six kids were baptized in the powerful name of Jesus. Senior camp began with much anticipation. The preaching and worship all week was amazing. By the end of Thursday night, we had conservatively esti-mated that more than 70 people had been filled with the Holy Ghost. On Friday night of senior camp, we felt led to have a Holy Ghost crusade. At 2 pm on that day, approximately 300 campers, monitors and par-ents went out into the surrounding communities of Olla, Urania and Tullos, Louisiana. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything that exciting! We knocked doors, passed out fliers and invited people to the campground that night. The air was thick with the presence of God. The sanctuary was filled with people, including many who

LouiSiAnA DiStriCt Youth CAMpS > >by Mark Johnson, Louisiana District Youth President

8 Apostolic Witness

(From some ALJC June Youth Camps)

JULY\13 ~ 9

were invited by our students ear-lier in the day! During the second worship song, the place blew up! Students and non-students were dancing, shouting and running. It was a truly Apostolic experience. Finally, Josh Wilson preached on the Holy Ghost. Then, he prayed a prayer of repentance with eve-ryone in the building. He asked for those who wanted the Holy Ghost to come forward. The altar was full. Then we began to pray. All over the front of the building, people began to speak in tongues. That night, we baptized 12 peo-ple in Jesus’ name! To say that we have a 100% accurate count of people that received the Holy Ghost during those two weeks would be false. There were so many! We counted just the people that we were told about. Only heaven knows the impact of those two camps.

JULY\13 ~ 9

10 Apostolic Witness

We have just arrived home from one of the greatest youth camps I have ever had the privilege to attend. Our

theme for Texas District Youth Camp 2013 was “Purpose...What’s Yours?” Exodus 9:16 says, “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you.” It was our goal for the students of the Tex-as District to leave this camp having found the purpose God has for their life. We were bless-ed by the ministry of Daniel Taylor who led us in worship. Our junior campers gladly wel-comed back for the second year Victor Ozuna and Nathan Cannon. They did a tremendous job ministering as our camp evangelists. Tex-as District Youth Camp 2012 resulted in 25 souls being filled Holy Ghost, and we were excited. However, at Spring Conference 2013, Texas Superintendent Peter Gray cast his vi-sion for 50 souls to be filled at the 2013 youth camp. From that meeting, Project50 was born. Prayer and fasting began going forth district wide for Project50. Opening night of camp started and ten people were immediately filled with the Holy Ghost. On Tuesday night, we had one of the

tEXAS DiStriCt Youth CAMpS > > > > by Chad McQueen, Texas District Youth President


JULY\13 ~ 11JULY\13 ~ 11

deepest moves of God at a youth camp I have ever experienced in my life! Each night just kept building and building. Friday night at the start of service we counted how many had al-ready received the Holy Ghost that week. The count was 46 of which 16 were junior campers. We then asked how many more came wanted to receive it and five stood. Once again, we were reminded that our God is able to do ex-ceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think. Our final count for Texas District Youth Camp 2013 was 56 filled with the Holy Ghost and three baptized in Jesus name! Project50 was not only completed, but also exceeded!


StronGtoWEr Youth CAMp, tri-StAtE > > by Chad Erickson, former General Youth President

StrongTower Youth Camp is the ministry of First Apostolic Church of Maryville, Tennessee. Stu-dents from the Tri-State, Georgia and Southeast-

ern districts attend. It is held at Mars Hill University, near Asheville, North Carolina on the second week of June each year. The STYC 2013 theme was “Unplug.” Each stu-dent was given a Bible with a bookmark of survival Scriptures. Students were challenged to find time each day to unplug from their electronic lifestyle, which often causes distraction from daily relationship with God. STYC is held on a state of the art college campus. Our facilities include two gymnasiums for basketball and volleyball tournaments, a professional softball field, an Olympic size pool and a lighted field for out-side events. Each year, we include a white water rafting expedition down the French Broad River. Lunch and dinner are highly anticipated because of the incredible dining services offered by the college. Their dining op-tions include brick oven fresh pizza, main buffet that is themed cuisine with each meal ranging from Mediter-ranean to American food, fresh salad bar, sweet treats bakery, made to order Panini grill and ice cream. The setting of STYC is picture perfect but does not compare to the outpouring of God’s Spirit in every service. Omar Jolly from New York City and Kenneth Carpenter from Maryville, Tennessee were our even-ing speakers. Devin Akers from Butner, North Caroli-na was our morning speaker. When each student tried to explain each service, the word indescribable was the common word used. Students have testified about be-ing drunk in the Holy Ghost, late night prayer meet-ings breaking out in the dorms and callings to new ministries. All those who did not have the Holy Ghost left with it. Only eternity will reveal the deep callings that were birthed at StrongTower Youth Camp 2013!


