MAY 2013 - Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ

MAY 2013MAY\13 ~ 1

general ministryconference2013The Peabody3 Statehouse PlazaLittle Rock, AR 72201For reservations call: 501-906-4000Rates (plus tax):Single/Double $117Triple $127Quad $137GMC 13 Displays Coordinator:Annie Akersannielakers@gmail.comGMC 2013 Resolutions Chairman:Wylie Rhinehart Jr.198 E. Downey Dr.Springfield, Ohio 45504ThePOD168@AOL.Com937.287.6382Resolutions must be submitted no later than 6 fullweeks prior to the first day of General MinistryConference. There is a $20 fee per resolution. Thedeadline for resolutions this year is May 13, 2013.

Special SpeakersRoland Baker • Robert Martin • Kenny ChessorStephen Trachsel Jr • Cory Porterfield • Craig TaylorSpecial Music MinistryLarry CarterIntroducing Empower for young men ages 12-18Empower for the young men will simultaneously be going on in the James R. Stephens Family Life Center of FACEarly Registration: • $40 per person / $45 at the doorSend to: FAC - 1723 William Blount Drive • Maryville, TN 37601The Courtyard by Marriott KnoxvilleAirport/ Alcoa141 Furrow Way • Alcoa, TN 37701(865)977-8333$89 + taxHotelsFairfield Inn by Marriott126 Cusick RoadAlcoa, TN 37701(865)984-9350$70 + taxHoliday Inn Express130 Associates BlvdAlcoa, TN 37701(865)981-9008$89 + taxRooms are blocked under “ALJC Men’s Conference” and will be dropped Aug. 28.4 Apostolic Witness

C O N T E N T SEDITOR’S PERSPECTIVERick Hilton............................................6by LaTrisa PressonFROM THE SUPERINTENDENTRobert Martin.......................................8MISSIONS AMERICACheryl Thompson, Bob Koonce.............1 6KIDZQUESTJosh Wilson........................................2110WORLD MISSIONSM.L. Walls, Mark Naimy,14Shirley Hickman, Toufic Azar................22EVANGELIST DEPARTMENTDavid Walker, Chris Leach...................2 5YOUR CHURCHby Jonathan VazquezPaul Murray.......................................2 6N A T I O N A L D E P A R T M E N T D I R E C T O R SWorld MissionsM.L. WallsMissions AmericaGeorge AkersMenistryKenny CarpenterWomen’s EspritPenny CarpenterApostolic CrusadersChad EricksonKidzQuestNathan RobertsEvangelist DepartmentMark BishopChristian Schools DepartmentJoe Nelson

The EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVERICK HILTONMay we so lovethe Church thatit transforms thelives of our childrenfor generations tocome. Thank Godthat through gracewe all share thesame promise.To Jerusalem,which is above isfree, we honor themother of us all!In Galatians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul contrasts the covenant God made with Hispeople and the covenant He made with Haggai, the bondwoman who served Abraham.One covenant was made with a bondwoman; the other with a free woman. Onecovenant was made after the flesh; the other covenant was made after the promise. Onecovenant was made on Mt. Sinai; the other was made in a much better place, Jerusalem.In verse 26, Paul declares that “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother ofus all.”In the flesh, I was never privileged to claim an Apostolic heritage. Throughout myyouth until now, I have been blessed with friends whose faith has been handed downthrough many generations. The beauty of such an heritage has always appealed to me.One day, I hope to see my children, grandchildren and more walking in this marvelouslight.Yet, I am a product of bus ministry and a loving church family. The home I grew upin was not only a broken home but it was also a divided one. It was a home where a youngperson earnestly seeking to honor God and parents would sometimes feel forced to choosebetween the two. Even today, I am convinced that there are more teens and young adultswho are confused and feel torn in this manner.One of the most wondrous things about the Church is its composition. While it iscomprised of those like my dear wife who is a fourth generation Pentecostal, it is alsoopen to “whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Paul was trying to impressupon the church at Galatia a point that should come as a powerful revelation to anyonewho has ever been confused about the honor that is due God, the Church and our parents“after the flesh.”The Apostle Paul taught the Galatians that when they were born after the Spirit, theybecame the children of promise. Whether your earliest memories are falling asleep on achurch pew as a toddler or, like me, you came along later, it makes no difference. You see,Paul was not contrasting those with heritage and those without. He was making the muchbroader point that we all have become heirs through the spirit of adoption.To every young person who lives in a home divided with believers and nonbelievers,allow me to boldly declare this point to you. It is not important how you became childrenafter the bondwoman. That is, God does not hold against you the deeds of others. Rather,what is important to God is that we all become children of the free woman.Think it not coincidence that Paul said that Jerusalem is our mother. The children ofpromise owe a debt of honor to the Church. May we live in a way that brings glory to theoffice of motherhood. May we be faithful to visit, spend time and take care of the churchwherein we were born. And may we so love the Church that it transforms the lives of ourchildren for generations to come. Thank God that through grace we all share the samepromise. To Jerusalem, which is above is free, we honor the mother of us all!6 Apostolic Witness

