Across the vast expanse of India,

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1 JUNE 2016 IN THIS ISSUE When Jesus is the Subject in Meghalaya...1 The Generational Impact of Church of God Radio on Cuba...2 CHOG in Germany, North America Partner in Response to German Refugee Crisis...3 Church s Vision for Children Yields Life-Giving Public School Partnerships...4 Park Place Anderson: More Than Bricks, Wooden Pews, and a Rich Heritage...5 Church of God in San Francisco: An Outpost of Grace...6 How TraffickLight Changed the Life of One of its Own...7 Former IYC Students Now Lead Students, Congregations...8 Longtime Missionaries to Haiti Retire, Leave Behind Legacy of Compassion...9 From the Archives: Doctrine Builds Strong Churches...11 CBH Retreat to the Cove 2016 is October 16 19, 2016, in Asheville, North Carolina. Register at www. cbhviewpoint.org. When Jesus is the Subject in Meghalaya By Carl Stagner Across the vast expanse of India, you ll find cultures as broad as the Bay of Bengal and as unique as the Taj Mahal. In the northeastern state of Meghalaya alone, you ll still find incredible diversity of culture, religion, and politics. Unfortunately, diversity all too often means division, even in the church. So it happened that Jim Lyon, whose history with India predates his service as general director of Church of God Ministries, was invited to speak to two separate assemblies of the Church of God in India. Providentially, the timing of both recent gatherings allowed Jim to make one trip and speak to both groups. Between an earthquake, cyclonic winds, and golf ball-sized hail, a concept, now familiar to the Church of God in the United States and Canada, was introduced that focused a divided region of the Church of God on their common subject. U n t i l J i m arrived, neither group knew the other had invited Jim to Meghalaya. And until 1940, the Church of God in Meghalaya was one. A.D. Khan and Nichols Roy, two primary pioneers of the Church FEASTING AND FELLOWSHIP WITH THE CHURCH OF GOD ECCLESIA. of God in India, no doubt envisioned a single body of the church. While there is much more history to be told, retold, and evaluated, in the final analysis, two groups emerged during the Indian independence movement a group claiming to be more conservative, and a group dubbed by the continued on page 14 SUBSCRIBE To subscribe to this e-newsletter, your request to CHOGnews@chog.org. YOUR NEWS To submit news items regarding your church, district, state/regional assembly, or organization for possible use in CHOGnews, send an to CHOGnews@chog.org along with a short summary, including contact information. For the most up-to-date news, go to GATHERING OF THE CHURCH OF GOD ECCLESIA UNDER A MASSIVE TENT. 1 June 2016

2 The Generational Impact of Church of God Radio on Cuba By Carl Stagner In March 2016, President Obama paid a historic visit to Cuba. For the first time in nearly ninety years, a sitting U.S. president visited the island nation, following a lift on the ban of commercial flights into Cuba. While the latest development in an attempt at diplomatic relations may have been breaking news in political circles, the Church of God reach into Cuba is nothing new. Since the first visit to Cuba by a Church of God evangelist in 1901, the impact of the Church of God on individuals and congregations there has continued. Not only have missionaries poured their lives into Cuba, but published material like La Trompeta has proven highly influential. Yet another constant source of the Good News since at least the 1970s has been Church of God radio. CBH-Spanish speaker Gilbert Davila tells the story of how it all began in Corpus Christi, Texas, with a 50,000- watt AM radio station. In those days, 50,000-watt stations were the strongest ones, he explains. The signal would skip over the Gulf of Mexico and into Cuba. About 1978, it was the outreach of the local church. We know people were listening in Cuba, because we began receiving correspondence. In those early days, Cuba was, in many ways, still recovering from the 1959 revolution. Though Cuba has been known to be restrictive to the advancement of the gospel, Gilbert accompanied Anderson College s Maurice Caldwell on a trip that would open their eyes to the desperate need of the people, and in particular, the small Church of God congregations. Upon return to the states, Gilbert was only more determined to inspire and teach through his radio ministry. Back in those years, we found that 6:00 in the morning on Saturday and Sunday were the best times for our signal to reach Cuba, he recounts. We would bombard them with as much as we could. And we received more and more correspondence. They sent Bibles and other Christian resources, including scripture calendars. They corresponded with believers who were hungry for the truth. Though commercial flights recently resumed between the United States and Cuba, on-the-ground visits as early as the late 1970s periodically sparked new life and a wave of encouragement among the movement there. Through ups and downs, the Cuban Church of God pressed on, but benefited all the while by the ministry of Gilbert Davila through his church s radio program and ultimately the ministry of CBH. In 1995, Gilbert Davila became the host for the Spanish broadcast of Christians Broadcasting Hope, Hermandad Cristiana. As time passed, Cubans advanced with technology, as did the radio ministry of the Church of God. While many listeners in Cuba hear the Good News proclaimed today through the Internet, Gilbert says much of the older generation are still tuning in the old-fashioned way. Whether by radio or handheld device, the people are hearing the truth of Christ. The biggest thing, Gilbert explains, is to spread the gospel. To go into all the world. Through radio, we re going to the uttermost parts of the earth. We re reaching Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Argentina, Gilbert and Melba Davila Santo Domingo, Spain, and more. We re reaching into penitentiaries, people who have told us they re in for life because they took someone s life, and they know they deserve to be there, but they ve been saved and are being fed by CBH. They know if they get out, or if they don t, they ve been changed. Government changes. Politics change. International alliances come and go. But the gospel never changes, nor the passion of the Church of God to advance the kingdom. We were able to do something when no one could go into Cuba, Gilbert reflects. And it all had to do with radio connections. And CBH has been the biggest connecter of all. Seeds sown in Cuba nearly forty years ago are bearing fruit today. The fiveyear-old kid that met the voice behind the radio, or the teenager that heard about Jesus as their family gathered around the radio, now represent those teaching a new generation about Christ. Today, Gilbert rejoices to hear updates from Church of God pastors born in Cuba, now serving as pastors in various churches across Cuba and the United States and Canada, too! Learn more about Christians Broadcasting Hope, and opportunities to partner with this global outreach, at 2 June 2016

