The Connection
January/February/March The official
publication of
the Evangelical
Methodist Church
2008
A CC R E D I T E D
Traditional, Adult,
and Online degree
programs.
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Biblical Studies
Business Management*
Christian Ministries*
Christian Education
Church Planting
Early Childhood Education
Intercultural Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
Music Education
Nursing
Pastoral Counseling
Psychology*
Chemical Dependency Counseling*
Teacher Education
Worship Arts Ministries
Youth Ministries
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Business Management*
Christian Ministries*
Interdisciplinary Studies
*Program is also available as part of the adult or online
degree programs.
Call 1-877-7OCU-NOW or visit www.OhioChristian.edu to apply.
Ohio Christian University • 1476 Lancaster Pike • Circleville, Ohio 43113 • email: [email protected]
Contents
4
‘07 General Council
The Dynamic Session
5
Desperate Prayer
A message from Dr. Edward Williamson, General Superintendent
6
Effective Prayer for Today
Learning from history
8
House of Prayer
Intentional prayer
9
24/7 Prayer
The power of praying in God’s house
10
Praise You in the Storm of Infertility
A couple’s story of peace in the storm
12
Going Deeper with God
18 Hospitality to Strangers Transference of discipleship
Opening our homes to those around us
14
Leadership in Prayer
U.S. and Mexico
16
Just One
20
Born to Teach
Meda Jane Leach retires
23
News Notes
Impact your community
The Connection
The Connection is a quarterly publication of the Evangelical Methodist Church.
International offices are located at the
Hamblen-Bruner Headquarters Building
6838 South Gray Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46237
Telephone: [317] 780-8017
Fax: [317] 780-8078
www.emchurch.org
[email protected]
All Scripture is quoted from the
NIV Bible unless otherwise noted.
Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Edward Williamson
Managing Editor: Mrs. Peggy Trim
Graphic Design: Mrs. Rebekah Oursler
Contributing Editors:
Rev. Kevin Cain
Mrs. Loretta Williamson, Prayer Department
Mrs. Teresa Grove, HQ Executive Secretary
Mrs. Nancy Utt, Missions editor
Ms. Elva de la Garza
Send articles to:
Mrs. Peggy Trim
[email protected]
Mission: Connecting people of all cultures and promoting the work
of the Kingdom by communicating our stories of changed lives
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
3
‘07 General Council
by Rev. Clyde Zehr, former General Superintendent
As the General Council members gathered for the annual Council session in September,
we were mindful of two things. One was that a special call for prayer had gone out. Individuals
and churches throughout the denomination had been asked to intercede for these two days of
planning. More than that, before arriving in Indianapolis, some of the Council members had
been leading their congregations in prayer for the Lord’s wisdom and direction as proposals
regarding the future of the EMC were considered. Two was that this year’s meeting would have
a one item agenda. Detailed change proposals had been previously mailed out for consideration.
Expectations were high that a significant reorganization effort was in the making. This would
be the single issue before us. Rarely in the history of the EMC has there been such a Council
agenda.
Therefore, as the meetings began, everyone sensed that this would not be a usual or
predictable Council session. There was an atmosphere of excitement. At the same time, a
profound sense of dependence on God was evident. Before the opening presentations were
made, we somehow knew that we didn’t have the answers, but that God did and He would
make them known to us.
This certainly happened! The actual dynamics of what followed have proved somewhat
difficult to express. Some felt “warmly drawn” in the direction God seemed to be indicating.
Without doubt, as one member recalled, “personal agendas and feelings were laid aside in
submission to what was felt to be God’s leadership and will.” Perhaps most significant, we
were aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that He was giving to us the gift of unity.
One member’s conclusion was that “there was such a unified spirit among those present that
people were looking at one another in awe as vote after vote and comment after comment
resulted in unanimous conclusions.”
The Council’s unanimous proposal was that there be one unified EMC conference for
administration and authority. The existing six districts would be melded into one. Much detail
work would be required to bring this to pass. Our commitment to being a congregational/
connectional denomination would remain unchanged.
While being convinced that this is the proposal the Lord would have us make for our
denomination, Council members were well aware of the difficulties that lay ahead. The plan
is revolutionary, calling for the streamlining of our organization in order to be more effective.
Resistance to this proposal could be expected, and for good reason. Badly managed change can
have devastating effects on organizational morale, motivation and commitment. Habits and
procedures that have previously given comfort and satisfaction in the local churches would
be disrupted as new ways would be introduced. Misunderstandings of the one-conference
proposal could trigger unfounded fears and resistance.
Therefore the General Council ended as it began, sensing a great need for prayer. Yet there
was much rejoicing, hope and optimism. Since the Lord had met with us in such a profound
way, we believed that He would hear our prayers that Evangelical Methodists would in time
see this proposal as something that would make their workload easier, and result in increased
numbers of transformed lives to the glory of God.
