The Kerusso – February | 2022 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Healthy Plants Dig Stable Roots Before Growing Fruits Last month, I introduced a theme word for 2022 .... “GROW.” The 2022 General Conference planning committee has decided to adopt it as a theme for the July Conference in North Carolina. As we see in the logo or image, a fruitful tree will have deep, and strong roots. It’s not optional. It is essential. As Paul instructed the new believers in Colossæ, we must “let [our] roots grow down into him.” Take a minute to fully digest that statement. The “Him” is Jesus - - that’s clear. He is the water; He is the nutrient rich soil. Maybe the most powerful part of the phrase is the word “let.” Apparently, we have a choice. On the one hand, we can act hastily and run quickly, attempting to grow some fruit, but where will the nutrients come from if we do? And how will our tree have the stability to withstand the wind and other forces which will test us to see if our work is in vain - - if our fruit will last. But the right action is to take the time to establish yourself in Christ, or more accurately, LET Him establish Himself in you. Psalm 1 describes a tree that is “planted” by the river, bearing sustainable fruit. As I wrote last month, this planting process ... this growing down action is contingent on intentionality. We have to want the things that Christ wants. “Growing DOWN means aspiring to holiness - - Christlikeness. It means unity. It means love. It means humility. It means preferring others. It means forgiveness. It means purity. It means kindness. It means patience. It means wisdom. It means listening. It means honesty. It means working on character first, rather than working on a press release, or resume. It means seeking the fruit of the Spirit before the gifts of the Spirit.” Newsflash! Those things don’t come naturally. They don’t just happen. They must be targeted and welcomed into a descending life. I say descending to mean a willingness to lower ourselves. We must reject pride, and embrace the same kind of self-emptying that Christ did, described by the Apostle in another letter, this one to the saints at Phillipi. Paul noted that Jesus “... gave up his divine privileges [and] took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor ...” (Philippians 2:7-9 nlt) In the same order we see in the plant analogy, descending has to precede ascending. Thanks for chewing on this concept with me, and thanks for being folks that do more than think about, or talk about holiness. We aspire to it.
A Special Reminder About Ridgecrest Reservations for General Conference: Every month between now and July, you’ll read something about GC2022 at Ridgecrest. This month, we wanted to share information about the children’s ministers who will be conducting “Kid’s Kamp” (see page 2). We also want to draw your attention to the fact that when using the online reservation system, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE THE DROPDOWN LISTS AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN TO INDICATE HOW MANY PEOPLE IN WHICH AGE GROUPS ARE IN YOUR RESERVATION. This is how Ridgecrest will have an accurate meal count for the cafeteria, and how you reserve meal tickets for everyone in your party.
The Kerusso - February | 2022
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC General Conference 2022 Begins Tuesday, July 26 @ 3pm | Ends Friday, July 29 @ 11:30am General Conference Registration is a 2-Step Process
EMC GC2022 Registration Click the link above to register for the conference, including all children’s and youth activities, and the optional banquets. Or email:
kparsons@emchurch.org
AND Click this link for:
Ridgecrest Reservations to reserve your lodging and meal tickets Or call: 800-588-7222
DEEP Ministries - Kid’s Kamp Discipling Encouraging Equipping Partnering Shan and Dan Rose, along with their DEEP Ministry team, will be leading and teaching “Kid’s Kamp” for infants through 5th grade children during General Conference 2022. Since 2003, DEEP Ministries has been used by God to come alongside missionaries and Christian organizations to offer helping hands, prayer, and encouragement. The Roses and their team of servants find the Holy Spirit empowers them to minister far beyond their natural abilities and comfort zones. They have laid block, strung barbed wire, hiked into the jungles to reach new people groups, conducted camps for all ages, and trained church leaders. They are familiar with the facilities at Ridgecrest and came highly recommended by the Ridgecrest conference center staff. DEEP exists to meet special needs, fill in gaps, and lift up God’s servants, helping them fulfill their God-given vision. DEEP has served and witnessed in over 30 countries and at least 18 US states. At the heart of everything they do is evangelism, building the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the Great Commission and God’s plan for our lives. Your children can be enrolled in Kid’s Kamp using the appropriate section on your EMC GC2022 Registration form. There is a $15 activity fee per child with a $45 maximum per family. Don’t forget that your children will also need to have meal tickets when you make your reservations with Ridgecrest.
