A message from the Bishop

Transcription

1 Issue 5 Embracing the Challenge of the Cross! Spring 2012 A message from the Bishop Grace and peace my friends. Growing up I often heard the saints talk of going down in the liquid grave. In describing the water baptism experience and the expectations that accompany it, the Paul the Apostle spoke in terms of burial. He drew an analogy of the post-crucifixion character of Jesus Christ. Paul says that we are buried with him by baptism. The symbolism is that we die to our previous worldly submission. But the baptism was not the end. Bishop Samuel R. Moore Diocesan As Jesus rose from the grave, we too rise up out of the water. Just like Jesus rose up as a new and refined being, we also are to rise to a new walk and a new life. WVETNC 2012 Summer Convention July Charleston (WV) The old nature is expected to remain disposed, but guided by the might of our God, a new and better person with a new and better character should emerge from the water. Once we ve endured the crucifixion the flesh and gone through the grave, we must embrace the challenge of walking in newness of life. Our association with Jesus is tied to baptism in his name.

2 TWO WEST VIRGINIA & EAST TENNESSEE CHURCHES WELCOME NEW PASTORS Bishop Samuel R. Moore recently assigned pastors to two churches that have experienced prolonged periods without a permanent pastor. Elder Robert Gentry, late of Charlotte (NC), is the new pastor of Greater New Jerusalem Temple in Glen White (WV). Elder Timothy Starkey, currently of Beckley (WV), is the new pastor of Kings Chapel in Abingdon (VA). Elder Robert Gentry Gentry assumes the mantle of the early Suffragan Bishop Joe Hairston, Sr., the longtime West Virginia & East Tennessee Council chairman, at Greater New Jersualem. Bishop Moore will perform the official installation service for Elder Gentry on April 28 at 1:00pm. Starkey becomes the pastor of Kings Chapel following the tenure of the early Pastor Verna Fullen. The date and time of the installation service is yet to be determined. Greater New Jerusalem began in Lester (WV) several years ago, but moved to its current facility in Glen White when the Lester building caught fire. Elder Timothy Starkey Kings Chapel was founded by the early Evangelist Verlie Haynes, who also founded and pastored The Everflowing Well Church in Bristol. Pastor Fullen succeeded Pastor Haynes. Let s congratulate our new District 23 pastors - Gentry and Starkey, and pray for the success of their ministries.

3 From the Chairman s Seat Praise the Lord! Winter has come and gone and Spring is in the air. Our Spring Convention is upon us, and with great anticipation, I look forward to seeing you and fellowshipping with you. District Elder Thomas Moore District 23 Chairman I pray that Embracing the Challenge of The Cross is still our number one priority. Where would we be without The Cross? Because of The Cross of Calvary, sin can be replaced with righteousness. Because of The Cross of Calvary, sorrow can be replaced with unspeakable joy. Because of The Cross of Calvary, despair can be replaced with a blessed hope. And because of The Cross, perplexity can be replaced with the peace of God. That s why the preaching of The Cross must be our number one priority. May our appreciation for The Cross be renewed. May your love for the Saviour be ever increased. May our love for one another be greater. I am excited to see you in Johnson City (TN) at the Church of our Lord Jesus with our host, Pastor Cora Hamilton. Be blessed! MINISTERS WIVES PREPARE TO MEET THE CHALLENGE As we move into 2012, the Ministers Wives are stressing that the future is greater than their past. District President Deborah Moore has placed emphasis on welcoming new, active members as well as the development of existing members. It is our wish that in the succeeding years, the Ministers Wives will enlist an increasing number of new wives to involve themselves in carrying it on, said President Moore. It is our desire that we adapt ourselves constantly to the changing times, will continue to provide inspiration and fellowship, and will always help to interpret the high significance of the unique role of the individual minister s wife. (continued on page 6)

4 DISTRICT 23 HOSTED CEA REGION ONE S CONVENTION IN BRISTOL District Elder Mark Redd, president of District 23 s Christian Education Association, and The West Virginia & East Tennessee Council s CEA hosted the PAW Region One Christian Education Conference in Bristol on March Sizable delegations from six PAW districts joined together to explore ways to enhance their Christian Education operations. Represented were the Georgia State Council, North Carolina State Council, Virginia State Council, Florida State Council, South Carolina State Council, as well as the West Virginia & East Tennessee Council. The Region One Director is Marie Bartelle of South Carolina. Our District Choir ministered during the Friday evening worship service, before a crowd of several hundred. Our Diocesan, Bishop Samuel R. Moore delivered a stirring message that brought the altar alive, and became the talk of the remainder of the conference. Taken from 2 Samuel 4: 1 4, the message was titled Don t Drop the Baby. District 23 also won the attendance and giving trophies during Saturday s district rally, to close the regional conference. A sincere thanks to the pastors, members of the Bishop s Cabinet, singers, and general council members that helped to represent District 23 so well. And congratulations to the district s Christian Education Department and to District Elder Mark Redd on a job well done!

