Superintendent s Report

Transcription

1 W e s t T e x a s A s s e m b l i e s o f G o d M i n i s t r y... U p ward i n Wo r s h i p I n w a r d i n Discipleship O u t w a r d i n Evangelism Tidings Official Organ of the West Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God June, 2010 PUBLISHED MONTHLY Volume LXIV Number 6 The Anointing In John s first letter to the churches he speaks of the anointing from the Holy One, I John 2:20. To me the anointing means the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit affects the life of the believer in several ways. 1. The anointing keeps us in the truth. In verse 21 John says, You know the truth. The way we know the truth is through our study of the Word of God. Paul wrote to Timothy that he must Study to show himself approved unto God, II Timothy 2: The anointing keeps us from false doctrine, verse 22. Just as the bank examiner recognizes the counterfeit by becoming familiar with the true. Even we as followers of Christ will be kept from false doctrines not by studying them but by being well established in the TRUTH. John wrote in chapter 4 that we are to try the spirits, to see if they acknowledge Christ. Elijah told the prophets of Baal in I Kings 18:24, And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people Superintendent s Report by Glenn R. Beaver answered and said, It is well spoken. God will answer by the fire of the Holy Spirit and keep us from false doctrines. 3. The anointing empowers our efforts in verse 24. As we abide in Christ and His Word abides in us He empowers our efforts for Him. Our teaching, preaching and witnessing is weak without the power of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. 4. The anointing coordinates our efforts (verse 28). Just as a conductor coordinates the sounds of an orchestra so that the instruments make melody together, even so the Holy Spirit coordinates our efforts so that they do not appear as so much noise, but beautiful music. I Corinthians 2:9 states, For we are labourers together with God. Matthew Henry said, The Lord Christ disposes of the graces of the divine Spirit, and he anoints the disciples to make them like himself, and to secure them in his interest. The following is an amazing illustration of cooperation. A well-known organist was performing a concert on the huge, antique organ in the local Presbyterian Church. The bellows were hand-pumped by the boy who was behind a screen, unseen by the audience. The first part of the performance was well received. The audience was thrilled by the organist s ability at the keyboard of the old instrument. After taking his bows and accepting the ovation, the musician walked triumphantly into a side passageway. As he passed the boy, he heard him say, We played well, didn t we, sir? The organist haughtily replied, And what do you mean, we? After the intermission, the organist returned to his seat at the impressive five-keyboard console and began to play. But nothing happened; not a sound was heard. Panic and bewilderment seized the organist. What in the world is wrong? he muttered. Then the organist heard a youthful voice whisper from behind the screen, Say, mister, now do you know what we means? If God is not in this ministry with me, I don t want to be involved. Director of Church Ministries I am pleased to announce that Tracy McWilliams has been appointed as the new Director of Church Ministries. The McWilliams come to the district office having served in our district as pastor of Southside AG, Plainview and pastor of First AG, Odessa. He will be an asset to our district office team. Cara Lynn McWilliams is the District Girl s Ministries Coordinator. Tracy and Cara Lynn have two boys who are also excited about this change in their ministry. Pray with us that the transition to Lubbock for the McWilliams family will be smooth.

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3 Billy & Bettye Nickell Secretary-Treasurer Suddenly forty-one times the word suddenly can be found in forty verses of the King James translation of Scripture. The Oxford University Press dictionary defines suddenly as quickly and unexpectedly. We often use the word surprise to describe thing that happen unexpectedly, yet nothing takes God off guard or comes by surprise. The appearance of a vast host accompanying the angel at the announcement of the birth of Christ happened suddenly according to Luke 2:13. The Day of Pentecost was characterized with suddenly as the promised Holy Spirit filled those who had gathered in the upper room. Paul and Silas time in the prison at Philippi was interrupted with, And suddenly there was a great earthquake, according to Acts 16:26. God s will for our lives is often revealed to us suddenly, though His plan has been unfolding from eternity past. Wednesday, April 21, will long be remembered by our district, and by my wife and I, as a day marked with suddenly. Beginning with Bro. Slaton s resignation, to our election as the Secretary/Treasurer, a number of unexpected things transpired suddenly. How thankful I am to know that God is at work in His church, as well as each of our individual lives, whether it becomes known to us slowly or suddenly. Bettye and I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your vote of confidence and count it an honor to work with the leadership team of this wonderful district. Earl Arnold March April 30, 2010 Bro. Arnold was an Ordained minister credentialed with the West Texas District. His wife Edna resides in Andrews, Texas. His mother Ethel Wooten is also an Ordained minister. Please uphold his family and friends in prayer during their time of bereavement. CHURCH UPDATE New Pastor: Dimmitt, First AG, Pastor: Israel Olivo AVAILABLE FOR MINISTRY Gene Benningfield Simon Beteta Kelly Breckenridge Harry Coons Paul DeWolfe Larry Gilliam Jack Hargrave Doris McCutchen Rick & Tori Mitchell Z.A. Myers J.C. Owen Forest Srader Todd & Angela Starnes Marcus Tanner Kevin Vander-Plas BIBLE INSTITUTE OF WEST TEXAS Courses for June 19, 2010 Certified Minister Level Introduction to Hermeneutics Ken Redmon, Facilitator License Level Introduction to Homiletics Robert Slaton, Facilitator Ordination Level Preaching in Cultural Context Steve Woodward, Facilitator Courses for July 10, 2010 Certified Minister Level The Local Church In Evangelism Danny Williams, Facilitator License Level Eschatology Mike Hanks, Facilitator Ordination Level Church Administration, Law, and Finance Glenn Beaver, Facilitator Tracy & Cara Lynn McWilliams Director of Church Ministries ASSEMBLIES OF GOD TIDINGS Tracy McWilliams, Editor West Texas Assemblies of God 5504 Wayne Avenue P.O. Box 64778, Lubbock, Texas Phone: Please notify editor of any change of address. Third class postage paid at Lubbock, Texas. Published monthly. DISTRICT OFFICIARY Glenn R. Beaver Superintendent Tom Lakey Assistant Superintendent Billy D. Nickell Secretary/Treasurer SECTIONAL PRESBYTERS Cliff Houghton, Danny Williams, Neil Unwin, John Murdoch, Randall McDonald, Ben Hodge, III Web site: wtaog.org wtdistag@sbcglobal.net