3 CHOG in Germany, North America Partner in Response to German Refugee Crisis By Global Strategy Staff With nearly a million refugees slated to seek asylum, Germany is struggling to deal with the largest refugee crisis since the end of World War II. The country has received more requests for asylum than any other country, and the strain on the country s social services has been tremendous. Fortunately, the German Church of God (Freikirchlicher Bund der Gemeinde Gottes) has congregations that are mobilizing to assist those in need. However, the scale of this crisis is so great that the Church of God in Germany and the Church of God, through the Disaster Relief Committee at Church of God Ministries, have decided to tackle the crisis together. In recent years, the Church of God in Germany and the Church of God in North America, through Global Strategy personnel in Europe and the Middle East, have increasingly worked together and partnered in ministry. The XZ Berlin project, Pink Door, 3WLN (Three Worlds Leadership Network), German youth camps, internships, teaching at Fritzlar, and the Budapest Lectures in Hungary are just a few of the ways that we have interacted and partnered in ministry. Members from Global Strategy s Three Worlds (3W) mission team have played key roles in these ministries. At the most recent European Theological Conference, the 3W team was invited to share in the leadership of the event. Now is the time to respond to a critical urgent need and be the hands and feet of Jesus. To that end, the North American churches are being asked to be involved in a variety of ways. Three Worlds (Berlin) team member Audrey Weiger visited the site of some of the refugee camps and a congregation that is reaching out. She reported to the team, to the church in North America online, and via video. As she saw firsthand, a holistic ministry for Arabicspeaking meetings has been started in Bad Segeberg, meeting physical and spiritual needs. Other congregations in Germany, including those in Duisburg and Hamburg, are requesting teams from North America to come alongside and work with German Christians. The greatest need, though, is a financial one. In December 2015, the Church of God in North America, through the Disaster Relief Committee at Church of God Ministries, sent $10,000 to the Church of God in Germany. Earlier this year, the German church asked us to partner with them financially for the next two years. They were forecasting a shortfall of 24,000 in their budget for refugee ministries. Church leadership is challenging the congregations in Germany to meet half that need and they have asked the Church of God in North America to match that. Would you help us provide a matching gift of $15,000 through the Disaster Relief Fund at Church of God Ministries? As together we continue to respond to the refugee crisis in Germany, one of our aims is to partner with our experienced brothers and sisters in the Middle East to present training on preventing burnout and on leading the Muslim refugees we are serving into a relationship with Christ. We are excited about the possibility of bringing our brothers continued on page 12 3 June 2016 But if they did it to Moses, why can t I float him down the river? 2012 Kevin Spear kevin@kevinspear.com

4 Church s Vision for Children Yields Life-Giving Public School Partnerships By Carl Stagner I was in one of our Sunday morning worship services in the summer of The Lord prompted me to look at Judges 2:10, which describes a generation that knew not the Lord or his works. Then I looked out over our congregation and saw youth and children dispersed among the crowd. Most were engaged in the worship service, but there were a few that were completely disconnected and apparently disinterested. My heart was burdened for them. I was convicted in that moment to reevaluate how we do church, our focus, etc. Are we having church around and above the heads of our children? It was frightening to me to come to the realization that many of our children are church kids, but not born-again Christians. This realization changed Pastor D. H. Dawkins approach to ministry planning and practice. Less than half a year into what has been dubbed the Year of Children and Youth, no one at Praise Tabernacle International regrets this fundamental shift. Since the beginning of the year, the Church of God congregation in Plantation, Florida, has adopted a total of nine public schools in the area including elementary, middle, and high schools. Adoption includes not only blessings for the students, but for faculty and staff, as well. And when Praise Tabernacle adopts a school, they don t go halfway! Church volunteers serve as the hands and feet of Jesus while they: pray for students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis; prepare an appreciation breakfast for faculty and staff of each school, on site; host a service at Praise Tabernacle to celebrate the students and give bands, choirs, drama teams, and other student groups opportunity to participate; provide school supplies and other resources; PLANTATION HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH. make community service hours available through the church; mentor students; speak at events and rallies; and support activities for each school (sports games, concerts, etc.). The camaraderie between Broward Schools and the church has enhanced greatly, Dawkins explains. The schools and the church are the two most influential institutions, second only to the home, in the lives of our children and youth. The collaboration of the two has created a unity that is sparking a movement in the region. The schools are supporting the church, and the church is supporting the schools. Pastor Dawkins says it s as if the continued on page 12 4 June 2016