ASSEMBLIES of the LORD JESUS CHRISTDOCTRINAL TRUTHSREADER SERVICESend correspondence to:Apostolic Witness10770 Greenwell Springs Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70814Fax: 225.275.8905Email: rickhilton0970@gmail.comLetters may be edited for space and clarity.Send all offerings to Headquartersdesignated by department to:ALJCPO Box 22366Memphis, TN 381222012-13Financially Supporting All 8 ALJC DepartmentsMonthly Offerings to World Missions & Missions AmericaAnd Annual Offerings to each department listed below:4 August 31 - Piggy Bank Offering (KidzQuest)4 October 31 - Overflow Offering (Apostolic Crusaders)4 November 30 - Missionary Christmas Offering (World Missions)4 January 31 - Missions Evangelism Offering (Evangelist Department)4 March 31 - Scholarship Fund Offering (Christian Schools Department)4 April 30 - Resurrection Sunday Offering (Missions America)4 May 31 - Channels of Blessings Offering (Women’s Esprit)June 30 - MANna Offering (Menistry)The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ asserts that the Bible is the inspired Wordof God, and that the fundamental plan of salvation consists of these major doctrinaltruths: Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the one true God; Repentance fromsins; Baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ; Baptism of theHoly Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues.ALABAMA DISTRICTJames KnightARKANSAS DISTRICTLarry DavidsonFLORIDA DISTRICTStephen ReedGEORGIA DISTRICTNathan CarrellGULF COAST DISTRICTJames JohnsonHEARTLAND DISTRICTEdward MacDonaldILLINOIS DISTRICTFrancis FarneyINDIANA DISTRICTDanny St. ClairEXECUTIVE BOARDGENERAL SUPERINTENDENT • Robert MartinSOUTHERN REGIONAL Assistant • Mark McCoolnorthern REGIONAL assistant • Tim Gillwestern regionAL Assistant • Charles HancockGENERAL SECRETARY • Roger GrayWORLD MISSIONS DIRECTORM.L. WallsMISSIONS AMERICA DIRECTORGeorge AkersEVANGELIST DIRECTORMark BishopCHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTORNathan RobertsDISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTSKENTUCKY DISTRICTJoel ClemonsLOUISIANA DISTRICTDavid PooleMICHIGAN DISTRICTShannon ScottMISSISSIPPI DISTRICTJonathan VazquezNEW ENGLAND DISTRICTLisle LindsayNEW YORK/MID ATLANTICDISTRICTPaul MurrayOHIO DISTRICTRobert FriesOKLAHOMA DISTRICTCurt GreenDEPARTMENT DIRECTORSHONORARY SUPERINTENDENTSDavid Mayo • Raymond Bishop • Steve WilsonSOUTHEASTERN DISTRICTDavid AkersTENNESSEE DISTRICTJohn RobinsonTEXAS DISTRICTPeter GrayTRI-STATE DISTRICTBilly McCoolWESTERN DISTRICTClarence KingWEST TEXAS/NEWMEXICO DISTRICTDale BosticWEST VIRGINIA DISTRICTRalph TisdaleGENERAL YOUTH PRESIDENTChad EricksonWOMEN’S ESPRIT PRESIDENTPenny CarpenterMENISTRY PRESIDENTKenneth CarpenterCHRISTIAN SCHOOL DIRECTORJoe NelsonAPOSTOLIC WITNESS875 North White Station Road • PO Box 22366 • Memphis, TN 38122Phone: 901.685.1969 • Fax: 901.685.9443 • www.aljc.orgEDITORRick HiltonMANAGING EDITORRobert MartinGRAPHIC DESIGNERKayla LeBon337.217.3473APOSTOLIC WITNESS (V 61 #5) MAY 2013.Apostolic Witness is the monthly publication and official organof the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ.Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, TN (USPS #028-040) and additional mailing offices.To order reprints call 901.685.1969POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Apostolic Witness • PO Box 22366 • Memphis, TN 38122-0366SUBSCRIPTIONSIndividual subscriptions $24 per year; bundles of 2 @ $2.00 per copy.Send subscription info and check to:Apostolic Witness, P.O. Box 22366, Memphis, TN 38122Advertising1/8 page - $100 • 1/4 page - $200 • 1/2 page - $300 • Full page - $500Discounts for multiple month ads. For info E-mail vopnbr@aol.comLETTERSFax: 225.275.8905 • E-mail: rickhilton0970@gmail.com • Letters may be edited.

From the SUPERINTENDENTROBERT MARTINTerrorism certainly isn’thatched regressing in its violentnew. Jesus faced it Himself.Jesus lived His lifedo not get better with age, butthroes. Some things, obviously,struggling with terrorist attemptsrather degenerate at a frighteningpace. Sin weaves its wayon His life; attempts which finallysucceeded at Calvary, as the ultimateinnocence was nailed to adestroy that very life itself.into the fabric of life only totree. He was led as a lamb to theThe church has a lot of workslaughter—inhumanely murderedto do. The world is being calledby a mob in full fury. Jesus wasto repentance. This call is notnot ignorant of terrorism. Itbecause the citizens of Bostonshaped His life and caused Hisor any other stricken area aredeath.more vile than the rest, but ratherbecause all have sinned andJesus was born into a terrorfilledarena of life. Herod, fearingcome short of the glory of God.Martin Richard, age 8, killed at the Boston Marathona potential loss of kingdom andAs a matter of fact, the call forpolitical clout, requested an audiencerepentance is not new. It is a callwith the wise men that would visit Jesus. The wise men, followingthe heavenly star, had found the young child Jesus. Herod, The problem is that many do not heed its steady call until facedthat has echoed through the millennia from Adam until now.in a misguided effort to rid the world of a young king candidate, with dilemmas such as terrorism. Until provoked, the summonsresorted to terrorism. Herod “was exceeding wroth, and sent to God is suffocated with the cares of the world, the deceitfulnessof riches and other things. The voice of repentance isforth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and inall the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according merely a whisper—an unheeded unpleasantry and a worrisometo the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men” nuisance. Then something out of the routine happens and the(Matthew 2:16). Child after child was forcibly ripped from the ears are forcibly reopened. In flows the vibrant call to come toclutches of weeping mothers and fathers and the blood of innocentswas shed. Tears flowed and mingled with the blood of able manner, are constantly pierced by the tragedies of life.or return to God. The world’s ears, howbeit in an uncomfort-useless slaughter. A sad testimony to the warped state of a madman.A spectacle of violence that has been too often repeated. must not let the opportunity to preach repentance die with aThese times often call for spiritual reflection. The ChurchSome things do not change. The death of the innocents continues.Of all the tragic and terrible sights associated with recent salve of retribution or the opium of good will. “Repent!”—thewhimper. The Church must not settle for a patriotic feeling, theterrorist attacks, perhaps the most grievous and anger-provoking Church must shout it from the rooftop, to the religious and topictures are those of murdered children mercilessly snatched the infidel.from the land of the living at the hands of faceless cowards. All Terrorism and tragedy will happen. It always has. Repentance,however, is often avoided. It is circumvented at great peril.human loss is tragic, but no loss moves the spirit more than thewaste of young, exuberant, joyous and tender lives. Perhaps this Today, even as yesterday was, remains the day of salvation. Nowis because children represent a nation’s link with the future. Children,indeed, are a nation’s, as well as a church’s, greatest asset. for revival and harvest. When people are shaken, they need re-is the time for the Church to fervently pray and consistently fastHow dare evil rob the innocence and the promise of children? pentance to waken them to God. May America awaken to greatSin continues to flood the landscape of society, culture spiritual revival in the midst of sorrow, uncertainty and perilousand life. No institution or person has completely escaped its timespervasive, corrupting nature. Into this volatile mix terrorism is Our world needs it. Our children need it.8 Apostolic Witness

