The True Cost of Christmas Joseph: Adoptive Dad Unexpected Gifts Christmas for the Commoner Jesus: Rock, Water, Bread, Vine •

CHURCH OF GOD Evangel DECEMBER 2016

THE TRUE COST OF CHRISTMAS JOSEPH: ADOPTIVE DAD UNEXPECTED GIFTS CHRISTMAS FOR THE COMMONER JESUS: ROCK, WATER, BREAD, VINE •

december 2016 Contents volume 106 n issue 12

“BETHLEHEM’S PRIESTLY SHEPHERDS had to learn and follow special techniques and rituals during the lambing season. Bethlehem lambs born for slaughter were special lambs. To prevent harm and self-injury from thrashing about after birth on their spindly legs, each newborn lamb was wrapped in swaddling cloths. Then they were placed in a manger, or feeding trough, where they could calm down out of harm’s way. . . . “The shepherds who gathered around the Bethlehem stable where the Lamb of God was born were not witnessing anything new, except who was in the manger; the most important sacrificial Lamb who had ever been born, the Lamb who would close down the slaughterhouse of sacrifices, the perfect Lamb of God.”—Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola (Jesus: A Theography, Thomas Nelson)

christmas features 10 The Man in the Median by Terri Hereford Giving away my last 20 dollars 12 The True Cost of Christmas by Will Witte Given before the world was made 14 Joseph: Adoptive Dad by Sharon Beth Brani Chosen, righteous, and faithful 16 Unexpected Gifts by Cathy Mogus Blessings during a Christmas crisis names of jesus 21 The Real Vine by Aaron Brewer Remain in Him. 22 That Rock Was Jesus by David C. Nitz columns The ever-present, unchanging Savior 5 FINISH, Tim Hill 24 Drink Deep by Tammy Darling 7 On My Mind, Lance Colkmire The fountain of living waters 34 Church of God Chronicles, Douglas LeRoy 25 The Living Bread by Jordan Wilson departments An invitation to dine 4 Ministry Snapshot 6 By the Numbers Interview 8 Currents 26 Put Away the Firecrackers 17 GlobalConnect by Lance Colkmire 28 Viewpoints Talking with Oliver McMahan 31 People and Events

EVANGEL • dec 2016 3 PUBLICATIONS MINISTRIES DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR MINISTRY SNAPSHOT John D. Childers DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS A group from the Bethesda Church of God (Sumter, SC) who served people Terry Hart in need following Hurricane Matthew in October. MANAGING EDITOR OF PUBLICATIONS Lance Colkmire PRINTING DIRECTOR Mike Burnett DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING Wayne Walston

EVANGEL STAFF EDITOR Lance Colkmire EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Elaine McDavid COPY EDITOR Esther Metaxas GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bob Fisher SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Arleah DiFebbo

EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD Tony D. Cooper, Doug Baker, Les Higgins, If you have a ministry photo to be considered for this page, send it to [email protected]. David Jarvis, Cheryl Johns, James McIntyre, José Daniel Montanez, Harvey Turner Jr. Church of God DECLARATION OF FAITH INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WE BELIEVE: Timothy M. Hill, Raymond F. Culpepper, J. David Stephens, 1. In the verbal inspiration of the Bible. David E. Ramírez, John D. Childers 2. In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 3. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the CHURCH OF GOD congregations meet through- Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven out the United States and in more than 180 and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. other countries. To find a church and times of services near you, access the church website, 4. That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God www.churchofgod.org, or fax your request to for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins. 423-478-7616. 5. That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Publication of material in the Evangel does not nec- essarily imply endorsement of the Church of God. 6. In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost. The Church of God Evangel (ISSN 0745-6778) is edited and published monthly. n Church of God 7. Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people. Publishing House, 1080 Montgomery Ave., P.O. 8. In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250 n Subscrip- tion rates: Single subscription per year $17, Canada 9. In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the $24, Bundle of 15 per month $17, Canada $28, baptism in the Holy Ghost. Bundle of 5 per month $7.50, Canada $11.25 n Single copy $1.50 n Periodical postage paid at 10. In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, Cleveland, TN 37311 and at additional mailing and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. offices n ©2016 Church of God Publications n All rights reserved n POSTMASTER: Send change of 11. Divine healing is provided for all in the Atonement. address to Evangel, P.O. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 12. In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet. 37320-2250. (USPS 112-240) 13. In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.

MEMBER OF THE 14. In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked. EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL PRESS ASSOCIATION 4 EVANGEL • dec 2016 FINISH tim hill general overseer Christmas for the Commoner Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, announced the birth to ordinary people. for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy Note how the shepherds responded: Men and which will be to all people. . . . Glory to God “Now when they had seen Him, they in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill made widely known the saying which was women can’t toward men!” (Luke 2:10, 14 NKJV). told them concerning this Child” (v. 17 NKJV). Their journey back to their flocks HESE FAMILIAR LINES mean more saw them glorifying and praising God for help but be to us when we understand to whom what they had seen and heard. Tthey were spoken. Shepherds in the Matthew tells us when the religious drawn to first century were common laborers and people back in Jerusalem got the news of usually illiterate. They were looked down His birth, they did not bother to look for Jesus once upon by the religious people of their day, Him. It is significant that the common for the demands of their work made it people reacted by becoming evangelistic, difficult to follow Jewish ceremonial laws, while their religious peers did nothing. they learn such as the meticulous handwashing and This is why one of the goals in the other rigorous rules and regulations. They Church of God FINISH Commitment— who He were considered ceremonially unclean. But the guiding principle of our church in these unpolished, common people were this Assembly period and ongoing— the first to hear the good news. is to find the lost and disenfranchised, really is and According to Luke, the birth was including the unreached people groups unrecognized by most people. Although it around the world, engaging them in love that He has was ignored by earth, it was applauded by and winning them to Christ. It is these heaven. If the citizens of this world were common people who need the mes- oblivious to Christ’s coming, the hosts of sage of salvation and who most readily come for us. heaven were not. Breaking the bounds of respond to it. their invisibility, a vast angelic choir filled Mark 12:37 spells it out clearly and the hills of Bethlehem with the joyous concisely: “The common people heard strains of His birth announcement. him gladly.” Paul went into more detail It is interesting that the angel who when he wrote, “Remember, dear broth- came to the shepherds did not tell them ers and sisters, that few of you were to go to Jesus. However, the angel knew wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or they would go, saying, “You will find a wealthy when God called you. Instead, Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in God chose things the world considers a manger” (v. 12 NKJV). They could not foolish in order to shame those who think help but go after hearing the amazing news they are wise” (1 Cor. 1:26-27 NLT). about the Christ child. “Let’s see this thing God is still intent on all people—rich that has happened, which the Lord has told and poor, educated and not, sophisticated us about,” they said (v. 15 NLT). Men and and simple—hearing the good news. That women can’t help but be drawn to Jesus is why He has put into the hearts of His once they learn who He really is and that people to make sure the message gets He has come for us. delivered. And that is why the FINISH When Jesus was born, God bypassed Commitment occupies our thoughts and men of royalty and religion and ministries, even at Christmas.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 5 BY THE NUMBERS

SHARE OF DISCARDED ITEMS RECYCLED IN U.S. 99% Car and truck batteries

LARGEST AMERICAN CHURCHES Corrugated boxes (by weekly attendance) 88% 39,056 Rubber tires North Point Ministries (Alpharetta, GA) 40%

38,346 13% Plastic bags Church of the Highlands (Birmingham, AL) 33,761 6% Small appliances Source: Environmental Protection Agency report NewSpring Church (Anderson, SC) 28,399 Gateway Church (Southlake, TX)

Source: Outreach 25,612 Magazine. com Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA)

6 EVANGEL • dec 2016 ON MY MIND lance colkmire editor THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR Y FORMER next-door neighbor . . . Christ’s birth had been announced whoever wishes to be first and most was an accountant—which may to heads of state rather than to simple important among you must be slave of Mexplain why he kept a stake shepherds? all” (Mark 10:43-44 Amp). in the ground marking the separation . . . Christ’s gifts from the Magi had Consider three wrong responses to between our yards. Since our houses were been multiplied by dozens more extrava- Christ’s call to servanthood: on a steep hill, mowing our respective gant gifts? 1. I believe in servanthood; so why lawns was a bit difficult; however, the If all this were true—if Christ had aren’t you serving me? Some individu- accountant was always careful to never received the greatest comfort, highest als are so spoiled that even if they get mow any grass that belonged to me. I status, costliest riches, and most popular- involved in a service activity, they feel know this because if I missed a few blades ity this world can offer—it all would have they deserve to be served by others at when I mowed, they would be standing been worthless compared to the magnifi- the same time. extra tall waiting for me the next time. cence He left behind in heaven. 2. Watch me—I’m serving! This per- When we moved to our current house, son wants to compare his or her list of next to a high-school band leader, I was good deeds to everyone else’s, which surprised when he mowed all the way up Christ’s does a disservice to the idea of service. to our driveway—which meant cutting servanthood Christ said if we are serving just to be an eight-foot-wide strip of our lawn. This seen, our only reward will be the plea- happened not just once, but repeatedly. was displayed sure we get from showing off (see Matt. And I thanked him. 6:5). Both the accountant and the band from His first 3. I will gladly serve most people. This director are good men, but only one attitude reserves the privilege of decid- showed a servant’s heart. One wouldn’t go cry in a ing who will be served, ignoring the an inch beyond his responsibility, while Bethlehem barn appeal to “be slave of all.” the other gladly gave in an unexpected To live as servants, we must adopt way, wanting nothing in return. until His three opposite attitudes through the We know which of those two neigh- power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ: bors Jesus Christ was like, for He told His final cry on 1. I will humbly serve others while followers, “I am among you as one who releasing any expectations of others serves” (Luke 22:27 NLT). a humiliating serving me. Think of it like this: The Son of God was cross. 2. I will not compare my acts of ser- living “next door” in the heavenly realm, vice with anyone else’s but, instead, will which He left to become one of us. He Yet, Christ moved here willingly and serve to bring glory to God. “became flesh and blood, and moved into intentionally. He told His disciples, “The 3. By the grace of God, I will serve the neighborhood. We saw the glory with Son of Man did not come to be served, those whom I least feel like serving— our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like but to serve, and to give His life a ransom which perhaps is the most Christlike Father, like Son, generous inside and out, for many” (Mark 10:45 NKJV). aspect of servanthood. true from start to finish” (John 1:14 TM). The Son of Man’s radical commit- In the very act of His coming to ment to servanthood was displayed from earth as “flesh and blood,” Jesus Christ His first cry in a Bethlehem barn until was serving. Look at it this way: What if His final cry on a humiliating cross. In Christ’s birth into this world had been between, He served by loving the unlov- radically different than it was? What if . . . able, forgiving the unforgivable, curing the . . . Christ’s earthly parents had been incurable, and touching the untouchable. Four ways to wealthy rather than poor? Today, Christ expects believers to fol- contact the editor: . . . Christ had been placed in a palace low His example by serving others. He • [email protected] • 423-478-7592 nursery rather than being laid in a feed said, “Whoever wishes to become great • Church of God Evangel on Facebook trough? among you must be your servant, and • Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250

