Saying no to the Spirit

By Hal Donaldson

Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked yourself, Why do I feel so spiritually empty and hollow inside? And why does my life seem to lack power, vitality and joy?

If you’ve asked these questions, you’re not alone. Today many of us believers recognize our need for a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit. But too often our actions and attitudes hinder the work of the Spirit in our lives. In other words, we often say no to the Spirit in four ways:

1. Contentment. We say no to the Spirit by choosing to coast through life satisfied with only a morsel of God’s blessing and power. We become comfortable in our religious trappings, and a desire for more of Jesus is replaced by a craving for the status quo.

2. Obstructions. We say no to the Spirit by allowing sin to reside in our hearts. The debris of pride, cynicism, gossip, greed and more obstructs a fresh move of the Spirit in our lives.

3. Self-centeredness. We say no to the Spirit by becoming preoccupied with ourselves. In our quest for pleasure and self-gratification, we become oblivious to the people around us who are racing toward hell.

4. Talk. We say no to the Spirit by uttering insincere words. We say we want personal revival, but subsequently we’re unwilling to take the steps necessary to draw closer to Christ.

Do you want to say yes to the Spirit today? Then, wherever you are right now — perhaps even sitting in church or relaxing in a recliner at home — make this your prayer: “God, give me a desire for more of You. Forgive my sins and help me overcome temptation. Place in my heart a deeper concern for others. And help me pray more for personal revival and talk less about it. I invite You, dear Lord, to fill the cold, empty places of my heart with the warmth of Your presence. More than anything, I want to walk in the power of Your Spirit.”

(Originally published in our February 16, 2003 issue.)

Hal Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Today's Pentecostal Evangel.

The Christian response to hunger and poverty

(With Thanksgiving and World Hunger Day approaching, we repeat this article, originally published in our November 24, 2002 issue.)

By Ken Horn

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15,16, NIV).

The Scriptures speak clearly in this and numerous other places that believers are to do their best to meet the needs of those who are without the bare necessities of life. The history of Christianity is indeed a history of benevolence. Though the church, especially in the United States, has gone through periods of time when it apparently had little concern for the needy, visitations of God in historic revivals have served to turn the community of faith back to this "second great commandment."

Two independent studies conducted more than 50 years apart sought to determine the kindest city in America. In 1940, a survey of 43 major American cities found that Rochester, N.Y., ranked first in altruism. Between 1990 and 1992, a study based at California State University, Fresno, again targeted Rochester as the U.S. city where the most helpful people live.1 To what could this remarkable, ongoing distinction be credited?

Revival.

In 1831, what many feel was the greatest revival in U.S. history took place — in Rochester. A revival primarily among the well-to-do, the move of God spawned what came to be known as "the Great Eight benevolent societies" and dozens of others. The impact of that revival is felt in Rochester and the surrounding area to the present day.

A keystone of the movement known as the Second Great Awakening, the Rochester revival was led by Charles G. Finney, the most significant evangelist of the period. For six months the revival burned, closing taverns and houses of ill repute, and introducing multitudes to a genuine relationship with Christ. The converted were largely among the affluent — doctors, lawyers, bankers, judges and businessmen. Finney turned the resources of the new converts toward benevolent causes, both official and unofficial; the city even became a stop on the Underground Railroad, the system that served as an escape route for slaves prior to the Civil War. One study of the period states, "The most important factor of this wave of revival was not the number of conversions it achieved, but the emphasis it placed on the reformation of society by the Spirit of Christ, operating through the newly regenerate."2

Though Finney’s role — like the revival itself — has largely been forgotten by most Rochester residents, its influence has clearly been passed down for generations. The correlation of the nation’s greatest revival and most benevolent city is no accident.

The "Prayer Meeting Revival" — called by some the Third Great Awakening — that shook the U.S. in 1857-58, reached the British Isles in 1859. Of this revival, George E. Morgan wrote in 1908, "The visitation of the Spirit first taught afresh the lesson of the New Birth; then, living faith was translated into good works, multiplying on every hand and producing world-wide results. A host of zealous converts carried the message of Divine love and practical sympathy into the darkest abodes of human woe."3 According to Sir John Kirk, the revival "reached out to body and soul."4 Converts cleaned up slums, founded hospitals, exposed the plight of those in sweat shops, improved the lot of prisoners and founded scores of other philanthropic organizations.

D.L. Moody, the most notable and successful revivalist of the latter half of the 19th century, himself touched by the Prayer Meeting Revival as a young man, was responsible for multitudes of benevolent causes that came to life following his crusades in the United States and Great Britain.

Two major distinctives of revivals are that they reach out, and they reach down. Jesus set forth His own mission in Nazareth when He read from Isaiah in the synagogue: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed" (Luke 4:18). The Christian’s lifelong goal of becoming more like Jesus demands that we follow in that mission. (See 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:5.) In emulating Him, we are to "consider others better than [ourselves]" and "look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3,4).

Periodically the church lapses into a social apathy, which has given rise to the dictum, "They are so heavenly minded, they are of no earthly good." Reactions to this have frequently driven an artificial wedge between ministry to body and spirit.