MAY\13 ~ 9

y LaTrisa Presson10 Apostolic Witness

It still hurts to talk about that long ago day. The anguish comes rushingback, my eyes fill, each breath causes pain. The shock on my husband’sface when he heard about the oxen was heartbreaking. Then we heardabout the sheep, camels, crops and servants. Gone. It seemed impossible. Myhusband was a perfect and upright man that feared the Lord. How could thisbe happening? However, the servant’s voice grew dim, as another servant raninto the room. “Sir, I am sorry, but your ten children...all are gone.” The roomswayed, the sound of my screaming was deafening to my own ears. Our tenchildren were dead? I could not take it in. Ten times I had endured the painof childbirth, only to have it forgotten as each new baby was placed into myarms. Ten lives nurtured to love, honor and respect Jehovah. Now, only tenfreshly dug graves. My very existence as a mother had vanished. Each wakingthought had always been about my ten treasures. What would I cook fordinner? Were their clothes washed and tidy? Would the life lessons Job and Itried to teach sink in? Now what was I to do? My purpose for living was gone.Grief was my constant friend.Weeping, I found comfort in the arms of my husband but not for long. Jobsuddenly became very ill. I feared for his life. I begged Jehovah not to take himfrom me also. I felt as if Satan were seeking to destroy us. Our luxuries weregone. I was begging for bread in the city gates, and now Job was sufferingbeyond anything I had ever seen. Each night, his cries of agony mingled withmy groans of grief. Day after day he experienced acute sicknesses. Again, Ifelt helpless. There was nothing I could do to ease the pain of my husband.Finally, in the midst of longing for my children and desiring relief for Job, Iuttered the words that I would give anything to take back. Words spoken at thelowest point of my life, forever recorded in history and indelibly burned intomy brain - “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job2:9 NIV).I wanted to rewind the moment. What had I said? I had spoken so cruellywhile trying to hold onto a thin line of remaining sanity. I saw my husband’seyes fill with more pain. He reached for me, tried to console me with hisdisease-ravaged hands. “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak.Shall we accept good from God and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10NIV). Those around thought that he had rebuked me, but I know my husband’slove. He did not say I was foolish. He said I sounded like one of the foolishwomen. In other words, “Honey, you do not sound like yourself. It is the griefand suffering that is speaking for my steady, faithful wife. Let’s rememberGod’s promises. Let’s remember His goodness to us even during this trial.”However, those around misunderstood me. They criticized and lookedpast my grief-stricken heart and called it a heart of stone. My arms were emptyof my children. I could feel Satan fighting every second of every day, andnow this terrible misunderstanding. I came to realize the power of the spokenword. I had added one more wound to the many already inflicting Job. I cannot say that I felt Jehovah’s presence, but I do know that I did not feel Hisrebuke. Surely if God was displeased with me, He would have told me. He“Job hastaught usmanylessons, butperhapsthe greatestlesson of allis that Jobbecameintimatewith onewhowoundedhim. In histragedy, hefoundtriumph.”MAY\13 ~ 11

certainly did not hesitate to rebuke Job’s friends (Job 42:7-9). Even if Job forgave me, I was unableto forgive myself. Jehovah willing, Job’s wounds would heal, but the wound from my words wouldnever be forgotten. The scar that I would take from this trial would be the scar of being forevermisunderstood.Our sufferings lasted for almost a year. I steadfastly cared for my husband trying my best tomake him comfortable. I joyfully recall the day that I saw some of the pain leave his eyes. Theday he asked me to put away the potsherd pieces that he had scraped his sores with was a day ofrejoicing. I slowly felt Satan’s hold on us slip away, and in its place the warmth of Jehovah’s presencefilled my home again. Job and I were able to look back at the wonderful memories of our tenchildren and smile. However, the day that will forever be etched in my heart is the day that Job feltwell enough to wrap me in his arms. Oh, how I had missed his touch, needed his touch. I no longerfelt misunderstood, I felt redeemed.Our family and friends began to gather. They brought gifts of silver and gold.Our flocks began to multiply. Job was able to rebuild and Jehovah’s blessingswere upon us. I shared in the experience of the doubling of our wealth. Eventhough I was the one that had wounded with words, I still partook of theblessings. One beautiful, glorious day, I felt the movement of a child inmy womb. I knew then the heart of my home had begun to beat again.Jehovah blessed me nine other times afterwards. I, the misunderstoodwound-maker, was given ten of the most beautiful children in all the land.Job and I lived long and saw four generations of offspring. Our end wasgreater than our beginning.As women, we love a happy ending and the story of Job is just that!Also as women, we sometimes speak with our minds instead of our hearts.Proverbs perfectly states that the tongue is mightier than the sword. Job’swife found this to be true, and so have each of us, time and time again.Our schedules get busy, our lives become unorganized, debt piles up andsleep evades us. So what do we do? We wound with our words. Sadly,we usually speak in haste to those around us whom we love the most. Assoon as the words are spoken, we are filled with regret. With the Lord’shelp, we understand we are not vicious or bitter people, and thankfully Hisforgiveness can heal misunderstandings.Perhaps you have not been the one that has inflicted pain with yourwords, but you have been the wounded one. Words cut deep into our heart and our memory. Theyseem to resurface at the oddest times and continue to cause pain, sometimes years later. Job hastaught us many lessons, but perhaps the greatest lesson of all is that Job became intimate with theone who wounded him. In his tragedy, he found triumph. Not on his own, but with the help of hismisunderstood wife. Job’s story proves to us that Satan is the author of all misery and that God’sgrace is more than enough to support us through any trial. But the ending might not have been ahappy one if Job had not been willing to get close to the one who had wounded him.What new chapter could be written in your life today if you were able to become close to theone that wounded you? What burden could be lifted if you cleared out the misunderstandings of lifeand began afresh and anew? No, Job’s wife never forgot that day when things fell apart in her lifeand when she spoke from her grief, butshe also refused to let that moment definethe rest of her life. As women, maywe always pray King David’s prayerin Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of mymouth and the meditation of my heartbe acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, mystrength and my redeemer.”LaTrisa Presson attends First ApostolicChurch of Maryville, Tennessee (PastorKenneth Carpenter).12 Apostolic Witness

