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WESLEYAN.Life / FALL 2017 Through prayer about their giving, they are becoming more They were thinking fully devoted followers of .

about how to be After using a portion of the money to assist with a campaign to build a new were expanding, the church good stewards of sanctuary, the church decided board borrowed money from to establish an endowment the fund, but then paid it back their stewardship to enhance fund with the remainder, still a at a higher interest rate than their discipleship. Through their resources after million dollars. the fund would have earned prayer about their giving, The church voted to do just Jim Rathbun, a from the bank. Each year, the they are becoming more fully that and blessed local agencies professional fundraiser, endowment fund board guards devoted followers of Jesus. in the community. Now the remembers visiting Mae and the principal amount to be sure Ben Capshaw is another church has decided that at the they went to . Nellie when he was quite it never dips below its original person who has been touched end of each year, if they have young. In their home, he cut level. by the endowment fund. He exceeded their budget and all out pieces of cloth for quilt Every year the endowment once served as a children’s expenses are paid, they will Nellie squares and prepared pill fund board receives requests pastor at the church that give away the balance. bottles to send to missionaries. for grants. They meet and administers the fund. In more Through these efforts Even then, he was impressed consider each one. To date, the recent years, he was pastoring a at improving stewardship, RON MCCLUNG with the dedication of these fund has given away nearly a church in that needed obedient Christians are two women. million dollars, but they still a new roof. He requested becoming stronger disciples. & Mae For a time, as an adult, have the original amount. They are learning to Rathbun served on the Today in Rathbun’s Their faith is pray about how to endowment fund board. fundraising efforts, totally use their resources According to the guidelines unconnected to the becoming stronger " for God. They are they had developed, the endowment fund, he often growing in their money can never go toward meets with wealthy people. each time God answers understanding Nellie, I have set aside some the operating expenses of the They are frequently surprised and practice Nellie, a schoolteacher, had invited local church that controls when he does not try to twist prayer and supplies a need. money for you and it will of generosity. " Mae, a widow, to live with her some the fund. It must go toward their arms to pressure them to And their faith become yours when I die," years earlier. In their late 70s and early outreach endeavors or to new give a certain amount. Instead $3,500 from the endowment is becoming stronger each 80s, they were thinking about how to projects. At one point, when he says, “My job is to help you fund. Remembering Ben’s time God answers prayer and Mae said to her friend. the church was not doing well, get closer to God. So I would be good stewards of their resources service to the church, they gave supplies a need. "Well, Mae, actually I have the board did vote to use some like you to pray about whether his Indiana church $10,000! We should not be after they went to heaven. When they of the money to help fund an set aside some money for God wants you to invest in Ben’s church replaced the roof, surprised. Paul told the did die and their resources came to outreach pastor for the first this project. If he does, great. completed some other projects, Corinthians, “Each of you you and when I die, it will the Wesleyan church of which they year, and then cut back the If not, I will not pressure you.” and still had money left over. should give what you have percentage of assistance over become yours." were members, the total amount was Of course, he hopes they will Rathbun counseled Ben to decided in your heart to the next two years. be generous, but his goal is to give it away on the premise more than a million dollars! give, not reluctantly or under On another occasion, strengthen their walk with the that you can’t outgive God and compulsion, for God loves a when the church facilities Lord. In other words, he wants that God loves a cheerful giver. cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

2 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 3 Transforming lives, churches, and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ. TheInseparableTwo Vol. 11, No. 4

MATTHEW 6:21

Founders Orange Scott (1843), Seth Rees (1897)

Executive Editor Janelle Vernon Creative Director Kory Pence Assistant Editor Tricia Rife hile leading Wesley Seminary, I monitor the connection between Designer Julia Sprow Designer Lyn Rayn discipleship and stewardship in my W I was privileged to design and Digital Storyteller Aaron Fussner teach a class titled “Money.” As life. As a pastor, if I avoid or apologize Cover Illustration Julia Sprow students gathered the first day I began for talking about money, do I avoid

the class by saying, “I’m sorry if I misled or apologize for other dimensions Contributors any of you. You may have thought this is of discipleship—reading the Word, Caryl Aukerman Katie Long Pete Benson Ron McClung a financial class. More accurately, it is a praying, loving my neighbor? Or do Edgar Chacón Mark Rennaker discipleship course.” I broaden my view of stewardship to David Drury Wayne Schmidt The very foundation of elude accountability for a specific area Marc LaPointe Ben Ward stewardship is the reality that God’s Spirit may be addressing in my DIGITAL MAGAZINE ONLINE AT WESLEYAN.LIFE “God owns it all.” Everything life? If God convicts me about my

we are and have is his: our time, use of time, do I comfort myself that Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are taken from The gifts, resources, relationships, body. stewardship also involves money or Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All Everything. physical well-being, and if I’m doing fine rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. in those areas, I’m okay? Using the example of our bodies, Contents of this magazine are not to be reproduced without Jesus queries his followers, “Do you not Jesus stated, “For where your written permission. Signed articles present the views of the writers and are the property of the writers. know that your bodies are temples of treasure is, there your heart will be also” the , who is in you, whom (Matthew 6:21). Where is your heart? ISSN 2327-414X (print) ISSN 2327-4158 (online) you received from God? You are not So, as you read about Wesleyan Life is published three times annually, free IN THIS ISSUE your own; you were bought at a price. stewardship in the following to The Wesleyan Church schools and churches. Home delivery is available for a minimum donation of $12 Therefore honor God with your bodies” pages, think discipleship! The (U.S. dollars); $15 (USD for Canadian); and $25 USD (I Corinthians 6:19-20). two are inseparable. for all other international addresses. STORY VISION NEWS Correspondence Discipleship is giving ourselves For change of address give both old and new addresses. 02 Nellie & Mae 04 Inseparable 21 2017 marked with fully to God—no holding back. This Address all editorial and advertising correspondence, subscriptions, and change of address to: 08 Head over heels with 12 Time to heal growth and change full surrender is how we recognize his laughter 16 Giving God your all 28 News & information ownership and submit to his lordship. Mailing Address Physical Address Wesleyan Life The Wesleyan Church 10 A lifetime of giving 23 Apples to orchards 29 Wesleyan Emergency Relief P.O. Box 50434 13300 Olio Road Indianapolis, IN Fishers, IN 46037 11 Two became five 24 Building a thriving future Fund 46250-0434 Tel: 317.774.7907 Fax: 317.774.3924 27 Humans of Surrender TEACHING www.wesleyan.org [email protected] 06 Let go, it's God's

