The Kerusso | 2021 October

The Kerusso – October | 2021 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

Haggard School of Ministry - “This Is the EMC” The Haggard School of Ministry (HSOM) was established by the Evangelical Methodist Church in 2012 and is named after Dr. Cornelius P. Haggard, the 13th President of Azusa Pacific College, now Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Haggard was a highly respected academician, theologian, and a key leader in the earliest days of the Evangelical Methodist Church. It was his commitment to theological education and ministry that the Church sought to memorialize in the naming of the Haggard School of Ministry. HSOM operates under the supervision of the General Board of Ministerial Education.

EMC Conference Superintendents and the General Board of Ministerial Relations (GBMR) interview interested candidates for ministerial credentials. Credential candidates desiring to enroll in the Haggard School of Ministry must be approved to do so by the GBMR. Optional programs of study include Elder, Local Preacher, and Deacon/ Deaconess. The Lay Exhorter Program of Study is open to any church member with a letter of reference from the local pastor and/or a recommendation from the Annual Church Conference. For persons interested in taking HSOM courses for ‘Personal Enrichment´ we welcome EMC congregants 18 years of age or older, with a high school diploma or equivalent, to make application. All courses are taught at the undergraduate (college) level and may count for academic credit at Ohio Christian University.

To access the HSOM Catalog please click here: HSOM Catalog You may access an application by clicking here: Haggard School of Ministry For more information please contact the HSOM Dean at bdonley@northstate.net

“This Is the EMC” (HI-101)

is an overview of the history of the Evangelical Methodist Church including its polity, doctrinal distinctives, and organizational structure. This class is taught periodically by the Cabinet of Superintendents.

HI-101 is a requirement for EVERYONE (Deacon/Deaconess, Local Preacher, Elder) coming into the EMC, whether by entering the Ministry track of the Haggard School or by requesting transfer in as an ordained Elder. HI-101 is also a good ‘personal enrichment’ option.

The USA Superintendents are offering two “This Is the EMC” dates in 2022. You may choose one date, either Saturday, February 5 or Saturday, July 9, to attend the four hour class.

Both classes will be online using ZOOM from 9am to 1pm Eastern time.

Contact John Phillips III, GBMR Chair (revjhp3@att.net) or your Conference Superintendent for more information or to express your interest in joining one of these two classes.

USA Conference Superintendent, Brian Hammond (bhammond@emchurch.org) USA Conference Superintendent, Kevin Brouillette (kbrouillette@emchurch.org) USA Conference Superintendent, Wes Mackey (wmackey@emchurch.org)

The Kerusso - October | 2021

Page 2

Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

Keeping in Touch with our Global Partners

Taken from the 2021 Myanmar General Council Report, Submitted by Rev. Dr. Lal Duhawma, General Superintendent, Myanmar EMC

Updates From Around The World

The years of 2020 and 2021 have been extremely terrible for the Myanmar people. We are suffering from the double crisis of Covid-19 and the military coup. Every corner of human life is in a hopeless condition. I believe that this period of time is the darkest age in Myanmar’s history. Even as we are going through this horrible situation, your prayer support always gives us strength and peace in Christ.

The Myanmar EMC Conference has three missional outreach areas; the Paletwa Mission Field, the Delta Area Mission Field, and the Shan State Mission Field.

EMC Myanmar Conference

The Paletwa Mission Field is the oldest and largest mission field in Myanmar. In spite of the difficulties over the last year, 127 new believers were baptized and added to God’s flock. The Lord has also provided new church buildings. Most of them are not well equipped with modern materials but “they did what they could,” (Mark 14:8a) to praise His holy name.

As the mission work increases, children’s Sunday School has become essential to nurture new believers as well as their children. Last summer, the mission field conducted a one-week children’s Sunday school teachers’ training.

Seventy youth attended which resulted in their respective villages gaining an established children’s Sunday School. This new effort in the mission field needs your prayer support.

The Delta Area Mission Field has one pastor, two missionaries and two ECC trainers working enthusiastically in the field. According to the February 2021 annual report, there are 238 members in this area. We praise God for the 20 men and women of Buddhist backgrounds who were baptized recently in the midst of this crisis.

The Shan State Mission Field has had to suspend classes at the Sewing Center and the distribution of Bibles for Myanmar due to the pandemic. However, the five faithful missionaries in this field continue with the Ginger Project and the Water Well project. They have also begun a Children’s Sunday school to continue the spread of the Gospel throughout the area.

Across the entire Myanmar conference, four local churches are in the process of constructing new church buildings. Your prayer support for these servants is needed. Lastly, Rev. Dr. Lal Duhawma expresses his appreciation for the help that has come through “Support for Pastors” and “The Resurrection Offering” created by the EMC General Board of World Missions. Both of these resources are a delightful help to us. They have been a tremendous value for the pastors’ families and the churches.

From Rev. Bill Walker, Chair of the EMC Board of World Missions: Since early March, the Board has held Zoom prayer meetings for Myanmar. This takes place every Wednesday night at 10pm eastern. You are welcome to join us using these credentials: Meeting ID: 818 5617 0583 | Pass Code: 034910 The Zoom meeting link can also be found on Bill’s Facebook profile: Bill Walker EMC

The Kerusso – October | 2021

Page 3

Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

ECity EMC Celebrates Their 75th Anniversary Elizabeth City, NC Submitted by Alden Winslow, retired Minister of Worship and Music Elizabeth City EMC has always been committed to glorifying God, preaching Biblical truth, and reaching out to others. George H. Winslow, a local farmer and businessman, had a vision and the desire for a Bible-believing church which would emphasize evangelism and holiness.