In the early part of the 20th century, a Baptist minister named Walter Rauschenbusch reacted to the seeming lack of evangelical commitment to ministry to the needy. Rauschenbusch, who was born in Rochester, and was thus impacted by that city’s rich history of evangelical benevolence, became known as "the Father of the Social Gospel in America." The Social Gospel eventually became a divisive term designating a movement that worked to improve the social order without emphasizing spiritual need. It and evangelical Christianity became diametrically opposed. Evangelicals feared extensive social work would eventually eclipse the gospel in their denominations as it had in many mainline denominations.

This backlash to the Social Gospel caused many evangelical churches to focus more on the spiritual aspects of the gospel, depending on cleaned-up souls to clean up society automatically. Still, evangelicals and Pentecostals have been no strangers to meeting the needs of man. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, for example, Pentecostal pastor/evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson fed thousands at her church regularly for a period of years.

Any logic that would attempt to divide physical and spiritual ministry is flawed. Even a casual review of the life of Christ reveals His active concern for the physical needs of people. In fact, this is of such importance to our Lord that He compared ministry to the poor to ministry to himself: "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:35,36). When the perplexed righteous ask when they did these things, He replies, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).

Some point to Christ’s use of the term "brothers" here as evidence that Christians are only supposed to care for needy believers. This is a serious error. After Jesus identified the most important commandment as, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30), He said the second most important is, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). "There is no commandment greater than these," He said. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus made it clear that a "neighbor" is anyone in need. Proverbs 19:17 emphasizes this principle: "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done."

The biblical basis for the Christian’s ministry to the poor is summarized best in the verse that Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross in the United States, counted her favorite: "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12). These are direct words of Jesus; we call it the Golden Rule and it is at the heart of the Christian life.

The church of Jesus Christ must be concerned both for the physical and the spiritual needs of mankind. We cannot ignore the world’s hunger. William and Catherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army, were first and foremost fervent revivalists. Their early motto was "soap, soup and salvation." Good works and the gospel must go together. It is difficult for starving people to hear the sermons of those who care little or nothing about their physical plight. A genuine revival will cause the church to reach down to people in physical need. It’s what Jesus would do.

Ken Horn is the editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel. E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.

1 "Our Kindest City" by John S. Tompkins. Reader’s Digest, July 1994, pp. 53-56.

2 From Sea to Shining Sea by Peter Marshall and David Manuel (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1986), p. 315.

3 Mighty Days of Revival by George E. Morgan (London: Morgan & Scott Ltd., 1908), p. 141.

4 Ibid., p. 144.

Numb to Sin

(Repeating the Vantage Point column from 4/9/2000. Seven and a half years later this still applies as things are even worse in this arena.)

Christians used to be concerned about the entertainment industry being morally on the edge, and worried that young believers would be tempted to dabble in questionable pastimes. That concern is now a thing of the past. Entertainment has blatantly gone over the edge and is pushing the envelope further daily, while many believers have plunged full-force into the deadly whirlpool.

I used to be somewhat naïve, thinking there was no way Christians would wallow in such filth. But my eyes were opened in the ’80s when a college-aged parishioner in the church I pastored told my wife, Peggy, that he went to R-rated movies. "What about the profanity?" she asked.

"You get to where you don’t notice it," was his reply.

That’s a problem. Numb to sin. Those words — and images — become a part of your subconscious and poison your spiritual walk. Dulled spiritual senses get to where they are not jolted by obvious sin. Could this lead to what Paul spoke about — having a "conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2)?

Christians are supposed to be different. "Come out ... be separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17). How can Christians justify going to R-rated movies when even most PG and PG-13 films are objectionable? We recently got a letter from a parent who purchased an E-rated ("appropriate for everybody") video game for her young child. Passing his room she was stunned to hear a curse word from the game. We can’t trust the industry to police itself or believe in their ratings.

And why would a believer have cable movie channels — or watch TV sitcoms? Commercials alone can make you feel like you’re swimming in a cesspool. (Try muting them.)

How does filling our minds with this stuff jibe with the holiness of Romans 12:2 or the pure mind of Philippians 4:8? Eventually we get to Matthew 12:34, where the mouth speaks from what’s in the heart.

Do we seriously think we can lift up "holy hands" on Sunday when those hands have been channel surfing through the vile, the degraded and the ungodly all week?

I’ve seen people go through ridiculous contortions to justify their vice. Ask yourself the following about anything you’re thinking of watching: "Would I be comfortable watching this with my pastor — or with Jesus?" No? Then turn it off.

Why do we see so little revival? Why are so many Christians poverty-stricken spiritually? Often we need look no further than the entertainment they absorb.

If you really want revival — or a closer walk with God — you had better be prepared to take a brutally honest inventory of your viewing habits — and give some things up. If you fill that void with wholesome pastimes and more of seeking after God, you’ll see a change. Guaranteed.

—Ken Horn

Update From Islamabad, Pakistan

Keith and Blanche Talkington are Assemblies of God pastors serving in Islamabad, Pakistan. Their ministry has been covered twice in TPE. See the Jan. 1, 2006 TPE World Missions Edition for background on this update.

Keith's report:

October 8, 2007 marked the second anniversary of the 8.0 scale earthquake that devastated a large area of Pakistan surrounding Islamabad. I still remember waiting under my desk for nearly three minutes for the tremor to stop. We were fortunate in Islamabad to escape with only minor damage. The people living in the mountains less than 80 miles away suffered terrible death and destruction. More than 200,000 died, at least a million were left homeless. During the six months following the earthquake the ladies of our church donated and packed clothes, food and blankets that were taken to the earthquake area and distributed to people who had lost everything. Often these supplies were carried in backpacks to earthquake victims in remote locations high in the mountains of northern Pakistan and Kashmir.

