The longing for reviva

he word revival invokes dif­ ferent levels of longing in * us. One person—perhaps someone who has studied or heard f revival—may burn with

ran] 72, NUMBER 6 Over the past 40 years we've helped hundreds of EFCA churches build for their futures.

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Christian Investors Foundation 901 East 78th Street • Minneapolis, Minnesota 55420 • 1-800-995-8574 (continued from front cover) a deep passion to experience it firsthand. A second PROM THI PRESIDENT may feel a curious desire. A third person may not care (continuedfrom back cover) • the unspeakable happened, only the one way or another. Whatever the level of longing in community of faith could help us all cope. In interviews and funeral tele­ our response, our first question is often one of action: casts, we heard testimony to the com­ fort of the gospel. "What must I do to make revival happen?" God drives me to my knees. I find myself Our own local Free Church, Yet if there is a key to understanding revival, spending hours pouring over Scripture, des­ Southern Gables EFC, found itself in it is this: According to the biblical record perately searching for God's absolute truth deep grief over its own who were in­ and the histoiy of revival, it is always God in matters when criticism is all over the jured and killed. They are equally in­ who brings revival. map. Like the psalmist, I tell God all about volved in helping 23 of their other There are, however, things we can do to what is going wrong, while at the same time students from Columbine, plus their actively obey God prior to and during the re­ worshipping Him for who He is and ex­ friends, deal with the unending emo­ vival, especially in the areas of personal re­ pressing my confidence in Him. Out of this tions and questions. newal: worship, prayer, confession, fasting, grows a wonderful sense of closeness to Where would this community repentance and obedience. Christ and the diminishing of all the wrong have been without the local reasons for doing ministry: personal glory, church—God's chosen instrument to self-esteem, desire for success. reach our world? It was the church During this closeness to Christ, God can that nurtured the young people who expose deep areas of sin that I could never stood up for their faith, both during face alone. The contrast of seeing the depth the attack and after. It was the of my own sin, compared to the wonder and church that responded to a commu­ glory of God, causes me to die to my own de­ nity and nation's grief when no oth­ sires, replacing my plans with an openness er answers could suffice. to follow God wherever He leads. It is the church that will help Lit­ Filled with gratitude even for the pain tleton and its families heal, months that leads into the revival, I find myself actu­ and years after the media have left. ally saying, Lord, if this is what it takes for It is no mistake that the mission me to draw this close to You, then keep me in of the Evangelical Free Church is to this difficult situation forever. And I mean it. glorify God by multiplying healthy For me personally, the times This is not about an emotional low of de­ churches among all people. Healthy of greatest revival have spair over sin, giving way to an emotional local churches through which God high of spiritual success. Rather, it is about touches communities. How thank­ come when in the midst going beyond emotion to the peaceful expe­ ful we are for Southern Gables EFC rience of biblical joy. and other evangelical churches in of oppression and attack. God has graciously brought revival to my that community that have been and life. Now I long for Him to do so in my will be God's instruments of grace It is important to understand that we prac­ church and my community. I want them to in the midst of unspeakable horror. tice these disciplines (as they are called in the experience what I have experienced of Him. I want to give a special word of historical Christian faith) because we earnest­ True, only God can bring about revival. But thanks to each of our EFCA churches ly desire to draw close to God... not because we can long for it and pray for it and obey and individuals who expressed con­ we believe that God will find us more accept­ God in following His heart toward it. • cern and prayed for Southern Gables able, issuing revival as a kind of reward. during this difficult time. It was For me personally, the times of greatest Mark Steele is senior pastor of Stonebridge wonderful to see the EFCA family revival have come when in the midst of op­ Community (EFC) Church in Menomonee gather around a hurting church. • pression and attack. In these painful times, Falls, Wis.

BY REV. MARK STEELE/COVER ILLUSTRATION BY TOMEK OLBINSKI (SIS)

[ULY/AUGUST 1999 • BEACON • 3 UNEXPECTED INTERVENTION t wasn't the method," my ^ words. Just as in healing, one of But He wasn't done yet. Later that week, pastor told me, "it was Jesus." the overlooked principles about two men made appointments to see me, The subject was heal­ The excitement revival, even with prayer as a both wanting to make sure they were going ing. Sometimes, my pastor foundation, is that it can't be cre­ to heaven. One of them was Mike! He said of watching Isaid, Jesus told a person to ated by human methods. God in­ the message had hit him "right upside the wash. Sometimes He spit and God at work tervenes in His own time and head." Both received Christ. applied mud. Other times He for His own reasons. More often Two weeks later, when I concluded a merely spoke to people or they than not, His special interven­ message that had not been evangelistic, I touched the hem of His gar­ tion is completely unexpected. suggested that there might be some who, af­ ment. In each case, someone Super Bowl Sunday 1996 ter thought, were now ready to say yes to the was healed. was one of those days. As senior Lord. Four or five more responded. Jim Scobbie, my senior pas­ pastor since 1989, I'd planned Then, at our Wednesday night Awana tor at Emmanuel EFC in Stein­ an evangelistic message for our program, 24 children responded to an invi­ bach, Manitoba, back in the service at Faith EFC, in tation to receive Christ. Although many '80s, was pointing out to me 1 Woodruff, Wis. People had invit­ were from outside the church, they were our why he believed that Jesus used ed friends. You know the drill. regulars, having heard the plan of salvation so many different methods to heal. "It That Sunday, the Lord led me to simply many times. For some reason, this was the wasn't the method," he repeated. "It was Je­ share the story of how He had worked in my time they decided to say yes. sus who made the difference. He doesn't own life. My testimony involves God trans­ It dawned on us that God was up to want us to get hung up on the method." forming an unsaved ironworker, so I decided something unusual in our midst—some­ In the years since serving with Jim, I've to speak as the ironworker, not the pastor. Just thing we hadn't planned and had no idea learned how very much truth lies in his before the sermon, I left the platform and did how to manufacture. a quick change. One first-time Fast forward to today. visitor named Mike, who didn't Since that Super Bowl Sunday three know the Lord, later told me that years ago, we have seen more than 210 peo­ as I walked back down the aisle ple come to Christ in our small, northern with my welding hood, hard hat Wisconsin community. Many of us have and tool belt, spud wrenches prayed for our church to have an impact on clanging, he found himself the northwoods, but God's way of answering thinking, What have I gotten has taken us by surprise. myself into? Some people responded during a service. At the end of my message, I Perhaps a dozen made appointments to be asked people to make decisions saved. Others simply walked in off the street. for Christ. Since we were not a At least once I sensed the Lord moving me to large church (about 250 in at­ change my planned sermon to provide a clear tendance that day), I was opportunity for people to receive Christ. amazed when some 24 people One 80-year-old man told me that, as he responded—nearly every unbe­ drove to town one day, he strongly felt an liever we knew of in the ser­ impression of the words, You must see Pas­ vice. God had swept through tor Magee today. He said it hit him so hard the building. that he responded aloud in the car: Why?\

BY REV. GORDON MAGEE

SEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 You must see Pastor Magee today, came be that God did it." "If you don't feel strong desires for the mani­ the repeat impression. And inside he knew Today, just nine years later, 1,500 adults festation of the glory of God, it is not because why. He knew that he needed to receive attend each week during the school year. you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is Christ and had been putting it off for years. The student ministry alone at this congrega­ because you have nibbled so long at the table His full story is a remarkable example of tion near the University of Texas has grown of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small God's unexpected intervention into his life. beyond 600 (see "We Love Our Students," on things, and there is no room for the great. And the same thing is happening else­ page 21). "God did not create you for this. There is an where, although again and again, God is us­ What's behind all the growth? Pastor appetite for God. And it can be awakened I in­ ing different methods to provide His Harrell points to three reasons: God wanted vite you to turn from the dulling effects of food answers to prayer. to glorify Himself, people were praying and and dangers of idolatry, and to say with some At Faith EFC in Fort Collins, Colo., some 200 one church was willing to help another. simple fast, "This much, Oh God, I want you.'" • people have been saved in the past 18 months, Members point to their church motto —John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring according to Brad Jensen, associate pastor of (Soli Deo Gloria—"to God alone be the glo­ God throughfasting and prayer evangelism and discipleship. One individual ry"), because only God can prepare the soil found the church's name in the yellow pages, of a whole community for spiritual growth called to ask questions and was saved. and evangelism. To God only belongs the Another man was saved in May 1998 and glory in Austin, Texas. has since led his two adult sons to Christ. As And in Ogallala, Neb., as well. of this writing, he was meeting with his "We don't have a great pastor and we daughter to share Christ with her as well. don't have great programs," says Eric Wait, In Fort Collins, the vehicle God has used pastor of Faith EFC in Ogallala, where re­ is the church's Evangelism Explosion pro­ newal is taking place. "What we have is a gram, where an initial three E.E. teams great God and great people. By God's grace have grown to 20. But if you ask Brad what we happened to stumble on to what He was B E ACQN has caused the growth in conversions, he doing and got involved with Him." points to what EFC pastors are realizing In Ogallala, the moving of God hasn't PUBLISHING STAFF: the nation over: "God has used the process been evident as much in conversions as in Timothy J. Addington, Executive Editor of E.E. training, but the salvations are be­ the rededicated lives of those who have Diane McDougaU, Editor Greg Breeding, Creative Director cause of Him." served in short term missions. These believ­ Jeff Amstutz, Art Director/Designer We access God's power through prayer, ers have returned home with a passion to Journey Communications, Marketing and Production through our worship, even through fasting, serve the Lord, a passion that has resulted in BEACON (ISSN 0014-3332) is published bimonthly as the official but He, not us, brings renewal. the church growing from 80 to 240 over the magazine of The Evangelical Free Church of America. Publication Dr. Robert Harrell, senior pastor at First past six years, with the youth group growing of an article or advertisement does not necessarily indicate endorsement by The Evangelical Free Church of America. EFC in Austin, Texas, agrees. In 1990, First from 10 to 70 since March 1998. Free had dwindled to 70 people and was Whether in Woodruff, Fort Collins, SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: sio per year (U.S.); for church-plan group rate and single-copy prices, call {612) 853-8438 or (800) without a pastor. The remnant began praying Austin, Ogallala or your hometown, my 995-5360 or write to Beacon, Circulation Office, 901 East 78th for the church to survive and for God to "re­ friend Jim Scobbie had it right 'way back Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420-1360. visit" them. A church across town graciously then: It isn't the method; it's Jesus who EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICES: 418 Fourth Street freed up Robert Harrell, then its youth pastor, makes the difference. And He does so when NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Telephone: (804} 961-2500, to answer the call to First Free. and where it pleases Him. • POSTMASTER. Send address changes to Beacon, Circulation As Pastor Harrell explains, when he ar­ Office, 901 East 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420-1360. rived, he knew that "if something was go­ Gordon Magee is pastor of Faith EFC in Periodicals postage paid at Minneapolis, and additional offices. ing to happen, the only explanation would Woodruff, Wis. Copyright Beacon 1999.