5 Park Place Anderson: More Than Bricks, Wooden Pews, and a Rich Heritage By Carl Stagner If you ve been to the campus of Anderson University, you ve probably noticed the towering presence of Park Place Church of God at the west end of Fifth Street. Chances are you ve been inside the building, the original portion of which dates back to While some may have come to associate the church with eras gone by, they re only seeing a very small picture. Though some may see the congregation as just a campus church, locals know the truth. Indeed, the heritage of Park Place is rich and beautiful, and many AU students and professors attend services. But the real story is the incredible impact this multigenerational church is having on its community today. Consider the food pantry, which has been steadily operating and ministering to needy neighbors since the 1960s, if not earlier. Joe Womack, who has been volunteering for the pantry since 2001, says that no one can remember any point in the pantry s history at which someone BICYCLE SAFETY CLASS FOR CHILDREN. had to be turned away due to empty shelves. He also explains that while there were 674 recorded visits in 1997, the more than 22,000 visits in 2014 demonstrates an increasing demand but also an increasing support of a congregation that wants to serve. The food pantry is more than just a distribution center for food. It s a distribution center for hope. Sydney Johnson, founder of Children of Promise and regular volunteer for the pantry, knows this fact firsthand. On Mondays, he can be found visiting with guests of the pantry, listening to their stories, and praying with them. He recalls those who have returned to report successful surgeries and healing. He recalls listening to the story of a woman who was carrying a heavy burden for a teenage son reaping the consequence of a string of poor choices. One young woman was also suffering such consequences, yet found a listening, caring friend in Mac. At the Park Place food pantry, guests walk in Monday through Friday for nonperishable INSIDE PARK PLACE CHURCH OF GOD. goods, but have the opportunity each day to leave with inextinguishable hope. Every day I think, here I am at almost ninety years old and I have this wonderful ministry, Sydney reflects. I can t go overseas anymore, but God has given me this ministry here. In 2010, the church took a bold step to expand their ministry reach by acquiring the former elementary school that lay vacant behind their facility. Now the Park Place Community Center not only serves as home for the expanded food pantry, but also provides space for the church s After School Fun (free) outreach to children, Stripped Love of CHOG TraffickLight, Safe Families, local artists, Upward basketball, nutrition classes, a community garden, an office of Community Hospital, and a service that helps at-risk teens obtain a high school diploma. Though not all of the offerings are direct outreach efforts of Park Place, the Community Center has allowed the church to partner effectively with existing agencies for maximum community impact. Kristin Stayer, who provides executive leadership for the Community Center, couldn t be more encouraged by the ways God is working. continued on next page 5 June 2016

6 Church of God in San Francisco: An Outpost of Grace By Carl Stagner This definitely isn t the Bible Belt, Pastor Mike Moberg explains, as he considers the unique aspects of the prevailing culture in San Francisco. But when you find yourself saying somebody ought to do something, FOOD FOR THE BODY AND SOUL OFFERED AT THE SOUP KITCHEN. it s kind of a dangerous thing. Mike and his wife Ann began ministering at the Church of God in San Francisco, California, in 1994, and haven t let up since. While it s not glamorous spreading the gospel in the city of the Golden Gate, it s certainly of eternal significance. Like other urban ministry centers, Church of God Outpost struggles for income and attendance, yet celebrates stories of life change you won t hear anywhere else. This San Francisco ministry team isn t concerned about a full house, however; they ve realized they were the ones God was calling to be bold and offer grace to the least of these. At first, there was San Francisco First Church of God, founded in That wasn t enough. Pastor Mike and Ann wanted to do more, and more needed to be done. They began hosting groups for short-term mission work in their home and at the church. Providing necessary services for the church s outreach, and offering groups of youth and adults the chance to experience urban missions, the San Francisco Mission Outpost brought the church to its present location in the heart of the city. Offering a third service to the community, the church began investing in the children of the community through Crossroads Ministries. Now the Church of God in San Francisco is one, but one in three transformative expressions. We had to think outside of the box, Mike explains. The people that attend our church are the last and the lost and the least. And you really can t depend on a tithing base. It s a loavesand-fishes experience, but God has provided, even when it seemed impossible to move forward. The mission was launched as an outpost intentionally named as a halted command to protect against advances of the enemy. Since the first group came in 2000, this outpost has not only served to protect against the dark forces Park Place Anderson... continued from previous page She s also noticed a change in herself. Working for the Community Center has enriched my life by seeing the growth of individuals, our neighborhood, and city, Kristin explains. I have met many unique and talented individuals that have inspired my life and the work I do. I love working with our many partners across the city and creating change together. God has been present through the small and large details, experiences, and relationships. The breadth of life-giving ministries at Park Place extends beyond the Community Center. The congregation s fervor for local and global ministry has resulted in a far-reaching, diverse impact. From the worship services, to the growing youth and college student ministries, to the longstanding children s center and preschool, Park Place Church of God continues to unfold new pages of its rich history-in-the-making. Pastor David Markle offers some insights. I treasure the heritage of ministry and compassion stretching the world that has originated from right here, he explains. As we learn the story of our own congregation, what rises up to speak to us today? What is the fingerprint of God s vision for our church? Our task is to fulfill God s assignment for us in the kingdom. Life is just rich in giving witness to the reality of Christ. And if I m listening well, God is always speaking. Were you blessed by reading this story? Support the ongoing work of Church of God Ministries with your gift to the World Ministry Fund at world-ministry-fund/. continued on page 13 MENTORING MINISTRY AT PARK PLACE. 6 June 2016