EVANGEL • dec 2016 7 CURRENTS

The purpose of CURRENTS is to inform readers of trends and events influencing the culture.

lished rates, such as Information Systems Technician Second Class (IT2) or Electron- ics Technician Third Class (ET3), give many sailors reason to be proud of their naval heritage. Schoanna Smith, a sailor stationed aboard the USS Mustin in Yokosuka, Japan, asked Stars and Stripes, “Why can’t we be noticed as Boatswain’s Mates? Not everyone does the same job. . . . I feel it’s like saying all the rates are the same, which they aren’t.” The move to eliminate the rating system follows Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus’ decision to eliminate use of the word man in any Navy or Marine Corps job titles. The Marines have removed “man” from 19 occupational titles but were, as yet, unable to find suitable gender-neutral Leaders Attend are the minority. Mark Batterson, lead terms for rifleman or mortarman. pastor of National Community Church in Rather than undertake the tedious Multi-Generational Washington, D.C., said 50 percent of the task of creating gender-neutral terms for Churches church is single 20-something millennials, dozens of ratings, including “Yeoman” or n NINE OUT OF 10 evangelical leaders and he is one generation ahead of them. “Hospital Corpsman,” the U.S. Navy went attend a church that is primarily com- Anderson said, “Many churches further than the Marines and scrapped the posed of people in other generations, reflect the generations of the communi- entire rating system, opting instead for a according to a National Association of ties where they minister. The average age rank and job classification system similar Evangelicals (NAE) survey. Only 6 percent of Americans is rising, so churches have to those used by the Army and Air Force. said they attend a church mostly made up older generations than in the past when From now on, sailors in the lowest of people in their generation. preschoolers outnumbered retirees. The pay grades of E-1 to E-3 will simply be “Unlike many other civic institutions big exception is churches ministering to called “seamen,” a term for which Mabus —Boy Scouts, AARP, etc.—that appeal immigrant communities with lots of chil- to a particular slice of the population, dren and young adults.”—NAE.net the church brings people together across generations,” said Leith Anderson, NAE Navy Yields to president. “In an age of micro-targeting, the church is a place where young and old Political not only mix but learn from each other.” Correctness Jim Tolle, pastor of El Camino Metro n IN A DECISION the Navy Times called Church in Los Angeles, said, “When Jesus, “a tectonic shift in the Navy’s personnel through the Holy Spirit, began the first system,” the service recently abandoned church, it included a diversity of people the time-honored tradition of referring to groups, age groups, and socioeconomic enlisted sailors by their rating, or job title, groups. It is incumbent upon us to reach as well as their rank. those who are within the sphere of where Ratings such as Gunner’s Mate, Boat- Jesus has called us to serve, including swain’s Mate, and Quartermaster have those beyond our own generation.” a lineage going back hundreds of years Some noted their church is composed to the Continental Navy and the British mostly of a different generation, and they Royal Navy. Even more recently estab- acknowledged he could find no good Now, the Israel Antiquities Authority gender-neutral substitute. reports archaeologists have uncovered a “Respectfully this is the stupidest deci- city gate-shrine they believe Hezekiah’s sion ever,” wrote one commenter on the men demolished at the city of Lachish in Navy Times Facebook page.—WNS the eighth century B.C. Lachish, a walled city that guarded a Where Buddhism main road between Jerusalem and Egypt, fell to Assyria during King Sennacherib’s Is Not So Peaceful siege in 701 B.C. The siege is documented n THANKS TO ITS promotion by figures Another pastor has led a church in in several sources, including the Bible, from Hollywood (Richard Gere) and Sili- Kandy district, central Sri Lanka, for 30 Assyrian documents, and in a series of con Valley (Steve Jobs), Buddhism in the years. When he started building an exten- reliefs that once decorated King Sennach- West presents a “peaceful” face. Yet Chris- sion to his church in December 2015, he erib’s palace at Nineveh. tians in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka, as was told by the village committee, police, Archaeologists unearthed a staircase well as other minority religions, see things and religious officials to stop, and that he that ascended to a large room contain- differently. was no longer welcome. The community ing numerous ceramic artifacts—such as The belief that, in Sri Lanka, Buddhism filed a case against him and, in court, the lamps, bowls and stands, a bench where is tied to national identity is key to under- judge ruled against him for having an unau- offerings were placed, and two four- standing the locals’ fear and opposition thorized place of worship; he was ordered horned altars. The horns on the altars had to minority religions—especially Christi- to close down the church. He appealed his been intentionally cut off, likely evidence anity (7% of the population), Hinduism case and won, but then local Buddhist vil- of the reforms King Hezekiah instituted. (12%), and Islam (9%)—said Mahesh De lagers singled out business owners at the In a corner of one room, the archaeol- Mel, missions director of the National church and stopped buying their goods and ogists also found a stone fashioned in the Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka services.—World Watch Monitor shape of a chair with a hole in its center, (NCEASL). likely a toilet built as the ultimate desecra- “Locals think Christianity is a new Archaeological tion of the place. Researchers have found kind of colonization,” De Mel said, noting Finds Reflect stones like this before. tension when Christians visit local villages, There is Biblical evidence that, on where it is assumed they are paid to evan- Hezekiah’s Reforms occasion, when the people demolished a gelize: “They think you have a CIA agenda.” n KING HEZEKIAH abhorred the idol site of idol worship, they would build a “We don’t see many organized worship rampant in Judah. When he toilet at the location, a practice described extremist groups having much to say in began his reign as the nation’s 12th king, in 2 Kings 10:27: “They demolished the public,” he continued. “But, since January Hezekiah “removed the high places and pillar of Baal, and demolished the house 2015, we have seen more than 140 inci- broke down the sacred pillars and cut of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day” dents against Christians.” down the Asherah” (2 Kings 18:4 NASB). (ESV). But this is the first time an archae- What happened at two churches is ological find has con- typical of the different levels of attack. A firmed the custom. church in Wattala, western Sri Lanka, was Laboratory tests approached by a mob of locals, including indicate the stone Buddhist monks, who threatened to burn chair was never used down the church—with the pastor, his as a toilet, suggesting wife, and three children inside. The monks it was put there for decided they didn’t want his church next symbolism.—WNS to a Buddhist temple, even though it had been there for six years already. They (left) Remnants of registered a complaint against the pastor, the broad wall of but he was acquitted by a judge who used Jerusalem, built dur- new legislation on religious freedoms to ing Hezekiah’s days discharge both him and his church. (wikipedia)

EVANGEL • dec 2016 9 by TERRI HEREFORD

The Man in the MEDIAN Our Christmas Eve Turnaround

S I TURNED onto Garden Street, had sunk down to frame his wrinkled, was no longer an option. I quickly listed there he was, standing in the hollowed-out face on both sides, nearly the house, sold it, and moved to Florida, median in a monsoon rain. He reaching his chin. near the Kennedy Space Center. I didn’t Awas a frail whisper of a man, Water was running off the man’s know if I was making the right decision almost more beard than flesh. Though hands as though they were rain troughs, or not. I only knew I needed to be as far hammered by the drenching rain, he was while they clutched a soggy, barely read- away from that place as I could go and still as dirty as a coalminer on payday. able sign saying, “Will work for food.” The never look back. In the downpour he stood like a sen- rain had made the letters run, and the The winter of the previous year had try at Buckingham Palace—not moving colored water dripped off the bottom like been brutal. We had nearly four feet of a muscle, his empty stare fixed. He was a liquid rainbow. heavy, wet snow on top of ice. Several oblivious to the weather that had soaked It was Christmas Eve 1994. My hus- roofs in the neighborhood, not able to the tattered, soiled three-piece suit he band of 20 years had died of a sudden bear that kind of weight, collapsed. The was wearing. The 10-gallon hat on his heart attack six months earlier. To con- accumulation was so deep the victims head was so waterlogged that the brim tinue living in the old house in New York were inaccessible to emergency vehicles.