[ULY/AUGUST 19c r

"Cease striving and know that I am God," says the Psalmist (Psalm 46:10). Is it possi­ ble that in those moments of desperate prayer and fasting, God works at personal IS GOD REALLY renewal? Must we wrestle with God to draw near to Him? Is that to be our goal? Jacob just woke up. His five-tooth grin greets me as he holds up his arms, happi­ ? ness at being near me written in his smile. I E begin to beg God again. Yet this time I draw near to Him, haltingly hopeful. God has nev- ears trace fine lines ^' Fasting, for me, was always de­ down my face. The fined as withholding food during Wasnt He bound by some chubby little hands Is "getting tilings times of crisis to concentrate on and feet lie still for from God" our petitioning God. And God would promise to hear my prayers, Tthe first time today—peace somehow be forced to respond. deepest desire? see the sincerity of my heart personified. Isn't that what the Bible was Jacob* came to our home at saying? Wasn't He bound by and intervene? 36 hours old, his mother serv­ some promise to hear my ing a drug-related prison sen­ prayers, see the sincerity of my er promised to save Jacob from pain, but He tence. Her HIV status had been heart and intervene? Couldn't I has promised to meet me here, today. Can it confirmed, although the Hepati­ make God intervene? Wasn't be enough?• tis C is lying dormant, for now. that the point of fasting—to She abandoned her first child, show my sincerity and thus get Stephanie Nelson is a member of Southern born addicted to heroin. something from God? Gables EFC in Littleton, Colo., where her fa­ As I stand looking at Jacob The Bible does attach ther, Gerald Nelson, is pastor. Fritz Dale is as­ sleeping in his warm, clean bed, promises to both fasting and sociate pastor at Southern Gables. with a full stomach and 1,000 kisses on his prayer—promises of reward, renewal and satiny cheeks, my heart can hardly bear the responses to our pleas (Matthew 6:17,18; *name has been changed for privacy pain of his future: His mother is demanding Isaiah 58). Yet in our earnest­ him upon her release from prison. ness we are often too impatient I have begged God to intervene. I have to wait for God's fulfillment of confessed my sins and scrutinized my mo­ His promises. tives. I have fasted every Wednesday for Instead, we become desper­ more than a year, pleading with God to spare ate to manipulate—to manipu­ this baby from the life likely ahead of him. I late the crisis, to manipulate have told God "the desires of my heart," wait­ God. Please God, we beg, and ing for Him to hear my cries and answer me. strive a little harder. But every week, Jacob's future darkened. Time passes. The crisis deep­ Nothing changed. Even as the prayers be­ ens. Our energy to keep up the came more feverish, the fasting, more severe. struggle wanes. We begin to feel What happens when, as in my case, the distant from God, rather than heavens are silent? Both prayer and fasting closer. Doubt seeps in. And then, are direct access to the presence of God. in that silent distance, our des­ And both prayer and fasting create great, peration for results slowly turns risk; we lie terribly exposed when we pour into simply a desperation to en­ out our hearts in such petitions. We risk si­ counter God, to find joy and lence. And in that silence, we risk doubt. strength in His presence.

BY STEPHANIE NELSON WITH FRITZ DALE

SEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 SATISFIED WITH ^L/

Available from NextStep Resources at HIS ABSENCE? (800) 444-BOOK: ^/ Revival That Reforms, by Bill Hull ($16.79). n all my growing-up years Probably the most important Helping leaders foster church-wide revival. in evangelical churches, I reason for Christian fasting is to don't remember a single What our lack express to God my desire for Intimacy With the Almighty, by Chuck Swin- sermon on fasting. of fasting reveals His return. Jesus said, "The days doll ($7.96). Insights from Chuck's journal to IAs an adult, I have found will come when the bridegroom help guide people on a journey of intimacy. about us scriptural truths about fasting is taken away from them, and that I never knew existed. Maybe then they will fast" (Matthew A Hunger for God, by John Piper ($10.39). it's just part of maturing—this 9:i5)- Turn from the dulling effects of your appe­ deeper understanding of truth. Or maybe the We know from Scripture that Jesus will tites, and express your desire for God through enemy of our souls is at work, knowing that not return until His gospel has been the practice of fasting. it's to his advantage and our disadvantage if preached to the whole world as a testimony we avoid fasting. to all nations (Matthew 24:14). So we fast Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, by Jim Cymbala In The Celebration of Discipline, Richard out of our longing to see Him personally ($13.59). Discover the transforming power of Foster lists fasting as one of five primary and to know that the gospel of His kingdom God's love when people humble themselves disciplines of the Christian life. Jesus didn't has been preached. on their knees and take the gospel seriously. directly teach on whether we should fast. Then why do we not fast? Is His absence Rather, He assumed His disciples would be not painful? Are we comfortable with the Fresh Encounter, by Henry Blackaby ($10.36). periodically turning from physical food so way things are? This "almost universal ab­ Experience how prayer, humility and a heart­ as to concentrate on spiritual nourishment. sence of regular fasting for the Lord's re­ felt desire to do God's will results in a won­ Why is that? turn," writes John Piper, "is a witness to our drous change in our lives. As I've read on the subject, I've discov­ satisfaction with the presence of the world ered several reasons. For me, these reasons and the absence of the Lord." A Life of Prayer, by Paul Cedar ($19.99). Dis­ highlight the need for regular, disciplined If we find we aren't hungry for revival and cover how to both bow humbly and speak fasting—not in sackcloth and ashes, but in for God's return, perhaps fasting will awaken boldly in prayer. joyful surrender. Not only in times of crisis, that desire. According to Piper, fasting is not but in peace. As an act of love to my Savior. to become a pacifistic discipline for private Partners in Prayer, by John Maxwell ($8.79). Fasting is a sure way to expose my sinful­ hopes, but a fearsome missionaiy weapon in How church leaders and lay people can un­ ness. "More than any other discipline, fasting the fight of faith. leash the power of prayer. reveals the things that control us," writes pas­ Oh, that we would hunger for God with tor and author John Piper in A Hunger for the art of fasting. That our children and our The EFCA's National Prayer Advance page: God. While fasting I am made aware, with children's children, if the Lord should tarry, www.efca.org/nationalprayeradvance.html sharp intensity of areas of personal sin. would have heard it preached, known it as a Fasting is also an opportunity for me to discipline and seen with their own eyes the Fasting & Prayer '99 Conference informa say no to my flesh, to not allow the "seen" to miraculous results. • tion: www.fastingprayer.com always cloud out the "unseen." My focus is sharper and my hunger brighter for God Kristine Cernek is a freelance writer and For a free copy of Spirit of Revival magazine during a fast. member of Cass City (Mich.) EFC. (addressing topics essential to revival): contact Life Action Ministries at (616) 684-5905 BY KRISTINE CERNEK or by e-mail ([email protected]) WHICH ARE YOU? L L PROUD, UNBROKEN PEOPLE VERSUS BROKEN PEOPLE

- focus on the failures of others - are overwhelmed with their own spiritual need - are self-righteous; have a critical, fault-finding spirit; look at own - are compassionate; have a forgiving spirit; look for best in others life/faults with a telescope but others with a microscope look down on others - esteem all others better than self - are independent; have a self-sufficient spirit - have dependent spirit; recognize others' needs maintain control; must have their way surrender control - have to prove that they are right - are willing to yield the right to be right claim rights yield rights - have a demanding spirit - have a giving spirit are self-protective of time, rights, reputation are self-denying - desire to be served - are motivated to serve others desire for self-advancement desire to promote others - are driven to be recognized and appreciated - have a sense of unworthiness; are thrilled to be used at all; are eager for others to get the credit are wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked rejoice when others are lifted up - think "the ministry is privileged to have me!" - think, "I don't deserve to serve in this ministry!" - think of what they can do for God - know that they have nothing to offer God - feel confident in how much they know - are humbled by how much they have to learn - are self-conscious - have no concern with self at all - keep people at arm's length - risk getting close to others; are willing to take the risks of loving intimately are quick to blame others accept personal responsibility; can see where they were wrong - are unapproachable - are easy to be entreated are defensive when criticized receive criticism with a humble, open heart - are concerned with being respectable - are concerned with being real are concerned about what others think. - know all that matters is what God knows - work to maintain image and protect reputation - die to own reputation - find it difficult to share their spiritual needs with others - are willing to be transparent with others - want to be sure no one finds out about their sin - are willing to be exposed; know once broken, there's nothing to lose - have a hard time saying, "I was wrong. Would you forgive me?" are quick to admit fault and to seek forgiveness - deal in generalities when confessing sin - deal in specifics - are concerned about the consequences of their sin - are grieved over the root of their sin - are remorseful for being caught are repentant over sin and forsake it - wait for the other party to come and ask for forgiveness in a conflict - take the initiative to be reconciled; get there first - compare themselves with others and feel deserving of honor - compare themselves with the holiness of God and feel desperate for mercy are blind to their true heart condition - walk in the light don't think they have anything of which to repent - have a continual heart attitude toward repentance - don't think they need revival (think everybody else does) • continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit

Nancy Leigh DeMoss is editor of Spirit of Revival magazine, published by Life Action Ministries in Buchanan, Mich. Used with permission of Life Action Ministries.

BY NANCY LEIGH DEMOSS

IEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 ince 1988, when God district superintendents tell me and 17th centuries, the church floundered un­ convicted me of prayer- the life-changing experience that der dead orthodoxy. Men and women forged lessness, I have deliber­ Releasing such praying brings. movements of prayer that were largely respon­ sible for the Great Awakening, when millions ately woven prayer more the incense In my Bible studies I've S were swept into the kingdom. deeply into my spiritual life. As learned that such praying should heavenward director of the EFCA National not surprise me. Prayer, accom­ For generations afterward, Christians Prayer Advance, I champion the panied by fasting, is central to from every denominational stripe gathered power of that spiritual discipline the unfolding designs of God. earnestly to pray for revival and the advance­ throughout our denomination. I read of Moses at Sinai, groan­ ment of Christ's kingdom. These prayers pre­ In the past 10 years or so, I ing before God for 40 days with­ saged international awakenings, the modern have noticed a change in the out food, pleading with God not missionary movement and hundreds of local emphasis on prayer across de­ to abandon Israel after the golden revivals, giving birth to churches, ministries nominational and parachurch calf incident. (Whom have I and schools. Can I do the same? lines. In 1994 I began partici­ groaned and fasted for lately?) Or Today, I see fervent prayer birthed in every pating in nationwide fasting- Mordecai, summoning Israel to quarter of the church—accompanied by fast­ and-prayer meetings, where fast and intercede for Esther. ing and solemn assemblies. I think it may be thousands of Christians gathered to worship As a pastor I identify with Ezra leading part of God's vision to Zechariah, that in the and petition God. Now the meetings are Jerusalem in corporate repentance, or last days God would pour out upon His people broadcast to thousands of satellite locations. Solomon's dedication of the Great Temple, the a "spirit of grace and supplication" (Zechariah Since then, even greater numbers of lead­ zenith of Israel's glory. 12:10). Whole cities will entreat God, and Gen­ ers are dedicating themselves to earnest prayer From this dizzying height, God offered Is­ tiles will plead to accompany God's people and periodic, if not regular, fasting. Some have rael a promise should her fortunes ever be re­ (like us!) into the Lord's presence. fasted for 40 days. Former EFCA president, versed because of sin: "If My people . . . will Five years ago I read a sermon by Jonathan Paul Cedar, fasts every Friday. EFC pastors and humble themselves and pray and seek My face Edwards on Revelation 8 that was breathtak­ and turn from their wicked ways, ing. Revelation 8 records the moment when then I will hear from heaven and the Lamb of God breaks the seventh and final will forgive their sin and will heal seal to inaugurate God's final plan. All of heav­ their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). en falls utterly silent. God and heaven wait. In response to Hezekiah's For a full half-hour there is no sound. prayer and fasting, God de­ The long hush ends when a cloud of in­ stroyed Assyria's besieging cense ascends from the altar, incense that is army in one night. the prayers of the saints. Only then does My look into the New Testa­ God allow fire to be hurled to the earth, and ment finds the earnest prayers the end of all things follows. of Jesus as a model. He did not The earnest prayer I am seeing today is begin His earthly ministry until like the incense of Revelation. Let's offer He had spent 40 days in prayer even more incense to the heavens. • and fasting. If Jesus needed it, I certainly do. Bob Bakke is executive director of the Nation­ My heroes from church histo­ al Prayer Advance and a member of West ry also instruct me. In the 16th Bloomington EFC in Bloomington, Minn.