Two years later the relief operation has officially come to a close. Yet, thousands are still living in tents and many have yet to receive even primary medical care. Today we continue to work through [an] NGO (Non Government Organization) to provide1-2 day medical and eyeglass clinics for hundreds of victims of the earthquake in Kashmir. Most of those who were treated at the clinics received medical care for the first time in their lives.

Please pray for the new medical clinic that we have started in Islamabad in a needy area 20 minutes from our church. Most of those who have been treated have never seen a doctor or heard the gospel message.

Teen to be tried as adult

A 16-year-old Ohio boy charged with killing his mother and shooting his father will be tried as an adult and could receive life in prison if convicted.

According to The Associated Press, Daniel Petric would have pleaded guilty to murder if the case remained in juvenile court, said his attorney, James Kersey. Kersey said he offered the plea so Petric would be released when he was 21 years old.

But Lorain County Juvenile Judge Dave Berta ruled Friday that Petric would be tried as an adult and set his bond at $1 million.

Petric, who showed no emotion in court, is accused of shooting his mother and father while they were sitting in the living room of their home near Wellington, about 40 miles southwest of Cleveland, on Oct. 20. He is charged with murder and attempted murder.

Sue Petric, 43, was pronounced dead at the home and the Rev. Mark Petric, 45, pastor of New Life Assembly of God in Wellington, remains hospitalized.

Link to original article

Prisoners' art gains community recognition

Inmates at the Hutchinson (Kan.) Correctional Facility who participate in Freedom Challenge, a ministry extension of Teen Challenge, opened their first art exhibit in October at the Exploration Place in Wichita.

Don Starnes, Freedom Challenge director, says the experience has helped change community perceptions about prisoners.

“We want people to know these guys aren't the refuse of society,” Starnes says. “These men, locked away for their sins, have found freedom to dream beyond their cells. There are guys in there with real talent.”

The Kansas District Council of the Assemblies of God also took notice of the art exhibit.

“We're really excited about FC taking this kind of initiative,” says Aaron Rust, District office manager. “This ministry is leading inmates to a relationship with Christ, freeing them from their life controlling issues that contributed to their incarceration.”

All proceeds from the sale of the inmates' works benefit Freedom Challenge, which is helping the incarcerated overcome life-controlling issues such as illegal drugs, alcohol and anger.

Since its inception in 2005, more than 80 prisoners have gone through the eight-month program.

— Matthew T. Polites, AG News

Daily Boost: Rejoice Always

(The following is the Daily Boost for today, Nov. 8, 2007. Daily Boost is a free devotional available online and e-mailed to subscribers every weekday. Visit tpe.ag.org to read or subscribe.)

Rejoice Always
By Greg Ebie

I sat on my porch swing several years ago thinking and praying to myself when a young man with whom I had made an acquaintance walked by. The sidewalk was only about six feet from where I sat, so I wasn’t surprised when he stopped to say hi. What did surprise me was what he said after I returned his greeting.

“You don’t look very happy,” he said. “What’s wrong with you?”

I had not thought about the look on my face as I sat enjoying the cool evening. Within my heart I felt at peace; no crisis, fear or worry was pressing on my thoughts. Yet my countenance did not reflect my heart; the expression on my face needed to change.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NIV).

It may seem odd that a man held prisoner and chained to a Roman soldier would encourage us to rejoice — not only to say it once, but to repeat himself for emphasis. I don’t imagine his guard ever asked Paul, “Why are you so down today?” Paul had learned the secret of rejoicing in the Lord regardless of his circumstances.

Paul could live a joyful life because he knew regardless of what might happen Jesus would be right there with him. Paul did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome, but as a “prisoner for the Lord” (Ephesians 4:1; see also 2 Timothy 1:8).

Several times in his epistle Paul encouraged the church of Philippi to rejoice and be joyful. Like us they probably needed the reminder. We can so easily let life get us down — even in the little things. We forget Jesus has set us free from sin and death. The Lord is by our side, and we can rejoice in Him always.

When that young man said I looked down, I asked the Lord to help me change the look on my face. I didn’t want people to think I was an unhappy grump. Several weeks later that same young man walked by as I was enjoying the porch swing again.

“Hi,” he said. But this time he added, “Boy, you look happy tonight.”

God had answered my prayer; my expression matched my heart. Years later this is still my prayer. “Lord, help me to reflect the joy You have given to me.”

Many people see Christians as unhappy and stiff. If that’s what a Christian is, I don’t want it. Jesus overflowed with joy. Shouldn’t we do the same?

D. GREG EBIE is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.

Convoy of Hope responds to Katrina-like flooding

Images of the Mexican state of Tabasco are reminiscent of Katrina's damage to the Gulf Coast in 2005; in place of the lush, tropical landscape the area is known for, are huge brown lakes with only the treetops visible above the waterline. An estimated 300,000 people are trapped in their homes with helicopters and rescue boats plucking victims from pockets of refuge. President Felipe Calderon calls it one of the worst natural disasters in Mexico's history.

Responding to a request for assistance, Convoy of Hope staff has been in regular communication throughout each day with local partners there. Convoy of Hope disaster responders are laying the groundwork for a full-scale response once rivers have crested and flooding subsides.