10 EVANGEL • dec 2016 They had to rely on neighbors for help. “We will have a good Christmas,” I down my window and gave him my I would lie in bed at night listening to declared. 20-dollar bill. I remember thinking, He the creaking above my head, wondering if In one sense, our cup was half full needs this more than I do, and if he does we would be next. By the grace of God, we with a new house in Florida, sunshine, something with it that he shouldn’t do, that’s escaped the power failures that plagued warm weather, and beautiful beaches. between him and God. other houses nearby. A state of emergency However, the other half was empty— I made a U-turn at the next light and had been issued, and anyone caught driv- we were 1,300 miles away from family went home. As I drove past where he had ing would have their vehicle impounded and friends for Christmas, there was been standing, the man was nowhere in and be arrested. It was that bad. no money to speak of, and it was my sight. Without my husband, I knew I couldn’t kids’ first Christmas without their dad. I I didn’t feel like I just gave away go through another winter like that. wondered which half of the cup my kids Christmas; I didn’t feel defeated. There In the course of relocating to Florida, would remember years later. was no regret for giving him all the cash the moving company had damaged a lot I had. Obviously, his troubles were far of our belongings. I had filed a claim with worse than anything I had gone through. their insurance carrier and was waiting for On the way home, the sky cleared, and a check. They assured me it wouldn’t take the sun came out. long. Because they had come quickly to I was shocked I pulled in the driveway, got out of the view the damages and always returned my car, and checked the mailbox. Once again, calls, I trusted in their comforting promise there was no check from the insurance of a speedy resolution. by the sight company. However, there was a letter Most of what the claim covered were from my attorney in New York, with a items I didn’t want to replace. A lot of of the man November postmark. the things I brought from the old house Oh great, more bad news, I thought as seemed starkly out of place in the new standing still I reluctantly opened the envelope. Inside one, especially my snow shovel. Conse- was a letter that, in so many words, said, quently, I decided to use the claim money “Dear Mrs. Simmons [my name at the for Christmas. in the time]: I am very sorry that my office made Every couple of weeks, I would give a mistake on the closing of your house. the company a call to see how much lon- pouring rain. Please find the enclosed check for $1,848. ger it would take for the check to come. Merry Christmas.” They said it would certainly come before My house in New York had closed on Thanksgiving. I grabbed my purse and found a lonely September 27; I received that letter the A lot of unexpected expenses were 20-dollar bill. After some quick calcula- day before Christmas. No one had ever starting to pop up, and I was getting ner- tions, I decided I could get a chicken, some called to tell me about any mistake; no vous about my finances. Daily I watched rice, a box of Stove-Top stuffing, a can of one ever told me what the mistake was. for the mailman with great expectation, corn, and some cranberries. I would still Even stranger was why he closed the letter only to be disappointed. have a few dollars left for two small gifts. with “Merry Christmas.” The November Meanwhile, my 7-year-old daughter I got in the car to fulfill my mis- postmark showed it was not yet Thanks- spent hours looking through the Sears sion, heading up Washington Avenue to giving when the check was mailed. Christmas catalog. She was trying to Walmart. Ahead, I could see a storm brew- At that moment, the unanswered decide which fantasy favored her fancy ing—the dark clouds hung low. I consid- questions did not matter. I knew that 50 the most. It was hard to watch. I knew I ered turning back, but I had to press on. years from now, my kids would not have couldn’t let her down. Tomorrow depended on it. a memory of this being their worst Christ- My son, barely a teenager, had not By the time I got to Titusville, it was mas ever. wanted to leave New York and his friends. raining so hard I could barely see, even I also knew God had sent an angel It took some work to get him to trust my with the wipers on full blast. I rounded waiting in the rain because, until I let go decision to move. I promised him this the corner onto Garden Street, giving of what was in my hand, God would not was the best thing for all of us. Surely he thanks to God that the rain was finally release what was in His. would think I had lied to him. letting up enough to see the road. That’s I needed to stop thinking and start when I saw the man in the median. Terri Hereford lives in Titusville, Florida, doing. I had to snap out of it and pull Shocked by the sight of this man and is a student in Lee University’s Division myself up. standing still in the pouring rain, I rolled of Adult Learning.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 11 by WILL The TrueWITTE Cost of CHRISTMAS Beyond Billions and Trillions of Dollars

HAT IS THE annual cost of celebrating an unwed, teenage peas- ant girl’s giving birth to a baby in a make- shiftW animal shelter attached to an inn in a Middle Eastern town under oppressive military occupation? Americans spent $3 trillion on Christmas in 2013. The previous year, we spent $465 billion on gifts alone. Last year, a Gallup poll showed the average American household planned to spend $830 on Christmas —a big increase from $720 in 2013. According to a 2015 Survata survey, less than half of the Americans who borrowed money to cover Christmas expenses expected to pay off their holiday debt within five months. Christmas is the longest holiday season in the Western world. The shopping ceremonially begins in late November with Black Friday, followed by Cyber Monday, then Super Saturday, finally culminating

12 EVANGEL • dec 2016 on December 25. Shopping tapers off with industries will invest in specific spending Before you relax and think, Of course, sales and discounts that run until New ventures directly tied to this one holiday this is what Christmas is all about; God gave Year’s Day. event, not to mention the sales and mar- us His Son that we might be saved, think However, the season seems to expand keting industry. deeper about the matter. Consider this: into earlier territory every year. Now Christmas is like no other holiday in Christmas was bought and paid for in full it crosses over into Halloween, bypass- the world. Even some people who oppose far before that “Silent Night” in “O Little ing Thanksgiving all together. In the Christmas spend lots of money in an Town of Bethlehem.” blink of an eye, decorations go from effort to eradicate its celebration. All that Unlike modern society where Christ- cobwebs, spiders, and skeletons to LED said, one cost remains unaccounted for on mas is something to be saved up for in lights sequenced to music overshadow- the ledger. It’s the cost of life. advance, or something to be paid for over ing manger scenes, rotund men in bright When my wife was pregnant with time on credit, God’s approach was much red velvet suits, and animated blow-up our son, one day she called me crying. more contemplative and comprehensive. characters of all shapes and sizes. Even Her words were almost unintelligible. All His plan was consistent and in keeping this spectacular visual display doesn’t do I could make out was her doctors were with His character. He chose to fully pro- enough to express the impact and expense sending her to the hospital because they vide for the needs of His creation before of this one day. were concerned about the baby. its very existence. In Revelation 13:8, Nearly 20 percent of America’s annual Jesus is called “the Lamb slain from the retail sales are dedicated to the celebra- foundation of the world.” tion of this unspecified date from history. God made no use of layaway. He did We don’t know the actual date of Jesus’ not contribute to a Christmas savings birth; we just know the story. A carpenter Jesus is “the Lamb club. He did not scrape and save to pull and his teenage wife have a baby while together at the last minute a small fortune out of town on a government-mandated slain from the with which to save the world. Instead, He trip designed to assess their share of the carefully, deliberately, and lovingly looked tax burden. A bestseller indeed! It has foundation of the over the void of time and eternity and become arguably the single largest annual chose to love all that He would ever bring economic event in the world economy. into existence. By doing this, He willingly Yet, even this does not come close to world” (Rev. 13:8). took on the full responsibility and debt we describing the total cost of Christmas. could ever come to owe. Without the birth of Christ, there God wrapped His Son in the garments would be no United States of America, As I sped from my workplace in down- of a sacrifice whose value was more than and thus all of our national holidays owe town Chattanooga—turning a 45-minute all the created order could ever amass in their existence in part to this holiday of trip into 30 minutes—I prayed for the possessions, power, pleasures, and per- holidays. The combined costs of all these Lord to have His way regarding Lauren versions. This gift is worth more than all holidays too barely make a dent in the and our baby boy. I prayed for protection, the elements of the created order com- total cost of Christmas. healing, and all the other things you pray pounded over the annals of time beyond The international commerce gener- for in such a situation. this present age. ated by Christmas is known all too well by As I passed Exit 7 on I-75, a thought Before the first words of Creation were domestic and international transportation crossed my mind. Before I knew it, I spoken, the heart of God gave His only and service industries. What this one holi- shouted, “Anything, but not my son!” Son, the crucified Lamb standing alive day means to their top and bottom lines Immediately the Spirit of God gripped my beyond death and the grave. Oh, what a is staggering. The scope of the spending heart; I repented and asked God to forgive present He gave! Oh, what a price He paid! goes far beyond simple gifts under a tree. me. I told Him I was willing to surrender The true cost of Christmas was the Christmas is the cash cow that never to His will, but begged that in His mercy price the Father paid in the willingness runs dry. The breadth and depth of indus- He might spare our son. to surrender all that was precious to Him tries impacted by Christmas is limitless. The true cost of Christmas cannot be that He might redeem all He had cre- Companies like FedEx and UPS will add tallied until the cost of the greatest gift is ated. The only cost that could have been numerous dollars to their operational added. The appropriateness and grandeur greater would have been if He had said, and capital budgets to gear up to meet of this gift says more about the nature “Not My Son.” the demands of the season. Warehous- and character of the Giver than its recipi- ing, manufacturing, fast-moving con- ent. The greatest present of all is God’s Will Witte is pastor of the Copper Hill, Ten- sumer goods, white goods, and electronic gift of His Son. nessee, Church of God. [email protected]

