Jesus is LORD
Max Edwards
The Kerusso – August| 2025
“The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 1:3-4)
“You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 15:2-3)
Possibly the earliest creed of the Christian church is: “JESUS IS LORD.”
Our time is marked by a fascination with speed and efficiency. We operate in a church culture that seems to challenge us to “burn out for Jesus!” “Do more!, be more!, go more!, win more!” My read on the life and ministry of Christ is that He was more peaceful than blindly driven … more at ease and less frenetic … more joyful and less stress-laden … more effective and less ostentatious.
Jesus is LORD!
Please don’t misunderstand my point. I’m not advocating for a lazy mindset. And I’m certainly not saying that God doesn’t care whether we are active in the harvest. He clearly is seeking laborers for His vineyard work (see Matthew 9:38)
What I am saying is that we need to take a breath and realize that the work He is calling us to is a spiritual work that is ONLY truly accomplished by the genius work of the Holy Spirit, softening the hearts of those whom we hope to witness to. Until the Holy Spirit does that work, any seeds we cast their way will simply be brushed aside as meaningless distraction. Jesus is far more concerned about the growth of the church than we are; far more interested in men and women turning from a lifestyle bent toward hell than we are; far more knowledgeable about when someone will come to the end of themselves and be ready for the beginning of a life of surrender. Let’s depend on Him to guide us in our endeavors.
Jesus is LORD!
Let’s trust Him to be the Lord – to be the head of His church. Let’s serve with greater passion, working with our gifts and talents, making an impact that is more targeted, more focused. We should work diligently to hit the specific targets the Spirit is directing us to, rather than just aiming at the ‘broad side of a barn.’ We should be discerning as we spread the ‘pearls’ of the gospel.
From the Desk of the General Secretary/Treasurer
Rev. Brian Hammond
Exci:ng Update: A New Way to Give Online!
We’re grateful for your faithful generosity in suppor3ng the Evangelical Methodist Church's ministry and mission. We are excited to announce our switch to a new online payment processing company, Planning Center, which we already use in other areas. This change will allow for a smoother giving experience, greatly-enhanced security, lower processing fees, and more flexibility in how you support the denomina3on. While our current giving plaEorm will be phased out, our new system is easy to use and designed to make online giving as seamless as possible.
Key Details:
! " The transi3on will take place over the next several months.
! " If you have recurring dona3ons set up in our current system (Suran Systems), you will need to transfer them to the new syste m (Planning Center Giving).
! " Important informa3on and instruc3ons for switching and seLng up your giving are on our website at : THE SWITCH ! " Our team is here to help! If you have any ques3ons, contact us:
HQ Office – 317-780-8017
Brian Hammond – generalsecretary@emchurch.org
Karen Parsons – kparsons@emchurch.org
James Coulston – jcoulston@emchurch.org
We appreciate your con3nued support and pa3ence during this transi3on. Your generosity makes a las3ng difference for the kingdom! Thank you for being a vital part of our online giving supporters.
BLESSINGS FROM THE NOVEMBER MISSIONS OFFERING
Bill & Lisa Walker - GBWM, Co-Chairs
Last Fall, the EMC family in the USA gave an offering of nearly $17,000! The Board of World Missions divided this money evenly and shared it with the Global Conferences. We don’t dictate to those leaders exactly how it is spent, but we often receive good news and exciting updates. All of our Global Conferences consistently use the money for outreach or special projects. This month, I’m sharing portions of recent reports.
CHURCH PLANTING IN MEXICO
General Superintendent Rev. Isaias Flores reports progress in church planting and church restarts. There are two churches in the planting stage, in Garcia, Nuevo Leon, and Torreon, Coahuila, near the EMC Headquarters. There are four churches that are being restarted: San Juanito, Villa Matamoros, and Buenaventura, all in Chihuahua state. The fourth is in San Vicente, San Luis Potosi, which is one of EMC Mexico’s southernmost churches.
Nearly all the pastors I know in other countries, including Mexico and the Philippines, receive very little income. The money you give through the November Missions Offering helps with some of the basic needs of the pastors and lay persons who are working valiantly for God.
BUSINESS AS MISSION IN ASIA PACIFIC
General Superintendent Rev. Eric Ramirez wrote to me and reported that they are using their portion of the November offering to help pastors and youth ministries. One of the ways they are helping pastors is by partially funding them in starting a small business.
For example, Pastor Joe Ibañez and his wife started a food business. Having start-up money for a small, home-based business can be “gamechanging” for a pastoral family. Your gifts through the November Missions Offering may help a pastor stay in ministry. Only eternity will tell the full story!
YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES
The God’s Grace Christian Church in La Union (the church that used to meet under a mango tree) recently had a youth retreat and saw several young people come to Christ and be baptized! Additionally, there will be an all -conference youth congress December 29-31. Your gifts help fund this event and may also provide a scholarship for some youth to attend!
Emmanuel Faith Fellowship – Newly Affiliated EMC
Rev. Wes Mackey, USA Conference Superintendent
The EMC announces the official affiliation of Emmanuel Faith Fellowship in Stockton, CA. This team of servants is led by Pastor Manny and Mrs. Faith Tabujara. They are excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord and their community. They are temporarily meeting on Saturday afternoons in the same location where Rev. Chester Lum and his wife Fredrica lead the EMC’s Journey Church on Sunday mornings. Emmanuel Faith Fellowship is praying for a permanent meeting place to become available in Lodi, CA. Be in prayer for these two congregations as they serve the Lord and seek His direction as they desire to make a difference in Stockton
Josh Ellis – North Carolina
Excerpts from Pastor Josh’s
This past year our church experienced growth in numbers as well as in our community with one another. And, most importantly, growth in the Lord. We had not had any midweek gatherings since covid, and this year we started Wednesday night discipleship gatherings, and it has proven to be fruitful. We also restarted youth ministry for our teens. We hosted a fall fest event in October where we saw over 700 people attend! We have seen fruit from this event as one family who attended with three young children has been consistently attending since this event.
We had several people join the church as members and several others who were baptized! We have continued to see God's faithfulness as we have sought His purpose and will for us as a church body. We are excited to see God work through His church this next year.
Jason Swanner – Missouri
Excerpts from Pastor Jason’s 2024 Ministry Report
It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Crossroads EMC in Marshfield this year. It is exciting to watch how the Lord is moving in the hearts and lives of our people. We continue to see growth in numbers, but more importantly spiritual growth through the variety of studies and services offered throughout the week. I am truly blessed to have my wife, Jodi, leading worship for the church, seamlessly blending both hymns and praise songs within our service.
We have amazing youth leaders who do a fantastic job of teaching biblical principles and providing opportunities to put them into action through service. They also cultivate an environment where all students feel welcome to come and participate. It has been exciting to see the youth and children’s ministries grow in numbers and understanding. God is doing something amazing in the hearts and lives of the people here and I am thankful that He has given me the opportunity to be a part of His moving.