The Kerusso – October | 2019 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
We Need YOU! They’ve been called “The Greatest Generation” - folks who grew up in the 1920’s and 30’s who lived and served during the World War II era in the United States. They knew something that I think is increasingly lost these days; it takes ALL OF US working together to be successful. An iconic symbol during the war effort was “Rosie the Riveter.” While men went off to war, many women stepped up and joined the effort by working the factories and service industries that supported an unprecedented production explosion. What does that have to do with the EMC, you ask? Well, in a very real sense, “There’s a war on” still today. We are in a spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of men and women, boys and girls, as our adversary comes to attempt to “… kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10). We know that in an ultimate sense, satan is a defeated foe; a vanquished enemy, but he is still working to distract or destroy as many of God’s people as he can. The Word of God admonishes us to “be sober, and vigilant” (1 Peter 5:8) in our efforts to thwart his goals. We need to step up, and stand together so that we can be useful to the Master in His grand work of building the church as a rescue station to seek and to save the lost. The Evangelical Methodist Church is just one small part of His grand and glorious church, but we have been commissioned to do our part, and in that great work each and every person in the EMC is important. WE NEED TO STAND TOGETHER as brothers and sisters in the family of God, called together by our Father for the important task of taking people DEEPER IN CHRIST, and FURTHER IN MISSION.
Family.
That is what we are. We have been brought together by the Lord himself to love others on His behalf, welcome them into the family and then grow them up through discipleship, empowering them as contributing members so that the legacy of faith lives on. The only way we do that effectively is to be connected. Over the next 15 months, I am encouraging our Conference Superintendents, Pastors, and denominational leaders to think creatively about how we can increase and enhance the connection in and among the EMC Family. One of the ways we do that is to stay informed. Read about what is happening in our youth programs, missional efforts, and discipleship opportunities. Read the “Kerusso” … read “The Connection.” Pray earnestly when the Prayer Department sends a prayer request out to the family. Give when the Board of World Missions informs about specific needs. Go to youth camps and rallies, worship conferences, EMW retreats, and Revivals held in nearby churches. Get informed, and get involved. One of the most important things everyone can do is to GO TO THE JOURNEY MEETING NEAREST YOU. The Cabinet of Superintendents has asked General Council to approve FOUR Journey locations again in 2020. The goal is to host Journey meetings within a reasonable driving distance of all of our churches so that lay people can attend. And to that end, we have heard your feedback that the meetings should be closer to a weekend for those who work secular jobs. Each of the four Journey meetings will begin on Thursday evening and conclude on Saturday morning. The four locations and dates approved for 2020 are: 1 - Grace Church, Haltom City, TX – 4/23-4/25 2 - Lakeview Chapel, Lake Elsinore, CA – 4/30-5/2 3 - Gilham Community, Eugene, OR – 5/14-5/16 4 - Crosslink Church, Rutherford College, NC – 6/4-6/6 We would love to see our attendance double at our Journey meetings in 2020. And you can make that happen!!
The Kerusso – October | 2019
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Haggard School Of Ministry (HSOM) Submitted by - Dr. Brian Donley, General Board of Ministerial Education Six Haggard School of Ministry students from Virginia, Missouri, Arizona, and Washington gathered together in July to complete a weeklong program of study in the Heritage Learning Center at EMC Headquarters. The Local Preacher candidates attended a four-hour block of instruction on the Theology of Holiness each morning, and a four-hour block on Homiletics each afternoon. Students were able to apply what they learned in theology class by delivering a sermon critiqued by their classmates. One of the students said, “That was a bit unnerving!” Students and faculty stayed on the OMS campus and commuted together to the Heritage Learning Center each day. Although the evenings were meant for study they enjoyed sharing meals together, learning about each others families, sharing personal testimonies about their journey to faith in Christ, and their ministry goals and experiences. There was plenty of time for learning and laughter and by weeks end lasting friendships were formed. There are seven required courses to complete the Local Preacher license. Most of these students will complete their program of study by December 2019. There are currently eight students enrolled in the Haggard School of Ministry. Please pray for these students as they finish their studies and continue to pursue God’s call on their lives.
L.I.F.T. Bible Teacher Training Submitted by - Rev. Debra Miller, General Board of Christian Education The General Board of Christian Education recently sponsored a Lay Insight For Training (L.I.F.T.) event in Raeford, NC. On September 13th & 14th, twenty-four attendees gathered at Raeford EMC for training in Creative Teaching Techniques taught by Dr.’s Art and Melody Wilt. There was nothing boring about this event! Instruction in teaching techniques, presenting the salvation message, student participation, and fellowship were the highlights of the weekend. The GBCE thanks Raeford EMC for serving as hosts for this special event. The primary mission of the EMC’s Board of Christian Education is to help train and equip our lay people. We have a board of ministerial education that focuses on pastoral candidates, but the Board of Christian Education is excited and ready to help design and host training events in the local church that work to empower and encourage local church members and leaders. If you think a L.I.F.T. conference could help you and your people, contact Rev. Debra Miller - (millerdebbie8@gmail.com) and she will help you get started. Potential topics include: teacher training, youth ministry, how to combat human trafficking through programs such as HOPE 61, and even financial planning, and/or board governance. The GBCE can also partner with the EMC’s Department of Stewardship and Development (and its chairman, Butch Hayes) to help your church plan and host a stewardship weekend during which Butch can assist church members with estate planning and will writing. Butch can also be reached directly via email - (b_dhayes@hotmail.com) to discuss these possibilities.