EVANGEL • dec 2016 13 by SHARON BETH BRANI JOSEPH: ADOPTIVE DAD NE MOMENT I will never We may never know the answers to indicates Joseph’s responsiveness to God. forget is walking out of the these questions, but we can grasp some He was a man of integrity who was willing orphanage in Borivichy, insight into his character by noting the to do God’s will, no matter what. Russia, carrying my pre- pattern of his actions. Although others may have disapproved cious 7-month-old daugh- Joseph is first mentioned in Mat- of his decision, Joseph did what he knew ter in my arms. She slept thew 1:18-25, where he is referred to as was right. How many times, as an adop- soundlyO while I drew her blanket-wrapped a righteous man. But this righteous man tive parent, have I needed to make hard body close, shielding her from the cold faced a heartbreaking dilemma at the news decisions for my children—decisions December winds. It was midnight on of his beloved’s unexplainable pregnancy. not always met with approval? Difficult Christmas Eve, and God had given me my He and Mary were betrothed, and her school situations, discipline issues, setting heart’s longing—a child to parent for Him. apparent unfaithfulness carried a social healthy boundaries, and other decisions The snowflakes were gently falling stigma. According to Jewish civil law, face parents every day. Joseph’s example is around me, and while others in the group Joseph had the right to divorce her, and an encouragement to parents to obey God of newly adopting parents were unaware, the authorities could have stoned Mary. rather than to seek approval of others. I knew it was a God moment. My heart He faced an extremely difficult choice. Joseph’s tough choices were not over sang. Along with the song was an aware- However, God appeared to him in a with that first dream; he received yet ness of the huge responsibility that was dream, telling him to carry through with another dream from God after Jesus’ now mine. I knew I needed God’s help to his plans to wed Mary and revealing that birth. In Matthew 2:13-15, God told parent this child. her child would be the Messiah. Taking Joseph how to protect Jesus from Herod’s At Christmastime, as I remember that Mary and Jesus as his own was prob- wrath. Although not Jesus’ natural father, special night, my thoughts frequently turn ably humiliating for him in the eyes of the Joseph was His legal father and respon- to the time of Jesus’ birth. Was Joseph community, but he chose to obey God. sible for His safety and well-being. gripped by that same kind of overflowing awe His actions reveal not only his strong Once more, Joseph was receptive to and thanksgiving? Did he draw Mary close to principles but also his sensitivity and self- God’s guidance, and he obeyed. He took his side as they gazed at their newborn son? discipline. This first act of obedience also Mary and the Child to Egypt, where God What was there in Joseph that prompted enabled him to provide for them. God to choose him to be Jesus’ earthly Is it too much to believe God will father? What can I learn from him? enable us as well to provide for our chil- These questions and others have dren? As a single parent, I too have expe- prompted me to read and research. As an Did Joseph ever rienced moments of financial concern, but adoptive parent, my curiosity and inter- God has always provided for us. What He est in the character of Joseph is great. He has done in the past I am sure He will do knew what it was to parent a child he did wonder why he in the future. These precious children are not father. Did he ever wonder why he His, and He will continue to guide me in was chosen? Did he ever feel inadequate? was chosen? providing for them. Did he ever gaze into the night sky won- Joseph’s story of faith and obedi- dering how he would do it? ence does not end in Egypt. Again, God

14 EVANGEL • dec 2016 appeared to Joseph in a dream, revealing to him the time was right to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel (vv. 19-23). Joseph immediately returned. On the way, he learned the new king was a violent man. This news certainly must have troubled him. Once more, God spoke to Joseph in a dream, guiding him to Galilee, where the family could settle in Nazareth. This fulfilled a prophecy concerning the Messiah, and Joseph again obeyed. We do not know how long Joseph lived as Jesus’ earthly father. He is last mentioned in Scripture when Jesus was 12 years old. However, Joseph trained his son in carpentry and made sure He had spiritual training in Nazareth. He also took the whole family on the yearly trip to Jerusa- lem for the Passover, which Jesus continued to observe during His adult years. While we only get a few glimpses of Joseph, Scripture reveals that he was faithful to God. Could it be that this is the key to successful parenting—to model a life of consistent faithfulness and obedience to God? Obedience to the guidance we receive from God leads to more guidance from Him. Social position or previous experience is of little importance when God chooses to use us. Parenting with integrity and walking humbly with our God are the most important qualifica- tions we can have throughout all of the parenting stages. This Christmas, may the life of Joseph inspire and encourage you. God still longs to reveal Himself. He still desires to give parents guidance. He wants us to continue to grow in dependence and trust in Him. There is nothing to fear when we walk with Him.

Sharon Beth Brani lives in Culpeper, Virginia. Her greatest treasures are her Lord and her two adopted daughters.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 15 by CATHY MOGUS UNEXPECTED GIFTS IVE DAYS BEFORE Christmas, I of cancer) as I bought and wrapped gifts, daughter relationship. The thought of him was in my doctor’s office for test planned meals, and cleaned the house. crying because of my suffering made me results. I was 51, and looked like Christmas celebrations with our children feel loved by him—another unexpected I was five-months pregnant. Dr. and my parents went well. Christmas present Wright thought my gallbladder I checked into the hospital three days My family decided to return to the Fwas the culprit. before my surgery. I received the unexpect- hospital late that evening to celebrate the He was wrong. ed gift of peace when Dr. Robson informed New Year and my gift of life. I slept while When he entered the examining room, me a blood test showed I had cancer. The they played cards in the waiting room. Dr. Wright was not his cheery self. He sure sense that God was in control stayed Near midnight they entered my room and got right to the point: “The ultrasound with me as I was wheeled into the operat- began the countdown. And then some- showed a large tumor growing on your ing room on the last morning of 1999. thing wonderful happened. The sky lit left ovary,” he almost whispered. When I opened my eyes after surgery, up right outside my window as we were We stared at each other for a moment. I received the best present ever. “We got it treated to a fireworks display. I had forgot- “Ovarian cancer?” I almost choked on all!” the doctor exclaimed with a big smile. ten the hospital was next to a park. the words. Allen told me later that when my I don’t remember what packages I “It’s quite possible,” Dr. Wright nod- father was about to enter my room after opened for Christmas that year, but I do ded. “I contacted gynecologists as soon surgery, he was in tears. He walked down vividly recall the unexpected gifts from as I saw the results. All of them in the the hall to compose himself before seeing my heavenly Father—gifts that gave me city are booked at least a month ahead. I me. My dad is a good man, but he and I pure joy. finally twisted the arm of my first choice. were not close over the years. I often felt She will see you tomorrow morning.” cheated for not having an intimate father- Cathy Mogus lives in Richmond, B.C., Canada. My appointment with Dr. Helen Robson proved to be my first unexpected Christmas gift. She informed me a com- plete hysterectomy was in order—immediately. We wouldn’t know if I had cancer until more tests were taken. Outside my When I returned to the waiting room, the receptionist smiled up at me. “Boy, the Man upstairs is looking after you! The hospital window, hospital called to say no operations will be permitted for the first week of January due to the Y2K thing. But an operation a fireworks was canceled for New Year’s Eve. They asked if we needed the operating room display lit up that day. I took the appointment, not knowing you were coming in today.” The thought of having cancer terrified the sky. me. And I didn’t want to spoil our family’s Christmas with such bad news. I was thankful that my husband, Allen, contacted a few people to pray. My mind was too jumbled for any conversations with God. Preparing for the holidays was a great distraction. I had little time to think about the operation (and the possibility

16 EVANGEL • dec 2016

by AARON BREWER THE REAL VINE LOVE PODCASTS. I love listening I am the Vine, you are the branches. have come to believe something com- to good sermons and leadership When you’re joined with me and I with pletely different, something I believe interviews on my iPhone during my you, the relation intimate and organic, Jesus is teaching here in John 15. All the harvest is sure to be abundant. Sepa- morning and afternoon commutes, rated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone of my influence—whether in my home, when I’m doing yard work, or when who separates from me is deadwood, business, church, or social circles—should I’mI going for a run. It’s an easy way for gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. spring from the overflow of my intimate me to continually grow through the best But if you make yourselves at home relationship with Jesus. I can’t lead oth- leaders in the world. with me and my words are at home in ers where I have not first gone. This helps I also constantly study other churches you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. me keep my relationship with Jesus the to take ideas that are working for them This is how my Father shows who he source of my entire life and ministry. and shape them into something I can use is—when you produce grapes, when you My struggle is that I often neglect my in my own context. mature as my disciples. relationship with Jesus as I do “effec- To help me reach my fitness goals I’ve loved you the way my Father has tive” ministry. I focus on tasks and ideas faster, I am always searching for healthy loved me. Make yourselves at home in I’ve learned from other leaders in order my love. If you keep my commands, recipes and workout tricks. to reach more people, but I’m doing Perhaps you and I have this in com- you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my them out of my own energy and skill set, mon—we like to glean helpful informa- Father’s commands and made myself at unconnected from the source of true tion from others’ successes in order to home in his love. spiritual power. push our own progress. It’s wise to learn I was raised in Baptist circles, gradu- Another issue is that life happens; it from others’ experiences to make the big- ating from Word of Life Bible Institute is no respecter of persons, and it makes gest impact we can possibly make in the and Tennessee Temple University. I was messes. We who are ministers have to shortest amount of time. taught that preaching/teaching/leading deal with our own messes as we are lead- But perhaps, like me, you sometimes ing others spiritually through theirs. It’s find yourself overstepping the thin line should not come from the same study as our own personal relationship with Jesus, easy to focus on guiding others’ relation- separating reliance on Jesus from reliance ship with Christ, because that’s what we’re on self. I have found it easy to become but from a separate time of preparation. expected to do; but our personal relation- so ministry-focused that my relationship Although I understand the intention, I ship with Christ will suffer if we’re spend- with Jesus becomes blurry and sub-par. ing all of our time managing messes. To remind us how much we need For me, the key in this “I am” state- Jesus, let’s take a fresh look at His words ment of Jesus is to remain in Him. When in John 15:1-10, as paraphrased by I continually stay in His presence, I will Eugene Peterson in The Message: Get one- continually bear the good fruit I cannot I am the Real Vine and my Father is produce on my own. When Jesus is lead- the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of on-one ing me into deeper places, I am able to lead me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes others into those deeper places with Him. back so it will bear even more. You are Take a step back. Breathe. Get one- already pruned back by the message I with Jesus. on-one with Jesus. Remain. When you’re have spoken. joined with Him and He with you, the Live in me. Make your home in me just harvest will be abundant. as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but REMAIN. only by being joined to the vine, you Aaron Brewer is discipleship pastor and can’t bear fruit unless you are joined media coordinator for the Winchester, Vir- with me. ginia, Church of God.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 21 by DAVID C. NITZ That ROCK Was Jesus

