The GLOBAL ADVOCATE
Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3b).
THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE (ISSN 0009-630X) is published bi-monthly by the Churches of God, General Conference.
Vol. 190, No. 2
Established June 5, 1835 as THE GOSPEL PUBLISHER, re-established on May 1, 1846 as THE CHURCH ADVOCATE, and re-established on October 1, 2019 as THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE.
We draw very near now to our 200th celebration in July.
Rachel Foreman, Managing Editor
The Global Advocate, official publication of the Churches of God, General Conference, exists to encourage members of the CGGC to maximize their collective potential for Kingdom impact.
Correspondence: Address correspondence to The Editor, The Global Advocate, Churches of God Publications, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839, or email to RachelF@cggc.org
Periodical rate paid at Findlay, Ohio.
Postmaster: Send address changes to THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839.
© 2025, Churches of God, General Conference
In this issue we let history speak for itself! Here we republish stories that haven’t been told for ages, like a sermon preached 100 years ago (this May), which was itself a reflection on the previous 100 years by S. G. Yahn. Likewise, Ben Ober’s autobiography, a self-told story of an 1850’s missionary in all its humble daring. Lastly, we interview a pastor who is 92 years old and who reflects on the many ministries God has given him.
It may be history, but history has a way of crystalizing what is truly important when our murky present leaves us flailing. We hope you’re able to pull out of these gems the truth and power of the gospel that changes lives and is as active now as it was then.
But we’re not all stuck in the past. As always, you can stay up to date on our mission fields, like India, where amazing community improvement is happening because of faithful Christ followers. Or, as in Kenya, where pastors are being trained and fitted for lifelong ministry service in their local churches and villages. All over the world the Churches of God are making massive Kingdom impact, striving for a future where all come to know Jesus.
Let this be a reminder too that if you like what you’re reading here, and you want more, you can find extended editions of many of our articles on our website at advocate.cggc.org , where we cram in way more content than we could fit on these pages.
Centennial
Forward
What follows is the sermon preached by Sherman Grant (S.G.) Yahn at the 100th Celebration of the Churches of God. Preached on May 24, 1925, S.G. Yahn had this sermon printed in a small booklet and mailed to all the churches in the denomination that he could get them to, that the same sermon might be preached in all corners of the denomination on the same Sunday.
This shortened and truncated version leaves off more than two-thirds of the full text. The full sermon can be found on our website at advocate.cggc.org, or at the QR code on this page. But, despite being truncated and short, can you not hear the pathos of a man speaking 100 years ago? Do the words not ring as true now, perhaps truer, as they did then?
Titled “A Century of Sacrifice and Service,” the sermon examines three pieces of the CGGC identity, namely, Faith, Service, and Sacrifice. Yahn traces the history of each of these pieces over the 100 years previous, and in doing so, lands on a conundrum. Yahn asks, “Have we of today the spirit of sacrifice which has distinguished our hundred years of history?” The question is thunderingly clear in 1925, and removed a further 100 years, is now utterly deafening. Do we have the same spirit of sacrifice? If not, we need to beseech God for it.
A Look Back at the CGGC's 100th Anniversary Celebration
Do we have the same faith—the faith for which our fathers contended—the faith once for all delivered unto the saints? Yes, thank God, it has been carried along from generation to generation unimpaired. During the same century, and particularly during the latter part of it, some of the denominations, or at least many of their ministers and laymen have so changed their attitude toward the Bible as to ignore or repudiate certain doctrines which a hundred years ago were regarded as the very pillars of the temple of divine truth. And several denominations, whose work started not far from the time of our beginning, at first taught and practiced the three ordinances which we have always taught and practiced. But before many years had passed they found it convenient to discard what is sometimes called the “lost ordinance.” But through all these years no doctrine, either fundamental or distinctive, has been ignored or repudiated by the Churches of God, and none has ever suffered for want of defenders. What our fathers taught and practiced then we teach and practice now, and always have...
