The Kerusso – July| 2019
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Journey 2019 is “in the books” In previous issues of the Kerusso, we highlighted events and pictures from each of our four Journey venues this year. We won’t duplicate the good things those articles shared, but since all four are now complete, we thought you might enjoy a quick summary report of combined statistics from the four events. Thanks so much to the 218 attendees across the country who traveled to Journey meetings in 2019. We have heard you - that you want us to host these annual events in sites around the country that will maximize the ability of our clergy and lay people to attend. We also know that the specific days of the week matter, and we will work to ensure that the 2020 sites and dates make these meetings as accessible as possible. You and your churches gave $5,071 to missions at our four Journey sites to assist ministerial training in our International Conferences. This is in addition to the monies received in the “Thanksgiving” missions offering, which was also designated to training. You will read that report from the Board of World Missions on page 2. 24 individuals attended our orientation course, “This is the EMC” which is a class for ministry applicants and those transferring into the EMC from another faith-family. And lastly, financially the cost of the four Journey meetings was fully covered by registrations and site offerings, and we finished with a positive balance of $944.01. We are both pleased, and deeply thankful, especially to the four EMC Church families who served as host sites for the Journey sessions. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Conference Support Trend We are beginning to see an upward trend in total Conference Support across the USA Conference. Please hear a very clear “THANK YOU” to every single church who is faithfully keeping its obligations! We simply cannot continue to exist as a denomination if we do not have an income stream to support the ministry of the superintendency, maintain our facilities and programs, and continue to invest in our future in church planting, youth camps, and ministerial training. The information below is based on actuals received through May of 2019. The 2020 projection is based on the current average of giving over the last six months. Praise the Lord, and again, Thank you EMC Pastors and Churches.
The Kerusso – July| 2019
Page 2
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
November 2018 Missions Offering Report - Submitted by - Rev. Bill Walker, GBWM Chair Our international EMC conferences around the world are planting churches at a rapid pace! In some places they are averaging one new church per month! We thank God for their passion and fervent work, and introspectively recognize this as a challenge for us here in the West! Myanmar, The Philippines, Mexico, Europe, Africa…most of these are only a few hours away by plane but seem in other ways so far removed from us. What can an individual or local church do to have an impact for Christ in such distant places? The rapid multiplication of churches creates a challenge abroad: these new congregations, which are usually made up of new believers, need pastors to shepherd them. These churches are growing in places where at best there are few believers and at worst the dominant, non-Christian religions are hostile. Having a well-trained pastor is a major factor in the success of a new church plant. You can have an impact even on the other side of this planet by helping us fund the training of pastors.
South Africa
The Board of World Missions awards scholarships to worthy candidates, most recently in Myanmar. The South Africa District of the “Christ For All Nations” Conference (CFAN - Canada/Africa/Europe) has dreamed for some time of having a pastoral school. The Board of World Missions, at the request of the General Superintendents of our international conferences, designated the 2018 Fall Missions Offering for pastoral training in each of those conferences.
The total received since November 2018 is $12,700. This is an exciting figure, up from the previous two years. Thank you to all who gave, whether directly or through your local church. We know that God will multiply your sacrificial giving for training of pastors, which will result in more and stronger churches as the EMC continues to grow around the world.
The Kerusso – July| 2019
Page 3
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
You are invited to a special training hosted by EMC’s Board of Christian Education
L.I.F.T.
(Lay Insight For Training) Sponsored by: The General Board of Christian Education
Bible Teacher Training Sept. 13-14, 2019 Schedule:
WHO: Bible Study Leaders, Adult and Children’s
Fri, 9/13: Dinner 5pm Session 1: 6pm - 8pm
Sunday School Teachers
COST: $10 per person includes Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast REGISTER BY EMAIL: kparsons@emchurch.org PAY ONLINE: EMC Online Giving use #38 LIFT Seminar Registration OR By cash or check (EMC HQ) at the event
Sat, 9/14: Breakfast 8am Session 2: 9am - Noon
Location: Raeford EMC 379 W. Palmer Street Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-2715
FEATURED SPEAKERS Dr. Art Wilt has served in pastoral ministry and education for over 40 years. He has served as an EMC senior pastor, created Sunday School curriculum and leadership training materials. Dr. Melody Wilt has over 30 years of experience in public education and leadership building as well as serving alongside her husband in ministry. They currently reside in McCormick, South Carolina and and are the proud grandparents of six amazing grandchildren.