WDN - December 2013

Wisconsin District neWs December 2013

BRO. J. E. PUTNAM

WI District Superintendent

Wisconsin District News WDN EDITOR Craig Lundt PO Box 688 Beloit, WI 53512 wdn@wisconsinupci.org WDN SECTIONAL REPS Section 1: Loretta Lundt Section 2: Carole Keller Section 3: Simon Chappell Section 4: April Peckham Section 5: Kathy Fry WDN Proofreader: Dede Sharp DISTRICT OFFICERS Superintendent: Rev. John E. Putnam Secretary-Treasurer: Rev. E.A. Kaske Honorary Board Member: Rev. John Grant PRESBYTERS Section 1: Rev. Charles Welch Section 2: Rev. James Booker Section 3: Rev. Ed Herman Section 4: Rev. Rufus Parker Section 5: Rev. Paul Bennett DEPARTMENTS Foreign Missions: Rev. M.W. Rogers Home Missions: Rev. Rick Keilley Deaf Ministry: Renee Strand Ladies Ministries: Sis. Barb Hilderbrand Sunday School: Rev. Dale Pace Youth Ministries: Rev. Tim Vik Revival Commission: Rev. Michael Hook Multimedia Ministry: Rev. Scott Jacobs Men’s Ministry: Rev. Steve Rogers Music Ministry: Sis. Darlene Boyte Purpose Institute: Rev. J.D. Putnam Prayer Force: Rev. Don Rogers FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.

2

December 2013

LUKE 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

In my grandmother’s kitchen there was an “hourglass” that was filled with sand. I don’t remember the exact amount of time that the hourglass was measuring, all I remember is watching the granules of sand slide through the narrow passageway of the glass as it fell to the bottom.

As a child, perhaps out of pure boredom, I use to try to beat the flow of that white substance going to the bottom by doing some ridiculous exercises. I was actually competing with time. I was trying to “beat the clock.”

I remember reading a sticker that stated…“Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow!” I’m afraid that far too many have adopted that philosophy when it comes to doing a work for the Lord.

Here we are already at the Christmas season. The year has gone by quickly, yet no faster than any other year has gone.

Three hundred and sixty-five days have once again come and gone, each of them

lasting some twenty-four hours. What I wonder is, how much thought have we given to the Biblical fact that time as this world knows it and lives it is running out.

Just like the sand flowing through the hourglass, time is running its course, and there is a split second that is appointed, when in a moment, the twinkling of the eye, the Lord will call His people out of this earth.

I remember when my wife and I were first “born again” into the body of Christ. We thought that if we had children, they would never reach their teenage years. Why? Because we just knew that the Lord would be returning before that would ever happen.

Well, their teenage years have come and gone, but we are still here and we are still anticipating the coming of our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST. Since those early days of our walk with God, we have witnessed many years go by, and we are still looking for HIM, we are still listening for the sound of His trumpet!

But until that glorious event takes place, what are we doing with our time?

How are we using the precious moments of time that we have been awarded?

Are we just content watching the clock, and letting it run down to its fi-

nal second, without ever getting involved in what could last for eternity? You see folks…if we really believe that JESUS is coming back, and we don’t know the day or the hour, then I believe that just the uncertainty of not knowing propels us who are born again into an “urgent hour”!

I recognize that GOD is counting on you and me to spread the news that HE is coming again, and that HE is interested in all of mankind being ready for the rapture of the church.

We are living in an “urgent hour,” whereby we cannot stand idle when we don’t really know how much time we have left. So, each of us that are born again needs to be going into the highways and byways and compelling people to come to Christ Jesus!

The Word tells us that the shepherds outside of Bethlehem were just doing what they normally did…they were watching over their flocks. But suddenly, just one angelic appearance changed their activity drastically. When the good tidings were announced to them that their Savior was born, and they were told where they might find Him, and were given specific instructions how they would know that it was really Him…the scripture states that they came with haste. They recognized that they were thrust into the urgency of the hour.

They were told that they would find the Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Those men who resided on hillsides looking after sheep knew that “swaddling clothes” were only placed upon a newborn for a short period of time. So, there was no time to waste! They came seeking Him of whom the angels of glory spoke, and they found Him just as the angels said unto them. They did not take what they were given lightly; they recognized that they had great responsibility, and they couldn’t afford to wait and put it off until a more convenient time. They Continued on page 10

Bro. Rick Kielley, North American Missions grandchildren. Our families all attend Abundant Life. My wife and I have been married 43 years, and she is the best wife, mother, and grandmother a family could ever have. Quiet, humble, and strong, she is the “Matriarch” of our home and church.

WDN: How long have you been director of Wisconsin North American Missions?