In this we have maintained our identity. We claim to be the same people whose work started a hundred years ago. But what do we have now that is the same as it was then? The ministers of that time are all gone. So are the church members. And so are the church-houses, there is only one thing that is the same, and that is the “faith”— the faith for which they contended and for which we contend. This is our identification.
And as we step across the dividing line between the centuries it should be with the determination to emphasize our identity. Our hope is not in numerical strength, nor in financial strength, nor in the prestige which these produce. Our hope is in what we have, not in what we lack. But we can rejoice in the realization that what we have, the truth, is of infinitely more value than what we lack. And there has never been a time when loyalty to the truth was more needed than now. It has become a popular pastime to ridicule the faith of the fathers. Attacks on the Bible which were formerly made only by infidels out in the world are now made by ordained ministers in the sacred desk. The Lord's Bible is able to stand it all, but many of His followers are not. Their faith is being shaken. Their minds are being filled with doubt and their hearts with distress. This is particularly true of the young people. They are confused. And from their perplexed hearts comes the cry, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” It is a cry which voices the heaviest responsibility of the church at the present time. Let us hear it and heed it...
And how does the word “service” sound to our ears today? Can we justify the claim that we are servants of the Lord and His church in the sense that our fathers were?
Manifestly our service is not rendered under the same conditions. The almost impassable roads have been supplanted by the great highways that are the pride of our country. The days of the circuit rider and his saddle-bags are but a cherished memory to the few and a fascinating page of history to the many. Instead of the canal and the portage road we have the almost perfect railway systems, the trolley cars, the automobiles, and a hard-pressing rival of them all in the aeroplane. The physical hardships of the pioneers are not a necessary part of our service for the Master, and the minister who would try to duplicate them would be looked upon as an eccentric seeking notoriety in the unique.
Neither is our service rendered by the same methods. Church doctrines are divine, and, like the One from whom they come, are the same yesterday, today and forever. But church methods are human, and must be changed to meet the changing conditions of the passing years. The restoration of primitive Christianity does not involve the adoption of primitive methods. The only service which is of real value is that which serves “the present age.” No forward movement can be successful without the best methods which the experience of the past has produced for the tasks of the present. To this fact we must give earnest heed if we would hold our young people, with their alert minds, their ambitious hearts and their forward look...
But these changes which the century has produced in the conditions and methods of service do not lessen its value, nor do they necessarily eliminate the element of hardship from the service we render. The scientific and industrial improvements of modern days have brought us comforts and conveniences not dreamt of by our forefathers. But they have also brought such a complication in human affairs and such an intensity of competition in human activities that even the minister of today is almost a stranger to the freedom, the quiet, and the simple life of a hundred years ago. Our fathers served their day and generation and they served it well. We are serving our day and generation—the only generation that we can serve. They served with the best means at hand to produce the best results, and so do we...
And now the other word, “sacrifice,” which brings us to our severest test. The “faith”? Yes, we have held it fast. “Service”? Yes, we are rendering it. "Sacrifice”? Can we
claim it? Have we of today the spirit of sacrifice which has distinguished our hundred years of history? The question is too sacred for me to attempt an answer. I pass it on to you, to be answered alone with your God in the secret place of prayer.
But the need is so great and the probability of our lack is so strong as to justify a fresh call to consecration. And this is the clarion call which I feel moved to sound forth on this momentous occasion.
We are met in this historic city where our work had its beginning a hundred years ago. We are standing between the grave of one century and the cradle of another. Our eyes fill with the tears of a grateful memory and our hearts thrill with the joys of an eager hope. We have reached the sacred hour when we are about to cross the dividing line between the centuries. The place, the time and the circumstances all combine to call us closer to God and the service of His church, whatever sacrifice such service may involve.