"We refer to this as a compound disaster - though the flooding and the threat to life is the primary concern at this point, there will be long-term implications such as severe economic issues due to the loss of agriculture and industry," says Convoy of Hope's International Project Director Gary Higgins.

"The amount of water is incredible," says Tabasco Governor Andres Granier. "We have lost 100 percent of our crops and 70 percent of the state is under water."

One million people, about half of the state's population, with an estimated 500,000 homeless are seeking relief from the worst disaster in the state's history.

"We are just like New Orleans. All the water that comes in has to be pumped out," Granier says.

Despite the throngs of sandbags placed along waterways, several rivers overflowed their banks last week, pouring over into hundreds of villages and towns, including the state capitol of Villahermosa.

President Felipe Calderon flew to the oil-rich state on the country's Gulf coast to assess the damage and promised more soldiers and rescue workers. Residents had refused to leave their flooded homes because of reported looting in the absence of police protection.

To donate toward Convoy of Hope's international disaster relief efforts, or for more information about the organization, visit www.convoyofhope.org.

— Kristin Kubitschek, AG News

$500,000 grant awarded to Shapes Mentoring Program

A three-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services will provide $510,000 in funding for Shapes Mentoring Program, an Assemblies of God-based ministry to children with incarcerated parents.

“Our program went from theory to reality in the first three years, and now it’s really ready to grow,” says Scott Jett, director of Shapes.

(Photo of a mentor and his mentee participating in the Shapes Bicycle Program.)

The program will expand into 21 Missouri counties, in addition to the original target areas of Greene and Christian counties. Though the program is currently only in Missouri, Jett says Shapes is available to help people anywhere in the nation start a similar outreach in their churches.

Last year, 90 percent of the mentors kept their pledge to spend an hour a week for a year with the child. In its first three years, Jett says none of the 100 kids in the program faced trouble with the law.

“Breaking the cycle of crime passed from parent to child is a key to reducing crime rates both in Missouri and nationwide,” U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri says. “It is through efforts of organizations like Shapes Mentoring Program that we can liberate these children from suffering from the same fate as their parents.”

For more information about Shapes, visit Shapes.ag.org.

—Jennifer McClure

Caribbean flooding impacts ministry

Following heavy rains over a 12-day period, Tropical Storm Noel has added insult to injury causing severe flooding throughout the Caribbean and Central America. The devastation in several countries has captured the attention of the Assemblies of God-affiliated compassion ministry, Convoy of Hope.

Convoy of Hope Public Relations Director Kristin Kubitschek told AG News that staff members are on location distributing relief supplies in Nicaragua, Haiti and El Salvador. Also, in-country partners in the Dominican Republic are assessing needs there.

Reports from the areas state damage includes loss of life, damaged and destroyed businesses and homes, hundreds of contaminated wells, mudslides, significant crop damage and sanitation issues that accompany flooding.

Among those caught in the powerful Caribbean storm are Assemblies of God World Missionaries Larry and Dee McNeill of Latin American Theological Seminary. On Thursday, McNeil said Noel had been pounding the Dominican Republic classroom where he taught for several days.

“The normally peaceful brook behind the dinning room is now a raging river,” McNeill reported. “Electric power has been off for two days. Although water is flooding the entire campus, there has been no water for showers for days, making the hot, humid Bible College almost intolerable.”

However, students on the island – all seasoned ministers – aren’t complaining.

“In spite of the hammering rain and violent wind, ministry leaders of Dominican Republic are studying a master’s degree program in ministerial leadership,” McNeill reported. “They are pressing on to get every drop of benefit from their courses of study.”

— Dan Van Veen, AG News, and John W. Kennedy

AG churches somewhat spared by wildfires, so far

Although hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated and
thousands of structures lost due to the wildfires in Southern
California, so far not one Assemblies of God church has been lost,
though there are reports coming in of damage done to churches by the
fires.

According to the office of Ray Rachels, the Southern California
District Council superintendent, at this point, they are only aware
of one pastor losing his home. Lupe Hernandez, who pastors Rincon
Chapel Assembly of God on the Rincon Indian Reservation, had his
home destroyed by the fire.

However, a number of churches have experienced fire damage, and
almost all AG churches in the area have been affected by the blaze
as church members, family members or friends have lost homes.

Although the fires are not as wide-spread now, they are still
burning on three different fronts. Rachel's office asks for prayer
for moderate rainfall (to avoid mud slides) and that the powerful
Santa Ana winds expected this weekend will not materialize.

Convoy of Hope is working with the district and churches to help
assess and meet needs in the area. To assist Convoy in this
ministry of compassion, see http://www.ConvoyofHope.org.

For updates from the Southern California District on the relief
efforts, see http://www.socalag.org/disasterupdate.

— Dan Van Veen, AG News

Reaching out, making a difference

Saturday, Oct. 27, volunteers from the Assemblies of God headquarters, Evangel University and Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Mo., partnered with Convoy of Hope for a neighborhood outreach in observance of Make A Difference Day.

About 2,700 guests were in attendance. Volunteers distributed 2,500 bags of groceries and prayed with more than 1,000 guests.

Make A Difference Day is a national day of helping others. The annual event, created by "USA Weekend," takes place the on the fourth Saturday of every October. In 2006, more than 3 million people participated in various projects nationwide.

