Tidings
Wes t Texas Assemblies of God
M i n i s t r y ...Upward in Worship • Inward in Discipleship • Outward in Evangelism
Official Organ of the West Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God
June, 2010
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
Volume LXIV Number 6
Superintendent’s
Report
by Glenn R. Beaver
The Anointing
In John’s first letter to the churches he
speaks of the anointing from the Holy
One, I John 2:20. To me the anointing
means the abiding presence of the Holy
Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit
affects the life of the believer in several
ways.
1. The anointing keeps us in the truth. In
verse 21 John says, “You know the truth.”
The way we know the truth is through our
study of the Word of God. Paul wrote to
Timothy that he must “Study to show himself approved unto God,” II Timothy 2:16.
2. The anointing keeps us from false doctrine, verse 22. Just as the bank examiner
recognizes the counterfeit by becoming
familiar with the true. Even we as followers of Christ will be kept from false doctrines not by studying them but by being
well established in the TRUTH. John
wrote in chapter 4 that we are to try the
spirits, to see if they acknowledge Christ.
Elijah told the prophets of Baal in I Kings
18:24, “And call ye on the name of your
gods, and I will call on the name of the
Lord: and the God that answereth by
fire, let him be God. And all the people
answered and said, It is well spoken. God
will answer by the fire of the Holy Spirit
and keep us from false doctrines.”
3. The anointing empowers our efforts in
verse 24. As we abide in Christ and His
Word abides in us He empowers our
efforts for Him. Our teaching, preaching
and witnessing is weak without the power
of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
4. The anointing coordinates our efforts
(verse 28). Just as a conductor coordinates
the sounds of an orchestra so that
the instruments make melody together,
even so the Holy Spirit coordinates our
efforts so that they do not appear as so
much noise, but beautiful music.
I Corinthians 2:9 states, “For we are
labourers together with God.” Matthew
Henry said, “The Lord Christ disposes
of the graces of the divine Spirit, and
he anoints the disciples to make them
like himself, and to secure them in his
interest.”
The following is an amazing illustration of
cooperation. A well-known organist was
performing a concert on the huge, antique
organ in the local Presbyterian Church.
The bellows were hand-pumped by the
boy who was behind a screen, unseen by
the audience. The first part of the performance was well received. The audience was
thrilled by the organist’s ability at the keyboard of the old instrument. After taking
his bows and accepting the ovation, the
musician walked triumphantly into a side
passageway. As he passed the boy, he
heard him say, “We played well, didn’t we,
sir?” The organist haughtily replied, “And
what do you mean, ‘we’?” After the intermission, the organist returned to his seat at
the impressive five-keyboard console and
began to play. But nothing happened; not
a sound was heard. Panic and bewilderment seized the organist. “What in the
world is wrong?” he muttered. Then the
organist heard a youthful voice whisper
from behind the screen, “Say, mister, now
do you know what ‘we’ means?” If God is
not in this ministry with me, I don’t want
to be involved.
Director of Church Ministries
I am pleased to announce that Tracy
McWilliams has been appointed as the
new Director of Church Ministries. The
McWilliams come to the district office
having served in our district as pastor of
Southside AG, Plainview and pastor of
First AG, Odessa. He will be an asset to
our district office team. Cara Lynn
McWilliams is the District Girl’s
Ministries Coordinator. Tracy and Cara
Lynn have two boys who are also excited
about this change in their ministry. Pray
with us that the transition to Lubbock for
the McWilliams family will be smooth.
Suddenly – forty-one times the word suddenly can be found in forty verses of the King James
translation of Scripture. The Oxford University Press dictionary defines suddenly as quickly and
unexpectedly. We often use the word surprise to describe thing that happen unexpectedly, yet
nothing takes God off guard or comes by surprise. The appearance of a vast host accompanying
the angel at the announcement of the birth of Christ happened suddenly according to Luke 2:13.
The Day of Pentecost was characterized with suddenly as the promised Holy Spirit filled those
who had gathered in the upper room. Paul and Silas’ time in the prison at Philippi was interrupted with, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake,” according to Acts 16:26.
God’s will for our lives is often revealed to us suddenly, though His plan has been unfolding
Billy & Bettye Nickell from eternity past. Wednesday, April 21, will long be remembered by our district, and by my
wife and I, as a day marked with suddenly. Beginning with Bro. Slaton’s resignation, to our
Secretary-Treasurer
election as the Secretary/Treasurer, a number of unexpected things transpired suddenly. How
thankful I am to know that God is at work in His church, as well as each of our individual lives, whether it becomes known
to us slowly or suddenly. Bettye and I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your vote of confidence and count it an
honor to work with the leadership team of this wonderful district.
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF
WEST TEXAS
Earl Arnold
March 20 1952 – April 30, 2010
Bro. Arnold was an Ordained minister credentialed with the West Texas District. His
wife Edna resides in Andrews, Texas. His
mother Ethel Wooten is also an Ordained
minister. Please uphold his family and
friends in prayer during their time of
bereavement.
CHURCH UPDATE
New Pastor:
Dimmitt, First AG, Pastor: Israel Olivo
AVAILABLE FOR MINISTRY
Gene Benningfield
Simon Beteta
Kelly Breckenridge
Harry Coons
Paul DeWolfe
Larry Gilliam
Jack Hargrave
Doris McCutchen
Rick & Tori Mitchell
Z.A. Myers
J.C. Owen
Forest Srader
Todd & Angela Starnes
Marcus Tanner
Kevin Vander-Plas
806.456.2029
432.689.0966
806.787.0355
432.955.0697
806.934.2082
903.826.9605
806.747.6715
806.341.4351
806.241.1259
806.216.0252
432.550.5804
505.628.8650
806.771.8887
903.330.1560
806.797.5972
Courses for June 19, 2010
Certified Minister Level
Introduction to Hermeneutics
Ken Redmon, Facilitator
License Level
Introduction to Homiletics
Robert Slaton, Facilitator
Ordination Level
Preaching in Cultural Context
Steve Woodward, Facilitator
Courses for July 10, 2010
Certified Minister Level
The Local Church In Evangelism
Danny Williams, Facilitator
License Level
Eschatology
Mike Hanks, Facilitator
Ordination Level
Church Administration, Law, and Finance
Glenn Beaver, Facilitator
Tracy & Cara Lynn
McWilliams
Director of
Church Ministries
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD TIDINGS
Tracy McWilliams, Editor
West Texas Assemblies of God
5504 Wayne Avenue
P.O. Box 64778, Lubbock, Texas 79464
Phone: 806.792.5835
Please notify editor of any
change of address.
Third class postage paid
at Lubbock, Texas.
Published monthly.
DISTRICT OFFICIARY
Glenn R. Beaver
Superintendent
Tom Lakey
Assistant Superintendent
Billy D. Nickell
Secretary/Treasurer
SECTIONAL PRESBYTERS
Cliff Houghton, Danny Williams,
Neil Unwin, John Murdoch,
Randall McDonald, Ben Hodge, III
Web site: wtaog.org
Email: [email protected]
Becky Nenstiel
Women’s Ministries Director
Just a few weeks ago my spiritual father went home to be with the Lord. One of my fondest
memories about my adopted dad was that every time I phoned him he ended the call by
pulling a promise from the promise box, and then told me he loved me. Over the years I have
grown to love that little promise box. As I was writing this article I found
myself a bit overwhelmed with the up coming missions trip to Pleasant Hills Children’s Home.
I decided it might be a good idea to pull a promise out of my promise box. Just in case you
might need reminded, the Lord always knows what we need and when we need it.
My promise:
“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:2
Thank you Father for constantly being the source of the help in every area of our lives.
Pleasant Hills
Children’s Home
Missions Project
Butler Cottage
June 7 – 12
Funds and Workers Needed
MEN’S MINISTRIES
[email protected]
2010 WEST TEXAS DISTRICT MEN'S RETREAT
Friday and Saturday, August 13-14
District Auditorium, Lubbock Retreat Speaker: Denny Duron, Shreveport, LA
Cost: $45.00. Includes Ribeye dinner Friday night prepared on the LFTL Steak Wagon
(You MUST PRE-REGISTER for the meal)
WEST TEXAS MEN'S MINISTRIES DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT
Meadowbrook Golf Course (Off I-27 and 4th Street)
Friday, August 13, Start time 10:30 AM
Cost: $38.00, Includes range balls and lunch.
4 Man Best Ball Scramble • Prizes for 2 closest to the pin, 1 longest drive.
Trophies and prizes for the championship team.
Mark Stripling
Men’s Ministries
Director
Missions Trip – Leon, Mexico
August 21–28, 2010
Estimated cost: $1100
Pastor Billy Nickell and First A/G, Amarillo have extended an invitation to
the men and women of our district to participate in a construction / evangelism trip to Leon. Missionary Mike Powell will host the trip, and there
will be opportunity to preach at night, with construction work done during the day. Light for the Lost funds will be used for evangelism literature
and for nice study bibles to be given to each of the A/G pastors in the
city. Contact Pastor Nickell for further information.
Royal Rangers
West Texas District Pow-Wow
Roaring Springs Camp
June 3–5, 2010
Cost: $5.00 per person
. . . People to People . . .
Dumas First AG Junior Bible Quizzers advanced in Regional
competition and will now compete on the National level which
will be held in June at Dallas. Team members from left to right
are Dugan Akins, Nicholas Clemens, Ashlie Sauer, & Maggie
Akins, along with Renee Wehunt, coach.
Other teams from the West Texas District that competed at
Regionals were SuperChicks and Roy, New Life, Plainview; Jesus
Freaks, Lubbock, First AG; and Elijah Force, Perryton, Harvest
Time. If you are interested in starting a JBQ team or just need
some new energy in an existing team, please contact Stacy Akins
at 806.220.6057.
JBQ—Reaching Kids Today,
Equipping Kids for Tomorrow!
WEST TEXAS DISTRICT COUNCIL
OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
5504 WAYNE AVENUE
P.O. BOX 64778
LUBBOCK, TX 79464-4778
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Mortgage Burning, May 2, 2010
Odessa Cornerstone Worship Center
Johnny Storz, Pastor
Guest Speaker – Robert Slaton
Gayle Reeves former Pecos Section Presbyter
Prayer Needs: Continue to pray for Susan Williamson
(heart problems), Dollie Lakey, Tom Lakey’s mother,
(recovery from surgery to remove a kidney), Jessica
Coleman and Mandy Pena (recovery of post-surgery cancer
treatments).
Birth: Tim & Brehanna McMorris (Youth Pastors, First AG,
Pampa) are the proud parents of a baby girl, Hanna Grace,
born May 11 and weighed 7 lbs, 4 oz.
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LUBBOCK, TX
PERMIT NO. 138