4
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
Desperate Prayer
“God does not answer prayer, he answers
desperate prayer,” said the late Leonard
Ravenhill. What is desperate prayer? A
person’s prayer life is directly related to how
much dependence he has on his own ability
and self-sufficiency. The more self-confidence
we have, the less we pray. Prayer becomes
desperate when there is no confidence in
human ability to advance the Kingdom or
overcome a personal Goliath.
First and Second Chronicles record
biblical examples of assemblies for desperate
prayer during the reigns of Hezekiah and
Jehoshaphat. I believe the Evangelical
Methodist Church is prepared to begin
desperate prayer that will result in an impact
on each of our communities for Christ. The
General Council has called for a Sacred
Assembly of Prayer for the remainder of the
quadrennium (2008-2010). The results we
may expect are conversions of unbelievers in the local churches and the sanctifying cleansing
and empowerment of believers; an influx of children and youth in our churches; an openness
to change in order to minister to new people and different ethnicities in our changing
communities. Holy lifestyles reflecting the character of Christ should become the heartbeat
of the witness to our communities.
God wanted to extend mercy and revival upon His people, not withdrawal of His Presence.
The problem was no one cared enough to commit to desperate prayer. “When I came, why
was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to
ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?” (Isaiah 50:2).
This issue of “The Connection” introduces the EMC family to a two-year season of desperate
prayer. We are proposing changes in the conference structure to streamline the organization by
developing core strategies for church health and evangelism, and concentrating on resourcing
the ministries of missional-focused local churches. We cannot let this become a human resource
effort that lacks the anointing power of the Holy Spirit. We can choose to be ordinary or
extraordinary. To be extraordinary we need the fresh anointing and empowerment of the Holy
Spirit. My prayer is that you will choose to become desperate in your prayer life.
Dr.EdwardWilliamson
General Superintendent
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
5
Effective Prayer for Today
In 1857, Jeremiah Lanphier, an ordinary layman, did
an extraordinary thing. He decided to pray. Not only
did he decide to pray but he invited New York City,
particularly “merchants, mechanics, clerks, strangers and
businessmen” to join him once a week on Wednesdays.
However, when the appointed time arrived, 12 noon on
September 23, no one came, until 30 minutes late. The
group was small but each week it grew and they decided
to meet daily. Meetings were held throughout the city and
soon spread across the nation and then around the world.
During a three year period people prayed in agreement for
the salvation of family members, neighbors and coworkers
by name. They praised God when it happened. Over one
million people were saved in America and another million
were saved in other parts of the world.
Leaders realized the need for a set of simple rules that
would keep the goal before the ones who came to pray. They
were there to pray for the salvation of those in their sphere
of influence. So a “bill of direction” was established.
Be prompt, commencing precisely at twelve o’clock.
The leader is not expected to exceed
ten minutes in opening the meeting.
1 st. Open the meeting by reading
and singing three to five verses of a
hymn.
2nd. Prayer.
3rd. Read a portion of Scripture.
4th. Say the meeting is now open for
prayers and exhortations, observing
particularly the rules overhead,
inviting the brethren from abroad to
take part in the services.
5th. Read but one request at a time –
requiring a prayer to follow – such
prayer to have special reference to
same.
6th. Prayers and exhortations not to
exceed five minutes; no controverted
points discussed.
7th. In case of any suggestion or proposition by any person, say this is simply a prayer
meeting, and that they are out of order, and call on some brother to pray.
8th. Give out the closing hymn five minutes before one o’clock. Request the benediction
from a clergyman, if one be present.
6
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
September of last year was
the 150th anniversary of the
Fulton Street Revival and that
occasion is stimulating a call
to prayer. One hundred fifty
years ago, God brought revival
to America and the world
through the Fulton Street
prayer meetings.
Let it be noted that the
Fulton Street Revival started
close to where the Twin
Towers once stood. Ground
Zero has become America’s
Wa i l i n g Wa l l . E ve r y d a y
Christians congregate and pray
for America at this site. It is
interesting that these Ground
Ground Zero has become America’s Wailing Wall
Zero prayer gatherings are
within two blocks of the first
Fulton Street Noonday Prayer Meetings. God is using the 9/11 terrorist attack to call us to
pray for revival from the same place He called men to pray in 1857. God’s people are being
reminded that if we humbly come before God and make our requests known to Him, He will
hear and heal our land.
The EMC Prayer Department is preparing an adaptation of the 1857 “bill of direction”
which was strictly observed by the leaders of the Fulton Street prayer meetings across the
United States. This adaptation will be used for our 2008-2010 Sacred Assembly. The “bill of
direction” emphasized punctuality, beginning and
ending the meetings on time. Meetings were opened
with a ten minute period that included singing, prayer
and Scripture reading. When it was announced that
it was time for prayer, one request was read at a time,
and prayer specific to the request followed. Individuals
were
not to exceed five minutes for their prayers. The
business of the meetings was prayer.
May God’s people become people of repentance and
sacrifice, investing time and energy in praying for the
salvation of loved ones, may we step humbly into God’s
presence and receive His anointing. The EMC is not a
big denomination, but we can be powerful and effective
for the saving of souls. You may be the one that God is
calling to do something extraordinary in prayer.