7 How TraffickLight Changed the Life of One of its Own By Carl Stagner Meet Merissa Milnickel. A senior now at Anderson University, she found the Church of God institution through a Google search, and the rest is history. Rich history. Three years so far of discovering her weaknesses and strengths, discerning her passions from among the mundane, and exploring her faith. She s long felt a burden for the fight against human trafficking, but after deep involvement in the cause through Anderson University and Church of God Ministries, she experienced personally the heart of God for the enslaved, the hopeless, and the lost. While she was busy leading the AU student group Bound and supporting the advocacy efforts of TraffickLight, God was revealing his heart for her, too. God was changing Merissa one tweet at a time. Merissa Milnickel has poured her soul into providing months of social media support for TraffickLight, the Church of God initiative to join Christ s work to 䔀搀甀挀愀琀椀漀渀眀椀琀栀愀瀀甀爀瀀漀猀攀 伀渀 ⴀ 挀愀洀瀀甀猀 Ⰰ 漀渀氀椀渀攀愀渀搀最爀愀搀甀愀琀攀瀀爀漀最爀愀洀猀愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 眀眀眀 䴀䄀䌀唀 攀搀甀 fulfil Isaiah 61. Through Twitter and Facebook, she has kept you in-the-know with all the latest developments in the fight against human trafficking. But her work has encompassed more than a tablet and a WiFi signal. She s also the president of Bound, a ministry started five years ago by Audrey Weiger, champion of the cause for freedom through Global Strategy. In spite of her busy college-life, Merissa ultimately carved out time in her Freshman-year schedule for human trafficking awareness. Changing my major, and learning how to manage self-care, a social life, and homework kept me quite busy, she reflects. At the end of the year, I was exhausted and looking for an opportunity to take my mind off of my own BOUND STUDENT GROUP RAISES AWARENESS ON THE AU CAMPUS. problems for a while. I decided to attend Stand for Freedom, a twenty-four-hour prayer and worship event hosted annually by Bound. Statistics about the number of victims and pimps, information about trafficking, and ways to pray lined the walls. I found myself in a pew, staring at the evidence of brokenness around me, and began to feel overwhelmed. How could God allow this atrocity to happen? What compels people to do this? How do people overcome trauma? Conviction hit Merissa hard that day. Searching the scriptures, especially Isaiah 58, compelled her to realize her role in God s redemptive story for all the hurting and broken. Reflecting on her experience tweeting and posting for TraffickLight, Merissa notes the disconnect that sometimes appears between what s really important, and what ultimately just doesn t matter. Culture, even church culture, often confuses the two. When topics begin to trend or go viral on social media, they achieve a level of popularity, which gives them worth and an inherent sense of relevance, Merissa explains. In my opinion, there is no cause more worthy than the freedom of men, women, and children all over the world! Though God s hand on Traffick- 7 June 2016 continued on page 10

