Spirit

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CHURCH OF GOD

Evangel MAY 2016

SYMBOLS of the HOLY SPIRIT

C H U R C H

O F

G E N E R A L NASHVILLE, TN

G O D

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

A S S E M B LY •

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Dr. Mark L. Williams State of the Church

Jimmy Evans Sanctity of Marriage

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

THURSDAY, JULY 21

Dr. Tony Evans Great Commission & Urban Evangelism

Dr. Ed Stetzer Great Commission & Culture

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How to Become the Best Leader You Can Be

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Issues Hispanic Churches are Facing

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Contents

may 2016

volume 106 n issue 5

IN HIS BOOK, Emblems of the Holy Spirit, F. E. Marsh comments about each of the symbols of the Spirit addressed in this issue of the Evangel. He sees fire as a symbol of “the purification and penetration of the Spirit’s operations,” wind proclaims “the winnowing and searching of the Spirit’s power,” water symbolizes “the effectiveness and sufficiency of the Spirit’s ministry,” the dove speaks of “the beauty and gentleness of the Spirit’s character,” the seal indicates “the security of the Spirit’s grace and the proprietorship of His love,” and oil is typical of “the Spirit’s grace and the illumination of His teaching.”

SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 10 The Dovelike Holy Spirit by Homer G. Rhea Gentle, swift, virtuous 12 Quencher of Thisty Souls by Lamar Vest “Rivers of living water” 14 Holy Fire by Tim Hill The spirit of burning



16 Miss Ruby by Joshua Rice Prophet in a slum 22 Like the Wind by Philip M. Bonaparte The breath of God columns 24 Fresh Oil by Tim Oldfield 5 In Covenant, Mark L. Williams Anointing, light, healing, revelation 7 On My Mind, Lance Colkmire 26 The Seal of the Spirit by Randy Eaton 34 Church of God Chronicles, David Roebuck God’s gift and guarantee departments feature 4 Ministry Snapshot 28 2016 Camp Meetings

6 8 17 30 32

By the Numbers Currents GlobalConnect Viewpoints People and Events

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PUBLICATIONS MINISTRIES DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR M. Thomas Propes DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS Terry Hart MANAGING EDITOR Lance Colkmire CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Robert McCall

MINISTRY SNAPSHOT On December 6, 2015, Center Valley Church of God in Russellville, Arkansas, celebrated paying off their church mortgage with a note-burning service. Pictured are board members Charles Tackett and Bob White, State Administrative Bishop Toby Morgan, Pastor Mark White, and board member Albert Campbell.

CFO Wayne Walston PRINTING DIRECTOR Mike Burnett

EVANGEL STAFF EDITOR Lance Colkmire EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Elaine McDavid COPY EDITOR Esther Metaxas GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bob Fisher

EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD Tony D. Cooper, Les Higgins, Ray E. Hurt, David W. Jarvis, Cheryl Johns, Antonio Richardson, T. Dwight Spivey

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mark L. Williams, David M. Griffis, J. David Stephens, Wallace J. Sibley, M. Thomas Propes

CHURCH OF GOD congregations meet throughout the United States and in more than 180 other countries. To find a church and times of services near you, access the church website, www.churchofgod.org, or fax your request to 423-478-7616. Publication of material in the Evangel does not necessarily imply endorsement of the Church of God. The Church of God Evangel (ISSN 0745-6778) is edited and published monthly. n Church of God Publish­ing House, 1080 Montgomery Ave., P.O. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250 n Subscription rates: Single subscription per year $17, Canada $24, Bundle of 15 per month $17, Canada $28, Bundle of 5 per month $7.50, Canada $11.25 n Single copy $1.50 n Periodical postage paid at Cleveland, TN 37311 and at additional mailing offices n ©2016 Church of God Publications n All rights reserved n POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Evangel, P.O. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250. (USPS 112-240)

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MEMBER OF THE EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL PRESS ASSOCIATION

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If you have a ministry photo to be considered for this page, send it to [email protected].

Church of God DECLARATION OF FAITH WE BELIEVE: 1. In the verbal inspiration of the Bible. 2. In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 3. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. 4. That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins. 5. That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. 6. In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost. 7. Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people. 8. In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart. 9. In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost. 10. In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 11. Divine healing is provided for all in the Atonement. 12. In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet. 13. In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years. 14. In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.

IN COVENANT mark l. williams general overseer

THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS, “GO”

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HE HOLY SPIRIT is the forgotten person of the Trinity,” according to one theologian, who made the statement because he observed that many churches make much of the Father and Son, but say little about the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, the Church of God speaks often of the Holy Spirit, because the New Testament does. We use the terms “Holy Spirit” and “Holy Ghost” interchangeably. The Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it” (as the term “Spirit” may imply). When Jesus promises that the Spirit will come upon believers, He refers to the Spirit as “He,” saying, “He will speak of Me.” The Holy Spirit being a person, not an impersonal force, is shown by the way He speaks (Heb. 3:7), reasons (Acts 15:28), thinks and understands (1 Cor. 2:10–11), wills (12:11), and gives personal fellowship (2 Cor. 13:14). The Holy Spirit intercedes (Rom. 8:26), teaches (John 14:26), commands (Acts 16:6-7), appoints (20:28), testifies (John 15:26), and leads (16:13). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Eph. 4:30), lied to (Acts 5:3), insulted (Heb. 10:29), and blasphemed (Matt. 12:3132). All of the characteristics of personhood belong to Him. He is the Spirit of the living God. We learn much about the Spirit by observing the symbols the Bible uses for Him. In John 7:38, Jesus announced to a festival crowd that anyone who is thirsty can come to Him and drink and, as a result, “rivers of living water” will flow from his or her “innermost being” (NASB). Wishing to make clear what Jesus was talking about, John added, “When he said ‘living water,’ he was speaking of the Spirit” (v. 39 NLT). Water

is an apt symbol of the cleansing and refreshing ministry of the Holy Spirit, who alone can bring spiritual satisfaction to the human soul. The last statement Jesus made about the Spirit, just before His ascension, is found in Acts 1:8: “When the Holy Spirit has come . . . you shall be witnesses to Me” (NKJV). This is a good lead-in to an announcement about an opportunity to let the Spirit work through you and me. It’s called Global Outreach Day, and it will happen on May 20, 2016. We’re calling it “GO Day.” On GO Day, the attention of the Church of God around the world will be focused on one effort in all the 183 countries where congregations exist. Members of the church family will unite in telling their salvation story to one other person. GO Day invites every Christian to prepare ahead of time, thinking about how to put into words the story of his or her conversion experience. The idea is not to preach a sermon or rehearse a memorized speech, but simply to share a personal testimony. The premise upon which GO Day is built is that most nonChristians have never heard a believer’s story of coming to Christ, and that if they do—especially if it is a person they know—they may likely be attracted to the Gospel. A number of helps and tools are available to inspire and equip individual Christians to participate in GO Day, available primarily on Facebook: facebook .com/itsGOday. Additional promotional material is found at www.Twitter.com/ itsGOday and www.itsGOday.com. Let the living waters flow through you to others on May 20 . . . and keep flowing every day thereafter.

5.20.2016

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BY THE NUMBERS

POLITICAL PREFERENCES OF U.S. RELIGIOUS GROUPS Percentage of U.S. adults in each group who lean toward or identify with the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, or another party/no lean

SOURCE: 2014 U.S. Religious Landscape Study, conducted June 4-Sept. 30, 2014. Note: Evangelical, mainline, and historically black indicate Protestant tradition of the row group.

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ON MY MIND lance colkmire editor

A BLUE BUS IN AN ORANGE GROVE

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RE YOU SURE there’s a house back here?” I asked John as he steered our 66-passenger church bus down a dirt road through a small orange grove. As we rounded a curve, limbs scraped the blue bus’s roof, causing oranges to fall with thuds. Then I saw the house, and the two boys waiting for us. As they boarded the bus, I learned the brothers’ names and ages: Kenneth was 12; Mickey, 13. Mickey quickly announced, “The last church I went to kicked me off the bus for fightin’ with the preacher’s son.” Three thoughts crossed my mind: (1) Somehow, the other church had failed to reach Mickey. (2) When our church presents the love of Christ to him, things will be different. (3) At least our pastor does not have a son still living at home! Over the next few weeks, I discovered the nature of the Gudde brothers. Mickey was not the ruffian he had at first declared himself to be. In fact, he was a quiet, unconfident loner. I figured if he did get into a fight, he would not be the one who started it. Kenneth was quite different. He was a brash, noisy show-off. His Sunday school teacher told me he was the greatest discipline challenge in her class. Yet, it was hard not to love him, for he had some winsome ways—his brightness and tenderheartedness were evident in personal conversations. As I made my visitation rounds one Saturday afternoon, I found the Gudde home unusually quiet . . . until Mickey answered the door. Mickey explained how he and Kenneth had been playing barefoot in the orange grove the day before. When Kenneth jumped from a tree, his right foot landed on a sharp stick. The impact drove the stick almost completely through his foot, and he was rushed to the hospital.

That Sunday after church, I visited Kenneth in the hospital. It was one of many such visits I would make over the next couple of weeks. The conversation usually went something like this: “How are you doing, Kenneth?” “Fine.” “How much longer will you be in the hospital?” “I don’t know.” “What’s on TV?” “Baseball game.” “How are they treating you?” “I get anything I want.” (An exaggeration) “Any plans for today?” “Mom’s coming to see me later.”

Spiritanointed labor is never worthless. The doctors had to cut into Kenneth’s foot twice to get the stick out, resulting in the long hospital stay. He became quite bored, but he loved the attention from the nurses and the visits from various church friends. Kenneth’s ordeal had a positive impact on him: When he returned to church, I saw a new sincerity in the way he prayed and worshiped. Though I could not cite the particular day Kenneth committed himself to Christ, it was obvious that he had. Mickey, meanwhile, seemed to push further away. While I visited their home one Saturday, Mrs. Gudde told me, “Sometimes late at night, I hear Kenneth praying for

my salvation.” She and her husband had been Christians when they were younger, she added, and now the Lord was dealing with her to return to Him. The last Sunday before I left Florida to attend Lee College, Kenneth’s prayer was answered. His mom came to church and renewed her commitment to Christ. This was a capstone of my two and a half years in bus ministry, underscoring the truth of 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless” (GNT). I found this handwritten piece from my Lee days in a file I had not seen for many years. It’s perfect for this issue on the Holy Spirit, who anointed John, me, and others to reach the Gudde family . . . and then anointed Kenneth to help pray his mother back to Christ. More than 30 years later, my God-given mission is still the same—to influence others to follow Christ—which will happen only through the oil of the Spirit.

