The Kerusso – August | 2023
Resurrection Offering 2023 - Support for Bill & Lisa Walker, EMC Missionaries
Max
Edwards, IGS
As you recall, Bill and Lisa Walker were elected by the 33rd General Conference in July of 2022 as Board of World Missions co-chairs. They are the only EMC missionaries not also affiliated with another sending agency such as OMS or WGM.
As it has always been since their initial assignment to the Mexico field many years ago, their salary support comes from designated funding from churches and individuals like you and me. Partly because they were instructed to come back to the US for safety reasons several years ago, their funding account has been lagging, and consequently the Board of World Missions has not been able to increase their monthly support draw (or salary) from their fund for well over 10 years.
With the intention of helping to decrease the lagging funds, the 2023 Resurrection Offering was designated to supplement the Walker’s ministry account. In addition to the voluntary offering from individuals and churches, an anonymous donor made a pledge to match the first $10,000 given this year in support of the Walkers through the EMC’s Resurrection Offering. PRAISE THE LORD.
We are pleased to announce that this year’s Resurrection Offering was $12,581.56! With the donor match added, the offering comes to a grand total of $22,581.56! We are praising the Lord for His abundant goodness.
Bill and Lisa are so appreciative of your generosity, and I too am thankful for every dime; every dollar; and every donor! You have given from your heart, and that pleases the LORD!
This spring’s offering will help a great deal, but there is still more work to do. In addition to this special offering, we are asking for both individuals and churches to consider supporting (or increasing their support) for the Walkers. Judy and I have made a personal commitment of $100 of monthly support for the remainder of the quadrennium, and if a few dozen other individuals and/or churches would do the same, their support account will be where it needs to be. Thank you in advance for your continuing commitment to EMC Missions!!
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC Pastors in Mexico Attend FAS “Empower the Nations”
Submitted by: Rev. Bill Walker, GBWM Co-Chair
The Francis Asbury Society (francisasburysociety.com) is a well-known voice for promoting Scriptural Holiness in the US and around the world. The FAS has a new international initiative called, “EMPOWER THE NATIONS”.
June 5-9 saw the very first of these events held at the Tierra Alta campground in Morelos, Mexico, south of Mexico City, hosted by OMS Mexico. Speakers included Joy Griffin, Matt Friedeman, Colleen Weaver, and John Oswalt.
Because of your generous contributions for the Mexico Global Conference, the EMC Board of World Missions was able to sponsor 12 individuals (pastors and wives) to attend. When I attended the EMC Mexico annual conference in July, those who participated in Empower the Nations event excitedly and joyously shared with me how wonderful it was, and how God moved in their hearts. They were refreshed through the Holy Spirit and trained in mentoring and making disciples.
One pastor was particularly impressed with the homiletics workshop and shared that while homiletic teaching traditionally focuses on sermon preparation, this one emphasized how to prepare yourself as the preacher! What a unique and necessary perspective, yet easily overlooked. Participants also received holiness resources for their personal libraries in their language.
The focus on the message of holiness and living the sanctified life does not make us better than others, but it does set us apart. As Wesleyans, we believe that this is God’s will for every believer—being filled with the Holy Spirt, cleansed of sinful nature, living a purified life that glorifies the name of Jesus, and being Divinely empowered for ministry. Unlike a favorite fishing hole or tucked away diner, this is not supposed to be the best kept secret! This is the message we proclaim and share— forgiveness of sins, purity of heart, godly living, and Holy Spirit power!
Keep praying for our brothers and sisters in Mexico. They are facing much of the same cultural upheaval and spiritual rot that we now see in the US. They, like us, need to be continually revived and empowered with the Spirit of Jesus Christ to do the work of the Great Commission as we race through what could be the last few years before the glorious appearing of Jesus!
Gihon Tabernacle EMC Celebrates 70 Years
Submitted by Mrs.
Dianna Thrash
On May 21, 2023, the praising of God began with approximately 40 people in the 10:45 morning worship lead by the newly elected pastor, Bernard “Dobby” Thrash. His morning message, “God’s hiding places for those chosen for future service” was inspirational to the congregation.