BY DR. ROBERT O. BAKKE

JULY/AUGUST 1999 iEACON YELLOW PAGES

The Evangelical Free Church of America 901 East 78th Street Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300 (612) 854-130001 (800) 745-2202 web site: www.efca.org

Administration and Finance • (612) 853-8441 e-mail: [email protected] Beacon Magazine • (800) 745-2202 e-mail: [email protected] IN SUPPORT OF QUIZZING "ONE BY ONE" -BEACON'S M Christian Investors (church-building loans) I am writing in response to Kurt SPECIAL ISSUE (612) 853-8462/(800) 995-8574 Trucksess' article in the Feb. '99 Kudos and Just a brief note here to express e-mail: [email protected] Beacon. It was a great synopsis of constructive my sincere appreciation for an ab­ Church Planting • (612) 853-8419 e-mail: [email protected] the EFC Youth Ministries from its solutely superb special issue of the criticism from Donor Services • (612) 853-8434 birth in the early 1940s until now. Beacon (Vol. 72, No. 3) It made me Beacon readers e-mail: [email protected] My husband, Bob, and I even more aware of the great priv­ Evangelical Free Church Mission • (612) 853-8469 served in the Brooklyn Park ilege it is to be a part of the Free e-mail, [email protected] (Minn.) EFC as quiz team coach­ Church family. FCMM Retirement Plan- (612) 853-1773 email: [email protected] es from about 1976 to 1986 and The church which I have Gift Planning and Financial Ministries felt that it was the most reward­ served as pastor for nearly 24 (800)995-8578 ing ministry we had ever been years is not EFCA-affiliated, al­ e-rnait [email protected] involved in. Never had we, in though we are considering such I-Net (short-term missions) • (800) 745-2202 e-mail: [email protected] our years of working with teens, a move at some point in the fu­ Men's Ministries (Men With a Purpose) witnessed them so motivated to ture. My ministerial credentials (970) 206-4723 • e-mail: [email protected] memorize Scripture (whole are with the Free Church and for Ministerial Association • (612) 853-1766 chapters at a time). The opportunity present­ many years I served the Abbot (Maine) EFC. e-mail: [email protected] ed itself many times to apply the Scriptures —Daryl E. Witmer Ministerial Benefit Plan • (800) 995-5357 e-mail: [email protected] to a situation at hand. Monson (Maine) Community Church Ministry Campaign Services • (612) 853-1748 K. Trucksess' article explained well the via Internet e-mail: [email protected] downside of the youth festivals and compe­ Mission USA • (612) 853-8410 titions as being inwardly focused, leading EDITOR'S NOTE: To order copies of Beacon's spe­ e-mail: [email protected] the teens to focus on their talent itself in­ cial issue, call NextStep Resources at Missionary Candidates • (800) 745-2202 stead of how God could use their talent to (800) 444-BOOK. e-mail: [email protected] National Conference • (612) 853-1780 minister to others. e-mail: [email protected] But we grieve over the declining emphasis CONGRATULATIONS! National Prayer Advance • (612) 853-8461 that Bible quizzing has in youth ministries, At the recent Evangelical Press Association e-mail: [email protected] feeling that the EFCA may have "thrown out conference, both Beacon and Pursuit re­ NextStep Resources • (800) 444-BOOK the baby with the bath water." After receiving ceived awards, for issues published in 1998. e-mail: nextstep@efcaorg President's Office • (612) 853-84132 Christ as our Savior, learning to love Him with Beacon received: 1 st place, Redesign; 5th e-mail [email protected] all of our being is still the primary requisite to place, Candid Photo (October '98 cover). Pursuit Magazine • (800) 995-5360 serving Him. This love cannot be learned and Pursuit received: 3rd place, Single-Theme e-mail: pursuit@efcaorg nurtured without studying His Word and Section or Issue ("Stop the World: I want to Student Ministries • (612) 853-1765 obeying it. We have yet to see a youth program get off"). e-mail: [email protected] that accomplishes this type of growth in the Trinity International University • (847) 317-8113 web site: www.tiu.edu teenage life as well as Bible quizzing does. Please send comments to: Beacon Letters, 901 Trinity Western University • (604) 888-7511 —Dorothy Larson E. 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420; fax to web site, www.twu.ca Lincoln EFC (612) 853-8488; e-mail to [email protected] Urban/Intercultural • (612) 853-8419 e-mail: urban/[email protected] Gushing, Minn. Women's Ministries • (888) FCWM-222 via Internet Letters may be edited for clarity and space. e-mail: [email protected]

10 • BEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 [ MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL such issues as pastoral care and healing, church leadership, and ministerial credentials. In our final session, Dr. Bing Hunter, aca­ demic dean at TEDS, served as moderator for a discussion. For almost three hours, peo­ ple took turns at microphones around the sanctuary, asking questions, making state­ ments and sharing concerns. or decades, Christians vill/ supernatural ethos pervades Some left the conference with questions have discussed and de­ most of our culture and daily answered, while others left with more ques­ bated the miraculous Understanding hinders our faith. tions to consider. The EFCA has definitely gifts of the Holy Spirit. our position Dr. Willem VanGemeren, taken a step forward in discussing issues FThis past January, 175 members professor of Old Testament and and its effect about which we disagree. We need to contin­ of the EFCA's Ministerial Asso­ Semitic Languages at TEDS, ue the dialogue. ciation met at Southern Gables on ministry presented next. He defended John Herman, executive directive of the EFC in Littleton, Colo., to con­ the Cessationist position—that Ministerial Association, noted, "Our goal tinue the tradition. some miraculous gifts in the was to study theology, discuss theology and The Midwinter Ministerial apostolic ministry came to an apply theology to our area of ministry. We Conference was designed not to end with the passing of the certainly did that well." conclude with a policy on the apostolic era, when God The godly spirit that pervaded among miraculous gifts. Instead it uniquely endowed early Christ­ Free Church brothers who differ on this im­ serves as an avenue through ian leaders with miraculous portant issue was truly a mark of the Holy which we can begin open and phenomena attesting to the Spirit. As one attendee said, "The interaction gracious discussion, with the truth of the risen Christ. was of the highest quality—thoughtful, goal of growing in our biblical understand­ VanGemeren stated that his position is grounded in Scripture, and deeply desiring ing of these gifts and in godly, pastoral re­ not anti-supernatural; God can still do mira­ to know God's will and follow it regarding sponse to them, as well as to our differences. cles, because God can do anything He sover­ these matters." • Three positions on the miraculous gifts eignly wills. Yet VanGemeren contends that were presented, with opportunities for the with the closing of the New Testament Greg Strand (left) has pastored Trinity EFC in speakers to respond to each other. canon, the miraculous gifts were no longer Minot, N.D., since 1905. He is also a member Opening the dialogue was Dr. Wayne Gru- necessary and thus ceased. of the Board of Ministerial Standing and dem, professor and chairman of Biblical and Dr. Greg Waybright, president of Trinity dean of the series of theological discussions. Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical International University, then taught the Divinity School. He argued from the Third Open but Cautious position, which holds Wave position, which teaches that all gifts of that all spiritual gifts are still operative, the Holy Spirit mentioned in the New Testa­ with the exception of apostle (like Gru­ ment are still valid for today, with the excep­ dem). He held that the primary role of the tion of the office (not gift) of apostle. miraculous was to attest to and authenti­ Grudem taught that the miraculous gifts cate the identity of the Lord and His work (prophecy, healing, speaking in tongues and of redemption. The miraculous should not interpretation of tongues) were for all be­ be forbidden or even surprising, he stated, lievers and were to be operative until Christ yet we should not expect sign gifts to the returns. This means that all of the gifts are extent and quality as when the invasion of to be operative in each local church, and a the kingdom was inaugurated. person can expect that the miraculous gifts The next morning, participants divided will be a regular part of church life. into groups to address how our understand­ Grudem voiced the concern that an anti- ing and practice of miraculous gifts relates to

BY REV. GREG STRAND

JULY/AUGUST 1999 • BEACON M I N N

ABIDJAN, COTE D'lVOIRE livre, that we get the name of our church fellow­ ship: The People of the Book.) So it's not our Bibles or my white face that is the problem and brings the whispers and wary politeness. It is Jesus' exclusive claims: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father, except through ^lk Me" (John 14:6). he first time I met her, their courtyard. There we were The transplanted Muslims of Abidjan are she screamed at me. She seated by Aminata's mother different from their northern and middle east­ was hot, burning with near the very back, then left ern brothers in that they are quite content to fever, but still she had Seeking alone. We waited and waited. Fi­ live side-by-side with Christians. They, like so Tthe sense to wail at my whiteness. nally, a neighbor told us that many postmodern thinkers, believe that "each God's fugitives At 9 months old, Aminata Aminata's mother had (sudden­ has his own way" That Christians help them, was very sick. Her mother de­ ly) gone to the market. A ruse. pray for the sick or visit is not a problem. But clined an offer to escort them But we got the point. that we would present them with Jesus' exclu­ both to the health clinic, demurring that Americans are generally well-liked in sive claims, to present Him as the only interme­ Aminata was already receiving medicine. Cote d'lvoire, this prosperous country on diary not he and Mohammed together—that The next week we again crossed the rickety Africa's west coast. But in Aminata's neigh brings about a different reception. bridge over the wide stream of sewage to borhood, a poor yet powerful Islamic strong­ The third week we tried to visit Aminata, hold in the modern city of Abidjan, my having heard that the baby was still unwell, presence is less appreciated. There, Ameri­ our welcome was startlingly different. We can = missionary = Protestant = enemy. were ushered into the mother's personal On Tuesdays, a group from our church chamber. When we inquired about Aminata, visits folks in Aminata's Williamsville. We the woman turned and lifted a heap of rags might check on the health of a recent pa­ into my arms. This time Aminata didn't tient from our clinic, call on a church mem­ scream, but internally I did. The sight meeting ber's friend or chat with a street vendor who my eyes was nauseating. Her entire face was seems interested in Christianity. covered with charred flesh: red, raw, oozing. The majority of the residents here live in Bright red patches of burned flesh marked her courtyards: enclosures with small rooms con­ chin, forehead, cheeks, nose and ears. structed all along the exterior walls. Extended The week previous, when Aminata's moth­ families live here, along with friends who er had fled us, she had run to a guerisseur, a need a room or strangers who rent a "studio." native healer closely associated with the oc­ So upon entering a courtyard, we are engulfed cult. In Macbefhian fashion, he had concocted in a microcosm of the Muslim world. Those of a boiling brew of herbs, then held Aminata's us who visited Aminata's courtyard were a face in the steam, covering her with a towel so strange crew: Alima and Fantou, with their she'd receive the full potency of the vapors. Muslim heritage; Elie, raised in an Ivorian She screamed, but he did not stop. The result: Christian home; and me—definitely WASP. severe burns all over her face. Within the Muslim culture, visiting or "call­ A week ago we had come to help. Our clin­ ing on" someone is an accepted and expected ic is open to all, free of charge, no strings at­ practice. That we carry Bibles isn't bothersome. tached. But Aminata's mother had been The Koran refers to and honors the Bible. (It is scared. Scared of us, of Jesus, of all that associ­ from the Koran's phrase of honor, le peuple du ation with Him means: banishment, loss of home, possessions and financial security. But Suzanne Falconer and her daughter, Aminata was still sick; now we could help. Chantalle, with Alima, an Ivoirian believer We quickly summoned our clinic doctor.

