The Kerusso – November | 2019 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Appreciating our USA Conference Superintendents For many years, October has been recognized as a time to appreciate and celebrate pastors. Last week, the Cabinet of Superintendents sent a very small, but heartfelt token of appreciation to Senior Pastors in the US, and we trust that every local church found ways to express appreciation to all of the folks on their respective pastoral staffs, and if not … it’s not too late! In that same spirit, I thought I would take the occasion to thank our three Conference Superintendents. They are truly amazing servants who spend approximately half the year on the road traveling to visit churches and connect with pastors all across the United States. They are especially active during the Annual Church Conference season, which begins in early October and runs through the month of January. It is a very tiring stretch, but they do it with great joy because it affords them the opportunity to see the exciting things that are happening around the conference in our local churches.
Rev. Brian Hammond
Rev. Kevin Brouillette Rev. Wes Mackey
Because they spend so much time away from home during these months, we ask the Superintendents to take the last half of December off to recuperate, and to reconnect with their own families. It is one small way that we tell them that we appreciate their work and willingness to sacrifice for the good of our people and the pastors that serve in our churches Thank you!
There is something you can do to encourage and appreciate them … PRAY. They cover 10’s of thousands of miles by air and automobile, and we trust the Lord to care for, protect, and sustain them as they do. Please add each of them to your daily prayer lists, and if you feel so led, drop them a text or email and let them know you are praying. Those encouragements are huge, and make such a difference when you are away from your own routine, bed, and family. Brian Hammond serves the USA Superintendents as a leading peer … we refer to him as the ‘Dean’ of the Cabinet. Brian has been marvelously serving as a pastor to pastors for over 9 years now. Kevin Brouillette and Wes Mackey are new in this role, and are doing a great job of connecting with the pastors in their assigned regions, as well as engendering trust among the lay people in our churches. All three of them LOVE PEOPLE. They stand ready to serve you in any way they can, and welcome your phone calls, texts, and emails. If you need advice, please reach out to them. During their December 15th-31st break, if you have an urgent need, please feel free to call me, Max Edwards. I somewhat step down my activity during that period as well for the same reasons, but I really enjoy knowing that these three servants can rest and recharge.
Lastly, we currently do have churches across the USA Conference that are seeking a lead pastor in their local body. They are: Sweetwater First EMC in Sweetwater, Texas. Rev. Brouillette serves this church as Superintendent. Grace Chapel EMC in Prairie City, Oregon, and Arizona City EMC, in Arizona City, Arizona. Rev. Mackey serves both Grace Chapel and Arizona City as Superintendent. Additionally, Rev. Hammond serves two other churches that have interim pastors or temporary pulpit supply situations that you could speak with him about as well.
Open Churches
PLEASE CONTACT A SUPERINTENDENT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONE OF THESE OPENINGS.
The Kerusso – November | 2019
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
“The Connection” Winter 2019-20 will be the last printed issue …
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Each Journey: Thursday 5pm - Saturday Noon Each Journey: Thursday 5pm Saturday Noon Registration = $-40 Registration = $40
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USA Conference USA Conference
Journey Meetings Journey Meetings 2020
3
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3 Gilham Community Eugene, OR Gilham Community Eugene, May 14 -OR May 16
May 14 - May 16
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2 Lakeview Chapel Lake Elsinore, CA Lakeview Chapel April 30 - May Lake Elsinore, CA 2
April 30 - May 2
4 1
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Grace Church Haltom City, TX Grace Church April 23 -City, April 25 Haltom TX
Crosslink Church Rutherford College, NC Crosslink Church June 4 - June 6 NC Rutherford College,
June 4 - June 6
April 23 - April 25
NOT FOR CLERGY ONLY | Register 5 lay delegates for $200, and bring 3 more for free!
NOT FOR CLERGY ONLY | Register 5 lay delegates for $200, and bring 3 more for free!
The Kerusso – November | 2019
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC Stewardship Department - Estate Planning Assistance
Sponsored by the EMC Department of Stewardship
Fall & Winter Dates Available!
Did you know that as a part of your EMC Conference Support, the Department of Stewardship stands ready to help you and your congregation with Estate Planning and the writing of your Will? If you would like to offer this opportunity to your church family contact Butch Hayes for more information and to schedule an appointment. Contact Butch at 812-564-1000 or by email at b_dhayes@hotmail.com
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The Kerusso – November | 2019
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
November Missions Offering -
Rev. Bill Walker - General Board of World Missions Our prayer for the November 2019 Missions Offering is for an increase above the $12,700 given to the November 2018 offering. We are hoping for an even greater show of encouragement and support for our global EMC partners in their endeavor to reach their parts of the world for Christ.
South Africa
Please diligently pray and ask God what He would have you give. This can be through your church, Sunday School class, small group, or maybe even a family project. Perhaps you could consider giving something up this Fall (coffee, soda, movies, etc.) to enable you to give generously for the work of Christ around the world. Thank you in advance!
We plan to divide the total giving evenly per these requests from each of the international conferences:
Myanmar—Academic Scholarships for Pastors: Your gifts will help send a pastor to Bible College or Seminary. Mexico—Pastoral Training: This is done through the Life and Truth Bible institute, which now functions as an extension center model with local teachers in each area.
Asia Pacific—Opening New Areas: In keeping with the Great Commission the AP conference (mostly Filipino) is endeavoring to plant new churches in other parts of their conference.
CFAN—Bus Ministry: We will continue to fund the purchase of buses, which will serve the dual purpose of providing
transportation for people to attend church and ministry events on weekends and generating income for ministry through business transportation on weekdays. (Each bus can perpetually self-fund and self-replace through business.)
Pastor Russ Cochran Refuge Ministries ~ Copperas Cove, Texas Pastor Russ has served the people of Central Texas as Senior Pastor of Refuge Ministries (formerly Hillside EMC) in Copperas Cove since 1998. Russ and Jennifer married in 1992 and have been partners in ministry ever since. They have four children, and six grandchildren, and are deeply involved in their lives in every way, including sports activities. Russ is currently a voice of “Bulldawg Radio” for high school football, baseball, and other sports. Refuge Ministries has developed into a broad, campus church model with 8 distinct locations, each having its own “campus pastor” who serves as an associate under Russ at Refuge. Pastor Russ loves people, and is deeply committed to his community. He can easily turn a 5-minute store errand into an hour-long collection of conversations with friends old and new. Thank you Pastor Russ for your faithfulness to the EMC and to the flock you lovingly shepherd!