8 Former IYC Students Now Lead Students, Congregations By Sam Rainey Thousands of teens and leaders gather together every two years for what could be the moment of a lifetime. For four days, the International Youth Convention allows teens to experience everything from outreach projects to live concerts to powerful speakers and worship. It could be simple to see IYC as just another Christian convention. But it is so much more than that. IYC is a vessel full of stories, an event that holds in its history of fortynine previous conventions thousands of testimonies and life-changing moments, every single one of them of unending value and continuing reach. Kayla Harden was, in her own words, extremely isolated and alone. She was, in fact, being bullied to the point of wanting to switch schools. As she came to IYC2002 in Denver, Colorado, though, Kayla was excited because she had heard so much about past IYCs. She was overwhelmed by the chance to worship with thousands of other teens, with some of them probably feeling just as lonely. Then, during the event, Christ met Kayla right where she was. She explains that, at IYC2002, her loneliness faded as God reminded [her] that [she] wasn t truly alone. Up to that point in her life, she had a relationship with Christ, but her faith was only surfacelevel. She went to church and knew the right answers, but her faith life seemed to be all about rules. In the atmosphere of a large youth event like IYC, Kayla found that God would care about her and would never leave her behind. She began to truly develop her relationship with Jesus. After her experiences at IYC, JOSH DEETER KAYLA HARDEN she felt the calling to become a youth leader. She is now the student ministries pastor at West Side Church of God in Glendale, Arizona. Throughout her spiritual life, she has found God present, working behind the scenes, drawing [her] closer to him. And now as someone who brings youth to IYC, she finds that the event is a chance for her to see God work in her students lives. Josh Deeter grew up in a home that didn t frequently go to church. The extent of his experiences during his elementary years were mostly Christmas and Easter services. He categorized himself as a young seeker, someone who hadn t quite found God yet. During the sixth grade, Josh started coming to church more often because of an invitation from his cousin, and a year later, he was preparing to go to his first IYC IYC1998 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was ready to have fun, feeling like the trip was a vacation with a bunch of friends. Once he got there, it was unlike anything he had experienced before. He was encouraged by the fact that the people there were full of energy, aimed at worshipping God and drawing closer to him. This event would hold a lot more for him, though. It was there that he fully gave his life to Christ. After the speaker had presented the gospel, he spoke a prayer for the Lord to enter his heart and ultimately to enter the hearts of his family. Over the next year, Josh convinced his parents and two brothers to come to church with him and encouraged them to accept Jesus. Eventually, they all did. At the next IYC, he made an official commitment to ministry which, from then to now, he feels has been a journey. Since his commitment, Josh has graduated from Anderson University, obtained a master of divinity, and is now the lead pastor of First Church of God in Tallmadge, Ohio. His journey has even led him to help organize IYC2008 as an IYC intern, which he calls the most fulfilling thing [he had] done. Planning for and participating in a convention that changed his life for the better was exhilarating. Students who have experienced life change at IYC, like Craig Knisley, Alyssa Peterson, and Katelyn Parson, are just a few more of the countless examples of how God has changed young people s lives and paths through the International Youth Convention of the Church of God. Let s pray and believe that this year s IYC will hold many more stories of redemption and hope, with all glory going back to the Father. Your student ministries group can still register for IYC2016 at the door. For details, visit 8 June 2016

9 Longtime Missionaries to Haiti Retire, Leave Behind Legacy of Compassion By Carl Stagner One of the most devastating earthquakes of the century struck the land, and they were there. When political and economic upheaval ensued, they were there. When crime didn t decline, and poverty remained, they remained, too. Facing busy schedules and fatigue, they nevertheless lent a hand when other missionaries and ex-pats were in need. Exemplary Church of God missionaries to Haiti for the last thirty years, John and Jodie Ackerman let the compassion of Christ flow through them to the least of these under less-than-ideal conditions. Though they ll soon be retiring from career missionary service, a legacy of compassion will no doubt carry on. Chief among John s pursuits has been ministry through medicine at the Church of God medical clinic in Prospere, while Jodie has served with excellence at Quisqueya Christian School. While it is true that they ve blessed and taught others, God has also blessed and taught them. Even though you know you are called and think you know what God wants you to do, things are never cut-and-dried and easy to sort out, Jodie and John reflect. It takes learning the culture and talking to people, and a willingness to fail. It requires a certain humility that you don t have all the answers, perhaps even spiritually, as well as practically. We have also learned that the boundaries and categories we tend to use in the U.S. don t apply here. We need to be open to how God is working and whom he is using. We are not the ones with all the answers! Of all the accomplishments God has brought about through John and Jodie, a few rise above the rest in their minds. Besides the day-to-day medical support, John recalls specific miracles, such as helping one young girl receive heart surgery in the United States. Jodie thinks back over her teaching career and the glimpses of God at work among the children. Both see their support of other missionaries and ex-pats as vital to their presence on the island nation. Whether they offered these fellow men and women medical attention or hospitality in their home, they were blessed beyond measure to do so. Haiti can be a difficult place to live and work, so community is very important to all of us, Jodie explains. When John and Jodie began serving in Haiti in January 1986, they had no idea what they were getting into. The political leader was ousted, protests were ongoing, employees went on strike, and the overall climate just wasn t very welcoming. John and Jodie describe what happened as a series of coups and political problems that they simply weren t expecting. But they knew they were called. As former missionaries Phil and Lonnie Murphy explain, John s sentiment was, The Haitians cannot leave, and if they cannot leave, why should I? And it is in the tough times that they need us the most. Other missionaries who have worked closely with John and Jodie Ackerman since 1986 are quick to affirm such a legacy of compassion: Whether it be tending to people s physical needs and diseases one person at a time, or making a lasting impression on a classroom of little ones over a school year, John and Jodie have made an enduring mark on at least two or three generations of Haitians, and international families serving Haitians. Larry Sellers Regardless of the situation or circumstances, John and Jodie always showed compassion by rolling up their sleeves and doing what they could to help. They both have huge hearts full of compassion. Art Clawson John genuinely cares for the poor and marginalized of this world. When we think of Jodie, we think of the word dedication. Haiti will miss them, but the seeds they have planted will continue to grow and produce fruit. Phil and Lonnie Murphy John and Jodie are fixtures in Haiti who have been there to pave the way for others. Our story is not unique. As we talk to others from the village of Prospere to Quisqueya Christian School to our place where we worship together on Sundays, John and Jodie have made a difference and have been there for so many. Mark and Kathy Fulton Mark and Kathy Fulton carry on the vital work of medical missions in continued on page 10 9 June 2016