Four ways to contact the editor: • [email protected] • 423-478-7592 • Church of God Evangel on Facebook • Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250

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CURRENTS The purpose of CURRENTS is to inform readers of trends and events influencing the culture.

the word creator causes backlash

texas requiring birth certificates to prove athlete’s gender n STUDENT ATHLETES at Texas public high schools must show their birth certificates as proof of gender identity under a policy change adopted overwhelmingly in February by school superintendents. “You start needing to check birth certificates when you have a breakdown of honesty, integrity, or, in this case, worldview,” said John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. “But requiring a birth certificate is not the issue. What’s going on now is a social experiment. The concept of gender being detached from biological, sexual reality is brand new.” The University Interscholastic League (UIL), the state’s governing body for high school sports, said the requirement will systematize advice the league has been giving to superintendents. The policy change, adopted by a 586-32 vote, goes into effect August 1. Birth certificates can be amended to change gender, but transgender advocates say the difficulty and expense of the process are prohibitive and could deny transgender athletes the opportunity to compete. 8

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Chris Mosier, founder of TransAthlete. com, said, “Texas school leaders have a responsibility to ensure that transgender athletes can participate in a way that is safe, comfortable, and affirming of their identity.” But Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies at the Family Research Council (FRC), asserted the created order inherent to Christian belief should take precedent over individual choice. Anything else, Sprigg said, is “rebellion” against God. Compassion and therapy are appropriate responses to people who want to change their gender, and therapy can “help them overcome these feelings rather than simply indulging feelings that are contrary to nature,” Sprigg added. The Texas amendment is in stark contrast to new transgender rules for Olympic athletes. Now, female-to-male transgender athletes are eligible to take part in men’s competitions without restrictions. Male-to-female transgender athletes must demonstrate that testosterone levels are below a certain level for at least a year before their first competition.—WNS

n A SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL has retracted an article about the complexity of the human hand after receiving backlash to the authors’ use of the word Creator. “Hand coordination should indicate the mystery of the Creator’s invention,” researchers wrote for the online, peerreviewed journal PLOS ONE, in January. The article also stated, “The mechanical architecture is the proper design by the Creator for dexterous performance of numerous functions following the evolutionary remodeling of the ancestral hand for millions of years.” In March, appalled readers and tweeters exploded in scathing responses. The readers complained “Creator,” a term related to religious belief, had no place in a scientific journal. The four Chinese authors of the study, whose native language is not English, said their use of the word Creator was a linguistic mistake. Nonetheless, the journal quickly retracted the article, apologized for the inappropriate language, and said on closer evaluation there were also concerns with the scientific rationale and presentation. David Klinghoffer, author and senior fellow of the Discovery Institute, believes PLOS retracted, instead of simply editing

the paper, to punish the authors. The incident shows “how the mechanism of intimidation works,” he said. “Retracting a paper is serious business; it can destroy careers. In such an oppressive atmosphere, honest investigation hardly stands a chance.” It appears the academic editor of the article, Renzhi Han, had an affiliation with Chinese Evangelical Church in Iowa City, where he had previously worked. David Knutson, PLOS public relations manager, acknowledged PLOS had dismissed Han. “The academic editor who handled this paper has apologized to us for the oversight. He has been asked to step down,” Knutson told For Better Science. The incident highlights the dilemma faced by creationist scientists, said Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis. Many secular journals will not publish creationists’ papers regardless of the quality of their research and credentials. “If it in any way supports a Creator God (and it doesn’t even seem to matter which creator; it doesn’t even have to be the God of the Bible), they throw it out,” Ham wrote.—WNS

Goal: one million christians coming together n “OUR DREAM IS to see one million people stand together for Jesus on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.,” says Nick Hall, founder of Pulse (pulsemovement.com). The date for this audacious gathering —dubbed “Together 2016”—is July 26. “We’re coming together with as many people as possible who believe Jesus changes everything,” states the event’s website (Reset2016.com). “Reset is a different word for reformation,” Hall told Charisma. “We need a modern-day Pentecost.” Unified prayer, worship, and a call for catalytic change will be the focus of the gathering. Among the many Christian speakers and singers who plan to participate are Francis Chan, Ravi Zacharias,

Nick Hall

Sammy Rodriguez, Kirk Franklin, Hillsong United, Lecrae, and Kari Jobe. Pulse is a prayer and evangelism movement striving to empower the church and awaken culture to the reality of Jesus. It started in 2005 at North Dakota State University, where Nick Hall was a student. Student-led prayer groups, training, and outreach events led to more than a thousand NDSU students accepting Christ during a rally at the Bison Sports Arena in 2006.

canadian christian wins religious discrimination case n IN 2014, Bethany Paquette did what hordes of recent college graduates do: She worked an entry-level job while applying for more entry-level jobs. Paquette, who had more than three years’ experience as a river rafting guide, was making snow for a ski resort when she applied for the position of “assistant guide intern” with Vancouver wilderness company Amaruk. Her credentials, and especially her degree, failed to impress Amaruk employees. In a series of bizarre emails, they asserted her affiliation with Christian liberal arts college Trinity Western University made her unwelcome at the company—because the college holds students to a “community covenant” prohibiting sex outside marriage.  On March 2, Paquette won a religious discrimination case against Amaruk. In one email to Paquette, company representative Olaf Amundsen wrote: “In asking students to refrain from same-sex

relationships, Trinity Western University, and any person associated with it, has engaged in discrimination, as well as intolerance against other people’s beliefs, religious and otherwise.” Paquette’s response noted the company’s hypocrisy. “Considering Amaruk holds diversity so highly, I thought I should inform you that your disagreement with Trinity Western University, simply because they do not support sex outside of marriage, can in fact be noted as discrimination of approximately 76 percent of the world population!” she wrote. “Wow, that’s a lot of diverse people you don’t embrace.” Paquette filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. After the case went public, other women came forward with stories of strange responses to job applications with the company. While tribunal member Norman Trerise ultimately decided Paquette was not qualified for the position, he did award her $8,500 for the religious discrimination she experienced. Paquette’s case was unusual because of its blatant nature, said Earl Phillips, executive director of Trinity Western University Law.  “Most of the cases that come up . . . aren’t because you’re Christian, Jew, Hindu, or Muslim, but because you say you can’t work on a Saturday, for example,” Phillips said. “How do we accommodate that? How do we accommodate a Sikh who needs to wear a turban and a hard hat on the job?”

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The DOVELIKE Holy Spirit Gentle, Swift, and Productive by HOMER G. RHEA

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ID YOU KNOW the dove is mentioned about 50 times in the Bible? The Scriptures speak of its loving nature, beautiful plumage, swiftness in flight, and other characteristics. A review of these traits shows it to be a fitting symbol of the Holy Spirit. The dovelike traits found in the Spirit include peace, gentleness, grace, and beauty. These same qualities should also be found in Christians. Under the symbolism of a dove, the third person of the Godhead manifested Himself to John the Baptist. When Jesus “came up” from the waters of the Jordan River, having been baptized by John, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit

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“came down” from above. The Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove, descended as a dove might descend, and lighted on Jesus. All four Gospels describe this event. Interestingly, this representation of the Spirit as a dove is indicated only in this episode in the life of Christ. As we consider some of the dovelike characteristics seen in the character of the Holy Spirit, bear in mind these same qualities should be found in us as Christ’s followers.

Gentleness Jesus admonished His disciples to be “harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). Harmless communicates gentleness, innocence,

and purity. The dove is peaceful; among the birds of the air, none is gentler than the dove. The dove is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called the Comforter. Of Him, the Lord said: “When the Comforter is come . . . he shall testify of me” (John 15:26); “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (16:13). Jesus pictures the Holy Spirit coming along beside us, taking us by the hand, and gently guiding us along the path of life. Gentleness is one of the traits of the fruit of the Spirit and should therefore be evident in the life of every believer. Though it may manifest itself in a variety of ways, its source is the same.

As Francis Xavier was preaching in one of the cities of Japan, a man came up to him, pretending he had something to say to him in private. Xavier leaned his head forward to hear what he had to say. The scorner then spit in the face of this devoted missionary, hoping to insult him publicly. Without speaking a word or showing any sign of annoyance, Xavier took out his handkerchief, wiped his face, and went on with his sermon as if nothing had happened. By such a heroic control of his passions, the missionary gained the admiration of the audience. The most learned doctor of the city was present that night. He said to himself that a message which taught men such virtue, inspired them with such courage, and gave them such complete mastery over themselves, had to be from God. He surrendered his life to Christ and asked to be baptized, and many others followed his example. The gentleness of Francis Xavier was a major factor in the success of his ministry that night.

Swift in Flight Faced with immediate peril at the hands of Absalom’s followers, and contemplating his need to escape, King David said, “I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place!” (Ps. 55:6 NET). The dove is remarkable for the swiftness of its flight. Seeing he was in extreme danger, the psalmist wished for the swift wings of a dove to escape. The swiftness of the dove symbolizes the suddenness with which the Holy Spirit often works. There is no better example than His manifestation on the Day of Pentecost, when 120 believers united in prayer awaiting the Spirit’s coming. The Day of Pentecost having fully come and the hearts of the people being fully prepared, the Spirit came . . . not gradually, not over a period of days, but suddenly. Suddenly, the believers heard the sound “as of a rushing mighty wind.” Suddenly, “there appeared . . . cloven

tongues like as of fire.” Suddenly, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke “with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them the utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). That same day Peter and the other disciples proclaimed the message of Jesus, who had been resurrected. As a result, 3,000 souls left the kingdom of darkness and entered the kingdom of light—and it happened instantaneously. Though they were saved immediately, their conversion was just as real as if it had taken 10 years for the transformation to take place. The Holy Spirit often works suddenly.

The swiftness of the DOVE symbolizes the suddenness with which the Holy Spirit often works. When I was 12 years old, we were in a revival in my home church, the West Point, Mississippi, Church of God, with an evangelist from Tennessee named Brother Chambers. I was not saved at the time, and for some reason, I did not want to go to church that night. My stepmom put her arms around me and encouraged me to go, saying, “Son, you’re old enough to be thinking about your soul.” The Holy Spirit used those words to bring conviction to my heart—that’s all I could think about the rest of the day. As we drove to church that night, I was thinking, Son, you are old enough to be thinking about your soul. As the choir sang and the preacher preached, that was on my mind.

When the altar invitation was given, I was the first one to go forward. I asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins, and invited Him into my heart. I knelt in that altar with the stain of sin upon my soul; I arose washed in the blood of the Lamb. Once I put my faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit accomplished my conversion suddenly. And I dare say this is the testimony of every believer reading this. The place and the circumstances may have been different, but the results were the same.