DR. WAYNE SCHMIDT Published by Wesleyan Publishing House 14 Llenando una necesidad FACEBOOK.COM/THEWESLEYANCHURCH Look for these icons General Superintendent P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250-0434 for bonus digital media @WESLEYANCHURCH The Wesleyan Church Member: INSTAGRAM.COM/WESLEYANCHURCH WESLEYAN.LIFE 4 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life Teaching 1 2

We live in a world seemingly obsessed with money, material possessions, status, It’s all God’s We are stewards, careers, entertainment. It is easy to adopt a When we belong to God, everything managers, servants mentality of “holding on tightly” to these we are and have belongs 100 “His servants ... entrusted his things and screaming, “Mine!” percent to him. God is the owner; wealth to them ... ” We need to True biblical stewardship or many in the church, we are the manager, the . In carefully and responsibly manage. (discipleship) is “letting go.” Instead of F stewardship is synonymous Matthew 25, we are reminded that, We are not the owners, but need to screaming, “Mine,” faithful stewards pray, with giving, fundraising or “he entrusted his wealth to them.” manage as if we were. At Beacon “Yours!” capital campaigns. In reality, it’s so Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Capital Management, the company In my third year of college, my wife, much more! Lord’s, and everything in it, the I co-own, we have appointed Ginnie, and I agreed to pastor a small Let’s begin with its definition, world, and all who live in it.” Both several managers over various country church near campus. With two like the following from Webster: “1: seem pretty clear, wouldn’t you departments. The managers realize kids, college expenses, etc., the $100 a the office, duties, and obligations agree? The key to discipleship and the business does not belong to week we were paid was stretched to the of a steward. 2: the conducting, stewardship is constantly reminding them, but also recognize their call, limit. Yet both of us had been taught that supervising, or managing of ourselves that we are his. Therefore, their responsibility on behalf of the the $100 belonged to God, and in full something; especially the careful everything we own and will own is business, to “steward” and “manage” surrender to him, we needed at least to and responsible management of his; every dollar, every hour, every these departments well. The people, give $10 (10 percent) to the church. something entrusted to one's care.” talent, every dream, every gift, our the tasks, the budget – all are That decision was very difficult, Abraham Kuyper defines , our recreation, everything. entrusted to them. because we could really use the money. stewardship as: “Carefully and But faithfulness was a matter of obedience responsibly managing something and surrender and discipleship. God was, entrusted to one’s care,” adding, of course, faithful to stretch the remaining “there is not a square inch in the $90 to do much more than we could have whole domain of our human 3 4 dreamed. existence over which Christ, who Stewardship When we, 20 is sovereign over all, does not cry: is holding years later, began ‘Mine!’” everything For me, stewardship is discipleship. to experience loosely, totally It’s total surrender to God of We will be held We are to be productive unexpected wealth, surrendering that lesson was a When we everything I am and have been accountable Matthew 25 makes it clear that the given. When we surrender fully it to God and strong reminder. If we surrender fully “After a long time the master of stewards/managers were to put everything we are and have, it serving him hadn’t learned to be those servants returned and settled that which was “entrusted” to them everything we becomes natural to be a good with gladness faithful with a little, accounts with them” (v.19). The to work and to produce results. are and have, steward during seasons of much or of heart. we wouldn’t have been longer the master stays away, To invest their gold, their talents, little. faithful with much. it becomes the easier it becomes to think of their time – not just hold tightly to One of the most popular Stewardship is holding everything natural to be a everything we have as being “ours” it. Not worship or bury it, but use biblical passages relating to loosely, totally surrendering it to God and good steward let go to do with as we choose. Often, it. Put it to work. What resources stewardship is Matthew 25:14- serving him with gladness of heart. that means sitting on or burying has God entrusted to you to use during seasons 30, known as the “Parable of the God’s Word encourages us to steward the entrusted gifts, talents, money. productively? Money, musical of much or little. Talents” or the “Parable of the Bags well what is entrusted to us until the Most of us think of ourselves as the talents, leadership gifts, time, of Gold.” Master’s return. The Master will return. one “bag of gold” (the one “talent”) relationships, a career, a family? The passage begins with, God’s pleasure and blessing await his person anyway, so it’s almost like we “Again, it will be like a man going faithful stewards. think we’re somehow off the hook. on a journey, who called his “God wouldn’t expect much from servants and entrusted his wealth to me.” Well, in Matthew 25, the owner PETE BENSON them” (NIV, 2011, emphasis added). (God) was furious with the servant is founder and co-owner of Beacon because he “buried the gold in the Capital Management, LLC in Franklin, . ground.” God calls him a “wicked, lazy servant (steward).”