And I think that these heroes of the past would like to remind us that in our day, as in their day, duty calls in terms of sacrifice. For of each of these “high souls” it can be truthfully said that by his sacrifice “he being dead yet speaketh.” That was the text used at Winebrenner’s funeral, and no other could have been more appropriate. He saved his life by losing it for Jesus' sake and the gospel’s. He still lives and speaks. His first marble monument long since began to crumble. Twelve years ago the cheerful gifts of his grateful followers provided another, which you can see by going to the Harrisburg cemetery, But his real monument
is in the hearts of the thousands who, here and beyond the skies, have been influenced by his holy life. And from him, and from all the other pioneers who have long since gone home to be with God, I hear the heavenly call to a sacrificial consecration.
And this call to consecration is but the voice of God through the ages. Our Centennial Forward Movement, with its splendid success in material things, reminds us of a time when David stood before the people of God as they brought largely of their treasures for the work of the Most High. And as he looked at their magnificent gifts, and recognized the greater need, he cried, “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?”
And as we listen to Paul, whose imagery of the text put the Philippians as a sacrifice on the altar and his own life as the libation to be poured out upon it, we hear him say to us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” And across the centuries comes the voice of the Christ. He is speaking to His disciples in the long, long ago, but His message still lives. And from it we catch these significant phrases:
“I lay down my life.... No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
1925 General Eldership
We went from Cincinnati on the steamer Landes, a mailboat to New Orleans. Just before reaching the city an accident happened. The cylinder head of the boiler blew off killing the engineer and seriously injuring another man. The midsummer fruits of the South were quite a contrast to the chilly winds of the North we left only a week before. In that city, persons from all civilized nations could be seen and all languages heard spoken. For the first time we saw a ship landing from the Mother Land (Germany).
After spending two days waiting for a boat and enjoying the scenes of the city, we took passage on the steamer Catherine Hays under the charge of Capt. Weigh of Indiana. We ended our course up the Red River. No accidents happened and that was considered a pleasant trip.
From Shreveport, Louisiana, we had to travel by private conveyance. In that dusty and dirty city we began the hardships of southern frontier mission work. After spending the night in the city at a boarding house conducted by a French Creole lady, who had a number of slaves. We succeeded in getting a hack (horse-drawn taxi) to take us to Jefferson City, Texas, which was 50 miles distant. We made the trip in two days. There, I preached my first sermon in Texas. The next morning Elder Marple went to a livery stable to get a conveyance to take us to Paris, Texas. This was our place of destination. He was informed that no conveyance could be had until the next day and was quoted a price we could not pay. That left us in difficult circumstances in a strange country. We all felt discouraged. But after thinking and secret prayer, we decided that all would be right. I went to the proprietor of the livery stable and explained our circumstances. He at once agreed to take us to Paris and said he would wait for the money until we could get it. After dinner we started for Paris in a more happy frame of mind. We had found a friend in that strange land. We arrived in Paris at eleven o'clock on June 1, 1856. Our trip from Paris to Shreveport cost us $100.50. That took all our money and left us some in debt and our goods
100 miles away. The Board advanced us $100.00 and Elder Marple $80.00.
The city of Paris, Texas, then was a mere village. Present-day missionaries should ponder over the past. High notions prompted us not to give up.
Our first revival meeting was held in a grove near the Liberty School house. It began on the first Saturday in July 1856 at which a number were converted. At this meeting, Elder James M. Brackeen, one of the best citizens of Lamar County and a former class leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church, united with the church. All the new converts united with us and the membership numbered 35. During the first year, a church was also organized at Round Prairie, in the forks of Sulphur Creek and in Fannin County. These were our first appointments. There was splendid interest manifested and prospects for our success were good until the spring of 1857 when letters appeared in the Church Advocate on the subject of slavery which were copied and published in papers over the State of Texas. That roused fierce opposition against us and hedged our way and made it unsafe for us to go away from home for some time. Had it not been for the defense of our position by Elder J. Winebrenner, we would have lost our lives by mobs. Sectarians used their influence to make the people more opposed to us.