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y Jonathan VazquezNothing like it in Pentecost. . .14 Apostolic Witness14 Apostolic Witnesshe test of a great organization is not in what it takesfrom its members but rather what it gives to them. Thisis one of the reasons that the Assemblies of the LordJesus Christ is a truly great organization. The goal of thefellowship is to provide its constituents with the toolsnecessary to fulfill the Great Commission.Let’s Talk is a venue that provides a powerful andinformative environment for training young ministers.Each year, young men from across the country gatherfor a time of intensive instruction. This event has becomea can’t miss for many of these ministers. Powerful,revelatory teaching that speaks to the real day-to-dayissues of ministry touches the hearts of all the attendees.The key to the success of the conferences is found inits name. The meeting is designed to allow a forum forinteraction between the speakers and the attendees. Theentire format of the event is tailored for those present tobe able to have their specific needs addressed. Insteadof just being lectured, the environment fosters a true opportunityfor communication.This year’s conference, with approximately 100young ministers in attendance, began with a powerfuland anointed message from General SuperintendentRobert Martin. Everyone present was deeply moved toa season of prayer as the Lord dealt strongly with eachone. Friday began with relevant topics being discussedleading to a masterpiece message by the incomparableJ.H. Osborne. The sage voice of Assistant General SuperintendentTim Gill and the always inspiring voiceof Pastor Matthew Ball brought an incredible move ofthe Holy Ghost that will not be forgotten. Every pastorwould be blessed by sending his ministers to this greatconference. Lives are changed, ministries are moldedand lifelong friendships are formed. You don’t want tomiss it!Jonathan Vazquez pastors Bethlehem Church of theLord Jesus Christ in Potts Camp, Mississippi. He alsoserves as the Mississippi District Superintendent.

Let’s Talk 2014March 13-14Special GuestTerry ShockMAY\13 ~ ~ 15 15

BOOTS ON THE GROUNDBlairsville, Georgia – Pastor Barry DotsonGod has worked a miracle for The Rock! We havebeen cramped for space to serve our young people forsome time now, but in one month, $5,000 was raisedto rent an additional space in the shopping complexwhere the church is located. The building owners loweredthe rent to this amount. The Rock now has paidfor space for a youth center for the next 12 months.This gives us two additional classrooms, a children’schurch, fellowship hall, classroom and a kitchen.Zanesville, Ohio – Pastor Kevin HopkinsThe presence of God has been in our servicesso wonderfully this past month. There is definitelya climate change in our church. Our worship hasbeen sustained and there is a lingering presence ofthe Lord. We have been focusing on this in order toproduce healthy babies when they are born. God hasbeen opening doors for us through the boy’s home thatwe have been working with. We have purchased somesupplies to paint rooms and give our time in helpingthese young men at the facility they live in. Godcontinues to bless as there are now some employees,from the boy’s home, who want a Bible study. We alsohad the privilege of baptizing one employee in Jesus’name that attended a service with the boys.Livingston, Louisiana – Pastor Dean WalsworthWe have had seven Bible studies this month. In aSunday morning service, a man in a wheelchair beganto quietly worship. Toward the end of the service, hesaid to his wife, “Something’s happening, and I don’tknow what it is!” She began to listen and realized hewas speaking in other tongues. As we prayed with him,he opened up to a beautiful, outflowing experience.Coal City, Illinois – Pastor Ida NelsonGod continues to bless Turning Point ApostolicChurch as we seek His face for revival and souls.Cynthiana, Indiana – Pastor James MullinsWe have had a steady flow of first time guests. A12-week blessing of seeing new guests every Sunday.It has been exciting as our new converts are noticingthe increase of new guests. Our church was donatedan electronic message board sign. Our local newspaperran a news article in the paper on our renovationsand start of this church in Cynthiana. It is their desireto follow us for a year and report on the building of achurch plant.Batesville, Mississippi – Pastor Greg HarrisWe were honored to have our district superintendentsharing the Word of God with us in ourThursday night Bible study. We are now pushing hardto raise the funds to put a permanent fellowship halland classrooms in. We have outgrown all of our allowablespace. We assembled a team of 12 and wentout knocking on doors and passing out invitations foroutreach. The next Sunday, we had many guests andthree people received the Holy Ghost.Warren, Ohio – Pastor James ClickPastor and Sister Click work full time jobs andstarted their church plant in the garage of their home.They have outgrown the garage running an averageof more than 30 members. God has blessed them inpurchasing a church facility. They are still waitingto move in to their new location. They are finishedrepairing and doing some remodeling on the two frontbathrooms. They will have a complete new septic systeminstalled in May. They will start having servicesat their new location after the new septic system isinstalled. They are excited about the move. They arelooking for a bigger harvest of souls. They appreciateall the support given by the Assemblies of the LordJesus Christ.16 Apostolic Witness

Reports from all of our Adopt A City PastorsSaucier, Mississippi – Pastor Harvey JonesWe are inviting people by going out knocking ondoors. We have put out flyers to let people know whenand where to come. We are praying that God will sendmore people. We covet everyone’s prayers.Henderson, North Carolina – Pastor RustyWilliamsonWe had two first time guests this month. OurTuesday Bible study attendance continues to growwith some who are not able to attend Sunday servicesbecause of job obligations. Our outreach efforts areopening doors to new Bible study venues with thepossibility of touching new lives every week.Panama City, Florida – Pastor Kenneth NolesThis month we had our first men’s ministry meeting.We had six men in attendance. We also sent 13 toWar Cry Conference in the Florida District. We haveturned our attention to focused prayer for our city. Wehave an all-night prayer meeting scheduled. We havehad two instances where local businesses have askedus to pray for them. One instance was in a restaurant,and the other was a retail store. The Lord is starting totear down walls in our city. We have had 13 guests thismonth, and we have a new family who have made thistheir home church. We had one soul renewed in theHoly Ghost this month and have had several seekingand praying.Monterey, Tennessee – Pastor Thomas KingThis past month has been an exceptional monthfor Monterey Apostolic Church. We want to give Godthe glory for the mighty move of the Holy Ghost thatwe have been experiencing in our services as we havebeen teaching on praise and worship. It is very excitingto see people who have never been in the truthlearn how to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth.Thank you so much for your needed prayers and supportfor all the wonderful work that the Lord is doingin Monterey.Mount Washington, Kentucky – Pastor DavidMackowiakWe were blessed to have Josh Silvers from NewCastle, Indiana for revival. God moved mightily ineach service and the house was full. One received theHoly Ghost, and two were baptized in the name ofJesus. Many received their blessings and miracles andhealings took place. We have also had several guestswho said they would definitely be back. We havemuch planned for this year and are looking forward towhat God has in store.Winston Salem, North Carolina – Pastor DavidStroussWe are proud to say that we are still receivingresponse from the community with our outreach efforts.We have been holding services and meetingwith people in our area outside of our service times.Please continue to hold us up in prayer for continueddirection and strength.Alexandria, Indiana – Pastor Robert WatsonWe have seen the Lord do some wonderful thingsthis month. One of the new people at the church hada family member diagnosed with cancer. The younglady was terrified and asked her aunt to have us tocome pray for her. The Holy Ghost started movingand God filled her with the Holy Ghost. The nextweek, we went to meet her husband and God filledhim with the Holy Ghost. Then, God provided a financialmiracle. God miraculously paid our buildingoff with enough for new chairs and carpet to be laidin the sanctuary. We are gearing up for outreach andrevival. We are expecting 2013 to be a year of harvestand outpouring in Alexandria.MAY\13 ~ 17MAY\13 ~ 17

