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AG NEWS #1861: September 3, 2010 **Minister, missions visionary Dan Sheaffer dies Dr. Dan Sheaffer, 80, long-time pastor of Crossroads Cathedral, dies after extended illness. Sheaffer's passion for AG missions and higher education has led to millions of dollars being donated to both areas. Funeral service ‹ 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 8, at Harvest AG, 4019 S. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City. Oklahoma District Superintendent Frank Cargill and Mike Sheaffer officiating. **Fisherman back on feet, thanks to Convoy, MAPS Jimmy Morgan, oyster fisherman from Louisiana, had his house and boat destroyed by Katrina in 2005. Hundreds of church groups, MAPS teams, Convoy of Hope teams and volunteers headed to region to help families like the Morgans get back on their feet and to clean up debris. Now that oil spill has closed his fishing area, Morgan is working to clean up Gulf. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Stop giving them wedding cake! Pastor, is that troubled couple still in your office at every awkward turn? Let us give them some real steak and potatoes at a MarriageRestored weekend. Tulsa is hosting another MarriageRestored weekend, September 10-12. They can take you out for dessert when they get home. Call 877-844-2262 for reservations. Tables for two are still available. Register online at http://www.MarriageRestored.com ‹ a ministry of AG Marriage Encounter (http://www.agme.org). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **MINISTER, MISSIONS VISONARY DAN SHEAFFER DIES Dr. Dan Sheaffer, the former pastor of Crossroads Cathedral (AG) in Oklahoma City and current pastor of Harvest Assembly of God, also in Oklahoma City, slipped into the presence of God Thursday, September 2, 2010, after an extended illness. Sheaffer was 80. Ordained by the AG Oklahoma District in 1958, Sheaffer was an evangelist. After pastoring First AG in Miami, Oklahoma for 8 years (1961-1969), Sheaffer and his wife Bonnie built the small Oklahoma City First Assembly of God (renamed Crossroads Cathedral in 1979) into one of the first and largest mega-churches in the Assemblies of God, with a congregation of approximately 6,000. During the Decade of Harvest (1990s), the church exceeded its goal of planting 1,000 churches in Malawi and went on to fund the $3 million Malawi Assemblies of God School of Theology that students from across Africa attend. "When Dan went to Malawi in 1982, there were less than 200 AG churches in Malawi and only a few had a building," says Mike Sheaffer, Dan and Bonnie's son and assistant pastor at Harvest AG. According to AG World Missions official statistics, now there are nearly 4,000 churches and preaching points (a large percentage funded through the Sheaffers' efforts) and more than 800,000 adherents. The Sheaffers also founded and built churches in Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Paraguay, Colombia, Jamaica, Chile and Burundi. Sheaffer set the tone of his ministry early at what was to become Crossroads Cathedral (now Crossroads Church). After less than half of the congregation came to his first Wednesday night service, the following Sunday he is quoted as saying, "Folks, I don't know where you were Wednesday night, but we are here to build a church. If you are not going to be here on Wednesday night, then I don't want you here on Sunday mornings. I will need your seat pretty soon for a person who wants to serve God and build here what God has asked us to build. You either have to get in, get committed and pray through, or you will have to find somewhere else to go." Not one listener left the church. As Crossroads Church is a testament to, not all of the Sheaffers' work was done abroad. In addition to being a minister at Crossroads, he was a sought-after speaker and evangelist. "Thousands upon thousands have come to know the Lord through Dan's ministry," Mike says. "For 64 years, every Sunday he was behind the pulpit somewhere preaching the gospel." The Sheaffers also played a key part in the funding of the Sheaffer Full Life Center at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. The 111,000-square-foot building houses everything from a dining commons, classrooms and offices to an athletic center, two gymnasiums and a chapel. They also assisted in the construction of Bridges and Teeter Hall on the SAGU campus. According to AG Theological Seminary President Byron Klaus, the Sheaffers were instrumental in the financial undergirding of the Doctor of Ministry Program, established in 1997, at AGTS in Springfield, Missouri, and provided initial funding for the first academic chair at the seminary: The Daniel T. Sheaffer Chair of Practical Ministry. In addition, the Assemblies of God Center for Holy Land Studies was made possible by a grant from Harvest AG under the Sheaffers' leadership. "These [ministry efforts listed above] are but a few examples of their commitment to evangelism and discipleship," AG General Superintendent George O. Wood says. In 2007, after stepping down from the pulpit at Crossroads Cathedral, Sheaffer soon tired of retirement and with his wife, Bonnie, founded Harvest Assembly of God. "Dan Sheaffer had a heart for Oklahoma City and the world," states Wood. "His personal generosity is legendary, and he led the churches he pastored to give multiplied millions of dollars for world missions and Assemblies of God higher education. Dan Sheaffer will be greatly missed." Sheaffer was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Gerald and Jeanette Sheaffer; brother, Eugene, and sister, Mary Ellen Felton. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie (Benson); daughter, Terri and husband, Gary King; son, Mike and wife, Starla; sister, Carolyn and husband, Harold Brooks; brother, Charles and wife, Phyllis; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vondel Smith & Son Mortuary at South Lakes, 4000 S.W. 119th Street, in Oklahoma City. Viewing at the funeral home will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, September 6 and 7. The funeral service will be held at Harvest AG, 4019 S. Pennsylvania, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, with Oklahoma District Superintendent Frank Cargill and Mike Sheaffer officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials made to either of the two organizations Sheaffer founded to fund his overseas missionary vision into perpetuity: Harvest Ministries, or Discipling the Nations, c/o Harvest A/G, PO Box 892345, OKC, OK 73189. --Dan Van Veen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **FISHERMAN BACK ON FEET, THANKS TO CONVOY, MAPS The small community of Denham Springs, Louisiana, is full of self-employed