The editors were unwilling to publish anything to defend us against the misrepresentations of the church doctrine without being paid very high publicity rates. In the "T of Paris" I had published the date when I would defend myself and the church doctrine. I was notified that if I came to town to fill this appointment l would be hanged. My friends advised me to stay away. I felt that if I did not go, I would be compelled to leave the country and then be followed by the mob and in the end, killed.
So I concluded to go, as I would rather die defending God's work than to be a coward. On the Sunday morning of the date appointed, I started away from my home with a strange feeling and
thought which I can never forget. As my family stood in the door watching me as far as eye could discern and I looked back before leaving their sight and seeing my companion with four helpless children waving their hands, my courage for a time almost failed. But, then out of sight, I lifted my hands and stood for a moment in silent prayer to Him who doeth all things well. I asked him to direct my steps and my family and if it were His will to be spared with them. This aroused new courage to do right and I started on. Just as I reached the outskirts of town, I was overtaken by Elder Cunningham, Father S. Hunter who was not then a member of the church but afterwards united with us and remained steadfast to the end, and Mr. Wm. Miner and wife. These brethren tried to persuade me not to go any farther, but I did not yield. I shall never forget these true friends who have now entered the Spirit Land.
When I reached the town, I stopped at a hotel but the landlord would not let me come in, nor hitch my horse at his place. He said there was an excitement of some kind among the people against me. He wished in no way to be implicated in it. When the time came for my appointment which had been set at 3:00 p.m., Mr. Miner rang the bell when I reached the house. There was a large, excited crowd around it and it was locked. I was notified to leave or I would lose my life and that I should not attempt to speak. I told them I would speak whatever the cost might be and if the house were not unlocked I would speak on the steps.
By this time the Rev. Bradley, who was minister of the Presbyterian Church, came with the key and told me as a friend he would not advise me to speak. However, I was determined to do so. He opened the door and I went inside. The crowd followed. The room was so full that even all the standing room was crowded. Rev. Bradley was principle of the school taught in that house. He proved to be a true friend. I preached from the text, “Let these men alone.” I was prepared and gave a full history of the church I was defending, also her doctrine concerning slavery with some publications of Brother Winebrenner and the resolutions offered in our behalf at the General Eldership.
After I finished speaking, I stated to the crowd that if I were hanged, I had only one request to make, which I hoped would not be denied, that I would leave the New Testament that I then placed in my pocket. Ever let it be remembered that I died defending the same, as I understood it. Then I told the mob I was ready to go with them. I was not disturbed.
After that, the Texas papers gave us favorable notice and matters calmed. The church near home progressed. A good bethel was built 7 miles west of Paris. An Eldership was organized in the summer of 1857.
"I was notified to leave or I would lose my life and that I should not attempt to speak. I told them I would speak whatever the cost might be and if the house were not unlocked I would speak on the steps."
Scan the QR code or go to Advocate.CGGC.org to read the full autobiography.
Join us for our next Triennial Conference and the 200th Celebration for the Churches of God, General Conference will be held July 14-17, 2025.
WHEN
Monday, July 14th: Travel/Arrival Day
Tuesday, July 15th: Conference Day 1
x Optional Group Tour in the AM
x Begins at 1 PM
x 200th Celebration Service at 6:30 PM
Wednesday, July 16th: Conference Day 2
x Begins at 8:45 AM
x Looking Forward Service at 6:30 PM
Thursday, July 17th: Conference Day 3
x Begins at 9 AM
x Ends at 12 PM
x First Meeting of Ad Council to follow
TOUR
A group tour will take place on Tuesday morning, with everyone meeting at the Best Western Harrisburg Premier. This will be an exciting and timely visit to historic places around Harrisburg where the founders of the denomination began the work of the CGGC.
WITH
Keynote Speaker: Pastor Matt Lake
WHERE
Best Western Harrisburg Premier, The Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 E Park Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17111 Conference will be held at the Best Western Premier, the Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We’ll have rooms reserved at the Best Western, but Harrisburg will have plenty of additional options for guests to stay at and will be drivable for many of our churches in the ERC.
