Returning to the Basics of Church Building

Transcription

1 VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC Vol. 76, No. 2 October FALL DISTRICT MEETINGS Returning to the Basics of Church Building Sunday, November 2, 6 p.m. Bluefield/McDowell Districts Bluewell Voice of Praise Monday, November 3, 7 p.m. Central Virginia/Shenandoah Districts Staunton Good News Ministries Gregory Miller, Pastor Tuesday, November 4, 7 p.m. Roanoke/New River Valley Districts Christiansburg Victory Restoration Church Ray Kingrea, Pastor Wednesday, November 5, 7 p.m. East Tennessee District Erwin Cas Horton, Pastor Thursday, November 6, 7 p.m. Southwest Virginia District Wytheville Millennium World Outreach Kent Lewis, Pastor Friday, November 7, 7 p.m. Central West Virginia District Mossy Paul Basham, Pastor Saturday, November 8, 6 p.m. Greenbrier District Caldwell Ronnie Saville, Pastor

2 Bishop s Page PRESTON MATHENA ALEEN AKER RETIRES AFTER 48 YEARS OF PASTORING Aleen Carico Aker was born July 17,1927, in Fries, Virginia. When she was a child, her mother and father attended the Methodist, Baptist, and P.H. churches in the area. At a very young age, she decided that the P.H.C. was the one best suited for her. At the age of 14, she gave her heart to the Lord, never to look back again. At the age of 16, she accepted the call into ministry and immediately went to work under the guidance of the pastor of Fries P.H.C., the Rev. Clay Martin. Others who influenced her were the Rev. Charlie McDaniel and the Rev. E. C. Stoneman. Her first revival as a teenager was at the Fries P.H.C., in which 15 souls were saved, as well as numerous other experiences. I didn t know much about what I was doing, she said. I just did my best and God took care of the rest. She and her parents soon began singing as a group, performing on WBOB radio in Galax, Virginia, as well as many of the local churches. In the summer of 1947, she and her parents were singing at the Piney Camp Meeting in Wythe County when she spotted a handsome young man, Elmo Aker, singing with a string band consisting of the Rev. Sam Viars and his brother Taz Viars, as well as Virgil Aker. She told some of her friends, If I can catch him, that s all I ll ever want. In the fall of 1948, they were married and went on to have two children, four grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. The Akers soon became quite busy with their ministry of singing and preaching. They evangelized in almost all of the churches in the Southwest and New River Valley Districts, as well as the Church of God and Assembly of God churches in this area. Dozens of lives were changed and wonderful revivals were experienced all through the decades of the 50s and 60s. In 1963, Sister Aker received her license to preach and joined the Appalachian Conference. In 1966, she accepted a very small church in the Stumps section of Wythe County, Gravely Memorial Pentecostal Holiness. Some of the Akers friends, many of whom they had met while evangelizing, all pitched in to help, and a new church was built in 1976, with good attendance in every service. Her children and in-laws joined their music ministry and are still active in it today. Her helpmate and ministry partner passed away in 2007, but she continued to pastor and sing for seven more years. Her daughter, Joyce Alley, a licensed P.H. minister, and family are now singing as The Alleys, and her son Randell and wife Pat are active in St. Paul s music ministry. On June 15, 2014, Sister Aker retired as pastor of Gravely Memorial due to health issues. After 48 years of continuous service, she was still a little reluctant to quit, stating she wished she could start all over again. She truly loves the P.H.C. and its people and, most of all, serving God. Sister Aker celebrated her 87th birthday on July 17, 2014, and still desires to work for the Lord in any way she can. My body just will not keep up with my heart and mind, she said. This is possibly the longest continuous pastorate we ve had in our conference. We are thankful for Sister Aker s years of faithful service and her commitment to the Gravely Memorial Church. The Appalachian Conference is blessed to have a minister of her caliber. Bishop Preston Mathena VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