Fruit of the Spirit Many of the traits of the fruit of the Spirit are found in the characteristics of the dove. Paul wrote, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22-23). Can you think of a better life than one in which each of these traits is lived out on a daily basis? We show the Spirit’s indwelling presence by the manifestation of His fruit in our life. Through the Spirit, these virtues can be fully formed in us. There is a legend of a great teacher who had a strange experience while walking through an orchard on a windy day. Coming to a fence which divided the grove from an adjoining forest, he imagined hearing the different types of trees talking to each other. Boastfully, a maple tree said to a nearby fruit tree, “Why don’t your leaves rustle in the breeze like ours so that you can be heard from a distance?” The fruit tree replied, “We don’t need such useless fluttering to draw attention to our presence; our fruit speaks for us.” What does the fruit you are bearing say to others? The dovelike qualities of the Holy Spirit testify that He is living in us. They are essential if we are going to please God in this world. Homer G. Rhea formerly served as editor in chief of Church of God Publications. He presently heads HGR Editorial Services, which helps individuals get their books published. [email protected]

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QUENCHER of Thirsty Souls The Symbol of WATER

by LAMAR VEST

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ATER IS OFTEN used in Scripture to symbolize the Holy Spirit. It’s a most fitting analogy. Water signifies power. It implies birth and life. Water indicates refreshment, cleansing, satisfaction, and enrichment. This is why the Holy Spirit is described in Scripture in the form of dew, rain, springs, and rivers (Hos. 14:5-7; Ps. 72:6; Isa. 49:10; 1 Cor. 10:1-4; John 7:37-39; Joel 2:23-29). As water can turn desert into fertile land, the Holy Spirit transforms that which is barren and fruitless into a virtual garden of righteousness for Christ’s glory. Water is the universal cleansing element. Water purifies, sanitizes, and nourishes, making it an amazing symbol of the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul declares in 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (ASV).

Washing of Sanctification Salvation is not only justification (being declared righteous for Christ’s sake) but

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also sanctification (being transformed from within by the Spirit of God). Scripture refers often to sanctification and the inner life as a work of the Holy Spirit. When we speak of sanctification, we often refer to objects, occasions, places, and persons as being set apart for sacred

The outpouring of RAIN during drought in ancient Israel symbolized the mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit. use. While that is one aspect of sanctification, there is more. Sanctification is the act or process by which we are made to correspond with God’s holiness. Paul declares, “Of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wis-

dom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30 NKJV). The Greek term Paul uses for sanctification means “consecration, purification, of heart and life.” None of us can walk in righteousness apart from the Holy Spirit. In regard to the purifying, cleansing, and sanctifying of our sinful nature, Paul states, “When the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:4-6 NKJV).

River of Power When the Holy Spirit was “poured out” on a Roman centurion and his household, Jewish Christians were astonished to see Gentiles receiving this gift (Acts 10:45). The Greek word used to symbolize the Holy Spirit being “poured out” literally means to “gush forth.” When Luke recorded this event, perhaps he recalled what happened when

Jesus entered Jerusalem during the weeklong Feast of Tabernacles. There were special services every day during this feast. On the last day, the people went with the priest to the Pool of Siloam to get water. They then returned to the Temple with palm branches and willows, and watched the priest pour a pitcher of water on the altar, symbolizing the pouring out of God’s Spirit. Against this backdrop and symbolism, Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). Jesus made clear in verse 39 that He “spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified” (NKJV). That which was meant to gush forth as a raging river has, unfortunately, become but a trickle in many churches. For centuries, Christians have claimed the Holy Spirit to be just as divine as God the Father and God the Son, but many are quick to recoil when any action of the Holy Spirit comes near them. Amid this dryness, the wondrous mysteries of the Word of God lie unacknowledged. Only a church that embraces the Holy Spirit in all of His attributes will be a positive force in today’s world.

Rain of Renewal The outpouring of rain during severe famine and drought in ancient Israel symbolized the mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit, and was undoubtedly a prophetic reference to the Day of Pentecost. In Zechariah 10:1, the prophet appealed to Israel, “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain” (NKJV). James admonishes us to “be patient . . . until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (5:7 NKJV).

Fountain of Living Waters Twice in the prophecy of Jeremiah, God is called “the fountain of living waters” (2:13; 17:13). In both occurrences, Israel is rebuked for having forsaken the Lord for other cisterns that could not hold water and, thus, could never satisfy their thirst. Like Jeremiah, we are living in troublesome times . . . but we must believe God’s church is capable of ministry to any generation. A church, however, which has lost its purity, spiritual integrity, or sense of righteousness is useless in bringing the power and truth of the Gospel to this world. Thus, God periodically breaks in upon His people with a call to renewal. Isaiah tells us, “The palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. . . . Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest” (32:14-15 NKJV). An outpouring of the Holy Spirit will “sanctify and cleanse . . . with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26). Holy living is possible only by the Holy Spirit.

God promises in Ezekiel 36:25-27, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart. . . . I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (NKJV). One marvelous truth about the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is that He is a constant companion and an everpresent help in the time of need. Many times I have walked into a worship service feeling tired, stressed, and burdened, knowing I was there to speak encouragement into the lives of the people but feeling I was the one who needed to be encouraged. On those occasions, the Holy Spirit has come gently and made Himself known as an effervescent spring of living water. He has not come with rebuke, but with the tenderness of a true Friend, offering sustenance to a thirsty soul. Lamar Vest is president of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee.

WASHED BY THE WORD WHEN HE WAS in his twenties, Kendall attended a revival service at the request of his friends. He had never been converted and had not been to a Pentecostal or Charismatic church before. He sat toward the back of the congregation. When it was time for the minister to speak, Kendall was startled because the preacher left the front of the church and walked back to his pew. Though the two had never met, the minister, feeling led by the Holy Spirit, stood right in front of Kendall and handed his closed Bible to him. The preacher said, “I want you to pick the scripture that I will preach from tonight.” Kendall stared at the preacher in disbelief and took the Bible from him. He had never studied the Bible and had no idea what to do. Afraid to take his eyes off of the minister, he continued staring into the preacher’s eyes as he held the Bible in both hands and let it fall open in his lap. Still gazing into the evangelist’s eyes, Kendall took his right index finger and laid it on one of the pages of the Bible, oblivious to where he pointed. The preacher and Kendall together looked down at the passage of Scripture he had selected. The minister took the Bible from him and returned to the pulpit. Then, he read the passage of Scripture to the rest of the congregation. It was the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. As the evangelist preached, Kendall was mesmerized by his words. He said, “That minister was preaching about me. I was the prodigal!” When everyone was invited to pray at the altar, Kendall went forward, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and God called him into the ministry. He spent the rest of his life telling others that the heavenly Father was still calling prodigals like him to come home. —Excerpted from Encountering the Holy Spirit, by French L. Arrington (©2003 Pathway Press).

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W

EATHER-WORN and bronzed by the desert sun, John the Baptist stood near the muddy Jordan River, where he had baptized the many people who had been convinced and converted through his preaching. Raising his sunburned arms in the air, signaling for the crowd’s attention, he began to speak with purpose and passion: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matt. 3:11).

Baptized With Fire When John said “and with fire,” it was more than a mere verbal addendum to what was already a complete and descriptive announcement. The contrast between the two baptizers is interesting:

• John baptized in a river of cold water; Jesus baptized in what some refer to as a “river of fire.” • While one man baptized in water that outwardly testifies, Jesus baptized with fire that inwardly purifies. • John the water baptizer put believers into the river; Jesus the Spirit baptizer puts the river in believers. Today, baptism is largely a religious word, but 2,000 years ago it was also a commercial word associated with dyeing cloth. The cloth was dipped, or baptized, into the dye until it accepted the nature of the dye. The cloth looked and smelled like the dye. The cloth had been dipped in the dye, but now the dye was in the cloth. A. B. Simpson wrote: The baptism of John represented the cleansing of our life and conduct, the reformation of our character, and the work of the law and the truth upon human hearts. But Christ’s baptism was

by fire, and went to the roots of conduct. The purity He required included motives, aims, and the “thoughts and intents of the heart.” He not only requires but He gives the purity that springs from the depths of our being. Like the flame that consumes the dross and leaves the molten metal pure and unalloyed, so the Holy Ghost separates us from our old sinful and self-like nature and burns into us the nature of the life of Christ (The Holy Spirit).

The Spirit of Burning As with other Scriptural emblems such as water, wind, and oil, fire is used to help indicate and illustrate the nature and effect of the Holy Spirit’s mission on the earth, within the believer, and inside the church. Throughout the Bible, fire is used to symbolize our heavenly Father’s presence (Ex. 3:2), approval (Lev. 9:24), protection (Ex. 13:21), purity (Isa. 6:18), enablement (Acts 2:3), and, yes, even

HOLY FIRE by

TIM HILL

Whatever the fire touches becomes what the fire is.

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judgment, for Hebrews 12:29 declares, “Our God is a consuming fire.” William Evans, writing in The Great Doctrines of the Bible, said one of the names ascribed to the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of burning.” Evans cites two scriptures: Matthew 3:11 (“He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire)” and Isaiah 4:4 (“When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion . . . by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning”). This cleansing from filth is done by the blast of the Spirit’s burning. Here is the searching, illuminating, refining, dross-consuming character of the Spirit. He burns up the dross in our lives when He enters to take possession.

more, that the fire of God will serve as a defense and protector in this day of increased spiritual and natural conflict. Zechariah 2:4-5 records this divine promise to Jerusalem’s inhabitants: “Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a [protective] wall of fire around it . . . and I will be its glory within” (NIV). While walls speak of protection, they also speak of boundaries and limits. This passage promises expansion and protection at the same time. The natural limits imposed by walls of stone will be eliminated, but security will not be compromised because the divine Protector will Himself become a wall of fire around the city.

A Distinctive Fire The fire of the Holy Spirit is incomparably distinctive. Occasionally, someone reminiscent of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3) arises to advocate the latest in modern-day counterfeit fire, feeding off carnality and promoting sensationalism, excess, and self-glory. However, the authentic fire of the Holy Spirit feeds the soul with divine nutrition, producing a profound inward life with God. George D. Watson wrote: True fire has its seat in the heart. It melts the affections . . . and all its furnace flames are centered in the love nature. False fire runs up into the head and centers itself in the imagination and produces rashness and impractical schemes. It produces an unbalanced view of truth. True fire produces great tenderness of spirit and a yearning in the soul for the welfare of everyone (apologeticsindex.org).

A Defending Fire The fire of God was the defense for the children of Israel. “The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night; he took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people” (Ex. 13:21-22). As God’s children, we should expect nothing less, but rather anticipate even

I hear the Lord saying to the church, “No more limits, but no less PROTECTION.” I’m convinced this fiery promise speaks just as prophetically to the Church of God today. I hear the Lord saying, No more limits, but no less protection. While the limiting walls come down and the church is enlarged to reap its greatest harvest, the limitless protection of God’s presence of fire will also sustain, equip, and empower the church for greater advancement as we approach the day of the Lord’s coming.