JULY\13 ~ 13

StronGtoWEr Youth CAMp, tri-StAtE > > by Chad Erickson, former General Youth President

JULY\13 ~ 13

MiSSiSSippi DiStriCt Youth CAMpS > > by Cory Porterfield, Mississippi District Youth President

We just completed two amazing weeks of youth camps. The first week was senior camp with guest speaker Luke St. Clair. From the very beginning, expectancy

filled the air. Young people were filled and renewed. Worship permeated every service. Luke St. Clair preached every night with anointing and insight. “Behind the Scenes” was the theme representing the veil being rent and providing backstage passes for everyone into God’s presence. It wasn’t just for one priest any longer. We all have access to the throne. The night services ranged from 350 early in the week to more than 500 later. Junior camp was filled with energized kids riding horseback, making crafts, having shaving cream wars, participating in the pillow fight championship, displaying their talents and praying in the Holy Ghost. Evangelist Phillip Wagoner did an amazing job connecting with the kids. Altogether, about 20 kids received the gift of the Holy Ghost. We’re already anticipating great things ahead for next year’s Mississippi District Camp Yadah.

JULY\13 ~ 13


by Ronda Lloyd

Hundreds Filled


Every child is a gift from God. How-ever, some children have been given as answers to specific prayers sent

up before God. Such is the case for a young lady named Bethany Grace Roberts. In the Bible, Bethany is the place where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. It is also where Simon the leper resided and an alabaster box of ointment was broken and poured upon our Savior’s feet. In the vi-cinity of Bethany is also the place where Jesus lifted up His hand and blessed His disciples before His ascension. It is only fitting for a name associated with special happenings in the Word of God also to also be given to such a special child. Bethany was born the third child to Nathan and Deborah Roberts. Her entire life has been one of church – preaching, singing, worship, church camps and children’s crusades. The cliché of “cutting your teeth on church pews” is very true for Bethany. She has known no other life than one filled with the love of God and Apostolic truth. A shy child by nature, Bethany developed a love of learning at a very early age. After all, she is just 11 years old. Reading an encyclopedia to learn more about a topic of interest

- And The story of One of Them

JULY\13 ~ 15

Bethany

is second nature. In fact, reading anything is sec-ond nature to Bethany. Oftentimes after a church service, you will find her in a pew sitting quietly reading a book. Her love of learning has also been displayed in her school work. Bethany just completed the 5th grade at Gilbert Junior High School. Academic accolades have been bestowed upon Bethany from every aspect imaginable. She has maintained a 4.0 throughout her academic career, scored four advance scores her 3rd grade year on Louisiana’s high-stakes testing, the iLEAP, along with three advance scores and one mastery on the 4th grade LEAP and 5th grade iLEAP tests re-spectively. Bethany has been a finalist the past two years in not only the school’s spelling bee but the Franklin Parish Spelling Bee as well. During this past school year, Bethany had the distinct honor of being named the 5th grade student of the year at her school and went on to compete at the parish level. Bethany competed amongst four other 5th grade students from local parish schools to suc-cessfully become the Franklin Parish 5th grade student of the year. Bethany is described by many as a very compassionate child. She has taken this compas-sion and fallen in love with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the work that is being done there. Bethany has been a participant in her school’s annual Math-a-thon for St. Jude’s for the past several years. It was not uncommon to see Bethany in front of the church with a jar labeled “St. Jude’s Math-a-thon” bashfully asking for do-nations to be given to a charity that has come to mean so much to her. However, Bethany took her love for the charity a step further this past year and spearheaded a one-day gospel singing and hamburger give-a-way in our community to raise more than $3,120. In addition to that, St. Jude had a contributor who matched dollar for dollar the amount of money Bethany raised. Making the trip personally to Memphis, Tennessee with her mom was a highlight of Bethany’s year. Bible quizzing has also become a passion of Bethany. This year marked the first of many to come in which Bethany competed in Bible quizzing. As a first year quizzer, she learned 56 verses. Her team placed second at the Louisiana State Junior Bible Quizzing Tournament. She


