Vol. 76, No. 1 September 2014

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VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC Vol. 76, No.

invested countless hours of studying, counseling, teaching, equipping and praying on behalf of their congregations.

The Apostle Paul wrote, Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and

1 VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC Vol. 76, No. 1 September 2014 I am truly thankful for the commitment and dedication of godly pastors in the Appalachian Conference men and women who have invested countless hours of studying, counseling, teaching, equipping and praying on behalf of their congregations. Ephesians 4 tells us they are gifts given to the body by Christ at His ascension. 1 Timothy 5:17 teaches us they are worthy of double honor. The Apostle Paul wrote, Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess. 5:12, 13). Let s make this noble effort to honor our pastors and their families on this Pastor Appreciation Day. Bishop Preston Mathena PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY OCTOBER 5, 2014

Bishop s Page PRESTON MATHENA LEAVING A LEGACY On June 8, Valley Harvest Ministries celebrated the 20th anniversary of Pastors Steve and Sheila leading our congregation.

We had several activities for the kids, including bouncy houses, obstacle courses, horseback riding and archery.

God is working in mighty ways throughout the Pulaski County community. I can t wait to see what he has in store for us next!

For the past two weeks, we spent our Wednesday evenings in the Dublin Wal-Mart parking lot. Yes, the parking lot.

And since the members of our congregation were selling fireworks on Wednesday evenings during our regular service, Pastor decided to turn one outreach into another.

2 Bishop s Page PRESTON MATHENA LEAVING A LEGACY On June 8, Valley Harvest Ministries celebrated the 20th anniversary of Pastors Steve and Sheila leading our congregation. We also celebrated being a DEBT- FREE church! Through our Legacy Sunday offering, we paid off the mortgage on our building and property, so we had a huge celebration on The Hill. We had several activities for the kids, including bouncy houses, obstacle courses, horseback riding and archery. Later on in the afternoon, we started a fire and burned all of the bank and loan paperwork to celebrate. It was truly an amazing day! God is working in mighty ways throughout the Pulaski County community. I can t wait to see what he has in store for us next! OUTREACH IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES My church (Valley Harvest Ministries) has taken outreach to a whole new level. For the past two weeks, we spent our Wednesday evenings in the Dublin Wal-Mart parking lot. Yes, the parking lot. As part of our fundraising efforts for our Thailand missions, we manned the TNT Fireworks booth at Wal-Mart. And since the members of our congregation were selling fireworks on Wednesday evenings during our regular service, Pastor decided to turn one outreach into another. Since we couldn t bring the fireworks booth to church, we brought church to the fireworks booth! It was absolutely AMAZING to be outdoors, worshipping our Lord and Savior. Scotty Scott served as DJ while Pastor Sheila led us in a few praise and worship songs. Members of the church shared their testimonies, our youth shared their talents through their dramas and reciting Scripture, and Pastor Steve shared the Word. You wouldn t believe how many people would drive by to see what we were doing. A lot of them would stop to hear the songs that were being sung or to hear the Scripture read. Because of the location of our booth, we could point straight up to The Hill and say, That s our church. Come visit us sometime, to anyone who stopped by to look at or purchase fireworks. I would love to know how many people we were able to minister to through this outreach. And what if this was the first and/or only time they d ever heard about Jesus? We could win countless souls to the kingdom through FIREWORKS! Hey, God did say go out and make disciples of all nations, right? We re just using fireworks to raise money to go out to the nations, but also to minister right in our own backyard. And of course, we had a BLAST doing it all. If you are reading this and are looking for a church in the New River Valley, come see us sometime! ( Submitted by Brittany Hall PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY OCTOBER 5, 2014 October 5, 2014, Pastor Appreciation Day, is a time for congregations within the IPHC to formally recognize the work of their spiritual leaders. This year s theme is Kingdom Advancement. As the local congregation comes together in living God s Word with their pastor, there will be an empowerment for the future full operation of the gifts of the Spirit, a flowing force of unity, and maximum outreach effectiveness. This year s Pastor Appreciation emphasis will also undergird the biblical position of the pastor and the role of the people as partners in ministry with him. Pastor Appreciation Day is a joint venture between Women s and Men s Ministries. The IPHC website, iphc.org, has a link designed to provide you with the resources to plan the perfect celebration for your pastor and congregation. You can also download the free 70 Ways to Honor and Bless Your Pastor guide there. VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

Emmanuel College. This has proven to be a summer of miracles and God has proven Himself to truly be Emmanuel God with us in this season. Thank you for your generosity.