3 REV. OTUCE P. HUFFMAN, SR. The Rev. Otuce P. Huffman, Sr., 91, went home to be with the Lord on August 23, He was licensed as a minister with the Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1980 and ordained in He and his wife Orada were co-founders and members of the Peterstown P.H. Church. He was buried in the Appalachian Conference cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. The Rev. Huffman s godly life and good works remain as an example for us all. NOVEMBER RETIRED MINISTERS BIRTHDAYS November 6 November 9 November 12 Rev. Jerry Sloss Rev. Mrs. Phyllis Jones Rev. Delbert Belcher 35 Cullen Court 2840 Horton Road 1307 Miller Drive Christiansburg, VA Bluefield, WV Okmulgee, OK November 12 November 18 November 21 Rev. Kenneth Fogus Rev. Everette Rogers Rev. Ms. Nina Bays 4647 Newbern Heights Dr. 255 Royce Road Box 182 Pulaski, VA Troutville, VA Coal City, WV November 24 November 25 November 30 Rev. R. C. Turner Rev. Curtis Ratcliffe Rev. Phillip Martin 1232 Augusta Street 7187 Meadowview Drive 407 Hunt Club Rd., Apt. 37-A Bluefield, WV Radford, VA Blacksburg, VA November Calendar 1 Royal Rangers Commanders Banquet 2 Daylight Saving Time Ends 2 Bluefield/McDowell District Meeting 3 Central Virginia/Shenandoah District Meeting 4 New River Valley/Roanoke District Meeting 5 East Tennessee District Meeting 6 Southwest Virginia District Meeting 7 Central West Virginia District Meeting 7-8 W.M. Fall Retreat 8 Greenbrier District Meeting 8 Bible Quiz Scrimmage 9 Fall Youth Service with Eddie James 21 Last Day to Receive GO Offering Maranatha Class 25 Harvest Train 27 Thanksgiving Office Closed MARANATHA SCHEDULE OF FALL CLASSES October 24 & 25 CH 243 Charismatic Pentecostal History Dr. C.R. Conner November 21 & 22 TH 233 Christian Beliefs I David Wood December 12 & 13 BI 223 New Testament Survey I Wanda Myers Classes are live-streamed to all 5 satellite locations! MESSENGER (USPS ) Vol. 76 October 2014 No. 2 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 OCTOBER 2014

4 World Missions & Evangelism LARRY MEADORS SUMMER MISSIONS In July, a team of 11 men and women from Christian Life International Church (CLI) in Salem, Virginia, traveled to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to work alongside Darrel and Bonnie Clowers (IPHC missionaries) and the John 3:16 Church. Americans and Dominicans united to construct a new church, but more importantly, to build God s kingdom. The John 3:16 Church is a healthy, growing body of believers. They have started five new churches and currently have 250 people crowded into a small building, hence the need for a new one. Working together, despite speaking two different languages, the men mixed concrete and mortar by hand, tied rebar, poured headers and footers, and laid block, all under the blazing Dominican sun. One thing was evident language is not a barrier when humility, service, and love are spoken and the character of Christ shines brightly through cracked, worn-out vessels. Due to the generous gifts from the CLI family, the team was also able to paint the church s school and leave funding to begin phase two of the construction project. Before returning home, the team attended a service in the under-construction, roofless church to share in the dedication of the building for the equipping of saints to preach the Good News. The team was thankful for the opportunity to meet their brothers and sisters in Christ living in the Dominican Republic, because God s greater purpose with this trip was about growing the body, the body He calls the church. Just as the bricks touched CROSSROADS P.H.C. Christian Life International one another as the walls were raised, so will Christ s church grow as Christians reach out beyond differences and join hands to accomplish God s work as a united body of believers. This is what Jesus prayed for in John 17: My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that ALL of them may be ONE, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (vv , emphasis added). Jesus prayer for all the believers is for unity, so the world will know about Jesus and His father s great love for every person. The churches are standing in faith that Jesus prayer was answered and will continue to be answered as His Church builds His kingdom. Thailand February 23-March 6, 2015 Construction/Youth Ministry Go to appconf.org for more info. On August 12 a group of 18 missionaries, ranging in ages from 6 to 70, embarked on a life-changing trip to Yoro, Honduras. The team, led by Pastor Travis Lowe and missionary Daniel Pitti, set out to build a church and lead Vacation Bible School. The trip was a great success. The church is ready for another team to arrive and complete the roof, and more than 200 children heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A couple of the participants are already planning a follow-up trip to the area. They are currently raising money to purchase a parsonage near the church for the local pastor. God is doing great things in Honduras and around the world. All glory to God. November 21 is the deadline for submitting your Global Offering to the conference office. Give your best offering so that others may hear the Good News! VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