JULY\13 ~ 17

also received the honor of being named as the third member of the All Tournament Team. Bethany is also an accomplished pianist and singer. She has taken piano lessons for the past three years. One of her grandparents re-cently gave Bethany a flute, and she joyfully be-gan teaching herself how to play. God has truly blessed this young lady with a bountiful harvest of talent, intellect, compassion and love. However, of all the things described here, none surpass what took place in Bethany’s life on June 6, 2013. On the last day of junior camp, Bethany’s dad, Nathan Roberts, was preaching. His message included talk about baptism and the importance of being filled with the Holy Ghost. During altar service, Bethany went to the front of the church. She began praying with the ur-gency of knowing she must receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Tears flowed as she began to pour out her heart to God. Then, He began to pour out His Spirit. Bethany began speaking in a heavenly language only God Himself could understand. One of the most precious sights was seeing Bethany’s family pray with her. Nathan Roberts and his son, Lil’ Nate, are no strangers to children receiving the Holy Ghost. Nathan Roberts is our National Kidz-Quest Director, and he has preached countless youth services, youth camps and children’s crusades. Lil’ Nate has traveled the world do-ing children’s crusades to reach the lost of this world. However, as Bethany’s dad put it on that night, “There is nothing like watching children come before God and giving their lives to Him and receiving the Holy Ghost. But when it’s your child, it is indescribable!” Later that evening, after Bethany’s name was written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life, she began telling any and everyone who would listen, “I’m going to receive a mansion! I get to walk on streets of gold!” Yes, dear Bethany, you will get your mansion, you will walk on streets of gold, your name has been written down on the great roll up yonder. Your life will never be the same. June 6, 2013 is your spiritual birthday. You were reborn at Camp Olla Junior Youth Camp – Filled. And filled you were!

Ronda Lloyd attends Apostolic Faith Chap-el in Gilbert, Louisiana and also serves as the ALJC National Bible Quiz Coordinator.

Nathan Roberts is our National KidzQuest Director, and he has preached countless

youth services, youth camps and children’s

crusades. However, as Bethany’s dad put it

on that night, “there is nothing like watching children come before God and giving their

lives to Him and receiv-ing the Holy Ghost. But when it’s your child, it

is indescribable!”

Reverend Joe Fred Brown by Charles and Donna Hancock

“What arewe going

to do without Joe Brown?”


Reverend Joe Fred Brown

Early Monday morning on April 29, the phone rang and I grabbed it thinking it was probably my hubby calling but no-ticed immediately that it was a call from Kevin Holloway, Joe Brown’s right hand man. It was obvious that Kevin was upset,

and my pulse quickened, sensing something was terribly wrong. I was stunned when he told me Joe had passed away. Many times over the years, God has forewarned me about such things, but this time I was totally unprepared. I don’t mind telling you that it sent me reeling. What about Joe’s widow? Is she going to be okay? What about Jeremy? What about the church? What about my husband? And then...Why, God? Kevin told me he was going to call my hubby, Charles Hancock. After hanging up, I sent a text to our kids that work with their dad asking them to check on him. Joe Brown was his best friend. Joe Brown was born into a rough life. He didn’t have an Apostolic background. In fact, he didn’t have a church related background of any kind. His was a difficult youth of poverty, neglect and abuse. He wandered in a life without God that took him to lows that he was not proud of. But thank God, through His grace, one day he met the Master, the Potter, who took that rough-hewn young man and mold-ed him into the person that we all knew and loved! Joe married Deborah LaDean McGarrah on May 28, 1976, who survives him along with their son, Jeremy, and two grandchildren. Together, they pastored the Jesus Name Assembly in Springdale, Arkansas for 35 years. Along with being a minister, he owned and operated the Joe Brown In-surance Agency. He loved his church, his family, riding his motorcycle, playing baseball and deer hunting, but most of all he just loved serving God. I think of the Browns and weep. Not for him; I rejoice with him. But for my friend that must go on without her husband, for his son and grandchildren, for his church fam-ily that loved him so much and for ourselves because we lost such a great friend. I’ve asked my husband, “What are we going to do without Joe Brown?” We have worked beside these great people for years. The Oklahoma District would not be what it is today without them. They have sacrificed faithfully and given above and beyond in prayer, physical labor, time, travels and monetary gifts. My first real conversation with Joe Brown was at a camp meeting. I seldom got to go back in those days because I worked at a very busy doctor’s office, and it was difficult to get away. But thankfully, I was able to take this day off. It was the first