N CALIFORNIA’S Death Valley God’s power, Moses was instructed Although some believe they have National Park, there is a dry to strike a rock (v. 6). Upon doing so, discovered the rock from which lakebed where rocks mysteri- water came gushing out. water flowed, we don’t know the ously move without human Water coming out of a rock was rock’s size, kind, color, or anything help. They slide across the miraculous. The supply of refreshing, else. As a child, I thought the rock Iflat lakebed, leaving a telling trail life-giving water was essential to the would be large, but that is not neces- behind them. traveling Israelites. However, that sarily so. How God did this is a mys- Some of the rocks have measured was just one day. How much water tery reserved for eternity. The same moving more than 700 feet. For was required to sustain Israel in the God who makes rocks travel along decades, the mystery eluded geolo- wilderness for four decades? a flat, dry lakebed in Death Valley is gists. Recently, however, it was dis- There were approximately 2 mil- the One who made water come out covered the lakebed sometimes freez- lion Israelites traveling. If everyone of a rock. es during the night, creating a sort of drank a half gallon daily (the recom- desert skating rink that could allow mended dose), that would be more Moses’ Mistake breezes to move the rocks across the than a million gallons of water a Jesus’ being revealed as that Rock slippery surface. day. Think of it: a million gallon jugs perhaps sheds some light on why It seems bizarre that rocks could being filled per day. Where did they Moses ran into difficulty the next move. However, Jewish tradition find that much water, every day, for time he was instructed how to get holds that at least one rock moved, nearly 40 years? water from a rock. following the Israelites throughout On this occasion, Moses was their wilderness wanderings. The The Bigger Story instructed to “speak to the rock” Bible calls it “the Rock of [their] sal- Not until Paul references this (Num. 20:8 NKJV), not strike it as vation” (Deut. 32:15). supernatural desert experience do before. In his frustration with the Not long after leaving captivity we get the full story: “For they drank contentious multitude, he hit it any- in Egypt, the God-appointed leader of that spiritual Rock that followed way. This moment forever changed of Israel, Moses, was faced with a them, and that Rock was Christ” (1 the course of his life, keeping him dilemma—there was no drinking Cor. 10:4 NKJV). from entering the Promised Land water. Over the previous few weeks, Even greater than the miraculous (v. 12). Israel had front-row seats to the Red provision of water is the revelation Simple obedience is best when Sea parting, a miraculous cloud that that Jesus, God’s Son, was in the wil- following instructions from God, guided and protected them from the derness with them. especially where His Son is involved. sweltering heat of the desert day, and Jewish tradition says either the a miraculous ball of fire that guided water-producing rock continued “Upon This Rock” them and warmed them by night. to travel with Israel, or there was Traveling rocks? It sounds And they were being handfed meat an ever-present well. Whatever the strange and mystical. However, there and miracle bread by the Lord. case, Jesus was active in the lives of are numerous Scriptural references So to find themselves with no humanity before His birth in Bethle- to the spiritual Rock. fresh water would seem to be no hem. When Scripture refers to Jesus Asaph, speaking of Israel’s wilder- big deal. However, “the people con- as “that spiritual Rock,” it is referenc- ness experience, said, “Then they tended with Moses, and said, ‘Give ing much more than just solid aggre- remembered that God was their us water, that we may drink’” (Ex. gate. Jesus is “Emmanuel . . . God rock, and the Most High God their 17:2 NKJV). In an unusual display of with us” (Matt. 1:23). Redeemer” (Ps. 78:35 NKJV).

22 EVANGEL • dec 2016 One prophet referred to God as statement, Jesus essentially said, wilderness from which life-giving “You, O Rock” (Hab. 1:12 NASB). “That statement you just made is the water burst forth. Perhaps the most poignant ref- rock which believers will stand on.” Three chapters later, Jesus again erence happened while Jesus was His actual words were, “Upon this rock used water as an example when He sitting with His disciples. He asked I will build my church; and the gates of stood and declared, “If anyone thirsts, them a challenging question: “What hell shall not prevail against it” (v. 18). let him come to Me and drink. He are the people saying about the Son who believes in Me, as the Scripture of Man? What is their take on who Living Water has said, out of his heart will flow riv- He is?” The Rock which is the solid foun- ers of living water” (7:37-38 NKJV). When they responded, “They dation is also the source of “living Jesus was referencing the outpouring think He’s John the Baptist, Jeremi- water.” When Jesus encountered a of the Holy Spirit that would occur on ah, Elijah, or some other prophet,” He broken woman at a well in Samaria, the Day of Pentecost, but the imagery asked them the all-important follow- she was looking for something real is the same—living water. up question: “But who do you think I and meaningful. She had come to the am?” Simon Peter said, “You are the well to get drinking water. As Jesus Nothing Too Hard Christ, the Son of the living God” (see masterfully maneuvered the conversa- To call Jesus “the Rock” has noth- Matt. 16:13-16). tion from natural water to spiritual ing to do with boulders and blocks. There is more to this name than we have the capacity to understand. Dur- ing the 40 years Israel spent wandering around the desert, God supplied everything they needed, even though He was angry with them (see Heb. 3:17). It was an amazing display of “They were all drinking God’s grace. Centuries before the Cross, Jesus was active in the Father’s incredible, loving plan. In fact, God’s from the spiritual rock plan for His Son was established “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20). that followed them, and Of all the names of God, the Rock is perhaps one of the most over- looked. It is strange for us to think of the rock was Christ” a moving rock, or an ever-present well in a desert. With our limited informa- (1 Cor. 10:4 NET). tion on this side of eternity, we cannot know for sure how it was possible. We only know “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Jesus was that spiritual Rock. So, perhaps the miracle you need is waiting close by. By my count, 1 million Jesus informed the group that water, the woman forgot about her gallons a day times 40 years is about Simon Peter didn’t figure this out on water pot and became thirsty for 14,600,000,000 (that’s over 14 bil- his own, but rather he came to this the water of which He spoke. He lion) gallons of water. conclusion through supernatural said, “The water that I shall give . . . Nothing is too hard for our God; means. Jesus continued the conversa- will become . . . a fountain of water that is rock-solid. tion with a declaration that would springing up into everlasting life” become the foundation of faith for (John 4:14 NKJV). It sounds amaz- David Nitz is lead pastor of the Village His church. Speaking of Simon’s ingly similar to the rock in the Church of God in Winter Haven, Florida.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 23 hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jer. 2:13 NKJV). “The fountain of living waters” is available 24/7. We don’t have to travel to get it. We don’t have to pay for it. Jesus simply invites us to drink deep anytime, anyplace. Jesus Christ offers us much more by than a cup of water; He offers us His very TAMMY self. He is the fulfillment of our heart’s DARLING desire. He alone is able to satisfy our thirst for God. DRINK David once prayed, “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1 NASB). The cry of the psalmist was answered; ours will be as well as we seek the Savior. Water flowed out from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:10), and in heaven “a river DEEP of the water of life, clear as crystal . . . [flows] from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1 NASB). And this heavenly water is available to us through Jesus right now. We all have a spiritual thirst; it’s part of our humanity. This thirst draws us HAVE ALWAYS BEEN grateful for Haiti I witnessed women washing laundry to relationship with God. Jesus invites fresh, clean water. I love a big glass of in a muddy stream and another woman those who recognize their need to come ice water, even when I’ve come from washing herself in a mud puddle. to Him and drink deep. He said, “Blessed Itemperatures outside that are below When I got home from Haiti, the first are those who hunger and thirst for righ- freezing. I have water at my side wher- thing I wanted to do was drink deep from teousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. ever I go, even at my bedside at night. our well water. It was then I realized my 5:6 NKJV). On a recent trip to Haiti, I became experience with water in Haiti had given Just as our physical bodies need water even more thankful for the abundant me a deeper thirst for the living water to survive, our spirits need the living clean water I have access to in America. Christ offers. water of Jesus to not only survive but also For over two weeks, I had limited bottled Like the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s to thrive. water with no ice. well (John 4), I was at my own well when How thirsty are you? Open your hands To see our Haitian driver and transla- I realized I was thirsting for something and heart to receive what Christ has to tor stop along the road to buy small bag- more. But so often I go after that which offer. Come and drink. Drink deep. Don’t gies of drinkable water from a roadside satisfies only temporarily. The Lord told be shy; He has an endless supply. vendor gave me a new appreciation for all the prophet Jeremiah, “My people have I have. Even the water I use at home to committed two evils; they have forsaken Tammy Darling loves drinking from her wash my clothes and my body is clean; in Me, the fountain of living waters, and own well in Three Springs, Pennsylvania.

24 EVANGEL • dec 2016 by JORDAN WILSON The LIVING BREAD N MANY CULTURES, bread is the lasting fellowship with Him. Every time Leonard Ravenhill said, “He was the staple food that brings sustenance we take of the Communion bread, we are Bread of Life; He said He was the Light and strength. There are people across drawn to the focal point of Christianity— of Life. . . . We can’t live without bread; Ithe world who have lived a long time Jesus Christ, crucified and resurrected. we can’t live without water; we can’t live off just bread and water. As the result of Christ’s body being put to without light; and we can’t live without When Jesus said, “I am the living death, we receive life. Jesus said, “The one God. Without Christ, you can only exist.” bread which came down from heaven” who eats my flesh and drinks my blood As Christians, we are called to share (John 6:51), He was speaking to people resides in me, and I in him” (v. 56 NET). the Living Bread with the lifeless. People “who really appreciate[d] the value of It is invigorating to receive Commu- are starving for something or someone bread. . . . Everything about bread from nion with a whole loaf of bread and a sin- substantial to bring them life. Only Jesus the sowing of the seed to the baking of gle cup of juice, seeing the bread broken can bring true satisfaction. The weak and the loaves [was] done in the name of God” and the juice poured out. All five senses wandering receive strength from “the (Manners and Customs of Bible Lands). are engaged as we see, hear, taste, touch, bread that has come down from heaven” By calling Himself the Living Bread, and smell this sacrament. (v. 50 NET). Jesus was saying relationship with Him is We should also engage our spiritual God’s wandering people lived on essential to life. When we partake of Jesus, senses to the reality of what happens miraculous manna (interpreted as “What we partake of life so excellent that we will when we symbolically partake of the body is it?”) for four decades. Just as manna never die. “The one who eats this bread of Jesus Christ. We can taste and see what provided for the Israelites’ natural needs, will live forever,” Jesus said (v. 58 NET). the Living Bread has done for us. We can so the Living Bread provides whatever This reference to bread also speaks hear and feel what it’s like to be nourished we need spiritually. The Old Testament of Communion. Symbolically taking and by the Bread that came to this world to manna came from heaven daily, but the eating of Christ’s flesh is part of our ever- spiritually satisfy us. Bread of Life came once to satisfy our spiritual hunger. The Church is living because the Liv- ing Bread has given us life. If we withhold this nourishment from others, we will forget how others helped us to find Christ. Perhaps the world is spiritually starving because we who know Christ are not making meaningful contact with those who need Him. We must invite people to feast off the Living Bread. Think about the benefits Christ gives us. The Living Bread was broken so we can have strength when we are weak, healing when we are sick, new perspective when we are emotionally famished, and satisfied when we are spiritually starving. Let’s receive the Living Bread for our- selves, and communicate to others there is more to life than this world has to offer. For where there is no Bread, there is no life.