BY N. SUZANNE FALCONER M I H

Normally terrified of white people, Aminata WORLDVIEW relaxed under Tom's prodding. "Resistant EFCM Vision for the Turkic World malaria" was the diagnosis. When we left her home, we went to our prayer groups and to­ OUR VISION gether petitioned the Father for Aminata's • 1,000 intercessors health and the healing of her face. When we • 48 Adoptive Churches returned the following Tuesday, she was cool • 16 Advocate Churches and calm, and the red sores were turning • 60 workers white, not scarring. God was merciful. • 300 Short Termers over 5 years Aminata's mother characterizes many of us. We flee God. Anything out there has to THE STAGGERING NEED BEHIND OUR VISION be better than what He would offer. • A population of 150 million people. • An estimated 5,000 followers of Jesus I fled Him, down the nights and down Christ, or 3 in 100,000. the days; • Turkey's population of 65 million, with I fled Him down the arches of the years; approximately 1,000 believers. I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways • Uzbekistan's population of 22 million, Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears with only about 200 believers. I hid from Him • Kazakhstan's population of 17 million, —Francis Thompson, "The Hound of Heaven" with only 3,000 known believers.

Yes, I am a criminal, for I am a robber. I ENTRY-LEVEL STEPS INTO OUK VISION come to steal away the captives of Satan's with white freckles, screamed at me—a (ASSOCIATE CHURCHES) kingdom of hate, fear and destruction. I scream of terror from a healthy child. Pray • Pray fervently for the clear guidance of the come to shout out that the gate has been for them, and for all those in Abidjan who Holy Spirit. opened, the prison doors torn off. My friends flee still from the One seeking them in love. • • Conduct a Global Access Planner (GAP) led and I seek fugitives, those who run from Fa­ by one of our expert consultants. ther love into the arms of false lovers. Suzanne Falconer and her family originally • Identify a potential Champion for the Aminata's mother runs yet. And at the last served with EFCM in the Democratic Repub­ Turkic World initiative. visit, Aminata, fully recovered and covered lic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Since 1997 they • Participate in a Turkic World vision trip. have been serving in the Ivory Coast in part­ A cell group meeting for converted Muslims nership with Mission to the World's Muslim ADVANCED STEPS INTO OUR VISION and seekers in Abidjan (below). Families re­ ministries. They are members of Hope EFC in (ADVOCATE AND ADOPTIVF CHURCHES) laxing in a Muslim courtyard (above). Oakdale, Minn. • Adopt a major project (unreached people group, city or region). • Appoint a Champion for the adopted project. • Begin to send annual short-term teams. • Pray to send a team of long-term workers in five years.

For a 15-page paper describing our vision in greater detail, please call Cheryl Boström at (800) 745-2202. This paper defines such terms as Turkic World; Associate, Adoptive and Advocate Churches; Global Access Plan­ ner; and Champion. •

BY DR. BENJAMIN A. SAWATSKY Executive Director, EFCM

(ULY/AUGUST 1999 • BEACON • 13 M N N

CHURCH-PLANTING PREPARATION stopped there. The church was without funds to continue. On the other hand, the McNeills had al­ ready lined up professors to teach theology, homiletics, church history, evangelism, church planting and counseling. But no per­ manent building. ^ So EFCM and Grace Church entered into a ifty-six years ago, near tors and laymen alike to become partnership. Last summer, my family and I the city of Kursk, Russia, better educated in the Scrip­ moved, along with the McNeills, to Kursk. On one of the largest mili­ tures, doctrine and practice. September 1st, 1998, classes began at the new tary engagements in the A new war Recognizing this need, in Holy Trinity Bible College, the residential com­ Fhistory of warfare took place. The 1995 the EFCM sent Jim and ponent of TEC. Teachers are generally pastors front in Kursk 1943 battle turned the momen­ Lois McNeill to begin the Trini­ and professors from the States, teaching the tum of World War II on the east­ ty Equipping Center, the educa­ two-week courses. Lydia and I teach Introduc­ ern front. One million soldiers tional component of EFCM's tion to Biblical Counseling. Russian instructors and civilians died in this four-day battle. church-planting ministry. Without a perma­ include several from St. Petersburg, as well as Today, spiritual warfare occurs in Kursk nent building, TEC started by offering two- the senior pastor of Moscow Bible Church. and across Russia as the church rebuilds. week extension courses, still available today. Today, Holy Trinity Bible College offers 17 During the Soviet period, 1917-1990, little My wife, Lydia, and I also joined the TEC courses on site as well as a dozen by exten­ formal training was available for Christians. team a year later. During our first two years, I sion, making quality Christian education pos­ As churches emerged from the rubble of the taught at the Moscow Christian School of sible for nearly 70 students this year alone. Soviet system, the need was immense for pas Psychology, helping to prepare psychothera­ It's impossible to grasp the significance pists to counsel from a Christian perspective. of TEC without meeting some of these stu­ In 1997 our plans were in upheaval when dents. Anatoly, vice director of a sugar facto President Yeltsin signed a bill limiting reli­ ry returns to his small town each week after gious freedom in Russia for outside organi­ classes and ministers in his home church. zations. Clearly, TEC's legal existence in Although he has pastored since his salvation Russia would depend on partnering with an several years ago, even completing Grace existing registered church or central religious Church's one-year Bible school, he knew he organization. TEC approached Grace Church needed a broader foundation. in Kursk, 300 miles south of Moscow and 50 While Oleg was working as an artist on miles from the Ukrainian border. Moscow's famous Arbat Street, he received a Grace Church had grown from a small Bible from an American missionary. Oleg body of believers in 1935 to nearly 600 and his wife both became believers, and members each Sunday. Four years earlier, they now pastor a church of 30, including the congregation had also launched a one- several former drug addicts who have also year Bible school with the help of a German found new life in Christ. evangelical mission. But Grace Church's True, the Trinity Equipping Center is still leaders envisioned a deeper, broader educa­ in its beginning stages, but considering how tional ministry. With this in mind, they be­ God has guided dius far, those involved are as­ gan construction of a four-story building. sured of a victory in Russia's ongoing spiritual By the time EFC missionaries and Grace warfare: pastors and Christian laymen trained Church began to negotiate, the shell of the to carry on in the battle of church planting. • building had risen to four stories and Dennis Bowen and his family have served Dennis and Lydia Bowen in front of Grace with the EFCM for three years and are mem­ Church, built entirely by church members. bers of Naperville (III.) EFC.

BY DENNIS BOWEN M I N N N

THRILLED AT THE GOODNESS OF or herself as a Bible teacher. Instead of resort­ ing to a simplified gospel formula for evan­ gelism, time devoted to redemptive history will likely elicit a more meaningful response. And a church planter will often find it most effective to invite people to a series of theologi­ cal lectures following brief exposure to the gospel at an evangelistic crusade or concert. hen as a small hour to reviewing large sections "We don't expect them to fully grasp the boy I didn't eat of Scripture—moving from the gospel there," says Carl about such crusades. my food, Moth­ Pentateuch to the Historical "After three months of lectures, however, er never failed Books, to the Prophets, Gospels, they'll have enough exposure to make a Wto remind me of the "starving Acts, Epistles and on to the meaningful decision. Our lectures start with millions" in China. When I be­ Apocalypse. Genesis 1:1—God, the Creator." came restless at Bible reading, All of us—instructors, inter­ Day by day it became more apparent that she remarked that Russian preters, students and an increas­ Scripture constitutes the key to evangelism Christians didn't have Bibles. I ing number of visitors—thrilled and church planting in Russia. This should never did feel called to China. at the greatness and goodness not surprise us. As William Dyrness wrote Russia would be my field, I of the God who had orchestrat­ in Learning About Theology From the Third thought. But Russia was to re­ ed such a magnificent plan of World, "It is Scripture, and not its 'message,' main closed for decades. redemption. that is finally transcultural." More recently, of course, that Then we devoted three or I'm glad that my mother reminded me of door has opened. Nevertheless, four hours to course materials. Russia all those many years ago. She could after 50 years in missions and missiology, I Church-planting and church-growth courses not have foreseen what has happened since, have been reluctant to accept invitations to can quickly become an investigation into de­ nor what God will do in the future through Russia. There has been no shortage of short mographics, opinion surveys, marketing our Free Church mission staff as they strate- termers and, besides, that was never "my techniques and the like. Pastors in Kursk gize ways to best proclaim the Word and part" of the world. Nevertheless, when Dr. had already grown somewhat weary of this plant churches in the Russian culture. • Jim McNeill invited me to teach a course at approach Trinity Bible College (see "Ready for Battie," Instead, we focused on relevant biblical David Hesselgrave (above left) is emeritus opposite page), I changed my mind. data, which proved to be innovative and professor of missions at Trinity Evangelical On January 11—some 65 years after stimulating. Divinity School. He served with EFCM in those childhood lessons—I found myself During the last hour of each day, EFCM Japan for 12 years, then as professor of mis­ standing before 45 Russian students, about missionary Carl Brown—speaking in com­ sions at TEDS for 27 years. He is a member of half of them mature Russian pastors. petent Russian and out of successful church- First EFC in Rockford, III. My course was in church planting and planting experience development. It began with what I call the there—illustrated the ap­ "Pauline Cycle," where we reviewed Paul's plication of course mate­ strategy in diverse cultures—namely the rials to Russian culture. proclamation of the "big story" of God's deal­ For example, to avoid ings with mankind from Creation to Christ being dismissed as "just to Coronation and Consummation. As we another cultist," a pioneer discussed the significance of this approach church worker is well ad­ to effecting biblical conversion and world- vised to present himself view change, the class became riveted. Soon we had extended the devotional time Russian students in classes at the beginning of each day. Instead of focus­ at Trinity Bible College ing on a brief Bible passage, we devoted an