10 How TraffickLight Changed the Life of One of its Own... continued from page 7 Longtime Missionaries to Haiti... continued from page 9 Light has touched victims of trafficking and organizations that promote trafficking prevention, it has also touched Merissa s heart. Confronting these and other social issues has, in her words, forever altered [her] perception of the world. She explains, I cannot drive down Scatterfield Road, see a homeless person, and look the other way as if that person is not a part of my world. Meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures, and learning to love them, has taught me the value of living collectively. Merissa also can t help but see the correlation between her choice to step up and serve, and God s restorative hand on her own life. I had been struggling with anxiety, depression, and regrets from the past for years, never sharing them with anyone, she recounts. God was asking me to help others around me who were worse off than I was, and when I answered his call to love others, he would bring me healing. The darkness may abound, but because of Christ s love and Merissa s experience with TraffickLight, she has come to the following conclusion: In such a broken world, I do not despair or wallow in disbelief; rather, I have realized that Jesus is the only way out of a truly deviant and broken situation. The Lord calls us into the darkness. He wants us to face it head-on with a full heart, and will equip us to go forth into places we may never have believed we would find ourselves like street corners filled with drug addicts, and filling gift bags for women who work in strip TOP, MERISSA (RIGHT) WITH ABBY KNOWLES AND KIMBERLY MAJESKI. BOTTOM, MERISSA SPEAKS TO STUDENTS AT EAST SIDE CHURCH OF GOD. clubs. Our lives are not our own. We were bought at a price, so that no one would ever have to experience shame, captivity, or oppression. Until our race is finished, we must press on and proclaim freedom to everyone! You can get involved in the fight for freedom, too. Visit org. to learn more! Anderson University School of Theology Master of Arts in Christian Ministry This 48-hour program is offered 100% online. This degree is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, one of only six fully online professional degrees in North America. Students from across the globe have benefited from this intentionally designed degree program. Why not join them? For more information visit Apply online today! 10 June 2016 Haiti for the Church of God. John and Jodie explain in their farewell letter, We are very happy to have Mark and Kathy Fulton here in Haiti now to carry on the medical ministry through the Church of God clinic in Saintard. If you would like to continue to support Haiti and healthcare here, please consider transferring your support to the Fultons. Following the evening session at the Regional Convention in Anderson, Indiana, on Tuesday, June 21, Global Strategy will host a reception to honor John and Jodie. Plan now to attend, and register for the convention at To transfer support to the Fultons, please contact Global Strategy s Debbie Taylor at , ext or DTaylor@chog.org. To give online, or to learn more about Global Strategy, visit

11 From the Archives: Doctrine Builds Strong Churches By Lillie McCutcheon Jesus was a strong doctrinal preacher. From his inaugural text, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt 4:17), to the consummation of his ministry in Pilate s judgment hall when he said, My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), our Lord proclaimed doctrine. The kingdom was a choice theme, and numerous parables depict its spiritual nature in contrast to a materialistic or political dominion. Repeatedly, the Gospels record, The people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matt 7:28 29*). Our Lord s criterion for building his church was not sensationalism., emotionalism, or high-pressure technique. He proclaimed powerful doctrinal concepts of the divine Trinity. Sin and humanity s depraved nature were vividly exposed. He heralded the power of the blood for atonement and sanctifying grace. His miracles affirmed the power of divine healing. The foundation of the church was firmly established on the doctrinal base of our Lord s divinity. Jesus expounded the immortality of the soul and resurrection of the body. The Lord s return, righteous judgment, and future rewards of heaven or hell constituted integral topics of his doctrine. The master builder did not entice followers with promises of an easy religion, but rather challenged them with a cross. He plainly said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine (John 7:16 17). The disciples followed the Lord s example and became doctrinal preachers. It was said of them, Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine (Acts 5:28). Of the first-century church it is written, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship (Acts 2:42). Paul, the pioneer apostle who established the church all over the known world of his day, placed major emphasis on doctrine. He advised the Christians in Rome, writing, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them (Rom 16:17). Timothy was instructed with the words, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee (1 Tim 4:16). The survival of the church throughout the centuries must be attributed to building upon sound doctrine. Historical records give evidence that the church prevailed in spite of dungeon, fire, sword, persecution, and death because endurance is the fruit of strong indoctrination. Paul was careful to warn that doctrine must be balanced with love. He advised the Ephesian church, saying, That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Eph 4:14 15). As faith must be balanced with works, so doctrine must be counterpoised with love. What the bone structure is to the physical body, doctrine is to the church. However, doctrine alone can be a skeleton without the sinews of the muscles of love and the breath of the Spirit. Congregations without doctrinal instruction are like ships sailing without a compass. Confusion, insecurity, and division are the plagues that impede the spiritual growth and progress of the people without the teaching of sound doctrine. The church of the twentieth century would do well to remember, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim 3:16). The second century of the reformation movement will be written only as we revive, proclaim, and practice the doctrine of the New Testament. The late Lillie McCutcheon was a beloved, longtime pastor and evangelist in the Church of God. Article originally published in the October 5, 1980, issue of Vital Christianity. Republished by permission. *All excerpts of Scripture taken from the King James Version. Were you blessed by reading this story? Support the ongoing work of Church of God Ministries with your gift to the World Ministry Fund at org/world-ministry-fund/. 11 June 2016