WHO
Conference delegates along with national and regional staff are required to attend Conference Sessions. All are invited for the celebration service Tuesday evening to enjoy the fesitivities and the debut of the 200th Celebration documentary!
As the lead pastor of First Church Williamsport, in Williamsport, PA, Matt Lake is well positioned to speak to us about maintaining our history while pushing boundaries on new ways to reach our communities for Christ. Pastor Matt brought a message of innovation and encouragement to our Western Regional Conference in 2023, and we were so impressed that we’ve asked Pastor Matt to speak to all of you this year at the 2025 Triennial Conference Sessions as our keynote speaker.
For registration information go to https://cggc.org/triennial-conference-sessions/ or scan the QR code.
5 “ Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others ” (Matt. 6:12). Ask the Lord to reveal those grudges and resentments that litter your heart. Forgive as the Lord directs .
4 “ Create a clean heart in me, O God ” (Psalm 51:10). Take time to do a spiritual “housecleaning” as the Lord prepares you for Holy Week.
12 Pray for vital connections between global and local ministries. “May they be brought to complete unity” (John 17:23).
11 Ask the Lord to be with Travis Helm and Victor Montalvo as they travel to Argentina to fellowship with the Argentina church conference.
19 Ask the Lord to bless Pastor Kendall Hughes as he oversees the work of the Western Regional Conference.
18 Intercede for the many visitors who will attend Easter worship, that they would commit their hearts to Christ.
26 Intercede for Chaplain Major Matthew Shenton , as he reaches out in ministry to US military personnel.
25 Thank God for Ryan & Karla Myers who serve as Mission Advancement Volunteers.
April 2025
Global Advocate Prayer Calendar
3 Jesus said, “ My house will be called a house of prayer for the nations ” (Mark 11:17). Pray for a revival of prayer in the Church.
2 Cities are important centers of culture and influence. Ask God to raise up church planters who understand the unique needs and opportunities and support their ministry.
1 Pray for the ERC conference sessions as they continue today.
10 Pray for the needs of the elderly in your community. Look for ways to reach out through visiting and helping.
9 Seek God’s blessing for Lance Finley as he serves the CGGC as Executive Director. Pray for wisdom and protection from the enemy.
8 Lift up Pastor David Odegard as he serves the Great Lakes Regional Conference in Ohio and Michigan.
7 Remember Christ’s death on the cross and thank Him for saving the world. “ Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4).
6 “ A new command I give you: Love each other as I have loved you ” (John 13:34). As we follow Jesus’ example, let us show this love.
17 Pray for Jacob & Haley Day that they would continue to build positive relationships with church members at Gamerco.
16 Lift up all the children enrolled in schools of our Global Reach fields that they will hear the Gospel clearly.
15 Appeal for strength of body and spirit for Dr. John Costa as he desires both physical and spiritual sight for his patients at the eye clinic in Khanjanpur, Bangladesh.
14 Lift up John & Toni Thumma and their ministry at Hooghan Nizhoni. Pray that the Lord would demonstrate His faithfulness through divine answers to prayer.
13 Thank God for Stanley Lambert and pray for wisdom for him as he leads the PHH Mission.
24 Pray for the staff and churches at PHH that they would serve with integrity and be faithful to the Lord.
23 Thank God for Pastor Phil Scott and seek God’s wisdom as he directs the Allegheny Regional Conference.
22 Support Travis Bodden in prayer as he directs the Midwest Regional Conference.
21 Ask for wisdom and discernment for Rod & Mila Ayers in following God as they serve.
20 CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! Rejoice in the hope and promise of the Resurrection because death could NOT hold our Savior!
30 Continue to pray for India Field Director Samir Singha . Have faith that the Lord will provide him with courage and protection.
29 Seek God’s guidance and provision for International Field Leaders who oversee ten Global Reach fields.
28 Trust the Lord to encourage Victor and Alma Montalvo as they seek to do His will.
27 Pray for University of Findlay Campus Ministries . Ask the Lord to raise up more student leaders who will reach out to fellow students.