BY DAVID J. HESSELGRAVE

JULY/AUGUST IOQQ • RF.ACDN NORTHERN MOUNTAIN DISTRICT BELONGING TO THE "WE* ock Stewart knows the ing echoed within them three think of Unabombers—rugged isolationists feeling of belonging to years ago when they moved on the frontier, and loners. ("There probably something bigger than from Montana to establish the are a few," Rock quips, "because it's a good himself. As one of the Building a district office in Post Falls, Ida­ place to hide.") But there's more to the area REFCA's 22 district superinten­ ho. "We moved here on a Fri­ than that. unified district dents, he spends most Sundays day and our oldest son passed "People have had to learn to take care of on the road, touching base with away on Monday," he says. "We themselves," he explains, "because of the cli­ his church family. "They're the knew the pastor here, but we mate and the businesses they're in—farm­ greatest folks," he says of those in the North­ didn't have anybody else. We didn't have a ing, logging, mining. But that's not an ern Mountain District. "Everybody wants us church. We didn't even have a home; we just isolationist attitude. If a neighbor needs [at their church] all the time; we thoroughly had a house with stuff in it." help, you help. If you have a local Montana enjoy ourselves. I wouldn't be anywhere else." Rock recognizes that what his family ex­ license plate and your car breaks down, the At the same time, Rock knows how it perienced is often repeated on a larger scale, first car that goes by will stop, ask what you feels to operate independently. "The draw­ if churches aren't connected to each other. It's want, loan you a car, put you up overnight." back for all superintendents," he shares, "is no surprise, then, that one of Rock's goals as To further appreciate the challenge, con­ that we don't have one close church family. superintendent is to strengthen a sense of sider the district's spread-out terrain. When we're in a different church almost family across the district—a sense of "we." Spokane, Wash., is its only metropolitan area. every Sunday, it's hard for me to build that To grasp the depth of this need, consider In other places, people drive 35 miles to get to sense of belonging." the district as a whole. Most people, when church. Even in the winter. So you can see For the Stewart family the lack of belong- they envision Montana and northern Idaho, why it's difficult to gather people together for church ("which is one of the requirements for church—you have to get together"). Simply throwing several states together on a strategy map and calling them a dis­ trict does not mean you have strong con­ nections either, especially when they represent such distinct cultures. Nor do you have a natural cohesion when only 14 of your 30 congregations have been Free Churches since their beginnings. "When more than half of your family is 'adopted and that family has had few get-togethers," Rock explains, "they've had to get along by themselves for so long that's it's hard to think in terms of 'we.'" But we-thinking is increasing. Last year the district established the Church Assis­ tance Fund—pooling contributions from churches and the district itself, as well as in­ dividuals, to enable churches to stand to­ The Northern Mountain District includes northern Idaho, gether to meet each other's needs. western Montana and eastern Washington. Fund involvement has included helping

16 iEACON • (ULY/AUGUST 1999 pay the pastor's salary for the EFC in Butte, Mont., so that the new congrega­ tion could immedi­ ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT itual impact on the community. With oppor­ ately hire him. tunities increasing daily to speak of Christ's Several churches SEEING GOD love, peace and healing, it is apparent that each donated enough IN LITTLETON what man meant for evil, God has meant for to cover a month's Several were dead before anyone from the good. For example, one woman called the rent as well. When outside even knew what was happening. church to say that since the shooting, it's ob­ Pastor Chris Thomp­ It seemed like any other school day at vious to her that she must know God. son wanted to plant a Rev. and Mrs. Rock Columbine High in Littleton, Colo., but what Also, our missions/evangelism pastor, Jim church in Helena, Stewart began normally on Tuesday, April 20, contin­ Kimbriel, and another pastor in the communi­ Montana's capital, ued as hours of terror for students and par­ ty were granted free pages in both of Denver's fund assistance helped make for a smooth be­ ents alike. As we know now, the day ended major newspapers. On behalf of all the evan­ ginning. That plant also received a gift of with 13 students and one teacher gunned gelical pastors, they offered hope through the $10,000 from the EFCA's Shareholders Project. down by two other students before the two affirmation of God's goodness and sovereignty. District churches are building strong ties killed themselves. And when the memorial service was held in other ways too. "The wife of one of our Southern Gables EFC was immediately on April 25, with 70,000 in attendance and pastors needed emergency surgery," Rock plunged into the tragedy. Twenty-four of our millions more watching on television, the says, "and churches from all over sent mon­ students attend Columbine, and two of those gospel was clearly presented. As pastor of ey. This was a new church, new to the de­ injured and one killed are/were part of our Southern Gables, I was invited by Governor nomination. This builds the sense of'we.'" student ministry. Shirley Hickman, book­ Bill Owens to speak, along with Franklin As Rock looks around at the growing keeper for our church and a teacher at Graham and various civic leaders. Most of sense of belonging across the Northern Columbine, barricaded herself in a closet the music openly declared the importance Mountain District, it only further cements with several students for more than two of Christ. The response from across the his heart for his churches and the people in hours. Pastors Wayne Robey and Fritz Dale country has been overwhelmingly positive; them. "I just love working here," he says. immediately contacted families, visited hos­ people wanted to hear something substan­ "They're my kind of folks." pitals and drove to a local elementary school tial—words that spoke of God's sovereignty to stand and pray with parents awaiting and love in the midst of crisis. word of the fate of their children. It will be a long time before any healing PRAYER REQUESTS Within hours, Free Churches across the takes place in those lives where the wounds country began calling and sending e-mail have gone deepest, but God is using His 1. For alertness to opportunity. "We're messages of their prayers, an encouraging church to minister. in a rapidly changing world," says support for the days ahead. Like dozens of —by Dr. Gerald Nelson, senior pastor, superintendent Rock Stewart, "and I area churches, we coordinated several prayer Southern Gables Church, don't always recognize opportunities; vigils over the next 24 hours. Our youth lead­ and Stephanie Nelson, editor sometimes they look like obstacles. If ers met with 140 high-school students on the of "Women in the Harvest magazine I'm to provide leadership, I need to evening of the massacre. The next day, our recognize when God is saying, 'I want pastors and youth leaders were again avail­ you to be involved with this.'" able as students gathered to talk, pray and 2. For good stewardship of our simply be together. The following evening, resources, including Rock's time. people from the church and community 3. For church health. "It's too easy to came to pray, show support and attempt to think about numbers and size. I and put into perspective what had happened. the board members want to honestly For more than two years, the pastors of focus on health." evangelical churches in Littleton have been meeting weekly to pray, seeking greater spir-

BY DIANE MCDOUGALL Littleton's wounds: running deep

t UI.Y/A nr. n ST c N

HOLD ON TIGHT WHEN show me the place where I am to serve You? God answered by giving Adrian a dream. In J that dream, Adrian's pastor was talking to an Anglo pastor who asked, "Would you come?" "As soon as I said, 'Yes,'" Adrian recalls, "I woke up." Cesar Evaristo and Adrian knew each other from the church-planting course, and old onto your hat if but not for God. Just 30 minutes Cesar later mentioned what was happening driving through Sparta, The planting away lived a retired missionary in Sparta. When Cesar invited Adrian to Wise, anytime soon. couple, the Bjornstads, who not Sparta as a guest preacher, no one was oflglesia According to Randy only spoke Spanish but had prepared for Adrian's shock. "When I saw HLarson, senio r pastor of Faith Evangelical also planted 27 churches in Pastor Randy," Adrian says, "I thought to EFC, "We're getting windburn Libre La Venezuela. Things began falling myself, I've seen this face before. Where? from what God is doing. All the Cosecha into place for a special Spanish Then I knew. The man in my dream!" usual principles of church service at Faith EFC. That night in September 1997, Adrian planting have been blown away." Raul and Debbie De La Rosa preached, and four people came to Christ. It started when God pressed worked hard to organize a Faith EFC quickly decided that Adrian home a burden. Spanish-singing group, and on was God's pastor for them. But how would A release of people from August 8, 1997, 20 people they support a pastor for a fledgling church? Cuba to nearby Fort McCoy in enjoyed a service of music and Again, God provided. Apart from Faith EFC's 1980 had brought increased preaching in their own budget, the necessary funds began coming in crime, resentment and racial language. Afterward, they from individuals as well as Free Churches tension to the Sparta/Norwalk asked for more. from LaCrosse, Tomah and Prairie du Sac. area. Miffed locals moved out, while more Wanting to offer a weekly service in God had obviously been at work in Hispanic people moved in to man a new Spanish, Randy requested help. District Sparta, pressing home a burden, planting a meat-packing plant. Tension increased. Superintendant Gene Swanstrom referred spiritual hunger, and preparing workers and Meanwhile, at a Promise Keepers him to Pastor Cesar Evaristo of Racine resources. Next Fie would begin showing His conference four years ago, Randy realized Hispanic EFC. Cesar began traveling to Sparta faithfulness, despite tremendous obstacles. he was beginning to buy into the commu­ every week to help the growing church. Pastor Adrian and his family moved to nity's attitude of racial hatred. Repentant, "He drove four hours for the Saturday- Sparta in February 1998. The small church he prayed that God would lead some night service, preached, then arrived home at plant grew in size and spiritual under­ Hispanic families to Faith EFC. God began 1 am. to catch some sleep before services in standing, helping people like José Reyes, 30, to work behind the scenes. his own church," Randy explains. "Every time a worker at Sparta's meat plant. "For five In July 1997, God led two Hispanic he gave an altar call, someone came to Christ." months after I accepted Christ there was no couples to Faith EFC: Raul and Debbie De La The good news? Lots of people were Spanish service," José says. "I tried English Rosa, and Gil and Pam Acosta. When coming to Christ! The bad news: Randy and church, but I didn't understand anything. I Hispanic customers confided their prob­ Cesar each had his own congregation. Who lems to Gil, a local store owner, he usually would disciple all these new believers? "It's told them, "You should go to church." But he like one person in a nursery with 40 didn't know what to say when they babies!" Randy says. responded, "The churches either speak Some 250 miles away in Chicago, English or it seems like they don't want us." however, Adrian Rayo of Mexico was fasting Gil and his wife enjoyed attending Faith and praying after completing a church- EFC, but they knew that Pastor Randy wasn't planting course. Lord, he prayed, Could You fluent in Spanish. Where could Gil suggest that his customers go? Pastors Adrian and Randy (above) helped Spanish may have been a barrier for Randy, birth a church for Sparta's Hispanics. ^

BY IANELL ADAMS

18 • BEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 N H

Rx Diagnosis FOR HELP EVALUATING your church's health, check out the Mission USA web page specifi­ cally designed for church-health issues (www.efca.org/health.html). You 11 find several tools: a copy of the Ten Leading Indicators of a Healthy Church; a survey based on those indicators; a survey report to complete, to help Mission USA better serve our churches; and a list of resources that reinforce the 10 leading indicators. couldn't say anything. It was very hard. I poured a strong foundation for the new will do everything I can so the Spanish church. A foundation of praying fervently Eternal CPR service continues. I see Spanish people who amd watching God transform even difficult CPR SAVES A LIFE, but Eternal CPR saves a need to know God." circumstances for His own purposes. life forever. Then, one night in May 1998, agents from The church's eventual goal is to set down Spiritual "CPR" stands for cultivate, plant Immigration and Naturalization Services inter­ roots in nearby Norwalk, where 20 percent of and reap. Mission USA, in partnership with rupted a home Bible study of the growing the population is Hispanic. And the goal looks the Sonlife Ministries denominational part­ church. Adrian's 9-year-old daughter, Shared, attainable: In January 1999, a Norwalk bank nership, is helping to sponsor the Eternal watched helplessly as officials arrested her president phoned to say, "We're mankful for CPR Training Tour, coming to hundreds of father and several others, handcuffing them what you're doing in the community. We're U.S. cities. The tour will include a seminar on and hauling them away, citing immigration going to try to help you get a building." Great Commission principles this fall, and complications. The two congregations banded Randy points out that the responsiveness another on Great Commandment priorities together in prayer. And called a lawyer. in Sparta is not unique. As he's talked with in the winter of 2000. These seminars are cost By 9:30 that evening, the men were other Free Church colleagues, many are expe­ effective and targeted for believers, workers singing hymns together in the Monroe riencing an explosion in their local Hispanic and leaders in local churches. County Jail, including the song Dios Esta communities. "Can the Free Church be the For more information, check out the Sonlife Aqui ("God Is Here"). When Adrian left the first to reach out?" Randy asks. web site (www.sonlife.com). jail nine days later, seven fellow cellmates Because Faith EFC was available for an had come to the Savior. opportunity in its community, 40 to 50 Y20rder? Expecting to be deported, Adrian said he people (80 percent new believers) now WHY ORDER EXTRA ISSUES of our April issue would plant a church in Mexico if that's what God worship at Iglesia Evangelical Libre La of Beacon, "Y2K and the EFCA"? Because wanted, but the Sparta community, including the Cosecha (Harvest EFC). And they aren't the January 1, 2000, is just around the corner. And mayor, rallied around the pastor. They wrote only ones growing. Their mother church, God may be preparing hearts in your neigh­ letters telling of his work as translator at the free Faith EFC, just voted to hire an associate borhood or workplace as the countdown medical clinic, his time pastor. "God has done this," Randy empha­ intensifies and uncertainty increases. Why invested with strug­ sizes. "If I can boast about anything, it's my not be prepared, with a balanced perspective gling families and the incompetence. If you want to grow, plant." plus fresh ministry ideas from fellow Free positive changes at the What about your church? Is Mexico, Church members. meat plant India or China waiting at your doorstep? Is Consider buying bulk issues for your The INS eventually God calling you to the harvest, eager to church, and planning together cleared charges against provide the resources? When God is at to bring to your community Adrian and issued him work, hold onto your hat. • the good news of God's love a work visa, with the and sovereignty, over even possibility of citizen­ Janell Adams is a freelance writer in Buick, computers. ship in five years. British Columbia. She and her husband, To order copies, call Through these Mike, have pastored four Free Churches in Soo) 745-2202 and ask for obstacles, God has the United States and Canada. Troy Cox at ext. 438. m