A Drawing Fire In Revelation 3:16, Jesus warned of an age of lukewarmness that the church must resist. Vance Havner described this condition as being “a little too hot to be cold and a little too cold to be hot” (Hearts Afire). Tepidity is a slow but certain invader to any substance removed from the fire.

Rather than the substance affecting the environment, it eventually becomes affected by the environment and cools to the point of meaningless coexistence. There is nothing desirable about a tepid church removed from the fires of revival. It is ultimately cooled by a carnal environment until it takes on the nature and temperature of the place it was intended to impact. On the Day of Pentecost, the crowds were drawn by the fire of the Spirit’s presence. Then and now, people are attracted to godly passion and conviction. “Men ablaze are invincible,” said Samuel Chadwick. “Hell trembles when men kindle. The church is powerless without the flame of the Holy Ghost. Destitute of fire, nothing else really counts; possessed of fire, nothing else really matters. Without the flame and fervor of the Holy Ghost, the church will never accomplish its mission.” Fire is a wonderful picture of the work of the Holy Spirit, reminding us and exemplifying to us God’s presence, purity, and passion. As a boy, I would watch when my father built a fire. He would take the fireplace poker and arrange the logs while also stirring the embers. After a while, the tip of the poker would glow red with heat. Before the poker would cool, it seemed it could touch anything and set it ablaze, because the poker had been in the fire long enough for the fire to get into the poker. The poker had become one with the fire. I learned that whatever the fire touches becomes what the fire is. In Isaiah 6:6-8, we read how Isaiah experienced oneness with the fire of God when the coals from the altar were placed on his lips, taking away his iniquity and purging his sin. His life and prophetic ministry became synonymous with the fire that had consumed him, and he cried to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.” May we as Christians today be so united with the fire of the Holy Spirit that the resulting mission to carry the Gospel to the lost will be accomplished. Tim Hill, D.D., is director of ChurchChurch of Godat World Missions. Liberty Square EVANGEL • may 2016

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T 22 YEARS OLD, I encountered God as “the great mystery and fascination” in the poorest place I have ever been. I was halfway through my seminary degree and less than a year into my first job in ministry, serving as a part-time youth minister. Our church had made some connections with a missionary family in Nicaragua—one of the most poverty-stricken countries in

As our group drove toward her neighborhood, I was getting legitimately nervous for our safety. She lived in a massive slum. Unemployment in Nicaragua is so high that the neighborhoods are filled with men, especially young men, who often resort to crime and street warfare in order to survive. People were walking up to our van and checking us out. When I think about that van ride, images

by JOSHUA RICE

MISS RUBY the Western hemisphere—and I was able to lead my first mission trip that summer with a dozen high school students. On the last day of the trip, the missionary told us he wanted us to meet someone: an elderly lady named Miss Ruby. He didn’t say much about Miss Ruby, just that she stayed at home most of the time, but from her house she held Pentecostal prayer meetings and worship services, preaching to whomever might show up. 16

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of Somalia come to mind. It seemed like we were driving further and further into pure, ungovernable chaos. I was scared. Finally we made it to the home, the shack that we were looking for; Miss Ruby was standing outside. She was one of the shortest people I have encountered. She had lost many of her teeth and wore an old dress with her dark hair pulled back. She looked both ancient and full of life, like a sensei. She spoke pretty good English, which was itself mysterious. Why

would anyone living in that neighborhood need to speak English? She invited us in. The house did have a roof and electricity, and the front room was big enough for our group to uncomfortably pile into. She was very welcoming, even as none of us really knew what we would be doing there. As if the scene couldn’t get any stranger, Miss Ruby pulled out a guitar, sat on a chair, and started singing Pentecostal worship songs that we knew in English. We all sang along. Then she opened the Bible and shared something. I cannot remember what it was. But what happened next I would not believe if I had not been there. Miss Ruby began to go around our circle and pray for each one of us, one by one. These prayers were not general; they were so specific that I was trembling. Before she prayed for each one in our circle, she would ask questions about them. “Young man, how long have you been adopted?” “Young lady, why do you question your husband’s love for you? He has special love for you.” “Young man, why do you fear all the day long?” She went person to person that way, revealing an awareness of their situation back home that was absolutely hairraising. I was the last one to be prayed for, so I had plenty of time to stress over whether or not I had any secrets that were about to be outed to the whole gathering in her living room. And when she came to me, she told me things buried deep within my heart. She told me exactly what I was there in that slum to hear. “Where can I go from Your Spirit?” the psalmist asks (Ps. 139:7 NASB). Who is this Pentecostal God, sneaking around, putting words into people’s mouths, into their ears, wooing them to places they may or may not want to go? Joshua Rice, Ph.D., is pastor of leadership and community development for the North Mount Paran Church of God in Marietta, Georgia. This article is excerpted from his book, The Jewish Centaur: Adventures in Pentecostal Spirituality. [email protected]

Guatemalan Church

Leader Murdered From the Director

Investigation continues into the death of a prominent indigenous church leader in Guatemala, reported a few weeks ago. Pastor Juan Saturnino Guachiac, supervisor of Quiché-speaking congregations in the area of the country where the forebears of the Church of God began ministry a century ago, was murdered by persons unknown. Saturnino was pastor of a local church, while also planting two new congregations. He was identified by the superintendent of Central America, Otoniel Collins, as the most well-known leader within the Quiché indigenous community and a respected church official who was overseer of 26 churches.

Pastor Juan Saturnino Guachiac

Supervisor of Quiché-speaking congregations

Forty-three percent of the people of Guatemala belong to one of the 29 separate indigenous people groups, and the Quiché are the largest. They are descendants of the Mayan empire, which once controlled large areas of Central America. Indigenous people in the country today are typically poor, suffer from lack of health care, and are beset by alcoholism. Saturnino had begun educational efforts aimed at bettering the life of his community, and this might have been a contributing factor in his death. The pastor had been widowed a few years ago, and he is survived by four adult children. Territorial Supervisor Alfredo Calderon is ministering to the family. According to the respected Operation World publication, in terms of membership the Church of God is the largest Protestant movement within Guatemala. Some 2,400 congregations and 800 missions serve all areas of the nation. All the leaders within the country are nationals. 

TIM M. HILL Director

JOHN D. CHILDERS Assistant Director

Global Connect May 2016 WORLD MISSIONS LEADERSHIP Tim Hill, Director John D. Childers, Assistant Director Dee Raff, Missions Administrator EDITOR Bill George DESIGN EDITOR Mark Shuler CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Janet Polen Price

Saturnino had begun educational efforts aimed at bettering the life of his community.

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Every day Church of God career missionaries wake up to exotic noises, wind through crowded streets, and eat foods their friends back home have never heard of.

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“I feel so supported by this initiative”

“The Year of the Missionary program helped me feel less isolated.”

—Kelly Myers, Czech Republic Thousands of miles from home, they are immersed in other cultures, speaking languages they are struggling to make their own. Whether or not they have access to top quality medical care, good local schools, and 21st century technology; whether or not they can come home when their parents are sick or play with their grandchildren, or save money for a comfortable retirement—all day every day they persist in living out their calling to bring good news. As Dr. Tim Hill explained, “Our career missionaries have stood the test of time regardless of the difficulties and the circumstances that they have faced. We feel it is imperative for them to know the Church of God is not only interested in their success and accomplishments, but also in their personal well-being spiritually, physically, and emotionally.” In recognition of their extraordinary service, Dr. Timothy M. Hill and Dr. John D. Childers named 2015 “The Year of the Missionary.” Throughout the year, missionaries worldwide received 12 benefits, including a number of gifts. Culminating the emphasis is complementary housing for this July’s General Assembly. The response from missionaries has been immediate and overwhelming: “As a career missionary I feel so supported by this initiative,“ commented Kelly Myers in the Czech Republic. “I feel the current World Missions administration is being led by the Holy Spirit into this endeavor.” Neil and Jennifer Lawrence in El Doret, Kenya, exclaimed, “Wow! We feel blessed by this initiative and look forward to more favor.” Paul

—Emily Green, Thailand

“Praise the Lord, He has heard our plea.” —Paul Dyar, Honduras

Dyar in Honduras commented, “Praise the Lord, He has heard our plea and has answered our petition.” In addition to gratitude for the 12 opportunities offered during the Year of the Missionary, individuals serving far from home, appreciated the concern of World Missions staff. Debbie Thompson, who serves with her husband, Max, in Liberia commented. “I think the best thing is just that the church and the leadership are validating the fact that their career missionaries make very real and important sacrifices to fulfill the Great Commission. We’re just ordinary people doing what God has called us to do, and we don’t need a lot of patting on the back, but this initiative was well-timed and well-appreciated.” Thompson’s sentiments were echoed by Emily Green, who serves in Thailand. “I think it was a wonderful idea, and I’m so glad it came into being. I know that every missionary’s experience is different, but I sometimes felt disconnected while I was in Thailand. The Year of the Missionary program helped me feel less isolated. It has also started the conversation about what optimal missionary care looks like.” “Our missionaries are currently in every time zone preaching the love of Christ,” Hill explained. “They are asked to do the impossible, go to difficult places, and yet must raise their total budget. Missionaries are serving in crucial and critical times. The Year of the Missionary was our attempt to prove in a more tangible way—

“We are with you!”

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We have set up four ways of sending General Assembly Missionaries from around the world are offerings to missionaries: making advance preparations to attend the 2016 International General Assembly, and those (1) Give through the website: www.cogwm.org/give (Project #

who appreciate missionaries are invited to show their love by helping to provide hotel rooms for them. The Assembly will convene in July in Nashville, Tennessee. Career Missionaries are always invited to attend the General Assembly, but their expenses are paid out of the ministry budget that they raise. The cost of rooms for the length of the event will be more than many of them can afford. May is designated as “Career Missionary Appreciation Month,” and donors are encouraged to give funds—in any amount—to help them prepare for the trip. Gifts of $10, $50, and on to $1,500 will unite with others in a proclamation of appreciation that speaks loudly every time a Career Missionary family enters the sanctuary of their room in Nashville.

102-9389-008); (2) Text to give: Text 855-291-4483 with the amount and keyword: Maymissions; (3) Call 1.800.535.9343 and speak to a donor relations representative during office hours; or (4) Mail your gift to Church of God World Missions, P.O. Box 8016, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-8016 and use the Project Number noted above. Missionaries will be blessed by your gift, and so will you! “How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence” (1 Thessalonians 3:9 NLT). 