n i g h t of camp meeting, and I had walked throughout the camp. Then I went to the outdoor tabernacle. I was not happy when I saw how dirty it was. Since the service was not due to start until a few hours, I found a broom. It was not long until Joe Brown showed up, found a broom and began to help. Well, I was to discover through the years, that was just the way he was. If anyone needed help, he was there. The years working with the Browns quickly taught us one thing about them. You could always count on them. A lot of people say they will do something but seldom honor their word. With the Browns, there was never a question; we could just always count on them. When we were unloading groceries at camp in 103 degree temps, they were there. It was a race to see who would arrive first at camp, them or us. We were always the first two families there and the last two families to leave. They never failed to stay and help. We vacationed together. We referred to our two poo-dles and their three as “cousins.” We laughed, we wept, we prayed, we worked together and during all those years, I have this to say about Joe Brown: “Behold a man, indeed, in whom is no guile!” He was a man of honor, and he had my respect. Joe Brown was a simple man from Posey Mountain, but he touched the hearts and lives of so many people. He will be sorely missed, and while I cannot see the good in this, my trust is in the One that can. I know there will be a great reunion someday when all pain and sorrow is dispelled by the presence of God Almighty and the saints of the ages join together in unified praise. The last thing Joe Brown said to my husband as he was leaving the men’s retreat on the Friday night before he passed away was, “You be careful now, you hear?” If you knew Joe Brown, you heard this. He would always follow up with, “If you need me, just call.” You’ve been a great and trusted friend, Joe Brown. We’ll never forget you. May you rest in peace.

February 20, 1954 ~April 29, 2013

JULY\13 ~ 19

20 Apostolic Witness20 Apostolic Witness

We were honored to speak this year at the fourth anniversary service of the Padova As-

semblies of the Lord Jesus Christ Apostolic Church. Pastor Mike Arida and the church family are doing a great work in the city of Padova. In the past year, ten were baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. The church continues to move forward in

a positive manner under the leadership of Pastor Arida. Pastor Arida is a student of the Bible. His ministry is resulting in a well-grounded group of people who are well organized and reaching out to their city. There were 27 visitors to the anniversary service. Several of them came forward for prayer during the altar call. Pastor Arida wrote to me after returning home and informed me that he had a Bible study with one of the couples that visited the service and that he had baptized them. The work in Padova is one of many works in various places that we are privileged to be affiliated where we do not have a resident missionary. The reports that continue to come in from those countries and works is encouraging and a blessing to know that we are blessed to be involved with those who are accomplishing a great work for the Lord in this evening time. Africa is such a place. While we do not have any resident missionaries in Africa, we are involved in several of the countries where revival is being experienced. The report from Jack Batson and the Elkins that accompanies this issue on their recent trip to Nigeria is an example of what is taking place in those countries where we are involved. Your prayerful support of World Missions is reaching out and the results are very rewarding. Together, we are making a difference!

Italyby M.L. Walls, World Missions Director

JULY\13 ~ 21JULY\13 ~ 21

Spring finally made it to Krakow, Poland. We are so excited about the sunshine. God is truly blessing us here. Every time

I sit down to write, I am challenged to try to put into words all the incredible things God is doing in Poland. We have been praying for the walls to come down from around peoples’ hearts and minds. We can see the cracks beginning to form. We see the light of this wonderful gospel breaking through, and it is impacting hearts everywhere we look. I never have enough space to truly express the greatness of what God is doing in Krakow. We will start with an update on our life groups. We now have two life groups that meet every other week on Friday and Sunday evenings. The power of God has been felt in both meetings, and we see the hunger in souls growing in each and every meeting. We are praising God for two first time visitors last month in our Sunday life group. Each of those two visitors just sent me an e-mail making sure we are meeting this week. One of the members from our group recently began a Bible study course with my wife and me. We are now meeting every week as we go through the Word of God together with her. Please continue to pray for our life groups and that more hungry souls will desire more of God’s Word. Last month, we were involved with Gospel City. This was a city-wide gospel music event featuring all six gospel choirs from Krakow and one from the United States. This is a very big project that gave us a wonderful opportunity to be intricately involved with many people. We saw God move in ways He never has before. In preparation for this event, I was invited on a couple of occasions to speak to all the choir members in Krakow on the subject of praise and worship. Through this, my wife and I had the tremendous opportunity to share the Scriptures with many new people. My wife had many more opportunities to plant the seed of truth giving small Bible studies on the breaks between rehearsals. Many of them have made

a promise to attend a life group very soon. Also, we have another family member joining a gospel choir in Krakow. Macy has joined the gospel group, Joyful Voice. She is very excited, and the choir is very excited to have her. Gospel music continues to be a God-anointed platform for us to share the love of God with these people. Please pray that God will continue to anoint both Rhonda and Macy as they worship and praise His name. God has been so good that I just can’t tell it all. Please continue to pray for our life groups, English evangelism, gospel music outreaches and the souls that are being touched by the love of God. I know we always say this, but it is so important for you to know that we could never do any of this without your sacrificial support and prayers. You are making differences in so many lives.