The Kerusso - February | 2022
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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The Haggard School of Ministry Con ict. We All Experience It. How Do We Resolve it?
CONFLICT RESOLUTION The Haggard School of Ministry | Con ict Resolution Course | 11-15 July 2022 Facilitators: Drs. Art & Melody Wilt | Enrollment Limited to 20 Persons | 2 Continuing Ed. Credits Register By June 17, 2022 | $100 Fee | At the Heritage Learning Center, EMC Headquarters To Register contact Jim Coulston at: EMC Headquarters 6838 S. Gray Rd Indianapolis, IN 46237 (317) 780-8017
A Letter to Pastors from Pastor Brian Gordon General Board of Youth Activities, Chairman Dear Pastors I have been a strong advocate for youth camp for many years. As a teenager, camp was the one place I most connected with God. It was also a place where I met many friends from EM Churches in five states. Many of those friendships continue to this day. I love youth camp and the connection and unity that happens there. One thing we have failed to advocate for is the vital role pastors play when they are at camp with their youth/kids. Growing up I was blessed with the presence of pastors like Pastor Alan Woodie, Pastor Jeff Williamson, Pastor Paul Speagle, Pastor Doug Armstrong, Pastor Dan Pacifico, Pastor Ed Williamson, Pastor Brian Hammond, Pastor Kevin Brouillette, and Pastor Jimmy Burks. They modeled for me how to pray with someone at an altar. I watched them laugh hysterically as they participated in silly activities or skits. I watched them preach God’s Word, weep or shout in the presence of God, teach classes, and throw horseshoes. Those guys seemed bigger than life to me. I’m immensely grateful for the time they took to invest in my life and countless others. Having been a senior pastor now for nearly 22 years, I understand the difficulty of spending a week (or two) at youth camp. We have busy schedules and much to do. If we have paid staff working with our youth and kids it is easy to disconnect from activities like camp, thinking, “Well, that is what we pay them for!” While there is some validity in that fact, I do think it is important for our kids and youth to see us. No, we cannot do everything or be everywhere, but youth camp is a huge investment in the discipleship of the young people in our churches. Pastors, I want to encourage you to invest the time in your kids and youth. Go to camp with them, even if it is just for a day or two. You may not be a kid or youth person. That’s okay. Just be there. Just be available. Do you want to know a secret? I love camp, because I love what happens at the altar at camp. But I also love sitting around a table with other EMC pastors and connecting on a deeper level. I love watching pastors compete on the volleyball court or at corn hole. I love watching our pastors talking to kids or youth they don’t know and building relationships with them.
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My desire is that someday, former campers will look back at the life-changing encouragement they received from Senior Pastors like you and me who took time to go with them to youth camp.
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Keeping in Touch with our Global Partners Submitted by, Rev. Bill Walker, GBWM Chairman
Updates From Around The World
I thank God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy… Philippians 1:3-4
EMC Asia Paci c Conference
This verse fits our response when we hear from our EMC brothers and sisters around the world, including the EMC Asia Pacific Conference. Back in September, the Philippines was in ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine— meaning no going out except for essentials and emergencies). Thankfully the Delta variant of COVID-19, which raged around the world, is pretty much behind us. In the last couple of months, the Filipino people have enjoyed the freedom to safely go about their lives and ministry, but with some restrictions. Churches can once again meet in person, but only in small groups. It’s a small window of opportunity, which could close again with little warning. Our brothers and sisters in the Philippines wasted no time getting back to work to reopen churches that had to cease operations during 2020 and 2021 and planting new ones. There is a lot of work to do! The congregations in and around the metro-Manila area have more access to technology and reliable internet. As such, they were able to adapt quickly to online church meetings. But 80% of the established EMC congregations throughout the Philippines were unable to do this. It will probably be a long time before Asia Pacific reaches the heights and momentum in church planting that it had before the pandemic. The biggest factor is that we still have a pandemic. Thankfully, the Omicron variant seems to be milder than the original COVID-19 or the Delta variant, but some restrictions remain in place, and we all know that another, destructive variant could emerge anytime. The Filipino economy, devastated by multiple lockdowns, will recover in time. Meanwhile, high unemployment continues to depress local church finances; things are challenging for laity and clergy alike. God is faithful and He provides, but we should not underestimate their hardship. Rev. Rod Reyes, superintendent of the EMC North District, requests that we pray for their 10 churches and pastors. Most recently he asks prayer for a “pioneering church” in Bulacan, north of the capital city, Manila. Because of congestion it can take several hours to travel between churches. Pray also for their health and safety. Recently Pastor Rod’s son was in a motorcycle accident. He had two surgeries on his leg but is expected to recover fully. Pray for these dear brothers as they pour themselves into the word of the Gospel in their part of the world. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints… Ephesians 6:18
The Board of World Missions hosts a weekly Zoom prayer meeting for EMC missions worldwide, and we often have participants from our sister conferences. You are also invited to join.