6 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 7 HEAD OVER HEELS WITH LAUGHTER

love to laugh. Whether it’s a brief Did you catch that? “The nations” saw the I chuckle among friends or a full-out, tears hand of God at work in the joy and laughter of streaming down the face belly laugh at a Tim his people. Hopefully they will see the same in us. Hawkins concert, I just love to laugh. I wholeheartedly agree with King Solomon’s The nations saw the hand of observation that “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22) and believe it’s a prescription that God at work in the joy and needs to be filled in the church on a regular basis. laughter of his people. When I came to candidate at Sweetwater Community Church, I felt myself falling head over heels in love with this congregation. We were made I live in San Diego, a military town filled for each other. Why? Because they know how to with statues, plaques and memorials honoring laugh. our men and women in uniform. My favorite In Psalm 126, the psalmist describes the people memorial sits in the shadow of the USS Midway of Israel’s joy at a time when things were going well, – a group of life-sized bronze service men and saying: women smiling, laughing and clapping as they look at a bronze statue of Bob Hope standing at When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, a microphone. Hidden speakers play excerpts of we were like those who dream. Hope doing a standup routine at a USO concert Then our mouth was filled with laughter, in Vietnam. The military recognizes the value of and our tongue with shouts of joy; laughter in difficult times. So should we. then they said among the nations, The laughter of God’s people is beautiful. “The LORD has done great things for them.” It can reduce our stress, bind us together and soothe hurting hearts. Laughter is a priceless treasure God has given us. As stewards of that treasure, we need to spend it freely and frequently.

MARC LAPOINTE is lead pastor at Sweetwater Community Church in Bonita, .

8 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life two BECAME a lifetime of giving five KATIE LONG

dwin Wissbroecker had a big His life-long friend, Don Bray, E view of God. As a cherished describes Wissbroecker as "a principled ompelled by the need, my husband Global Partners missionary until person, taking biblical directives C and I launched into full-time his death at 91 in 2016, Wissbroecker literally. He believed that you could ministry almost 11 years ago, served for more than three decades in not out-give God and this established dragging our two young children along Zambia, Africa, and continued to return a foundational way of viewing his for the ride, with a third to be born two there after he retired with his wife, stewardship." years later. Then reality collided with us. Wilma, to . Wissbroecker chose Our children sometimes found His whole life was about answering not to be defensive over his He believed that it hard to adjust to the new culture, Ministry the call God had given him before he resources because he knew you could not shaped by a former, ruthless communist became out-give God and even knew Christ. After he finished God was his supplier and dictator and years of Muslim rule. As our about our his time in the military, Wissbroecker would provide for all his this established a children's individual passions and talents went to a church service with some needs. Genesis 28:15 repeated foundational way emerged, we realized our son is very whole family friends. He had no idea what the word itself throughout his life and of viewing his musical, our daughter loves ballet and all sharing their missionary even meant, but as he proved true even after his stewardship. of our three children are ardent artists. In giftings and shook the pastor’s hand, the man made retirement from missions. our new neighborhood, we had a lot of giving back to Wissbroecker’s calling clear. “This man is “I am with you and will difficulty finding resources to encourage the community. called to be a missionary.” watch over you wherever you go, and I them in these endeavors and develop Later, when two friends led him will bring you back to this land. I will not their God-given gifts. to Christ, God reminded him of this leave you until I have done what I have promise. Wissbroecker’s response set the promised you.” In fact, we wondered at path to a lifetime of giving, financially Because he had a generous God, he times if we had done right So, we bought pastels, paint and Ministry truly became about our and physically. could be generous too, and that showed by our children in coming markers, and hosted classes in art and whole family sharing their giftings “If God ever wants me, he can have in how and what he gave. Wissbroecker to this poverty-stricken, ballet. We prepared a Women’s Day and giving back to the community. me.” This attitude changed everything. believed the money given to him had a difficult place to minister. recital and saw the side benefit as more , discipleship and church Wissbroecker made spreading the gospel purpose and that was the only way to people became interested in the God we planting involves each member of his life. He put all his use it. His wife and family continue his And then a new way of ministry praised and served. our family and include music, ballet resources into discipling legacy of generosity through supporting emerged for us. As we saw God answer Then came the day when our son and art. Our ministry and our family "If God wants me, people, making them missionaries with Global Partners. prayers for us to find ways to fan into hosted weekly worship times where are stronger. he can have me" stronger so they could flames our children’s interest in ballet, participants were encouraged to create others. music and art, we realized that so many songs as well, resulting in Albanian people in our neighborhood were in the worship songs. Ministry stopped being same situation. We could see the sadness only Mom and Dad serving, hoping our CARYL AUKERMAN children would be positive about our serves as a Global Partners in neighbor children’s eyes when they missionary in Albania. asked if they, like our children, could ministry and one day learn to live their learn to do ballet, art or music. own, separate lives in Christian service.