5 Discipleship Ministries RON FREDERICKS Discipleship Ministries Board Congratulations to the new Appalachian Conference Discipleship Ministries Board. Pictured left to right: Rev. Elaine Wood, treasurer; Don Webb, secretary; Rev. Stacy Cope, Assistant Director; Rev. Ron Fredericks, Director; and board members Rev. Wes Galford, Rev. N. R. Taylor and Rev. Zach Royer. Conference Royal Rangers Participate in Flag Ceremony to Remember Holocaust Harvest Train November 25, Pastors Eddie and Lisa Johnson and the Bluefield PHC would like to invite churches across the Appalachian Conference to join them in collecting commodities for Falcon Children s Home. If you have commodities you would like to send for Harvest Train, they will be glad to collect them and deliver them. For information, call Lisa Johnson at On August 31, 2014, the Appalachian Conference Royal Rangers participated in a flag ceremony for the Never Again ride that made a stop at Withers Park in Wytheville, Virginia. Never Again, a motorcycle ride that started in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and ended in Boca Raton, Florida, was to remember the Holocaust. Appalachian Conference Ranger Commander Steve Allen, along with Appalachian Conference Royal Rangers Clayton and Dylan Taylor from Outpost 163 (Christian Life International, Salem, Virginia) and Jamie Mullins from Outpost 64 (Appalachian District Assembly of God Royal Rangers from Heritage Church, Dublin, Virginia), participated in the flag ceremony. Also in attendance were Angela Taylor and her daughter, Courtney. Thanks so much to these young men for a job well done carrying the American flag, Israeli flag, and Canadian flag. The speakers were Howard Galganov, cofounder of the Pledge riders from Canada; Mayor Trent Crewe of Wytheville; the Rev. Gary Cope, pastor of Word of Life church in Wytheville and coordinator for the event; and a Holocaust survivor, Andy Reti, who was a child survivor from Hungary during WWII. It was a very nice and humbling event on a nice afternoon at Withers Park. Thanks to all who helped out. For information on how your church can become involved in the Royal Rangers ministry, contact Conference Commander Steve Allen at royalranger1@verizon. net or call Conference D.M. Director Ron Fredericks at , ext Golden Eagle Encore Ministries Picnic On Saturday, August 23, at Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, Virginia, 78 adults gathered for a time of fun and fellowship. As adults gathered from across the conference, hotdogs and hamburgers were grilled for lunch, with all the typical picnic fixings, while friends pitched horseshoes, gathered under the shelter and congregated by the lake to sit, laugh and talk. After a wonderful lunch, the guitar and banjo came out (compliments of the Rev. N. R. Taylor), and gospel songs were played and sung as fellowship continued and tours of the lake were provided via pontoon by Roger and Alice Crigger and Sonny and Shelia Mooney. For more information on Golden Eagle Encore Ministries, contact the Discipleship Ministries office at , ext OCTOBER 2014