3 Intercede for our brothers and sisters in Venezuela . Pray for demonstrations of God’s provision for His children, and for growth.
2 Unite in prayer for Haiti as gang violence continues. Trust God to provide safety for our Haitian leadership.
10 Intercede on behalf of the people of Brazil as they continue to deal with the effects of high inflation.
9 Pray for fellowship and unity between our pastors and leaders in the Dominican Republic.
May 2025
Global Advocate Prayer Calendar
1 Intercede for the International Students at the University of Findlay. Pray for Christian witness to multiply!
8 Happy Birthday to Scott Frobel ! Scott takes care of the maintenance of the CGGC office.
7 Unite in prayer for Victor Montalvo as he provides leadership for Latino Ministries.
6 Pray for the ACTS teams travel mercies this summer, ample funds, and relationship building opportunities.
17 Continue to Intercede for the Allegheny Regional Conference Sessions being held today through Saturday.
16 Pray for the Allegheny Regional Conference Sessions underway today and tomorrow.
15 Happy Birthday to Kalpana Costa! Delight in asking God to cover her in grace and mercy this next year!
14 Lift up John & Toni Thumma and their ministry in NM. Pray the Lord continues to demonstrate His faithfulness through divine answers to prayer.
13 Jim Marckel’s birthday is May 15. Jim is the Archive’s curator at the CGGC office. Thank the Lord for the work he does in preserving CGGC history.
24 Unite in prayer for the Project HelpHaiti Executive Team as they help oversee the work in Haiti.
23 Pray for strength & wisdom for India Field Director Samir Singha as he seeks to do the work the Lord has called him to.
22 Praise God for the mission teams going to the Navajo Nation ! Pray for long-lasting spiritual growth.
21 Pray for breakthroughs in ministry opportunities in our Asian fields as they continue to face resistance.
20 Pray for wisdom for the Global Reach Commission.
5 On this Cinco de Mayo, pray for unity and vision for the churches in the new area of ministry in Mexico .
4 Remember in prayer Rod & Mila Ayers and ask for safety for Rod as he works on roofing jobs this summer.
12 Pray for the Lord to raise up financial supporters for Stanley Lambert as he serves PHH as a GR missionary.
11 Happy Mother’s Day! Give thanks to God for the mothers and women in your life who encourage and pray for you!
31 Trust the Lord to provide opportunities to witness for Dave & Kenda Kapaku as they serve in Hawaii.
30 Lift up in prayer the Great Lakes Conference Sessions as they meet today and tomorrow.
29 Ask God to bless the pastors of the Voice of the Gospel in Kenya with excellence in ministry skills and unity of vision.
28 Intercede on behalf of Bryan & Katie Crabtree as they serve in Thailand. Pray for the health of their 3 children.
27 Remember in prayer the ministry workers in Bangladesh. Ask that they be surrounded by a hedge of protection.
19 Pray for the school children in Uluberia , India and their families.
18 Praise God for the effectiveness of our ministry in Bangladesh !
26 Happy Birthday to Lance Finley, Executive Director at the CGGC! Pray for wisdom and discernment as he leads.
25 Tomorrow on Memorial Day , remember military chaplains as they minister to our troops. Pray for peace.
May the Lord add daily to their number!
29 Lift up Dave & Kenda Kapaku in prayer as they serve the Kahana Door of Faith Church in Maui.
30 Intercede for the Southwest ACTS Team that will serve at Gamerco July 1-10 as they prepare their hearts.
22 Pray for the Kenya pastors as they continue in their studies to earn official certification as pastors to fulfill government requirements.
23 Lift up in prayer the Dominican Republic ACTS Team that will serve June 26–July 2 as they prepare their hearts.
24 Pray for Dr. John Costa , Bangladesh Field Director, as he provides care to patients and that there would be opportunities to witness.
25 Intercede for Western Regional Director Kendall Hughes as he helps shepherd their spreadout churches.
26 Happy Birthday Bryan Crabtree! Pray for blessings this next year over Bryan & Katie’s ministry in Thailand.
27 Happy Birthday Rod Ayers! Thank the Lord for Rod & Mila’s love for the people of Haiti. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be evident among the believers there.