If you, your church or business participated in this year’s Make A Difference Day, tell us about it. We’d love to hear how you are making a difference in your community.

Photos by Dan VanVeen

Twister destroys Indiana church

An Oct. 18 tornado that damaged or destroyed 199 homes and 53 businesses in Nappanee, Ind., demolished an Assemblies of God church in the town of 7,100.

The twister wiped out the sanctuary and most of the upper floor at New Beginnings Assembly of God. The building has since been condemned and is scheduled for demolition.

The church was unoccupied when the tornado hit, and no injuries were reported.

The tornado also destroyed the church’s bus, two storage buildings and maintenance equipment.

The congregation of approximately 50 is meeting in facilities owned by another local church.

“When you face something like this you know you can’t rebuild on your own,” says Mick Tomlinson, pastor at New Beginnings. “It takes God stirring the hearts of the people to rebuild, and that is what He is doing. Not only in our church, but God is stirring others to come and help.”

Though the church was insured, Tomlinson says the settlement may not cover all the losses.

AG Disaster Relief has set up a fund for the church. Donations can be made either online or by mail. When donating online, write "IN Tornado" in the comment field. To donate by mail, send a check to AG Disaster Relief, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802-1894 and write “IN Tornado” on the memo line.

— Christina Quick

Convoy of Hope sends team to Southern California

With more than half a million people displaced by the Southern
California wildfires, the need for food, water and shelter is
critical. In order to help meet this need, an assessment team from
Convoy of Hope, based in Springfield, Mo., was dispatched to
Southern California Tuesday afternoon as wildfires, fanned by Santa
Anna winds, continued to whip across the region.

"Because we felt it was important to get an assessment team in
place immediately, our team arrived in California Wednesday to
assess the situation and determine how Convoy of Hope can be of the
most help," says Kary D. Kingsland, U.S. Disaster Response director.

So far, hundreds of homes have been destroyed and more than a half a
million people have been forced to evacuate their residences and
places of business. Many evacuees have made their way to local
churches, schools and even Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

President Bush declared a federal emergency for seven counties, a
move that will speed disaster-relief efforts. Convoy of Hope
representatives plan to enlist the help of corporate partners to
speed relief supplies to organizations and people in need. Though
the fires have been blazing undeterred for three days, containment
of the fires will be difficult as the ground is tinder-dry, high
winds aren't forecasted to abate any time soon, and temperatures are
expected to rise in the coming days.

Kingsland believes Convoy of Hope's role will grow even larger after
the fires have been contained. "There is a lot of need right now,"
he says. "But we expect that need to become even greater after the
fires are contained. That's when people will have time to assess
what they have lost and what they need."

More information on how Convoy of Hope is working to bring
relief to the victims of the Southern California wildfires is available at http://www.convoyofhope.org or by calling 417-823-8998.

— Kristin Kubitschek, AG News

To All Veterans

A Message Looking Forward to Veterans Day

I sit here thinking about how “tough” life is being at war for a back to back of 12 months and then a 15 month combat tour. I miss my wife and dogs. I miss not being able to pick up and get a McDonald cheeseburger when I want to. I miss a real bed where when I get up I don’t have to travel a block to use the facilities or don’t have to check your shoes for what might be in them. Than I feel ashamed as I remember how fortunate the Soldiers of today really are. I know that I am basically whining when I take a look at what other veterans have done for our country in the past 70 years. I have it easy and want to thank each and every one of our veterans for their job well done.

I have been asked to address all of the men and women that I consider my heroes. What an honor to be able to address you. Regardless of whether you volunteered or were drafted and this also includes the spouses and those who supported “their” Soldier. You stood up for your country and the people of American. You did a job that so many were afraid of and you never ran off to Canada or Europe to hide. During World War 2 they estimated that 97% of the United States was involved in some way or another with the fight for freedom. Everyone knew someone that did not come home either directly or in directly. Due to everyone being involved our military personnel, our Hero’s both male and female came home and went to work trying to rebuild a life that for many was gone. I have talked with Soldiers of that era and asked them why they did not put their story to paper? They responded this way…”Cliff, everyone did it or would do what I have done. I was not special, I was called and I went, I did what was expected of me.” So many of our unsung heroes of that day have gone to their graves with many heroic stories and many unhealed pains and memories of friends lost. Why; because they believed they were nothing special. I DISAGREE.

It did not end there. Uncle Sam was not done. The huge war machine of WW2 was winding down, but many of our Service men and women did not get to relax for long. We went to a War with a country many never heard of: Korea. However, something different for us to deal with this time…It was called a military conflict and was never classified as War. To those that were involved it sure seemed like war. There were dead and dieing yet Congress never declared war. In fact they have not since WW2. The horrors of war did not stop just because a group of men were unable to see it for what it was. It was war with stories that could make a grown man cry. The Soldiers came home and many never talked about their experiences. Why? Because it was not a war. It was not a victory; it was considered a draw. Oh sure, there were semblances of a war, but many felt it was just a mop up conflict following WW2. We were nothing special; we did what we were called to do and did what was expected. Many to this day hold the pains inside because they felt that they were nothing special…I DISAGREE!!