12 Germany, North America CHOG Partner in Response to German Refugee Crisis continued from page 3 and sisters in the Middle East into this partnership, making it truly multicultural and global. The response to the refugee crisis is truly an opportunity to show that we are serious about Jesus being the subject. Nationality, geographical distance, past histories, and territorialism have no place in the church if we are serious about serving Jesus. I am so amazed and thankful to see the new kind of cooperation from the churches in North America and Germany because of the refugee crisis, says Rainer Klinner, director of ministry in the Church of God in Germany. May God find us faithful as we use this opportunity to respond to a crisis, share the gospel, and model to the world that the church is relevant because Jesus is the subject, transforming heart and lives. As the Disaster Relief Committee and Global Strategy partner with the Church of God in Germany to work with refugees, would you consider donating today to the Disaster Relief Fund? You can also send your donation to Attn: Disaster Relief, Church of God Ministries, PO Box 2420, Anderson, IN Be certain to clearly designate your gift to Project # On June 23, following the Regional Convention of the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, the CHOG Table event will be focused on refugee and immigration issues. We invite you to participate. Members of Global Strategy s Three World s team will be participating, as will Frank Bonkowski, a German pastor who will be discussing how Germany is responding to refugee and immigration issues. For more information about this event and to register, visit Church s Vision for Children Yields Life-Giving Public School Partnerships continued from page 4 schools have actually been waiting for the church to come in, though they ve not extended any formal invitation. Schools are in great need, but more often than not, neither the church nor the school do anything about it, for fear of separation of church and state. But it can be done, and Praise Tabernacle International testifies to this fact. The idea that people of faith the church cannot engage freely MENTORING STUDENTS AT A PIPER HIGH SCHOOL ASSEMBLY. with the public school system is only a reality to those who haven t used wisdom to merge together, Dawkins asserts. Praise Tabernacle stepped out in faith, and God is blessing. Wise integration of faith and education through Christ s love in and around Plantation, Florida, has led to dozens of people accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord. Those saved have included principals, teachers, students, and parents! Praise Tabernacle has decided to stop adding additional schools to their adoption list in order to focus their attention building lasting relationships. In addition, the church has implemented training for children s ministry and youth ministry volunteers. Ultimately, they envision a redesign of their sanctuary and children s ministry wings for a multi-sensory, student-friendly space. But first, they re planning a Friends and Family Month for July, during which Sundays will be limited to one service, followed by recreation, competitions, sports, bounce houses, and a diverse menu each week to reflect the diverse demographics at Praise Tabernacle barbecue, Latin, Caribbean, and soul food. My prayer is that God will prepare us for the harvest that has been waiting on us, Dawkins explains. For too long we have analyzed the bait, when the bait was never for the caught, but for the catch. Were you blessed by reading this story? Support the ongoing work of Church of God Ministries with your gift to the World Ministry Fund at world-ministry-fund/. NOVA HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH 12 June 2016

13 Church of God in San Francisco... continued from page 6 of evil, but also to go a step further and take back what hell has stolen. Perhaps that s why they re so driven to leave the ninety-nine for the one lost sheep. It s a slow process with conversions and baptisms, Mike reflects. Helping people with mental issues, addiction issues, earning the right to speak into their lives. A lot of times, people enter the church and later relapse, but when they finally turn the corner, it s an amazing, miraculous thing! Mike tells of one who was struggling with drug abuse to the brink of death. This walking zombie, as Mike described him, has now been completely clean and sober for two years. Now he s serving on the board! So is one who was involved in the gay lifestyle. We have people coming in from time to time that may be transgender, transsexual, or gay, Mike explains. They feel welcome here. We try to love them. You may see a guy coming in wearing a dress, and the tendency may be want to put them in a pair of pants, but we have to love them. Even though we re preaching biblical standards, they feel loved, so they often stay. And we ve earned the right to speak the truth to them. A unique advantage of the Church of God Outpost in San Francisco is its ability to reach neighbors through a congregation that lives among the poorest of the poor. Whether they live on the street or in residential hotels, they are proving to be salt and light. In the way that they live and love, they re being Jesus to people the traditional church has a hard time reaching. Urban residents know they have a neighborhood church that is there for them, and though the church won t compromise on principles, grace is abundant. Some of our Crossroads children that started in 1995 have gotten into drugs, others have even been killed, Mike reflects. But they were given life skills and opportunities they wouldn t have had if they d gone the direction of their peers. And as they ve gotten older, some have come back to us because they know they MINISTRY ON THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO. have a neighborhood church. From time to time, we ve had bullets come through the building. It s not as bad as it was, and we still have difficulties, but it s our neighborhood. Anderson University and Warner Pacific College, as well as student ministries groups and adult groups have experienced urban ministry in San Francisco through Church of God Outpost. For more information on how you can schedule such an experience, visit www. sfmo.org. Were you blessed by reading this story? Support the ongoing work of Church of God Ministries with your gift to the World Ministry Fund at Anderson University is the flagship school of the Church of God. For nearly 100 years, we ve trained people to serve Christ in the church and society. Thank you for supporting AU and Christian higher education. To learn more, visit anderson.edu. 13 June 2016