Visit globalCONNECT online at

www.cogwm.org

for updated information weekly. 20

by PHILIP M. BONAPARTE

Like the

WIND I

N 1979, I was a college freshman studying in Grenada, West Indies. Months earlier, Grenada’s democratic government had been toppled by an opposition party aided by communist Cuba. One fall day, some other students and I were brought aboard a Cuban ship that had docked in Grenada. We toured the ship, and the captain answered questions about life in Cuba, mainly focused on entertainment, sports, education, and so on. I asked the captain about church life in Cuba—specifically about religious freedoms. The captain said the Cuban people were free to attend church—they had religious freedom. I then asked him a personal question in front of hundreds of students: “Do you believe in God?” The captain answered that he did not, explaining he believed only in what he could see. He had never seen God, so he did not believe in Him. The Holy Spirit led me to ask the captain if he believed in the wind. He was speechless for a moment; then he stammered, and finally said yes. “Have you ever seen the wind?” I asked. 22

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The Unseen but Ever-Present HOLY SPIRIT

He said no. He then explained that though he had never seen the wind, he had seen and felt the effects of the wind. I replied that I had never seen God, but I had seen the powerful effects of God in my life and the lives of others.

“The Wind Blows Where It Wishes” In John 3:8, Jesus made a direct correlation of the symbol of wind to the Holy Spirit: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (NKJV). “The working of the Holy Spirit in the new birth is as mysterious as the source and destination of the blowing wind,” notes The Orthodox Study Bible. “Likewise, the Spirit moves where He wills and cannot be contained by human ideas or agendas.” The Hebrew word rûach and the Greek word pneuma can be translated as “wind/ breath” or “spirit.” We see this in the Creation account: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2 NKJV); or, “A wind from God swept over the face of the waters” (NRSV). Wind is invisible and ubiquitous, which means it exists or is found everywhere,

especially at the same time. Wind can mean a gentle breeze or the powerful force of a tornado (what the Scriptures call a “whirlwind”), which can create winds over 300 miles per hour. Wind is used as a source of power and energy; it sails ships and turns windmills. I have seen the effects of the wind: transformed landscapes, uprooted trees, and eroded beaches. Wind symbolizes the invisible, everywhere-present, all-powerful influence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a Person, not an it; He is the third member of the Godhead, and gives life to people.

The Breath of God Remember that the Hebrew and Greek words for wind are also translated “breath.” Genesis 2:7 says, “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (NKJV). The breath of God birthed the spirit of man. We see Jesus doing something similar for His disciples. Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to them and said, “‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:21-22 NIV).

The disciples did not receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit that day; Jesus’ promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. However, His breathing on them symbolized that the wind of God soon would blow on His followers. Several weeks later, the first manifestation of the Holy Spirit to the Church was with the symbol of wind: “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2 NKJV).

Encountering the Wind of the Spirit Over the years, I have experienced the wind of the Spirit in a few sanctuaries while ministering the Word of God and praying for individuals at the altar. When an anointing presence of God filled the building, some people cried; others laughed; some prostrated themselves on the floor. The wind of God is refreshing. There’s a warm yet cool feeling that fills one up on the inside when the presence of the Lord fills the building. The Holy Spirit wants to fill our churches and our lives today with

MIRACULOUS MESSAGE MY MOTHER never thought of herself as a preacher, but she once preached a sermon without knowing it. She was taken to the hospital for surgery, but something happened. All the time she was being operated on, she was speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit touched her lips. A Hispanic doctor was assisting the surgery and when she came to, he was gone. Two weeks later he came to see her and immediately asked the question, “Where did you learn to speak such beautiful Spanish?” Mom replied, “I don’t know any Spanish.” The doctor was astounded. “All the time we were operating on you, you were speaking in the most beautiful Spanish, telling me about a man called Jesus. I thought you were crazy until, toward the end of the surgery, you told me to go home because I was needed there. As soon as I finished the surgery, I was handed a note stating that my father had suffered a heart attack down in the islands. That’s where I have been for the past two weeks.” God used my mother to show His power to this surgeon.―Ron K. Martin This testimony is excerpted from Blessed Assurance: Jesus Has My Back, by T. David Sustar (©2016 Pathway Press).

transforming power to equip us to impact our world. Will you allow Jesus to breathe on you today? For this to occur, you must position yourself to receive from God. On Pentecost, believers were together, united in one accord and in one place. One of the hindrances to the Holy Spirit blowing His power into our midst today is division.

Let’s unite as one body and then anticipate receiving the mighty wind of God’s Spirit in our lives as never seen before. Philip M. Bonaparte, M.D., is senior pastor of New Hope Church of God—one church in three locations (Trenton, East Windsor, and Long Branch, NJ). pastor@newhope cog.com

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FRESH OIL by TIM OLDFIELD

The Spirit’s Empowering, Healing, Illuminating Presence

I

PREACHED MY FIRST sermon at the 1979 Idaho Church of God Camp Meeting. State Overseer V. R. Mitchell asked me to preach for 20 minutes in an afternoon service, even though I had never preached before. I was 22 years old, and my text was Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”* I remember feeling the presence and power of the Holy Spirit as I spoke. The oil of His anointing was empowering me beyond my ability. However, seeing some well-known Church of God leaders sitting in front of me, I became fearful and struggled significantly. After concluding, I sat down and felt a sense of failure; I decided I was not called to preach. In that significant moment, I believe the Spirit whispered to me, Look up. I saw men and women worshiping God because He had ministered to them while I spoke. His oil began to illuminate my understanding and enlighten my perspective. I realized it was not my performance that makes the difference, but His presence.

him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam. 16:13). Simon Peter said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38; see Luke 4:18). The apostle John taught that Christians “have an anointing from the Holy One. . . . The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you” (1 John 2:20, 27).

The ANOINTING of the Spirit brings to light the gifts and abilities He has given us.

The Oil Represents Anointing Old Testament prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s empowering for service. The Lord told Elijah, “You shall anoint [Elisha] as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:16). The Lord told Moses, “You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests” (Ex. 30:30). In obedience to the Lord’s command, “Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed 24

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What does this mean to us? Every day of our lives, the Holy Spirit is present. He gives us wisdom beyond our human wisdom. He brings a divine sensitivity to our understanding and leads us in our journey of faith. We must surrender to Him and to this anointing of the Holy Spirit, giving Him control of our lives. The anointing of the Spirit brings to light the gifts and abilities He has given us. Ray H. Hughes’ powerful message,

“The Anointing Makes the Difference,” impacted my life and constantly reminds me to lean on God. Dwight L. Moody said: “There is no use in running before you are sent. There is no use in attempting to do God’s work without God’s power. A man working without this unction, a man working without this anointing, a man working without the Holy Ghost upon him, is losing his time after all. So we are not going to lose anything if we tarry till we get this power.” Every day we need to be “anointed with fresh oil” (Ps. 92:10). Charles Spurgeon said, “Never try to live on the old manna, nor seek to find help in Egypt. . . . Old anointings will not suffice to impart unction to thy spirit; thine head must have fresh oil poured upon it from the golden horn of the sanctuary, or it will cease from its glory.”

The Oil Represents Light Concerning the lampstand for the Tabernacle, the Lord told Moses, “You shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually” (Ex. 27:20). The oil of the Holy Spirit in us causes us to reflect the illuminating presence of Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 8:12). We are called to be “lightwalkers” in this world: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14, 16).

In a world of darkness, the Spirit of God empowers us to lead transformed lives, as a witness of His grace in us. John the Baptist “was a lamp that burned and gave light” (John 5:35 NIV). Paul and Barnabas (in the synagogue at Antioch) said, “This is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47 NIV). Light-walking is the “light-style” of the believer. Often we try too hard to be true representatives of our God. The oil of the Holy Spirit works in us to bring distinction, helping us to be light in dark places. Yielding and surrendering to Him creates the atmosphere for Him to make us reflectors of the great light, Jesus Christ.

opportunity to bathe. Oil used in this way was usually scented. Naomi told Ruth, “Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself” (Ruth 3:3). In Esther’s preparation to go before the king, she completed these treatments: “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women” (Est. 2:12).

rubbed with oil and herbs before baking. The oil was on the bread. Centuries later, Jesus declared, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). The Word of God is the eternal bread that sustains us. The oil of the Spirit is on this holy bread. Charles Parham said, “The anointing of the Holy Spirit is given to illuminate

Ecclesiastes 9:8 makes the connection between the oil and purity: “Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil.” In these lustful days, Christians struggle with the concept of living pure before God, which the Bible demands. If we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He will empower us to live “not as unwise but as wise” (Eph. 5:15 NIV). A Spirit-controlled life can overcome the lust of the flesh.

His Word, to open the Scriptures, and to place the spiritual man in direct communication with the mind of God.” The Holy Spirit is the author of Holy Scripture. We could never begin to understand the eternal revelations of truth except by the oil of the Spirit. Whenever we study the Bible, we should invite Him to anoint our eyes to see and our ears to hear what He is saying to us. Every day, in all you say and do, you need the Holy Spirit. He is with you always, and His desire is to anoint you with His oil. Let Him!

The Oil Speaks of Healing Ancient writings reveal oil was a valuable medical remedy. The Good Samaritan used oil and wine to cleanse and relieve the wounds of the man who fell among thieves (Luke 10:34). Spiritually, oil symbolizes the healing power of the Holy Spirit. James asked, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15). Beginning in Exodus, God identified Himself as the healer, declaring, “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Ex. 15:26 KJV). Malachi 4:2 prophetically identified Christ as “the Sun of Righteousness . . . with healing in His wings.” Jesus’ earthly ministry was marked by countless healings. This ministry of healing continued through the apostles . . . and still continues through His church (Acts 8:4-8; James 5:13-16). The oil speaks of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the manifestation of healing. We must trust the One who never changes (Mal. 3:6: James 1:17).

The Oil Speaks of Cleansing From earliest times, oil was used to keep the skin and scalp soft when traveling in dry regions where there was no

The Oil Concerns Revelation God’s people were instructed to bring “a grain offering baked in the oven, [which] shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil” (Lev. 2:4). The cakes were prepared from ordinary dough

* Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are from the New King James Version. Tim Oldfield is lead pastor of the Potter’s House Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. EVANGEL • may 2016

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by RANDY EATON

R

EGARDLESS OF OUR cultural background, ethnicity, social standing, moral failings, theological aptitude, political opinions, or religious affiliation, everyone’s Christian life begins the same way: believing in Jesus and accepting His death on the cross as adequate payment for our sins. Once we are Christians, we continue to live for Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is Christianity 101, but an understanding of this changes everything. To begin with, we need to be reminded who and whose we are. We are Christians because we “received Christ Jesus the Lord” (Col. 2:6). We become children of God by adoption (Rom. 8:15) and experience life on a new spiritual plane. Yet there is another profound truth we need to embrace: The Holy Spirit lives within every Christian. You may not be enjoying the fullness of the Spirit, you may have grieved the Holy Spirit by unconfessed sin, and you may question the baptism in the Holy Spirit. However, if you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit. Ponder this great truth for a moment. Because of Jesus’ death on a cross, your sins were paid in full, the Holy Spirit resides within you, and you now belong to God. Paul wrote: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NASB).