A new generation of Soldiers came of age during the next war that we call Vietnam. They were raised on the battles of WWII and Korea. They watched TV where “Rat Patrol” would win battles in 30 minutes time and John Wayne traded his horse in to lead a Battalion of Soldiers to victory in some battle. They heard stories of victories and trials that “made a man out of you.” Though the beginning of this conflict is argued, the trials, deaths and hurts were and are still very real today. It was a war that tore our country apart. While a loud immoral minority condemned the war and those involved (including the Soldier), A Moral Majority sat back confused. While thousands marched on Washington in disagreement, the numbers grew of our dead and the hands of our military leaders were tied by the political leaders of the time. As not to condemn the protestors because that is their right, we must understand that this protesting was not new. Even in WWII the protesters marched on Washington in large numbers, but because of lack of media during the 1940’s, the world in the 60’s and 70’s thought they were doing something completely new. Something in which they thought could change a mind of a nation’s leaders.

Indeed, something new was taking place but not by the media and protestors, but by the men and woman of this generation that set them apart from all generations. Yes, they were called, they went, they did what was asked of them and yes, many did not come home. However, the difference was they survived even when they were told that they weren’t special by those that sent them. They were expected to deal their feelings by themselves. You see in the previous wars, it took time to get home (up to 3 months) and in that time they were able to talk to others with many of the same experiences and they were welcomed as heroes. Vietnam was a 24hour turn around from the jungles to any street in the United States and there was no parade, no thanks, just forget about what happened and move on. No wonder our men and women felt so rejected and worthless. I am one individual that would like to publicly say I am sorry because I DISAGREE!!! Each and every one of you are special and we thank you for the job and sacrifices all of you made.

What about the soldiers that entered their service to our country after Vietnam. Well, let’s think about this for a second. All the wars and rumors of war that took place all over the world didn’t get much Media attention, but people still died. I am sure that I would forget some of them, but let me try. Beirut, Grenada, other South American countries fighting drugs and dictatorships. The different embassies that were bombed throughout the world. Our Navy being shot at, the war that is still going on in Korea, Cuba and other fronts during the Cold War. The Gulf War, fighting in Afghanistan and of course those who are home after fighting in this war on Terror. Our forces of National Guards, and Reserves being used in ways they were never intended, but they are always at the ready to move.

For anyone that has worn any of the uniforms in defense of our precious United States of America, I rise to salute you and the commitment that you have shown to our Great nation. At times, it is correct that many do not understand the things you have gone through, but please understand that you are the Select, you are the heroes, and you are the guide to the next generations of Americans. In your Special and Unique way, the nation is once again calling on you because you have something that many are looking for. Yes, it your experience, but it is also knowledge and relationship that you have with the Lord Jesus Christ and that is what so many people today are lacking, sadly, even within our churches It is no longer time for any of us to take a passive role in showing the world that they need the Lord. It is time to remember yesterday and strive with perseverance in telling the world just how special we all are in the eyes of the Lord. The blood that was shed throughout our nation’s war history is impressive, but it is time for us to teach the world about the blood that was shed upon a tree by our Savior, for our sins…
My friends, you have your orders:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age."
Matt 28:18-20 NIV

Thank you and God bless,
In HIS service,
CH (CPT) Cliff Neuman
1-4 CAV, Squadron Chaplain

Teen charged with killing mother, wounding pastor father

The 16-year-old son of an Assemblies of God minister in Wellington, Ohio, was charged Monday with murder and attempted murder in the shooting death of his mother and the critical wounding of his father.

Daniel Petric appeared in juvenile court, where he was charged as an adult.

Mark Petric, 45, pastor of New Life Assembly of God, was shot in the face Saturday night and remains hospitalized at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Sue Petric, 43, was pronounced dead at the family home in Brighton Township, outside Wellington, about 35 miles southwest of Cleveland.

“We believe that Daniel is the sole person responsible for this tragedy,” says Capt. Rich Resendez of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. “He has given us some details about what occurred and indicated some of his reasoning.”

A 9 mm gun was found at the scene, Resendez said. Police pulled Daniel Petric over in the family’s minivan shortly after the shooting.

The Petrics’ daughter Heidi Archer and her husband, Andrew, found the couple when they arrived at their home to watch a baseball playoff game on television.

Andrew Archer, 23, gave his father-in-law first aid, while Heidi Archer, 21, called 911, Resendez said.

“The first aid that Andrew applied to Mark possibly did save him,” Resendez says.

A memorial service for Sue Petric will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Christian Heritage Assembly of God in Avon, Ohio. AG General Superintendent George O. Wood plans to attend.

Those wanting to make a financial contribution to the family’s expenses in memory of Sue Petric may send checks to Fifth Third Bank, 161 E. Herrick Ave., Wellington, Ohio, 44090. “Memorial fund for the Petric family” should be mentioned in the memo line.

“The Petric family has certainly been strengthened by the prayers and support of ministers and churches,” says Ohio District Superintendent Doug Clay. “It is times like these that the value of belonging is most evident. Both Mark’s and Susan’s families are filled with faith and are comforting one another during this difficult time.”

Mark and Sue met at Valley Forge Christian College. Before moving to Wellington, the Petrics were youth and associate pastors at Eastgate Assembly of God at Reynoldsburg, Ohio, for 10 years. They also worked as house parents for troubled teens at the Choice Place Boy’s Home in Ashland.

“Mark and his family were easy to love,” says Hal Stiles, a member of New Life church.