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Flora Roofing Project is COMPLETE! It is with great joy and thanksgiving that Pastor George Coble and the Flora IL EMC family announce the completion of their roofing project. They are grateful for the sweat equity and financial giving from so many of their EMC family that made this project possible. “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Phil. 1:3
GBWM November Missions Report - By Rev. Bill Walker, General Board of
World Missions
On behalf of the members of the EMC Board of World Missions, I want to thank you for your gifts last year to the November missions offering. We have disbursed the offering total of $12,700 evenly to the four international conferences of the EMC. Mexico, Asia Pacific, and Myanmar are using their parts for pastoral training, and Christ for All Nations (CFAN) will use theirs toward the purchase of busses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or other African countries. We hope to increase the giving to the November offering this year and support our global EMC partners in their endeavor to reach parts of the world for Christ.
South Africa
We will divide the total giving evenly per these requests from each of the international conferences:
Myanmar—Academic Scholarships for Pastors: Your gifts will help send a pastor to Bible College or Seminary. Mexico—Pastoral Training: This is done through the Life and Truth Bible institute, which now functions as an extensionenter model with local teachers in each area.
Asia Pacific—Opening New Areas: In keeping with the Great Commission the AP conference (mostly Filipino) is endeavoring to plant new churches in other parts of their conference.
CFAN—Bus Ministry: We will continue to fund the purchase of busses, which will serve the dual purpose of providing transportation for people to attend church and ministry events on weekends and generating income for ministry through business transportation on weekdays. (Each bus can perpetually self-fund and self-replace through business.) Please pray and ask God what He would have you give. This can be through your church, Sunday School class, small group, or directly from your family. Consider giving something up this Fall (coffee, soda, movies, etc.) to enable you to give generously for the work of Christ around the world. Thank you in advance! Bill Walker, BWM Chair
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Myanmar MEDS Missions Trip 2020 - TEAM MEMBERS ARE STILL NEEDED! Please contact Rev. Bill Walker AS SOON AS POSSIBLE at billwalkeremc@gmail.com or 706-255-3450 for more information about joining the Myanmar Medical Evangelistic Dental Surgical 2020 team. Proposed Trip Details: Depart Jan. 31, 2020 | Return Feb. 11, 2020 | Worship Service in Yangon MEDS and Worship Service in Tahan | Trip cost is $4,000 | Valid passport through August 11, 2020 required Sponsors Needed: Is the Lord calling you to help sponsor someone from the US or Asia Pacific EMC? The Myanmar MEDS 2020 team is also praying for as many as 7 medical professionals from the Philippines to join them in Tahan. The travel cost for each of them is $1,500. If you cannot go, maybe you can help send someone who can.
Youth Rally Recap - By, Brian Gordon, GBYA, Chair Sixty children, youth and adults gathered at Indian Cave Youth Camp from September 13-15 for the Southeast and Mideast Regions Fall Retreat. It was a relaxing weekend with beautiful weather. James and Melissa Burks led worship and handled s p e a k i n g d u t i e s, ch a l l e n g i n g everyone to Trust Him, Obey Him, Thank Him, and Share Him. There was fierce competition to win prizes by playing games such as “SiriOke,” a version of Karaoke in which Siri speaks the lyrics to a popular song and you have to guess the title. It is always great when different churches come together for fellowship, fun, and worship. It helps remind us that we are not alone.
Northeast Fall Youth Retreat | November 1st - 3rd Fall Retreat is just around the corner and we are looking forward to three exciting days of teaching, spiritual growth, fun and fellowship! This retreat is designed to help students renew their faith and their love in Christ. God bless you for encouraging your child in their faith. Our sincere hope is that this retreat provides a time for your child to join students from other Northeast EMC churches to look closely at their relationship with God, and their response to Him, especially through the person of Jesus Christ.
Click on this link for more information and to register: Northeastern Fall Youth Retreat
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
HOPE 61 Offering Report Sunday, August 11th was chosen by the EMW to bring attention to the fight against human trafficking. The EMW asked for a special offering to help them in this fight. As of this report we are excited to announce that $344.00 has been given in support of HOPE 61. Thank you for giving. Human trafficking and the fight against it continues beyond one special offering. Anyone desiring to contribute can use online giving at emchurch.org (designation 35) or send your offering (marked HOPE 61) directly to EMC Headquarters at: EMC HQ, P.O. Box 17070, Indianapolis, IN 46217.
Legacy EMW Women’s Retreat Legacy EMW Women's Retreat will be held at the Ramada Inn, Indiana PA, from November 1st (5 p.m.) through November 2nd (9 p.m.) 2019. The conference is sponsored by the EMC’s Evangelical Methodist Women’s Auxiliary and hosted by our nearby Chapel of Hope church located in Blacklick, PA. ALL women from any denomination, ages 18 to 118 are welcome to attend!
For a retreat brochure click here: EMW Pennsylvania Retreat Brochure Click for more information: Retreat Info Download and complete a registration form here: Register
VISION 20/20 Women’s Retreat Riverbend Retreat Center, Glen Rose, TX Hosted by Refuge Ministries Special Speaker: Judy Edwards Early Bird Registration: $140 through Dec. 31st Registration: $150 from Jan. 1 - Feb. 10th For more information try our Facebook page: Vision 2020 Women's Retreat Click here to go directly to the registration form: Vision 2020 Registration