The Kerusso – April | 2021
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC’s Heritage Anniversary Sunday Next month, the Evangelical Methodist Church will pass a milestone, celebrating 75 years in ministry. The anniversary will fall on a Sunday, and we invite you to celebrate with us by taking just a few moments on May 9th to commemorate the occasion of the organizing of the church at a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee on that same date in 1946. In the words of Dr. J. H. Hamblen, “I believe with all my heart that God has put the Evangelical Methodist Church in the world for such a time as this [because] I saw things begin to come that I knew were contrary to the will of God, and the Word of God, and that stirred my heart.”
(from an address to the Conference in July 1971, Wichita, Kansas)
Dr. Hamblen made those remarks as our church was celebrating its 25th anniversary. He spoke of how he had followed the conscience of his conviction and left the Methodist Church because of their slide toward “modernism.” The authority of the Bible was being rejected, and he felt he could no longer tolerate it. Soon after his decision to exit, he heard from others around the country who were feeling the same resolve, and an assembly gathered to discuss the formation of a new, theologically conservative church that would stand for truth upon the authority and inspiration of Scripture. The historical section of our Discipline includes this brief notation: “On May 9, 1946, in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, a small group of preachers and laymen met together for consultation and prayer, endeavoring to cope with the growing apostasy of the church. After long hours of waiting before God in prayer, they felt definitely led of God to organize the Evangelical Methodist Church.” ~ EMC Discipline ¶11 In the 75 years since our founding most mainline denominations have not tightened their stand on Scriptural authority. The reality is fewer and fewer hold an orthodox view, which is why our conservative witness and voice is vital. Indeed, in our time of declining moral condition and weakening theological conviction, we do stand opposed to certain things, and yet the Evangelical Methodist Church is not best described by listing things we are against, but by those we stand for! We believe that Jesus Christ is THE SON OF GOD; that he is indeed the world’s ONLY HOPE; and that just as he said, he is “THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE” (John 14:6). Jesus is the founder of the New Testament church, of which we are a small part. Together we have one purpose and vision, that is to be faithful disciples and ambassadors of his, carrying the pure Gospel with us into the world. Pastors, please take a few moments in your worship services on Sunday, May 9th, to celebrate the founding of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and to remind your people why we exist. Jesus is the focus, and he is the answer, and we humbly thank God for calling us into service, sending us out into a corner of his great harvest field. The world desperately needs Jesus Christ, and in his consummate wisdom he has commissioned us as witnesses to bear his name and character. “And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18) ~ Max Edwards, EMC International General Superintendent
The Kerusso - April | 2021
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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The Kerusso - April | 2021
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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2021
EMC Journey
Sessions Arizona Session -
What a wonderful start to the 2021 Journey season! The Estrella Community Church family provided a welcoming environment that made everyone feel right at home. This special time of gathering around God’s Word and His people was greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance.
Oklahoma Session in Grove, OK is up next on April 22 - April 24 at Church of the Shepherd.
If you have yet to register, please help us finalize plans by registering and making payment no later than Thursday, April 8. For detailed Journey and specific hotel information click here: JOURNEY FLYER . To complete your registration use the link provided below. **Please note the following change in location. The Moses Lake, WA Journey session has been moved to Caldwell, ID**
Idaho Session in Caldwell, ID is coming soon on May 13 - May 15 at Crossroads Community - Caldwell.
The deadline for this registration and payment is Thursday, April 29. Further details and Idaho hotel information can be found on pages two and three of the flyer by using the clickable link above. To register for this Journey session or any of the remaining sessions, please use the link provided below.
Registration for all 2021 Journey sessions is open. Just click on this link: REGISTER HERE and you’ll be taken to our online form where you can choose which session(s) you would like to register for. (Please note: you cannot save a partially completed form. Therefore, you must complete the form once you start it.) Keep in mind the Lay Person discount. For every 5 paid Lay Person registrations ($200) you can add 3 more Lay People for free. (This does not apply to EMC Credential Holders. ) If you need assistance with registration or have any questions, please contact Karen Parsons at kparsons@emchurch.org and she will be glad to help you.
The Kerusso – April | 2021
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Resurrection Offering - April 4, 2021
E v a n g e l i c a l M e t h o d i s t B o a r d o f Wo r l d M i s s i o n s
An invitation from the EMC Board of World Missions
Resurrection Offering During this pandemic our EMC international pastors are in need of relief in Africa, Mexico and southeast Asia. We have an opportunity to help meet their personal needs and help alleviate some of their burdens.
Dear EMC Family,
Here is how:
As we plan to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, April 4, let’s turn our hearts toward our brothers and sisters in our global EMC conferences of Mexico, Myanmar, CFAN, and Asia Pacific. This pandemic has had dramatic effects on them. Loss of work, loss of church income, and inflation are just some of the ways pastors and churches have suffered; not to mention the illness itself. Some countries have endured multiple shutdowns.
1) Pray for our international pastors The impossible is always possible through prayer.
and churches.
2) Give up a convenience for Lent. Give to this offering what you would spend on that convenience. 3) Give a love offering. Our government has provided us with multiple stimulus checks to meet our needs. Has God abundantly blessed you so that you can bless others?
In This Season of Resurrection, you can give encouragment and new life around the world.
This Easter, the Board of World Missions invites you to participate in its first-ever Resurrection Offering, a life-giving offering for our EMC churches around the world. We ask that you make a special effort, sacrificially giving for this urgent need.
Seven Days of United Prayer - 2021
A Call to Prayer from the Department of Prayer The EMC Prayer Department is excited to invite you to join us for 7 Days of United Prayer. The 7 days this year will be May 6-12. Wouldn’t it be amazing to know that you are locking arms with our faith family all around the world in prayer?! We will begin by encouraging everyone to join a live prayer session with our USA Superintendents on Thursday, May 6th at 7pm Eastern Time. Then on each of the following 6 days, the Prayer Department will publish daily prayer posts on the Evangelical Methodist Church International Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EvangelicalMethodistChurchInternational The posts will include excerpts from E.M. Bounds' classic writings on prayer along with additional thoughts and prayer focus for that day. We may go “live” on Facebook a few times throughout the week to pray for our EMC Family. Pastors and church leaders, please mark these days on your calendar, and PLEASE take the extra step of forwarding it on to your key leaders and church members. Encourage them to participate in the Facebook prayer sessions and daily posts. Jesus talked about the power of two or more agreeing together in prayer. It isn’t just about asking for things! It is about connecting our hearts together in agreement, which is something the world desperately needs right now. PLEASE JOIN US.