In Memory ofby Cheryl ThompsonTo every thing there is a season, and a time to every purposeunder the heaven. A time to be born…On March 2, 1934 Eileen Ingram was born into a OnenessPentecostal family and was raised in the truth.And a time to die…She experienced her final graduation in this earthly life as she went to meet the Lord onEaster Sunday, March 31, 2013.A time to plant…Eileen married Bob Koonce on August 24,1952. And for the next 60 years, plantedinto this life a myriad of ministries. She was the mother of six children: Roy, Karen, John,Gayla, Cheryl and Kent.Mom was a preacher’s wife, served as ladies auxiliary leader, and played music formany years. She played piano, organ, accordion and guitar. Although she never playedguitar in church, she gave lessons to a lot of kids. She was very musically inclined untilshe lost her hearing. She always played the lead instruments until her girls got old enoughto play. Years later, Mom had arthritis in her hands so she played the organ because it waseasier to play.She sang like a lark. She was such a beautiful singer. She and Dad evangelized, and shewas very fluent on the accordion. She could have played anything. When they pastored inthe early days as a home missions church, Mom would be the painter and renovator of thechurch building. Dad did carpentry. When Dad stepped up to senior pastor, he soon beganthe Prisoner’s Friend ministry.Prison ministry is where she really found her place. When they started supplying literatureto prisoners, it truly became her passion, a burning thing like she had never experiencedas a pastor’s wife. She took hold of it. She had a pen name. She was called “Ms. Sally.”One prisoner wrote her and said, ‘Ms. Sally, because of you I don’t have to go to hell.’ Thatjust burned the fire even deeper to send material to prisoners. They did that together for 16years. On the evening before she died she told me, ‘I think I’m going to have to quit goingto the office for a whole morning. I’ll have to break it up.’ She said she was just tired, butshe was always making sure that she was reading her letters from the prisoners.1818ApostolicApostolicWitnessWitness

She put mothering above absolutelyeverything. Whatever holiday there was,the window was already made up. We werevery poor when we were young althoughwe didn’t know it. Dad and Mom wouldbuy used toys and bicycles, and theywould sand them down and paint them up.We thought they were new. Whatever theoccasion was, she was ready. For her kids,she always sewed our clothes to be holy.She made the men’s winter coats. Shemade all our dresses and skirts, and shecould crochet. When my oldest brotherworked at a grocery store, he would getoff at 10 pm. Sometimes he would bringothers home with him, and Mom wouldget up and fix them steaks. Mom was sogood at making cinnamon rolls, homemadedoughnuts and homemade bread.She wouldn’t have denied us anything.To the very end, she would havedone anything. The biggest thing we madeher do was pray. She was the most shy andbackward person. She didn’t like to meetand greet and get in a crowd. She didn’twant her face forward. Mom walked meinto every classroom at the beginning ofeach school year until the seventh grade.She served as room mother in school. Shedid that for all six of us. She was such aninfluence on her family and had such animpact on her grandkids. My son livedwith Dad and Mom for six months beforehe married and he later told me, “That wasthe most influential time in my life.” Shehelped shape the truth in her grandkids.She had hugs for everybody.Mom was an avid storyteller. In theearly years of church, her kids wouldsometimes hope no one else would cometo church so that Dad might let Mom tellus a Bible story. At home, she would rockus and tell us Bible stories or stories of herlife as a little girl. She made wonderfulword pictures.Our family, as well as the Assembliesof the Lord Jesus Christ, will miss her.MAY\13MAY\13 ~1919

The Prisoner’s Friendby Bob Koonce, National ChaplainIf you could, would you buy a soul for $10? While some may consider Christmasand birthday cards a waste of money, $10 per year is less than the cost tosend both cards to a prisoner. The following letter is one of two addressing thesame subject that we received this week.“Thank you for your prayers and support of prisoners. I am very warmed eachyear as Christmas approaches and I receive your Christmas card. Although we donot know each other personally, we are connected through the love of Christ. I’veenclosed a donation of $20 for your ministry to be used for whatever need youhave. Thank you for remembering.” ECMore than 9,000 prisoners have received the whole message of salvationthrough the Prisoner’s Friend correspondence courses. These courses are verycostly. New requests continue to come in from inside prisons, and a very largenumber come from relatives of prisoners. We also receive requests from pastorswho want Apostolic courses sent to a friend or a loved one. While the requestskeep coming, it is important to support this important ministry. We covet yourprayers and financial help. If we can assist you or a loved one, please write to usat 319 South Melvin Street, Gibson City, Illinois or call 217-784-8136. You mayemail us at brokoonce@juno.com. May God bless you.20 Apostolic Witness