Jordan Wilson is lead pastor of CrossWay Church of God in Haleyville, Alabama.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 25 Evangel INTERVIEW by LANCE Put Away the COLKMIRE FIRECRACKERS Oliver McMahan, Ph.D., is pastor of After Shea left in 2004, I felt the Lord All of the major grocery stores, except counseling at the Pentecostal Theological wanted me to pastor there because it’s one, bring their excess groceries to Lee Seminary (PTS) and pastor of Cross Pointe a high-need area. With Gary’s blessing, University. We get our food from there. Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. we changed the church’s name to Cross Rachel and Matt Webb are in charge of Pointe. I’m a volunteer; the church pays that ministry. He has been a chaplain and How did you get started in ministry? for my gasoline expense. a pastor. We’ve got a great church and a When I was 15, I was doing well in aca- great core of people. demics and sports. My dad was a pastor in Different agencies say your church is We have a free medical clinic on California. He turned to me during camp located in one of the most impover- Thursday nights. For three hours, we have meeting and asked, “What do you think ished areas of Tennessee. one to two doctors and nurses come. Lee you’ll be doing for the Lord in the future?” The homeless in Cleveland live in students have been great at doing triage; I felt something from above say, Teach four or five encampments. They live in some have gone on to become doctors. My Word. abandoned garages, lean-tos, tents. Aside We call the ministry “Fishes and Loaves.” A few years later, when I was a student from them, there are a lot of families on Somehow God always provides enough. at West Coast Bible College [Fresno, CA], the edge. When I think of ministry, I think of we did a crazy thing. We started a coffee On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we take being involved, doing things. But people go shop called Jericho. There were 13 bars in food to about 200 individuals. It’s fresh to church for a lot of different reasons now. a three-block section. We were right in the food; it’s made a difference. One indi- Cross Pointe is like a community agen- middle. vidual lost 100 pounds in one year. Her cy, but we are mostly a church. Having The coffee shop morphed into a church, doctor credited it to her eating fresh fruits a relationship with the people, knowing but we couldn’t get preachers to come and vegetables. them, is the foundation of the model. It’s down there. While I was in the back room We serve lunch at the church on Sun- hard to meet some of these people. When praying, the Lord called me to preach. We days and Thursdays, and it’s full. We serve they do have a job, it’s on weekends. The ministered to the poor, the down-and-out. 100 to 150 lunches a week. We target people who come to church on Sundays We did a lot with drug recovery. families. The sight we like to see is the are the “rich” people. family come and sit at the table. It’s all We have some people from the com- You are a busy seminary professor. fresh food, nothing out of the can. munity who come to the church services. Why are you also pastoring Cross Pointe Church? When I taught at Northwest Bible College [Minot, ND], I was an associate pastor under Gary Sears. When I came to Cleveland, Tennessee, Gary was the associate pastor at Mount Olive Church of God, and he asked me to be the sanctuary Bible teacher. When Gary became the pastor of Mount Olive, I became the senior associ- Oliver McMahan ate. We planted several churches; one of them was Mount Olive East. I supervised the church plant, and Shea Hughes did a Sunday meal at Cross Pointe great job as pastor.

26 EVANGEL • dec 2016 I tell them to come as they are, but to At the seminary, in counseling, we them going to church is a huge step had three young, single women—Sabrina because the vast majority know they’re Evans, Michelle Saint-Loth, and Kelly not saved, and they revere the house of Myers—with great careers ahead of them. the Lord. One was licensed already, but they all gave it up to go become counseling missionar- Describe your church’s property. ies in Europe. It’s just under six acres. We were able In counseling education, Laura Land to purchase the land from a donation by has been great. She’s now in Greensboro, John Gregory. At that time, I was also North Carolina, in the finest Ph.D. pro- heading men’s ministries at Mount Olive. gram in counseling. Those men poured the foundation, put up Rachel Webb serving lunch the framing and trusses, built the walls, What’s most encouraging that you and did the roofing. “I’M AT CROSS POINTE CHURCH see happening in the Church of God? John Gregory also funded the major TRYING TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT,” What burdens you the most? portion of the second building, while 35 said an 8-year-old boy into a flip phone. Most encouraging is that God is still percent came from a benevolent couple He was one of dozens of people—mostly calling people. It’s fresh, it’s alive, and who were very successful in business. He white, some black, others brown; both there is so much energy. Their message was a student at our seminary. When they young and old (but many younger than really does come from a call. To be a sold a house, they made the donation, and they looked)—lining up for a hot lunch on pastor now, you almost have to be we were able to build the second building. Sunday, August 28. Meanwhile, individuals bi-vocational. For instance, some do A local businessman donated the play- were also filling banana boxes with loaves counseling and pastoring. ground equipment. of bread, canned goods, fresh fruit, crack- The biggest tool Satan has is decep- ers, and desserts to take home. tion. He’s a liar. The lynchpin of the Being a professional counselor, do you An old man who could barely see, deception is finance. provide counseling for the community? thinking I was a church volunteer, When the Rapture happens, people Off and on; depending. I will certainly approached me with the question, “Do you will say, “Well, it happened just as the counsel church members. But I have to have any canned meat today? I am blind.” Christian faith said it would.” Meanwhile, monitor what I do; there’s a lot of need. I checked with the Webbs, and they the world will rock on. The innocent ones are the children. That’s told me no, not today. When you read Revelation 17 and 18, what breaks my heart. Meanwhile, as Rachel dished out a hot it’s about commerce. The harlot is in abso- Some PTS students have done coun- meal, she had ongoing conversations with lute control of the Beast. Her attraction seling work at the church. individuals she obviously knew, saying is wealth, commerce. Those chapters talk Being a point of stability for the com- things like, “Are you any better this week?” about shipping and merchandise, delica- and “I am praying for you.” munity is very important. Rather than cies, gold, and trading—and that’s where As Pastor McMahan said, it’s about “firecracker theology,” where so much is we are. providing a steady ministry flame—daily, episodic and event-oriented, you need The deception in the church is that weekly, monthly, yearly. No firecracker something sustained—like a flame. You theology. people don’t care as long as they have a can’t warm yourself by a firecracker. steady paycheck. That’s why we are such The last couple of years, we’ve had a an amoral society. nine-week summer feeding program— sor at Lee University, who has recruited That deception has created people Monday through Friday—and we’ve done students. And there’s Alan Wheeler just sitting in the pew, not really being tutoring with the kids. and his family, who attend our church. involved. It’s just being a church attender, He teaches anthropology at Lee. Other thinking they’re doing a lot when they Who pulls that off? churches have also helped. give so much in the offering, which is Rachel Webb is a great community good but is not heartfelt. organizer. Before she came to PTS, she Talk about some counseling students If you want to know who a person is, was project manager for the major ship- you have mentored. don’t look at their achievements; look at building sites in the U.S. She likes to At the church and seminary, it’s Matt their habits. At least 40 percent of what describe herself as telling 1,500 men and Rachel Webb. They are taking on the we do is habitual. One habit that controls what to do. The church pays her a small guardianship of two brothers and a sister America is being at work on time. We stipend. who were abandoned by their mother. think the world will fall apart if we miss We’ve also had coordinated help Those kids never lived in their own house, a paycheck. That’s what controls us and through Dr. Tagayuna, a sociology profes- never had their own bed. controls the church.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 27 VIEWPOINTS

Talk about a Christmas experience that has made a lasting impact on your life.