10 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 11 Time

When Addison was offered the to Heal role of director of Global Partners Health Network, he saw the convergence of his entrepreneurial In 2013, wiring, his desire to be involved in the global mission and the Dr. Scott Addison opportunity to use his medical was a partner in training. a family practice How does he manage these multiple priorities? Addison admits in Muskegon, it’s an ongoing journey of finding . He and his wife balance. However, he has worked Sheila were active members of All with colleagues to structure his Shores Wesleyan Church (Spring practice schedule so that he can Lake, Michigan). Their personal devote one full day each week to lives were kept busy with raising Global Partners. three sons: Lewis, Teddy and Addison clearly sensed God Emmett. leading him into this role. This As a busy, successful has helped him to professional, Dr. Addison was not persevere through times when the looking for more ways to spend demands seemed overwhelming. his time. But it was at that time He has been presented with other that Dennis Jackson, executive opportunities for engagement director of Global Partners, asked along the way. Taking time to Addison to consider leading a listen for God’s leading has helped major medical outreach through him filter the God ideas from the The Wesleyan Church. merely good ideas. Global Partners Health Addison challenges other Network (gponline.org/GPHN) professionals from all walks of life brings together healthcare to consider how they may steward professionals and students to share their time for maximum impact. the love of Christ through global “You got one shot on earth,” he medical ministry. GPHN supports says. “You want to do what you can three Wesleyan hospitals—located to advance the kingdom. Whatever in La Gonave, Haiti; Zimba, it costs to get yourself in a position Zambia; and Kamakwie, Sierra where you’re really using your gifts Global Partners Health Leone—and a number of clinics to serve God is well worth it.” Network brings together in places like Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and creative access healthcare professionals and countries. GPHN has pioneered students to share the love of Community Health Evangelism Christ through global medical (CHE) outreaches in Haiti and ministry. Cambodia.

gponline.org/GPHN BEN WARD serves as Asia Area director for Global Partners.

12 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life El ladrón: "Lo que tienes yo lo 1 quiero y te robaré" actúa bajo la premisa de la avaricia y codicia.

El Sacerdote y el levita: 2 “Lo que tengo es mío y no lo comparto,” por su vocación religiosa dada por Dios, se Stewardship has a foundation: Everything is esperaba que fueran sensibles from God (Psalm 24: 1-2, 1 Chronicles 29: 11-12). a la necesidad del herido, That is the key. John Maxwell said, "Stewardship is to use embargo decidieron no hacerlo. the skills God has given you, to manage the resources Es decir, fueron egoístas. God has given you to get the results that God has prepared for you." El samaritano: “le pertenezco Understanding and practicing these principles opens 3 a Dios, lo que tengo es de Dios, the door to the dimension of Christ's lordship, true por lo tanto lo utilizo para llenar worship and the practice of a living faith, which at the una necesidad,” con sensibilidad same time produces a full life. misericordiosa, decide usar sus I would like to use the parable of the Good habilidades, su tiempo y recursos Samaritan to examine our motivations and our para socorrer al necesitado, churches. Here Jesus intentionally inserted a Samaritan teniendo una buena actitud de whom the Jews hated. But let's look at the different mayordomía. Con esta actitud, attitudes: el samaritano actuaba como un buen mayordomo, basado en la The thief: "I want what you have, and I will steal yours." obediencia la fe y la adoración, ya 1 He acted under the premise of greed. que todo acto de servicio a Dios es auténtica adoración. The Priest and the Levite: "What I have is mine and 2 I do not share it." Because of their God-given, religious De igual manera, podemos vocation, they were expected to be sensitive to the need reflejar este ejemplo a la luz de of the wounded, but they decided not to do so. They la iglesia de hoy en día. ¿Cómo were selfish. está mostrando tu iglesia una buena mayordomía? ¿Está The Samaritan: "I belong to God, what I have is La mayordomía tiene un fundamento: recordando tu iglesia que TODO 3 from God. Therefore, I use it to fill a need." With Todo es de Dios (Salmo 24:1-2; 1 Crónicas es de Dios? Como al Sacerdote compassionate sensitivity, he decided to use his abilities, 29:11-12), esa es la clave. John Maxwell dice: y Levita, se nos han dado un sin his time and resources to help the needy, having a good "Mayordomía es utilizar las habilidades que Dios fin de recursos para bendecir a attitude of stewardship. With this attitude, the Samaritan te ha dado, para administrar los recursos que otros. Al igual que el Samaritano, acted as a good steward, based on obedience to faith Dios te ha dado, para obtener los resultados que utilicemos todo lo que se nos and worship, since every act of service to God is true Dios te ha preparado." ha dado para ser obedientes worship. Entender y practicar estos principios abren a Él así como para aquellos la puerta a la dimensión del señorío de Cristo, la que no conocen del mensaje In the same way, we can reflect this example in the verdadera adoración y práctica de una fe viva, transformador del Evangelio. light of today's church. How is your church showing que produce vida plena. ¡Seamos fieles mayordomos good stewardship? Is your church remembering that EDGAR CHACÓN Quisiera utilizar la parábola del Buen para que el Señor nos siga everything is from God? As were the Priest and Levite, El Dr. Edgar Chacón es el Superintendente bendiciendo cada vez más! del Distrito Hispano del Suroeste de la Samaritano para así examinar nuestras we have been given endless resources to bless others. Iglesia Wesleyana. motivaciones y las de nuestras iglesias. Aquí, Like the Samaritan, let us use all that God has given Dr. Edgar Chacón is district Jesús inserta en la historia, intencionalmente, to us by being obedient to him as well as by being superintendent of the Southwest Hispanic a un Samaritano a quienes los judíos odiaban. compassionate to those who do not know of the District of The Wesleyan Church. Pero veamos las diferentes actitudes: transforming message of the gospel. Let us be faithful stewards so that the Lord may continue to bless us!

14 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 15 Giving God YOUR ALL

I am 3rd The men’s basketball Indiana Wesleyan University team is building a team of 3rd in a culture of 1st.