In Good Hands As Christians, we are in good hands. We belong to God, the Holy Spirit lives in us, and we exist for His purposes. Paul told the church in Ephesus, “In [Christ] you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:13-14 ESV). Paul was a pastor-theologian, and he wanted to provide the Ephesians with 26

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The SEAL of theSpirit God’s Gift and Guarantee

a Biblical worldview. He said they were redeemed by faith in the Gospel and given the Holy Spirit both as a seal and a guarantee of God’s work of grace in their life. In other words, God’s seal of the Spirit was a present acknowledgment that they belonged to God, the Holy Spirit lived within them, and He was now supervising their lives.

This message should be plastered on billboards throughout America, tweeted from every Christian’s Twitter account, and endlessly posted on Facebook. I’m sure Paul would have spread this message across social media if technology in the ancient world had provided Wi-Fi to his place of imprisonment in Rome. Thankfully, Paul’s inspired writings reveal that

God purchased our salvation, placed His Holy Spirit in us, and will never forget about us—His sealed possession.

Two Great Truths 1. Because of God’s seal of the Holy Spirit, we can have a sense of self-worth. God’s love for us is so vast that He initiates our salvation and seals us with His Spirit. The seal is the Spirit Himself. Paul’s use of the term seal may seem odd to Christians living in a post-Christian culture, but for Paul’s readers the image conveyed significance. In the New Testament, seal sometimes means a sign of authenticity or protection. In Ephesians 1:13, however, Paul uses the term to reflect the ancient practice of identifying an item and placing ownership on it. 2. Because of God’s seal of the Holy Spirit, we can have a sense of security. The Holy Spirit is God’s “guarantee” (v. 14), or “deposit” (NIV). This commercial term referred to a wax seal identifying an item that would eventually be purchased in full by its owner. This seal guaranteed the item was the sole possession of the owner and that the owner would not forget it. So Paul establishes two great truths in verses 13 and 14. First, the Holy Spirit is God’s seal in the life of every believer, marking each Christian as God’s purchased possession. Second, as God’s seal, the Holy

OBEY THE SPIRIT’S INWARD TUGS GREG MCDUFFIE sings in the choir at High Praises Church (Anderson, SC) and has served as a deacon. He has a magnetic personality and can tell some of the funniest stories. He is also a man of tremendous faith and godliness. Last year, Greg was devastated to learn he had a tumor in him the size of a football. All tests indicated it was attached to his organs and tissues, and one doctor plainly told him he was in serious trouble. Greg was scheduled to have surgery at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, and the doctors informed him it would be a long and complicated procedure. The Sunday before his surgery, God’s Spirit directed one of my members, James Whittington, to go to the choir and pray for Greg. I was preaching, but James obeyed the Lord. He walked right past me, walked up to Greg, and said, “The Lord has told me to pray for you.” As he prayed, the Holy Spirit came on Greg in supernatural power, and Greg began speaking in tongues. He knew God had done something in his body. When he sat down after the prayer, God spoke to him and said, “I have prepared you for surgery.” At that moment, a lasting peace settled on Greg. A few days later, when the doctors performed his surgery, they were shocked to see the tumor completely detached from any organs or tissues. The tumor was quickly removed without any of the expected complications, and Greg was out of surgery in no time. It was nothing short of a miracle, and the doctors said so. Later, James told us he had no idea Greg had a tumor or was going to have surgery. Because he simply obeyed the Spirit’s tug, the natural met the supernatural in Greg’s body. The God who performed that miracle is living inside of you in the person of the Holy Spirit. Yield to His divine tugs and live in the Spirit every day. Those tugs will lead to your own personal testimony of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.―Chris Sustar This testimony is excerpted from When the Natural Meets the Supernatural, by Chris Sustar (©2015 Pathway Press).

Spirit serves also as a deposit, driving home the truth that Christians belong to God, who watches over His prized possessions.

A Steady Faith

Christians belong to God, who WATCHES OVER His prized possessions.

The seal of the Holy Spirit is more than a reminder that we can have a sense of self-worth and security. The presence of the Holy Spirit should also lead to a steady faith. Life is difficult, and the use of the word seal should not be taken to mean God will protect us from all pain, problems, and pressures. Paul was no ivorytower scholar writing about abstract ideas or feel-good pop psychology. Instead, he reminds us what God’s Word teaches elsewhere—we may not always be protected from evil and pain, but we can have the assurance that we belong to God. The seal of the Holy Spirit means we are in God’s good care, especially during

discouragement and, ultimately, even at death. God’s seal recognizes that the promises of God are ours to confess and claim. Understanding the seal of the Holy Spirit will help us recognize God’s sovereignty and supervision over our lives and the fact that one day Christ is coming again and we will be glorified. With this perspective, we discover nothing is really accidental or meaningless. Though we are already redeemed, we are waiting for the full reality of our salvation—that future day when God returns for His prized possession, which He sealed for Himself the day we accepted Christ by faith. Randy Eaton, D.Min., is lead pastor of Cross Community Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he lives with his wife, Deana, and their five children.   EVANGEL • may 2016

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2016 CAMP MEETING SCHEDULE 2016 2016 2016 2016 201 STATE Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California/Nevada Canada—Ontario Canada—Quebec Canada—Western East Central Hispanic Florida—Cocoa Florida—Tampa Georgia—North Georgia—South Great Lakes Hawaii Heartland Illinois Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Maryland/Delaware/DC Michigan Midlands Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Multi-Cultural New England—Hispanic New England—Northern New England—Southern New Jersey New Mexico New York—Metro New York—Upstate North Carolina—Eastern North Carolina—Western North Central North Central Hispanic Northeastern Hispanic Northwestern Hispanic Ohio Pacific Northwest Pennsylvania Rocky Mountain Region Romanian South Caroliina South Central Hispanic Southeastern Hispanic Southwestern Hispanic Southwest Indian Tennessee Texas Virginia West Virginia 28

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DATE LOCATION May 31—June 3 Metropolitan Church of God, Birmingham May 10-13 Harvest Christian Fellowship, Anchorage June 7-10 Parkway Community Church of God, Phoenix June 7-10 Rock of NEA, Jonesboro June 14-17 Life Cathedral Church of God, Fresno June 5-8 Praise Cathedral Worship Centre, Mississauga April 29—May 1 Resurrection Center, Lachine May 20-22 Truth & Life Worship Centre, Winnipeg April 28-30 North Cleveland Church of God, TN June 23-26 West Palm Beach Convention Center June 6-10 Church of God Convention Center, Wimauma June 1-3 The Church at Liberty Square, Cartersville June 6-10 Church of God Tabernacle, Tifton June 12-15 New Life Celebration Church of God, Dolton June 20-23 Calvary Chapel & Church of God Ministry Center, Aiea June 7-10 Lakeside Church of God; Norman, OK June 5-8 All Nations Church of God, Marion June 8-10 River of Life Church of God, Indianapolis June 13-17 Church of God State Campground, Lexington June 7-10 House of Prayer International, Monroe June 26-29 Raymond E. Crowley Worship Center; Georgetown, MD June 14-17 Church of God Ministry Center, Fenton June 8-11 Iglesia de Dios Fraternidad Cristiana; Bellevue, NE June 8-10 Various locations June 8-11 Christway Church of God, Flowood June 8-10 House of Praise, Bonne Terre July 20 Omni Hotel & Resorts; Nashville, TN May 28 Rehoboth Church of God; Bloomfield, CT June 21-24 Royal Ridge Church of God; Scarborough, ME June 27—July 2 Rehoboth Church of God; Bloomfield, CT June 22-26 New Covenant Church of God, Plainfield June 15-18 New Life Church of God, Albuquerque June 8-10 New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Jamaica July 7-9 R.I.T. Inn & Conference Center, Henrietta June 5-9 Church of God Conference Center, Kenly June 12-16 Gateway Assembly Grounds Conference Center, Whittier June 22-24 Legacy United Methodist Church; Bismarck, ND June 16-17 Church of God Lemoyne Street, Chicago June 23-25 Church of God Jubilee Camp; Allentown, PA April 1-2 Harbor Light Church; Fremont, CA June 5-8 The Potter’s House, Columbus June 13-16 Grace Point Church of God; Pasco, WA June 15-17 The Alliance Somerset Campus, Somerset June 8-10 Agape Fellowship; Pueblo, CO TBD June 5-10 Church of God Convention Center, Simpsonville June 23-25 Central Park Church of God; Garland, TX Feb. 26-27 Various locations June 2-4 Templo Calvario; Santa Ana, CA June 7-10 Southwest Indian Ministries Campground; Manuelito, NM June 14-17 North Cleveland Church of God June 13-17 Church of God Campground, Weatherford June 14-17 Pulaski Church of God June 5-9 Beckley Family Worship Center

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BIBLE TEACHER EVENING SPEAKER Mitch Corder M. Williams, S. Lowery, I. Charles, D. Jarvis D. Baker, M. Maloney, C. Fischer M.T. Propes, M. Maloney, D. Baker, C. Fischer Various M.T. Propes, J. Smith, M. Maloney, L. Rodriguez Stan Holder D. Griffis, T. Hill, J. Childers, T. Cooper David Cooper, Art Rhodes David M. Griffis, Anthony Pelt M.T. Propes, K. Wallace, C. Williams Wallace J. Sibley Larry Hasmatali M. Thomas Propes David Ramirez M.Thomas Propes J. David Stephens, various speakers Mark Rutland W. Sibley, T. Hill, S. Rodriguez, P. Stone TBA Mark L. Williams, Tim Hill Evening speakers (workshops) Propes, Hill, Stewart, Wallace, Cooper, Ziegler Daniel Vassel, Gary Lewis Tim Hill, Steve Smith, David M. Griffis, Dusty Wilson Brian Cutshall David M. Griffis, Tim Hill Terry Tramel Mark L. Williams, Billy Wilson Wayne Sheppard Wallace J. Sibley, various speakers Lamar Vest, Justin Walker Wallace J. Sibley, Tony Stewart Michael Knight Sibley, Griffis, Propes, Dority, Moody Doug Small Wallace J. Sibley, John Childers, Mitchell Tolle Sr. Fred Garmon Griffis, McDermott, Bair, Braswell Tommy Powell J. David Stephens, Kip Box, Michelle Davenport Doug Baker Wallace J. Sibley, Wayne Dority, Derwood Perkins Joe Dobbins Mark L. Williams, Joe Dobbins Dennis McGuire David M. Griffis, Bruce Rabon, Bill Lee, Kevin Wallace Randy Smith Raymond Culpepper Wallace J. Sibley Juan Wagenveld Mark L. Williams TBA M. Thomas Propes, Mitchell Tolle Danny Kyei-Poakwa Stephens, Anto, Stewart, Ziegler, Barnett Williams, Wallace, Wallace, Binda, Charles Terry Harris M. Thomas Propes, Tom Madden Mark L. Williams, Kevin Wallace, David Ramirez Jean Bruno Wallace J. Sibley, Jean Bruno Hal Thompson Jr., V. Massey, R. White Propes, Stephens, Culpepper, Massey, White Victor Massey M. Thomas Propes, Tim Hill, Kevin Wallace Thomas Doolittle David M. Griffis, Scottie Hager Efrain Navas J. David Stephens TBA J. David Stephens, TBA Mark L. Williams Stan Toler, Ron Schubert, Ron Martin Rabon, Culpepper, McGuire, Stephens Lamar Vest, Sean O’Neal M. Thomas Propes, Stan Holder Chris Thomas J. David Stephens, Ed Lipsey John Morgan David M. Griffis, Terry Addis, Scottie Hager Tony Cooper, Janice Hill, others TBA David M. Griffis, Tim Hill, Kevin Wallace TBA Wallace J. Sibley, TBA Mark L. Williams, David M. Griffis, Kevin Wallace Wallace J. Sibley Sam Salyer J. David Stephens, Joe Heard Various Williams, Hill, Rutland, Rodriguez Mitchell Tolle Stephens, Hill, Stewart, Timmerman David Blair David M. Griffis, Tim Hill, Kip Box, Darrell Waller Jerry Chitwood Mark L. Williams, Chris Moody, Phil Pearson