EACON [ M

CHRISTIANS AND SECULAR SOCIETY programs on Monday, we don't know how to approach the gas station attendant, the store clerk or the "worldly" business associate on Tuesday. When faced with the task of social­ izing with non-Christians there's little commonality, so there's little exchange. THE COCO The result? We either ignore the unbe­ liever or, flaunting our spirituality, blurt out ave Christians linger­ Christian couples feasted on salvation Scriptures in an effort to capitalize ed in the church too church-laden conversations, on the moment. Either way, the results are the long?" my husband while the spiritual misfits same: alienation from the very people we asked one day. Can we relate quietly listened, offering an want to reach for Christ. HWe had recently hosted a occasional nervous smile. Unlike most of us, Jesus communed with anymore? table at an annual, church-related Attempting to compensate, sinners. He spent more time preaching in the banquet. Responsible for inviting Jim and I excluded ourselves streets than sermonizing in the temple. The guests to sit at our table, we had from our friends' table talk and ungodly didn't intimidate Him; they moved for some time discussed whom to invite. Four focused on the couple, hoping the others Him to compassion (Matthew 9:36). of our Christian friends said they would would follow our lead. But the religious Perhaps our sensitivity and compassion attend, but we needed two more people. dialogue continued. for the lost are buried because we have lost "How about inviting Larry and Kathy?" "Hey, I saw Dan the other day," one said. sight of our own sinful pasts and tendencies. Jim suggested, speaking of a non-Christian "Really? I haven't seen him since last spring." But Jesus still instructs us to "go into all couple we knew. "Well, you know the son they had so the world and preach the good news to all "Great!" I replied, thinking it a perfect much trouble with? He finally got saved a creation" (Mark 16:15). That mandate opportunity to acquaint the unchurched few Sundays ago!" propels us beyond luring the lost into our couple with our Christian friends. The verbal discourse was foreign to the sphere of Christian comfort. Instead, He When our guests arrived—a pastor and unchurched couple—just as social interac­ says, "You go into all the world " his wife, a Christian counselor and his tion with the "unsaved" was obviously "Go" is defined as: "to move out of and spouse, and Larry and Kathy—we promptiy foreign to our Christian friends. away from where one is." seated them around the large, circular table. Regrettably, most of us also box our faith From that perspective, perhaps we Chris­ After introductions were made, the initial within ihe hallowed halls of church walls. We tians have lingered in the church too long. • conversation revealed the unchurched speak of loving the unloved; we couple's spiritual status. Our Christian quote appropriate Scriptures and Tina Krause is a newspaper colum­ friends, respected church leaders, were expe­ pray significant prayers; we nist and freelance writer. She and rienced in ministry, so we felt confident they formulate strategic initiatives to her husband, Jim, live in Valparaiso, would help our unsaved friends feel right at lure the unchurched into our Ind., and attend Liberty Bible EFC home, even in a roomful of strangers. sphere of activity, and once there, in Chesterton, Ind. Soon, however, Larry and Kathy were we expect them to comprehend politely ignored as a rapid stream of reli­ our language, accept our method­ This article first appeared in the gious jargon flowed from the Christianized ology and embrace our theology. quarterly Shepherdess Interna­ end of the table. Throughout dinner, the two Yet apart from visitation tional Journal, in the fall 0/1996.

BY TINA KRAUSE

BEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 N N

AUSTIN, TEXAS

t's Longhorn country here. this vision. This many students Tell us about some of your students. The University of Texas is can create a mess of things, true: There is a group of recent graduates who embedded deep within the What's behind parking problems, over­ were involved in our leadership while they culture of this college town. the booming crowding. But our church loves attended UT After traveling to East Asia with IAnd deep within the hearts at our students. Campus Crusade for Christ and the EFCA, college ministry First EFC as well. Beacon maga­ they made a covenant with each other to at First EFC? zine talked with David Daniels, What's at the heart of your return as a team and use their experience in college pastor at First EFC, about ministry? business or education to minister long term. the church's heart for collegians. We had about 70 students in our ministry In the meantime, they took jobs when when I became college pastor in 1994. Now, they graduated that would keep them in the Not every church located near a university 650 to 700 attend our collegiate Sunday- same locale, to build community for a few is intentional about collegiate ministry. school class. Although the front door to our years. They took foreign-language classes What makes your church different? ministry is that class, the heart—the center- together, even serving with Asian churches to Churches can view college students as a point—is our small-group ministry. We have learn more about the culture. liability: They bring a lot of energy and are about 75 small groups and devote a large Then there's Derrick. When he started entrepreneurial, which brings change; they portion of our energy to teaching students to coming one summer, I wasn't sure he was a contribute to the church in terms of study the Word—giving them the tools to believer, so I invited him to get together. As ministry but not in terms of finances. feed themselves for a lifetime as well as we began to talk on the west mall of the A church must view college students as disciple others in the same. Our desire is to be campus, a very public place, I discovered the next elder board, the next group of a student-led, hands-on ministry. that he wasn't a believer, so I shared the missionaries. An entire church has to have gospel. Through tears, he said, "That's the Tell us about one of your dreams. most incredible thing I've ever heard." A typical Sunday-morning college class at We want to give every graduate the oppor­ He prayed that afternoon, got involved in Austin's First EFC tunity for long-term ministry to peers, but few our ministry and began serving on the churches are large enough to financially worship team. When we launched our first sustain a college staff, or they want someone collegiate summer project to Moscow, he had with experience. a tremendous impact there. After he gradu­ Our long-term vision is for a cooperative ated, he took a job up East and has since effort between college-minded churches, requested to transfer with the company to the Mission USA and other Free Churches former Soviet Union. From spiritual birth to a across the U.S. Students could come on staff vision for lifestyle, Derrick really caught that. at our church, for example, and raise support through the EFCA while being As David Daniels would say, there isn't a trained for a year with our philosophy of formula for making ministry like this ministry. When their training is completed, happen. Students aren't coming to First EFC we would send them to smaller churches because of a fancy program; they're coming strategically located near college campuses because of God. So sit back and watch as and let them launch a similar ministry. In University of Texas students spread their time, they could be enfolded into that contagion for God: from Austin to East Asia, church's ministry team and salary budget. Mexico to the world. •

INTERVIEW BY DIANE MCDOUGALI.

JULY/AUGUST 1999 • BEACON Choosing a college isn't easy. It's a big investment. It's the first step on the path of the rest of your life. And you want a college that will help you see your way. You want a place that will let you ask the hard questions. At Trinity, the faculty integrate the Christian faith with academics and life. So you're free to ask the big questions—about the big picture. See Clearly. Call Trinity at (8O0) 822-3225

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TRINITY INTERNATIONAL U N I V R S I T Y Committed to One Source of Truth

ARE MOST UNIVERSITIES ACTUALLY MULTI-VERSITIES?

s President of Trinity International stated, "Most universities today have no University I am often asked what I unifying notion of truth, of goodness, even see in the future for our school. of what students should become. At best, Honestly, I usually think immedi­ such schools can only be multi-versities." Aately of James' strong admonition: "Now A belief in God as the maker of all there listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we is and the source of all truth brings unity to will go to this or that city, spend a year there, the complex dimensions of higher educa­ carry on business and make money'Why you tion. Trinity must work to build a commu­ do not even know what will happen nity whose corporate life and values reflect tomorrow" (James 4:13-14). God's values as communicated by His Of course, in his strong warning, James is authoritative Word. not suggesting that all future planning is Our Mission. I envision a university that wrong. What he opposes for Christians is knows its mission and focuses its energies leaving God out of His rightful place. and resources toward fulfilling that mission. Acknowledging that God is sovereign over all Trinity International University exists to of our planning, I offer some perspectives form godly leaders who will transform the about Trinity's future as I envision it. world through Christ. Trinity graduates Our Foundation. I envision a university should be biblically grounded, Christ-centered that remains doctrinally sound. shapers of culture. As such, we have a funda­ All future endeavors must be rooted in a mentally different perspective from those commitment to the inerrant Scriptures as the around us who do not follow Christ. final authority for faith and life. Trinity has The personal life of the secularist is been characterized for more than 100 years by largely self-directed. The questions domi­ its unequivocal adherence to this affirmation. nating the secularist's planning for the As Dr. Kenneth Kantzer, dean emeritus of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Trinity's main campus, in Deerfield, III., is Trinity Graduate School, has frequently situated on 118 peaceful, wooded acres.