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
7
House of Prayer
by Rev. Max Edwards
God is at work in Elizabeth City, challenging us
to become a house of prayer. It was in the summer
of 2001 that God began to birth a new passion for
prayer in my heart. Prayer was already important
to our church – for over seven years, men had been
meeting every Tuesday and Thursday morning
to pray from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. I wrote an article
for publication in our local newsletter entitled,
“Never Stop Praying.” I was dreaming about a
time when prayer would be the central focus of
our church.
God is bringing that vision to pass! I asked God
for several specific things; here are a few quotations from that article. “I am praying that God
will lay it upon someone’s heart to take a leadership role in the ministry of prayer.” “I envision
a prayer team to be actively praying for the upcoming weekend services.” “They may also staff
a prayer room with intercessors praying during
each Sunday morning service.”
By the winter of 2002, all these things were in
place. And since that time, prayer has continued
to rise in our minds, hearts and calendars. Each
pastor has a weekly prayer team. We have intercessors meeting in a dedicated prayer room during
the entirety of each service, praying for the worship and preaching time. Three new prayer
leaders have emerged: the prayer intercessory team called the PIT Crew, our local National
Day of Prayer coordinator and the leader of a very active and functioning prayer chain. In
addition to these ministries, the Tuesday/Thursday men’s prayer group continues faithfully to
intercede; a youth prayer breakfast is held each week; and Wednesday evenings in the chapel
are now devoted entirely to prayer. A year ago, the Hispanic congregation began what they
call Operation 7/11. They meet on the last Saturday night of the month for a special prayer
vigil from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This year they have added the element of fasting during the entire
day, and God is answering their prayers, creating a new potential church plant in the Edenton
area.
Prayer is not putting coins into God’s vending machine making Him give us what we want,
but prayer that is in keeping with God’s will is indeed the key to unlock heaven’s door. Jesus
said that “Men ought always to pray” (Luke 18:1). Various New Testament writers admonished
us to pray; Paul wrote, “Never stop praying” (Ephesians 6:18); James asked that we “Pray one
for another” (James 5:16). And we must remain vigilant in prayer. It is not a once-and-for-all
kind of activity, rather it is to be the heart of the church. The heart can never rest! It pumps
day and night throughout our lives. So must our efforts be in prayer. We are to seek God
continually for His will and His work to be done among us. Above all things, let’s pray.
Rev. Max Edwards is senior pastor at Elizabeth City EMC in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
8
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
24/7 Prayer
by Josh Bresler
Last year, the senior high youth group of The Duvall Church sponsored an event during
which the whole church was invited to participate in prayer for one week. They made signup sheets for the seven days that were divided into 24 one-hour segments. They emptied the
sanctuary of most of the furniture from Sunday night to Saturday night and they set up 12
stations around the room. If people spent only five minutes at each station they would fulfill
their hour commitment. Volunteers gathered information and requests and decorated each
station appropriately for its purpose, i.e. the station for the persecuted church looked like a
jail cell with black crepe paper streamers. Throughout the week, people came to the sanctuary
at all hours.
My favorite stations were the wall of prayer and the cross. The wall was a place where
people could write a prayer, praise, poem or draw a picture to express themselves to God in a
public venue. The cross was ten feet high and imbedded in stone, with verses about sacrifice
placed on the floor around it. There were large pieces of paper next to each verse on which
people expressed their thoughts in light of the cross. One of the things I liked most about
these stations is the fact that they fostered corporate interaction on a personal level. That can
be hard to achieve, but beautiful when done correctly.
To me one of the most amazing things was the fact that by early Monday morning after
only 10-12 hours of prayer there was a drastically different presence in the church. Many of
the people who came out of the Sanctuary had very little to say. Most of them just came out
and said thank you. I think at that time I truly came to understand the words written in Isaiah
56:7 (AB), “All these I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of
prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house
will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
There is power in praying in God’s House. It is really exciting to see what happens when
we are willing to take time out of our busy lives and do what He calls us to do.
Josh Bresler is youth pastor at The Duvall Church, Duvall, Washington.
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
9
Praise You in
the storm
of infertility
by Nathan and Leah Williamson
We are having a baby!
Such news was too much for us to grasp. The rush of emotion left us laughing while
crying, talking to each other while praising the Lord, wanting to run but unable to stand,
and all while trying to get ready to go to work. This wonderful news was something we had
longed to hear for two and a half years.
We experienced the same struggle that many of you face, infertility. We had gone through
the struggle of not ovulating or even having a cycle. We reluctantly started using medical
drugs in order to have a cycle, and found ourselves even trying fertility drugs, believing that
God could work through modern medicine. We had sought help from our local doctor and
from a renowned fertility clinic with no results. Finally, we returned to our original doctor.
God answered our prayer and enabled Leah to have a cycle, but still she was not ovulating.