BRO. KIELLEY: I became the Home Missions Director [in 2008], during Bro. Schmalz’s illness, and have tried to be a friend and help to our many ministries and ministers.

WDN: Tell us about yourself and your family.

BRO. KIELLEY: Before Parkway Apostolic Church existed, it was a United Methodist Church. Pastor James Schumacher and Pastors Rick and Steve Kielley attended that church for many years. All have since been saved at Parkway. In 1973, a friend invited me to Parkway during a great time of need.

Parkway became my home church, and Pastor and Sis. Frank Tamel mentored me and my wife for five years. We came to Oconomowoc on July 1st, 1978, to start a Home Missions Church. The Wisconsin District encouraged us and helped us with three years of support, along with the General Home Missions Division, which gave us $500 per month for two years.

I have a great pastor’s wife in Liz Kielley, and two wonderful children in Sharyl and Michael. Both of my children are married, and we have seven

WDN: What do you like most about being director?

BRO. KIELLEY: I enjoy helping these new churches, because I remember how I felt when I was in their shoes.

WDN: What does the Wisconsin North American Missions offer the Wisconsin District?

BRO. KIELLEY: NAM of Wisconsin connects the departments for materials and financial assistance throughout the five-year program our Missionaries are on. Our CFC offering is our primary source of income, along with PROP (monthly support from our churches) and Wisconsin Church Builders. We also conduct an annual Home Missions Seminar the first weekend of March.

WDN: Who are the sectional representatives and what is their role in the department?

BRO. KIELLEY: We have Sectional Representatives who “call on,” visit, and organize outreach activities in each section. The team consists of myself, Bro. Continued on page 10

December October 2013

3

BY KATHY FRY

a pastor and chaplain.

Rev. Dale Pace, the WI District SunThe Pentecostal Assembly of Eau day School Director, taught on Sunday Claire hosted this year’s “Seed 2 Harvest” event. This was a “SOAR” event training School. Pastor Pace was a bus ministry for harvesting of souls for the Lord. Be- child who liked to test his teachers – cause reaching the lost and teaching our WOW, look at him now!

Liberty Solberg is a stay-at-home, children are so important, this event was homeschooling mother of two. She leads free. There were four breakout sessions, with a General Session including a “Min- the music team at PAC in Eau Claire. She istry Roundtable” to ask questions, and a taught about music ministry in a small keynote message. Coffee and rolls and a church. Her topics were: forming a team, delicious lunch were also served. A big introducing new material, preparing for “thank you” goes to the Heidenreichs for practice, practice, introducing new songs, all their hard work arranging this won- encouraging continued growth in your team, and focusing on what you are tryderful “SOAR” event.

Christopher Jansen spoke on the im- ing to accomplish.

T.J. Heidenreich taught the session portance of outreach. Drew Baldridge also spoke on outreach and life experiences as on youth ministry. T.J. has been serving

4

December 2013

Pentecostal Assembly as Student Pastor for seven years, and Wisconsin Youth Ministries as a Sectional Representative for five years. He is a very proud father of baby Eve and has an awesome wife, Kirstie, who is great at helping him.

Bro. Tim Knaup taught his session on recognizing and developing leaders from within your congregation. He and his wife, Kim, directed the Campus Ministry at Calvary Gospel from 1986-2011.

They are currently Life Coaches/mentors for young adults, as directors for the Life Support Ministry at Calvary Gospel, Madison. They have three daughters, as well as several “adopted” college students.

We appreciate all the teachings and hard work of all those involved.

December 2013

5

BY APRIL PECKHAM

sions, while others chatted over games On November 1st and 2nd, many of and tasty refreshments.

Saturday morning started off with Wisconsin’s First Ladies converged onto Wisconsin Dells turf for a time of fel- a delicious breakfast buffet (which inlowship, pampering, and impartation of cluded Sis. Herman’s much-sought-after wisdom from our Presbyters’ wives. The Frappucinos and Lemon Ices). Sis. ParkGathering, as it is known, is a special re- er spoke to the ladies about being “The treat for Wisconsin ministers’ wives…a Hostess with the Mostest.” She gave us time to get away from the craziness of tips on how to be well-prepared for guests life and unwind. This year, it was held at before they arrive, so we can enjoy their the Wintergreen Resort and Conference company while they’re there, instead of Center in Lake Delton. being busy. Sis. Booker then taught the Friday evening, we had a “special” ladies on “Keeping the Anointing.” She guest…Sis. Daphne Corncob*! After Sis. Daphne addressed the group and sang a beautiful ditty about love, Sis. Bennett taught on how to take care of our earthly bodies through diet, rest, and exercise. Sis. Herman and a few ladies from the Wisconsin Dells church set up “pampering” stations…facials, foot soaks, lip exfoliating, hand paraffin treatments, as well as neck and shoulder massages. Many ministers’ wives enjoyed the pampering ses-

6

December 2013

used David as an example on how to keep your relationship with God strong, even through unfair treatment and trials. After a time of prayer we departed, refreshed and ready for some shopping!