Polandby Missionary Tony Adams

Throughout God’s Word, Jesus continually instructs through proverbs, actions and commands to “love thy neighbor as

thyself.” We ask you to pray that the Lord will open doors for more monthly supporters for our work for the Lord in Brazil. We are feeding and watering hungry souls, and we are seeing miracles beyond what was initially planned. Poverty is severe and much help is needed. We are helping to feed 124 kids at the children’s center. We have dedicated pastors that are working night and day that need help. However, we can only help with what comes to us.

With the Lord’s blessings and contributions, we want to expand the physical and spiritual services of our work for the Lord in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia and Uruguay. As God provides the needed funds, we will help build churches, help local pastors and win more souls for the Lord. Your assistance helps us in this labor of love for lost and broken people. Your help provides materials and supplies to assist the South American churches. If God’s eye is on the sparrow, imagine how each soul that we are reaching together must appear in His eyes!

BrazIlby Missionary Daniel Barber


We arrived in India two months ago. As soon as we got there, it was

time to go to work. First thing was to get a contractor for the road and walkway work. The day we left for south India to attend Harvest Reapers’ Conference was the day the work was to start. We were anxious to get back to see what progress had been made. What we didn’t want, a

monsoon, had already started. That put the road work on hold for a bit. They got the cement walkway finished and what a blessing it was. What a great conference Harvest Reapers was from start to finish. Paul Moorefield and I tag teamed the conference. On Saturday, the last day, we had 11 receive the Holy Ghost and six baptized. On Easter Sunday, my wife and I were with Albert

Williams’ church in Cochin, and one soul was filled with the Holy Ghost. Also on Easter Sunday in Varanasi, a motorcycle pastor baptized nine people. We left Cochin and went to Varanasi, and Thursday we had a baby dedication for two babies and ended up dedicating and praying for more than 45 babies and children. On Sunday, we had another mighty move of God with 11 filled with the Holy Ghost, four refilled and six ready for baptism. Pastor Ajinbou and Pradipa need your prayers. They are in a constant battle with the spirit of darkness. We have rented a small house. It is not what we want but it will do for awhile. After going to South India, we are not sure where it would be best to locate. We want to be where we can best serve the people. Please continue to pray for us and support the work of God in India.

We are so thankful for the sacrifices made by Evangelist Jonathan

Atkins and Pastor Eric Ginder who recently came on separate trips to the Philippines to minister at our district youth camps. Jonathan Atkins was able to stay two weeks during which time he visited all three of the major regions of

the Philippines. We thank God for 47 filled with the Holy Ghost and eight baptized during his visit. Pastor Ginder came for one week and preached the Visayas youth camp and also two services in Manila. We thank God for 25 filled with the Holy Ghost during those services. We know well how difficult it is to leave family and familiar surroundings behind, even for a short season. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the ALJC Philippines mission is the enthusiasm I see among our people for evangelism. It’s great to see our college students teaching Bible studies in local high schools preaching on public buses, conducting vacation Bible schools and going door to door with the gospel. Lately, we’ve begun reaching out to our communities in other ways. Last month, we held a community appreciation day in Kabankalan complete with live music, free food, sodas and door prizes. More than 1,100 visitors showed up! Subsequently, several have begun attending our church regularly, and some have been baptized already. The same church also recently conducted a medical mission. We recruited the services of local doctors, dentists and a pharmaceutical company. About 300 people who could not afford medical treatment received it free of charge. Everyone expressed great appreciation for this. Some of our churches are feeding neighborhood children on Saturdays or Sunday mornings with good results. Evangelism is addicting.

IndIaby Missionary Lowell Snow

PhIlIPPInesby Missionary Mark Naimy


JULY\13 ~ 23

Germanyby Missionary Horst Krauss

NIGHT OF HOPE As every year, we are convinced this was the best concert ever. With at least 220 guests and an atmosphere of hope, the theatre was about to explode. The choir, sign team, kids’ choir and soloists were tremendously anointed. A great big

thank you to the Mannheim Choir that performed three songs and Adam Akers who had a large input on the music with his great bass playing ability. Without you, this concert would not have been such a success. On top of that, regional television has broadcast the concert two weeks in a row. Last year we started iSing Gospel, a program that allows anyone who wants to sing in a choir a chance to learn three songs in three days. Then, they sing the songs at a huge concert. What an outreach tool this has become. We had 23 participants including friends, family, church members and backsliders. They all did an outstanding job while having the time of their lives! Just as it is written in Acts, “In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” A mighty revival has come to Augsburg. Since January, we have baptized 11 people, and many have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Never has this church or city seen a greater outpouring of God’s Spirit or a revelation of Jesus name baptism. We are standing in awe watching God do great things!