We tried a drug called Femara, a drug used for breast cancer patients; doctors had had some
success with women getting pregnant while taking it. We had used it for two months when
we finally got the good news.
Through this process the Lord had shown us that any child we were to have would be
His. The Lord also birthed a desire in our hearts to adopt. Romans 8:18-28 spoke to us about
10
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
our being a means of grace to a
child without parents. We had
just started the adoption process
when we became pregnant.
However, two weeks later
e ve r y t h i n g ch a n ge d . T h a t
weekend Leah miscarried. It
was hard to go through the joys
of finally having our prayers
answered and then losing the
baby unexpectedly. The grief
was so strange. How could we
love a little one so much when
we had never seen a face, much
less heard a heart beat? We know
that life begins at conception
and that our little baby is in the
arms of Jesus. We are confident
that we will see our first child
one day in eternity.
We were comfor ted by
passages of Scripture like I
Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Be joyful always. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s
will for you in Christ Jesus.” Leah was comforted also by a song entitled “Praise You in the
Storm” by Casting Crowns, especially by the line, “I will praise you in the storm and I will lift
my hands. For you are who you are, no matter where
I am.” We know that God is in control no matter what
we are facing. God demands our praise at all times,
in the good circumstances and also in the trials; and
we will obey. Praising the Lord after receiving the
devastating word from the doctor was probably one
of the hardest things we had ever done, but we had
never felt His presence more clearly than we did at
that moment.
This may not sound like a happy story, but it is. We
are trusting God’s faithfulness to give us the desires
of our heart in His timing, and we are going through
with the adoption process knowing that this is part of
God’s plan for our lives. God knows how we feel and
He loves us. The road is not one we would have chosen
for ourselves, but life is not about us. Life is about
Jesus. We are thankful for our first child. Our loss was
emotionally painful, but because of our experience
our faith and trust in God has increased. We are still
in the midst of the storm, but we serve a God who is
faithful. And so we praise Him in the storm.
Nathan Williamson is youth pastor at Elizabeth City EMC, Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
11
Going
Deeper
With God
by Rev. Kevin Cain
D
uring the final weekend of October, Evangelical Methodist men from across the
country gathered as one at the Lifeway Conference Center in Asheville, North Carolina to be
challenged to put away their personal masks and be honest with God through discipleship, as
they attended this men’s conference titled, “Going Deeper with God…the Inward Journey.”
According to Reverend Floyd B’Hymer, superintendent of the Central Lakes District,
“ ’Going Deeper with God’ was the best men’s meeting of this kind that I have attended in 51
years of being in the EMC.” What made the conference so life changing? According to Evangelical Methodist Men’s president, Larry McDowell the conference was designed to bring men to
a place of truth and vulnerability. “We are trying to begin to establish some deeper challenges
in the lives of men within the denomination,” McDowell said. “There are men in our churches
with deep issues; men who are carrying bondages in their lives. The lack of discipleship allows
these deep issues to remain present in the hearts of our men, and remaining in the hearts of
our men, they in turn remain in the hearts of our local churches.”
The three day conference afforded keynote speaker, Lexington, Kentucky Judge Tim Philpot to get at the core of the men, prune them, and then place those stone-to-flesh hearts back
in their proper places of productivity. Time and again Philpot’s message was filled with the
calling to be honest in Christ, to stop hiding behind masks, to let go of the facade and begin
surrounding oneself with godly men.
According to McDowell the three day event was a time of true pulse checking for the men
of the denomination. “We put the men in groups of three and tried to get a feel for where they
are in their lives. The men opened up, revealing everything from severe financial problems, to
addictions to pornography, to active and past adulterous relationships. Until there is deliverance, the Holy Spirit is going to be limited in His work.”
The true goal behind the conference, according to McDowell, was to have men bring a
program of discipleship back to their respective churches, and then see men turned loose
for all kinds of ministry. “The first place discipleship is to be seen,” says McDowell, “is within
the man’s own family. He then creates leadership within the local church, and ultimately a
wonderful support system for the pastor.”
12
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
There cannot ever be genuine form unless there is practical function. For this truth, McDowell offers a sensible model. First, our form for discipleship must be a biblical paradigm.
“We have nowhere else to look but the Bible and our Christ,” says McDowell. “It all begins with
Jesus discipling the twelve,” indicating our need to keep those we are discipling to a number
that is certainly manageable.
Next, McDowell says, comes the key: The Local Church Pastor. “In order for discipleship
to be successful the local pastor must get behind it.” From there the plan lives in a constant
state of reanimation. The model looks something like this:
Pastor disciples
Three Men
then
Man One – Man Two – Man Three each disciple
Three Men Three Men
Three Men
The plan is simple and spreads like a welcome fire throughout the church. This functional
form lives in a cyclical pattern of being discipled and discipling. McDowell offers this truthful
tongue twister, “At some point there is a release (disciple from discipler), but the disciples
always come back to their discipler for discipling after they have become disciplers.”