Believing he was led by God, Mr. Winslow and his family, along with other members of the community, set out to build such a church. Rev. D. B. Cruise came to Elizabeth City and began holding services in the homes of Mr. Winslow and Mr. J. T. Morris until the church building was completed. On September 8, 1946 the church opened its doors to the public for the first time.

After organizing as Bethel Evangelistic Church, the church’s first members were accepted in July of 1947. In July of 1962, after several organizational and name changes, and as a part of the national merger of the People’s Methodist Church and the Evangelical Methodist Church, the church became known as the Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church.

On September 4-5, 2021, Elizabeth City EMC came together to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God to their congregation for the past 75 years. They gathered to glorify God and He made their praise, worship, testimonies, feasting, and fellowship glorious. It was a holy time in the presence and power of His Holy Spirit. He even sent perfectly beautiful weather to show His blessing and approval.

Saturday began with a time of sharing for those who were sent out as Christian workers from ECity EMC to serve throughout the world. There have been over 60 pastors, missionaries, and Christian educators sent out from the Elizabeth City church during their 75 year history.

Ordained Pastors in the EMC from Elizabeth City are: Ike Cowell (Youth Pastor from 1977-1979 | Conference Superintendent in 2010-2018), Max Edwards (Sr. Pastor 1997-2012 | Conference Superintendent 2012-2018 | EMC International General Superintendent 2018 to present), Michelle Ellinwood (Moscow, ID), Jamey Gremillion (Ohio Christian University), Michael Harvey (Eugene, OR), David Hayes (Sevierville, TN | EMC Board of Trustees Chairman), R.L. Icard (Valdese, NC |President of Evangelical Methodist Men for Missions), Tony Meads (Chesapeake, VA), Bill and Diane Ury (Raleigh, NC | National Ambassadors of Holiness for the Salvation Army), Nathan Williamson (Morgantown, WV), and Art Wilt (McCormick, SC).

The weekend continued with music, worship, a special speaker, Mr. Andrew Winslow, who at 98 is the only living charter member of ECity EMC, and a drama presentation, “I Bowed on my Knees and Cried Holy”.

During the Sunday School hour, three former pastors spoke (Pastor Max Edwards, Pastor Bill Ury, and Pastor Jerry Beall).

The Worship Service was a glorious time with choirs, orchestra, and congregational singing led by the Minister of Worship and Music, Jeff Wortman. Sr. Pastor Sean Scribner preached a powerful sermon giving gratitude for those who have gone before us and stating our strong beliefs in Jesus and the Word of God. The service closed with the singing of “We Will Remember.”

The celebration ended with a delicious covered dish meal outside under a huge tent. To God be the glory for a great anniversary weekend. What an awesome God we love and serve.

The Kerusso - October | 2021

Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

Page 4

Rev. Carl & Mrs Dolly Burns Retire … Again!

Submitted by, USA Conference Superintendent Kevin Brouillette Carl and Dolly Burns were both saved in 1970 in the United Methodist Church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. They lived across the street from Rev. Thurman Slusser who was pastor of The Evangelical Methodist Church in Parkersburg, WV. The Burns didn’t have an evening service at their church so they decided to come to the EMC. They started to attend from time to time while Pastor Don Byrnes and then later Rev. Neil Anderson served there. Some time later, the Burns were invited to attend a smaller Evangelical Methodist Church in the area where Rev. Floyd B’Hymer was preaching a revival titled, “Lovest Thou Me More Than These”. Butch (a.k.a. Carl) said that was the greatest sermon he had ever heard. Two years later Charles Church came to preach a revival at their church. He preached a sermon entitled “Hidden Objects.” Butch said all the while Rev. Church was preaching the Holy Spirit was dealing with him on the message Brother B’Hymer preached two years before, “Lovest Thou Me More Than These”. He said God spoke clearly to his heart, “Lovest thou Me more than these”.

Butch and Dolly surrendered completely with their three sons. God spoke and told them He wanted them in ministry. Carl knew a call to preach meant a call to prepare. So, they sold their home, quit their jobs, left their families, and moved their three sons to Oskaloosa, Iowa where they enrolled in Vennard College studying Pastoral Ministry.

After graduating from Vennard in 1980 they accepted their first call to pastor the Portland Evangelical Methodist Church. In 1985, the Lord called them to Covington, Kentucky. In 1991, they accepted the call to Welker’s Crossroads where their son Roger and his family had also moved and started worshipping with them. Very soon after that time their son Roger would accept a call to ministry. Roger is now the pastor of our Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church. He and his wife, Ann have a tremendous ministry in that community. From 1995 to 2002, Carl and Dolly pastored at the East Ridge EMC in Tennessee.

From here the Burns began to think about retiring even though they were heavily involved in a local ministry and taught one of the largest Sunday school classes. They did officially retire in 2013 and moved to Ohio until they learned that the Covington Kentucky EMC was without pastoral leadership. Butch and Dolly stepped back into pastoral ministry at Covington EMC and have been there until last year when he put his foot down and said, “This is it. We’re done.” They have always had servants’ hearts and a love for people. Those two ingredients make all the difference in ministry. Butch believes in holiness of heart. He and Dolly have lived out the sanctified life before their family and their churches.

They are involved in a beautiful prayer ministry in retirement and now help out wherever they can. They are blessed to have their son and several of their grandchildren involved in ministry.

Butch said someone once asked Billy Graham, “How do you think the Lord will look at your past years of ministry?” Billy said, “He’ll look at me as a failure.” Butch says that’s expressive of the way he feels. Even with all that Billy Graham accomplished and what an amazing servant of God he was, he stood humbly before the Lord. Butch said, “My conscience is clear. We’ve given our best and tried to remain faithful.” Carl and Dolly both look forward to the day when they hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

Are You Saving The Dates?

EMC General Conference July 26 - 29, 2022