“IAM3,” or “I am 3rd” is a top pillar Ben Carlson, a senior from Assistant coach, Jeff Clark, said the of the Indiana Wesleyan University Palatine, , says “I am 3rd” has team is intentional about seeking God’s men’s basketball team. The team’s blog changed his life forever. A former guidance in all they do and is quick Collectively, site describes it as “Building a team of lukewarm Christian, he knows he’s to point out the team is made up of 3rd in a culture of 1st.” Head Coach given God his all this past year– imperfect guys. the five Wesleyan Greg Tonagel and his coaching staff academically, relationally, physically, “I am 3rd to us is not a catchy colleges and universities consistently remind the team that they mentally and spiritually. slogan,” said Clark. “It’s the heart of steward the lives of more are third. The concept is simple: it’s “This is a program that doesn’t what we’re trying to accomplish with than 18,000 students annually. God first, others second, yourself third. just believe in growth, but in our program. We are not perfect, but From the beginning of the transformation,” said Carlson. “I began we learn greater depths of it each year.” Each school is different. Each student recruiting process, coaches tell to pray that I would no longer be seen, While the coaching staff and players is different. Each discipleship opportunity prospective students what the team but God would be seen in everything I want to win, they know they have a is different. But the mission is the same— is about. While many are receptive, d o.” greater purpose. transforming lives through the hope and some are not. And that’s okay. Players know the team is one that will pursue holiness of Jesus Christ. Following is a Jesus and love people. The team spends glimpse of how students are being significant time praying, dreaming and discipled at Wesleyan Church schools. seeking God together–even ministering locally through various avenues and IWUHoops Blog going on regular mission trips to iwuhoops.net/blog communicate the gospel.

16 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 17 John Lamos grew up in a family of pastors including his dad, grandfather, aunts and uncles. It seemed obvious he I hesitated about going would follow in their footsteps. However, into a life of ministry Lamos ran from God’s call. “I hesitated about going into a life of because I felt like I Wesleyan ministry because I felt I was doing what was doing what everyone University everyone expected me to do,” Lamos God can said. “I decided out of my own expected me to do. story with God as opposed to About 15 years ago, a group of Oklahoma use anyone Obligation saying ‘yes’ by default. God Wesleyan University students expressed or put [in me] a passion to love a desire to create an entirely student-led worship environment at the university. people with his heart that Calling only came from him and Lamos embraces Lead Today, OKWU’s not from following a family Pastor Brent Ingersoll’s Spiritual Life team Jaclyn Algier’s plan when Kingswood calling.” vision to be led by the Holy helps run ALTAR, a she arrived on the Houghton After earning a B.A. in Spirit and to say “yes” to God, Posture student-led chapel University College campus was simple: Algier cried all 10 days of ministry at Kingswood University even when seemingly impossible. service occurring of play volleyball. A generous the trip, her heart moved by that included an internship as creative He has repeatedly witnessed people Sunday nights scholarship motivated her to “people with their hands in arts pastor at Kings Church, Quispamsis, entering the church and experiencing the throughout the school enroll even though she “wanted the air, tears running down , , Lamos joined love of Christ for the first time. year. Typically, ALTAR worship nothing to do with the religious their faces, knees bent on the the staff serving full time in the same One teenager showing interest in the consists of worship, aspects of Houghton College dirt floors, praising God with role. He oversees campus worship, media creative side of Sunday morning services a brief message from a student, prayer, c ampu s .” all their hearts.” These people and productions. was asked by Lamos to help with media. communion and other activities. “had nothing, yet I had “He’s a teenager whose heart has been set ALTAR’s intent is to begin each everything … I lacked on fire for God’s kingdom,” Lamos said. “It new week in worship before returning I thought a person had to be nothing yet they were is seriously a gift to watch him fall deeply in to the busyness of homework, practices all put together nicely before happier than I was.” love with Jesus.” and classes. Students are given a chance to remind themselves of what’s they could be a Christian. From that point on, ultimately important: to be in intentional she was on fire for God, community with God and their peers. “I thought a person had to be all baptized at Houghton Wesleyan “The thing I love about ALTAR put together nicely before they Church. Algier worked at a is that it is all student-led,” said Sam could be a Christian,” Algier said, Christian camp and went to Thomas, Spiritual Life team member who “but when my teammates started Costa Rica with Push the Rock Tangible Examples Learn more worked as an ALTAR worship leaders sharing some personal things to engage in sports ministry at swu.edu/article/swu-involved- coordinator. and we began to pray, seeing dangerous prisons. The men’s soccer and the women’s mentoring in-high-school-and-community- those prayers being answered was Algier followed a call to Southern outreach-at-walhalla/ “The students program teams helped launch a mentoring who are intriguing.” Ecuador with One Mission Wesleyan program between Southern Wesleyan The thing I love The transformational Society after her 2015 speaking ALTAR University University volunteers and Walhalla High know exactly about is that moment came on a team mission graduation and is teaching School students. The program’s goal is to and SWU alumnus. “This tangible example what we're all it is all student-led. trip to Nicaragua. She recalls at an elementary school in provide support, inspiration to gives our athletes confidence that the dream going through going only “because I wanted North Africa through English continue a college education, of college sports is not out of reach with hard as college to play volleyball, visit a new Language Institute/China and witnessing Christ to the work and dedication.” students. It's a great community country, work at the orphanages (ELIC). She is determined to high school students and Opening a community outreach program environment where anyone from campus and just spend time with my impact the students through the Seneca and Walhalla in Walhalla and Seneca involving Welcome can come and have some quality worship teammates.” education and sports ministry. communities. Interactions Wesleyan Church and several other churches time with their peers. It's also a great Although Algier never intended have included a campus visit is also planned. The Latino discipleship platform for anyone who wants to go into to become a disciple and share and soccer clinic. program, “La Ruta,” started by Dr. Raul ministry because they can get experience the gospel, she now embraces “The SWU mentoring Chavez-Negrete, SWU associate professor of speaking or leading worship.” that charge wholeheartedly. program has given our athletes business, and Walhalla High School board a chance to see what it is really like member, will focus on helping the Latino/ to play college-level sports,” said Miguel Hispanic population, young women and Campus Life at OKWU Resendiz, Walhalla High School soccer coach generational poverty. okwu.edu/residential/campus-life/