ADAM AKERS IN GERMANY As my trip ends, my heart bleeds for Germany. God has done many great things and allotted me several unique opportunities through the duration of my stay. In a land that has hope only in the past and looks to forget the sins of this past century, Germany is in desperate need of a hope revelation. Revealing the grace of God and all His mercies, I am forever indebted to the AIA program for everything that it has done for me. I thought I was going to turn Germany upside down and spark revival in the lives of the saints there in Augsburg, but Germany turned my world upside down. I have a newfound burden for the people of Germany. Here in America, we are afforded so many freedoms that too often we take for granted. In a land noted for its division, there is a great effort going forth to bind together the bride of Christ in Germany. Driving hours just to get to the nearest church, it isn’t only a battle of hopelessness but one of discouragement and loneliness. But even in the midst of a great adversary, my God is greater. I’m very excited about the future of Germany and all that I know God can and will do. Pray for Germany. Pray for her pastors and for her members and watch God work.

JULY\13 ~ 23

24 Apostolic Witness24 Apostolic Witness

nIGerIa

On April 23, Bishop Russell Elkins, his wife and I flew to Nigeria for the annual conference which is usually in August. Dr. Jerry Okieno is doing a great work in Nigeria. There are works in Abba, Abuja, Calibar and Talibar. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and worship in the services while there. The Elkins instructed and preached on the subject of holiness. Hope Elkins was astounding in her teaching on this subject. She connected the subject of holiness to the fifth chapter of Matthew. The session was wonderful. Bishop Elkins preached about holiness and the necessity of prayer. A special thank you to both of them. We ended the conference on the 28th. On Monday morning, the 29th, we presided over a business meeting. Nomination was made that all officers remain the same for the next two years.

Jack Batson, Regional Field Supervisor to Africa

JULY\13 ~ 25JULY\13 ~ 25

Our young hero eyes the foe across a wide arena, and it looks like a fight to the death. His mortal enemy is a

Goliath big and heavy with strongly muscled legs. At some hidden signal, the big guy is off racing in for the kill. It’s close, but our man of the hour suddenly streaks to safety. A brief wait and then he’s determinedly back. Over and over, Goliath runs to intercept him, but the little guy is quick, agile and smart with no intention of giving in. I know that in spite of the formidable odds, this young fellow will live to grow into an adult, one of the big African lizards that hunts bugs on the church wall. As my foggy mind clears from the drama, I hear the strident, burdened heavy voice of Jack Batson telling his African congregation that it isn’t about us; it’s about Him. Our Christian walk isn’t about gaining material things or fame. It’s about winning the lost and bringing the Oneness message to Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Nigeria is a country of challenges. Poverty, disease, crime, terrorism and government corruption threaten, but like the little lizard on the wall, the people are resilient and smart. Their culture is strong, and they have learned to flourish in spite of the odds. The conference took place in a small church on the banks of a water course which is sometimes a river and sometimes a trickle depending on the tide. Nearby squatters, fishers by trade, live on the bank in a small stick hut covered with palm fronds making a meager living by netting the fish the tide brings in. Although Calabar is a city of four million, there is a distinct rural feeling where the church sets. Our services were often punctuated by bleating goats, quacking ducks, crowing roosters and hens and chicks watching us come and go.

How can you put your impressions of people into such a small space? The generosity, love and acceptance our African brothers and sisters showed us was overwhelming. The beautiful African prints that made up the women’s clothes were a feast for the eyes. The unfailing welcome they gave us and the love that was in every word or deed was humbling. Jerry and Kit Okieno Ukpong made sure that our every need was met even taking us to their spotless home for lunch on our last day there. Responding to my often stated wish to see a real jungle, they did the next best thing and took us to two animal rescue centers in town. What a thrill to see injured or abandoned African monkeys and parrots that would soon be reintroduced into the wild. There is nothing in the world like African hospitality. You can’t help but fall in love with Nigeria. There seemed to be churches on almost every city block, and many could fit under the generic umbrella of Pentecostalism; however, these churches are not on the whole truth, but thanks to the efforts of Jerry and his team, Trinitarian ministers are being won. Two Trinitarian ministers and their wives were baptized during the conference. The church building has been improved since Jack Batson’s last visit, the rutted dirt road leading down the hill to the church is being repaired and Kit has started a nursery school in a donated house near the church. Like the little lizard on the wall, this young work is full of enthusiasm, willingness to work, a determination to succeed and a deep trust in God. Their possibilities are unlimited in beating the devil, the great foe of us all. Hope Elkins is the wife of World Missions Secretary Russell Elkins.