BY DR. GREGORY L. WAYB RIGHT

I ULY/AUGUST "Most universities today have no unifying notion of truth, of goodness, INSTITUTIONAL even of what students should become. At best, such schools can only REACCREDITATION be multi-versifies." — Dr. Kenneth Kantzer ANNOUNCEMENT

future are: "What would grateful for every talent and know better Trinity International University, bring me fulfillment? For how to handle adversity. comprising the College of Arts and what do I have a passion? My dream for Trinity International Univer­ Sciences, Trinity Evangelical Divinity What am I good at? How sity is that it will enable students to study the School, Trinity Graduate School, and might I succeed?" whole of life and to see God's role in it—at the Trinity Law School with campuses in As Christians, however, center of all things—and, in doing so, produce Deerfield, IL, Miami, FL, and Santa we ask, "What would people who excel in their occupations. Ana, CA, is seeking comments from Christ have me do? What • A person who is able to communicate its various constituencies regarding would please Him? How the implications of the gospel to the ever- the university (or any school within) should I play my part in changing issues of society. I want Trinity to in preparation for the decennial evalu­ what He is doing?" be a place where we relentlessly ask, "What ation by its regional accrediting Let me approach this difference does faith in Christ make in what agency. The University will undergo a in a different way. Let me we are facing?" comprehensive evaluation visit dream of what I trust will • A person who serves the church well. In November 14-17, 1999, by a team be true of those who his address to me at my installation as representing the Commission on graduate from any of Trinity's president, Dr. Roy Clements made Institutions of Higher Education of Trinity's schools. What the bold assertion, "Trinity may be a univer­ the North Central Association of do I want to see? sity, but it is an unusual university. You must Colleges and Schools. Trinity Interna­ • A person who is remember that what makes you distinct is tional University has been accredited growing in becoming a that your university exists by confession to by the Commission since 1969. The devoted follower of serve the church. Therefore, I urge you, Greg: team will review the institution's Christ—one who wakes Do not forget the church." ongoing ability to meet the Commis­ up each day asking not, We are a church-owned school. I believe sion's Criteria for Accreditation and "What do I want to do that the greatest place of God's work in the General Institutional Requirements. today?" but, "Since Christ world is the local church. Accordingly, it is is my Lord, what would our goal to produce students who have an The public is invited to submit He have me do today?" appreciation for the church—students who comments regarding the university. • A person whose are well suited and desirous of serving world view is based upon through the church, whether as lay or Public Comment these truths: that the professional leaders. on Trinity International University Trinity chapel services Scriptures are the final Simply stated, I see a future in which we Commission on tasu'tutions authority for all faith and unashamedly continue to be a Christian of Higher Education life, that God is the maker and sustainer of all university, fully committed to what God has North Central Association things, and that all truth comes from God. revealed about Himself and His world of Colleges and Schools Such a person will not compartmentalize through His Word. 30 North LaSalfe Street, Suite 2400 faith and worship but will seek the presence This means a commitment to studying that Chicago, IL 60602 of God and the relevance of His truth in all inerrant Word and living according to it; and arenas of life. answering the call to acknowledge the sover­ Comments must address substantive • A person who is well trained to fulfill eignty of God in all things and the Lordship of matters related to the quality of theI his or her own divine calling. Christ over every aspect of life. • university or its academic programs. Christian attorneys should be Comments must be in writing and better lawyers because they have Greg Waybright (left) has served as signed. Include the name, address and a fuller notion of justice. Chris­ president of Trinity International telephone number of the person tian physicians or psychiatrists University for four years. Prior to providing the comments. Comments can be better doctors because that, he pastored in three Free cannot be treated as confidential. they have a firmer basis for Churches in Illinois, California and compassion and understanding. Wisconsin. He and his family are All comments must be received by the Christian athletes can be better members of Arlington Heights EFC Commission by October 15,1999. competitors because they are in Arlington Heights, III.

24 • BEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 Bringing your thoughts toward home with news from our Free Church ministries to women, men, youth and children

Big hearts full of humble faith and great expectations WHEN CHILDREN PRAY

t was a cold, sunny, still winter's day in phone, saying things like, "God wants us to Pretoria, South Africa. A large, white take responsibility to pray about the tent stood outside the Dutch Reformed violence, not just leave it to our parents." Church, where pastors, intercessory At this point Jane dropped by the tent Ileaders and ministry directors from around with a group of adult intercessors to join the the world gathered for the 1997 Global children in prayer, but someone said it was Consultation on World Evangelization. Jane time to wind things up for morning tea time. Mackie of Australia served as intercession "We have one more thing the Lord wants leader for the children, but because she also us to do," Ellen announced. She suggested needed to attend the adult consultations, she that the children pray on their knees, Korean- handed leadership of the children's prayer style (all at once), for their country. The chil­ sessions to her 17-year-old daughter, Ellen, dren dropped to their knees. At the count of and her team. three, they cried out to God on behalf of those In the children's tent, Ellen and the team hurt by the crime and violence, asking God to of teenagers guided the 100 South African stop the destruction. children, ages 5 through 16, through basic Only seconds passed before the tent steps in preparation for prayer and interces­ began to shake, a gust of wind blew in and sion. Toward the end of the hour, as children dust flew everywhere. Jane encouraged shared their thoughts about what God them to keep praying. As adults looked in, seemed to be telling them, one girl began they saw clusters of young people weeping sobbing and a few others turned tearful. and interceding for their country. After the "What's wrong? What are you upset prayer time, one girl told the leadership about?" Ellen asked. The children were trou­ team that when the wind was blowing, she bled by the violence and crime in their had looked outside the tent and the trees country; they felt convicted that they had were standing still. grown so accustomed to it, they hardly Jane believes that the Holy Spirit swept mentioned it in their prayers. Suddenly a through that tent. "Only God knows the true line of children trailed up front to the micro­ value of the weight of those children's tears,"

BY CHERI FULLER "I believe that God is inviting children and youth to claim their rightful place as intercessors for God's kingdom."

Jordan, 4, prayed fervently, "God, I claim HELPING KIDS PRAY the whole world's salvation! Not half the world, the whole world!" Brenda and the few adults who had Consider the following questions trickled in watched with wonder. Five years and ideas: later, the weekly group is still going strong, and at times the kids have begged Brenda to • How would you describe the join them for an all-night prayer session. present prayer lives of your children? Many adults don't think of children as What would you like them to be like powerful intercessors or understand that one year from now? young ones can initiate prayer. But kids often possess a greater spiritual capacity than we • What are you presently doing to imagine, especially in prayer. Those who encourage your children in prayer? work, play and pray with children know there is no "junior version of the Holy Spirit." • What changes would you like to For years, and with good intentions, I make in your own prayer life that taught Sunday school by creating activities, could have a positive influence on telling flannelgraph stories, asking children your children? to fill in sheets about Bible characters or the fruit of the Spirit, and helping them learn the • Are there prayer events in your books of the Bible. There were good projects church or community in which both she says, "as He collected them and used that kept children busy, but I missed out on you and your child could participate? them for His purposes." God's desire to profoundly touch children Or could you begin an adult/child At a conference of informed, experienced, and their world through prayer. prayer group? adult intercessors, children led the way. In In recent years, God has been showing the same way, I believe that God is inviting me how to lead kids on prayer adventures • Help your child hear God. During children and youth to claim their rightful instead of just keeping them occupied while family devotions or bedtime prayers, place as intercessors for God's kingdom. their parents tend to "real" spiritual matters share how God says, "Be still, and Because they have not yet learned the in adult services. know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). caution and cynicism that too often accompa­ You'll find, as I have, that children can Suggest that your child sit for a few nies adulthood, most children naturally be astounding prayer partners. They will moments, as quiet as possible, and possess "big faith": They believe God can do surprise you with their spiritual insights, listen for God. Then ask, "What anything. I believe it is that wide-eyed wonder, amaze you with their big hearts, encourage thoughts did you have?" openness and expectation that prompted Jesus you when they pray for your needs, to say all of us should maintain those childlike humble you with their great faith in God • Find fun ways to memorize Scrip­ qualities in our prayer lives. and challenge you to spend more time on ture as a family. When kids know the A few years ago Brenda Steen, a California your knees. Bible, the Holy Spirit can bring its pastor, felt led by God to start a prayer group May you equip children to fulfill the truths to mind, and they can pray at her church. At the next Wednesday night calling and destiny God has for their lives from a rich storehouse of wisdom. Try service, she announced the first meeting and and this generation. And may you discover taking a block or chapter of Scripture invited everyone in the congregation. the awesome, wonderful things God does and memorizing it with your children, At that meeting, Brenda arrived early, when children pray. • just one verse a day. Then add to it, knelt at the altar and began to pray. Soon verse by verse, reciting together at she heard others. The sounds of children Excerpted from When Children Pray, copy­ bedtime or the breakfast table what praying—first praising God, then praying right 1998, by Cheri Fuller. By permission of you've learned. Before long, your kids for concerns—floated through the room. Multnomah Publishers, Inc. To order a copy, will recall an entire portion of Scrip­ "Oh, God, You're humongous! You have call NextStep Resources at (800) 444-BOOK. ture from memory. tons of glory!" Christian, age 9, said.

26 • BEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 H O M E B A S A Pastors Dilemma: When Family and Ministry Conflict MAKING TIME FOR DOUG

oug was the son of a pastor from vacations. This is the familiar recipe that has a public school schedule. an affluent, suburban church. I produced more than its share of neglected Home schooling allows you to coordinate was finishing seminary, working and often resentful ministers' children. your times off to maximize time together. Dpart-time for an upscale, North We pastors—at least most of us—are Other families may have weekends and Shore painting contractor. Doug and I met aware of the problem. Let me share with evenings, but you can have what they don't: the summer before his freshman year of you the four best ideas that have worked for slow, lazy mornings and fun-filled after­ college, when his dad arranged a job for him me in making time for my children. noons. And to schedule a family get-away with the same contractor. • Home school. What can work for you you can take advantage of a day or two The drop cloth billowed up in the as a pastor is the flexibility of your schedule. during the week. middle like a parachute, then—snap— Most of the benefit of that flexibility is lost, Doug and I jerked it taut between us. Every however, when your children are locked into fay Beuoy and his family drop cloth from the last week was ours to shake out, a fitting job for the two lowest men on the totem pole. "So," I said to pass the time, "I'm taking an informal poll with all the pastors' kids I meet—just two questions. My kids will be PKs before long, and I want to know what to do and not to do. What was good about having a dad as a pastor, and what wasn't so good?" Doug paused, looked down at the canvas, bit his lip, then looked up at me and said, "I guess I'd have to say, my dad always did a good job of expressing his love to me ... you know, telling me so " "That sounds pretty good," I replied, folding the cloth toward him. "Was there anything he didn't do so well?" Doug snapped out the answer quicker than the cloth: "He didn't make much time for me. He was always too busy becoming a successful pastor." There wasn't much I could say. In all the times I did my poll, I never heard a different answer to that second question. Never. Sacrificed weekends, six- day work weeks, multiple weeknight meet­ ings, missed holidays and interrupted