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Meeting ID: 818 5617 0583 and Password: 034910.
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Saints and Champions Promoted to Glory Since February of 2021, several incredible EMC leaders have been ushered into the great cloud of witnesses that has set the pace before us, walking in step with our Master and King.
Correne Wright Billy Joe Brady Don Byrnes
Wilma Salazar
“Well done, good and faithful servant. … enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Larry Cullum
Larry Trail
R. L. Icard Elizabeth Wiley
Dr. Lal Duh Awma and Pi Ro Siami
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!“ ~ Revelation 14:13
These amazing leaders have given all of us wonderful models to follow. Each of them have been faithful examples of Godliness and sacrificial servanthood. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they lived their lives in such a way that we knew that this world was not their final home, but they will be missed in ways that words cannot convey. We pray for their families, and thank God for their living faith. The Apostle Paul writes, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. … we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” Philippians 3:17-21
The Kerusso - February | 2022
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Community EMC Welcomes a New Pastor Submitted by, USA Conference Superintendent, Rev. Kevin Brouillette Philip and Hannah Winslow received the unanimous call to become the new pastor of Community Evangelical Methodist Church in Thomasville, North Carolina. This couple has recently been married and are excited to assume their new role of leading this great church family. Philip was born in Elizabeth City, NC and attended Elizabeth City EMC his whole life. He had strong Christian parents and grew up under the pastoring of our now International General Superintendent Rev. Max Edwards. With the help and the influence of the many great church people he grew up around and things like Indian Cave Youth Camp and Chrysalis, God was able to reach his heart so that he would give his life completely to Him. At the age of 18, Philip felt a clear call from God to preach the gospel as a pastor or evangelist after hearing a sermon about the urgent need for our generation to be familiar with the clear salvation message of Jesus. So he attended Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, majoring in BibleTheology & Biblical Languages. He travelled for a time evangelizing to college students in multiple states with a friend he had met at Asbury. This friend had a connection with some pastor friends in Hawaii that invited the pair to visit and possibly speak in some of their churches. In one of those churches in Hawaii, where Philip gave his testimony, there was a girl who sang hymns with her brother during the service. Over the next year, he and this young lady kept in contact long distance, having weekly Bible studies over video calls. Then, in order for her dad to get to know him, he had to spend the next year living in Hawaii. Hannah was born in Atlanta, GA. At the age of three, her family moved to Hawaii. Hannah didn’t grow up with any kind of faith. But when she was ten, she said, “I watched God change my dad and his testimony affected me greatly.” Shortly after that, Hannah became a Christian, as well as her mother and brother. Hannah and her brother have always loved music and singing together. After getting saved, their music became Christ centered and they enjoyed singing hymns and Christian songs. Hannah’s family has been involved in various homeless ministries over the years, and Hannah has always enjoyed teaching children the Bible. Hannah shares, “One time while singing with my brother for a church service, I met the sweetest and kindest man. We married after dating for a year. We are so excited to be expecting our first child in May of 2022.” The Winslow’s are so thankful for the opportunity to fulfill God’s call upon their lives through Community EMC. God has a very special plan for this young couple. Please pray that God will bless their ministry and allow Community EMC to experience a fresh wave of God’s blessings as they seek to be obedient to the call of God upon their lives.
GC2022 Reservation & Registration Information ROOM RATES AND OTHER COSTS: CLICK HERE to view and/or download a conference cost summary. RIDGECREST RESERVATIONS: Use this link GC2022 Ridgecrest Reservation or call the reservation line at 800-588-7222. EMC REGISTRATION CLICK HERE: EMC GENERAL CONFERENCE 2022