The Kerusso | 2021 June June

AMP20

21

AMPLIFIED MOTIVATIONAL PREACHING

June 9-11 | Preaching Institute at the EMC’s Heritage Learning Center A Focused Training Event for Pastors and Ministry Leaders

Thisevent event was planned This was planned after after from hearing from hearing pastors who pastors across the EMC desired an EMC training event who desired an EMC focused on Biblical preaching. training event focu

PLEASE PRAY FOR BOTH THE SPEAKERS AND ATTENDEES

The Kerusso – June | 2021

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

Dr. Ron Smith

Rev. Stan Key

Page 2

Gilham Community Church Welcomes Michael and Glenda Harvey!

Submitted by: Max Edwards

Michael and Glenda Harvey have been a part of the EMC Family for about 20 years, beginning with the EMC Church in Elizabeth City, NC. Michael served in various committee and board positions as well as leading the prison ministry for many years at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City.

After preaching on a monthly basis in prison ministry for a decade and a half, Michael began to feel a clear call to pastoral ministry. He entered the EMC’s course of study, enrolling into the newly established Haggard School of Ministry, completing the coursework for his Local Preacher’s credential.

In 2014, Michael and Glenda followed the Lord’s call to move thousands of miles to assume the pastorate at Grace Chapel, in Prairie City, Oregon. They served the congregation faithfully for five years, after which they felt a clear leading to step away from Grace, and moved to Port Angeles, WA. While in Prairie City, Michael began serving as a Hospice Chaplain, which later led to him being a Hospital Chaplain, assisting the hospital social worker in John Day, OR, as a grief counselor.

In Michael’s own words ... “So there I was, retired from Grace Chapel after 5 years of full-time shepherding, minding my own business, when the call came. Caller ID said Pastor Max on my phone. Hmmm, what’s this about? 4 months later we are in Eugene OR, Senior Pastor at Gilham Community Church! I know there is a sermon in there somewhere!! We are so excited to be at Gilham Community Church! It is a vibrant church with so much potential to do the Lord’s work!! Stop in for a coffee if you are ever in the area!! Thanks for the call, Max!!” ** On a personal note, Michael has been a dedicated prayer partner of mine for about 20 years now. We met weekly for over 10 years while I was pastor of the Elizabeth City church, and he continues to pray for me faithfully today.

Michael and Glenda have been married for 43 years. They have two grown sons, Sam and his wife Allie, and Aaron and his wife Chloe.

Mt. Sinai EMC Welcomes David and Racene Kimball!

Submitted by: Kevin Brouillette, USA Conference Superintendent

It was a true blessing to meet with Statesville Evangelical Methodist Church as they voted in a new shepherd. Pastor David and Racene Kimball come with their beautiful children and a multitude of ministerial gifts. Pastor David and Racene believe in equipping disciples for Christ. They are ready to work and minister to their community.

I challenged the congregation to work together with their pastor. God’s call to the local church is not only for the pastor, but for everyone to commit to giving their very best to Jesus. God wants us to love him with our whole heart. When we do this, everything else will fall into place.

Mt Sinai is a church filled with prayer warriors. They know how to reach the throne of heaven. Many pastors have come out of this wonderful congregation.

I was tremendously blessed by the men’s group who are investing in missions to Haiti, Ukraine, Honduras, Cambodia, Kenya, Zambia, Native Americans in South Dakota, Argentina, Cyprus, Indian Cave Youth Camp, and other local missions projects! What a great blessing.

Thank you, Mt. Sinai, for seeing the world as God sees it. This congregation is a wonderful example of the Evangelical Methodist Church fulfilling the great commission across the street and around the world.

The Kerusso - June | 2021

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

The Kerusso - June | 2021

Page 3

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

Journey Session - Caldwell, Idaho

“I felt the two days were filled with enough to keep us busy and yet gave us opportunity for fellowship. It was wonderful to greet those we have known and fellowship with those we haven’t known very long.” | “Very well done!” | “A fantastic, positive and worthwhile experience! I felt the Holy Spirit throughout the meetings. Wonderful!” | “Overall I loved my time at Journey. I felt inspired and enjoyed connecting with different people within our denomination…I can’t wait to see how God uses the EMC in the coming years.” - Taken from the ID Session survey comments

More Survey Comments…

Grove, OK Session - “I could not have asked for warmer hospitality. The speakers’ messages were a blessing. I could not imagine a more positive experience.” | “First please allow me to say I absolutely loved getting to know people from our denomination better and putting faces with names. I truly enjoyed getting to visit with everyone during breaks and meal time.” | “I didn’t get to attend all of the sessions…but the ones I did get to were very informative.”

Eloy, AZ Session - “I feel the church family did an outstanding job hosting Journey! The fellowship with the pastors was wonderful. I felt a real sense of community.” | “Thank you again for all your hard work!! We appreciate all you superintendents do for each region….I am super blessed to be a part of such a family-oriented denomination!”

Two More Sessions Remain for Journey 2021!

What an amazing Journey season 2021 has been so far! We are so thankful to be able to actually hold each planned session, even with some adjustments along the way. We greatly appreciate each host church and their willingness to serve. We are also grateful for all of the attendees that have been willing and able to attend in spite of these crazy times.

The sessions in Tobaccoville, NC, and Shelbyville, IN, will both be taking place this month. The Superintendents are very much looking forward to spending time with the attendees of these final two 2021 Journey sessions.

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER AS THE 2021 JOURNEY SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE

Page 4

Keeping in Touch with our Global Partners

Updates From Around The World

Mexico | Myanmar Asia Pacific | CFAN Beginning in July the Kerusso will include a monthly spotlight on one of our Global Partners.

There are exciting things happening in all of our global conferences, as well as there being very definite needs and concerns.

Rev. Bill Walker, chairman of our General Board of World Missions, will be working with the General Superintendents of each of our partner conferences to keep us abreast of some of the ways in which we can rejoice with, and pray for our friends and EMC Family around the world.

Asia Paci c, and CFAN became fully a liated EMC conferences in 2018.

Mexico and Myanmar were a liated prior to that time.

These amazing servants are pouring themselves out for the sake of the gospel in difficult and often dangerous circumstances. We thank God for them, and for their partnering with us!!

The EMC is now operational in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

Did you Know?

Our Mexico partner, the MEM or “Mexican Evangelistic Mission” was founded in 1926.

ffi

fi

The MEM conference is 20 years older than the EMC!

ffi

The Kerusso – June | 2021

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

The Kerusso – June | 2021

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

Page 5

Spring Youth Retreat in Review!

Besides those residing in nursing homes, no one has been more affected by the COVID pandemic than our youth. A year of social distancing, isolation, online school, political and social unrest has taken its toll. It was nice to get a little taste of normal with this year’s Spring Retreat. There were three church families that opened their doors and hosted this special event. Many thanks to Riverside in Salem, VA, Kingdom in Westover, WV, and Refuge Ministries in Copperas Cove, TX, for your service to our Lord Jesus and our EMC youth.

Each location featured a live band, with a speaker streaming live from each location during the worship sessions. It was a great weekend of fun, games, and learning to live OVER the challenges of this world. ~ Brian Gordon, General Board of Youth Activities

It has been a long year and this year’s one-day Spring Retreat was the perfect opportunity for our students to reconnect with God and be recharged with other students from neighboring EMC churches and through online streaming. It was also a much needed spiritual retreat for our students to be refreshed and to breathe in some hope and experience Jesus’ love. This year’s theme was OVER, where students were challenged to live a life that is OVER the things of this world. ~ James Sabin, Youth & Family Pastor, Kingdom EMC