6 Women s Ministries KATHY MATHENA We ve Been Redeemed In Deuteronomy 28, the Bible lists our blessings. One of our blessings is that when the enemy comes in one way, he must flee before you seven. We have been redeemed from the curse of the law (also listed in Deuteronomy 28). Seven is the number of completion. On the seventh day, God rested (Gen. 2:2); Joshua walked around Jericho seven times (Joshua 6); God has given us seven Redemptive Names. When the enemy comes in, we can take the name and send him packing down the road the road of provision, the road of healing, the road of victory, the road of peace, the road of our Shepherd and the road of Righteousness. The enemy of Lack Jehovah-Jireh The Lord will provide Genesis 22:13, 14, King James Version (KJV): And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. The enemy of Sickness Jehovah-Rapha The Lord that heals Exodus 15:26, New Living Translation (NLT): He said, If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you. The enemy of Failure Jehovah-Nissi The Lord Our Banner and Victory Exodus 17:8-15 (NLT): After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means the Lord is my banner ). Aaron was the high priest; today Jesus is our high priest. Hur means light ; the Holy Spirit is our light. The enemy of Worry (anxiety, care) Jehovah-Shalom The Lord Our Peace Judges 6:24 (KJV): Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom [which means the Lord is peace]. Nothing missing, nothing broken. The enemy of Confusion Jehovah Ra-ah The Lord My Shepherd Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV): The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The enemy of Condemnation Jehovah-Tsidkenu The Lord Our Righteousness Jeremiah 23:5, 6 (NLT): For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: The Lord Is Our Righteousness. In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. The enemy of Fear Jehovah-Shammah The Lord Is There Ezekiel 48:35 (KJV): It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there. When the devil comes in, put him on the run. TELL US WHAT YOUR W.M. IS DOING! From Crossroads W.M.: The Women s Ministries of Crossroads Church celebrated a day of rest and relaxation. G. G. Carroll hosted a wonderful evening of food, fun and fellowship. There were several booths set up for the ladies to have their pictures taken in. You had your choice of Duck Dynasty, Dr. Seuss, or the four seasons. Games were played and everyone was sworn to what happened on the mountain stays on the mountain. Every year God has stressed to G. G. that his daughters need a time to come away and rest, relax and laugh. And that s just what we did. Ladies, we would love to share the different activities in your Women s Ministries. Send your information to me and we will publish it in one of the Messenger articles. REMINDER: Harvest Train offering is due October 30. Please send to Martha Hall, 1240 Meadowlark Drive, Wytheville, VA VOICE OF THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

7 World Intercession Network DONNA HANKLA WATCHMEN ON THE WALL IN THE APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE When the phone call came, I was not surprised. The leader of the Capitol Hill Prayer Partners called and said that she needed a Chief of Staff to help support the 24-Hour Prayer Shields! The job just came open, and Sara Ballenger had been praying for the leading of the Lord. Sara asked me if I would agree with the choice to appoint Delores Purvis. I was so excited that a prayer leader from the Appalachian Conference would be chosen. WHO IS DELORES PURVIS? Delores is a mighty prayer warrior with a powerful prophetic gifting! She serves as the co-director of WIN at Tree of Life Ministries, along with Teressa Mayo. Both ladies pray every Friday night with the Appalachian 24-Hour Prayer Shield. Also, both ladies pray on the monthly prayer conference calls, which are national events! Both of these ladies attended the National Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C. With the blessings of Pastor Mike Dobson, Delores directs the Mission of Mercy at Tree of Life. This group prays for the pastor and his family. They also visit the sick and those in jail. OTHER WATCHMEN I do not want to leave out any names. This conference is blessed to have so many faithful intercessors. I hope to mention others in future articles. Pastor Debbie Hutton has been a vital force of the WIN Prayer Team for several years. She is also gifted with intercession and prophecy. In addition, she has great wisdom. Debbie is very faithful and committed to prayer and to this team. Beckie Thompson is also a key member of the WIN Prayer Team. For several years she has been attending the National Day of Prayer and has served as the scribe. She has helped with many WIN events. Others who have been to The National Day of Prayer, pray on the 24-Hour Prayer Shield, and pray with the monthly prayer events are Debbie Sams, Linda Sims, Teresa Mayo, Odessa Shupe, Stephanie Flowers, Margaret Rogers, Freda Wood, Beverly Buchanan, Sandy Hall, Vicki Viars, Emily Perkins, Rosemalie Bisculey, Dewayne Perkins, Bobbie Close, Jeanette Hart, G. F. Talmage, Patricia Trice and Elaine Robertson. Kathy Mathena, who serves as Women s Ministries director, is also an intercessor on the 24-Hour Prayer Shield. Like the 5 wise virgins, all of these carry extra oil in their lamps. OCTOBER 2014