"Sometimes miracles happen"; Infant Survives Tornado

A Michigan child is being called the "Miracle Baby."

A family was asleep when a tornado demolished their home. The twister reduced the house to rubble. The Flint Journal reported that the baby’s crib was thrown 40 feet away from the home.

A neighbor found the baby under a pile of debris, including the crib, about 40 feet from the home after hearing a faint whimper.

"Sometimes miracles happen," Millington Township firefighter Dan Detgen told The Flint Journal.

God was watching over this child.

Master's Commission North Pole in Beaver, AK

The great young Christians I traveled with on the Yukon River in Alaska in July. Director Ron Pratt is in blue. Look for the story in our December AGUSM edition.

20,000 and Counting

If you’re reading this, you’ve joined readers from more than 70 nations around the world who took this site past its 20,000th page view today.

Internet statistics are typically in the stratosphere numerically, so 20,000 may not sound like a figure worth noting. But even small milestones here at the Evangel blog represent new avenues for touching lives.

You’ll find more than news and celebrity gossip on our blog. You’ll find resources to encourage you in your walk of faith. We hope you’ll visit often. And feel free to leave us a comment as you navigate to your next destination.

Scott Harrup

From Prison to Pulpit

Editor’s note: The following article ran in TPE’s annual KeyBearers edition on April 24, 2005. Since then, Eric and Shari Earhart have had a son, Mitch, born in June 2006, and a daughter, Mandi, born in September 2007. Upper Room Assembly recently broke ground on an 8,000-square-foot worship center and Earhart has been ordained by the North Carolina District of the Assemblies of God. The AG’s current “Nothing’s Too Hard for God” media campaign features Earhart’s life story. In August 2007, the Earharts escaped a fire that extensively damaged their home.


From prison to pulpit

A passion for Jesus replaces cocaine trafficking in Eric Earhart’s life

By John W. Kennedy

On the street, the gregarious Eric Earhart is constantly on a mission. Every passerby he sees is an opportunity for evangelism. Within a few seconds of meeting a stranger, Earhart joyously explains in a booming voice what a blessed life he leads, recounting how his faith in Jesus Christ helped him through a 42-month prison stretch.
A decade ago, a different force drove the muscular, 6-foot-5 Earhart in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Much like today, whenever anyone saw him coming they knew he meant business — but not the Lord’s business.
As a cocaine trafficker, Earhart had little patience for those who owed him money.
On Christmas night in 1995, Earhart went to the house of a man who owed him several thousand dollars from a drug deal. Three weeks earlier he had beaten the guy with a baseball bat and warned him to pay — or face a deadly assault the next time. In the brutal drug business, a dealer who doesn’t collect his debts by enforcing such threats soon is out of business. Earhart didn’t plan to miss a payday the second time.
Slightly intoxicated, Earhart kicked in the front door. Within a couple of seconds he had the barrel of an assault rifle pointing into the mouth of the stunned drug defaulter as he sat on his living room couch.
Earhart pulled the trigger.
The gun misfired, ejecting the round of ammunition, which Earhart caught in midair.
Earhart flung the bullet into the lap of his intended, terrified victim.
“You’re lucky tonight!” a fuming Earhart shouted, stabbing the frightened man in the neck with the gun’s bayonet. “But you better get out of town!”
For Earhart, years of alcohol and marijuana abuse began at age 12. So did vandalism and thievery. Adulthood didn’t change him. In a rural culture where men often are judged by how tough they are with their fists, Earhart’s bruising reputation increased.
“I was as deep in sin as a human being could be,” Earhart recalls.
The U.S. Army even booted Earhart — twice — for his inebriated, violent behavior.
After being discharged, Earhart and his brother, Robert, began a wholesale seafood business to regional restaurants. Although lucrative at first, the enterprise began to fail. Earhart didn’t want his family and friends to see that he had failed yet again, so he began trafficking cocaine from North Carolina to New York in an effort to keep up the facade.
Soon the drug trade grew lucrative, so much so that it attracted the attention of state drug enforcement officials. After a six-month investigation, Earhart got busted and faced 40 years behind bars.
Meanwhile, the mother of Earhart’s live-in girlfriend plus the captain of the shrimp boat where he found work while out on bail both evangelized him. One night on the beach Earhart fell on his knees.
“Lord, I’ve ruined my life,” he cried out. “If You can do something good with it, I’m Yours.”

