In April, Christians around the EMC, and around world will again celebrate the most incredible event in human historythe death, burial, and triumphant resurrection of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
As we do, we will remember Him: His passion, and His presence, His commitment, and His condescension, His vicarious sacrifice, and His victorious superiority!
This issue of the Kerusso is about triumph! God is at work in the world, and in the people, churches, and conferences of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and we PRAISE GOD for every soul, every pastor, every congregation, and every global conference in which He is worshipped as the one true living God and the cardinal reason for our joy and hope!
“It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming”
Pastor Shadrach Meshach (S. M.) Lockridge (March 7, 1913 – April 4, 2000) was the Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, California for forty years. Pastor Lockridge was an inspiring and well-known pulpiteer that had a tremendous gift for preaching beautifully crafted sermons that stirred the hearts of his congregants from 1953 to 1993. His two most memorable sermons were “That’s My King!” and “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming!”
Here are links to video portions of them in his own voice: “My King” or “It’s Friday” (We apologize for the YouTube Advertisements)
This is excerpted from Dr. Lockridge’s incredible “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming” sermon:
“It’s Friday. Jesus is praying. Peter’s a sleeping. Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. Pilate’s struggling. The council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know that Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd. Mary’s crying. Peter is denying. But they don’t know that Sunday’s a comin’. It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe Him in scarlet. They crown Him with thorns. But they don’t know that Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood dripping. His body stumbling. And his spirit’s burdened. But you see, it’s only Friday. Sunday’s a comin’.
It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My King yields his spirit. It’s Friday. Hope is lost. Death has won. Sin has conquered. And Satan’s just a laughing. It’s Friday. Jesus is buried. A soldier stands guard. And a rock is rolled into place.
But it’s Friday. It is only Friday. Sunday is a comin’.”
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
In Christ, We Have Already Passed from Death to Life
I vividly remember learning the “state of being” verbs at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. To this day, I can still rattle them off from memory: Is, am, are, was, were. Be, being, been. Has, have, had. Do, does, did. Shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, could.
Most likely, we encounter people every day whose state of being is – well, to put it bluntly – dead. They don’t know they are dead. Just like we didn’t know we were dead before we met Christ.
The Apostle John recorded Jesus describing our enemy as a shameless thief, and murderer. Death is the devil’s context. He exists, but he does not know life because life is communion with God. Death, therefore, is separation from God. Satan chose a path of darkness and divorce, severing his connection to the only source of life. And because of our sin, that is our context as well. Because of sin, we are separated from life. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Spirit said:
Our state of being was death! How ironic … we were ‘living’ as dead people. But the Resurrected Christ offers a different reality. Jesus offers life - - ABUNDANT LIFE.
But note that He says we MAY have it. There’s another one of those state-of-being verbs. “May.” It infers an optional reality that is accessible upon the fulfilment of certain conditions. The key that unlocks this wonderful reality is the rejection of sin and self. It’s the most incredible thing; the doorway to life is death. We have to die to the death we’ve been living in. Sounds almost confusing.
But it really isn’t. We must decide to die to selfish ambition; die to worshipping the idols we’ve surrounded ourselves with; die to those things that kept us in perpetual separation from God. We enter life by dying to sin. ~ continued on next page ~
In Christ, We Have Already Passed from Death to Life ~ continued from page 2 ~
Someone once said that God doesn’t ask much of a man; just all of him. When we acknowledge that without Him, we are dead, and we willingly choose to surrender our will to His will, the same power that raised Christ from the dead flows into our spiritual reality, and we come alive!
The Scripture is clear that this life-giving power “… is the same as the mighty strength [God] exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20)
This amazing news means that the commemoration of Easter is not only a memorial celebration of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, but it is a declaration that we too have been raised to life by and through the power of the Holy Spirit. All of us were dead. But all of us who are redeemed by grace are now alive!
The bottom line is this: we can either choose to live once and die twice, or we can choose to die once (accepting Jesus’ sacrifice) and live twice. Let’s choose life!
LIFE! TRUE LIFE! ABUNDANT LIFE!
Which has been made available to us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah!
And the life that we experience in Christ is beyond imagination. We are free to experience all of the joy, with none of the guilt. It is full of vibrant color and richly satisfying experiences. It is neither hollow, nor one-dimensional. It is jam-packed with creative and robust opportunities.
Don’t believe the lie that following Jesus is somehow a boring, black-and-white existence. Nothing could be further from the truth, but the “father of lies” offers a cunning tale, that making Jesus Lord leads us to a bland, fenced-in life.
A popular rock song of the 1970’s claimed “… only the good die young.” The boast was: “… they say there's a heaven for those who will wait. Some say it's better, but I say it ain't. I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun … you know that only the good die young.”
Here’s the truth. Jesus offers us a trade - we can trade away our dead, empty existence and receive an amazing and fruit-filled life. Those who have chosen to make this trade know just how sick and hollow the enemy’s lies really are. He would do anything to keep you dead.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8)
And aren’t you just dying to really live? Me too!
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Mission Exposure Trip to the Philippines
Bill & Lisa Walker
We are excited to report to you about the recent MISSION EXPOSURE to the Asia Pacific Conference! 14 people, including the Walkers, spent 10 days in Manila, Philippines. We partnered with the Asia Pacific Conference to hold a 3day YOUTH CAMP at the Pulilian Christian Center in Bulacan, north of Manila. Over 60 youth gathered with pastors and staff to learn from God’s Word and worship together.
There were interactive team games, talent presentations, great food, inspiring worship, and at the end, 4 baptisms! After camp, the team spent a half-day on community outreach in the “Barangay 122” neighborhood. Dozens of children, youth, and mothers gathered for a health clinic, a funfilled evangelistic ministry, and leadership training for teens poised to make a positive influence in their community. When it was time to leave, the kids ran after our vans. We all wanted to stop and continue the ministry!
We envision an EMC church plant in Barangay 122 in the foreseeable future! It was a joy to visit three churches, since our visit included 2 Sundays. On the 1st Sunday, we joined Touching Word Community Ministry (pastored by Rev. Rod Reyes) as they celebrated 10 years in Pulilan! On the 2nd Sunday, we traveled north to Bamban to visit “Jesus the Foundation of Life Church” (5-year-old church pastored by Rev. Peps Rubin). In the same town, Rev. Rudy Senadrin and his family are in the early stages of planting “Jesus the Source of Life Church.” What a blessing to be able to visit these three congregations!
The city of Manila is the most densely populated metro area in the world, with over 119,600 people per square mile. There is a mix of extreme wealth and extreme poverty. (Barangay 122 is definitely on the poverty side.) Most of the EMC congregations in the Asia Pacific Conference are in or near Manila. The country is strongly Catholic, resulting from 300 years as a Spanish colony.
During our visit, the country was preparing for the massive festival of the Black Nazarene to celebrate (worship) a 17th-century life-size dark statue of Jesus that is believed to have been blackened during a ship fire. Barefoot millions follow the statue (and replicas) in procession, vainly hoping for miracles. This is nothing more than witchcraft.
Pray that millions of Filipinos will instead turn to the LIVING CHRIST, that they may be truly redeemed and transformed!
God is at Work in Myanmar Despite the Hardships!
Despite challenges like families seeking safety in neighboring countries, and declining church attendance due to violence, domestic missions are thriving, with 193 baptisms reported in the Myanmar EMC Global Conference in 2025! They’ve baptized 32 so far this year! And we have just recently learned of yet another 24 people being baptized!
You may recall reading that these baptism groups are often complete families. For example, just a few weeks ago we learned that there was a family of five, all of them baptized together. When I think of how things go here in the US and Western countries in general, group conversions seem unusual.
Although Lisa and I are accustomed to hearing reports like this, it occurred to me that most people in the EMC USA might not realize why whole families are often baptized together. Most of us can quote Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” But Paul adds a phrase that we might easily omit: “…you and your household.”
What does he mean? Here in the United States, we rarely, if ever, see an entire family converted at once. It is very common for an individual to get saved and be the only Christian in the family for a long time. The Bible, including the Book of Acts, was written in a part of the world where most of the people were of an honorshame culture (and largely still are).
In an honor-shame culture, the focus is less on the individual and more on the group. Important decisions are often made with the group in mind.
Several years ago, I asked Myanmar EMC elder James Sai Ruma how this works. I was concerned that an individual in the family group might be forced or coerced into an insincere or premature conversion and baptism. James clarified that more likely the group will wait on baptism until that last individual is ready, and then they would do it together!
So, it may well be that a single individual may have saving faith privately but not profess publicly or get baptized until sometime later. This does not always hold, but such is the general pattern in an honor-shame culture. If you would like to learn more about honor-shame cultures, visit www.honorshame.com.
Keep praying for our faithful pastors and missionaries in Myanmar. They silently endure significant hardship and are doing excellent work!
JonTellifero– Louisiana
Excerpts from Pastor Jon’s 2025 Ministry Report for all 3 congregations he serves.
Beulah Community Church EMC, Mercy Chapel EMC, and Faith Church (autonomous Methodist church), which make up the “Cypress Connection”, are experiencing rebirth and new life. The common threads among them are they are people who love Christ, love the Bible, and want to be the light of Jesus starting in Louisiana and then to the ends of the earth!
Beulah Community EMC reaches back to the final fires of the Second Great Awakening in the 1880s. The DNA of their first passion is a love of Jesus. These people are filled with hope and filled with the Holy Spirit. Beulah is adding new believers to its ranks. Roy and Delores joined the church. A few months later Tucker, Roy, and I met at a restaurant and Tucker gave his life to Jesus! This fall Roy was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and we gathered around, laying hands on them, and praying in Jesus’ name that he would be healed. For the next 6 to 8 months Roy and Delores are on a healing journey to experience the C in Christ is larger than the c in cancer.
Beulah is a worshipping church and has grown significantly in the last 3 ½ years. We reach out to families and neighbors in the community through VBS, Fall Festival, Christmas Hayride, Easter Celebration, and a Boy Scout troop. These outreaches connect with about 500 people annually! In 2025 we regularly supported several local ministries, EMC world-wide ministries and special offerings to Myanmar EMC. We held our first missions conference. We have a dream to offer Christ to northeast Louisiana through worship, study of the Word, and mission. We are growing. We are the body of Christ. We are Jesus’ light.
Then 160 miles away, in DeRidder is Mercy Chapel. Mercy came to life 3 ½ years ago due to the debacle in the United Methodist Church. A handful of members dared to start a new home church. The next week we were offered a small worship center for Mercy’s worship – at no charge! From there it has grown to a congregation of 30 in regular attendance. Mercy has a powerful worship team with several accomplished adult musicians as well as two budding teenaged fiddlers! This last summer, at our third annual anniversary worship service we had 76 worshippers! Mercy tithes to the world-wide work of the EMC, supports several other outreach ministries and the Myanmar EMC mission. We provide weekly Bible study, The Table, for the community at a local restaurant, as well as bringing worship and life each quarter to a local nursing center, and an outreach called Wreaths Across America. Mercy, in 2025, accrued the finances to call a full-time pastor. Today the Spirit is stirring us to reach DeRidder for Christ. Mercy is called to be a place to grow in the Word; a place to worship the living God, and a place where lives can be filled with the Spirit of God, becoming a holy people.
Then there is Faith Church in the suburbs of West Monroe, Louisiana. It is a growing Methodist congregation, beginning with 18 attending members, now a worshiping community of 40-50 each Sunday. It has met tremendous obstacles and now is positioned for a bright future. It overcame the $45,000 buyout from the UMC and also replaced the roof, at a cost of more than $135,000. While this was going on, people in the church and friends in the community gave a baby grand piano. God brought Judy and Jim to join the church and they love music. And today Judy is the pianist, and Jim is the chair of the trustees.
God is adding to the church daily. Riley is one of the newest worshippers – a high school student who came a few Sundays ago and clearly is a disciple of Jesus. She became a friend of Mary, who is loving her husband John through the night fall of cancer. As they sat together, they shared Jesus’ exceptional love. Nearby are Tommy and Dana, a middle-aged couple loving their dad through declining health. Then there is Becky, Charles, and Carolyn all new to Faith and yet giving us Jesus’ life! We are offering them Jesus and the love of a church home. Faith’s mission is to be a light in the darkness through dynamic worship, inspired preaching, vibrant singing, and significant outreach. Today Faith reaches the community through the Gideon’s ministry, college campus ministries and other local outreaches, as well as through a community Bible study named “The Fellowship” averaging 50 people, in person and online. They also support the EMC Myanmar mission. Hopefully, Faith church will soon affiliate with the EMC.
Because of the Cypress Connection – the combined ministries of these 3 churches – Pastor Tellifero can serve the greater communities of northeast Louisiana and southwest Louisiana as president of the Renewal Center of Northeast Louisiana (RC), a community shelter for the homeless, addicted, poor, and mentally ill. The RC serves annually over 21,900 people An expansion was completed this year to create a warming kitchen and worship center, partnering with Christian churches, businesses, and people to create a “gospel ladder” out of homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and poverty into God’s marvelous light of abundant life. The Cypress Connection is hearing the voice of the Spirit say, “I am doing something new. Can you see it?”(Is. 43:19) And we are beginning to see it. It is marvelous. It is breath taking. It is world changing. Thanks be to God!
Louisiana
DebraMiller– Arizona
Excerpts from Pastor Debra’s 2025 Ministry Report
I give God all the praise and thanksgiving for all He has done in my family and my life this year. I am in my 27th year of pastoral ministry here at Estrella Community Church. It has been a great privilege to love on all the souls who have crossed paths with me through the years. It is an honor to watch all the youth group kids grown up and coming to church and bringing their children. What a joy!
I am still serving as secretary/treasurer for the Eloy Ministerial Alliance. I serve with the Evangelical Methodist Women as Christian Education secretary. Alice Tipton and I are starting our 14th year of leading the Blessings International Soup kitchen. We were able to send out 122 Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes, serve 26 Angel Tree children as well as give both Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. The teams we have are so wonderful and a blessing to our church. Our church is working toward being a blessing wherever we are. Our services are shared live on Facebook on Sunday mornings.
We had the privilege of hosting Journey this year. Thanks to all our tireless volunteers. We sent about $8,000 to Missions this year as well as supporting home mission projects. We hosted two Family Camps, in March and October. We have made improvements to our [campus] and are preparing a baptismal area. We baptized several people this year with many new people confessing faith in Jesus! How exciting! We continue to partner with two Spanish-speaking churches, Pastor Luis Magallanes is pastoring our Spanish-speaking EMC church, and he is almost done with his Elder’s course through the Mexican Conference. Pastor Romelio Guevara is serving our missions church, and they are such a blessing to our congregation.
ToddInman–Oregon
Excerpts from Pastor Todd’s 2025 Ministry Report
This past year at Connections Community Church has been nothing short of miraculous. After more than a decade of planting, praying, persevering, and faithfully loving our community, we have stepped into a season where God’s hand has been unmistakably at work. What we have witnessed is not the result of human strategy or clever planning, it is the fruit of God’s Spirit moving among His people. One of the greatest joys of this year was celebrating 21 baptisms, each one a story of grace, redemption, and new beginnings.
Our children’s ministry has blossomed under faithful leadership and volunteers. The children eagerly head to Kid’s Church after worship ready to learn about Jesus. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and their spiritual growth is evident. Seeds of faith are being planted, watered, and nurtured, and we see the fruit. God is also moving powerfully among our teenagers. Under faithful leaders and volunteers, they are discovering what it means to follow Jesus in a complicated world. They are asking deep questions, forming Christ-centered friendships, and [learning] to be free-thinkers in a world trying to pull them away from God. This is not just a youth group; it is a discipleship movement in the making.
One of the most visible expressions of God’s love this year has been our Basic Needs Food Give-Away, faithfully led by volunteers. Through this ministry, we have been able to provide essentials to thousands. It has become a lifeline for our community and a testimony that the gospel is not just preached, it is demonstrated. God has been bringing remarkable people into the Connections family ... individuals stepping into ministry, supporting one another and the church, and using their gifts to build up the body of Christ. The spirit of unity, generosity, and servant-heartedness is something only God could orchestrate. We are witnessing a church not just attending but participating; not just receiving but giving; not just gathering but growing. Throughout the week, multiple Bible studies are meeting and are shaping disciples, deepening relationships, and strengthening the foundation of our church. God’s Word is taking root in hearts, and lives are being transformed.
As we look ahead, one of our greatest needs, and opportunities, is finding a permanent building for our church and the ministries God has entrusted to us. We are stepping forward in faith, raising funds, and trusting He will provide the right place at the right time. We believe God is preparing us for something bigger than we can imagine. He has led us this far, and He will continue to lead us forward. The best is yet to come. Not because of who we are, but because of who God is. May we continue to follow Him with courage, humility, and joy. To God be the glory ... great things HE has done, and even greater things HE WILL DO.
On a personal note, I am thrilled to share that on June 20, 2026, I will have the profound joy of taking Monica Kristiansen’s hand in marriage. God has brought a beautiful peace, hope, and companionship into my life through her, and I look forward to a lifetime of ministry together.
Oregon
We’re Looking Forward to this Exciting Event!
In today’s world of apps, devices, and scores of electronic meetings, we need more of the human touch … more CONNECTION. Our General Conference in July is just what we need. Our annual Journey meetings are wonderful, but they are, by necessity, quite short and only regional. General Conference is an opportunity to deeply interact with other pastors and church leaders in ways that expand our horizons, encourage our devotion, and increase our effectiveness.
WHO: : Every single EMC Church is empowered to send five voting delegates, in addition to every person holding an EMC ministerial credential.
Featured Speakers that are Biblically Solid and Practically Proven
The assembly will hear from godly speakers who have been specifically sought out to bring messages of hope and practical help for our pastors and people.
WHEN: : July 21 – 24, 2026, Tuesday – Friday
WHERE: :
There will be an early check-in opportunity at the church on Monday evening from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The opening worship session will be at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Indianapolis First Church of the Nazarene 9401 E 25th St, Indianapolis, IN 46229.
THEME: :
In addition to celebrating the 80th anniversary of the EMC, the overall theme will be “SERVE”
COST: : Registration will be $60 per person. There will also be four high-quality catered meals provided on-site for $90. The total fee = $150.
Karl Vaters
Carla Sunberg
Carlton Smith
EVENT SCHEDULE
Evangelical Methodist Church
34th General Conference | July 21-24, 2026 Session
Agenda
Tuesday | July 21 .
8:15 am Worship & Prayer – Opening
9:15 am Plenary Speaker 1
11:00 am Plenary Speaker 2
12:00 pm Lunch – Onsite
2:00 pm Business Session 1
4:00 pm Breakout Options 1 of 2
5:00 pm Dinner – ON YOUR OWN
7:15 pm Evening Worship (Ordination Service)
Wednesday | July 22 .
7:45 am Optional Interactive Time –“Coffee with Karl”
8:15 am Worship & Prayer
8:30 am Business Session 2
11:00 am Plenary Speaker 3
12:00 pm Lunch – ON YOUR OWN
2:00 pm Business Session 3
4:00 pm Breakout Options 2 of 2
5:00 pm Dinner - Onsite
7:00 pm Evening Worship
Thursday | July 23 .
8:15 am Worship & Prayer
8:30 am Business Session 4
11:00 am Plenary Speaker 4
12:00 pm Lunch - Onsite
2:00 pm Business Session 5
5:00 pm Dinner - Onsite
7:00 pm Evening Worship
Friday | July 24 .
8:15 am Morning Devotion & Prayer
9:00 am Business Session 6 11:45 am Adjournment
EMC Department of
According to a 2025 study conducted by “Caring.com,” less than 30% of American families have a will in place. That is a tragic condition that is somewhat easy to remedy!
But you might think that assembling a will is both complicated and expensive, and indeed, it can be. But the good news is that it doesn’t HAVE to be.
The EMC Department of Stewardship and Development provides an important, and cost-free service to EMC families who want to have a clear plan regarding who the executor of their estate is, as well as the distribution of their accumulated assets
Additionally, making a will is an important step for parents of minor children who choose to specify their wishes regarding future guardianship, in the event that both parents are deceased. Without a will, the presiding court makes all of these very important decisions.
The department stands ready to come to a local EMC Church over a period of days to meet with families by appointment, helping them walk through their estate planning and the creation of a legally-binding will. Department leaders, Butch Hayes and Mark Bailey will discuss options for the distribution of key assets to the surviving spouses, children, and heirs.
Next month, from April 9-11, Mr. Hayes and Pastor Bailey will be visiting Grace EMC in Memphis, Tennessee, to help folks there construct a solid estate plan and will.
Please pray for them as they travel, and please do consider contacting the Department of Stewardship and Development if you would like to have them come to your community and help your church people in this regard. THERE IS NO COST TO THE FAMILIES, NOR THE CHURCH FOR THIS AMAZING SERVICE. It is one of the many benefits of being an affiliated EMC congregation. Call the headquarters office at 317-780-8017 and ask to have someone from the department call.
The Haggard School of Ministry was established by the EMC in 2012 and is named after Dr. Cornelius P. Haggard, a former president of Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Haggard was a highly respected academician, theologian, and key leader in the earliest days of our denomination. It was his commitment to theological education that we sought to memorialize in the naming of the Haggard School of Ministry
The Haggard School operates under the supervision of the General Board of Ministerial Education and is committed to a robust Wesleyan curriculum prepared and presented by academically qualified faculty members The mission of the Haggard School of Ministry is to prepare and equip candidates for ministry in the Evangelical Methodist Church for service to the kingdom of God. Students in the Haggard School can apply their coursework toward completion of an accredited degree through Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio.
Rev John Phillips, III, is the Dean of the Haggard School as well as the chair of the General Board of Ministerial Relations. His recent report to the Board of Ministerial Education regarding the school applauds the fact that there are 46 students enrolled, with 15 of them working on Elder’s coursework; 19 enrolled in the Local Preacher’s track; and 8 pursuing Diaconal consecration through completion of the courses set for Deacons. Four people are currently enrolled for personal enrichment, which is available to all our local church leaders and members.
You can find out more about the Haggard School as well as how to fill out an enrollment application by navigating to our denominational website, and clicking on the “School of Ministry” tab. Or you can click the image above to be taken straight there.