8 MESSENGER (USPS ) 5847 Oak Grove Avenue Dublin, Virginia Periodicals Postage Paid at Franklin Springs, GA Address Service Requested YVONNE GREEN, FAITHFUL TO THE END Yvonne Green went to be with her Lord on July 15, Yvonne Green was born on November 25, 1938, in Stokes County, North Carolina. She graduated from Big Creek High School in 1957 and later attended Blue Ridge Community College. Yvonne married the Rev. Ralph Green in They were married for almost 52 years. Ralph and Yvonne pastored four churches in the Appalachian Conference before retiring to Gainesville, Georgia. Their longest pastorate was at the Shenandoah Pentecostal Holiness Church, where they spent almost 32 years. Yvonne served the church faithfully as the pianist, senior adult Sunday school teacher, and in any other capacity where she was needed. Their final pastorate was at Trinity Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia. Yvonne continued to serve as the church pianist at Trinity Baptist until her death. Yvonne had two children, Ravonne Green (Gainesville, Georgia) and Garry Green (Wilmington, North Carolina). In addition to her children, Yvonne is survived by three sisters, Margaret Rogers (Dublin, Virginia), Aileen Collins (Ridgeway, Virginia), and Marie Hollingsworth (Huntsville, Alabama). She has one brother, Jim Bishop (Oakridge, North Carolina). Yvonne will be remembered for her unending love, joyful dedication, and faithful service to others and to the kingdom. Her love of the scriptures was evident throughout her life. Even with her deteriorating eyesight, she found ways to read God s Word. She had an insatiable appetite for the Word. She taught it to her children and it was in her heart. Yvonne valued people. Her regular routine on Sundays for many years was to prepare a meal with the expectation that Ralph would invite someone home for dinner. They invited rich and poor, black and white to their home to eat. She valued their souls and wanted to do all that she could to bring them into the kingdom of God. Yvonne was the first to help a person in need. She would make clothes for those who needed them. She would give of herself to help others. This is an example she learned from Christ and displayed for us. It s our turn to follow the example Let s live our lives for God and to teach others about God when we are in our house, when we are walking, when we lie down and when we arise. A TRIBUTE TO HELEN HARRISON Helen served the Virginia/Appalachian Conference as W.M. director for many years, and it was so evident that she loved serving. She always included her W.M. board in anything she planned. Helen was a godly lady who loved others. She was such a graceful, gracious person who always considered others before herself. She was a delight to work with and even travel with. We spent many hours planning, praying and enjoying our time serving the women of our conference. I am sure that the other ladies that served with her can say as I do, that the many years spent with Helen on the W.M. board were truly a blessing. She had such a servant s heart. I count it a joy to have served with her, but I was also so blessed to have had her as my dear friend. She is so missed here, but she has gone to receive her reward, which I am sure will be great! Rev. Renee Kingrea s s s s s Helen Harrison s journey through this life was not measured in miles, but by the years that told her she was approaching the end of the journey. The fog and mists of this world parted, and directly before her, shining in the heavenly light, was God s golden gate. The music was provided by a heavenly choir. Friends, family members and Jesus himself were there to welcome her. She was finally home, her bags were packed, and she was ready to leave and life s wars to be ended. She has arrived. We will never forget Helen Harrison Day at Austinville P.H. Church on September 8, 2013, only a year ago. Words suddenly seem hollow when death and loss invade our lives and we struggle to find words to convey our thoughts. She was so cheerful. She made us all feel like the most important person in the world. We have truly lost a friend and a godly woman. My prayer is, Lord, prepare us to be worthy and ready when our journey is complete. We can join Helen in that heavenly home for the biggest reunion ever when we, too, arrive. Submitted by Virginia Armbrister, Austinville P.H. Church