Immediately Earhart changed his lifestyle. He read the Bible six hours a day as he waited to enter prison. As Earhart began serving a seven-year term for cocaine trafficking, his parents and siblings — who didn’t cut him off during his drug dealing days — no longer wanted to see him. His incessant talk about Jesus proved to be too much. They also told him not to write. They didn’t want to read letters rambling on about the Savior of the world.
In the first cellblock where he lived — the first of eight prison camps — Earhart stood out as the only Christian. Although committing his life to Jesus didn’t abolish his sentence, it gave him peace to endure the circumstances.
“Prison is a dark, evil place,” Earhart says. “But to know the Lord makes all the difference in the world.” His newfound faith also enabled him to cope with his past mistakes.
“Prison allowed me to be humbled and real with myself,” Earhart says. “It wasn’t the fault of my mama, my daddy, my lawyer, the district attorney or my girlfriend that I was in there. I was there because of my sin and my poor decisions.”
Early during his incarceration, Earhart was filled with the Holy Spirit at a Bible study. Bold evangelism has been a hallmark of his life ever since.
“I was always amazed at how Christian literature discipled me in the prison system,” says Earhart, 37. “Whenever I needed to go to the next level, God had always provided free materials and Bibles through the generosity of His people.”
Earhart believes it’s important for inmates to have access to magazines such as Today’s Pentecostal Evangel because prisoners also are inundated with theologically suspect material. “It’s so important in the discipleship process of inmates, especially for those weak in the faith, to be doctrinally sound,” he says. “It’s easy to end up with wrong teaching.”
Shortly before his release, Earhart had the opportunity to be out in the community a few hours every week. He chose Sunday mornings, when he visited The Carpenter’s Shop church, an Assemblies of God congregation in Ahoskie, N.C. For four months no one in the congregation knew he lived in prison. Then after services one Sunday he asked Pastor Wallace Phillips to visit him at his residence — the regional penitentiary.
During their visit, Phillips immediately sensed from God that Earhart had a ministry calling upon his life.
Even though the Lord had cleaned him up, Earhart balked at the notion.
I’m not pastor material, Earhart told himself. I’m a fighter, a redneck fisherman. Earhart had a concept of preachers as meek, horn-rimmed men in black suits, even though the husky Phillips showed up at prison wearing jeans and a casual shirt.
When Phillips offered to mentor him, Earhart initially turned him down. When released, he simply wanted to go home and hang out at the beach. On reflection, he yielded to full-time ministry.
Not that Earhart had held back in prison. There he led 380 inmates and five guards to make salvation decisions.
In fact, revival broke out at the prison camp immediately after Phillips told Earhart about God’s calling. Inmates started coming up to Earhart asking what they needed to do to get right with the Lord.
Prison officials viewed Earhart as the ringleader of this Christian “gang.” The camp supervisor called Earhart into his office and ordered him to stop preaching, unless he wanted to be convicted of inciting a riot and disrupting the function of a correctional facility — charges that would result in an additional eight years to his sentence. At the time, Earhart had only 60 days until freedom.
Just as Peter and John refused the Sanhedrin’s orders to stop speaking the name of Jesus (Acts 4), Earhart responded that he couldn’t stop preaching. In a response worthy of the apostles, Earhart told the warden that as long as he had breath, he would continue declaring the gospel. And he did. The warden backed off his threats, just as the Sanhedrin did.
“Christians face violent persecution in prison, from other prisoners and from staff as well,” Earhart says. “Christians bring a message of conviction to those not walking with the Lord.”
In December 2000, after serving half of his seven-year term, Earhart walked out a free man. The next year he attended an Assemblies of God boot camp for church planters, but he still craved assurance from North Carolina District Superintendent Charles O. Kelly.
“I wanted to make sure he knew what a lying, cheating past I had,” Earhart says. Kelly told Earhart if God wanted him in ministry he needed to heed the call.
After being trained in evangelism and discipleship, Earhart in October 2002 became pastor of the first church planting endeavor of Carpenter’s Shop: Upper Room Assembly, located 26 miles north of Ahoskie in Gatesville. He started with half a dozen people.
“Eric is the kind of guy who lives by strong convictions,” says Carpenter’s Shop’s Pastor Phillips. “His personality is exactly what the county needed for a strong, vibrant Pentecostal work.”
Now, Upper Room, which meets in a newly renovated former auto parts store, has 100 attendees — in a town of 280. Earhart knew a few of his flock while in prison, including James Gresham.
“I could hear him in Bible study about 10 bunks away,” Gresham recalls. “He prayed for me one day and immediately I was cured of my 20-year bondage to alcohol.”
Only one Upper Room family has any kind of Pentecostal background. Around one-third are African-
American.
It’s not that Gates County, which has a population of only 10,500, had no congregations before. Although the county has but a single traffic light, there are 62 houses of worship, most of which have worshippers belonging to either one ethnic make-up or the other. The county is 59 percent white and 39 percent black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Signs of racial division are still very evident.
In such an environment, Earhart preaches that turning from evil is a requirement of salvation. “John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter and Paul all taught to repent and reject darkness first,” Earhart says.
“He is well suited to pioneer a church there because of his passion and his ability to identify with people,” says District Superintendent Kelly.
For Earhart, sin, not skin color, is the black and white issue.
“He’s not one to pussyfoot around,” says Mickey White, a ministry volunteer who met Earhart when he lived in prison. “He’s a real repent-and-turn-from-sin-or-you’re-going-to-hell kind of guy.”
Chuck Small, a paint store manager who doubles as Upper Room’s associate pastor, agrees. “In Christian circles I’ve met so many people who say one thing and do another,” Small says. “But Eric is refreshing. He’s lived what he preaches.”
Upper Room is located less than a mile from where Earhart spent his final months as an inmate. Ironically, state prison officials have started calling him to ask if prisoners being released can spend transition time in his care. So far, three men have stayed with him.
Eventually, Earhart’s family stopped avoiding him, too. Earhart led his father to salvation a year before he died of cancer at age 63 in 2002. Two years ago, Earhart’s brother, Robert, who had a drug abuse history similar to Eric’s, also converted. Robert now is a scallop boat captain.
For Earhart the future is even brighter. On July 1, 2005, he weds Olathe, Kan., kindergarten teacher Shari R. Albertson. And yes, she knows about his past.