28 Intercede for the Western Region Conference Sessions today and tomorrow.
15 Happy Father’s Day! Thank God for His Fatherhood and for our earthly dads. Pray for godly men to shepherd their families.
16 Join together in prayer for the people of the Dominican Republic and ask that there would continue to be strong spiritual growth!
17 Pray for government leaders in the USA that they would be ethical leaders and receive wisdom from God.
18 Pray for the leaders of our churches in Mexico and for the legal registration of our conference to be approved soon.
19 It’s Gordon Avey ’s birthday! Give thanks for his many years of work in Brazil. Pray that the Lord will bless him this next year!
20 Commit to the Lord the Midwest Regional Conference Sessions today through Saturday.
21 Lift up in prayer the Mexico ACTS Team that will serve June 25–July 2 as they prepare their hearts.
8 Unite in prayer for the India staff family. Pray for their fruitfulness and God’s blessings for them. Remember Samir Singha as he guides these Mission leaders.
9 Pray for the ministry taking place in Argentina. Have faith that the work being done will continue to grow!
10 Pray for safe travels for the Crabtrees as they arrive in the USA to spend time with family and friends over the next several weeks.
11 Call upon the Lord and ask Him to open the hearts of the people who live in Thailand, that they would want to know him more.
12 Petition to the Lord to open doors in Venezuela as ministries multiply and grow.
13 Seek the Holy Spirit’s restoration and encouragement for the pastors in Brazil. Petition for major revival within the churches.
14 Join together in prayer for Pastor German Baquedano in Nicaragua. Ask the Lord to provide wisdom as he meets local leaders to reach the communities.
1 Have faith that God will use the Child of Promise schools in Bangladesh to share the love of Jesus with the students and their communities.
2 “ Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field .” –Matthew 9:38
3 Thank the Lord for the faithful service of Phillip and Rosey Das as they serve at the India Mission to help Samir lead the ministry.
4 Remember field leader Pastor Joseph Mwaura in Kenya . Pray for wisdom and discernment as he oversees churches.
5 Pray for God to grant patience and endurance to GR Director Travis Helm so he can share what God is doing around the world.
6 Pray for Campus Ministries leader Josiah Parkhurst as he works with summer interns .
7 Ask God to speak to those who sense His call and pray for daring action!
You Never Really Stop Being a Pastor
An Interview with a 92-year-old Pastor
Pastor Travis Perry, born in California, has worked all over the West and Midwest of the United States, both in manufacturing, and as a minister of the Word over his lifetime. He’s also 92 years old, and is certainly one of the longest lived pastors in the denomination currently. Although he’s retired now, Pastor Travis was willing to tell us about his life of ministry, and how you never really quit being a pastor.
How long have you been in ministry?
My degree is in industrial management. I was managing a factory there in Mount Carroll at the time. I ended up closing three factories in a row. And I think some of the best ministry that I did was closing those factories.
The first one was in Denton, Iowa. That was the first plant that I became the official plant manager for up to that point. But the Lord put me in that church because he knew that plant was going to close. I swear up and down. God has had his hand on me all along and has led me into these different ministries and these different situations so that I can serve him.
And in that particular case, when President Carter had his grain embargo, the factory was owned by Chromalloy Farm Systems (now Chromalloy American Corporation), which is a heavy-duty company and they’re in farm implements, making manure spreaders. Chromalloy sold our company to another company. They were going to send some security people to make sure that we didn't destroy the property. I told them if they want to waste their money, they can do so because I know my people.
Travis Perry with his wife, Margaret
But I could never see myself as the longtime pastor of a church. So, there was this opening in 1990 to have a Director of CrossCultural Ministries and you didn’t have to be a pastor. He insisted that I apply, and I did. And to my amazement, they hired me!