The plan is revolutionary, and yet simple. Within the form there is function, but what is
the substance within the function? McDowell says the discipleship group’s makeup must be
three-fold. First, there must be the component that is the teaching of the Word. Every disciple
must learn how to hide the Word in his heart that he would not sin against God; to apply the
Word to become personally stronger; and, to use the Word as offense to tear down strongholds
and advance ministry.
Secondly, there must be the establishment
of disciplines such as daily Bible study, prayer
and accountability among the group’s disciples
and discipler. McDowell says that the model of
accountability is not a military concept where
disciples make their confession to discipler as a
higher ranking officer. Instead, he says, “Everyone
has consensus. We have to move as far away from
legalism as we can. If we love one another we are
concerned for one another.”
The family structure of disciplines and accountability naturally flows into the third arm of
the discipleship configuration. This arm is to be
defined in the word “relationship.” “Jesus spent
significant time with the disciples, and we must do
Evangelical Methodist Men’s president
the same,” says McDowell. In Biblical Principles
Larry McDowell
of Discipleship, author Al Coppege, writes that
we must have life to life transference present in
our discipleship groups. Investment and encouragement of individuals entrusted to our care must be the key. “It’s all about being Barnabas
people,” says McDowell, “We must be encouragers of one another.”
One weekend. One plan. A revolution of discipleship. Perhaps it is time to drop our masks,
deal with the deep issues, usher in deliverance and remove the limits placed upon the Holy
Spirit within our hearts, our homes and our houses of worship.
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
13
Leadership in Prayer
Atlantic
My goal is for prayerful study of the Word
of God. Although I am not always successful, I try to pray for the pastors by name and
the congregations of the district on a daily
basis. We have a monthly prayer session that
area pastors attend on the fourth Thursday
morning of the month . Our district Hispanic
ministry is a direct result of God answering
prayer.
Contact Superintendent Harold Thompson at
[email protected].
Central Lakes
Prayer is the main cog that turns the wheel
of progress in my personal life and that of the
district. Each new pastor that comes into the
district is an answer to prayer. Many times I
am faced with problems that I don’t have
the answer to, but after prayer, God shows
the way for everyone involved. It is a joy to
know that there is a God who takes a personal
interest even in our small work for Him.
In October a new church in Connersville,
Indiana held its first service. We also signed
affiliation papers with our new church in
Westfield, Iowa. Both are answers to prayer.
One of my favorite verses on prayer is:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”
(James 1:5 KJV). In my 51 years of ministry
I have prayed this hundreds of times, and it
works.
Contact Superintendent Floyd B’hymer at
[email protected].
14
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
Mid-States
Here is a plan I like to follow: On Monday, I pray for the pastors for
rest and encouragement, and I name them
individually with personalized prayer before
the throne. On Tuesday, I pray for each
pastor’s family by name, for physical and
spiritual strength, protection from spiritual
attack and for good family relationships. Wednesday is the day to pray for the education
of the church body as they prepare for
services. I pray for Sunday school teachers,
Bible study and discipleship leaders, children
and youth ministries, for God to give fruit in
the preparation and teaching of the Word, and
a hunger for God. Thursday prayers are for
local and district leadership. I intercede for
the work of boards, committees and officers,
and especially pray for good relationships. On Friday, I pray for the pastors’ insight, and
revelation and illumination by the Holy Spirit
as they prepare for the Sunday services. I ask
God to give them a deep thirst for the things of
God, and for courage to bring God’s message
without any hint of compromise. Saturday is
the best day to pray for church attitudes and
known problems, for victory on Sunday, and
for the defeat of the enemy and his nefarious
plans to combat the will of the Lord. Finally, on Sunday I pray for strength
for teachers, leaders and pastors, and for a
spiritual harvest in services that day. [email protected].
Contact Superintendent Jack Conner at
Northwest
Each morning Leona and I have separate
prayer times to begin the day. She is a very
early riser, and I am otherwise. Each evening
we pray together for the missionaries we
help support and the countries in which
they work; the pastors and congregations in
the district; denominational needs; immediate family members; other relatives; unsaved
individuals whom the Lord has laid on our
hearts and current needs. We have all these
divided into seven lists, so that by the end of
each week intercession has been made for
every individual. This has been a way of life
for us for a number of years, a regular routine,
and often our best time together during the
day.
Contact Superintendent Clyde Zehr at
[email protected].
Southwest
For many years I have used what I call
my prayer wheel. The wheel has 12 points,
like a clock. Each point has a statement and
a Scripture verse, e.g. praise, thanksgiving,
confession, etc. I spend several minutes on
each point.
God has answered more prayers for Janet
and me than we can count. Two women in
my church had asked for prayer concerning
their cancer, and after prayer, no cancer was
found. I myself was told some years ago that
I should visit our children, for I was going to
lose my speech and then die of cancer. I asked
God to give me 20 more years of service for
Him, and He has already given me 10 of those
years. Last April I was hospitalized for three
heart bypasses and replacement of my aorta
valve. During the operation they told me my
heart stopped and had to be revived. God is
good, allowing me to live, to serve Him and
to continue taking care of my wife, Janet.
My constant prayer is to be able to help
people grow in Christ. I believe if the Christian grows the Church will grow.
God gave me a Scripture verse years ago
that I have built my life around: Numbers
11:23 “The LORD answered Moses, (Wes), “Is
the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see
whether or not what I say will come true for
you.”
Contact Superintendent Wes Sperl at
[email protected].
Mexico
My life of prayer is an average of 30 to
40 minutes a day and Bible reading of two
chapters a day. Besides this, I read leadership
writings. It is a marvelous time talking with
God. God has answered many personal and
collective prayers with miracles of healing
and salvation. My fellowship with the pastors is very
harmonious, and talking and praying together
about their problems is an inspiration. At this moment we are building two new
chapels, one in the Tarahumara Mountains
and the other in the San Luis Potosi area, near
the Vera Cruz state line. Today our prayers are
for revival in Mexico. I am always praying for the Evangelical
Methodist Church and its leaders. I love you
in Christ; God answers prayer.
Contact General Superintendent
Constantino Cardenas at mexgs@emchurch.
org.
All superintendents were asked to participate. However, the general superintendent
of Myanmar was unable to communicate because the government shut down the internet
nation-wide during the recent up rising.
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
15
Just
One
By Ed & Loretta Williamson
Cotton field in Slaton, Texas
God is calling The Evangelical Methodist Church to a two-year Sacred Assembly of Prayer.
The goal is a Pentecost that thrusts us into harvest, a Pentecost that empowers us to experience
godly repentance of our sins, sins of spiritual complacency, sins of turning a deaf ear and nonconformity to the Spirit’s admonishments, sins that hinder our reaching our communities for
Christ with new ministries. The Kingdom of God is expanding by millions around the globe,
yet in our communities people continue to live lives of increasing wickedness and immorality.
Jesus says the problem is not in the street or with the harvest, but in the church. “The harvest
is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into
his harvest field” (Matthew 10:2b). Every local church needs just one person who becomes
desperate in his or her prayers for revival and outreach.
Isaiah 59:1 states, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull
to hear.” The problem is not with God, the problem is us! God is ready to pierce the darkness
of our communities but our satisfaction with a powerless church life makes that impossible.
God is saying, “Change My circumstances so I can bless you and remove the darkness that
keeps the church from spiritual health adn Missional focus.”
Isaiah writes in the same chapter, “The Lord looked and was displeased…He saw that there
was no one…to intercede….” God completed His salvation for us in and through Jesus Christ.
The result is that a man can have a perfect love for God and for the people around him. He
can be delivered from self-centered living. How appalling it must be to Him when there is no
one in the local church willing to intercede for the people!
September 23, 2007 was the 150th anniversary of the Fulton Street Revival, sometimes
called the Wall Street Revival or Layman’s Noontime Prayer revival. This lay-led revival began
with just one person, one man with a burden to pray. This noontime corporate prayer went
from 1857-1860 and is estimated to have resulted in over one million conversions across the
nation. The population of the USA was 35 million in 1860.
The Fulton Street prayer revival began in1857 in the North Dutch Reformed Church, just
a few blocks from ground zero in New York City. This prayer meeting extended from one
local church into many denominations across the country and around the world. Jeremiah
16
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
C. Lanphier was hired as a lay missionary in connection with the North Dutch Reformed
Church. He felt it would be profitable to challenge “men engaged in active business to devote
a portion of the time usually given to rest and refreshment at mid-day to devotional purposes.”
So Wednesday, from noon to one o’clock, was set aside in a building on Fulton Street to give
“merchants, mechanics, clerks, strangers, and businessmen generally an opportunity to stop
and call upon God amid the daily perplexities incident to their respective vocations.”
The first person to join Lanphier was a half-hour late; several others came even later. Five
denominations were represented. Prayer and praise were offered. The following week, twenty
No local church in the country is too small
for God to begin a fresh work of the Spirit.
attended, the third week, forty. By the fourth week, they decided to hold a meeting every
workday. Within months, meetings were being held throughout the city; the movement soon
spread to cities from coast to coast.
One of the lessons from the historic 150th anniversary of the Noon Time Prayer Revival
is never to despise small beginnings. No local church in the country is too small for God to
begin a fresh work of the Spirit.
The goal for the prayer time was straight forward and simple, the salvation of the soul.
They would pray for the souls of family members, neighbors and co-workers by name. Others
would join in agreement. Every person prayed for the people in their sphere of influence,
family, friends and neighbors. They prayed for salvation and praised God when it happened.
The absence of a speaker and theological discussion made these meetings unique and attractive.
The distinguishing marks of these prayer meetings were fourfold:
1) Spontaneity: the beginning meetings were the pattern, but soon the meetings conducted
themselves with everyone participating.
2) Interdenominational: people from every evangelical faith participated, and issues that
distinguished them from one another were not discussed.
3) Promptness: the meetings started promptly at noon and closed promptly at one. Those
who prayed were held accountable to the five minute per person rule.
4) Their focus: the “agenda” was prayer – specific prayer for salvation and for the Holy
Spirit’s empowerment.
What is in store for the Evangelical Methodist Church? We want to learn from history and
join thousands of churches across the USA that are focused on prayer for revival and renewal.
This is the beginning of our vision for the local church.
• Lay people and pastors will begin holding prayer meetings specifically asking God to
anoint them by His Spirit and bring revival to local churches and our nation.
• Churches will open their doors for early morning or noon time prayer meetings.
• These prayer meetings will prioritize prayers for the lost, for the Presence of God, and
for the empowering by the Holy Spirit for ministry in their community.
• Pastors and churches will join across denominational lines with like-minded people to
pray for revival in their city, neighborhood and our nation.
God is seeking just one person through whom He can change a local church into a healthy
ministry that impacts its community for Christ. You can be that one!
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
17
Hospitality to Strangers
Recently, a missionar y family that
serves in Turkey visited Covenant EMC
in Morgantown, West Virginia. During
the presentation, the pastor asked the
missionary how we could be intentional in
our efforts as missionaries in our community.
He responded that more than 80% of Muslim
families living in the U.S., that were asked,
said that they had
never been invited
into a Christian
home. He knew
opportunity
e x i s t e d fo r u s
to reach out to
people of other
religions because
in the two days
he had been in
Morgantown,
a university
community with a
large international
population, he
had seen robed
Buddhists and
ve i l e d M u s l i m
women. The
missionar y
challenged us
to host a dinner
for someone of
a different faith.
I thought of the
three Muslim
families that live
in my apartment building.
Even as I stood to volunteer, I thought,
“I am not a housekeeper. I am not a cook.
I have a small apartment. I am disabled. I
am a single woman.” All these were huge
obstacles as far as I was concerned, but it
appeared that God had bigger plans for
me than I could see. The first obstacle to
overcome if I, a single woman, were to host
18
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
by Debbie Mitchem
a dinner for a conservative Muslim family of
seven was the need for a married couple to
co-host with me. God gave me two couples
from church. Next, I had to be able to
seat the men and women separately in my
limited space. Another obstacle was the large
number of people in these three families: ten
children and seven adults. A friend from the
church volunteered
to cook the main
dish and to baby-sit
for the six American
children. Another
friend cleaned my
apartment and
supplied table
settings while she
generally held me
together.
As my plans
progressed, I called
Loretta Williamson
several times for
encouragement. She
knows my limitations
but reassured
me that God was
smiling on me, and
would work out all
the details. While I
was the least likely
person to host this
dinner, God used my
willingness to bring
my church together
to show hospitality
to a Muslim family. As members of this
family have returned to their homeland, they
are not among the 80% never welcomed into
a Christian home. The mission field is right
next door and God is at work.
Debbie Mitchem is co-chair of the World Missions
Committee at Covenant EMC, Morgantown, WV.
Rev. Vernon Perkins, director of EMC Multicultural Ministries says, “This is perhaps the
greatest resource conference available today for those local churches and leaders desiring
to start or to grow a ministry among different ethnicities in their areas. The Summit is truly
an encouraging and challenging experience for everyone attending.”
• DYNAMIC plenary speakers include Dr. John Perkins
• WELL-QUALIFIED and EXPERIENCED workshop presenters in over 40 seminars
• DIVERSE ethnic music
• LIKE-MINDED Christian affinity groups
• VALUABLE information from dozens of venders and organizations
Pre-registration discount deadline is February 29, 2008.
Contact Rev. Perkins for more detailed information, 9025 W 17th ST N, Wichita, Kansas
67212-1311 or [email protected].
The EMC is a member of the Ethnic America Network and involved in the planning of the annual summits.
Born to Teach
by Nancy Utt and Peggy Trim
When Meda Jane Leach was twelve years old, Jesus “claimed her heart and life” at church
camp and soon after her conversion, while at a missions meeting, she accepted God’s call to
be a missionary. When the time came for her to submit applications, more than one mission
board told her no due to their medical requirements. Meda Jane is diabetic. However, she
continued to believe God for an open door which came from her own denomination, the
Evangelical Methodist Board of World Missions.
Meda Jane received her formal education at Vennard College and Asbury Theological Seminary. She was commissioned as a missionary to the Mexico field in 1976 and was ordained as
an elder in 1989. Rev. Leach has faithfully served in Mexico for over 30 years, presenting that
precious gift of salvation through her teaching ministry at the Life and Truth Bible Institute
in Torreon, Mexico.