The atmosphere our Ladies’ Ministry Leaders prepared for us was beautiful, warm, and inviting. A resounding “Thank You” to our ladies’ leaders, and may God grant you the same refreshing you worked so hard to give to others.

*If you’d like to book Sis. Corncob, please contact her “talent agent,” Sis. Bethany Hilderbrand.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life...

...For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.�

John 3:16-17

December 2013

7

There is a great and precious promise to those who engage in well doing – we shall reap! James reminds us further “the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

Quarters III-IV, 2013

By Alan and Valerie Demos We could hear the honking of the cranes one November day here in GERMANY and quickly grabbed a camera. We knew what would be there when we looked up. Sure enough - masses of cranes filled the sky, some flying randomly and others in that famous V-formation, but all heading in the same direction - south for the winter. Nature spoke to some weary workers in the field through this yearly phenomenon. Stay focused on the goal, not the process! Don’t faint! Move into the warmth of God’s provision when a cold season approaches. Remember “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

These messages came on the heels of insight into what God had been doing behind

8

December 2013

the scenes of our ministry for years. HE had begun to draw a circle in time forty years ago that would only come into our view in “due season.” The newest chapter in the story involves Michel and Manouri who live and work in Bonn, where we also live and work - him for over thirty years, her for just about twenty years, and us for over twenty-two years.

It took our breath away when Manouri called our home this August. In 1998, she and her husband had visited our first Gospelfest in Bonn. They showed no further interest, but we had their names and address on a visitor card. Alan would pray for them every time he passed nearby their house. Unbeknown to us, they had found their way to a Sri Lankan Pentecostal church north of Bonn and both had received

the Holy Ghost. They were satisfied going there, but had never forgotten the presence of God first experienced in our meetings. We thank God that we had never changed our phone number, so they could reach us after these many years of going slowly around the circle God was drawing.

We invited them to begin Bible study and fellowship in our home with others and God began to work miraculously. Prayer requests began to come forward with-

out details. In the middle of the night, sometime after Manouri’s brother was mentioned, Alan was awakened and felt compelled to pray for this man. When he told Manouri about it, she could not believe it. At that very time, she had received news from home that her brother was in dire need and her mother was suffering under the load of trying to help him.

Reinforcements to the rescue! On a Friday, an email went out to Prince Mathiasz, our UPCI missionary in Sri Lanka. By Saturday, both the brother and the mother made calls to Missionary Mathiasz. The brother made an appointment to meet with

Pastor Mathiasz. By Sunday, Manouri’s mother, a nonpracticing Catholic woman, went to church and experienced the presence of God in a new way in her life. During prayer, she was in tears and felt her lips “shivering.” She loved the music and kindness of the pastor and the people.

Pastor Mathiasz made an appeal for needy church families whose homes were lost in an elephant stampede. Manouri’s mother made a pledge to help (she herself not having much of this world’s goods). As God would have it, Pastor Mathiasz lives in the same city, just two blocks from Manouri’s mother, and the church is just 15 minutes away by bus. ONLY GOD could orchestrate this symphony of love and care.

So, what about the circle?

It started in 1973, when we met a young Sri Lankan student named Prince in a military church in Germany, pastored by Wayne Shrum. Our AIM team had gone there to minister. Prince found Jesus in Germany, married a young lady from Serbia, and moved to Canada. He eventually became a career missionary to Sri Lanka with the UPCI. Now, forty years later, Missionary Mathaisz and Missionary Demos are living thousands of miles apart, but have come full circle to work together, bringing forth more precious fruit of the earth! Can life get much more amazing than this?

BY APRIL PECKHAM

Arcadia

Rob and Katrina Becker have begun a preaching point in Arcadia, WI, as an extension of the Apostolic Life Church in Onalaska, under Pastor Mark Boyd.

They felt God calling them to plant a church for a couple of years, but had no specific direction. In 2012, during Memorial Day weekend, they visited with the Boyds and attended a rally in Tomah where Brother Welch, the Regional NAM director, spoke. It was then they began to feel that God wanted

them in Wisconsin. They continued to visit the district – attending the Home Missions service at Family Camp, and then spent Labor Day weekend in Arcadia. That weekend is when they felt God wanted them to start a church in Arcadia.

December 2012, they moved their family (Alexander 11, Ryan 9, Kylah 9, and Alayna 9) from Worthington, MN (where they assisted for six years) to the Arcadia area. Immediately, they began praying and fasting for Trempealeau County. Their burden has since grown exponentially. In preparation of their launch, they had a booth at the Trempealeau County Fair and hung door

hangers on every home in Arcadia.

