The Kerusso – May | 2019
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC Youth Spring Retreat @ Cedar Lakes - Ripley, West Virginia Every retreat is amazing in its own right, but some years are more remarkable than others. By all accounts, this year's Spring Retreat stands out among the best! Over 170 youth and adults representing 9 EMC churches from PA, WV, VA & NC gathered at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley WV for a weekend focused on “Handling The Truth.” Our speakers were Jason & Whitney Doolittle. Jason is the Pastor of East Bend (NC) EMC. Jason spoke Friday and Saturday nights with Whitney sharing Saturday morning. They came together, during the Sunday morning service to share their testimony of how God's truth changed their lives. The Doolittles challenged and encouraged everyone with relevant, biblical teaching on how we discern truth and how we live out truth in a world that easily disregards it. Their messages were thoughtful, challenging and compassionate. I especially appreciated their openness to the Holy Spirit in their preparation and presentation. As an example, Saturday night, Jason put aside his prepared message and gave a powerful message on the faith of Stephen. We witnessed a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the altar that evening! Another blessing of the weekend was having Halle Martin as our worship leader. Halle serves with her Worship Pastor father on the Worship Team at Pathway Church (Evangelical Free) in Beaver Falls PA. A junior in high school, Halle has a great gifting and passion for leading worship. It was wonderful for our youth to have one of their peers leading them in worship. I received many positive comments about our musical worship and her leadership. Halle was joined last minute by 2 friends from Ohio who came to assist her. Another unexpected blessing from the Lord! Beyond the 4 powerful worship gatherings, we enjoyed beautiful weather, lots of free time to be with and make friends, small group discussion, open prayer and lots of fun. Saturday we had a Cup Challenge with each of the groups competing against each other for a "mystery amount" gift card. The prize, after several competitions involving plastic cups was claimed by Old Richmond (NC) EMC. We praise God for His outpouring upon us over the weekend. Please continue to pray that the numerous seeds planted will keep growing into tangible fruit in the lives of all of us who came, and across His entire kingdom! Youth leaders should mark March 27-29, 2020 for the next Spring Retreat @ Cedar Lakes. ~ Pastor Russ Van Nest, Spring Retreat Coordinator Pastor Russ is an ordained EMC Elder who served as the Associate Pastor of Faith Country Chapel New Castle PA (2004-16). Since 2017, he has been serving as Ministry Catalyst for Real Love Ministries International whose purpose is to Engage>Equip>Empower Haiti.
The Kerusso – May | 2019
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Refuge Ministries Annual Men’s Retreat - Heart of Texas Camp, Brownwood, TX By - Pastor Brian Hawkins, Refuge Ministries
On April 5th, 6th, and 7th Refuge Ministries held its Annual Men's Retreat. We were joined this year by Grace Church (Haltom City) and LifePoint Community Church (Red Oak). We started the weekend off with our annual Ribeye Cookout. There's just something about open flame cooking and a great steak that equals good fellowship. Worship was led by Chris Shaw of Little Elm. He opened each session with the opportunity to lift our voices in praise. The weekend's lessons were themed around weaponry. Friday evening the lesson was brought by pastor Eric Bey of LifePoint.
Food Fun
He discussed the need for knowing our Fellowweapons and being prepared to use them ship by practicing. The first session Saturday morning was led by pastor Brian Hawkins of Refuge Ministries. This lesson was about weapon readiness and making sure our sword is sharp. The final lesson was taught by pastor Colin Conner of Grace Church. He led us in understanding the different weapons we have in our arsenal to use in spiritual warfare. Saturday afternoon we had two ranges set up. One target range for small arms and a skeet range for shotgun enthusiasts. Several men also took advantage of the fishing on Lake Brownwood. We had over 30 men at the retreat, 18 of which stayed Saturday night as well and had an additional opportunity for fellowship and relaxation. We cooked half pound burgers for dinner that evening. All in all a great weekend of study and rest was had by all in attendance. We look forward to next year’s retreat and will have information out as it becomes available.
Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars! Jour ney 2019 continues…..
The Kerusso – May | 2019
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
2019 EMC Summer Camp Season! Indian Cave Kid’s Camp (ages K - 5th grade) - Sutherlin, VA - June 16 - 21 Indian Cave Senior Camp (ages 6th - 12th grade) - Sutherlin, VA - June 23 - 28 Go to www.riversideemc.org/youthcamp for more information or to register for either Indian Cave Camp. Deadline is June 1.
Southwest Family Camp (We’ll be ROUGHING IT!)
(all ages welcome, 11 and older may attend without a guardian) Big Lake, AZ - June 22 - 27 Email Pastor Debbie Miller at millerdebbie8@gmail.com for more information or to register. Deadline is June 1.
Illiana Family Camp - Terre Haute, IN - June 24 - 29 Email Butch Hayes at b_dhayes@hotmail.com for more information or to register.
From time to time, we will highlight a “Legacy Pastor” - someone who has served a single EMC congregation for over 20 years. Look for this logo, and celebrate these amazing servants with us!