Feed the Kidzby Josh Wilson, KidzQuest SecretaryDid you know that according to www.nokidhungry.orgthere are currently 16 million children in the USA whoare struggling to get one meal a day? This statisticmeans one in five kids in the USA currently go without a mealeach and every day. Recently in a place of prayer, the Lordbegan to deal with me about the hungry children of the world. Iwill be the first to admit when I think of hungry kids my mindautomatically goes to Africa, Haiti or other parts of the world.After doing a little bit of research, I learned that there are greatnumbers of hungry children living in our communities andneighborhoods in the USA. Please read the following versesspoken by Jesus to us today.“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom preparedfor you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred,and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: Iwas a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me:I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye cameunto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord,when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, andgave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took theein? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or inprison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and sayunto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done itunto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it untome.” (Matthew 25:34-40)Jesus ends this set of verses saying, “as ye have done itunto one of the last of these my brethren, ye have done it untome?” When I read this verse, I get excited about the fact thatwhen we feed the hungry children and people of our worldwe are according to the Word of God feeding or giving foodto Jesus. Earlier this year, I was blessed with the opportunityto minister at Grace Apostolic Churdh in Clawson, Michigan.Pastor Stephen Trachsel told me about a food bank they startedin their church to feed the hungry of their community. Michiganand Detroit in particular is one of the hardest hit areasduring the recession. I know that this ministry is going to beand already is a tremendous blessing to the Clawson and the21 Apostolic WitnessDetroit metro area. Every time a child or family comes to getfood from their food bank, they are giving food to Jesus accordingto the scriptures. Not only are they giving it unto theLord but they are feeding a soul. We all know when we servesomeone that’s in terrible crises there is a tremendous bondof trust that is built. When someone begins to trust you or thechurch, they will be ready to receive the gospel that can savethem.Recently at a World Mission’s Conference, Middle East RegionalSupervisor Toufic Azar introduced his Project 5000MEvision. This is a project to feed the children and families whohave found refuge in Lebanon from the war in Syria. Theirgoal is to feed 5,000 families who are hungry and living on thestreets of Beirut. Toufic Azar said something that caught myattention. He said, “If Jesus fed them and preached the gospelto them, then so can we.” This statement is so true. When wefeed people, we fill their physical need. Through meeting thatneed God will begin to open doors for us to meet their spiritualneeds.I am persuaded today that God is calling His Church toaction like never before to meet the needs of our community.God is calling us to start clothing banks, food banks and otherservice-oriented ministries to serve the poor children and familiesof our communities. We can sit around and complain abouthow bad the economy is and how bad this world is becomingor we can look at these opportunities to bless those who are lessfortunate that live near us. Through these ministries and throughintentional evangelism, we will begin to bring in the harvestthat God has already promised His people in the last days.In your prayers begin to pray for the children of your community.Pray that God would give you and others in the churcha burden to feed the one in five children whogo hungry everyday in the USA. Don’t stopat just praying but put those prayers in actionand begin to feed the hungry just as Jesus did.I know God will bless you and give you favorin your city like never before.MAY\13 ~ 21

The Missionaryby M.L. Walls, World Missions DirectorThose who do not see the need for sending forth and supporting missionaries have probablynever been to a foreign missions field nor sat next to a missionary nor heard amissionary in prayer for the natives of some other country and some other language than hisown. It is a holy unction, a holy calling, that causes one to leave the comforts of America andtravel to that distant country to deliver to them the message which the Lord has given them.Our world will never be reached unless missionaries are sent forth.How many millions have already died in some foreign country that did not have the opportunityto hear the gospel one time? Is it fair for Americans to hear the gospel dozens, evenhundreds, of times while some native in the Philippines or in Brazil has not heard the messagefor the first time? The only way they are likely to hear the message that will save themeternally is through a missionary. The only way missionaries will travel to such a country andminister to such a people is by special calling and unction which God places upon their heart.The only way the Great Commission can be fulfilled is through a missionary effort.The responsibility of fulfilling the Great Commission which at the first was given tothe Apostles and early Church has fallen upon each succeeding generation of people whohave embraced the same Apostolic message. The only way a missionary can go forth is by aspecial calling and burden and the support of people back home. The only way this messagecan reach other countries is through the efforts of a missionary. A missionary that must besupported by those who are left with the “stuff” (1Samuel 30:21-24).I was reminded of the need and blessing of missionary work when I received the yearlyreport from our missionaries in the Philippines, Mark and Debra Naimy. I could not help butbe greatly stirred and blessed as I read this report, a small portion I share with you here:“I also believe it is possible to evangelize our world, and that emissaries from this nationwill play a major role in that. The Philippines is positioned at the doorstep to Asia, the mostunderevangelized region of the world where 60% of the world’s population, some 4 billionsouls, live. Of all the countries in Asia, only the Philippines consider itself to be a Christiannation. Surely, this is not coincidental. Even among non-Apostolics Filipinos, there is a sensethat God has called out and chosen their nation to take the gospel beyond their borders. Overthe course of time, I believe we will not only continue to see a great outpouring of God’sSpirit here but that we will also see foreign missions works emanating from the Philippines.22 Apostolic Witness“We finished the year with:• 81 ministers licensed with the ALJCPI• 54 churches• 72 outreaches• The Apostolic Bible College of the Philippines concluded its second year• ABC opened the Kabankalan branch with 19 first year students• We visited 17 of our churches and outreaches in the Philippines• Construction began on a parsonage building on our Kabankalan headquarters property• We built seven new churches and started construction on five others• At least 288 were baptized in the name of Jesus• At least 213 received the Holy GhostTotals during our time as missionaries (2009 - 2012):• 23 new churches built• 999 water baptisms• 884 filled with the Holy Ghost”Something wonderful is happening throughout the Philippines under the leadership ofthis greatly anointed couple. In this report alone consider how many are now baptized in thename of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost that otherwise would still be living in darkness.When we consider the missionaries that we are supporting in many other countries aroundthe world, we are overwhelmed with how the harvest has greatly expanded in the past fewyears because of your dedicated support of what is happening throughout the World MissionsDepartment. Together we are making a difference!