3 EMMANUEL UPDATE I want to express my appreciation for everyone who stepped up to help in the financial cash flow matter at Emmanuel College. Through the Conference, local churches, Men s Ministries golf tournament, and Camp Meeting offering, we received in-house around $56,000, not to mention churches that sent donations directly to Emmanuel College. This has proven to be a summer of miracles and God has proven Himself to truly be Emmanuel God with us in this season. Thank you for your generosity. Bishop Preston Mathena HEAVEN WELCOMES A FAITHFUL SERVANT Rev. William P. Hill, 85, of Johnson City, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on June 27, Rev. Hill was licensed with the Virginia Conference in 1951 and ordained in He was buried in the Fries P.H.C. cemetery on June 30. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalm 116:15). OCTOBER RETIRED MINISTERS BIRTHDAYS October 1 October 3 Rev. Mrs. Marysue Freeman Rev. Clarence Aker P.O. Box Apache Run Morehead City, NC Max Meadows, VA October 9 October 10 Rev. James Abram Rev. Carl Early 1153 Rosenbaum Road 75 Church Street Bluefield, VA Christiansburg, VA October 12 October 23 Rev. Mrs. LaTrissia Black Rev. William Carico 4004 West Main Street 2453 Creekview Drive Princeton, WV Galax, VA October 25 October 31 Rev. Otuce Huffman, Sr. Rev. Mrs. Barbara Early HC 77, Box Church Street Ballard, WV Christiansburg, VA OCTOBER CALENDAR 3 First Friday Fast 3 Emmanuel College Feast of Ingathering 5 Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem 16 National Bosses Day MESSENGER (USPS ) Vol. 76 September 2014 No. 1 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Preston Mathena STAFF Phone Oak Grove Avenue Dublin, VA EVANGELISM & WORLD MISSIONS MINISTRIES Larry Meadors 5847 Oak Grove Avenue Dublin, VA DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES Ron Fredericks 5847 Oak Grove Avenue Dublin, VA WOMEN S MINISTRIES Kathy Mathena 103 Windsor Circle Bluefield, VA Phone: WIN Donna Hankla 139 Ridgeway Drive Bland, VA Phone: MEN S MINISTRIES Quent Baria 1712 Vineyard Street Bluefield, WV Deadline for all script to reach the office: 1st of each month for the next month s issue to shwood7@yahoo.com. CONFERENCE BOARD Superintendent Preston Mathena Assistant Superintendent Mike Dodson Secretary Frank Neff Treasurer Gary Cope Board Member Larry Meadors Board Member Wanda Myers Board Member Jim Tunnell MESSENGER (USPS ) is published monthly by LifeSprings Resources, 2425 W. Main St., Franklin Springs, GA 30639, for the Appalachian Conference. Subscription price $2.00 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Franklin Springs, GA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MESSENGER, 5847 Oak Grove Avenue, Dublin, VA WEBSITE: CREDIT GRAPHICS: Thinkstock.com SEPTEMBER 2014

World Missions & Evangelism LARRY MEADORS Engage Your World How can the church hope to thrive and grow in this modern-day culture?

It is time to assert your faith and be the witness that God has called you to be!

On a personal level, it means to live intentionally today with the gospel. Who will know that you are a Christian? What can you do to further the mission that Jesus gave you to do?

4 World Missions & Evangelism LARRY MEADORS Engage Your World How can the church hope to thrive and grow in this modern-day culture? It can happen as you engage your world at the point of need and relevance. It is too easy to remain disengaged and checked out from making a difference. It is time to assert your faith and be the witness that God has called you to be! The vision for the conference missions and evangelism ministries for this next four-year period is to ENGAGE YOUR WORLD. This is an active statement that gives teeth to the missional movement. On a personal level, it means to live intentionally today with the gospel. Who will know that you are a Christian? What can you do to further the mission that Jesus gave you to do? As a church body, it means impacting the community in such a way that it knows of the love and care of Christ. It means participating fully as a global church in IPHC missions. On the conference level, it is providing training and opportunities that interface with this vision: planting new churches to reach our region, sending teams that will go to the far corners of the world to assist in projects in conjunction with our missionaries. The model of engagement is the early church. Peter intently looks into the eyes of the lame beggar and commands him to walk in Jesus name. The rest of Acts 3 and 4 shows the results as the ranks of the believers grew. No more coasting! It is time to engage the spiritual gears so that your spiritual journey will reach its destination successfully. A CHURCH FOR TOMORROW Pastors, find out how to reach a demographic you are not reaching, how mega-churches are birthed, and how to build a church for your grandkids. You and your spouse are invited to this dinner meeting on October 4 at 5 p.m. at Harbor of Hope Church in Christiansburg. Our speaker for the evening is Dr. Owen Weston, director of Church Planting and Revitalization Institute. He shared that he has helped pastors such as Mark Crow, Chris Hodges and Craig Groeschel on their path to successful church planting. This event is to help encourage and give direction to pastors to mother a church plant or begin satellite ministry. Please call Sandy Wood ( , ext. 207) to sign up for this event. HELP THE KESTNERS AS MISSIONARIES TO VIRGINIA TECH Josh and Megan Kestner Global Outreach Funds Needed! Funds to date: $66, Continue to give! All offerings are due November 21. Missions Team 2015 Find out more by contacting Josh at or jkestner@vt.edu and Megan at or megkestner@gmail. com. You can be part of a life-changing experience on a short-term conference missions team trip to Thailand from February 23 March 6. The focus will be construction of a dorm for the IPHC Indochina Ministry Center, as well as children s ministry in the schools and churches. Come and catch the vision for Indochina from our missionaries Jeff and Verna Willhoite. The team will also minister in Burma. The cost will be $2,000. Call the office or download an application today! VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