In 1977, following a year of language school, she was sent to the Life
and Truth Bible Institute in Torreon,
and was immediately plunged into a
rigorous schedule of traveling to the
churches of the Mexican Evangelistic
Mission to promote the Institute two
weeks out of every month. Her first
summer twenty-two students and
staff from the Institute traveled in a
pickup truck with a camper, seeking
students for the Institute. Bro. Constantino Cardenas, Director of the
Institute, and his family traveled with
them. Everyone learned from working in the church ministries and during class time. Meda Jane was really
put to the test teaching adult Sunday
school classes at local churches and
when back in Torreon, she taught Meda helps Gabriel Reyes memorize a Bible
in Spanish for 12 hours a week. Her verse at VBS in the early 1990s
Spanish improved rapidly as she
managed the Institute programs and
20
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
interacted with the girls living in her house.
In the late 1980s, Meda Jane and Lupita Rocha
began children’s Bible classes in a vacant, dusty, unshaded lot in a poor section of Torreon. Meda Jane
reminisces, “The work in the squatter’s community
began because Lupita and I were seeking a place to
present the gift of salvation to those without hope.”
These words reveal to us her heart of love for the Lord
and the reason for her years of service on behalf of
the spiritually lost of Mexico. Under the loving care
of these two ladies directed to the children and their
families, the squatter’s community grew to a congregation of what is now El Centro Cristiano Juan Wesley.
During the past fifteen years the students from the
Institute learned to teach, preach and evangelize by
practicing in El Centro Cristiano under Meda Jane
and Lupita’s direction. Meda Jane labored faithfully
in many other capacities at the Institute.
Meda Jane is pictured with Lupita Rocha at her
graduation from the OMS seminary in Mexico. Meda Jane was her teacher and dorm mother
for two years while Lupita worked and studied at the Life and Truth Institute. Meda Jane, an
example of a godly woman, encouraged Lupita in her Christian walk. Lupita now serves with
OMS International in Spain
Meda Jane credits the Holy Spirit with teaching her classes and helping her students learn
even when she was pushed beyond her capabilities of teaching in Spanish. She says, “The
Lord provided ample finances” and He gave courage and grace for her first furlough and for
language school and for meeting new people. “Being a diabetic, I was constantly aware of
God’s grace. God blessed me, a single missionary, with the companionship of many wonderful
people.” She accepted God’s timing for her to leave the field as her health became more of
a problem and family members in the States needed her care. She has returned to her home
church, Grace EMC in Phoenix, Arizona, where she continues to fulfill her call to the Hispanic
community. The EMC owes Meda Jane gratitude for her years of faithful service and we pray
the Lord’s blessing on her in her retirement years.
I thank the Lord for the life of our sister Juanita Leach. She was my dormitory supervisor
when I was a student, my wonderful teacher and my dear companion in our work. In
the 15 years of living with her at the Instituto Biblico Vida y Verda (IBVV), I could see her
dedication, love and passion for completing the work for which the Lord had sent her to
Mexico. Her work as a missionary has had an enormous impact on my life; many, many
things I learned from her and with her I am even now putting into practice in my work.
My prayer is that the Lord continues to bless and to use her wherever she may be, for the
edification of many people.
Lupita Rocha Q.
Nancy Utt, a member of the Board of World Missions, lives in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Peggy Trim, Managing Editor of “The Connection,” lives in Duvall, Washington.
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
21
Special Offering for
Southeast Asia Conference Center
Goal $100,000
Bring your local church offering
to your District Conference.
Travel to Mexico! Share in the Ministry and Work of the EMC.
Rev. R. L. Icard and Rev. Bill Walker are organizing a work
team of volunteers to go to the San Vicente area of Mexico
in late February or early March.
The approximate cost of this trip will be $1300.
If you have an interest in going with this work and witness team,
please contact R. L. Icard for further details.
[email protected]
or 828-397-3776
22
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
News Notes
Mrs. Jean Thompson, chair of General Conference EMW Christian
Education, announced that the recipients of the 2007 Helping Hand
Award went to the following students: Luke Baldridge and Mark
Hepner from Southland EMC in the Central Lakes District; Michael
C. Wilkerson from Mt. Sinai EMC, Darbi Pacifico and Brittany Lape
from Community Church of Pine Run EMC and Ean Hammond from
Faith Country Chapel EMC in the in the Atlantic District.
Rev. Loren Clark, EMC elder ordained in 1948 and retired WGM missionary,
died November 2, 2007. He and his wife, Lois, served 38 years in Kenya,
Africa.
Two Events – Same Location – Different Days
Special Called General Conference
and 2008 National Pastor’s School
July 9-11, 2008 – Fort Worth, Texas
“Hearts Fully Committed
to God”
2 Chronicles 16:9
Special called General
Conference
We will consider a Comprehensive
Strategic Plan for ministry and “A
Fresh Wind” prayer movement for
the harvest.
“A Charge to Keep I
Have”
2008 National Pastor’s
School
A continuing education event for
all credential holders and church
laity
Sponsored by the EMC General
Board of Ministerial Education
Register online at emchurch.org or contact Rev. Jim Coulston at headquarters, P.O. Box 17070,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46217
The Connection
Jan/Feb/Mar 2008
23
The Evangelical
Methodist Church
6838 South Gray Road
Indianapolis, IN 46237
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
SHOALS, IN
PERMIT NO 18