18 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 19 2017 Marked with Growth and Change

District Worship Superintendent Attendance Elections

Rev. Wesley Smith Northwest District

decadal Rev. Peter Moore Atlantic District growth rate of 22.9% Dr. Billy Wilson Mountain Plains District

The following North American districts showed a 5% attendance gain: Eastern -New England Chesapeake • Distrito Hispano District changed name to: Suroeste • Greater • Mountain Plains • East Northeast District • Shenandoah • Western New York

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2007 7,836

2017 12,287 “These stats – along with stories of transformed lives, churches and communities – give us cause for celebration,” said General Superintendent Dr. Wayne Schmidt. “And we do celebrate Conversions every time a disciple makes a disciple and a church multiplies itself until The 32,141 Wesleyan Church has a transforming presence in every ZIP code.” the fourth largest total on record

www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 21 (Sent Ones) for Jesus, whether we have to cross an ocean or an alley or a cubicle to tell someone of his love and It’s our privilege to be missionaries forgiveness.” As Sent Church (Sent Ones) for Jesus, whether we trains up people to be have to cross an ocean or an alley or sent, it has short-term, Apples to mid-term and long- a cubicle to tell someone of his love term goals in mind. and forgiveness.” Orchards Sent Church has been establishing leadership Becoming a giving buy-in, developing and sending church leaders and apprentices takes ministry to for new small groups another level. and churches and helping a steering “As the Father has team determine the sent me, I am sending preferable outcome to you.” This is what Jesus their vision of sending said to his disciples in in the DFW area and John 20:21, and it has beyond. become the inspiration Next year’s goal for a church’s identity is for everyone in and name in Plano, leadership to grow and , where nearly multiply/reproduce. Of this 300,000 souls live. leadership replication, Nash says, Sent Church, as the “The discipleship and leadership congregation renamed training engine of 2 Timothy 2:2 itself, is in the greater are the keys to beginning and Dallas–Fort Worth furthering a movement.” metro area (often Sent Church has planted referred to as DFW). churches before, but this Within this sprawling intentional leadership 13-county area of development opens up all Texas that more than kinds of new possibilities for seven million people multiplication. Sent Church Reflecting on what God is call home, DFW is a envisions a dramatic increase multiplying out from Sent Church, place the people of in small groups, leadership Nash says, “We used to only think Sent Church are not capacity and developing several about apples and trees, but now just home in, but are new church plants and training we envision orchards of churches sent to and sent from. models. Two dozen new church coming from this one, small seed Pastor Dwight plants of all sizes in many called Sent Church!” Nash emphasizes the locations, and just as many missionary calling new small groups that ideally of every believer in will become DAVID DRURY Sent Church saying, seeds of new “It’s our privilege is an author and serves as the chief of church plants staff for the international headquarters to be missionaries themselves are of The Wesleyan Church. long-term goals.

www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 23 Growing freedom allowed the church to turn attention from problems toward possibilities. Yaryan acquired a home that Building a might provide rental income, but the house needed renovation. TFI operates through a simple He started making repairs alone, proposition: thriving clergy help Thriving Future but soon had a team of helpers. create thriving congregations, Church members volunteered time Yaryan and Union Street which help support thriving and tools. They networked in the Wesleyan Church took the communities. The economic community to find materials and lead. They built a coalition of challenges pastors face often supplies. Room by room, the house, community churches. They exist at the center of reasons the church and the future took “Not sure how, but I’ve got TFI gave Yaryan hope his organized with the YMCA. They why they fail to thrive. But it’s shape. to get my church involved,” situation might be reversed. networked with local merchants not really about the money. It’s Amazing futures sometimes Randy Yaryan thought. He had He shared the project with to collect donations, materials and not about pastors accumulating emerge from a simple question: just learned about the Thrive the Winchester Union Street volunteer-work schedules. The material wealth. It’s about “What if?” While working on Financial Initiative (TFI), a new Wesleyan Church family, finding youth at Union Street donated removing impediments and Yaryan’s rental home, the pastor program from The Wesleyan them receptive to the idea. $1,000 to the project. creating conditions that help and laity learned that someone Church Education and Clergy “I found a church willing to Yaryan and his team launched pastors function fully in the in the Winchester community Development Division. TFI help its pastor. They just didn’t the work in August 2017, living calling and gifts of God. needed help. A man widely known brings the denomination, know I needed it or where I out the grace and generosity of for serving kids through the local district, local church and pastor needed it,” Yaryan said. When Christ. A church once mired in Through a generous grant from YMCA and youth sports leagues together in collaborative ways he affirmed he had some debt debt and a doubtful future has the Lilly Endowment, God has lived in a home covered in broken to address pastors’ economic concerns, that was enough begun to turn into a kingdom blessed The Wesleyan Church siding, rotted doors and shattered burdens and provide financial information for his church force in its small community— with a pathway to address the windows. “What if . . . ?” management tools for a pastor leaders. one nail, one board, one person at economic challenges faced and congregation. Without knowing all the a time. by our clergy–Thrive Financial Through years of ministry details, laity started brainstorming Initiative. at minimal salaries, Yaryan ideas for raising funds to reduce accumulated sizeable debt from his debt. The pastor and lay A church his and his kids’ education, loans leaders began working together once mired from worn-out vehicles he used to complete financial education for ministry and bills from other projects that helped them become in debt and a wesleyan.org/tfi expenses just to provide a home better stewards. Many took doubtful future learn how you, your pastor and for his family. Working second the opportunity to minimize MARK RENNAKER your church can engage in the and third jobs to make ends meet personal debt. The church also has begun is a pastor, associate professor of Thrive Financial Initiative eroded his outlook for ministry tackled some of the congregation’s leadership and serves as The Wesleyan to turn into a Church denominational director of the and strained relationships with debt. What started as support Thrive Financial Initiative. the people he was called to for the pastor soon grew into kingdom force HOPE FOR PASTORS serve. Yaryan suffered. Ministry a collaborative project freeing in its small You can learn more about the suffered. pastor and people from some of beginnings of TFI by reading Hope the economic shackles limiting for Pastors: A Collaborative Approach community, to Clergy Financial Health available ministry focus and ability. from Wesleyan Publishing House. one nail, one https://magento.finelink.com/ board, one wphstoreretail/bkc730.html person at a time.