5 DISTRICT 23 HOSTED CEA IN BRISTOL -- (continued from previous page) CEA Brings Pros to the Spring Convention Two former professional ball players, now members of Grace Temple in Johnson City (TN), will share their experience and perspectives with District 23 in a panel discussion at the upcoming Spring Convention at Church of our Lord Jesus. Damon Johnson is a former University of Tennessee star and pro basketball player. Van Williams was an NFL running back with the Buffalo Bills and NY Giants. Both are now born again and are on program for Friday afternoon, during the Christian Education Association s programming. MINISTER S WIVES PREPARE -- (continued from page 3) Moore stresses that wives remember to rest by utilizing the example of pre-flight instructions on air carriers to put the oxygen mask on yourself before anyone that you re traveling with. Her admonition is that you won t be any good to anyone else, if we don t care for ourselves. Ruthe White is quoted as having said, The Pastor s wife is the only woman I know who is asked to work full-time without pay on her husband s job, in a role no one has yet defined. President Moore s message is Please take time for yourself, as we look forward to and past our April 2012 meeting.

6 SAMUEL J. GRIMES ACADEMY BRINGS INSIGHTS TO DISTRICT LEADERS Second Annual Ministerial Conference held in Bristol The Samuel J. Grimes Academy proved a valuable exchange for instruction and fellowship, with outstanding speakers and insights being shared. District Elder Tim Schofield, conference coordinator and District 23 head of Ecclesiastical Development, brought pastors and ministers from both District 23 and District 28 (the Virginia State Council) together for this year s Grimes Academy. In its second year, the 2012 Grimes Academy grew in number of attendees and touched on key topics for ministerial growth and leadership. District Elder Timothy Schofield Named for District 23 founder and former PAW Presiding Bishop Samuel J. Grimes, the event featured Evangelist Sheila Austin, Ph.D. leading Auburn University-Montgomery professor Dr. Sheila Austin at the SJG Academy sessions on Leadership vs. Management and Leadership Ethics ; The Challenge of Leading Leaders by Bishop Samuel R. Moore, M.Ed.; a curriculum presentation from Dr. Richard Wyser; and a Leadership/Laity Relationships panel discussion moderated by Suffragan Bishop Kelvin Cash. Contact District Elder Schofield to order DVDs of the 2012 Grimes Academy.

7 USHERING 101: A TEMPLATE FOR DISTRICT 23 S USHER BOARD District Usher Board President Charles Locke has a mission to develop the skills of our ushers and has developed a training document called Ushering 101: A Lesson of Encouragement and Empowerment. Ushering 101 positions the ministry of ushering in an important context as ministry, and it defines its role in the church in great detail (both biblically and in practical application). A copy of this outstanding position paper is available from the District 23 Usher Board, and can be obtained on-site at the upcoming Spring Convention. It is an inspiring tool for encouraging and empowering existing ushers and for the recruitment of others with an interest in joining the district ushers. As importantly, Ushering 101 will give non-ushers a greater appreciation of the key role that this ministry plays in the church. The Official Newsletter of the West Virginia & East Tennessee Council The District Messenger is published quarterly, under the auspices of the West Virginia & East Tennessee Council of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. The council is affiliate District 23 of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Diocesan: Bishop Samuel R. Moore Chairman: District Elder Thomas Moore Director, Department of Communications: Tim Moore Managing Editor: Ardella Brown Contributors: Bishop Samuel R. Moore, District Elder Timothy Schofield, District Elder Mark Redd, Elder Robert Gentry, Elder Tim Starkey, Evangelist Deborah Moore, and Charles Locke. West Virginia & East Tennessee Council of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. Articles can not be reprinted without the express written consent of the West Virginia & East Tennessee Council. Permission may be requested by ing wvandetennesseecommunications@msn.com. Information was requested for this newsletter, but was not submitted by the following areas of the council operation: Young People s Union Men s Ministry Women s Ministry

8 How many of these West Virginia & East Tennessee Council members can you identify?