Philippinesby Missionary Mark NaimyMindanao Churches RebuiltBecause of the almost complete destructionof crops and trees, along with houses andpretty much everything else, the effectsof Typhoon Pablo will no doubt continueto be felt in Mindanao for years to come.Nevertheless, it is heartwarming to hear theexpressions of gratitude coming from so many who received assistance fromour partners in missions. One local pastor said, “Though they’ve never seenour faces, they love us!”God has a way of bringing forth beauty from ashes. The rebuilt churchesare of much better construction and are substantially larger than the ones thatwere destroyed. We’re looking forward to dedicating two new buildings inDavao Oriental to the service of the Lord in about a month.ABC Sponsors NeededWe continue to believe that Bible colleges are the most efficient methodavailable of producing large numbers of qualified ministers, and we’reextremely happy with the results we’re seeing thus far. It is exciting to see ourstudents becoming capable ministers of the gospel.We’ve accepted the reality that it is not realistic to expect our students,their families or our local churches to cover the costs associated with ourBible colleges. The vast majority of people here struggle mightily just to putfood on their tables. Our Bible college expenses currently run about $1,500per month, most of which goes to feeding the students. We’re very grateful forthe help that has come from our American sponsors, but at an average of lessthan $300 per month, it is running far short of covering the expenses we’reactually incurring. Please consider sponsoring a Philippines Bible collegestudent. We can feed one student for $45 per month.It is a privilege to be in the work of the Lord. Our churches andmissions are well attended as we pray for the sick, visit fromhouse to house, preach the funerals and weddings and dedicatethe babies. With six services a week in Tamaulipus and services atother preaching points, it seems I am getting busier with time. Thewar here continues, and many battles have been fought in my city.But never have they come close to my house. One morning I wasworking in my garden when I heard gunfire very near. Soldiersin pickups started swarming the neighborhood. I ran to my houseto wait and pray. The battle raged all morning with the shotscoming fast and furious. Helicopters flew back and forth, and Icould hear the soldiers talking over their radios. There was somuch screaming, it is hard to describe. They were desperate andMexicoby Missionary Shirley Hickmanhysterical screams. I don’t think I could ever forget those horrificsounds. When the guns went silent, 46 bodies lay in the streets.This scenario is repeated all over Mexico almost on a daily basis.Many times our people do not come to a service, and laterI discover they could not pass through a nearby street battle.Thanks be to God that we have been able to continue all ourservices in spite of the dangers around us. The Lord has blessedus with two men and two women receiving the Holy Spirit sincemy last letter. In these dark times, the Lord always brightens ourpath with new souls coming to the light of the gospel and beingborn again. May the Lord Jesus bless you all for your continuedprayers and support.MAY\13 ~ 23

Middle East - Project 5000MEby Toufic Azar, Middle East Region Field SupervisorIn March, I was invited by IndianaDistrict World MissionsDirector Jud Sears to their worldmissions rally in Bloomington,Indiana in order to promote themission work in the MiddleEast. After service, there wasone young girl, Rebecca, who came to me andsaid that for the last year she had been babysittingand working various jobs to save money.But during the Middle East mission presentation,she felt the Lord speak to her to give allher savings to Project 5000ME to feed the poorin Lebanon. She rushed to ask her dad to takeher home to get her savings from her room. Herdad told me later that he had offered to give hera check instead of driving her home, but she insistedon giving her own money! He took herhome and when she came back, tears were flowingfrom her eyes as she handed me an envelopestashed with money. She told me, “This is mysavings. Please send it to Lebanon to feed thepoor.” It was a total of $200.18.I was brought to tears by this young girl’spassion and sacrifice. I was reminded of theyoung boy in the Bible who willingly gave theLord all he had, his two fish and five loavesof bread. In the eyes of many, this might haveseemed too little to feed 5000, but with the Lordit was more than enough!My wife and I just launched Project-5000ME this past Wednesday, trusting that theLord will provide the necessary funds to feed atleast 5000 hungry people in Lebanon, primarilythe Syrian refugees. But the objective at the Indianaworld missions rally was for a church vanin Lebanon which the Indiana district blessed uswith! I vaguely mentioned Project5000ME andthis young girl, from out of the whole congregationcame forward, with tears flowing fromher eyes moved by the Holy Ghost and gave allthat she had. She didn’t know that was our firstoffering for Project5000ME. It came to us as aconfirmation that the Lord is going to take whatRebecca gave and multiply it in our hands tofeed 5000 families in Lebanon!Thank you, Rebecca, for obeying the HolyGhost! To help and learn more about this project,please visit www.Project5000ME.com.You can also send a special offering to WorldMissions Department, Ref: Project5000ME.24 Apostolic Witness

Gary & Shelia Ashcraft662.415.1462ashcraftministries@gmail.comashcraftministry.blogspot.comJonathan & Kristen Atkins828.260.1044send_up_judah@yahoo.comwww.judahfm.orgRevival!James & Renee Chessor Jr.662.223.0549revjchessor@aol.comwww.intotheharvest.netJonathan & Lyvia Fortner770.318.1313johnathanfortner@gmail.comTerry & Valerie Glaspell304.695.1066Tglaspell@gmail.comChris & Lisa Leach662.750.0090rev.leach@yahoo.comleachministries.comMichael & Tara Maupin870.378.8188MichaeljMaupin@hotmail.comCody & Destinee Mayo318.452.0406c_mayo_la@yahoo.comWilson & Karla Murphy662.202.4284wilsonmurphy22@yahoo.comDavid & Tammy Walker417.860.7283ARM2outreach@gmail.comThese are reports from some of our evangelists on the field. Visitour website at Aljcevangelists.com for blogs from our evangelistswith reports of revival, healing, deliverance and the mightymove of God across America.“We traveled on to Indiana where we have seen yet anotherchurch, hungry for soul winning, catch the vision of outreach and Biblestudies as a way of life. One evening, while at Denny’s, we begantalking to our waitress, telling how good God is and she began pouringout her heart to us. We gave her a personal invitation to visit us atchurch the following Sunday. She came with her daughter and Godfilled her with the Holy Ghost her first service. She brought her fiancéto prayer meeting, and we had a Bible study with him. God is movingin this couple’s life. A couple in the church opened their home for aSaturday neighborhood Word study. A group of neighbors attended.Many were touched by God. One woman in particular was ready fora life change. She came to church Sunday expecting to be baptizedand claiming deliverance in her life. God filled her with the HolyGhost while being baptized. Also, a 74 year old gentleman came toservice and saw his need to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Yes,God filled him with the gift of the Holy Ghost as well. Numerousguests and backsliders are being drawn to this church. We helped establisha new disciple’s class and are seeing revelation come to themas well. Others have been baptized and renewed in the Holy Ghostwith a fresh anointing. Backsliders are returning and being refilled,and great things are happening in Indiana. Revival is on!”- David & Tammy Walker“Sunday, March 10, 2013 in Muncie, Indiana God showed up! HeritageApostolic Church was about to step into the supernatural. Thechurch was prepared for a Book of Acts move of God. The buildingwas packed full of visitors from all over the city. Pastor Michael Purdueand church family set the tone with prep and worship. As soonas I stepped into the pulpit, I knew something special was going tohappen on this day. The prophetic flowed so freely while more than20 people were filled with the Spirit and a great number of peoplewere healed and delivered! The early Church walked in Pentecostalpower. Church services were vibrant and Spirit-filled. They featuredspiritual worship, anointed preaching and teaching and the supernaturalgifts. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, speaks of the word of wisdom,the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles,prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and the interpretationof tongues. Without these, we have an imbalanced church. We neednot only worship and the Word but we also need the gifts! We are soblessed to be a part of what God did in Muncie, Indiana and hundredsof other churches everywhere.”- Chris & Lisa LeachMAY\13 ~ 25