24 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 25 HUMANS OF SURRENDER

BY TRICIA RIFE

“Nobody cared. I was tossed out like a Each story features examples of the human piece of paper,” said Perry, a homeless condition: pride, fear, ego, doubt, lust, betrayal, man in Manhattan, . anxiety, bitterness and anger, followed by how the Perry’s story is just one of many told by story subject found hope in Christ. Humans of Surrender (HOS). An initiative of While the stories found at HOS illustrate Brett Awbrey and Herbert, both members , Awbrey, an entrepreneur, and Herbert, of Westview Community Church in Manhattan, Westview youth director, stress that those featured Kansas, HOS shares stories of the brokenness aren’t perfect people. of people who then find hope and redemption “We don’t want to give the illusion that through Jesus Christ. The stories cover the through Jesus we’re perfect,” said Herbert. spectrum of humanity, from homeless people to “Surrender is something I do hundreds of times a company CEOs. day. When we submit ourselves to his grace, we are The idea for Humans of Surrender was born healed – true spiritual transformation takes place.” in 2014 as Brett contemplated what it means to truly surrender one’s will to God. HOS is modeled Everyone has a story and God can use after Humans of New York, a photoblog consisting each one to make his name known. of stories that display humanity in a pure form. The goal of Humans of Surrender is to produce There is one major difference, however. Stories 6,000 stories by 2019. with Humans of Surrender depict the hope found Awbrey and Herbert want to empower others in Jesus. to tell their stories. “There is not a human being on the face of “People are reserved in being transparent and the earth who doesn’t have a story to tell or isn’t sharing their stories,” said Herbert. “It’s okay to be broken,” said Awbrey. “Common ground for all of broken.” us involves sin, brokenness and pain.” Learn more humansofsurrender.com

www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 27 LEGACY WESLEYAN CHURCH EMERGENCY PLANTING EBOLA EPIDEMIC Wesleyans Provide RELIEF FUND Hurricane Relief HURRICANES and Recovery Haiti & The United States TWO EARTHUAES Nepal

Read more relief updates wesleyan.org/news

The Wesleyan Church, World Hope International and Poured Out united to provide relief and ongoing recovery WATER CRISIS for victims impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Flint, Michigan The Wesleyan Could a portion Church stewarded of your estate TSUNAMI $1,720,682 transform a Renuevo: Renewal, Southeast Asia community? Relationships and Relaxation FLOODS MUDSLIDES

TYPHOON Mozambique & Peru More than 500 Hispanic and multiethnic people gathered The Philippines The Wesleyan Church at Indiana Wesleyan University for the Hispanic family camp, Development Office Full story Renuevo 2017, in July. Renuevo wesleyan.org/6571 can help you make a will be held again June 22-24, 2018, at Southern Wesleyan University. legacy gift to church TORNADOES planting efforts in Oklahoma your district. Sierra Leone Ecuadorian Pastors Emergency Make History IT'S MORE THAN NUMBERS. in Oklahoma, floods and mudslides in Each WERF entity worshiped God Each dollar represents a donor, Mozambique and Peru, a water crisis by serving others, assisting with funds, # multiplytwc Response Effort History was made for The Wesleyan a deliverer and a recipient. in Flint, Michigan, hurricanes in Haiti personnel, equipment, supplies, medical Church of Ecuador on May 12 when and the United States, and the Ebola care, construction, communication and World Hope International coordinated Gustavo Viejo, Nino Medina, Diana an emergency response effort with the In the past five years, the Wesleyan epidemic in Sierra Leone. prayer. Because of people’s immediate Development Office Esteves de Cruz and Juancarlos Cruz Emergency Relief Fund has responded Involved in WERF services and generous response to WERF, Sierra Leone Office of National Security became the first ordained Wesleyan to 11 domestic and international were Global Partners, World Hope lives were transformed physically and (ONS) in response to deadly mudslides pastors in the country. and flooding in , Sierra disasters. Prompting calls for International, Poured Out, districts, eternally. 317.774.3931 Leone, on August 14. contributions were two earthquakes in congregations and individuals. Nepal, a tsunami in southeast Asia, a Humanitarian aid networks spanned Full story Full story development@ wesleyan.org/300 wesleyan.org/6574 typhoon in the Philippines, tornadoes communities, countries and continents. wesleyan.org 28 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 29 Remembered