14 When Jesus is the Subject in Meghalaya Continued from page 1 other as liberal. Politics and culture also had a role to play in the shaping of the church s history, yet each group today looks and functions in a remarkably similar fashion. Both groups lift up the name of Jesus Christ and serve him with fervor and grace, framed by the global Church of God movement. The group that onlookers might describe as more conservative is known as Ecclesia. A yearlong celebration of their seventy-fifth anniversary at Umsning would conclude with Jim as guest speaker. To the south, the Qualapatti group directly descended from Nichols Roy would convene at the Nongthymmai church for the twentyfifth anniversary of the Nongthymmai congregation. The Ecclesia group gathered by the thousands under a massive outdoor tent, in addition to overflow on the lawn and balconies of surrounding buildings. The Qualapatti group convened in the enormous new sanctuary of the Nongthymmai church, also spilling outside. Though drawing crowds not nearly the size of a Church of God centennial celebration at a soccer stadium fourteen years ago one report suggests 100,000 attendees each gathering still saw impressive numbers. At both events, Jim spoke to the convention themes. Though each convention emphasized God s faithfulness and provision for what God had done over the years, he found opportunity to point everything back to Jesus. The Church of God in India, as in many parts of the world, is animated by the Holy Spirit, Jim recounts. But sometimes we could all do well to remember that Jesus is the subject. The Lord is at work in both, but Christ is the answer to our primary themes of unity and holiness. If you want the body of Christ to be one, you start with Jesus. If you want to be holy, Jesus is your starting place: no one can teach holiness like him. Making Jesus the central idea cements our identity in him. For a while, it seemed that the idea wasn t resonating. But at the conclusion of the message to the Qualapatti group, Bakyrman Nongplugh, who was chairing the service that night, took a rather unusual step in light of local church culture. Moments of invitation and response in Meghalaya don t always resemble what Westerners have come to formulate. But something was different on this closing night of the celebration. Inviting the believers to the front of the building, Bakyrman asked Jim and multiple other pastors to stand at the front and pray with those who needed to respond to the message. Hundreds of people stood in line for prayer, confessing sins, seeking repentance, and wanting to put Jesus first. This went on for at least ninety minutes, Jim recalls. The powerful stories of heart-cry, redemption, and healing honestly, it was one of the most powerful moments I ve experienced in years. Even after it was over, people still hung around and just wouldn t leave, because there was so much life in the room. When Jesus is the subject, there is so much power that is unleashed from heaven s gate. The world isn t waiting for another church meeting. They re waiting for Jesus. Incredibly, but not surprisingly, the Ecclesia group also responded in a remarkable way to the message that Jesus is the subject. For more than a century, the influence of the Church of God in Meghalaya has been evident. From schools to medical clinics, the Lord has used the movement to make a tangible difference in the culture. Even in government, the Church of God has made its mark. Nichols Roy is a hero in India, Jim explains. He has two articles in the 14 June 2016 constitution, which he drafted. One protects the representation of smaller states in India. The other is known as the Nichols Roy Amendment. The Nichols Roy Amendment came about after well-meaning attempts at religious freedom could have gone too far. Prevailing wisdom at the time suggested that citizens could be free to follow whichever religion they choose, but that they should not proselytize. The only problem with that, Nichols Roy argued, was that Christians could not practice their faith without sharing it. The vote came down to Nichols Roy. Even today, there is a Hindu fundamentalist group opposed to the Nichols Roy Amendment. But it s our guy! Jim exclaims. Imagine! The Church of God spoke into a world that has guaranteed, by law, the right of Christians to share their faith! Even among the Ecclesia group, the new, younger leaders have indicated budding respect for Nichols Roy. I love these people, Jim reflects. They are some of the best and brightest on the planet. I do believe that we re moving into a chapter where the new generation that didn t live in the drama of years gone by realize something is missing. Something is missing when two groups who proclaim unity and holiness don t talk with each other. I m excited that there is some movement in the right direction. Were you blessed by reading this story? Support the ongoing work of Church of God Ministries with your gift to the World Ministry Fund at org/world-ministry-fund/.

15 2016 CHURCH OF GOD REGIONAL CONVENTIONS SP E A K E R S A N D A RT I S T S Each speaker brings unique capacity to the Convention, from Reggie s missional focus, to Steve s insights on personal wholeness, to Ben s dynamic approach to discipleship, to Milton s experience in transformational ministry. The whole package will empower you to seize the moment, reclaiming your neighbors and communities for Jesus sake. JOIN US AT THE TABLE REGISTER TODAY TABLE TOPICS jesusisthesubject.org Vancouver, WA APRIL Creating space. Engaging the world. Join us on the third day of each convention as we gather around the critical issues of our time. Guided by the Spirit and anchored in scripture, our goals are to collaborate in a safe, open space; honor disparate views; and seek the common ground that unifies our Movement as we wrestle with how to best follow Jesus in this complex world. Vancouver: SEXUAL ETHICS Anderson: IMMIGRATION Philadelphia: RACIAL RECONCILIATION Anderson, IN JUNE Philadelphia, PA SEPT June 2016