A 10-YEAR-OLD’S FAITH “Would you like to have the dog you are holding?” KATHY SANDERS is a writer and speaker living with her With sparkling eyes, looking at her dad, she asked the man, husband, Ray, in Deland, Florida. “How much would it cost?” EVERY FALL, as Christmas catalogs started arriving in the Laughingly, he said, “A gift is free!” mail, our three daughters would begin making individual Christ- He had no idea a Christmas miracle was in the making. mas wish lists. With each new catalog, their lists would change. “Is it a boy or a girl? was her next question. However, when Delta (our oldest) “She is a girl, and her name is Princess,” was his reply. was 10 years old, she didn’t look at “Is she house-broken?” catalogs, for her only wish was for a Another yes! real dog. As Princess was now asleep on Delta’s lap, we could tell she Early in October, Delta had was a calm dog. started praying and asking for a What about that long, long hair Delta was running her hands dog. Having no intentions of getting through? her a pet, but weary of her begging, As if reading my mind, the man injected, “And she does not her father said, “OK, you may have shed hair; she is a Lhasa Apso.” a dog, but it must meet a list of After tucking the newest member of the Sanders family requirements: (1) We are not going into her shoebox-bed that night, and hearing Delta’s genuine to buy a dog; (2) It must be a female; (3) It must be house-broken; prayer of thanksgiving, I laid in bed asking God to forgive my (4) It must have a quiet, gentle spirit; (5) It cannot shed hair.” lack of childlike faith. For 14 years, Princess was our Christmas Only God could find a dog with such requirements. Right? miracle. At that point, Delta’s prayers changed. No longer was she asking but was thanking God for her little girl dog. Each day her faith SHINING IN A DARK PLACE grew stronger and mine weaker. Feeling the need to assist God, I MARY BETH UNTHANK is a stay-at-home mother of four started calling dog pounds and reading want-ad columns . . . but who serves with her husband in middle-school ministry found no perfect dog. at Parkwest Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was now Christmas Eve. Packages were under the tree for “IN THE BEGINNING was the Word, and the Word was with Ginger and Tonya, and I had hidden Delta’s in my closet (as a God, and the Word was God. . . . In him was life, and that life was backup if God did not come through). the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and As a Christmas Eve family tradition, we made popcorn wreaths the darkness has not overcome it” and delivered them to the widows of our church. We had one (John 1:1, 4-5 NIV). wreath left over, and Ray suggested we take it to a new family in I love the way John tells the the church. As we stood at their front door singing a Christmas Christmas story. Sure, it’s missing carol, the host opened the door and a beautiful, long-haired dog the angels and shepherds and star, ran between his legs straight to Delta. She reached down and but John’s version gives us so much picked up the dog, loving it immediately. We were asked to come in we need to know. the house for a few minutes, all the time Delta loving on the dog. The miraculous birth of Christ is After a short visit, the host asked Delta, “Would you like to an amazing story, but what is even have a Christmas gift?” more amazing is that it began long Why would he ask Delta and not Ginger and Tonya? the mother before that night in Bethlehem. It in me was wondering. Looking at us for approval, Delta meekly began long before the angel visited Mary, before Elizabeth con- said, “Yes.” ceived John the Baptist, and even before Adam and Eve.

28 EVANGEL • dec 2016 “In the beginning,” John tells us, before anything else existed, knew my mother, you know how much she loved Christmas. She there was Light. Not the physical kind that was created on the would leave her tree up year round. I know that sounds ridicu- first day, but a metaphysical kind, “the light of all mankind,” lous, but it was perfect. Maybe we which allows us to see not just what is in front of us, but to see were just used to it. On Thanksgiv- God himself. ing night, she plugged in the tree In the beginning, God had a plan to reveal Himself to human- and it was Christmas! ity through the Light. On that first Christmas, the Light entered One of my favorite memories our darkness in the form of a baby boy. As The Message puts it, was not when we had a lot of gifts, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neigh- but quite the opposite. During that borhood” (v. 14). Christ came to us, waded deep into our mess, season of our lives, my husband and brought us hope we never could have found on our own. and I were evangelizing, and so That’s what Christmas is to me—light and hope where there was were my parents. And the month none before. of December is not a great time for That’s also my favorite way to celebrate Christmas: bring- evangelists. It’s difficult for churches to have revivals with all of ing light and hope where there was none before. This year I will the Christmas festivities going on. We used to say, “If we make it share my fifth Christmas reaching out to women in the adult- through December” . . . and we always did. entertainment industry. It’s not the only time I visit them; my We had plenty of time, but not a lot of money. So we had to friends and I take gifts and treats on every major holiday and improvise. several times in between, sharing love and friendship with those One of our traditions was to go shopping the day after often hurt or ignored by the church. Thanksgiving. I can’t imagine doing that today; Black Friday was I believe if Jesus were walking around our “neighborhood” in simpler then. Because of the lack of funds, we gathered pecans 2016, He would be leading the way through those doors to reach from my parents’ property and took them to the Farmers Market the people who don’t feel wanted, worthy, or good enough to in Dothan, Alabama, to sell. Then we cleaned out our car and approach Him. headed to Tallahassee, Florida, for shopping. We may have eaten When I think about the darkness in our world, there aren’t more than we shopped, but we made memories that have lasted many things that come to mind so quickly as the sex industry. a lifetime. I can’t tell you a single thing I bought, but I remember Every day across the globe, millions of women, men, and chil- some of the details like it happened yesterday. They will always dren are sold for sex or adult entertainment, either by a pimp, remain in my heart. trafficker, or—like many of my friends—by their own choice. I never speak or write about Christmas that I’m not reminded The spiritual darkness is even darker than the literal dimness of the tremendously high expectations this time of year brings. of the clubs I walk into, and it can feel overwhelming. In those We want everything to be perfect. But for many, it will be a very moments I turn to John 1, where I am assured the light of Christ difficult time because something has interrupted the joy of the “shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” season. Maybe it is sickness, loneliness, death, or divorce. We all (v. 5 NLT). look to the Christmas season to be a time of perfect peace and Christmas is my favorite time to visit my friends, because as joy, with no interruptions. However, the first Christmas was not we carry that light into the darkness of the sex industry, I picture that way; it had an interruption. Jesus entering our dark world, illuminating truth and hope for all. Interruptions can happen at any time. There is never a con- venient time, but certainly not at Christmas. Yet, interruptions THE SEASON OF PECANS can turn out to be blessings. This was true for Joseph and Mary. LaQUITA PROPES is a speaker and writer living in Cleveland, Their plans were interrupted, but, oh, what a blessing! Tennessee, with her husband, Thomas, who is assistant God can do the same for your dilemmas. He can turn them director of Church of God World Missions. into blessings. Your life does not cause God any surprises, doubts, I DON’T THINK about Christmas without having recollec- uncertainties, or worries. And He knows just what to say to bring tions of my mother, who died in 2007. I miss her so much. If you peace into your home this holiday season.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 29

PEOPLE AND EVENTS

“What if God wants you to be a They prayed together. Days Kevin and chaplain?” That was in 2011. later, the man came back to Monica Moses In January 2012, Kevin called Moses with the news that his wife with their sons the Pentecostal Theological was pregnant. Seminary, and “confirmation after “About the same time, another confirmation” took place. He had soldier—not religious at all—told me left the seminary 11 years earlier he and his wife had been trying to without quite finishing his degree. have children for three or four years, A donation to PTS allowed him and they were using fertility drugs. to reenroll with 50 percent off his They asked me to pray for him, and tuition. I did. After that, she became preg- One year later, at age 39, as a nant. Then she had a second baby seminary graduate, Moses was in without any treatment. chaplaincy basic training. Had he “One day, a battalion training waited one more year, he would officer came in and said, ‘You’ll have been too old to be accepted never guess what happened.’ I into military chaplaincy. said, ‘Your wife is pregnant.’ He Moses now serves as a bat- said, ‘How did you know?’ I said, talion chaplain to several hundred ‘We’ve been praying about it.’” men at Fort Drum, New York. Since then, Moses said, he has “When I first arrived, there been dealing more with “spiritual were about 1,000 men, but they issues—helping soldiers to let go were downsizing people and of things.” He called this the most equipment. In the midst of that challenging part of his ministry. turmoil, God did some miracles.” “Every circumstance is one When a soldier overdosed on God can move in. I’m realizing God heroin, Chaplain Moses was called can do something much bigger to his bedside in ICU. Doctors had than I can see. So I ask Him to lead to perform surgery to relieve pres- me. I continue to trust Him instead sure on the brain, so Moses laid of acting on just what I know, his hand on the man’s foot (rather because many times that’s not the than touching his head) for prayer. way God is moving.” He asked God to show His power When a soldier’s mother expe- : by restoring the man, “showing rienced a stroke, Moses was asked kevin moses him his life was worth something,” to make the 30-minute trip to a Moses said. hospital in Watertown to minister in the right place “Two weeks later, he was dis- to her. “I prayed over her, talked Fort Drum, NY—With his last I didn’t like fighting. I said, ‘No, I’m charged from the hospital. A month with her, and left. name, you would expect Kevin not going to be an Army chaplain.’” later, he was walking and talking, “When I saw her later, I said, Moses to be a leader. However, Meanwhile, he finished a mas- and medically released. That was ‘I’m Chaplain Kevin Moses; I he never envisioned himself being ter’s degree in middle-school math, confirmation that I was in the right prayed with you in the hospital.’ a spiritual mentor to hundreds of and the Moses family relocated to place doing the right thing. She did not remember me; but soldiers. Lexington, Kentucky, where his “Another soldier, a religious then she looked at me and said, When Kevin and his wife, parents live. In a worship service at man, and his wife had tried and ‘You’re my healing chaplain, aren’t Monica, were living in Columbus, Man O’ War Church of God, Pas- tried to have children. They had you?’ She was doing better than Georgia (where she was children’s tor Mitchell Tolle prophesied over spent thousands and thousands of the doctors expected her to do— pastor at Cornerstone Church of Kevin, saying God would open a dollars on fertility drugs. He called walking, and using her left side.” God for nine years), a couple of door that no man could shut. me into his office and said, ‘Pastor, Monica and Kevin are the par- military chaplains from nearby Fort Kevin thought, Great! I have this has really been a sore spot for ents of four boys. Kevin says, “I’ve Benning encouraged him to con- all of these interviews to be a math me and my wife. Could you pray done a good job of separating my sider chaplaincy. teacher. for me? We’re down to our last job from my family. Kevin said, “I had never However, all those teaching fertility treatment. We really want “My wife and I have gotten thought about being in the Army; doors shut. Monica asked him, to have kids.’” involved in foster-care ministry on

EVANGEL • dec 2016 31 PEOPLE AND EVENTS

weekends, and that has changed fast-moving infantry unit, being right, if you really want God in The chaplain asked him, “Do the dynamic of our household. . . . in charge of a chapel is not what I your life, the way you are living is you want me to pray you through My kids are learning to love those need right now.” wrong.” a Christian prayer, recommitting who are hard to love.” How does he deal with soldiers She responded, “You’re right, your life to God?” Meanwhile, Monica does from non-Christian faiths? but I’m not ready for that.” He said, “No, I’ll do that at children’s ministry in the chapel on “When soldiers want to share Kevin said, “But I believe God home.” base, which has been a “great suc- things from their life, I’m a good is going to save her.” The soldier later came back cess. She knows how to relate the listener,” he said. “If they have a He added, “There are plenty of and told Moses, “I prayed that Bible to kids,” Kevin said. different religion, I refer them to times I have seen the end of some- prayer; what do I do now?” He typically speaks to soldiers other chaplains.” thing. One man came to me and This man followed the Lord in at the battalion chapel service Once when ministering to a said, ‘My wife has left me, and I’m water baptism, which was another “once per month, sometimes female soldier involved in an illicit broken. I want you to know that confirmation that the Moses fam- more. We have a rotation. Having relationship, Moses told her, “If I’m giving my life back to God; will ily is following the Lord’s will by been moved into a high-speed, you really want to get your life you baptize me?” ministering through chaplaincy.