EMMETT, DR. STORER Dr. Storer Emmett, 84, died August 25. Emmett served as a missionary with Wesleyan World Missions (now Global Partners) in Haiti, Sierra Leone and Zambia. He also served as director of Wesleyan Medical Celebrating and Fellowship (now Global Partners Health Network). He is survived by Partnering with “Together We Can Do It!” his wife, Wilma. Full story: wesleyan.org/wesleyan-missionary-medical-doctor-passes-away Poland Churches A dream became reality in Bogota, Colombia, when 14 members of the first Wesley Seminary (Bogota) cohort Full story wesleyan.org/6517 Wesleyan churches in Poland are using received master of divinity degrees on July 15. Seven students graduated with undergraduate degrees. CANN, REV. ENOS MARTIN, REV. ERNEST, JR. Facebook Live and auto repair to meet Rev. Enos Cann, 93, died July 25. He Rev. Ernest Martin, Jr., 36, died June 25. He their neighbors and help with real-life pastored in New York, , Ohio, pastored at Gnaw Bone Wesleyan Church in problems like car trouble and inter- , and Canada. His wife, Erma, Nashville. His wife, Linda, survives. personal conflict. survives. Full story: wesleyan.org/indiana-south-pastor- Full story FARLEY, REV. DALE killed-in-car-accident-6442 wesleyan.org/6575 Rev. Dale Farley, 84, died July 1. He pastored in New York and Michigan. His wife, Helen, OOCUMMA, REV. DINAH General Superintendent survives. Rev. Dinah Oocumma, 90, died August 27. She served as an assistant pastor at Cherokee Responds to Charlottesville FLICK, REV. JAMES Wesleyan Church in North Carolina. Her Rev. James Flick, 88, died June 11. He pastored husband, Woodrow Welch, preceded her in death. Caribbean Wesleyan in , Kansas and Oklahoma. His On August 12, violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, received national wife, Nina, survives. PARK, JOSEPH College Celebrates attention. White supremacists and counter-protesters clashed during the Joseph Park, 86, died August 24. He served as Dual Accreditation “Unite the Right” rally, organized to protest against removing the Robert HAMEL, REV. MARK a printer for Wesley Press, now Wesleyan Edward Lee sculpture in Emancipation Park. Rev. Mark Hamel, 63, died July 13. He Publishing House. His wife, Edna, survives. Following are excerpts from a response by General Superintendent pastored in Kansas and . He was The Caribbean Wesleyan College (CWC) Wayne Schmidt: co-pastoring First Wesleyan Church in RAMPEY, REV. M. PAUL community gathered for a thanksgiving Wichita with his wife, Marcelle, who survives. Rev. M. Paul Rampey, 89, died June 24. He service to celebrate the school’s full “I denounce any behavior couched as Christian that dehumanizes planted Belton Wesleyan Church in Belton, accreditation with the University HINSHAW, REV. E. DWAYNE people and elevates one group over another. , and pastored several other churches Council of Jamaica, along with its Rev. E. Dwayne Hinshaw, 69, died July 26. in the state. His first wife, Marian, preceded him in “Our doctrine as Christians and history as Wesleyans in full accreditation with Caribbean He pastored in North Carolina and was death. He is survived by his wife, Martha. particular compels us not to be silent or inactive, but to engage Evangelical Theological Association, serving as an assistant pastor at First in love. I call on all Wesleyan churches to pray for our nation, achieved in 2011. Wesleyan Church in Burlington. He is SHEPHERD, REV. EDWARD Charlottesville, and for pastors and community leaders on the front survived by his wife, Janeice. Rev. Edward Shepherd, 84, died July 15. He Full story lines risking their safety there.” pastored in the Shenandoah District. His wife, wesleyan.org/6515 “I also encourage all Christians to grow in their discipleship by KUEHNER, REV. TOM Gladys, preceded him in death. forming relationships across ethnic lines. Rev. Tom Kuehner, 54, died July 22. He “In my own life, I have found these relationships to grow my own pastored at Victory Highway Wesleyan WILSON, REV. VELMA soul, and also grow my perspective and empathy for how others Church in Painted Post, New York. His wife, Rev. Velma Wilson, 83, died May 6. She pastored experience these matters. God uses these relationships, and our Deb, survives. with her husband, Rev. Ted Wilson, for 60 years. He preceded her in death. discipleship becomes more holistic if we reach across such lines.” LEROY, REV. DAVID Safe are a Rev. David LeRoy, age 64, died WITHEROW, REV. DANIEL Full story September 6. An ordained Rev. Daniel Witherow, 41, died May 11. He served Church Priority wesleyan.org/6587 minister with the Atlantic as pastor of Grace Wesleyan Church in Zanesville, The Ransom Church was the first District, he served as district Ohio. His wife, Sara, survives. superintendent of the Dakota in to become a Safe District from 1993 to 1997, and YAZZIE, REV. BEN Families church. Eight churches in of the Atlantic District from Rev. Ben Yazzie, 76, died June 27. He pastored Sioux Falls now volunteer with Safe Prayer for Charlottesville 2007 to 2012. He also pastored Dineh Wesleyan Church in Keams Cannon, Families for Children. in the Atlantic and Central New York . His wife, Bettie, survives. On August 13, the first of 21 days of Full story districts. He is survived by his wife, Joanne. previously-scheduled focused prayer was Full story wesleyan.org/6601 EDITOR’S NOTE: Rev. Lona Johnston passed wesleyan.org/6497 held in Cornerstone Community Church, a Full story: wesleyan.org/former-district- Wesleyan congregation in Charlottesville. superintendent-passes-away away in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. We apologize for the previously-published error.

30 FALL 2017 / www.wesleyan.life www.wesleyan.life / FALL 2017 31 THE WESLEYAN CHURCH CORPORATION PO BOX 50434, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46250-0434 WESLEYAN.ORG