Discipleship Ministries RON FREDERICKS www.ac-dm.

Stephens-Johnson, Brad Davis, Tim Bennett & Lyndale Taylor

To our worship leaders and praise bands: Josh Branch and the

Band, Adam Williams and the Buena Vista PHC Awaken Student

To ALL of our STAFF There are too many to mention by name, but

To our CAMPERS You are some of the greatest young people I have

FAMILY, I pray God s greatest and richest blessings on each of

Plans are under way for 2015, and we look forward to seeing you

5 Discipleship Ministries RON FREDERICKS What a great summer for Camp Maranatha 2014: ONE WEEK WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! A tremendous thank-you to our camp pastors: Beth Stephens-Johnson, Brad Davis, Tim Bennett & Lyndale Taylor great job! To our worship leaders and praise bands: Josh Branch and the Destiny Outreach Worship Team, Jordan Myers and his Worship Band, Adam Williams and the Buena Vista PHC Awaken Student Ministries Youth Band excellent! To ALL of our STAFF There are too many to mention by name, but each of you is the best! To our CAMPERS You are some of the greatest young people I have had the privilege to serve! FAMILY, I pray God s greatest and richest blessings on each of you may He keep you! Plans are under way for 2015, and we look forward to seeing you there. But until then, join us for these 2 TREMENDOUS events: For more information on the Eddie James Worship Service, contact the Conference Office at , ext. 201, or For more information on ACCELERANT, contact the Conference Office at: , ext. 201, or SEPTEMBER 2014

Women s Ministries KATHY MATHENA WOMEN S MINISTRIES HOLDS CONVENTION The Women s Ministries Convention was held on June 7, 2014, at the Pulaski Family Worship Center.

This is the year we elected new officers. Elections were held and the vote kept the board as it was.

UPCOMING EVENTS Special Emphasis offering due dates: Feast of Ingathering October 1 Harvest Train October 30 FALL RETREAT Friday, November 7, 2014, @ 7 p.m. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at The Music Road Inn Speaker: Veronica McGlothlin To reserve your room at Music Road, call 1-865-429-7700 by October 13.

6 Women s Ministries KATHY MATHENA WOMEN S MINISTRIES HOLDS CONVENTION The Women s Ministries Convention was held on June 7, 2014, at the Pulaski Family Worship Center. The presiding officer was Michelle Drake, General W.M. board member. She spoke on WILD Women In Lifelong Development. Women are passionate, free, unconventional, and courageous. This is the year we elected new officers. Elections were held and the vote kept the board as it was. (As shown) Odessa Shupe, board member; Martha Hall, secretary-treasurer; Kathy Mathena, director; Sammie Andrews, assistant director; Joyce Thomasson, board member. UPCOMING EVENTS Special Emphasis offering due dates: Feast of Ingathering October 1 Harvest Train October 30 FALL RETREAT Friday, November 7, 7 p.m. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at The Music Road Inn Speaker: Veronica McGlothlin To reserve your room at Music Road, call by October 13. Deluxe Room Rate: $128 plus taxes (up to 4 per room) Deadline to pre-register ($20 per person): October 19. The registration form is online on the Women s Ministries page at appconf.org, or you can contact Kathy Mathena ( ) or Martha Hall ( ). VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