Whenby Dr. Paul A. MurrayFailure is often seen as final. People have left the church,moved away and even ended their lives based on a selfreflectionof what brought them to such a place and moreimportantly on how others reacted to their failure. In addressingfailure, it is important to clarify the description of failure withinthis context: failure is not always sin, but sin is always failure.Failure in leadership relates to decisions and actions that havebrought forth sin into one’s life. In a world that is broken andwhere people are not perfect, how does leadership address thevarying forms of failure that separate an individual from God?It has been said that there are some things that happen inour lives that we can just check off to circumstances. Scripturepoints this out when it tells us the rain falls on the unjust as wellas the just. Then there are times where one can find himself ina predicament because of the choices someone else made. Thiscan be seen when an assistant or ministry leader has a moralfailure and the sin becomes a stain upon the church. This isknown as collateral damage.Now, take a moment and project such a question uponyourself. What if in your own life through a series of choicesmade, you failed God and such actions were then made public?26 Apostolic WitnessSuch failure can bring forth tremendous hurt to yourself andthose around you. In leadership, this can bring forth tremendousdamage and even culminate in serious consequences.Yet, the outcome of every bad decision is predicated on twoimportant factors: what the individual does and what leadershipdoes. One commentator stated, “You can stub your toe a hundredtimes, but you can only cut your throat once!” The churchmust be in the healing and restoring business. The way churchleadership handles failure within its ranks and throughout thechurch will either make or break the church. There have beentoo many churches crippled because of the action and at timesinaction of leadership when such issues have been brought tolight.This brings a sobering question as to what and how thepastor handles the failure that will come and has come as aresult of bad choices made by individuals who serve in leadershipwithin the local assembly. The most critical issue that mustbe dealt with first is not the individual but the leader. The pastorhas the power within his calling as a minister of the gospeland leader of the church to set the course as to how failure ishandled.

LeadersIn addressing failure in leadership, the view must be predicatedupon scripture - all of the scripture, not just the verses thataccomplish a personal agenda. In other words, how would youwant to be treated? With grace and accountability? What happensto your calling and ministry as a result of failure? Forgivenessand restoration? How would you like people to react and treatyou as you address the sin in your life, privately and publicly?With patience and love? These are all important questions thatcan be answered and addressed without compromising the Wordof God.CONFRONTATIONThe first point in dealing with leaders who fail is confrontation.Confrontation is never pleasant and at times more difficultfor the pastor and what compounds the issue and can be nervewracking and painful is when it comes to facing that long-termmember, friend or confidant. However, it is when such confrontationis done in love, truth and grace that it proves to be healingand profitable for all involved and affected within the body. Suchconfrontation is exactly what is called for by Christ to the faithfulunder-shepherd of the church.It is required that such confrontation is done without partialityand that the desire is to honor Christ over any personalconvenience and caring more for the purity of the church than forindividual comfort. The role of the pastor is to give all, forsakingreputation, opportunity and station of life to present everyman complete in Christ as identified in Colossians 1:28-29; 1Timothy 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 2:3-6; and 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. Oneof the greatest acts of love a pastor can show to his people andone of the most Christ-like examples he could ever model forthe body of Christ is when he confronts someone in unrepentantsin seeking for their repentance, restoration and reconciliation(Matthew 18:15-20).REPENTANCEWe understand that this means a change of mind, a turningaway from, turning from sin and turning to God. It is theamputation of sin from our lives. None of us can negotiate withsin - we are not strong enough! Our Lord Jesus said, “Repent andbelieve in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The Apostle Paul wrote of a“repentance without regret” and a “godly sorrow that leads torepentance” (2 Corinthians 7:9). We understand repentance. Butas a leader, we must take that confession and not only guide onethrough the process but also be willing to carry and protect thatfallen soul. It is often said, “We hate the sin, but love the sinner.”This must be applied to not only the visitor or new babe in Christbut exercised with that fallen leader. As Christ gave Himself forour sins, as the under-shepherd of the local church, we must bewilling to give all we can through the Holy Ghost to help the onewho up to the point they failed had been a valuable asset to yourministry – remember, all of heaven rejoices over one soul saved.RESTORATIONRestoration calls for a loving act of worship. The purpose forchurch discipline is not for retribution or personal revenge. It isnot a “spiritual witch-hunt” against someone you have it out for.It is to protect the purity of the church (1 Corinthians 5:9-13);to assure the purity and testimony of the individual believer inChrist (Galatians 6:1-3); and to guard against future sin (Acts5:1-11). It is an act of love (1 Peter 4:8), done in humility (Galatians6:1), bathed in grace and forgiveness for the repentance andrestoration of another (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).This is why it is deeply disturbing to hear, without exception,that the most forgotten duty today by local church leadershipis the failure to lovingly restore those fallen into sin. It isestimated by some that only one out of a thousand churches inAmerica practice any kind of church restoration whatsoever.They would rather see the “problem” resign and move away thanwork through a restoration process. This does not mean that anindividual will automatically re-assume a particular position orministry. It means that when a leader has fallen, if he is repentantand accepts responsibility for the sin, takes the arduous steps toget back up, has a focus and goal to rebuild his relationship withGod and submits to leadership, then and only then can restorationbe considered.Scripture strongly demonstrates the power of restoration.David is an excellent example of God’s grace and His willingnessto use David after a personal process of repentance andre-establishment with God. Some doors in an individual’s lifemay be permanently closed, but that does not mean another doorcannot be opened. Restoration is a process that is not lockedinto a designated time frame. Rather, the issue, individual andpost-actions determine when one can be restored and what theycan be restored to.This has been a call to the church. Galatians 6:1 calls forthe brethren in a spirit of meekness to restore one who has beenovertaken in fault. When we do, we must consider ourselves orwe may be tempted also. We which are spiritual, called of God,leading the flock must lead by the Word of God in building,protecting and restoring the body of Christ overwhich we are stewards.If you have comments or any suggestionsfor future topics, please feel free to contactme. You may reach me at: 410.987.0755 or byemail at MurrayP@aljc.net.MAY\13 ~ 27

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