I came on as the Director of Cross-Cultural and Rural Missions and I had never even been overseas. I’d never been on a mission field. I was not qualified for any of the positions that I’ve had. Let me put it that way, but I had some great support and great timing.
it was when I did the first one and then in the General Conference there’s a manual somewhere around there that I helped write. It’s got my name on it somewhere as one of the contributors to it. It’s about becoming an intentional interim pastor so that whenever a pastor leaves the church the denomination can assign an intentional interim to come in and work with the church because nine times out of ten when a pastor leaves, there has to be some kind of reason.
Intentional Interim
The introduction of the Intentional Interim Pastor really was my heart. At the time when I came on board, I was a licensed pastor, and I started to convince the then Ohio Conference (now the Great Lakes Regional Conference) to allow me to be an intentional interim pastor when I left there.
Actually, my first church was not a Churches of God church. At a conference I was attending, a church in Bowling Green, which was a Congregational Church and was started by a lady who had passed away, was looking for a pastor. I took that church [as an interim] and I found them a pastor.
But the Churches of God ordained me, allowed me to go down there with this license as a pastor so I could work with these other denominations. I’m ecumenical. I have been with churches of all three church polities, and I’ve kept them true to their polity.
I’ve taken eight churches through that intentional interim concept. And there is a manual now. After I got started, the Great Lakes Conference recognized what
And then normally the church wants to go out to hire the first person that they like or who speaks the way they like. But you don’t know the background of that pastor and they don’t know your culture. You don’t know how to match your culture to the pastor that you’re calling.
So, I’d say the first three or four months as an interim, I’ve got to learn who you are as a church, and then I’ll help find someone that meets that culture. And that has been my main ministry all the way through.
So, you’re 92 years old now. Do you still feel that you’re doing Pastoral Ministry?
Yes. Well, matter of fact, I’m the only pastor in the membership of the senior center and so it comes up. There’s some very strong Christians in there.
But when it comes to prayer they’re continuing to say, “Travis, would you pray for us?”
“Gladly.”
Particularly I love taking road trips with them. Two of the bus drivers insist that I pray for them every time before we leave the center.
Nicaragua
In late January, Larry Schuth, from Newville Church of God (ERC) visited 5 of 7 churches in our Nicaragua field. Field Leader Pastor German hosted Larry as they traveled to these mountain churches to fellowship with the communities and work on some projects. Most of these communities are very poor but they have a sincere love for the Lord. Larry (pictured below in the shorts and red t-shirt) has a genuine heart to serve the people of Nicaragua. He has various skills in building and construction which have been a blessing to several of the churches there including the current construction of Danto Church pictured at right below.
In the picture below, Field Leader Pastor German Baquedano is pictured left with Pastor Maury of Danto Church.
The India Mission welcomed more than 85 new friends in 2024 with many more visitors spending time joining our fellowship gatherings. These are some pictures of various ministry activities.
Share the Blessing 2024
We wanted to inform you that the 2024 Share the Blessing projects of Bangladesh Medical Instruments and India Maldanga Fellowship/Education Center have been more than fully funded! Our Country Directors and staff in these fields express their sincere love and gratitude for your generous gifts. The medical instruments and fellowship/education center will be powerful tools in reaching many people with the Gospel. We are at 50% of the $44,000 goal for the Brazil Bahia church building project. If you want to support this church construction project, please designate your gifts to GR2729-Bahia Church.
Mexico
Latino Ministries Director Victor Montalvo recently visited a fairly new church in Guadalupe, Veracruz Mexico. The church is near the church the ACTS team spent time with in 2024. The upcoming 2025 ACTS team will visit both churches during their time in Veracruz since they are only about 20 minutes apart. There are a significant number of youth at these churches which provides a lot of ministry opportunities. These pictures are from Victor’s recent trip as he held a special service with them as they work on finishing the construction of the church.
Pastors Amando & Florencia with their daughter.
700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926
Findlay, OH 45839
Phone (419) 424-1961
Fax (419) 424-3433
www.cggc.org
