The Kerusso | 2023 October

The Kerusso – October | 2023

District ‘Journey’ Meetings for 2024 | Save the Date(s)

The Cabinet of USA Conference Superintendents has established the dates and locations for our regional meetings in the first half of 2024. We are very excited about the growing involvement of our laity in our connectional meetings. Our pastors and credential holders are required to attend, and we LOVE seeing them, but we also are thrilled at the presence of our lay leaders. We have been marked since our earliest days as a denomination that treasures our people in the pew.

Based on the feedback we received in this year’s leadership summit, we have decided to again hold four meetings across the country. The overwhelming opinion we heard was that three (3) is too few, and five (5) is probably too many. All of the EMC Superintendents will be at each meeting, and we are working now to set the programming that will include something of interest to both credential holders and lay people alike.

Almost all of our churches will be able to drive to these meetings, and we are hoping for a record-setting attendance in 2024. PLEASE MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND ONE OF THEM!!

Here are the dates and locations:

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

Indian Cave Youth Camp 2023

By Rev. Brian Gordon, GBYA Chair

At ICYC this year students learned that we are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone, for the Glory of God alone. At Kids Camp and Youth Camp we dove into what are often called the 5 solas of the Protestant Reformation. Our leaders and teachers did a great job presenting a difficult topic in an engaging and fun way. It is always a blessing at camp to watch kids or youth sitting in small groups, their Bibles open, engaged in conversations with their leaders.

When not learning the 5 solas, kids and youth from 17 churches could be found participating in archery, paintball, basketball, volleyball, disc golf, or a variety of other sports. Team competitions were fierce as relay races or hunts often led to treasure. Free times were filled with swimming and crafts, meeting new friends and spending time with old friends.

Worship each night was amazing. Revs. Bill and Lisa Walker spoke at both camps and did an amazing job communicating the hope that is found in Jesus Christ alone. Many kids and youth were saved and/or sanctified, and some expressed a call to ministry.

We praise the Lord for a place like Indian Cave where our churches can gather at a place set apart to experience the presence and power of God.

CFAN - Christ For All Nations - Youth Camp

By Rev. Brian Gordon, GBYA Chair

I was blessed to be one of the speakers, along with Pastor Henri Kadima, at the CFAN youth camp at Villa du Carmel outside of Montréal, Quebec August 11-13. I traveled with Hannah Gordon (a high school student) and Kevin McKinney (one of our Indian Cave Youth Camp leaders). While there, we experienced phenomenal worship, intense times of prayer, great fellowship, and a powerful moving of the Holy Spirit. What was expected to be a camp of approximately 30-40 ended up being a camp of nearly 80!

Pastor Theo Mpetembe is a wonderful leader who is a blessing to both the CFAN Conference and the greater EMC. He put together a great camp and has a talented group of leaders around him.

Hannah Gordon said the following about her experience: “It was an incredible experience and I would recommend anyone who is involved with youth try to visit once. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming even when we struggled to communicate. Their worship team is also amazing, both talent-wise and in the response from the rest of the crowd. Every moment felt like everyone was involved. Also in small groups it was evident that people wanted to learn, and the discussions and questions were very deep and insightful. Overall, it was a great camp.”

EMC Myanmar Pastors Attend Training in Thailand

Submitted by, Revs. Bill & Lisa Walker, GBWM Co-Chairs

The EMC has long enjoyed an affiliate partnership with One Mission Society (OMS). Our ministry in Mexico and Myanmar has benefited from this collaboration

In Myanmar, the “Every Community for Christ” (ECC) ministry has resulted in a highly effective evangelism and church planting program. The EMC Myanmar Global Conference has organized a domestic mission field into a district of churches (Paletwa) and has started other mission fields in their country. Many are being saved from Buddhism and being made disciples of Jesus.

Likewise, Dynamic Women, another OMS ministry, inspires Christian ladies to be influencers for Christ in their circles of influence, learning their value in Christ and vital role in God’s kingdom.

A dozen or so of our EMC pastors and wives attended an ECC and Dynamic Women training in northern Thailand last month. It was reported that the training had to be translated into 3 languages! That’s complicated and painstaking work! We are deeply thankful to OMS for the commitment and willingness to equip our EMCers in Myanmar.

Bill and Lisa Walker https://emchurch.org/ministries/missions

Church Clippings

Excitement from around the EMC

Michael Kilpatrick - North Carolina

Excerpts from Pastor Michael’s 2022 Ministry Report

“My wife and I have had an up and down year this year [2022] spiritually. I resigned as Pastor at the Lighthouse Independent Church. Our last Sunday was March 20, 2022, [giving them time to decide what they wanted to do with the church]. Kim and I felt God's calling back to Mt Sinai to assist Pastor David Kimball and the church. Most of the [Lighthouse Independent Church] congregation transferred their memberships to Mt. Sinai. They also gifted the church and the remainder of their funds to Mt Sinai.

“I have been currently serving in whatever capacity I was needed under the direction of Pastor David Kimball. I have also done some pulpit supply work for East Bend EMC. God is good and has blessed us with the capability to perform in many areas of ministry.”

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58

James Torrence - North Carolina

Excerpts from Pastor James’s 2022 Ministry Report

We have had a wonderful year of praising God. I believe God has lit a spark here in Denver. We have had spirit filled services and folks gathering around the altar calling on God’s grace and mercy for a country we see turning from God. We need to focus on SPREADING God’s word, not tearing each other down! I firmly believe we are destroying ourselves from the INSIDE. If Satan can’t beat us, he’ll [distract] us! And, if we are not in [God’s] will and shining HIS light, darkness can and will seep in. I see it happening even within our own denomination. It breaks my heart! Instead of sharing what God has done for our church this year, I desire to tell you “Without Holiness NO ONE will see God”. It is my prayer that we seek God’s face and cry out to him, instead of pointing out the flaws of others and running down God’s people!

David Brehm - North Carolina

Excerpts from Pastor David’s 2022 Ministry Report

This calendar year I have continued in the role of Associate Pastor of Thompson Chapel. I have delivered [several] sermons during Sunday worship throughout the year. In addition, I serve as the worship pastor handling the preliminaries of the Sunday service and am responsible for videoing our services. My wife and myself have also helped to facilitate our bags of love ministry with our youth.

This past summer I attended my first General Conference at Ridgecrest. While there I attended all events and worship services. Also this summer, I was able to attend the Indian Cave youth camp for a day. My daughter has attended for two years and has nothing but glowing stories to tell when she gets home from camp. I was truly blessed to share a little bit of the camp experience and the worship service that evening. This has been an eventful year for me and my ministry. I believe these new experiences have led to a lot of growth both spiritually and in regards to my role as Associate Pastor.