7 World Intercession Network DONNA HANKLA PROPHECY IN THE SKY! The 2014 fall season is ready to release prophetic events. To begin with, there are three significant Jewish Feasts: Rosh Hashanah (The Feast of Trumpets) September 25 Yom Kippur October 3 Sukkot October 8 DO YOU KNOW? In addition to these famous fall feasts, the Blood Moon will occur on Sukkot, October 8! A Blood Moon also appeared on Passover, April 15. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the Lord (Joel 2:30, 31). SINCE THE BLOOD MOON AT PASSOVER Several significant events have happened since this first Blood Moon of the year These include the following: Israel at war, defending her citizens. Conflict in the Middle East with ISIS terror group. Russia and Ukraine fighting each other. THE BLOOD MOON TETRAD Tetrad refers to four consecutive Blood Moons. It is very rare for four Blood Moons to occur. It is more rare for these Blood Moons and eclipses to appear on the feast days of Passover and Tabernacles! Well, get ready! In the years 2014 and 2015, the four Blood Moons are arriving. Since Jesus came on earth, only seven Tetrads have occurred. WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? All seven Tetrads have recorded significant events that have changed the world. For example, the seventh Tetrad occurred in the years 1967 and The nation of Israel won the 6-Day War and captured the West Bank! NOW THE 8th TETRAD! Certainly, Israel is on the move, attempting to defend the citizens, and the Middle East is ablaze with conflict. BE READY! We must be like the five wise virgins who took extra oil along with them. Study God s Word as never before. Take it off that shelf! READ & BE READY! MARANATHA COLLEGE SATELLITE CLASSES BEGIN THIS FALL I am excited to announce the location of several satellite class locations for Maranatha College this fall. Our base class in Dublin will be live-streamed to other satellite locations. Classes will now be hosted in the following locations, beginning in September: Valley Harvest Ministries Dublin, Virginia Pastor Steve Willis base classroom Crossroads Church Bluefield, West Virginia Pastor Travis Lowe satellite Life Line Ministries Hot Springs, Virginia Pastor Frank Neff satellite Natural Bridge Christian Fellowship Natural Bridge, Virginia Pastor Wesley Galford satellite New Life Christian Ministries Roanoke, Virginia Pastor Tony Atkinson satellite Tygart Valley Ministries Beverly, West Virginia Pastor Curlie Ray satellite The September class, EM 233 Evangelism & Outreach, will be taught by guest instructor Garry Bryant. Class times are September 26-27, 7-9 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Fees are as follows: Registration: $35 (one-time fee for Maranatha); Class for Audit: $100; Class for Credit: $125 Conference scholarships are available for credentialed ministers. Contact me or the host church in your area for more information. Pastor Steve Willis, President Maranatha College of Christian Ministries SEPTEMBER 2014

MESSENGER (USPS 621-580) 5847 Oak Grove Avenue Dublin, Virginia 24084 Periodicals Postage Paid at Franklin Springs, GA 30639 Address Service Requested NEW VISION S FROGLAND FULLY RELYING ON GOD!

FROGLAND is the result of the vision of New Vision s youth pastors, John and Missy Franklin. The youth pastors were concerned about the condition of the play set that had been at the church for years.

It was decided that the church needed to show the children of the church and community how important they were.

8 MESSENGER (USPS ) 5847 Oak Grove Avenue Dublin, Virginia Periodicals Postage Paid at Franklin Springs, GA Address Service Requested NEW VISION S FROGLAND FULLY RELYING ON GOD! On May 31, 2014, the New Vision Pentecostal Holiness Church in Green Valley celebrated the grand opening of FROGLAND. FROGLAND is the result of the vision of New Vision s youth pastors, John and Missy Franklin. The youth pastors were concerned about the condition of the play set that had been at the church for years. Missy had stated that if the old play set represented how we felt about our children, it was a poor representation. It was decided that the church needed to show the children of the church and community how important they were. The church knew they would have to rely on God for the funding of their new play set; therefore, the theme FROGLAND was born, Fully Relying On God. The children made and prayed over frog magnets that were sent to potential sponsors, and as a result, enough funds were received to sponsor the play set. Craig Bauer and Missy Rotenberry designed the play set. Craig headed the project, and with the help of Senior Pastor Samuel Edgell, Youth Pastor John Franklin, Kenny Dunnigan, Damon Branch and Carl Hazzard, the play set was built. The job was not completed until master mulchers Lydia Chipman, Jerry Rotenberry, III, and Associate Pastor Keith Maxwell laid new mulch and Pastor Sam did the finishing touches of planting flowers around our FROGLAND sign. Youth Pastors John and Missy Franklin acknowledged all the sponsors for their financial support and prayers for this project. The workers were presented certificates of appreciation, and a special plaque was given to Craig Bauer for his dedication in seeing the project completed. Missy and John were acknowledged and presented with garden frog statues for all their hard work and dedication to FROGLAND. After all the acknowledgements were completed, the children waited anxiously as the ribbon was cut and they made their way to the new play land, followed by a celebratory lunch that was enjoyed by all who attended. We give praise to the Lord who met our needs, and we all, young and old alike, learned a very valuable lesson to FULLY RELY ON GOD.

PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY

VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC Vol. 80, No. 1 September 2018 PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY OCTOBER 7, 2018 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who