BY REV. JAY A. BEUOY Home schooling is a big decision, requiring the commitment of a stay-at-home mom, but it is by far the single greatest asset of time management for the pastor's family. Communion of souls • Mom's day off. My wife would quickly remind me that, in our case, this is only an afternoon and evening off, but you get the idea. Every Tuesday afternoon I take the kids PEN PAL REMINDERS with me to do grocery shopping, go out to eat and just generally hang out. The time works as love letters. This communion of two Here are a few: a pressure release valve for my wife and gives souls via the printed page (or my • "Have fun." (picture of ice-cream soda me the chance to experience, in a small way, laptop screen) moves me, inspires me and straw) what it's like to parent my kids on my own. and frequently is the very fuel keeping • "I hope that you have a good time there, Imy caravan going in the desert treks. For this idea to succeed, you must make and keep telling them about Jesus." that day as inviolable as possible. Pen it in Not long ago, my family received a thick, • (and my favorite) "Llave fun when you on your calendar, and accept no appoint padded envelope stuffed with letters from tell them about God. I hope you have a good ments other than sheer emergencies. little friends. Having learned that our family time with them. I hope they come to know • Sports. This idea emerged during home of six had recently moved (they were too God. Have a good time." schooling, when my children needed some young to know that this is at least a yearly Amazing words. Angelic communication. equivalent to the public schools' RE. My wife event with the Falconers), they consoled and Too often I am discouraged by the work and I told the girls that if they would each encouraged us with the thought of new before me, wondering how I will ever do it all. choose a sport—preferably one that can be friends, activities and adventures. But this is not a Christian viewpoint. It is pagan played over a lifetime—I would coach them. They told us of their dogs and cats, with and small-minded. Tmiy I am commanded to My oldest daughter chose tennis. Every personal illustrations, and of their own "serve the Lord with gladness" and to "come weekday afternoon, she and I work on her traumatic moves. And some included before Him with joyful songs" (Psalm 100:2): I game at the local tennis court. This is easy admonitions for us in the ministry here. In am buoyed up by the fact that "the joy of the enough, because tennis was a sport I played fact they were rather redundant. At first Lord shall be [my] strength" for traversing the in high school. glance, I took their preaching as childish Red Seas of my life. My second-oldest made life for over­ advice, but then I was struck by their Truly the Lord is honored as we have fun weight dad a lot more difficult. She chose succinct and sage theme. It was sound telling others about Him—despite weeping running. I'm slowly getting in shape, but the counsel, and from God no less, since it is He with those who weep and going out to sow real benefit is the satisfaction of construc­ who speaks out of the mouths of babes. in tears. There is always the promise of a tive, quality time together. joyful harvest if we do not grow weary in • Daddy-daughter dates. I used to take the well-doing. one daughter out to Hardees for breakfast I hope those kids write every Saturday, rotating between the chil­ again. I need those sacred dren. Now, we go out every other week, reminders. • spending an extra hour or two and some­ times a couple more bucks. Obviously, if you Suzanne Falsarier and have a son you can't call it a "daddy- her family, at left, orig daughter date." But don't worry about inally served with semantics. Find a name and do it. Time EFCM in the Demo­ alone with Dad is invaluable. cratic Republic of Congo (formerly Use these suggestions as you see fit, or let Zaire). Since 1997 your creativity ricochet. The bottom line is, they have served spend time with your kids. Make them a in Cote d' Ivoire in priority. If you do, you'll never have to worry Muslim ministries. about questions the pollsters ask. • They are members of Hope EFC in This article originally appeared in Pastor's Oakdale, Minn. Family magazine, June/July 1998. BY N. SUZANNE FALCONER fay Beuoy is pastor of Oak Hill EFC in Evans- ville, Ind.

28 IEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 M I N I N

EFCA PASTORAL CHANGES WHO'S WHO

GREAT LAKES DISTRICT MIDWEST DISTRICT NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT Kerry Glenn Castle Rock, Colo. Doug Dallas John McNeill Robert Ahlberg to Calvary EFC, Dale Lawson from Community EFC, from EFC, Kearney, Neb. from Oxboro EFC, Broomfield, Colo. to Rimrock EFC, Mahomet, 111. Bloomington, Minn. Todd Gunning Rapid City, S.D. Larry Marvel NORTHERN to Hope EFC, Roscoe, 111. to New Life EFC, Aurora, Colo. Dan Luebcke from EFC of Lena, Lena, 111. PLAINS DISTRICT Chuck Holloway to Southern Gables EFC, Howard Westiund Martin McCurdy ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT to Cornerstone EFC, Littleton, Colo. from Hope EFC, from Bethel EFC, Greg Fell Durango, Colo. Mark Middlebrooks Roscoe, 111. Devils Lake, N.D. from First EFC, Tim Johnson to Calvary EFC, to interim pastor, Bruce Dick Colorado Springs, Colo, fo Grace EFC, Longmont, Colo. Broomfield, Colo. EFC of Lena, Lena, 111. to Bethel EFC, Devils Lake, N.D. to Rocky Mountain District Doug Kehr* Bill Morris as associate superintendent to Cornerstone EFC, Resigned/Retiring, Lance Gentry Johnstown, Colo. from Pueblo (Colo.) EFC to Austin Bluffs EFC, Brent Kinman* Ralph Partelow* EFCA CLASSIFIEDS Colorado Springs, Colo. to Heritage EFC, to EFC of Lander (Wyo.) FULL-TIME FACULTY AT TEDS: The department of Biblical CHURCHES JOINING OUR EFCA FAMILY and Systematic Theology seeks two tenure-track faculty for fall of 2000. Candidates should have a specialization in systematic theology; cognate competencies in biblical studies or historical theology helpful. Both M.Div. and Ph.D. required. WHAT'S NEW Preference will be given to candidates with a record of strong teaching ability and significant publications, and to junior scholars with similar potential. Trinity is committed to CENTRAL DISTRICT [NAME CHANGES] [CLOSED] the classic doctrines of orthodox Protestantism, including the St. Paul's Evangelical Church, inerrant authority of Floly Scripture and a personal relation­ Creve Coeur, Mo. EASTERN DISTRICT CENTRAL CALIF. DISTRICT ship with a fully divine and fully human Jesus Christ as Lord Hope Community Church Hickman Community Church, and Savior. The doctrinal statement also includes an affirma­ SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT (formerly Hope Community Hickman, Calif. tion of the premillennial and imminent return of Christ. Bridgeway Community EFC, Fellowship, Swedesboro, N.J.) Inquiries and resumes should be directed to Dr. Bingham Austin, Texas EASTERN DISTRICT Hunter, Academic Dean, TEDS, 2065 Half Day Road, Deer­ SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT Grace EFC, field, IL 60015, USA, no later than August 31,1999. SOUTHWEST Stoney Hollow Fellowship Chambersburg, Pa. BORDER DISTRICT {formerly Northwood Commu­ Cornerstone EFC, SEEKING SENIOR PASTOR for a generous, missions- Community Bible Church, nity Church, Piano, Texas) Enola, Pa. minded, educationally and economically diverse church. Our Benson, Ariz. Faith EFC, 450 attendees reach into the communities of Fargo, N.D./Moor- head, Minn., and the 20,000 university students attending one Sun Cities EFC, SOUTHWEST Newmanstown, Pa. of the three universities there. Position requires minimum five Sun City West, Ariz. BORDER DISTRICT years ministry leadership experience with multiple staff. [formerly EFC of the Pinnacle EFC [formerly M.Div. or equivalent EFCA ordination or agreement to obtain Sun Cities, a church plant) Arrowhead Ranch EFC, Glen- is required. Send resume to: Northern Plains District, 925 dale, Ariz.—a church plant) Basin Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58504-6647.

PART-TIME YOUTH LEADER: Seeking an individual called by God, spiritually led and biblically qualified. Send inquiries IH MEMORY to First EFC, 401 Custer Ave., Billings, MT 59101. George E. Hedberg died February 12, 1999, and is survived by his wife, Astrid, his three chil­ YOUTH PASTOR sought by growing EFC (average atten­ dren, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, as well as by his sister and her son. dance 150) in central Wisconsin town. Contact Gene A member of First EFC in Rockford, 111., George also provided leadership in the establish­ Swanstrom, Superintendent Forest Lakes District, (715) 344- ment of several Christian ministries, including the EFCA's Fairhaven Christian Retirement 4288 or e-mail: [email protected] Center. In addition, he served for 30 years as executive director of Kid's Alive, Int., a Chnstian ministry to needy children and orphans, currently active in nine countries. Churches desiring to advertise a pastoral position should contact Remembrances may be made to the George and Astrid Living Memorial Fund, Fairhaven Rae Phillips, (800) 745-2202. ore-mail: [email protected] Christian Retirement Center, 3470 N. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61114.

senior pastors BEACON • JULY/AUGUST 1999 • 29 GETTING READY surance and other miscellaneous assets such as automobiles. This step allows you to see the total value of your estate, as well as con­ sider whom you would like to receive each of the assets that you list. Planning. Focus on what you understand TO GIVE IT AWAY to be God's plan of stewardship for the distrib­ ution of your estate. Imagine that you passed n effective estate plan ^ Second, parents want to pass away yesterday, and today's task is to distribute begins with well- property on to their children. all of your property. You also need to reflect on thought-out objectives. Can estate- Sometimes this happens during possibilities for your future: dependents no A No matter how elabo­ plunning tooh their lifetime, but the majority longer needing your support, death of a benefi­ rate your estate plan, if your objec­ help with vour of transfers occur after Mom ciary, inflation of estate values, etc. tives are not met, it's worthless. and Dad pass away. If you have an estate plan and are review­ retirement? As I meet with individuals The way we pass our assets ing or revising that plan, remember to pro­ concerning estate planning, three on to our children may have a vide current plans to your professional main objectives usually surface: First, they de­ significant impact on our children and grand­ advisors during this period. Which brings sire adequate retirement income. Many work children. Are they mature enough to handle a us to the fourth "P." hard during their lives, accumulating assets, windfall of inheritance? Do we want them to Professional Advisors. Few plans succeed only to run into financial difficulties during re­ continue to work and earn a living, or to be in our complex world without qualified advi­ tirement years. Can estate-planning tools help taken care of for the rest of their lives? How sors. Certified Public Accountants and tax ac­ with retirement income? much of our estate will be reduced by estate countants can be helpful in identifying taxes and probate costs? potential tax issues. Attorneys are necessary Finally, and most importantly, in the creation of wills and trusts. Since life parents want to transfer values to insurance is found in nearly all estates, you their children through their estate. I need good counsel to purchase quality plans. ask parents, "What values would you Working with a qualified Certified Financial want your children to possess?" Planner will enable you to make certain your Some respond with values such as plan is properly secured by safe investments. honesty, generosity, compassion, a The Ministry Advancement Department loving spirit. Two of the most com­ of the EFCA has developed a tool to help with mon values that parents want to pass the process of the four "Ps." This Estate Inven­ on are integrity and initiative. tory allows you and your family to itemize So how do we begin? Many your assets, directing your thinking to those planners ask their clients to consid­ areas that are important when drafting a will. er the four Ps: It also can be completed prior to your visit People. Think about the people with the attorney, which may reduce costs. If in your life (family, friends, loved you would like a complimentary copy, please ones, charities). What are their contact Paul Deakins at (800) 995-8578. needs? Do you want to show them Remember, successful estate planning re­ what is important to you by the way quires both a careful survey of what God has you distribute your estate? entrusted to you now, as well as a plan for how Property. Take time to list all of He wants you to then entrust it to others. your assets. This would include your financial assets (bank ac­ Paul Deakins is director of planned giving counts, stocks, retirement accounts, and a member of Lakewood EFC in White real estate, etc.), your home, life in­ Bear Lake, Minn.

BY PAUL DEAKINS . . . AND A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE

What spiritual heritage will we leave our children? We'll leave them something-whether we mean to or not. Will they inherit a godly spiritual heritage? This is too impoi tant to leave to chance. J*f* We need to be intentional. T" ^Kf^ "1 We need a plan. [ öMäd And we need help to carry out that plan. Heritage Builders™ can help-with practical, insightful resources to help you intentionally pass on a godly spiritual heritage... BECAUSE IT WON'T JUST HAPPEN BY ITSELF. And you can start today. For more infomation call NextStep Resources at 1-800-444-2665, or email [email protected] The planting oflglesia Evangelical Libre La n i K> 14 21 Cosecha Miraculous gifts 8 } Church-planting "We love our discussion preparation in students" in *J Kursk, Russia Austin, Texas

FROM THE PRESIDENT BEACON

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF AMERICA JULY/AUGUST 1999 • VOLUME 72, NUMBER 6 ll of us have been touched to the core by the events in Littleton, Colo., this past April. The grief of Aparents, friends, churches, the community and the nation has been pro­ found. The wound will heal only slowly. What moved me most, however, was that in the middle of this incomprehensible tragedy, the only rays of hope were the believers and their churches. They, more than any other group, brought love, hope and grace into the unspeakable nightmare. We have witnessed one of the great DR. UIU.IAM ). HAHEL ironies of our national history: Faith has been removed from the public schools, but when (continued on page 3)