Saturday, October 5th – with the help of Apostolic Life Church in Onalaska – they had their launch service.

There were 35 in attendance, mostly from ALC, but no unchurched visitors.

However, the following Sunday they held their first service on their own, and when they arrived at 10 a.m. to set up, a man was waiting for them! Just before service at 11:00, another guest arrived!

Their first visitor has been faithful in attendance since that time, and the Beckers have been faithful in meeting with him and his wife to discuss salvation.

As the church name, New Foundations Community Church, implies, their vision is to build new foundations based on the truth of God’s Word and to be a church that affects the community around them. The Beckers express their appreciation for all the prayerful support that has been offered by the district.

Elderon

With the encouragement and support of Pastor Jeff and April Peckham, and the saints of Riverside Apostolic in Marshfield, Frank and Mary Ritchie have begun a work in a very rural area in far eastern Marathon County, in the town of Elderon.

Continued on page 10

December 2013

9

The Urgency of the Hour

Jesus said it best…ACTS 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye urgently had to get involved. And when shall be witnesses unto me both in Jethey found HIM, they went forth tellrusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Saing others what had happened to them, maria, and unto the uttermost part of and whom they had found.

Luke 2:18 And all they that heard the earth.” This has been God’s “PR” it wondered at those things which were program ever since. We are to be “witnesses” of HIS great power and grace, told them by the shepherds.

Brothers and Sisters, we are not re- in telling others about HIM! As HE has changed your life, HE sponsible for what others do with what can repeat that in every individual on they hear from us, but we are responsible to at least share the “good news” the face of this planet. with as many as we possibly can.

That is why we must heed the “UR-

GENCY OF THE HOUR.” Time is running out, the eternal “hourglass” of glory has about emptied, and we need to get the WORD out to all that we possibly can, while we still have the time left in our own lives.

How about each of us putting the “GO” back into our approach of living for GOD, and recognize that the urgency of the hour is demanding the involvement of each of us in telling others how they might locate and experience the Savior of the ages… JESUS CHRIST!

Getting Acquainted

to” verse to encourage them. What is your “go-to” verse?

BRO. KIELLEY: My favorite verse is Micah 6:8 “…and what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” My motto is: “Remember who you are working for. Be kind to those you are working with!”

Continued from page 3

Continued from page 3

Rich Thomas (District Secretary), Bro. Dale Welch (Section 1), Bro. Dave Meyer (Section 2), Bro. John Gannon (Section 3), Bro. Mark Boyd (Section 4), and Bro. Myron Anderson (Section 5).

WDN: What is your vision for the Wisconsin North American Missions,

Preaching Points Continued from page 9

The Ritchies have never lived outside of the Wisconsin District or Marathon County, and earlier this year, they felt a stirring to look back again to the area that they had taught Bible studies in several years ago. God began opening doors and answering prayers in a way that made this call impossible to resist. People from the area confirmed that God wanted a work started here, as they began to call inquiring about starting a Bible Study group. Spring and early summer was a time of preparation and burden for the Ritchies. They felt strongly that they could not just walk away from this calling, but were not sure how to move forward. In 2011, the

10

December 2013

and how can the local church help facilitate this vision?

BRO. KIELLEY: My “Vision for Wisconsin” is to have a church in every county seat, and to double in this decade. We can do this as a District by trusting God and each other, and by mentoring the leaders God lends us to train, as Pastor and Sis. Tamel did with Rick and Liz Kielley.

WDN: Everyone has at least one “go-

Ritchies transferred to Marshfield to assist the Peckhams in the Home Missions church there, so Pastor Peckham was very qualified to assist the Ritchies in planting their own work. Frank and Mary are very grateful for the church in Marshfield, and especially to Jeff and April Peckham for their counsel and encouragement.

On June 15th, 2013, the first rent payment was made (an amazing answer to prayer) for the old Jehovah’s Witness church in Elderon, and the kingdom of God grew a little that day. Since then, the work has grown. In the very first weeks, people who came told the Ritchies: “We have been praying for years that someone would start a Spirit-filled church out here,” and “There is

Interview conducted by April Peckham, WDN Representative Section 4

nothing out here like this...this is going to be big” - words similar to what Peter may have heard when he went to preach to Cornelius.

The area is traditionally very Lutheran or Catholic, and it is true that there is nothing like Pentecost in any of the rural communities nearby. The name of the work is “Good Samaritan Apostolic”…where the broken and damaged can find “healing and new hope in the Holy Ghost.” Three have been baptized already, and others have expressed interest!

Good Samaritan Bible Study is Thursday, at 7 p.m. Brother Ritchie plays guitar during worship, there is always prayer, always the Word, always an altar appeal, and always…God blesses.