IEC REPRESENTATIVE Mark L. Williams M. Thomas Propes M. Thomas Propes David M. Griffis David M. Griffis M. Thomas Propes Wallace J. Sibley M. Thomas Propes M. Thomas Propes J. David Stephens Wallace J. Sibley Mark L. Williams M. Thomas Propes David M. Griffis David M. Griffis Mark L. Williams Wallace J. Sibley Wallace J. Sibley Wallace J. Sibley Wallace J. Sibley David M. Griffis J. David Stephens Wallace J. Sibley Mark L. Williams David M. Griffis J. David Stephens Wallace J. Sibley Mark L. Williams M. Thomas Propes J. David Stephens Mark L. Williams M. Thomas Propes Mark L. Williams Wallace J. Sibley M. Thomas Propes M. Thomas Propes David M. Griffis J. David Stephens J. David Stephens Mark L. Williams J. David Stephens M. Thomas Propes J. David Stephens David M. Griffis J. David Stephens David M. Griffis Wallace J. Sibley David M. Griffis Wallace J. Sibley J. David Stephens Mark L. Williams J. David Stephens David M. Griffis Mark L. Williams EVANGEL • may 2016

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VIEWPOINTS The size of a church does not necessarily indicate its well-being. What are the marks of a congregation that is not large yet is spiritually healthy? The Single Portrait on the Wall RUSS WILLEMSEN is pastor of the Flint Creek Church of God in Stanley, New York.



WHILE ATTENDING Lee College in the ’70s, my wife and I attended North Cleveland Church of God. We would always enter through the west doorway near their suite of offices. Hanging on both sides of the hallway were portraits of the 24 pastors who had served this congregation to that point. Prior to attending Lee, I promised the Lord I would return to the Finger Lakes of upstate New York to pioneer a Church of God congregation. Lee College prepared me academically, and North Cleveland provided the essential tools of evangelism and outreach training I needed for the arduous task facing me. On May 1, 1980, our first worship service convened at the YMCA in Canandaigua, New York. After advertising, knocking on doors, and passing out Gospel tracts, 10 people came. Thirty-six years later, I am still the pastor of this congregation. Here are four discoveries I have made in pastoring a small but vital church. 1. Stay connected. In upstate New York, our churches are scattered sparsely, and our pastors are bi-vocational. This limits the amount of fellowship with other pastors and congregations, which can lead to painful isolation and depression. I have overcome this by being involved with summer camp meetings, winter prayer conferences, Winterfest, youth camps, and men’s conferences—these serve as spiritual oases. Also, I make a short call to my administrative bishop every week or so, never to complain, but to see how his week is going. 2. Focus on the harvest. There are two basic types of church growth—transitional and harvest. There is a diverse migration of Church of God members from the Caribbean Islands directly to our congregations in New York City, producing transitional growth and new leaders. However, such growth is nonexistent in the Finger Lakes region, where we rely on harvest growth through face-to-face evangelism. It takes years of discipleship and training to produce teachers, worship leaders, and children’s ministry workers through harvest growth. During this mentoring process, the pastor can make a significant impact. It’s also important to assimilate new converts into state-sponsored events. 3. Know the community. Build (and never burn) bridges to schools, government, businesses, and local hospitals. Our church’s benevolent ministry is named “Crossroads Compass of

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Care.” We serve burned-out families, single mothers, victims of domestic violence, and people needing food. In 2015, the food pantry assisted 33,000 people and provided many people with lightly used furniture. Although our congregation is under 50 in attendance, when my wife and I go shopping, many people will greet us, “Hey, Pastor Russ.” Most have never darkened the doors of Flint Creek, yet our congregation has impacted their lives. 4. Be tenacious. Never give up! “Keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you” (2 Tim. 4:5 NLT). Paulette and I have experienced the entire spectrum of pastoral challenges and difficulties—more so than those occasional victories we yearn for. The call to tenacity is in verse 7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (NLT). In the vestibule of Flint Creek hangs only a single portrait celebrating 36 years. However, several feet away, you will find a healthy congregation continually impacting our community.

Reaching Out in Unexpected Places GERALD HUMPHREY is pastor of the Hillsville, Virginia, Church of God.

OUR CHURCH’S MISSION is to reach the hurting and lost, encourage them to have a relationship with Christ, teach and disciple them . . . so we can send them out to continue the cycle. We haven’t always understood how to accomplish this, but with God’s favor and direction, we have begun to understand that being a small church is not a problem, but a particular way to do ministry. The best advice I have ever received was, “Love the people, love the community, and God will take care of the rest.” During our first Christmas in Hillsville, instead of having the usual church dinner, we decided to feed others. With countless hours of preparation, ever-faithful volunteers, stubbornness, and favor, we delivered 75 meals to a retirement community and fed snowbound staff at a nursing home, while another group of volunteers delivered presents to needy families. This all happened despite three feet of snow! This meant the world to those we served. We have realized our priority is not to fill the church, but instead to build God’s kingdom by changing lives. We focus on reaching people where they are, instead of trying to get them

to come to us. God opens new opportunities all the time. Our church has grown due to the lives we’ve touched, but more importantly it has grown spiritually because the congregation has the right mind-set. I am blessed by compliments of how loving and caring our members are, and I love being their pastor. Our church’s most unusual ministry began in April 2015, and has become a testimony to our community. After two years of praying, fasting, and running, we started a Bible study at the local sports bar. Most of the people who attend the study are members of our church; however, we have been able to minister to numerous hurting, scared, and broken people just because we came to them. Since this is such an unusual ministry (even though maybe it shouldn’t be), we have broken down some preconceived ideas about Christians in our community. I’ve seen complete strangers feel comfortable enough to talk openly with me regarding a broad range of issues. Most of these people will never grace the doors of our church, but they are still a part of us. Our church has had ups and downs, but that is part of the process. It is not the size of our church or event that matters; it’s the quality. That sounds cliché, but it is true. Our outreach initiatives have fueled an excitement within our people to grow in God’s Word and share the Gospel. Our children’s ministry demonstrates this best by receiving donations all year long so they can give out gift bags at a nursing home during Christmas. I’ve seen the fruit of being obedient to the Lord even when it seems odd. This has happened through new relationships with individuals, churches, community groups, and the local government. It’s not always easy, but we strive to fulfill the Great Commission through humble service.

Small Churches Can Be Great

MICHAEL NATIONS is pastor of the Clyde, North Carolina, Church of God (since 1994) and founding director of the VITAL Initiative, which resources small congregations. Learn more at vitalinitiative.com or call (828) 246-5071.

EIGHTY PERCENT of Church of God congregations have less than 100 people attending Sunday worship, which means there are over 5,000 small Church of God congregations across the country. The small congregation is the most common form of church in the U.S. across all denominational lines, yet it is misunderstood, misrepresented, and undervalued. If the Church of God is going to accomplish the task God has set before us, every church must be on mission, including small ones. Our culture is infatuated with size, and promotes the idea that bigger is always better—from bigger government and muscles to bigger houses and candy bars. Inundated with this flawed thinking, many churches have decided they are too small to do anything important in the Kingdom and have departed from their mission. The truth is that size is descriptive, not determinative. The size of my church does not determine its worth. Richard Bliese said, “God often elects the small for extraordinary missionary service.”

When a church decides to do what God has called them to do regardless of their size, great things happen. Impactful small churches share the following three traits. 1. Impactful small churches see themselves as vital to what God is doing in the earth today. It is not the size of the church that matters, but the eyes of the church. Small churches must tap into their missionary calling and realize God has strategically placed them in their community as an outpost of the kingdom of God. The church reflects the missionary nature of God to a dying world. Researcher Paul O. Madsen said, “The small church has a place in the mission task that can be filled by no other group.” Impactful small churches realize they are doing important work by faithfully serving God and making the most of every opportunity set before them. 2. Impactful small churches embrace risky relationships. Relationships are the most important element in small churches. We know how critical relationships are inside the church, and most small churches spend the majority of their time enhancing these relationships. However, small churches that follow their missionary calling will develop relationships with people in the community. These relationships are risky because most of the time these people do not look like us, believe like us, act like us, talk like us, or vote like us. This is difficult for those who want a nice, comfortable church; but the comfortable do not impact the world. Remember—God took a risk on us. 3. Impactful small churches are directed by dynamic interaction with the Holy Spirit. Many pastors believe if they can find the right program, develop a better plan, restructure the church, rename the church, attend the right conference, get the right musicians, use more visuals, purchase a better building, or find some other silver bullet, then they can accomplish what God has asked them to do. In a recent conference, my friend Karl Vaters told small-church pastors, “You have everything you need, right now, to do what God has asked you to do!” Only dynamic interaction with the Holy Spirit will provide the answers for our dilemma. The power of the Holy Spirit generates great missional desire and creatively leads the church on mission. God is present in special and powerful ways with those who dare to follow His Spirit into the mission field. Author Kennon L. Callahan contends, “The 21st century is the century of small, strong congregations. More people will be drawn to small, strong congregations than any other kind of congregation.” A small church can be a great church.