After stapling my incision sons—Danny (Guyton, Georgia) shut, the doctor told my husband and Jeremy (Hot Springs, Arkan- singing again and several women from our sas)—were also praying. Park Hills, MO—My hus- for him. He ran a test that found church that my guardian angel When the doctors removed band, Wayne, and I pastor my gallbladder was operating at 6 was with me because a blood clot the staples, they found there the Flat River Church of God. percent and needed to come out. had hit my heart during surgery, was no healing of the incision; it In almost 30 years of pastoral Although we were not familiar with yet I was still alive. just fell open. They put a wound ministry, we have served fami- this surgeon, my husband and I I have no memory of the days VAC on me, which I wore for lies facing sickness, death, and decided to let him do the surgery. that followed. I continued to swell, about a month. I began improv- trials. We never suspected we The surgeon removed my and was put on a ventilator. I was ing, and was sent to a rehab would one day be the ones gallbladder laparoscopically on transported from our local hospital hospital. I stayed there a month, needing urgent prayer. January 15, but I experienced a lot by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in where they worked with me until In January 2015, I ended of pain, and then began swelling St. Louis, where I spent a number I could walk again. I finally went up in the hospital with a bowel all over my body. Apparently, he of days in ICU. Our two praying home on March 5. obstruction. My regular doctor had ruptured an ulcerated artery daughters, Mandy and Kayla, It took a while to regain my was out of town, so another in the first surgery, so now I went drove from Cleveland, Tennessee, strength, but the Lord completely doctor was seeing his patients into emergency surgery. straight to the hospital. Our two restored me. My husband and I sing together, and I sing solos, so Pam and it was very important to me to get Wayne Baker the strength back in my voice. I started back to work in July 2015, and have been going strong ever since. My heart rejoices in the goodness of the Lord, and I am so thankful for my church family at Flat River Church of God. Several women from our church visited me during this difficult time, and they will never know how much it meant to me. I also thank the Lord for my precious husband, who stood by my side through it all. We may not always understand the path God leads us down, but we know He is in control.—Pam Baker

32 EVANGEL • dec 2016 For daily news updates about what’s happening in the Church of God and Evangelical world, visit FAITH NEWS NETWORK, at www.faithnews.cc.

Siblings Alex and Maria with Carey Metts DECEASED MINISTERS ANDERSON, Hank Edward; DOLINGER, Johnny E.; 81; 62; ordained bishop; Missis- ordained minister; West Virginia; sippi; Linda Anderson (wife) Bertie Dolinger (wife) BENEFIELD, Bobby R., Sr.; HORNE, Monroe Spencer; 89; 67; exhorter; Tennessee; ordained bishop; Tennessee; Millie Benefield (wife) Ruth Horne (wife) BOWEN, Claude Harley; 75; JOYNER, Cletus F.; 73; ordained bishop; Georgia; ordained minister; Mississippi; ElDonna Bowen (wife) Linda Joyner (wife) BOWMAN, Billy Ervin; 81; KNAPP, Herman Winston; 51; step-by-step in ordained bishop; South Caro- ordained bishop; Alabama; lina; Stephen Bowman (son) Kim Knapp (wife) el salvador BRASHER, Billy Eugene; 82; OTTERSON, Clarence; 97; ordained bishop; Alabama; ordained minister; Illinois; Tacachico, EL SALVADOR— by a second home for 25 more Faye Brasher (wife) Dorothy Otterson (wife) In May 2006, the Casa de Amor children. children’s home officially opened Four years ago, the first girl to BURNS, Elbert Oliver; 91; RUSS, Robert, Sr.; 75; with four children in a rented enter Casa de Amor was adopted ordained bishop; Missouri; exhorter; North Carolina; house. By December 2009, with by a family in North Carolina. She Anna Burns (wife) Ida Russ (wife) the ministry then serving 12 chil- graduated from high school and CLARK, Virgil Allen; 75; SMITH, John Lewis; 80; dren, a larger rental home was planned to start college this year. ordained bishop; Tennessee; ordained bishop; South Carolina; secured. She is a “loving, compassionate Frances Clark (wife) Avery Smith (son) In 2010, funds were raised to child of God” who “speaks fluent purchase land for a permanent English,” said Carey Metts, the CONWAY, Othal Paul; 95; STANDIFER, Betty Jean; 74; location. Meanwhile, the children visionary behind this ministry. ordained bishop; Alabama; ordained minister; Tennessee; had to be relocated to another Church of God congregations Ethelene S. Conway (wife) Wayne Standifer (husband) rental property. in North Carolina (East Flat Rock DAVIDS, Rosena; 92; ordained WALKER, Barrington Winston; In summer 2016, a 10-foot- and Open Arms Tabernacle) and minister; Massachusetts; 73; ordained minister; New York; high wall around the purchased Georgia (Lavonia and Alma) have Sharon Lewis (granddaughter) Shirley Walker (wife) property was finished. The current been key sponsors of this ministry focus is raising funds to build a so far. The ministry’s World Mis- house for 25 children, followed sions project number is 132-3050. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION The property’s wall as it neared completion (1) Church of God Evangel; (2) 112-240; (3) Filing date: 9/30/2016 (4) Issue frequency: monthly; (5) 12 issues published annually; (6) Annual subscription cost: $17; (7) Office of publication: Church of God Publishing House, 1080 Montgomery Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311; (8) Headquarters: Church of God International Offices, P.O. Box 2430, Cleveland, TN 37320-2430; (9) Publisher: Terance R. Hart; Editor: Lance Colkmire; (10) Owner: Church of God Interna- tional Offices; (11) N/A; (12) N/A; (13) Church of God Evangel; (14) Issue date for circulation below: 9/18/2016; (15a) Average number of copies of press run during preceding 12 months: 24,721; number copies of single issue nearest to filing date: 24,821 (15b) N/A; (15c) Total paid and/or requested circulation average during preceding 12 months: 22,728; number copies of single issue nearest to filing date: 22,299; (15d) N/A; (15e) N/A; (15f); total distribution average: 22,728; distribution of single issue nearest to filing date: 22,299.

EVANGEL • dec 2016 33 CHURCH OF GOD CHRONICLES

by douglas leroy

A Pastor Leader: R. Leonard Carroll AMON LEONARD CARROLL believe in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. City, Tennessee, when he was elected as Sr. served as the general It has washed me and has made me clean.” a member of the Executive Committee. overseer of the Church of The professor was startled. When he While pastoring Lenoir City, he was prepar- God from 1970 to 1972. Car- tried to react, his tongue lay in his mouth ing a sermon. A knock came on his door, roll preached at the South Car- like a slab of stone. God had answered and it was his son, who wanted to talk. Rolina State Prayer Conference on January prayer, and Carroll was convinced of the Leonard Jr. said, “Dad, I’m going off 26, 1972, and then returned to his home power of Christ’s blood. to school tomorrow, and I just could not in Cleveland, Tennessee. He felt tired and Carroll graduated from Furman Uni- get out of this house until I told you a few went to bed. During the night he suffered versity and later earned his master’s and things.” His chin began to quiver, and he a massive heart attack and died, continued: “Have I ever made you becoming the second general over- think I wasn’t proud that you are seer to die in office. my dad? Have I ever stuck my Carroll was born in Franklin feet under your table and made County, Georgia, on October 3, you think I was not thankful for 1920. His father was killed when the food that was prepared for Carroll was 2 years old, and his me—and for all you have done mother moved to Greenville, for me?” South Carolina. As a teen he start- “Son,” Carroll said, “Stand up.” ed attending a Baptist church and Carroll hugged his son, kissed was saved when he was 14. him, and said, “Son, whatever As a premed student at Fur- you do, don’t ever think you are man University in Greenville, not part of me. If there is anyone Carroll was placed in a class full of who I want to see do better than ministerial students where he was me, it is you.” (Leonard Jr., the the only non-minister major. One Carrolls’ only child, is a successful day, the professor stated the blood surgeon.) of Jesus Christ was a myth, and They prayed together, cried, many of the ministerial students and laughed. As Junior walked agreed. This shook Carroll. down the hall, he said, “I just had That evening he and his moth- to be sure.” er were standing in the kitchen Carroll closed the door to his next to a wood-burning stove. study, took the Bible, and laid She noticed he was preoccupied it on the floor. He knelt down and asked him about it. At first beside the Bible and asked the he ignored her, but her penetrat- Lord the same questions his son ing eyes provoked a response. He had asked. Christ assured him explained what happened in class. doctor of education degrees from the that He was pleased with the ministry of They knelt down by the big wood box, University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Car- His child. and she prayed for him, asking God to “tie roll was the first Church of God general the professor’s tongue. . . . Let it cleave to overseer to earn a doctor’s degree. At the This article is excerpted from Called to the roof of his mouth.” age of 31, he was appointed as president Serve: Biographies of Church of God The next day, Carroll was called by the of Lee College. General Overseers (Pathway Press, 2014). professor to respond in class to the previ- Dr. Carroll served as a pastor for 17 Doug LeRoy, retired, is the former director ous day’s discussion. He stood and said, “I years and was serving as pastor of Lenoir of Church of God World Missions.

34 EVANGEL • dec 2016