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5 Becky Nenstiel Women s Ministries Director Just a few weeks ago my spiritual father went home to be with the Lord. One of my fondest memories about my adopted dad was that every time I phoned him he ended the call by pulling a promise from the promise box, and then told me he loved me. Over the years I have grown to love that little promise box. As I was writing this article I found myself a bit overwhelmed with the up coming missions trip to Pleasant Hills Children s Home. I decided it might be a good idea to pull a promise out of my promise box. Just in case you might need reminded, the Lord always knows what we need and when we need it. My promise: My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 Thank you Father for constantly being the source of the help in every area of our lives. Pleasant Hills Children s Home Missions Project Butler Cottage June 7 12 Funds and Workers Needed MEN S MINISTRIES wtxmen@sbcglobal.net 2010 WEST TEXAS DISTRICT MEN'S RETREAT Friday and Saturday, August District Auditorium, Lubbock Retreat Speaker: Denny Duron, Shreveport, LA Cost: $ Includes Ribeye dinner Friday night prepared on the LFTL Steak Wagon (You MUST PRE-REGISTER for the meal) WEST TEXAS MEN'S MINISTRIES DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT Meadowbrook Golf Course (Off I-27 and 4th Street) Friday, August 13, Start time 10:30 AM Cost: $38.00, Includes range balls and lunch. 4 Man Best Ball Scramble Prizes for 2 closest to the pin, 1 longest drive. Trophies and prizes for the championship team. Mark Stripling Men s Ministries Director Missions Trip Leon, Mexico August 21 28, 2010 Estimated cost: $1100 Pastor Billy Nickell and First A/G, Amarillo have extended an invitation to the men and women of our district to participate in a construction / evangelism trip to Leon. Missionary Mike Powell will host the trip, and there will be opportunity to preach at night, with construction work done during the day. Light for the Lost funds will be used for evangelism literature and for nice study bibles to be given to each of the A/G pastors in the city. Contact Pastor Nickell for further information. Royal Rangers West Texas District Pow-Wow Roaring Springs Camp June 3 5, 2010 Cost: $5.00 per person

6 ... People to People... Dumas First AG Junior Bible Quizzers advanced in Regional competition and will now compete on the National level which will be held in June at Dallas. Team members from left to right are Dugan Akins, Nicholas Clemens, Ashlie Sauer, & Maggie Akins, along with Renee Wehunt, coach. Other teams from the West Texas District that competed at Regionals were SuperChicks and Roy, New Life, Plainview; Jesus Freaks, Lubbock, First AG; and Elijah Force, Perryton, Harvest Time. If you are interested in starting a JBQ team or just need some new energy in an existing team, please contact Stacy Akins at JBQ Reaching Kids Today, Equipping Kids for Tomorrow! Mortgage Burning, May 2, 2010 Odessa Cornerstone Worship Center Johnny Storz, Pastor Guest Speaker Robert Slaton Gayle Reeves former Pecos Section Presbyter Prayer Needs: Continue to pray for Susan Williamson (heart problems), Dollie Lakey, Tom Lakey s mother, (recovery from surgery to remove a kidney), Jessica Coleman and Mandy Pena (recovery of post-surgery cancer treatments). Birth: Tim & Brehanna McMorris (Youth Pastors, First AG, Pampa) are the proud parents of a baby girl, Hanna Grace, born May 11 and weighed 7 lbs, 4 oz. WEST TEXAS DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD 5504 WAYNE AVENUE P.O. BOX LUBBOCK, TX NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID LUBBOCK, TX PERMIT NO. 138 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED