We are called to live holy lives in a world determined to undermine holiness.
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DOCTRINAL TRUTHS
The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ asserts that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that the fundamental plan of salvation consists of these major doctrinal truths: Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the one true God; Repentance from sins; Baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ; Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
General Superintendent | Kenneth Carpenter
Southern Regional Assistant | Jonathan Vazquez
Northern Regional Assistant | Kenneth Allen
Western Regional Assistant | Robert Wimberley
General Secretary | Josh Wilson
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS
Alabama | Ronnie Allen
Arkansas | Daniel Nooner
Florida | Luis Rodriguez
Georgia | Donald Wineinger
Greater New England | J. Craig Ouellette
Gulf Coast | Phillip McKissick
Heartland | Edward MacDonald
Greater Illinois | Tracy Zimmerman
Indiana | Tim Gill
Kentucky | Phillip Cook
Louisiana | David Poole
Michigan | Shannon Scott
Mississippi | Gary Porterfield
Missouri-Iowa | Anthony Marshall
NY/Mid-Atlantic | Wayne Byrd
Ohio | Mark Hina
Oklahoma | Curt Green
Southeastern | Stacy Garnett
Tennessee | Steve Smith
Texas | Peter Gray
Tri-State | Mark McCool
Western | Robert Jones
West TX/New Mexico | Simon King
West Virginia | Ralph Tisdale
HONORARY SUPERINTENDENTS
Raymond Bishop | Steve Wilson | Robert Martin
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
World Missions | Matthew Ball
Missions America | Stephen Trachsel
Evangelists | Shawn Garnett
KidzQuest | Nate Roberts II
Student Ministries | Zach Hammond
Women’s Esprit | Terri Scott
Menistry | James Chessor
Christian Education | Caleb Tisdale
In this October issue of Apostolic Witness, we’re treated to a rich feast of content that will sharpen your mind and stir your heart. First, Pastor Jon Vazquez’s A Levite Life in a Philistine World—a message he delivered with the force of a hammer at the General Ministry Conference in Pigeon Forge. He masterfully laid out how we, like the Levites of old, are called to live holy lives in a world determined to undermine holiness. Vazquez doesn’t just identify the problem—he offers a call to arms.
Bishop Carpenter’s article, Determination, Progress, and Completion, takes us to another level. With his usual blend of clarity and conviction, Carpenter challenges the drift toward complacency, urging us to see the work through to the end. It’s a piece that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go.
Read the latest updates from the World Missions department and the outstanding work happening in World Missions across South Asia. Add to
that the exciting updates from our Menistry department, particularly the powerful work of Men of Honor Churches in the prisons. Lives are being transformed, chains are broken, and the Gospel is moving in places many thought unreachable. Finally, don’t miss the article The Spice of Life, where Sister Ferguson draws an insightful comparison between salt and pepper, showing how our differences—when brought together in the right spirit—don’t divide us but make Christ’s body stronger.
You’ll find something to provoke, challenge, and encourage in every piece. Stay engaged. Stay faithful. The work is far from over.
Nathan S. Whitley General Editor
The road to Heaven is paved with determination and purpose, where we walk hand in hand, united in our unwavering faith. As we embark on our spiritual journey, we must remember that it is not one we undertake alone; it is a collective endeavor, much like a three-fold cord that binds us together as Apostolics. This divine cord is composed of our Apostolic identity, which encompasses Holiness, Oneness, and the only saving Plan of Salvation. Together, these elements fortify our resolve and illuminate our path toward our final completion, Heaven!
The Apostle Peter passionately urged believers to “stir up your pure minds by way of reminder,” emphasizing the significance of reflection and purposeful action in our spiritual lives. His ministry focused on guiding souls toward Heaven, casting a lifeline of salvation while admonishing the faithful within the Church. Peter understood that remembrance fuels determination, prompting us to act upon our faith with renewed vigor. He called us to awaken from complacency, reflect deeply on our calling, and actively pursue holiness.
In a world marred by complacency and casual Christianity, this message will reignite the passion and zeal to see us through the final completion of our journey on this Earth. Peter reminded the Church, “Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest
among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. [1Pe 2:11-12 KJV]
As we journey as pilgrims in a foreign land, we must be determined more than ever before, press towards the mark of our high calling, and be resolute to make Heaven our home.
DETERMINATION: THE POWER OF THE WILL
Determination is rooted in our will and mindset. Nothing shall separate me; nothing shall move me. Consider the unwavering faith of the three Hebrew boys who declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “We have faith in His power to deliver us, but we also trust in His wisdom if death comes.” This profound determination exemplifies the power of a made-up mind.
When we submit our will, our actions will naturally follow. The moment of submission is critical—much like the breaking of man’s will in Gethsemane, where strength was ultimately found and victory over Calvary was secured. In essence, Jesus conquered Calvary in Gethsemane, where His will was determined above His circumstances.
The Apostle Paul declared, “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.” [Act 20:22-24 KJV]
Paul was determined in his spirit that nothing would deter him from accomplishing the will of God. He would write to the Church at Rome — “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Rom 8:37-39 KJV]
A determined will is an unstoppable force capable of overcoming the most daunting obstacles. The fuel ignites our passions and propels us toward our goals, transforming dreams into reality. As Winston Churchill famously stated, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” This unwavering resolve allows us to rise after every fall, pushing through adversity with tenacity and strength. The prophet Micah echoes this resolute spirit: “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.” [Mic 7:8 KJV]
PROGRESS: ADVANCING FORWARD
When we embody a determined will, we align with God’s purpose, enabling us to navigate life’s trials with faith and resolve. Let us harness this spirit of determination, knowing that through Christ, we can overcome not only for ourselves but also to inspire and uplift those around us. A determined
mind will lead to actual progress. The Apostolic Church is a Book of Acts Church, meant to shake the foundations of this Earth. It cannot afford to hit auto-pilot and cruise into our promised land; that mindset will never fulfill the mandate given to us by the Lord. Jesus instructed His disciples to “Occupy till I come,” calling them to advance the Kingdom of God until their last breath. This is the fiery zeal we must reignite today.
In the Parable of the Sower, as given to us by the Lord, we are presented with a powerful illustration of God’s expectations for His children to progress with the resources and gifts He has entrusted us. It is indeed God’s will for His children to be profitable to His Kingdom, and this parable challenges us to reflect on our own actions and contributions. We must ask ourselves: What are we bringing to the table? Are we actively sowing the seeds of the precious Gospel or burying it in the ground? Are we utilizing our God-given abilities to advance our kingdoms or to improve the world?
The parable reminds us of the stark reality that the slothful servant who hid his talent was not guilty of gross sins but instead of being lazy and unprofitable.
In this parable, Jesus emphasizes the need for action and productivity in the Kingdom of God. He calls us to “occupy until I come,” highlighting the importance of actively engaging in God’s work. Slothfulness has no place in God’s Kingdom, for He is not a socialistic Savior who rewards idleness. In fact, Jesus warns that the unprofitable servant will be cast into outer darkness.
The time has come for us to be about our Father’s business. As long as there are lost souls in our cities and towns, we have a compelling reason to roll up our sleeves and get to work. From creating discipleship classes to investing in the next generation, we must maximize the use of our time and the resources God has blessed us with.
We cannot adopt the mindset of the slothful servant, thinking, “My church isn’t as big as theirs, so what’s the point of having all these ministries?” Such an unprofitable attitude is an insult to the Lord. He calls us to do what we can with what we have been given, promising to bless us with more as we faithfully serve. God honors hard work and sacrifice! Let us rise to the challenge, driven by purpose and passion, and commit ourselves to the mission at hand!
FINAL COMPLETION: IT’S ALL ABOUT HEAVEN
What are we truly working for in this life? What ignites our passion? Life is fleeting, fluid, and ultimately temporary, yet countless people act as if this world is all that matters.
Do we yearn for Heaven? Do we long to be with Jesus?
The Lord will soon return for His Church, yet many remain in a state of slumber. The urgent call of our time is to be found—watching and praying!
In His heartfelt plea to His disciples, Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
[Matthew 24:42-46 KJV]
As we approach the conclusion of this age, we, as the end-time Apostolic Church, must rise like
never before and shine the beacon of light toward the golden shores of Heaven! Our songs and messages must be infused with a longing to make Heaven our eternal home. I can feel the heartbeat of Abraham, who sought a city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God, as expressed in the Scriptures: “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
[Hebrews 11:10 KJV]
Can we envision John’s vivid picture of Heaven?
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” [Revelation 21:1-7 KJV]
What a glorious day that will be, Church! If we truly intend to make Heaven our home, it will require a determination like never before, coupled with forward progress and the ultimate completion of our long-awaited promise. It will all be worth it in the end! Let us realign ourselves under the mandate from Heaven and occupy until He comes, fueled by a new sense of urgency and zeal! AW
A LEVITE LIFE IN A PHILISTINE WORLD
by Jonathan Vazquez
Obededom is quite an interesting character, though relatively obscure compared to other biblical figures. He is only mentioned 15 times throughout the entire Bible. While he is not a primary character, the descriptive language of the Scriptures tells us much about him. He is referred to three times as Obededom the Gittite. The descriptive Hebrew word means “belonging to Gath.” Or “Dweller of Gath.” The Bible draws the reader to understand that Obededom is from the Philistine city of Gath, which produced the notorious immense family best known for creating the giant Goliath.
In addition to hailing from the Philistine city of Gath, the Scriptures also clarify who Obededom was. The Chronicles lists Obededom among the Levites (1 Chronicles 15:18). Commentators Albert Barnes, John Gill, Matthew Henry, and other sources claim him to be of Levitical heritage, one boldly proclaiming that he was a man from the tribe of Levi. His Levitical heritage and Philistine environment often led to contrasting and conflicting circumstances. As a Gittite, Obededom had been immersed in the culture of some of the foremost enemies of God’s people.
The Philistines are notorious in the Scriptures. The notoriety and historical record associated with the word “Philistine” have led to its use in pop culture. When referring to someone as a Philistine, it means they are crass, tasteless, uncultured, unsophisticated, unrefined, boorish, barbaric, primitive, savage, coarse, rough, and brutish. The historical Philistines were a war-loving people who worshiped several idols. They served Dagon, Baal, Ashtaroth, Asherah, and others. They were the constant enemies of God’s people for many generations. The Book of Genesis mentions the conflict between Israel and the Philistines and
appears 288 times throughout the Old Testament, all the way to the 38th book. This prolonged conflict is a significant theme in the Old Testament.
The Philistines were a particular problem because they were more technologically advanced than Israel. While Israel was still practicing Bronze-age technology, the Philistines had already advanced to Iron-age technology. This technological advantage played out in more advanced weapons on the battlefield. Archaeological discoveries have also discovered that there seemed to be a proclivity among the Philistines for performance art and entertainment. It would be the ancient equivalent of Hollywood’s music and movies.
The Philistines were natural warriors who loved battle, fighting, and plundering. Their culture was centered around warfare, and their boys were raised with a certain bloodlust that drove them. According to V. Phillips Young, they are first mentioned in secular sources circa 1184 B.C. by Egypt’s Pharaoh Ramses III. The Pharaoh said, “No land could withstand their arms.” The Philistines were an aggressive people by nature. Their goal was to advance their culture and civilization by any means. Either by death or destruction, they sought to impose their will upon those surrounding them. The Philistines would never be pleased with peaceful coexistence. It was dominate or die trying.
The conflict became troublesome for Israel because they could not overcome the Philistines on the battlefield. Israeli technology couldn’t compete with Philistine technology. Additionally, a family of giants from Gath acted as enforcers for the Philistine people. This meant there was a constant onslaught
“ The Philistine penchant for the performing arts and entertainment made the Levite culture seem outdated, unrefined, unsophisticated, and irrelevant. The songs of the Philistine entertainment system were not those of the Levites. The Holy Levites found no commonality with the songs of the Philistines—additionally, God’s call to be holy warred against the Philistine’s call to be worldly.
of Philistine culture, entertainment, and technology, which seemed like it would overwhelm Israel. From a human perspective, it appeared that Israel was soon to be annihilated and disappear from history.
It is hard to overstate how aggressive the Philistines were in trying to take over their corner of the world. Excavations at Ashdod and Ashkelon revealed inscriptions that still have not been deciphered. However, evidence has been found that the Philistines appropriated the local language of Israel as their own. The Philistines were not satisfied with allowing God’s people to have their own language, so they infiltrated it.
Archaeologists have discovered that the Philistines were large-scale olive oil producers. Over 100 sizeable Philistine oil presses were found in excavations near Ekron, making it the largest known olive oil production site in the ancient Near East. This, combined with their aggressive military and commerce systems, would have given them a near monopoly in the olive oil industry in the region they dominated. The Philistines’ oil would have been the main competition for the Temple’s anointing oil reserves.
In summary, the Philistines were superior on the battlefield. They dominated the entertainment industry and the arts. They appropriated
contemporary language. They also provided a similar but imitation anointing to rival the oil produced by the Temple of God. It is in this world that Obededom, the Levite from Gath, lived.
One issue arising from cross-cultural migration is the isolation of those who don’t share their land’s values, customs, and traditions. The evident and unseen variances cause feelings of isolation and disenfranchisement. The unbelievable cultural pressure to assimilate rather than retain his traditional Levite culture must have been astounding. As a Levite, Obededom and his family rejected Dagon, Ashtaroth, Baal, and the other Philistine deities, stressing their neighbor relations.
The Philistine penchant for the performing arts and entertainment made the Levite culture seem outdated, unrefined, unsophisticated, and irrelevant. The songs of the Philistine entertainment system were not those of the Levites. The Holy Levites found no commonality with the songs of the Philistines—additionally, God’s call to be holy warred against the Philistine’s call to be worldly. The Philistine culture brought pressure to bear on the Levite lifestyle of Obededom.
Another area of difference would be in their daily dress. The dress of the Philistines was different than that of the Levites. The Levitical priests wore four
garments throughout the year. The fabric of the garments had to be flax, and the linen garments had to be created from threads of six individual strands. The Levites wore a seamless white linen tunic woven in a checkerboard pattern, linen undergarments, a head covering, and a belt.
In stark contrast, the Philistines’ dress style differed greatly from the Levites. The Philistines wore an ornamental headdress with feathers and a decorative headband. They wore a short kilt-like garment with a wide hem and tassels. Above the waist, they wore a ribbed corselet over a shirt adorned with thin strips of leather or metal joined in the middle of the chest.
The contrast of dress made it easy to tell a Levite from a Philistine. The Levites’ standard would seem unusual, even weird, and unnecessary to the Philistines. Obededom and his family had to remember that they were not called to dress as Philistines but as Levites unto the Lord.
When Obededom’s wife went to the market, she was noticeably different from the other Philistine women. Perhaps she noticed the sideways glances and demeaning smirks of contemporaries. Maybe she felt the disdain of her neighbors or the pity they may have, thinking she was forced to dress in such an outdated manner. When the Obededom’s children went to school, they likely caught the wrath of schoolyard bullies, who always seem to identify those who are noticeably different.
If Obededom’s family dynamic was like many modern Apostolic families, their discussions may have centered around their isolation and separation. Perhaps his children asked, “Dad, why do we have to be so different? Why can’t we just sing their songs? Why can’t we just dress like them and still worship Jehovah? Why do we have to be Levites in a Philistine World?”
Three thousand twenty-eight years have passed since Obededom and his Levite family lived in Gath. However, the pressures of the contemporary world still come to bear on the modern Pentecostal family. The Philistine’s call to the church, “Be like us, sing like us, dress like us, talk like us.” The modern Apostolic Pentecostal church finds itself in a situation much like Obededom.
Spiritual Philistines surround us. The aggressiveness of the worldly society is like nothing we have dealt with in recent history. The pervasiveness of the entertainment industry has marginalized modesty, holiness, purity, and godliness.
If I can be sincere, something is bothering me about the current iteration of the Apostolic Pentecostal church around the globe. I have traveled to 46 countries in my life. I have spent tens of thousands of my money to travel and preach globally. I am personally highly invested in the work of God. It is my life. I love the Kingdom, and I love the ALJC. Here is what I believe – I believe God wants this organization that bears His holy name, The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ – to be a holiness organization.
Paul told Timothy, “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). If His name is upon you, then you have the responsibility to depart from iniquity.
In God’s commands to Moses concerning the priests, He called them to a high standard of life and conduct: “They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God” (Leviticus 21:6). How we live our lives can glorify or profane the name of the Lord! Profane means to wound, to defile, to pollute, prostitute, stain, or bring sorrow, to treat it as a common thing, to defile, or to dishonor.
I am proud to carry the labels of Apostolic and Pentecostal. However, those terms could mean several different flavors of Christianity to the world. We bear His name. We are not the Assemblies of the Apostolics. We are not the Assemblies of the Pentecostals. There is no disrespect to other Apostolic-Pentecostal organizations, but we are the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as such, we carry His holy name. This should inspire us to go the extra mile to proclaim and represent Him to the world! We, along with other Apostolic-Pentecostals, are God’s anointed and chosen people in this endtime generation. As such, we are called to resist the seduction of our Philistine world.
To the Levites of the ancient world, the Philistines’ technology was far superior to a Levite lifestyle. Being a Levite seemed so old-fashioned and outdated. The Philistines wanted the Levites to feel they were missing out by living their Levite lifestyle.
The Philistines’ talent for entertainment and the arts made a Levite life seem boring and out of touch with modern life. Their songs were portrayed as so much better! Their entertainment was such an influence on the popular culture of the day! The siren’s call of the Philistine culture was: “Why won’t you sing our songs? Why won’t you participate in our activities?”
The Philistines wanted the Levite youth to know all the Philistine songs and all their famous entertainers. They would rather the Levites know the words of Philistine songs than songs of worship. The Philistine’s appropriation of the contemporary language made communicating Levite messages strange. The Devil attempted to infiltrate the Levite lifestyle so deeply that each generation became less and less comfortable with a Levite lifestyle rather than a Philistine way of living. The Philistines wanted the Levites to feel comfortable in their world but uncomfortable in the holy chambers of the House of God.
No matter how much entertainment, language, and technology the Philistines pumped out, none of them could match the power of the genuine anointing of the presence of the Almighty God. You could enjoy the talent of the Philistines, but it was no match for the anointing. When that holy oil was poured out, there was nothing like it.
The Philistines thought the power was in the oil, so they began to produce it themselves. Don’t forget that they discovered the largest olive oil production facility in the ancient world, in the cities of Philistines. They saw what happened when the oil was applied to the priests and the implements of the Temple, so they did their best to imitate it! But there is no imitation for a genuine anointing from God.
In Exodus, God gave Moses the recipe for the anointing oil: 500 shekels of pure myrrh, 250 shekels of cinnamon, 250 shekels of calamus, 250 shekels of cassia, and a hin of olive oil. This unique ointment was a divine recipe. Seven times during this pericope, God said that it was holy. Holy means sacred, consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, separate, and set apart. Then God promised to curse anyone who tried to mimic, replicate, or manufacture an imitation anointing. Exodus 30:33 says, “Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
We don’t need fake, Philistine anointing; we need real, genuine anointing. We don’t need to act like, look like, talk like, dress like, or mimic the world. We need to strive for holiness!
I am not insensitive to the pressures of our Philistine world! I am not so old that I don’t know there is pressure to compromise with the Philistines. I am not so out of touch that I don’t know that there is pressure to blend in with the Philistines. There is immense pressure to sing, worship, dress, and live like them.
“ There is more pressure on pastors now than at any other point in my lifetime. There is pressure on Apostolic parents. There is pressure on our Apostolic teens and children. But it is not new; it is the ancient pressure of the Philistine world on the Levite lifestyle."
Some mistakenly believe that the Philistines will come to our church if we compromise holiness. If we yield our standards on hair, makeup, jewelry, modesty, separation, and dress, the Philistines will like us more. They will not like you more! You will lose the one thing that draws them: the genuine anointing of the Holy One.
There is more pressure on pastors now than at any other point in my lifetime. There is pressure on Apostolic parents. There is pressure on our Apostolic teens and children. But it is not new; it is the ancient pressure of the Philistine world on the Levite lifestyle. Furthermore, it is born in the mind of Satan to destroy the values of God’s holy People.
Obededom and his family must have felt suffocated by the pressure they experienced in Gath. Again, it is almost as if I can hear the pleadings of Obededom’s children and wife. “Dad, why can’t we participate in the Philistine prom?” “Dad, why can’t I miss church for my Philistine tournament?” “Honey, if I could look a little bit more like a Philistine, I would fit in much more.” Obededom lived in Gath, but was he called to be a Levite.
Obededom comes into the Scriptures at a time of great hope for Israel. The transformation from the worldly Saul to the worshipper David was now complete. One of David’s first endeavors as King of Israel was to retrieve the Ark from the Philistines and
return it to its rightful place in Jerusalem. It was a time of great celebration.
David and his men went to the location of the Ark to retrieve it. They placed the Ark on a new cart and began the journey home. However, the Ark was never to be transported by man-made methods. God’s plan was for the Ark to be carried by the holy, consecrated, anointed priests upon their shoulders. David cut corners, and the ox pulling the cart stumbled, causing the Ark to shift on the cart. A man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and committed a transgression. It was forbidden for anyone other than priests to touch the Ark. Uzzah was killed on the spot.
After a tragic event, King David became afraid to move the Ark and found himself in a difficult position. He had to make a tough choice because he was near Gath, near Philistine territory, where Goliath and his brothers were from. David has come to a crossroads in his endeavor to return the Ark to Jerusalem. He is afraid to continue to the capital with the Ark but doesn’t want to allow it to fall into enemy hands again. He also cannot simply leave it by the roadside. He must find a place he can trust with the Glory of God. He must do something with it – something safe. He must give it the respect it deserves and find a place where the Ark would be valued. He has to find a place where the Ark would be respected and protected.
At this point, he heard of a Levite who was also a Gittite, named Obededom, a man who lived in Gath but did not live like the Philistines. He was in the land, but not like the people of the land. The King took the Ark to the nearest place where he thought it might be safe – the house of Obed-Edom.
While this day troubled the King, Obededom was oblivious to the drama that had played out on the road to Jerusalem. To him, it was just another day living in a Philistine world.
He did not know that within a matter of moments, the trajectory of his Levite family was about to change forever. He was probably not doing anything special, just living his daily Levite life in a Philistine world. Obededom heard a knock at his door. He opened the door, and to his amazement, the King of Israel, David, stood before him. Behind the King was the Ark of the Covenant. The King asked Obededom if he could place the Ark in Obededom’s house.
There, in his humble Levite house in the Philistine world, was the very presence of God! He must have stood mesmerized in his living room, staring at this ancient box overlaid with gold. Skilled artisans had crafted two amazing angels perched atop the Ark entranced by the mercy seat.
As the day progressed, Obededom’s family began to arrive home. His wife returned from the market only to find her Levite husband enraptured by the presence of God in her very own home. His children came home from Goliath Memorial High School and put down their backpacks only to look up and see the Ark of God in their home.
At that moment, Obededom and his family looked upon that ancient and anointed piece of furniture. They stood in awe, gazing at the golden Ark, seeing the fingerprints of Aaron and other long-departed priests. They beheld the remnants of drops of blood from hundreds of years of sacrifices upon the mercy seat.
As the Ark settled into its temporary home, the Glory of God must have come down into the room, and the Shekinah presence of the Almighty took its place upon the mercy seat between the cherubims.
At that moment, Obededom looked at his Levite family and reminded them, “This is why we have lived a Levite life in a Philistine world. This is why we dress differently. This is why we act differently. This is why we sing differently. This is why you don’t wear Philistine jewelry.
This is why you don’t wear makeup like a Philistine, and this is why we don’t participate in Philistine lifestyles. We were never living for the Philistines; we have been living for the Glory of God!”
Here is what the Bible says about the period that the Ark was in Obed-Edom’s house:
“And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the Ark of God. So David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness” (2 Samuel 6:12).
The Lord blessed the house of Obededom! But it was more than just a general blessing. The Bible said all that pertained unto Obededom was blessed because of the Ark of God. Looking at the definition of “pertain” applied to this Scripture means that all that concerns is related to, is connected with, all that
has a bearing on, everything that affects, involves, touches, regards, and all that belongs to Obededom was blessed, because of the Ark of God. Because the King felt like the house of Obededom was a safe and trustworthy place for the Ark – everything that pertained to him was blessed.
My brothers and Sisters, our most passionate pursuit should be for the Ark of God to be in our homes. If you love your spouse and your children and want to be blessed, you should seek the Ark of God in your home!
I want to proclaim the beauty of holiness. I want to tell our beautiful Apostolic ladies that living a Levite life is no shame! I want to tell our men and boys not to compromise our Levite life for a Philistine world. We are not better than anyone else, but we are not like anyone else.
The Sweet Psalmist of Israel, King David, said, “Give unto the LORD the Glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalms 29:2). It is a reminder that we are to give Glory unto His name. The name of God deserves Glory. The name of God deserves our worship. The name of God deserves our praise. But it is not enough to clap our hands. It is not just to leap for joy. It is not enough to dance, run, or shout. We are to worship in the beauty of holiness. God will accept worship from anyone, but there is something special about someone who worships in the beauty of holiness! Never be afraid, shy, reticent, or weary of living a Levite life in a Philistine world.
AW
Pastor
Jonathan Vazquez
Assistant General Superintendent Southern Region Representative
THE SPICE OF LIFE
by Natalie Ferguson
Have you ever wondered if Salt and Pepper are best friends or enemies? Has it ever crossed your mind that Pepper might be jealous of Salt? To give life and story to condiments seems ridiculous, yet God looked at the dirt and gave it life. See, Salt and Pepper always compete and fight to see who will get used more. With Salt being more commonly used, Pepper often gets jealous; one could say he gets “salty.”
On the other hand, Salt has a different perspective. Salt feels constantly drained as if she is being overused. She always feels empty and is jealous of Pepper’s fullness. From an outsider’s perspective, they are both important and although Salt is used more, Pepper has more flavor.
Pepper, on the other hand, feels undervalued and overlooked. Salt, from her perspective, feels overworked and empty. They both have their unique strengths and weaknesses, but the irony is that their best work is when they collaborate. The key lesson here is that the most significant achievements often stem from collaboration.
Now, we as people might not be condiments with made-up stories; we all have real lives and real
struggles, but we are all still dust. Some feel drained, some feel unimportant, and we all get jealous, but the vital thing to remember is that some of the best work we will ever do as people happens when we work together. When Salt and Pepper get over their envy of each other, they create the most beautiful things. When they work together, Pepper feels valuable, and Salt has someone working with her to lighten the load. They benefit from working together; all they have to do is see each other as equals. In God’s eyes, we are all equals. No human is more significant than another. If we could see every person as valuable, as our equal, we could do incredible things.
Just as the Lord blessed us with the game-changing duo of Salt and Pepper, He blessed us with other people who can lighten our load and make us feel appreciated and important. All you have to do is stop being salty.
Natalie Ferguson attends FAC Maryville and is a student at Apostolic Christian Academy.
2024 WOMEN OF WISDOM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
by Terri Scott
We are honored to announce our 2024 Women of Wisdom Scholarship Recipient, Sis. Kalan Hendrickson!
Kalan is the class of 2024 Valedictorian graduating with distinction at Apostolic Christian School, Knoxville, TN.
Kalan’s parents raised her at First Apostolic Church Knoxville. She has been involved in various ministries throughout the church, including the choir and the media photography team. In addition, she has served in kids’ ministry, participating in activities such as Kidzquest camps, Toddle House, and elementary summit groups.
Kalan’s impact extends beyond the walls of her local church. She has been a beacon of service and inspiration in her community.
Kalan had the opportunity to apply for a program called Junior Commissioner for Knox County. In January, along with ten other Junior Commissioners, she was chosen to represent the eleven county districts. This was a great honor for her as she was selected among 85 high school students who applied for these positions.
She served as District 7 Junior Commissioner under Commissioner Rhonda Lee. Through this program, she spent over three months learning how local government works in the Knox County community, from sitting in county commission meetings with citizens to visiting the detention facility, local business club meetings, veterans’ breakfasts, interacting with community members and leaders, and so much more.
Kalan is not resting on her laurels. She is already planning her next steps, enrolling for classes at Pellissippi State Community College in the fall to obtain her Associate’s Degree. Her ultimate goal is to transfer to the University of Tennessee, majoring in pre-med with a specialization in either biology or chemistry. The medical field, an area she has grown to enjoy, is where she sees her future.
The ALJC Women’s Esprit Department congratulates Kalan Hendrickson on her incredible achievements.
From One to Many Souls
by Jeremy Lang
As waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” -Proverbs 25:25
The early ministry of the ALJC Myanmar (Burma) began in 2006. I traveled from my new home in India to Myanmar, where I only knew one person in the entire country. However, GOD took this humble beginning and began to open doors to develop a growing organization. A military junta ruled the country at this time, which caused great suffering to the tribal people of Upper Myanmar. This illegitimate regime made it extremely difficult to operate our mission there.
Notwithstanding, we do not complain when working to win souls! By 2010, Myanmar was set to hold elections for the first time in many years, and things were changing politically! Unfortunately, it was short-lived, and in 2021, Myanmar experienced another military coup. This was a knockout punch to citizens already reeling from the health and economic effects of COVID-19. This military coup d’etat has taken the country headlong into a civil war that rages to this day.
Despite these challenges, the ALJC Myanmar team has shown remarkable resilience, boldly preaching the gospel. Our organization’s high morale and unwavering resolve about evangelism are truly inspiring. We have continued to license ministers, conduct youth conferences and ladies’ seminars, and make every effort to evangelize. We have distributed food to the hungry and given shelter to the displaced to ease the suffering. GOD has undoubtedly blessed these efforts! Even with curfews and roadblocks, we have established new preaching points, cast vision, and planted
new churches in the most unreached areas. By GOD’s grace, it’s coming to pass!
A few years ago, our World Missions Director, Pastor Matthew Ball, led us in purchasing land in the Myothit area of Kalay Myo, Upper Myanmar. This was an answer to prayer because we desperately needed two things. The first was a new headquarters church
facility, as we had been renting for many years. The second was a brick-and-mortar facility to house our resident Bible College, and this building project is well underway!
Much of the building and a strong perimeter wall have been completed, and we are now in the process of constructing a three-story building that will be a salvation station in Myanmar!