Pastor Carl Kemp Knight’s Creek EMC ~ Scio, New York Pastor Carl is a perfect example of what it means to be a “Legacy Pastor.” Pastor Carl began attending Knight’s Creek in 1980. He became a local preacher in 1983 and served faithfully as the church’s Associate Pastor until transitioning into the role of Senior Pastor in 1996. Serving alongside Carl is his wonderful bride, Linda. They celebrated 54 years of marriage in December of 2018. Knight’s Creek EMC ministers to their community by leading Celebrate Recovery. They also have a Community Café where adults and children can try out musical instruments, enjoy refreshments, and be entertained by their Venezuelan music missionary, David Peralta. He also offers free music lessons to children. God is doing wonderful things at Knight’s Creek EMC, and Pastor Carl believes that two years of consistent daily prayer at 6:30 a.m. at the church is the catalyst for God’s Spirit moving so freely in the church and community. Thank you Pastor Carl for your faithfulness to the EMC and the Great Shepherd of the Church!
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC Journey 2019 Nampa, ID May 20-21 Registration information Event Registration: $40 /person Please register by:
May 8th, 2019 kparsons@emchurch.org 252-339-1414
Lodging (arrange on your own) Holiday Inn Express & Suites 4104 E Flamingo Ave, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 466-4045
Hampton Inn & Suites 5750 E Franklin Rd, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 442-0036
Home2 Suites by Hilton 5860 E Franklin Rd, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 468-4866
Sleep Inn 1315 Industrial Rd, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 463-6300
(Mon. 2:00pm - Tues. evening)
Monday, May 20th 2:00pm
Registration opens
3:30pm 3:45pm – 4:45pm
Welcome - Wesley Mackey IGS Report - Max Edwards
4:45pm - 5:15pm
Sharing / Testimonies / Updates
5:30pm 6:30pm
Dinner onsite (included in pre-registration) Meaningful Biblical Geography - Dr. Jack Beck
Tuesday, May 21st 8:30am – 9:15am 9:15am - 9:30am
Morning Worship - Jim Halbert & Todd Inman Break
9:30am – 12:00pm
Biblical Geography & Preaching - Dr. Jack Beck
12:00pm
Clergy & Spouses luncheon onsite Others - lunch on your own
12:45pm – 1:45pm
Clergy Executive Session - Superintendents
2:00pm - 2:45pm
A Passion for Prayer in the Local Church Michael Harvey & Wally and Pam Pentecost
3:00pm - 3:45pm
Connecting De-churched People - David Martin
3:45pm - 4:00pm
Break
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Impact Center - Alex and Toni Fonseca &
Cove
Beth Stockett
Plan now to attend
5:30pm 6:30pm
Dinner onsite (included in pre-registration) Worship - Max Edwards
(See page 2 for additional information regarding sessions and speakers)
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Elizabeth City EMC 2018-2019 EMC Global Missions Offering
Pastor Sean Scribner
The church in Elizabeth City enjoys a weekly family night supper that enables and encourages busy working people and families with students to come to the midweek church activities. It reduces the pressure of having to figure out how to squeeze in an evening meal between work, school, and church. In a creative effort to boost participation, the ministry team is engaging in a cooking competition. Starting May 1st, they kickoff a special Family Nite Supper event like never before … Presenting: PastorChef ! Here is the promo email they sent out to the church family last week:
For many years now the EMC Board of World Missions has promoted a fall season, “Thanksgiving Offering” for missions. And we are so excited to be in partnership with believers in Asia, Europe, Africa, Mexico, and Canada.
On May 1, 15, and 29, members of the EMC ministry team will be going head-tohead in an epic culinary competition to win your hearts and stomachs. The winners will compete in the ultimate showdown for eternal glory!
Our Missions Board Chair Rev. Bill Walker, made a personal plea in a Facebook live video last fall that you can still view by clicking this link: November Missions Offering.
Week 1 (May 1): Team Marcy vs. Team Sean Week 2 (May 15): Team Aaron vs. Team Jeff Week (May 29): TBD
Many of you may have already received t h a t s p e ci a l o f f e r i n g a t o r n ea r Thanksgiving, and the proceeds from those offerings have been trailing in to Headquarters since December. The total r eceived to date f or this year (2018/2019) is $12,200, and we praise the Lord for every penny! But in case you haven’t yet invited your church to participate, you can still do so! Some EMC pastors prefer to receive a special denominational offering in conjunction with their local church’s annual missions emphasis, and that is a great idea as well. In the July Kerusso, Rev. Walker will write a report of the total dollars received and how it will be utilized in each of our four Inter national Conferences.
You, beloved lovers of Jesus and delicious food, will determine who the victors shall be. Come to Family Nite Supper on each of these nights prepared to crown a winner. For only $3, you will receive two halfportioned meals and get to vote on your favorite based on taste, presentation, and use of the special ingredient. Oh, and you get to choose the special ingredient! Visit the church's Facebook event page and cast your vote before the poll closes tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to come join us on these special nights. We promise to do our very best to make sure it is worth your