The gospel singing group, The Choralaires, a popular group from the 1970s, who had not sung together for 50 years, brought a spiritual message through their music. They had gotten together and practiced especially for this day. The group included a special friend of the church, Karen Nicholson. Karen was presented with a plaque from the church for her 50 years of devotion in the music department.
At the close of the service, the congregation was invited to the family center for a wonderful meal and fellowship with friends. Everyone was filled with excitement and laughter as they met friends they had not worshipped with for many long years past.
After the meal the people began to congregate in the church for the afternoon service. Pastor Dobby Thrash invited everyone to stand and join in singing “When We All Get to Heaven”. The service continued with prayers and special testimonies. The singing continued with The Choralaires, Todd Anderson, a well known gospel singer in the area and close friend to many in attendance, and James Woodrow “Woodie” Belknap, the brother-in-law of pastor’s wife, Dianna.
Woodie had attended the church for many years. Having been educated in music, he had been the church’s choir director and leader of the music department. There is a special bond between Woodie and those who had attended the church and had sung in contatas and other special music. Everyone was excited to have him and his family in the celebration service. His daughter and her family had traveled 250 miles to be in the service and there were tears of joy flowing to see Woodie, who had not been singing solos for ten years and had accepted the many invitations from our church people to come and join in our celebration service.
Three beautiful wreaths were made with love by Linda Smith for this special day. The first wreath was given to Ada Franklin a 90-year-old lovely lady who has been a member of our church for forty eight years. The second wreath was given to the family who had travelled the farthest (250 miles). The third wreath was given to the oldest person in attendance and was happily received.
A special testimony was shared by Jean Ambrose, who had attended the church from childhood until her family moved to another state. She recalled being in the church in 1944 but remembers hearing her parents talk of being saved in this church’s revival in 1942. Her testimony was enlightening concerning the origin of the church that embraced the Evangelical Methodist doctrine and in 1953 joined their church to the relatively new movement with heartfelt love and devotion and has continued to this day 70 years later.
A spirit of love and amazement filled the service as an old hymn was sung before the closing of the day and people continued to speak with friends they had not worshipped with for some time. Visiting, embracing and even shedding tears of happiness continued as many visitors made their way to the parking lot. The memory of this great day will remain in the hearts of all that attended.
Our prayer is that God continues to bless the current congregation as they continue following Christ with hearts of dedication as they worship at The Evangelical Methodist Church in Parkersburg WV.
Southwest Camp 2023 - near Payson, AZ
Submitted by Rev. Debbie Miller
Praise to the Lord for all He has done. Camp 2023 is now in the books! We had a wonderful camp this year. Vince Estrada was our evangelist this year and we had a crowd of 58 camping in the wild. We had RV's and tents to hold all the people that came.
It was a refreshing time for us in Arizona where the temperatures at home were 110˚ we were in 85˚ weather. We had two lake swims, lots of fun at camp with games and challenges. Services at night were wonderful. Eight of our youth gave their hearts to Jesus during the time we were there. Eyes were opened to the scriptures and Grace Alone, Faith Alone and God's Glory Alone were taught in the classes. So many wonderful things. It has brought a unity to our churches in our area and Vince will be starting an evangelistic outreach program with some of our youth who are willing to face their fear and be with him on this. Looking forward to the future with our youth.
Crossroads Welcomes the Swanner Family to Marshfield, MO
Submitted by USA Conference Superintendent, Wes Mackey
On July 2, 2023, Rev. Jason and Mrs. Jody Swanner were installed into the pastorate at Crossroads EMC in Marshfield, MO. It was a wonderful day of worship followed by lunch and fellowship.
Pastor Jason is a long time EMC minister and brings many gifts to this wonderful congregation.
God has amazing things ahead for this body as they reach this small community.
First Filipino American EMC - San Diego, CA
Submitted by USA Conference Superintendent, Wes Mackey
This is a multicultural body consisting of several nationalities ministering in San Diego, Ca.
They are reaching out to a very difficult mission field in their own neighborhood.
Meals and fellowship are just one way they are connecting with their surrounding community.
