The Kerusso – May | 2022
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Jesus is a “Living Stone” ... Shouldn’t We Be Too? “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ... But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9) Are we Living Ston
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The question the heavenly messengers asked the women at Jesus’ tomb has intrigued me. “Why do you seek the living here, among the tombs?” (My paraphrase) The fact is, they were NOT looking for a living person. They were looking for a dead one! But to their amazement, and joy, they were confronted with the news that he was NOT dead, as they had supposed.
It prompts me to press the analogy to say that there are lots of people, wandering in and around the tombs of our empty, godless culture, not actually expecting to bump into anything real, or alive, or vital, with no significant sense of hope or any real expectation of true life or joy.
But there is TRUE HOPE, and there is REAL JOY. And the Apostle Peter expresses our commission from God to be the witnesses that shock the world with the incredible news that REAL LIFE is possible. Not the dead version of life that folks have settled for. If you’ve ever walked around a cemetery by yourself, you know just how predictable and quiet it can be. There’s nobody to upset your serene little hike. Nothing to stir you or suggest a different path. The Good News you and I carry is nothing short of life from the dead. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions ... And God raised us up with Christ ...” (Ephesians 2:1-6)
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Let’s be sure we live out the call to be a Royal Priesthood, ready to “declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light!” There are folks wandering in the tombs that need to hear the good news that there is a God who loves them so much that he chose to move from life to death so that we could move from death to life. And while he tasted death for our sakes, he DID NOT stay there. He leads us on in joyful procession into life everlasting!! ~ Max Edwards
The Kerusso - May | 2022
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Keeping in Touch with our Global Partners Submitted by, Rev. Bill Walker, GBWM Chairman
Updates From Around The World
Myanmar EMC Opens New Mission Field!
EMC
The Evangelical Methodist Church has had a hard time the last 14 months. Myanmar Although the COVID 19 pandemic seems to be subsiding in most parts of the Conference world including Myanmar, the military coup that started Feb 1, 2021, has not ended. Fighting continues in many parts of the country between local militias and the military junta (known as the Tatmadaw). Recently, EMC Myanmar General Superintendent Rev. Lian Sailova shared that they can regularly hear gunfire and explosions near the EMC headquarters building. Bloodshed is everywhere and untold thousands, including many EMC members have become refugees in neighboring India and Thailand. Inflation has priced many basics out of reach and medical treatment has at times been withheld for political reasons. * Despite these sufferings, your fellow EMCers in Myanmar are laser-focused on the Great Commission! I can’t help but think of things that can distract me from God’s work: so-called “first-world” problems and personal family matters easily occupy our minds and fill our spare time. Just cutting the grass or home maintenance takes time and often fills a weekend (nothing wrong with these things, by the way). Yet, we must keep “pressing on toward the mark.” Hundreds of Buddhists came to Christ last year in the EMC Paletwa mission field of western Myanmar, in the southern part of Chin State (see map). Many of you have contributed to that work and provided for relief efforts for those who are suffering. The Myanmar EMC General Council met in April and organized Paletwa mission field as a district, and now they have expanded their vision to open a new mission field in Kunlong, Shan State (see map). This is the largest state in Myanmar, bordering China to the east. This is where the EMC has opened a new mission field. One of these precious Chin missionaries shared with me on the weekly EMC Missions Zoom prayer meeting** that they must also learn a new language. This was not necessary in Paletwa, but it is now. (Because of the sensitive area they serve in, we will not reveal their identities in print, but if you’ve visited the EMC in Myanmar, you have probably met some of them. Work has already begun in western Shan state. They are initially focusing on Kunlong township and surrounding villages. Late last year, they baptized their first four converts. Please pray for the work of Jesus through EMC Myanmar: 1) Safety amid fighting 2) Thank God that COVID is reduced 3) Thank God that Paletwa has grown and is organized as a new district 4) For many EMC members who are internally displaced or have fled to neighboring countries 5) The new mission field in Shan state with security and language learning for the four families assigned there 6) That General Superintendent Rev. Sailova and another delegate will be granted a VISA to enter the US to attend the 2022 EMC International General Conference * Check out https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news for more news ** Join us using meeting ID 818 5617 0583, password 034910, Wednesdays 10pm Eastern
The Kerusso - May | 2022
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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Spring Retreat at Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Submitted by, Pastor Russ Van Nest, Spring Retreat Coordinator
After a 3-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, 124 youth and adults from 5 churches and 4 states (PA, WV, VA, NC) gathered at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, WV for Spring Retreat. The theme for the weekend was “Trustworthy.” Each of the 4 teaching times were based on 4 "trustworthy sayings" from the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:15, 4:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:11-12, and Titus 3:8). We were blessed with wonderful times of worship, teaching, small group times, fellowship, fun activities and good weather! It all made for a good return. Pray with us that the seeds planted will grow in the hearts of our young people. We are looking forward to hearing reports over the next year on the community ministry the youth groups will implement based on their Sunday morning planning. I want to give a special thank you to Pastor Brian Gordon (Riverside EMC) for deftly bringing The Word throughout the weekend. Also, Ashley Bruner and Kaleigh Brooks were wonderful in leading us into worship with Lucas Bane and Tracey Brooks providing great work from the Tech Booth. All 4 are from Kingdom EMC. Patrick McKinney (Raeford EMC) brought laughter and memories with the Saturday Night Group Challenge. I am happy to report that the offering totaled $443.69. This was shared with Emily Pumphrey (World Gospel Missions Summer Missionary) and Real Love Ministries International. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARCH 17-19 2023 at CEDAR LAKES!