entrepreneurs like Jimmy Morgan, who made his living as an oyster fisherman in the Gulf of Mexico. When Hurricane Katrina swept through in 2005 it destroyed Morgan's home, but more importantly his boat. Six weeks after the storm, Morgan and Wendy, who now have been married for 38 years, were allowed to return. But the devastation was so immense they had no idea where to start. He had no insurance because of the exorbitant deductibles. "It was heartbreaking," says Morgan, who attends Miracle Assembly of God in Buras, Louisiana. "Everything I worked for all my life was gone overnight." The house had stayed on its foundation, but water reached the ceiling. The boat sunk because floodwaters rose so high and then dropped so quickly. "We were concerned they didn't have a place to live," says Fory VandenEinde, who served as Katrina rebuilding coordinator for Convoy of Hope for three years. "His first priority was getting his boat fixed. We helped him get his boat back together and also helped him get his house back together." Hundreds of church groups, Mission America Placement Service teams and volunteers from around the nation and beyond made their way to the region to help. According to VandenEinde, Convoy teams worked on more than 3,000 houses and 80 churches. "It's unbelievable that God sent his best people from all over the world to help us dig stuff out of the mud," Wendy says. Group after group helped the Morgans with their boat and house. After 18 months, he was able to return to work. "God, using a lot of good people, made us whole again," Jimmy says. Then the BP oil spill happened on April 20. Two weeks later, Morgan's fishing area was the first to be closed. Now ‹ and for the foreseeable future if his asthma doesn't prevent it ‹ Morgan is working the Gulf cleaning up the spill. "I want to fish for oysters, but I don't have a choice," says the 59-year-old Morgan, who has been in the business since age 16. "I'm doing this because I don't know what else I can do to make a dollar. We're going to make it. God has blessed us so much." --Kelly Bevill, Pentecostal Evangel AG NEWS #1860: September 1, 2010 **India ­ becoming the church's greatest opportunity India on pace to become most populace nation in the world as soon as 2020. India Assemblies of God recently announced goal to have 25,000 new churches planted by same date. Triennial World AG Congress set to be held February 6-9, 2011, in Chennai, India. Seen as prime opportunity to see first hand what God is doing through India AG. For more information on the Congress, see http://wagf2011.com. **Dick Gruber honored for work by "Children's Ministry Magazine" Dick Gruber, author and professor, was recognized as one of the top 20 influencers in children's ministry in the September/October issue of "Children's Ministry Magazine." In addition to volunteering in children's ministries and serving as children's pastors in several various churches, Gruber was Children's Ministry consultant for the AG national Sunday School department for eight years. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AG Marriage Encounter kicks off 30th fall season. Picture 94,000 people filling the University of Texas football stadium. Since 1981, over 47,000 couples (94,000 people) have attended AG Marriage Encounter weekends. Join the crowd, yet have the intimate privacy of a weekend built for just the two of you. See http://agme.org for a location near you. Call 800.366.2104 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Take your nursery beyond babysitting Sunlight Kids curriculum lets you intentionally teach Bible truths to young children (birth-36 months). Now save 20 percent on Sunlight Kids Student Activity Books 020268 when you order online. Hurry! This web-only offer ends September 17, 2010. Use promotional code SLKBK at checkout to receive your discount. For more information and to order, visit http://www.gph.org/sunlightkids. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **INDIA -- BECOMING THE CHURCH'S GREATEST OPPORTUNITY India is currently the second most populace nation in the world with an estimated 1.18 billion people. Although timing estimates vary, India is on pace to surpass China as the most populace country in the world as soon as 2020. Omar Beiler, AG World Missions regional director for Eurasia, sees this booming population ‹ where more than 50 percent are below the age of 25 ‹ as an incredible opportunity for the church. "The India Assemblies of God currently has 8,000 churches," Beiler says. "They have set a goal of opening 25,000 additional churches by, coincidence or not, 2020 ‹ the same year India could possibly become the world's most populace country." Although Beiler understands that some may think the goal set by the India AG is overambitious, he quickly points out that with the plans already under way, the church is on track for achieving its goal. "As a testament to what the AG church in India can do, in 2008 it opened 1,000 new churches on Easter Sunday alone," he says. Beiler also believes that India may one day become the country with the most Christians (currently believed to be about 24 million) and the most unreached people in the world. Beiler explains that it's not uncommon for a church to average 1,000 or more in attendance, with New Life Assembly of God in Chennai, a church attended by 45,000 each week, currently being the largest AG church in India. "What many people do not realize is that India is one of the oldest missions fields in the Assemblies of God," Beiler says. "Before the Assemblies of God was even formed, there were Pentecostal missionaries here who then aligned themselves with the AG ‹ today, there are 40 AG Bible schools in India." Although the number of Bible schools may sound impressive, with 25,000 new churches slated to open in the next decade, one of the biggest challenges for the church in India, Beiler notes, will be the training of the thousands of ministers needed to lead these new churches. "They are already working on avenues to vastly increase the numbers of trained national workers," Beiler says, "but this is a challenge that needs to be covered in prayer." With the triennial World AG Congress coming February 6-9, 2011, to Chennai, India, Beiler echoes U.S. AG General Superintendent George Wood's belief that God is going to do great things in the lives of those who attend and in the country of India. "Those who can attend the 2011 World AG Congress, should make every effort to do so," Beiler says. "I would also encourage extending your stay to see first hand what God is doing in India through the Assemblies of God ‹ and the challenges the India AG faces. Once you experience what God is doing in India, you'll never be the same." For more information on the sixth triennial