Much of the building and a strong perimeter wall have been completed. Under the faithful leadership of our ALJC Myanmar General Superintendent, Rev. Tuan Sang Lian, construction has continued despite significant challenges within Myanmar society. But much work still needs to be done, and we need your prayers and support to complete this project soon. Your involvement is crucial as we strive to bring the gospel to the 55 million souls in Myanmar. The LORD JESUS is soon to return, so much work is yet to be done. Myanmar is home to 55 million souls that GOD loves, and it’s
His will that none perish but that each one should come to repentance.
You can support our mission in prayer by visiting https://worldmissions.aljc.org/ to donate to this worthy cause. Together, we can see a continual great harvest come to this region!
Jeremy Lee Lang, D.D. South Asia Regional Field Supervisor
by James Chessor
Our inaugural Men of Honor (MOH) conference occurred in Mississippi in 2019. Pastor Joe McKnight (Blue Mountain, MS) attended with us. We assembled a team of dedicated men and entered the prison in Pearl, MS. The event was remarkable, with twenty-five inmates receiving the Holy Ghost and nearly one hundred reporting a refreshing and renewing experience in the Spirit. A few weeks later, we returned to baptize around twenty-five inmates in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The onset of COVID-19 temporarily halted our efforts. We encountered a closed door at that specific institution when the restrictions were lifted, but new opportunities arose. We traveled to Meridian, MS, where we experienced numerous baptisms and Holy Ghost infillings. During this time, I had the privilege of meeting with men from the Bethlehem Church (Potts Camp, MS), who expressed a profound burden for the Holly Springs prison near their congregation.
significant kingdom impact through their teaching, disciplining, and training efforts.
The local team and Pastor Vazquez soon scheduled a meeting with prison leadership. This meeting led to the first Men of Honor conference at Holly Springs. Since then, we have held three conferences at this location, resulting in over 250 inmates being baptized in Jesus’ name. Weekly, leaders and volunteers, including Brother Kevin Lesley, Brother James Archebault, Brother Danny Barber, and other churches and volunteers, continue to make a
My wife, Sister Renae Chessor, has long envisioned a program focused on inmate mentorship and leadership development. She founded Door of Hope Inc. with this vision in mind. Partnering with this vision was pivotal in advancing and implementing these ideas as God has opened doors in Mississippi prisons. Witnessing such a remarkable harvest within the prison system is genuinely profound. After several years of dedicated investment, new inmate leaders have emerged from the discipleship efforts of the local Men of Honor team. A few months ago, an inmate named Tyler was unexpectedly transferred from Holly Springs to Pearl, the site of our very first MOH conference. While initially a source of discouragement for the local team in Holy Springs, Tyler’s transfer was part of a divine plan. Embracing his new role, Tyler traveled throughout the large prison complex to preach the gospel and baptize. In just two and a half months, he baptized 104 prisoners in the name of Jesus Christ. He earned considerable favor from the prison leaders.
As a result, the prison administration approved the founding of the Men of Honor Church, where Tyler now serves as the pastor. This marks our second Men of Honor church established in Mississippi.
At our recent conference, we witnessed 67 inmates being baptized in Jesus’ name and had the opportunity to meet the established members of this prison congregation.
During the conference, we honored an outstanding inmate with the Pastor Joe McKnight Man of Honor Award. This award recognizes exceptional qualities of character, integrity, and servitude. Pastor McKnight sincerely appreciated the Men of Honor Program. I shared his profound love for souls during the award presentation with the inmates.
Pastor McKnight was not intimidated when he entered the prison with us; instead, he immersed himself fully in the fellowship with the inmates. I vividly recall how he was often one of the first volunteers to engage directly with them, praying and connecting personally. I initially couldn’t find him at the beginning of sessions, only to discover he had invested his time in uplifting and encouraging the downcast.
Men of Honor aims to honor standout inmates and keep Pastor Joe McKnight’s memory and
legacy alive, reflecting his dedication and passion for serving others.
I am thrilled and deeply grateful for the dedicated efforts of our team in the Mississippi District. Brother Archebault, Brother Lesley, Brother Barber, and many others are making a profound kingdom impact. Please keep our program in your prayers as we explore new opportunities to reach additional facilities.
Since 2019, we have hosted nine conferences. During these events, 685 individuals have been baptized in Jesus’ name, and 375 have been filled with His Spirit. Additionally, hundreds have testified to experiencing a refreshing and restorative work in their lives. We have established two prison churches, with several more conferences scheduled in the coming months.