It’s not aBoUt Usby Hope Elkins


by Mark Bishop, Evangelist Director

I know many were drawn to this article, and you have already scanned the page looking for the bold print for a three-step plan. I hate to disappoint you, but it is not my intention to deceive you. I can’t give

you a step-by-step instruction guide to having a 25 soul revival. I can, however, remind you of what you already know and have heard time and time again. Revival is not a series of services but an atmosphere of a church. Ingredients of revival are not effective when put to use just prior to the evangelist com-ing to town. The evangelist is not Santa Claus with a bag full of goodies. The evangelist is a vessel that God uses to operate in the Spirit to allow an outpour-ing of the Holy Ghost, deliver-ance and healing that the church has been anticipating and God has been desiring to give. This article does not claim to reveal everything that a church must do to have revival. Prayer, fasting, holy living, public relations, preaching truth and having good church are all necessary, but maybe these top-ics can be covered at a later date. We all know prayer is a key ingre-dient, but this is not your momma’s cake recipe. We all have been in the kitchen when the cook starts preparing a dish and realizes a key ingredient is missing and someone has to go to the store to pick up the missing item. Upon the ar-rival of this critical part of the formula, all is well and the dish is completed to perfection. Revival can be cooked up with last minute, missing ingredients. Prayer for revival must be a daily way of the church not a week of prayer prior to revival services nor an all-night prayer meeting the

night before. Prayer must be a way of life for the church. We must be given to prayer as a way of life. The true love for the lost will drive you to prayer. Prayer is not a task when you have compassion for lost souls. Compassion for lost souls is another ingredient that is

missing from many congregations. Why should we concern ourselves with the lost

when I have the truth and my pew is full? We must lay down the men-tality of “my four and no more.” There is a world full of lost souls that are hungry for a life-chang-ing experience. Our main need to love the lost can be found in the words of Christ. Luke 19:10 declares, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The purpose of God robing himself in flesh and walking this earth was to seek and save those that were lost. He has commissioned us to continue his mission. How can we say we love Christ if we don’t love the lost. The lost were his heartbeat. Everything he did was aimed at reaching the lost. The lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son all reveal the true heart of God to-

ward the lost. If we are not careful, we can even forget the real defini-

tion of lost. The lost simply don’t know where they are.

How many people have you seen in the last few days that don’t know where they are? They try to fit in by join-ing some fad or craze. People are running to be a part of something that makes them feel accomplished. Some are using social media to feel accepted. Many would never use social media if they couldn’t be retweeted, liked or tagged. The drug dealer is not the only one lost. There are millions

Ingredients for

JULY\13 ~ 27

Gary & shelia Ashcraft662.415.1462ashcraftministries@gmail.comashcraftministry.blogspot.com

Jonathan & Kristen [email protected]

Jonathan & lydia [email protected]

Terry & Valerie [email protected]

Chris & lisa leach [email protected]

Michael & Tara Maupin [email protected]

Cody & Destinee Mayo [email protected]

Wilson & Karla [email protected]

David & tammy [email protected]

that simply don’t know where they are, who they are or where they be-long. They have full lives but empty souls. Another primary component is the lost soul. We can’t baptize the choir. We need the empty souls to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Just as Elisha told the widow to go and borrow empty vessels, we must go and get empty souls. Her future depended on the empty vessels that were brought into her house. The future of the church depends on the empty vessels brought into our churches. When instructed “borrow not a few,” I’m assuming that her perspective changed. She, no doubt, had borrowed vessels before for other occasions of which she perhaps was very selec-tive of the type, color and size of the vessel. On this day, the urgency of the mattered negated the selection process and left her with desire for all vessels, large, small, black, white, brown and yellow. Her desperation demanded diversity. The urgency of revival should cause us to quit profil-ing souls. We need empty vessels. The key to revival is a lost world. Jesus said, “Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Revival is here and the missing ingredient is you. Let revival start with you.