World AG Congress, including registration, passports, visas and tours, see its website at http://wagf2011.com. --Dan Van Veen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **DICK GRUBER HONORED FOR WORK BY "CHILDREN'S MINISTRY MAGAZINE" Dick Gruber, author and professor, was recognized in the September/October 2010 issue of "Children¹s Ministry Magazine" as part of their Top 20 Children¹s Ministry Influencers feature. "We are excited for this national recognition of his ministry and are very grateful for the blessing he has been to the Kingdom and to the Assemblies of God," says Alton Garrison, assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. Gruber served as Children¹s Ministries consultant for the Assemblies Of God national Sunday School Department for eight years. "It¹s a great honor to have been selected," Gruber says. "Since receiving word that they have chosen me as one of the influential leaders, I have been challenged concerning my influence on children in the next 20 years." In 2001, Gruber created the children¹s ministry program at Valley Forge Christian College and co-founded Children¹s Ministries University Online, an accredited educational program, in 2006. He also wrote the popular book "Children¹s Church: Turning your Circus into a Service," and is known for the creation of the character Sam Saint Super Sleuth. Gruber and his wife, Darlene, have volunteered and served as children's pastors in various churches over the years. "Dick Gruber has never lost his passion for ministry to children. He realizes that the earlier you invest the greater the return," Garrison says. "As he continues to train others to do as he has done, his ministry to children is having an exponential impact." Gruber is currently a professor of Children's Ministries at Valley Forge. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Ministries from North Central University, received his Master's in Christian Leadership from Valley Forge Christian College in May 2009, and is currently working towards a Master of Divinity from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. "It was a surprise to me and a blessing to me that ['Children's Ministry Magazine'] honored me," Gruber says. "My desire has been to work with children and to bless those who work with children." --Becca Dickson AG NEWS #1859: August 30, 2010 **Three-time AG college president passes Dr. Klaude Kendrick, 93, former president of three AG colleges, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2010. Kendrick's career devoted to higher education. Served as president of Evangel University, Southwestern AG University and Asia Pacific Theological Seminary. He also served in other capacities at other colleges, including Vanguard (AG). Memorial service to be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, September 4, at First Assembly of God, Springdale, Arkansas. **Momentum grows for Cry Out America rallies Saturday, September 11, 2010, 12 noon to 1 p.m., more than 800 counties set to cry out to God for a Christ awakening in our nation. Check Cry Out America link on National Prayer Center website, http://www.prayer.ag.org, to see what counties having rallies or to learn how to sign up to coordinate a rally. **This week in AG history -- August 30, 1924 Featured in this week's August 30, 1924 issue of "Pentecostal Evangel" are articles by Mae Eleanor Frey, Louise Nankivell, Donald Gee, Walter I. Palmer and others! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The harder you work for it . . . really? Sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you work, you're going to fail and fail miserably if you don't have the right tools. If you're wanting to see your marriage transformed ‹ even saved from sure divorce ‹ contact Marriage Restored today. You won't regret it! See http://www.marriagerestored.com or view the video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=-qfcbVsHHmU Next events: September 10-12 ‹ Tulsa, Oklahoma. September 24-26 ‹ San Antonio, Texas. October 1-3 ‹ Columbus, Ohio. October 8-10 ‹ Sacramento, California; Rockford, Illinois. October 15-17 ‹ Atlanta, Georgia (see Web site for more events). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **THREE-TIME AG COLLEGE PRESIDENT PASSES Dr. Klaude Kendrick, the former president of three Assemblies of God colleges, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2010, at his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was 93. Kendrick, who was born and grew up in Arizona, attended Southwestern Bible Institute (now Southwestern Assemblies of God University) then in Enid, Oklahoma (now in Waxahachie, Texas), receiving his diploma in 1938. He would later get a B.A. from Texas Wesleyan College, a master's degree from Texas Christian University and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas. Edith Blumhofer, an AG historian, would recognize Kendrick as one of the few early "next generation" AG leaders who encouraged pursuit of education. From early on in his career, Kendrick's life would revolve around academics. Kendrick was ordained by the Oklahoma AG District in 1941. However, he was a member of the North Texas District. After pastoring in the Assemblies of God for a few years (1938-40), Kendrick moved into academics. He was a member of the Southwestern AG College staff from 1940-1955, finishing that tenure as a vice-president. In 1955, he became the first president of Evangel College (now university) in Springfield, Missouri. From 1958-1960, he would serve as the college's academic dean. From 1960-64, Kendrick returned to his alma mater, Southwestern, to be its president. Texas Wesleyan came calling next, where he served as the chairman in the Division of Social Science/History from 1964-1977. From 1977-79, he would serve as the academic dean of Southern California College (now Vanguard University) in Costa Mesa. Kendrick's leadership skills then went global. He would serve as the president of the Assemblies of God's Far East Advanced School of Theology (now Asia Pacific Theological Seminary) in the Philippines (1984-86) as he brought the school up to a graduate level. Subsequently, he assisted AG schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji and Bulgaria. During his years in Texas, Kendrick also served the Assemblies of God as an executive presbyter of the North Texas District and a sectional presbyter of the South Fort Worth Section of the North Texas District. In addition to academic leadership, Kendrick was also an author, with his most significant work being, "The Promise Fulfilled: A History of the Modern Pentecostal Movement." Dr. Kendrick was preceded in death by a son, Karl, and his first wife, Grace. He is survived by their daughter, Karen Thompson, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and his second wife, Mable. A private family burial will be held on Tuesday, August 31, in Rogers, Arkansas. A public memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, September 4, at First Assembly of God in Springdale, Arkansas. Dr. Robert H. Spence, Evangel¹s current president, will be the speaker. --AG News Links to articles by Dr. Kendrick: ³Why Attend Our Colleges?² (p. 17) http://ifphc.org/pdf/PentecostalEvangel/1960-1969/1962/1962_09_09. pdf ³Needed: An Additional 3 ³R¹s² (p. 10-11) http://ifphc.org/pdf/PentecostalEvangel/1960-1969/1968/1968_09_08. pdf (Identifying three additional ³Rs² needed for a good education: reverence, restraint and responsibility.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **MOMENTUM GROWS FOR CRY OUT AMERICA RALLIES On Saturday, September 11, 2010, thousands of believers will gather from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in more than 800 counties to cry out to God for a Christ awakening in our nation that will impact both the Church and the culture. Desperate to see a powerful move of God that will change hearts and bring a restoration of morality and biblical values to our nation, more and more believers, cross-denominationally, are preparing to cry out to God for His help. ³This is a critical time for our nation and for the Church,² states John Maempa, director of the National Prayer Center. ³Both the Church and the culture face serious moral and spiritual needs. ³As the Church we are God¹s agency for good and righteousness in this world. We are His voice of authority, warning against departure from the moral absolutes and ethical precepts of God¹s Word,² Maempa states. ³We are to be salt and light, serving both as a preservative against moral decay and light to shine through spiritual darkness. We must realize further that the moral and spiritual strength of our nation will never be greater than that of the Church.² While a one-hour prayer gathering at county courthouses on September 11 will not, itself, change the world, it can serve as a catalyst for change. As the Body of Christ collectively cries out to God for an awakening in this day, His hand will move in response. It is hoped also these gatherings will spark a movement across the Church to continue to partner in prayer for our nation. Rallies will also devote time to commemorate the terrible tragedies of 9/11/2001. Prayer will be offered for those still suffering deep loss and grief as well as for the various agencies and our military that are striving to keep our nation safe from further acts of terror. Though 9/11 is less than two weeks away, there is still time for counties to get involved. Check the Cry Out America link on the NPC website, http://www.prayer.ag.org to see what counties are having rallies. There is still time to sign on as a coordinator for an unclaimed county and gather as many people as possible to join in prayer. ³Ours is a great nation; a nation worth fighting for and a nation worth praying for,² Maempa states. ³Plan to participate in the wave of prayer that will begin from the West coast and move across to the East on September 11. Pray that it will ignite a powerful awakening to our need for God¹s help bringing a refreshing move of God¹s Spirit across this land.² --AG News ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **THIS WEEK IN AG HISTORY -- AUGUST 30, 1924 Pentecostal awakenings have long spilled across denominational divides. In the August 30, 1924, issue of the "Pentecostal Evangel," evangelist and author Mae Eleanor Frey reported on an ongoing revival at First Baptist Church in San Jose, California. Three years prior, the church's pastor, Dr. William Keeney Towner, and a few deacons began to pray for revival. According to Frey, God answered their prayers, but in a way they had not expected. Frey recounted: "They opened their doors to the Pentecostal message; and O, glory! The fire started to fall. The pastor received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as they did in the upper room at Jerusalem, and he began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Then the deacons, members of the choir and the church all came under the downpour of the Latter Rain. God used Sister [Aimee Semple] McPherson to bring the message. The result was, this church took on new life; it became alive with glorious activities, souls were being saved, saints baptized, sick bodies healed. The young people's society took fire and began to blaze forth in every direction. Meetings were held in jails, hospitals, mills, open air, with the power of God falling in every place." Frey, herself, had a Baptist background. She was ordained by the Northern Baptist Convention in 1905, experienced Spirit-baptism in 1919, and transferred her ordination to the Assemblies of God in 1921. Towner reported in an earlier "Pentecostal Evangel" article (dated August 16, 1924) that four other Baptist churches in northern California had followed its lead and embraced the Pentecostal revival. Towner and his church retained their Baptist identity, showing that it was possible to be both Baptist and Pentecostal long before the charismatic renewal made such a dual identification commonplace. Read Frey's full report on the Pentecostal revival at First Baptist Church (San Jose, California) in the August 30, 1924, issue of the "Pentecostal Evangel": Also featured in this issue: * "The Lord in My Shepherd," by Louise Nankivell * "Spiritual Gifts or Spiritualism?" by Donald Gee * "From Jazz to Hallelujah: A College Graduate's Testimony," by Walter I. Palmer And many more! Click here to read this issue now: http://s2.ag.org/aug301924 "Pentecostal Evangel" archived editions courtesy of Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center (http://iFPHC.org). For current editions of the "Evangel," click here: http://pe.ag.org. AG NEWS #1858: August 27, 2010 **Disaster "overwhelming" in Pakistan -- AG responding Estimated 1,600 dead, millions homeless and millions more affected by historic flooding in Pakistan. Assemblies of God responding -- with aid confirmed to be reaching victims, but need is massive. Appeal for help made to churches. See http://s2.ag.org/HelpForPakistan to give online. Checks also accepted (see mailing address in article). **Chi Alpha appoints first woman to national staff Chi Alpha has appointed Crystal Martin as new ISFM director, making her the first woman to serve in a national Chi Alpha staff position. As ISFM director, she will lead an ISFM work team to plan events, develop resources, conduct training and minister to the international student community. For more information about Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, visit http://www.chialpha.com. **Chi Alpha's SICMs train student leaders Chi Alpha uses Student Institute of Campus Ministry (SICM) to help train student leaders for their Chi Alpha programs across U.S. Atlantic and Northwest SICMs combined with a similar Great Lakes effort saw more than 200 student leaders receive training this year -- helping to make Chi Alpha a more effective ministry. More information about Chi Alpha and SICMs can be found at http://ChiAlpha.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AG Marriage Encounter kicks off 30th fall season. Picture 94,000 people filling the University of Texas football stadium. Since 1981, over 47,000 couples (94,000 people) have attended AG Marriage Encounter weekends. Join the crowd, yet have the intimate privacy of a weekend built for just the two of you. See http://agme.org for a location near you. Call 800.366.2104 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **DISASTER "OVERWHELMING" IN PAKISTAN -- AG RESPONDING With an estimated 1,600 dead, 20 million affected, four million left homeless and the infrastructure of the region literally washed away in the monsoon flood-ravaged regions of Pakistan, the Assemblies of God is working with partners in Pakistan to save the lives of those in some of the hardest hit areas of the country. According to Omar Beiler, AG World Missions regional director for Eurasia, the need in Pakistan is overwhelming as the country is experiencing the worst flooding in its history. "We do have partners on the ground in hard hit areas who are helping these desperately needy people," Beiler says. "However, we need more funds to channel adequate resources to them." With reports of disease outbreaks, food shortages and even attacks on relief workers by the Taliban and Al Qaeda, the need for relief grows by the hour. "We are making an appeal to our churches and adherents to assist us in getting aid to our partners in Pakistan," states Randy Hurst, director of Communications for AG World Missions. "I have personally spoken to our partners by phone and received several e-mails from them. The initial relief is already getting to the people in need. And, we have just disbursed additional funds to our partners in Pakistan to continue to provide food and medical care to those suffering from the affects of the flooding." Hurst reports that both Convoy of Hope and AGWM HealthCare Ministries are sending assessment personnel to Pakistan this week. "It will probably be many months before most of the victims of this flooding will recover," Hurst says. "The funds we send are purchasing urgently needed supplies, and every dollar helps. We also need to cover our Pakistan partners with our prayers for their protection and endurance in very difficult circumstances." To make a tax-deductible donation to the AG Pakistan Disaster Relief effort with your credit card, click the following link: http://s2.ag.org/HelpForPakistan. Or call toll-free (866) 470-9514 and specify ³Pakistan.² Checks may also be sent to ³AG World Missions.² Write ³AGWM/COH Disaster Relief 410946-8 (44) Pakistan² on the memo line and mail it to: AG World Missions, PO Box 2020, Springfield, MO 65801. --Dan Van Veen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **CHI ALPHA APPOINTS FIRST WOMAN TO NATIONAL STAFF Chi Alpha Campus Ministries has announced the appointment of Crystal Martin as the new International Student Friendship Ministries (ISFM) director. With this appointment, she becomes the first woman to serve in a national Chi Alpha staff position. "We are so excited to have [Martin] in this strategic position," says Dennis Gaylor, national Chi Alpha director. "Through her influence and leadership and through mobilizing workers to serve international students, we can change the world." There are 671,616 international students and 113,494 international scholars currently studying on American college campuses or participating in one of 59,666 intensive English programs in the U.S. As ISFM director, Martin will lead an ISFM work team to plan events, develop resources, conduct training and minister to the international student community. "International students are one of the Church's most precious resources," Martin states. "I have worked with students on the other side of the ocean who dream of coming to America to study. It takes drive, determination, financing and academic excellence to find a place on one of our American campuses." "The Lord is bringing tomorrow's global leaders to our doorstep," she says. "There is no more strategic mission field on earth than international students on our American campuses." For 14 years, Martin served alongside her husband, E. Scott, as the Student Mission directors for Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, mobilizing students to reach the lost of the world. A popular speaker at student conferences and retreats, missions conventions, and women's conferences, Martin will now parlay her passion for international students into a strategic partnership with the local church and intentionally recruit new workers into this ripe harvest field. She will also bridge the gap between Assemblies of God World Missions and Assemblies of God U.S. Missions intercultural missionaries to reach and resource international students studying in the U.S. Long-term global impact rests on the intentionality and effectiveness of local Chi Alpha groups. According to Gaylor, 15 percent of the students participating in Chi Alpha nationwide are international students from most nations of the world. "As a church and campus ministry, we have both opportunity and responsibility to build friendships with these future world leaders that have come to our nation," Gaylor says. "As we make friends with international students, we open the door to their hearts and their nations." For more information about Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, visit http://www.chialpha.com. --Laurie Jones ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **CHI ALPHA'S SICMS TRAIN STUDENT LEADERS Recently, 78 collegians attended the five-day, six-night Atlantic Coast Chi Alpha SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry) held in Nags Head, North Carolina. Students from 11 campuses along the Atlantic coast, from Vermont to North Carolina, participated. The staff included campus directors, Pete Bullette, Courtney Bancroft and Kelly Baker, University of Virginia; Brian Hargett, North Carolina State University; Gina Archer, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; Mike Godzwa, American University; Anthony Saladino, Virginia Tech; and Mark Carr, pastor. The teaching staff taught on discipleship, Bible study skills, life management, mentoring, spiritual friendships and evangelism. The Atlantic Coast SICM included a 30-minute daily theology component and small groups each night to build relationships. The goal was to teach on the "normal Christian life" and then give the students the tools to live it out on campus and beyond. Now in its third year, the Atlantic SICM is patterned after the Northwest SICM that began in 1993. The NW SICM, led by 36-year-veteran campus minister, Brady Bobbink, is now in its 18th year and is conducted in Bellingham, Washington. The NW SICM utilizes the multiple-campus staff of David Knebel, Geogg Mumley, Shanon Kempt, Jonathan Lytle, Jeff Springer, James Junior and Derrick Scheid from Western Washington University, and housing students in homes. This year, two NW SICMs were conducted, with a combined total of 110 students from 20 campuses from nine states and Canada. To date, more than 2,000 students have participated in SICMs nationwide since 1993, producing well-trained student leaders for most of Chi Alpha's groups ‹ now located on 280 campuses across the nation. Dennis Gaylor, national Chi Alpha director states, "Bringing together multiple campus staff teams representing different ministries, leadership styles and expertise to teach at these student training events provides valuable support to our local leaders. Student leadership is crucial for viable ongoing ministry on campus, and SICMs equip and resource our students to be more effective in service on campus. Their example and skills motivate their peers to be true disciples and disciplers." The Great Lakes Area has experimented the past two years with a SICM-like event calling it Great Lakes Chi Alpha U. This year they met at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. They purposely meet on a campus and while doing training in leadership they emphasize hands on evangelism and service to the local campus. This year, 18 students, 15 staff and three others investigating Chi Alpha ministry came from four states and 11 campuses. Linda Seiler, Chi Alpha campus director, Purdue University (Indiana); Steve Brannon, campus director, Wright State University (Ohio); Jeff Alexander, Indiana district Chi Alpha director; and Steve and Belkis Lehmann, Great Lakes Chi Alpha directors, served as teaching staff for the event. For more information about Chi Alpha or upcoming opportunities with SICM training events, see the Chi Alpha website at http://www.ChiAlpha.com. --AG News AG NEWS #1857: August 25, 2010 **World AG Congress offers additional experiences Sixth triennial World Assemblies of God Congress, February 6-9, 2011, Chennai, India, now offers attendees opportunity to enjoy tours of India while there. Organizers offer eight different tour packages. Mumbai Teen Challenge tour/experience called "life changing." More information about World AG Congress and tours found at http://wagf2011.com. **Detroit 2010: AIM wrap up More than 550 AIMers participated in the Ambassadors In Missions outreach held at National Youth Convention in Detroit. Detroit area pastors and ministry teams made preparations with Convoy of Hope for these AG teenagers to provide a powerful time of ministry. Read on for reports of how these churches aided their community through this outreach. For more Detroit 2010 AIM highlights, visit http://oncourse.ag.org and http://aim.ag.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **WORLD AG CONGRESS OFFERS ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES The sixth triennial World Assemblies of God Congress, to be held February 6-9, 2011, in Chennai, India, is designed to offer AG adherents a rare opportunity to interact with thousands of fellow AG believers from around the world. Attendees will experience praise and worship of Christ in the truest definition of a multi-ethnic setting at New Life Assembly of God in Chennai ‹ a church of more than 45,000. However, recognizing that traveling to India is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, organizers have arranged eight different tours to help travelers more fully experience the country, culture and need for Christ. The tours pinpoint key sight-seeing locations as well as effective ‹ and impacting ‹ AG ministries around India, such as: * New Delhi (Taj Mahal), Agra and Jaipur tour (northern India) * Jaipur and Jodhpur tour (northwest) * Goa tour (south central west coast) * Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kovalam tour (southern west coast) * Mamallapuram and Pondicherry tour (southern east coast) * Mumbai Teen Challenge tour (north central west coast) * Kolkatta Missions tour (far east) * Bengaluru and Mysore tour (central southern) The tours range from two nights and three days to four nights and five days and $351 to $557 per person. Although each tour offers its own unique benefits, wonders and experiences, Omar Beiler, AG World Missions regional director for Eurasia, admits that of all the places he's been, none have impacted him as much as the Saturday evening service of the Mumbai Teen Challenge. "It challenged my theology," Beiler says with emotion. "I'd estimate that nearly 60 percent of the people at the service are working prostitutes from the brothels of Mumbai. They come and worship and rejoice in Jesus, but after the service, they are herded back by their guards to the brothels. They are not prostitutes by choice, but slaves of the sex industry. Many girls are sold into prostitution as children, with no way out. What do you do?" Tim Pipkin, who works with AGWM's Project Rescue ‹ a mission that helps rescue children from prostitution and get them into loving, Christian homes ‹ concurs with Beiler. He says the Teen Challenge experience is life changing. However, he says a new Project Rescue effort has recently opened to aid children caught in these desperate situations. "Currently, with our new facilities, we are limited to eight children ‹ and we are full," Pipkin says. "But we also have two more children just waiting for us to have room so we can get them out of the brothels." For more information about the World AG Congress, including registration, hotels and the additional tour possibilities, see the official website at http://wagf2011.com. --Dan Van Veen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **DETROIT 2010: AIM WRAP UP A week in Detroit may not have been on the agenda for parents and youth leaders when it was announced last year that National Youth Convention 2010 would take place in the Motor City, but it proved to be a powerful time of ministry for those who participated in the AIM outreach. In the backwash of an international economic recession, Detroit is, arguably, one of the hardest hit cities in the country ‹ making it an ideal candidate for more than 550 AIMers who converged on Mo-Town. Before the first registration forms were received by the national Youth Department, Detroit area pastors and their ministry teams began making preparations with Convoy of Hope for the invasion of Assemblies of God teenagers and their passion for sharing the Gospel. Here are several reports from area churches in Detroit, detailing what took place the week of the National Youth Convention: PASTOR TIM DILENA, HIGHLAND PARK REVIVAL TABERNACLE In Highland Park, street and bus stop evangelism teams handed out Gospel Bracelets. Other ministry projects included participation in a civic project called "McKenzie Field Project," which focused on the rehab of a park to help create a city walking track. Convoy of Hope was also on hand to provide 250 bags of groceries to distribute at a kids carnival. Another 600 bags were handed out door-to-door in a nearby neighborhood. Over 6300 pieces of literature, including copies of the "Book of Hope," were given out and approximately 30 people invited Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. PASTOR STACEY FOSTER, LIFE CHANGERS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES At Life Changers, AIMers set to work by helping to repair homes, hosting a neighborhood clean up and showing acts of kindness. The team also held a basketball tournament, a free concert and a block party, in which they saw 4 salvations. At these events, 1,200 bags of groceries provided by Convoy of Hope were distributed, 2,500 pieces of literature and fliers were handed out and 200 backpacks filled with school supplies were given away. PASTOR NORFLETTE SHUMAKE, SOLID ROCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD Pastor Norflette and his team of 60 adopted and restored an area park where they held a children's VBS. Thirty-seven children accepted Christ for the first time. The team at Solid Rock also held a 3-on-3-basketball tournament (which had 40 participants), hosted a block party where they distributed over 800 bags of groceries, and most importantly saw 37 additional salvations/rededications. They also passed out 4,700 pieces of literature and fliers. PASTOR CHILLY CHILTON, REAL CHURCH It so happened that Real Church was launching their new Midtown campus the Sunday after the AIM outreach. Teams with Pastor Chilly went to two different sites in Midtown and Hamtramck. Hamtramck: Aside from cleaning, weeding and sweeping public areas for the Public Housing Commission, a Convoy of Hope Outreach was conducted on Wednesday ‹ complete with free haircuts, free family portraits, free caricature drawings and free blood pressure checks. The team passed out 300 bags of groceries and 3,250 pieces of literature to those in attendance. Midtown: Most of the efforts in Midtown were to introduce the church to the neighborhood. AIMers cleaned dozens of blocks and passed out cold bottled water while inviting locals to the new Midtown Real Church, which opened to a 90 percent capacity crowd. At least 34 decisions were made for Christ as AIMers exercised their personal evangelism skills. PASTOR DEREK BOIVIN, TAYLOR CHRISTIAN CENTER The team in Taylor helped with a week of servant evangelism ‹ painting houses, cleaning yards, power washing and revitalizing local Heritage Park. Their week culminated with a Family Fun Day in Heritage Park, complete with a hands-on kids demonstration by the local fire department, a kid-friendly police K9 unit, inflatables, and 200 bags of groceries were distributed. They also passed out 10,800 pieces of literature and fliers. The result was 10 salvations and four new families added to the church. PASTOR JEREMY GYORKE, WYANDOTTE FAMILY CHURCH Pastor Jeremy used the influx of student missionaries to prepare for the launch of his church's new youth ministry with a free basketball camp. Teams also held a kids carnival, cleaned alleys, pulled weeds, washed windows at area businesses, cleaned 14 area parks and did a Convoy of Hope outreach. AIMers prayed with 180 families and two new families came to church the following Sunday. "What a privilege it was for national Youth Ministries to partner with the Michigan District, the local leadership team, and host churches during the 2010 Detroit AIM Outreach. Scores of testimonies from AIMers, leaders, pastors, and residents of Detroit were shared throughout the week," says Chet Caudill, director of STL and AIM. "Students told of experiencing God change their own lives as they reached out to be a part of changing others. Local leadership expressed gratitude for the outstanding efforts of our teams. Together, we helped shine the light of Jesus in Detroit," he says. According to Caudill, plans are already in motion for Phoenix AIM 2011. For more Detroit 2010 AIM outreach highlights, interviews and articles, or for more information on Phoenix 2011, visit http://oncourse.ag.org and http://aim.ag.org. --Josh Wellborn, ONCOURSE Magazine AG NEWS #1856: AUGUST 23, 2010 **Haiti update Although it's been eight months since earthquake struck Haiti, the country's need for help is still prevalent. Since then, Convoy of Hope and AGWM have been able to provide 9 million meals and distribute 4 million pounds of food, water filters, hygiene kits and other supplies to Haiti due to more than 4,500 AG churches' donations to the AG relief fund. Part of Convoy's three-year plan for Haiti is to continue providing those supplies, as well as expand feeding initiative to 45,000 children each day. More information about Convoy of Hope found at http://ConvoyofHope.org. **NAE launches effort to curb abortion rate National Association of Evangelicals, which represents 40 denominations including Assemblies of God, has launched initiative exploring practical and realistic approaches to curtail the number of abortions in U.S. More information about NAE found at http://www.nae.net. **This week in AG history -- August 23, 1924 Featured in this week's August 23, 1924, issue of the "Pentecostal Evangel" are articles by Nellie Barton, Andrew Murray, Lilian B. Yeomans, J. T. Butlin and more. Click here to read this issue now: http://s2.ag.org/aug231924. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The harder you work for it . . . really? Sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you work, you're going to fail and fail miserably if you don't have the right tools. If you're wanting to see your marriage transformed ‹ even saved from sure divorce ‹ contact Marriage Restored today. You won't regret it! See http://www.marriagerestored.com or view the video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=-qfcbVsHHmU Next events: August 27-29 ‹ McPherson, Kansas; Lafayette, Indiana. September 10-12 ‹ Tulsa, Oklahoma. September 24-26 ‹ San Antonio, Texas (see Web site for more events). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **HAITI UPDATE It's been eight months since the devastating earthquake struck Haiti, and the country's need for help is still prevalent. In that span of time, Convoy of Hope has been able to provide more than 9 million meals and distribute 4 million pounds of food, water filters, hygiene kits and other supplies to Earthquake survivors, due to generous donations to the AGWM/COH relief fund. "Since the Haiti crisis, God has opened wonderful doors of opportunity for ministry during relief efforts," says John Bueno, Executive Director of AG World Missions. "While other relief agencies had a difficult time getting into the country, we were already on the ground because of our AG missionaries, 273 national churches in Haiti and our wonderful partnership with Convoy of Hope." More than 4,500 Assemblies of God churches have contributed to the relief efforts. According to Bueno, as many as five meals are being provided to people in need for every dollar given to the relief fund. This also provides opportunity for these people to hear the gospel and to receive help connecting with a church. Convoy had an established presence in Haiti prior to January's devastating earthquake. In the quake's aftermath, its focus is expanding its meal distribution to alleviate ongoing suffering. "Before the earthquake hit, Convoy of Hope started feeding 11,000 school children each day in Haiti," says Jeff Nene, communications director for Convoy of Hope. According to Nene, Convoy wants to implement a new plan, which would include adding more children to the daily feeding program that they currently provide. "Part of our three-year strategy is to expand our children¹s feeding initiative to 45,000 kids. The daily meal we provide is sometimes the only food these children receive," says Hal Donaldson, president of Convoy of Hope. "I believe the future of Haiti is in the children," Nene says. "Anything we can do to benefit these kids will in the long term benefit the country." Another part of Convoy's three-year strategy is to continue sending food, water filters, shoes, hygiene kits and other supplies to Haiti. "These valuable resources will not only help us expand our feeding initiative, but they will help our partners expand their work, too," Donaldson says. According to Nene, Convoy has placed more than 3,500 Sawyer family-sized water filters since January. They have also installed large water filtration units, donated by Culligan, that dispense 14,000 gallons of clean water every day in Port-au-Prince. More than 110,000 hygiene kits have been distributed. AG Builders International led an assessment team to Haiti, and found that of the 47 Assembly of God churches, 24 were destroyed and 19 were damaged. Plans are being made to help reconstruct these churches as well as schools in the area. Builders International is looking for professionals such as cement finishers, contractors, electricians, plumbers and steel workers to make up 12-person teams. Convoy of Hope is also dedicated to rebuilding local churches and schools in Haiti. "We¹ve also committed to helping rebuild community centers so that the Haitian people can become more self-sufficient," Nene says. "By equipping the people with tools, training and resources, we are ensuring they have the means to live better lives," he says. For more information on AG Builders or to sign up for a construction team, visit http://buildersintl.org. For more information on Convoy of Hope or AG World Missions, visit http://convoyofhope.org or http://worldmissions.ag.org. --Becca Dickson ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **NAE LAUNCHES EFFORT TO CURB ABORTION RATE The National Association of Evangelicals, which represents 40 denominations including the Assemblies of God, has embarked on an initiative exploring practical and realistic approaches to curtail the number of abortions in the nation. The NAE Generation Forum particularly focuses on adults, who have the majority of abortions. "We are grateful that the abortion rate has declined, but a million abortions in the United States every year is unacceptable," says NAE President Leith Anderson. The NAE Board of Directors has adopted a resolution supporting constructive efforts toward decreasing the number of abortions in America. "The NAE actively, ardently and unwaveringly opposes abortion on demand," the resolution states. Without compromising core convictions, the resolution encourages honest dialogue with some longtime opponents in the debate over the legality of abortion in an effort to reduce the number of abortions. The NAE's Generation Forum will host events across the country to create dialogue about how local churches can be involved in effectively decreasing the abortion rate. "We urge church leaders, always with a mind to honor God's gifts of life and sex and His holy institutions of marriage and family, to seek out strategies appropriate for their congregations and communities," the NAE resolution states. More information about the NAE found at http://www.nae.net. --Pentecostal Evangel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **THIS WEEK IN AG HISTORY -- AUGUST 23, 1924 The tendency among some missionaries and evangelists to offer rosy reports of their ministry endeavors to their supporters has become a well-recognized idiomatic expression ‹ "speaking evangelistically." Much of the time, though, ministry is hard work and does not always yield immediate results. When Nellie Barton, a single female missionary from Scranton, Pennsylvania, arrived in Japan in the spring of 1924, she found life difficult. The August 23, 1924, issue of the "Pentecostal Evangel" published her letter from the field: "I am not making much progress with the language at present as it is very, very hot and it is hard to study and harder yet to get anyone to teach me at this time. The mosquitoes are awful here. They keep me bitten up all the time. Some of the bites swell up as large as coins and they are about as sore as boils. Between them and the rats which play around my room, they make things quite interesting." Success stories on the mission field often obscure such accounts of missionaries' personal sacrifice and poverty. Barton, along with fellow missionaries John and Nettie Juergensen, returned from Japan to America in 1927. Read this and other missionary letters in the August 23, 1924, issue of the "Pentecostal Evangel." Also featured in this issue: * "Jesus Bore Our Sickness," by Andrew Murray * "Forever Settled," by Lilian B. Yeomans * "The Anointing of the Sick for Healing," by J. T. Butlin And many more! Click here to read this issue now: http://s2.ag.org/aug231924 "Pentecostal Evangel" archived editions courtesy of Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center (http://iFPHC.org). For current editions of the "Evangel," click here: http://pe.ag.org.