CHURCH OF GOD Evangel JUNE 2014 We Need Each Other june 2014 Contents volume 104 n issue 6 IN PSALM 148, people from every generation and every station in life are urged to join the rest of creation in worshiping the Lord: Praise the Lord from the earth. Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens; old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. Praise the Lord! (vv. 7, 11-12, 14 NKJV). This issue of the Evangel urges all generations to come together in worship and ministry. for all generations 10 We Need Each Other by Phil Harris ‘I was wrong.’ 12 ‘They’ Just Don’t Get It! by Raymond D. Hodge Acknowledgment and appreciation needed 14 Blending New and Old in Chicago by Lance Colkmire The Philadelphia Romanian Church of God 16 Lizzy’s Legacy by Joyce Noel Wyatt Nine decades of life 21 Three Lessons Young Leaders Can Learn From Seniors by Ryan Stigile About tomorrow, responsibility, and family 22 A Family for Millennial Nomads by John UpChurch Searching for a vibrant reality columns 24 It’s Not About Us! by Cheryl Bell 5 In Covenant, Mark L. Williams Honoring God Through Music 7 On My Mind, Lance Colkmire 34 Chronicles, Andrew Sinclair Hudson 25 The Forgotten Ones by Alexander Smithson Serving those who can no longer attend church departments features 4 Ministry Snapshot 6 By the Numbers 26 Peeling the Onion of Culture by Josh Rice 8 Currents The hard work is worth it. 17 GlobalConnect 28 The Faith of My Mother by Carolyn Dirksen 30 Viewpoints Frances Poindexter Rowland 32 People and Events EVANGEL • june 2014 3 PUBLICATIONS MINISTRIES DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR MINISTRY SNAPSHOT M. Thomas Propes DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS Members of Christian Worship Center (Ogden, Utah) planting flowers at Terry Hart the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Raymond Hodge MANAGING EDITOR Lance Colkmire CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Robert McCall CFO Wayne Walston PRINTING DIRECTOR Mike Burnett EVANGEL STAFF EDITOR Lance Colkmire EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Elaine McDavid COPY EDITOR Esther Metaxas GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bob Fisher EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD Stephen Darnell, Les Higgins, Ray E. Hurt, Cheryl Johns, David Nitz , Tony Cooper, Antonio Richardson If you have a ministry photo to be considered for this page, send it to [email protected]. INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Church of God DECLARATION OF FAITH Mark L. Williams, David M. Griffis, J. David Stephens, WE BELIEVE: Wallace J. Sibley, M. Thomas Propes 1. In the verbal inspiration of the Bible. 2. In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. CHURCH OF GOD congregations meet through- out the United States and in more than 180 3. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the other countries. To find a church and times of Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven services near you, access the church website, and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. www.churchofgod.org, or fax your request to 4. That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God 423-478-7616. for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins. Publication of material in the Evangel does not nec- 5. That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. 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, The Church of God Evangel (ISSN 0745-6778) is and by the Holy Ghost. edited and published monthly. n Church of God Publish ing House, 1080 Montgomery Ave., P.O. 7. Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250 n Subscrip- 8. In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart. tion rates: Single subscription per year $17, Canada $24, Bundle of 15 per month $17, Canada $28, 9. In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the Bundle of 5 per month $7.50, Canada $11.25 n baptism in the Holy Ghost. 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 ©2014 Church of God Publications n All 11. Divine healing is provided for all in the Atonement. rights reserved n POSTMASTER: Send change of 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 4 EVANGELASSOCIATION • june 2014 IN COVENANT mark l. williams general overseer FROM EVERY TRIBE, TONGUE, AND NATION HE EXPANSION OF the Chris- and there was a genuine concern for those many colors, many cultures, but one tian church in the first century in need (Acts 2:41-47). testimony of one God” (Ministry at the is one of the most amazing phe- Unity characterized their fellowship. Margins). Tnomena in all of human history. Though representing different ages, Unity led to generosity. It is stated This is especially true when you consider incomes, nationalities, temperaments, and literally and emphatically “not one of that Christianity was, for the most part, occupations, Scripture indicates this group them claimed that anything belonging considered an illegal and depraved reli- had “one heart” and “one soul” (4:32). One to him was his own” (4:32 NASB). Each gion. Wave after wave of persecution was heartbeat permeated through the entire felt he held his possessions as a trust for unleashed to squash it. There were no body of believers; one life principle pulsat- the entire church. If there was a need, great financial resources available to those ed throughout the ranks of the righteous. there was not a question on anyone’s early disciples, no buildings, no social part—the need was met immediately. status, no governmental approval, and Unity and generosity empowered no respect from educational institutions. The their testimony: “With great power Christians soon separated themselves outpouring the apostles were giving testimony from associating with the synagogue and to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, had no institutional setting or ancient of the and abundant grace was upon them tradition to appeal to. all” (v. 33 NASB). That loving and giv- What they did have was greater than Holy Spirit in ing church enjoyed “favor with all the all the marching legions of Rome. They Jerusalem people” (2:47). had a resurrected Messiah who had From “every kindred, and tongue, “ascended up on high [and] led captivity occurred in a and people, and nation,” Jesus has captive” (Eph. 4:8). They had an endow- “redeemed us to God” (Rev. 5:9). Into ment of “power from on high” (Luke multicultural all the world He now sends us. A Spirit- 24:49)—the mighty baptism in the Holy context. empowered movement characterized Spirit. His presence released into them by love and generosity will still attract power for service, boldness, prayer, and There were no divisions among them. The the multitudes, and give witness to the spiritual warfare. They had faith, fellow- glue that held them together was the cer- world that Jesus is alive. ship, and a new way of life. Most impor- tainty that Jesus was alive. Their unity was tantly, they had a conviction that every- not forced, synthesized, or organized. It body ought to know who Jesus is! was vitalized by the shared conviction that From 120 to 3,000 . from 5,000 to Jesus had risen from the dead. multitudes of men and women . from The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem to Samaria, to the uttermost Jerusalem occurred in a multicultural con- parts of the known world—disciples text. “From every nation under heaven,” and churches multiplied. Someone sum- Jews had come to celebrate Pentecost marized the Book of Acts by saying, “The (2:5). Savior went up, the Spirit came down, the “It is no accident,” writes Cheryl J. saints went out, and the sinners came in.” Sanders, “that the Spirit chose an interna- Often overlooked is the qualitative tional, multicultural gathering of believers growth that occurred among those who in Jerusalem for the Pentecost outpour- united with the Church. They devoted ing, whose testimony was that ‘in our themselves to instruction, fellowship, languages we hear them speaking about communion, and prayer. Wonders and God’s deeds and power.’ Pentecost is God’s signs were accomplished among them, remedy for disunity. Many languages, EVANGEL • june 2014 5 NOTICE OF PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE BYLAWS OF THE INTERNATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL AND THE INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY In accordance with the Minutes of the International General Assembly, the following amendments related to the By- laws of the Church of God are being recommended by the International Executive Council to the 2014 International General Council for consideration.