Thanks to the ALJC and all its members for supporting us in the new work in Elkhart, Indiana by welcoming us into the Missions America program. That with which you bless us will greatly en-

able the work of the Lord in the poor communities in which we work. Living Waters Apostolic Church (LWAC) is a daughter work of First Apostolic Church (FAC) in Mishawaka, Indiana that began under Pastor Nick Decicco nearly 10 years ago. Pastor Gene Ebright began a Spanish ministry at FAC even while God was calling my family and me into the Spanish ministry at Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Hispana in East Chicago, Indiana under Pastor Guillermo Rios. Through that ministry and the various outreach programs associated with it, God brought my name before Pastor Ebright, who asked me to lead their Spanish minis-try in September 2010. This work is truly an extension of what Bishop Ebright started so long ago. We believe that God has called us to a bilingual ministry so that we can reach a growing number of Latino families in the community that are of mixed languages. So many times, the parents speak very little English and the children speak very little Spanish. Of course, our commission is to win souls to add to the church, but beyond that we are called to equip those souls to be leaders and soulwinners themselves. The majority of our members are immigrants from Central America who feel they will one day return to their country. Our vision is to prepare them to be the next missionary to Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras or the USA. My wife and I are both PKs and have grown up serving the Lord. I was called to preach in 1979 at the age of 16 under my father, Elder Charles Mejean, at Apostolic Bible Chapel in Michigan City, Indiana where I eventually served as assistant pastor. I met Matilde in 1983 while she was attending Zion Holiness Church in Hammond, Indiana. We were married in 1985 and have served the Lord in many different capacities in the 28 wonderful years that we’ve been together. Our chil-dren, Stephanie and Samuel, as well as Nic, Stephanie’s husband, have served with us in most areas of the ministry and continue to serve with us at LWAC. I want to thank Pastor Decicco and all of FAC for backing us up in so many ways. I look forward to the days that we can return the favor. Please keep us in your prayers as you know that it is never easy, but “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”


NEW ADOPT A CITY CHURCH in Elkhart, Indiana Pastor C. Edward Mejean

by C. Edward Mejean

JULY\13 ~ 29JULY\13 ~ 29

NEW ADOPT A CITY CHURCH in Elkhart, Indiana Pastor C. Edward Mejean

by C. Edward Mejean


The Declaration of Independence, with the sprawling signature of John Hancock, along with less conspicuous signatures of many other brave men, declared to the British king and Parliament that the American people determined to be free. Each

who signed that document realized that they possibly were signing their own death war-rants, but that sometimes is the cost of freedom. Unlike many animals, man will never accept being owned, caged and controlled. Something in him constantly screams at the bars, the walls, at being herded from place to place, always under the alert and watchful eyes of the ever-present guards. He is controlled, always and ever controlled, and his spirit tears at him to be free, but he cannot be free. He is an inmate, a convict. He has broken the law, and so he is caged 24 hours a day, perhaps for the rest of his life. But, forever he will long for freedom. The Prisoner’s Friend Ministries does not advocate clemency for the guilty. We listen. We read the let-ters. We send spiritual deliverance literature in a seven-course Apostolic Bible program to all who request it. More than 10,000 men and women in jails and prisons all over America have enrolled in this program. Hundreds of Pentecostal chaplains urge prison-ers to write to us and other ministries and request literature. We respond to every request. The field is white unto harvest. These men and women need us. We need you. Write to us at 319 South Melvin Street, Gibson City, Illinois 60936 or email us at [email protected].

the Prisoner’s Friendby Bob Koonce, National Chaplain

JULY\13 ~ 31

We are excited to announce our first ever Apostolic Cru-saders Youth Works Conference planned for Septem-ber 12-13, 2013 at First Apostolic Church of Mary-

ville, Tennessee. This conference is the vision of former General Youth President Chad Erickson to have a conference just for the youth workers of the ALJC. The conference will take place Thursday, September 12, 6:30 - 9:30 pm and Friday 9:00 am - noon. This conference will be held the day before the Nation-al Men’s Conference so anyone already planning to attend the Men’s Conference could arrive a day earlier to take advantage of the Youth Works Conference. The Youth Works Conference hotel will be the same as the Men’s Conference hotel. There will be an on-line registration for everyone attending. However, the registration is free! This conference is open to anyone involved in youth or stu-dent ministry. The purpose of the conference is to share ideas and teach topics that will encourage and equip youth workers involved in this ministry. Example topics include:

• students serving their community • practical programs and events • empowering our students to lead • dealing with 21st century issues • organization of student ministry staff • student-led ministries • discipleship in your groups Our clinicians are very excited to share their knowledge and also learn from your experiences. We will give many op-portunities to ask questions and share experiences after each session. Some clinicians scheduled include former General Youth Presidents Chad Erickson and Jonathan Vazquez, Youth Works Coordinator Jacob Lovelace, former Louisiana District Youth President Kenny Chessor, Apostolic Youth Corps Direc-tor Josh Wilson and Pastor Jonathan Lovelace.

Youth Works ConferenCe Apostolic Crusaders


Documents

JULY 2013 - ALJC