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PEOPLE AND EVENTS

but I did not go to church on Mother’s Day for the next five years. Two adoption scams and a move back across the country later, we changed paths again by becoming foster parents. The day we received our license, our caseworker called asking if we would provide five days of care for a 22-month-old boy. Two days in, they asked if we would take him in as a foster placement. Two weeks later, his little brother was born, and we brought him into our home at three days old. Those two boys, Samuel and Timmy, became our adopted chil-

Thomas family

dren, and they have brought such joy to our lives! Our journey to parenthood took almost 20 years, but God was in control all along. He knew these boys would need a mommy, and He knew I needed to be their mom. God has used adoption not only to fill my arms, but also to open my arms to other women around me who are hurting. On Mother’s Day 2016, once again I will find myself sitting in church, most likely with tears of joy flowing for the two precious boys God has placed in our arms. ―Amy Thomas

Dedication prayer for Harvest House

OPEN ARMS ON MOTHER’S DAY Terre Haute, IN―In 2006, shortly after Mother’s Day, I began fertility treatments. My husband and I were sure this would help us realize our decade-long dream of becoming parents, but month after month we were disappointed. After a move across the country and more unsuccessful months of treatment, we decided to switch paths. We had talked about adoption early in our marriage, and now began to feel perhaps this had been God’s plan for us all along. We found an adoption agency and then filled out forms, created a profile, and set up a website. Then, amazingly, I became pregnant! We were overjoyed. On Mother’s Day 2009, I was an expectant mom, but my celebration was mixed with apprehension. A few weeks before, I had some pregnancy complications and was put on bed rest. We 32

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thought we were in the clear, but I still had this nagging feeling that something was wrong. The next day, I went in for an ultrasound. My parents were visiting, and were excited about hearing their grandbaby’s heartbeat for the first time, while I was just looking for reassurance that everything was OK. The technician searched and searched, but there was no heartbeat to be found. Our baby―our miracle―had died in my womb a few weeks before. I had been a Christian since I was 8 years old, and had never questioned God’s goodness . . . but now I questioned everything. I felt helpless and deserted. My grief led me to a dark place, but thankfully God did not leave me there. Slowly and gently, He brought me back to a place of hope. My husband and I jumped back into the adoption process,

HARVEST TIME OPENS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING Ocala, FL―Harvest Time Juvenile Ministries (HTJM) held a dedication service in January for their transitional home for young men ages 18 and 19. These individuals―who otherwise would become homeless― will come from juvenile facilities across Florida and through the local sheriff’s department to enter the nine-month program. “We are a faith-based organization which will help these young men transform

from homeless to respected and productive citizens,” said the ministry’s founder and director, Pastor Michael Maddox. An ordained Church of God minister, Maddox began working in juvenile facilities in the 1970s, and HTJM was born in 2012. He said, “Every youth is worth saving and should be given a second chance if they are willing to make that change.” To learn more, visit www .htjministries.com.

For daily news updates about what’s happening in the Church of God and Evangelical world, visit FAITH NEWS NETWORK, at www.faithnews.cc.

DECEASED MINISTERS ALEWINE, Dan Richard; 78; ordained bishop; Kentucky; Colette Alewine (wife) Pardon Ndhlovu

OLYMPIC QUALIFIER Augusta, GA―Marty Baker, lead pastor of the Stevens Creek Church of God, announced, “We have a member of our church that has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics for his home country of Zimbabwe. He is a volunteer in our youth ministry and a committed, Spirit-filled believer.” The athlete’s name is Pardon Ndhlovu―a four-time all-American in cross-country and track and field (2009-13). Ndhlovu achieved his childhood dream by running the

Chevron Houston Marathon in an Olympic-qualifying time of 2:16:51 for his country of Zimbabwe. During his four years at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Ndhlovu was a fourtime NCAA All-American―twice in cross-country, twice in track and field―and earned multiple academic awards. He is currently the top assistant track-and-field coach at Augusta University. The Rio Olympics will take place in August.

PATHWAY RELEASES UPLIFTING NEW BOOK Cleveland, TN―“When I was pastoring my first church in Winfield, Kansas, we formed a monthly fellowship of the city’s ministers,” recounts T. David Sustar. “One morning I spoke to them about our personal relationship to Christ. After the meeting, we were standing out in front of the church where we met, and one of the uptown ministers looked at me and said, ‘Sustar, I may be thick-headed, but I can’t understand what you mean by a “heartfelt” salvation.’” Sustar comments, “That’s the problem John the Baptist came to deal with.” John is the person Sustar deals with in his encouraging new book, Blessed Assurance: Jesus Has

My Back. The volume effectively weaves accounts of John the Baptist with contemporary testimonies from Pentecostal believers, along with teachings of Jesus and personal anecdotes from Sustar’s life. The author says: “In an era when God seemed far away and the world was steeped in sin, John the Baptist stood up to prophesy of the coming Redeemer. Jesus then stepped

ANGLIN, Lloyd L.; 92; ordained minister; Kentucky; Johnnie Anglin (wife) COUCH, Bobby Wayne; 61; exhorter; Kentucky; Vicki Jean Couch (wife) DURRAH, John B., Jr.; 63; ordained bishop; South Carolina; Matt Durrah (son) GERKEN, Donald E.; 70; ordained bishop; Washington; Laura Gerken (wife) HARRIS, Arthur Irwin; 91; exhorter; Alaska; no contact information listed

MORRIS, Carroll D.; 78; ordained bishop; Illinois; Janice Morris (wife) NEWSOME, Helen Gertrude; 86; exhorter; North Carolina; Don Newsome (son) RATHBUN, Rufus John; 92; ordained bishop; Mississippi; John Rathbun (son) ROBERTS, Philemon G.; 84; ordained bishop; Florida; Betty Roberts (wife) ROBISON, Ronnie Dale; 60; ordained bishop; Kentucky; Bobbie Robison (wife) SCOTT, Juanita Maxine; 81; exhorter; Ohio; Lisa Scott (stepmother) TAYLOR, Pamela Golden; 62; exhorter; Alabama; Martin Taylor (husband)

JOHNSON, Marcus A.; 91; ordained bishop; Maryland; Beulah Johnson (wife)

THOMPSON, Floying W., Jr.; 68; ordained bishop; Kentucky; Marsha Goodlett Thompson (wife)

LABONTE, Roland; 72; ordained bishop; Maine; Joline Labonte (wife)

TOUCHSTONE, J. L.; 86; ordained minister; Mississippi; Betty Touchstone (wife)

LOWERY, T. L.; 87; ordained bishop; Maryland; Stephen Lowery (son)

WILSON, William Wesley; 73; ordained bishop; Kentucky; Geraldine Short Wilson (wife)

on the scene to make every word John said come true. The Lord stood behind him in everything he said or did. It can be the same for you because God is no respecter of persons—that is, what He did for John, He will do for you. “Throughout the book, I have shared amazing testimonies from individuals who basked in the love and power of the Lord and found Him there to help and bless in the time of need. Reading of God’s response to others’

prayers and needs will remind you that He will do the same for you. You will join the refrain, ‘Blessed assurance, Jesus has my back.’” T. David Sustar has served as a pastor, evangelist, and international youth and discipleship director. His previous books include Transforming Faith, A Layman’s Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit, and A Sure Foundation. Blessed Assurance, 248 pages in length, is available from Pathway Press for $16.99. Order at pathwaybookstore.com or by calling 800-553-8506. EVANGEL • may 2016

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CHURCH OF GOD CHRONICLES by david g. roebuck

The Holiness Church at Camp Creek

W

. F. [WILL] BRYANT JR. struggled about what to do. He knew the heartache of being turned out of the church of his birth, and thus had come to distrust “organized” Christianity. Yet, his friend and mentor, R. G. Spurling, encouraged him to establish a church in the North Carolina community of Camp Creek. Bryant later reported, “Brother Spurling kept coming to me and saying ‘Let’s set a church in order.’ I didn’t much want to. I said, ‘Look at the Baptists and Methodists. All they have is confusion.’” Will Bryant had been a faithful member of the Liberty Baptist Church, but, like many others, he struggled with ongoing sin. Then, in spring 1896, he experienced the transformation of sanctification at a revival in the community’s Shearer Schoolhouse. For the next six years, Bryant did his best to provide informal leadership to a small band of holiness believers experiencing the pains of persecution as religious and community leaders attempted to stamp out this “new” doctrine. Beginning in 1899, the Liberty Baptist Church excluded Bryant and 24 others, while the nearby Pleasant Hill Baptist Church disfellowshipped 15 holiness believers. Despite homes being burned, their meeting house destroyed, and incidents of shootings and beatings, Bryant exhorted and encouraged the persecuted flock. Yet, over time, the harvest of the 1896 revival seemed to be almost lost. Will’s friend, R. G. Spurling, had also experienced the pain of exclusion. When he resisted Baptist exclusivism in that part 34

EVANGEL • may 2016

In time, Bryant prayerfully heeded the voice of R. G. Spurling. On May 15, 1902, a small group gathered in Bryant’s mountain home where Spurling and another ordained minister, R. Frank Porter, organized a local church. Sixteen took the right hand of fellowship. They called Spurling to be their pastor, and they ordained Will Bryant as a minister. Because of their sanctification experience, they took the name “Holiness Church at Camp Creek.” Since Pastor Spurling lived four miles away in Turtletown, Tennessee, Bryant took care of much of the regular ministry of the new congregation, including Sunday school and prayer meetings. They worshiped in a brush arbor in warm months Will Bryant (seated left) and in Bryant’s home and his family during cold weather. about 1905 Just over a year later, Tomlinson saw the wisdom of their action, joined the congregation, and became their pastor. remembered that Spurling kept saying, When Tomlinson relocated to Cleve“Let’s set a church in order. We need it.” land, Tennessee, in 1906, the Bryants Along with his painful experience with Liberty Baptist Church, Bryant was hearing and other leading members of the church followed him. With their move, the the voice of another respected friend who congregation in Camp Creek ceased to opposed the idea of organizing a church. exist, but they soon established a newer A. J. Tomlinson was a Quaker living a few and stronger church, known today as miles away in Culberson, North Carolina. the North Cleveland Church of God. The Tomlinson had explored many religious Holiness Church at Camp Creek had born organizations and found them lacking. good fruit. When Bryant shared with Tomlinson that he was considering the organization of a David G. Roebuck, Ph.D., is the Church church, Tomlinson discouraged the idea. of God historian and director of the Dixon “I’m afraid of it,” Tomlinson told BryPentecostal Research Center in Cleveland, ant. “Be careful of this church business. It Tennessee. [email protected] is dangerous.” of the country, the Pleasant Hill Church demanded his credentials. After much prayer and study and with the assistance of his father, Richard, he established the Christian Union at Barney Creek in Monroe County, Tennessee, in 1886. He knew the value of church government, so he strongly encouraged Bryant to establish a congregation in Camp Creek. Bryant later