EMW Presents Debbie Childers at GC2022 Ladies Luncheon Submitted by, Sonya Penny, EMW Vice-President of Local & Community
Please meet Mrs. Debbie Childers, the special guest speaker for the Ladies Luncheon at General Conference 2022. Debbie Childers’ quick wit and hilarious stories make her presentations unforgettable. Debbie’s audiences laugh their way into a lesson that will change their lives forever. Her first love is teaching the Bible. Debbie combined her love for Bible teaching with her love for entertainment, resulting in a unique presentation style. Her audiences have fun while learning deep and life changing Bible truths. Debbie draws inspiration from everyday life. Her husband Tim, a pastor, provides a lot of her material as well as the everyday things that happen to Debbie that just do not happen to other people! Her ability to find humor in life, while focusing on her faith, and her transparency with everyday life issues has given her the opportunity to speak at churches, in theaters, and for civic organizations, keeping the audience both laughing and inspired. Debbie loves to have fun, and she loves to teach the Bible. But most of all she loves to have fun teaching the Bible. It is not too late to register for General Conference 2022 and sign up for the EMW Ladies Luncheon. See the information on page 4 to register today. If you have already registered for GC2022 and did not choose this banquet but would like to do so, you can contact Karen Parsons at 252-339-1414 or kparsons@emchurch.org to add the luncheon to your original registration.
The Kerusso - May | 2022
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
The Haggard School of Ministry Con ict. We All Experience It. How Do We Resolve it?
CONFLICT RESOLUTION The Haggard School of Ministry | Con ict Resolution Course | 11-15 July 2022 Facilitators: Drs. Art & Melody Wilt | Enrollment Limited to 20 Persons | 2 Continuing Ed. Credits Register By June 17, 2022 | $100 Fee | At the Heritage Learning Center, EMC Headquarters To Register contact Jim Coulston at: EMC Headquarters (317) 780-8017
Conference Timeline: Opening Session - Tuesday, July 26 | 3:00pm Evening services nightly at 7:00pm EDT Tuesday - Rev. Jim Harriman Wednesday - Rev. Jim Harriman Thursday - Dr. Ed Stetzer (Nightly Services will be live-streamed)
Adjournment - Friday, July 29 | 11:30am CLICK HERE to view the basic daily schedule
General Conference Q & A Q - Can I still register? A - Yes, as long as availability remains open, but it is not guaranteed. Click the links below or call. Q - What are the payment deadlines? A - EMC Registration must be paid by July 1st. Your Ridgecrest balance is due upon arrival in July. Q - How can I pay my EMC registration fees? A - Registration payments can be made by clicking this link: EMC ONLINE GIVING or by mailing your check labeled “GC2022” to EMC Headquarters at P.O. Box 17070, Indianapolis, IN 46217. Q - How many kids and teens are registered at this point? A - We are so excited to have 67 children and teens in our youth sessions and Kids Kamp!! Q - Is there a facility charge at Ridgecrest if I drive in, or stay offsite? A - Yes. Ridgecrest has a campus use fee of $25 per person for anyone age 12 - Adult attending the conference but staying off campus. You need to call Ridgecrest to reserve any desired meal tickets.
for all adult and student activity, including banquets
For lodging and meal tickets
or email: kparsons@emchurch.org
or call: 800-588-7222
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Ridgecrest Reservations - Click Here
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EMC GC2022 Registration - Click Here