AftermAth of JApAn’s DisAster

CourAgeous fAithto hit theAters

eD stetzer speAksto the iphC

How to transform your outreacH to cHildren

April 2011

for Kids

Making Church

ATLANTAHyATT RegeNcy HoTeL

Youth Quest 201107/ 8/20 - 07/2 /20

Do you have talent? The Fine Arts Festival is the opportunity for you! Categories include singing, drama, instrumental, preaching, art, and more. Enter by yourself or with a group.

If you love the challenge of memorizing Scripture, join Bible Quest. This fast-paced competition is all about knowing and recalling passages of Scripture.

This year, we’re adding two more categories: Quoting Bee – A Scripture quoting challenge open to all Fine Arts participants

Excel – Fine Arts showcase categories for young adults ages 20-25

There’s something for everyone at Youth Quest 2011. For more information, call (866) 263-1623 or visit www.iphc.org/yq.

Editor in ChiEfDr. Ronald W. Carpenter Sr.

PublishErGreg Hearn

CEO, Lifesprings Resources

ExECutivE EditorJ. Lee Grady

nEws EditorMégan Alba

AssoCiAtE EditorsRobyn Keeler, Sara Ray

EditoriAl CommittEENina Brewsaugh,

Annetta Lee, Kimberly Wilkerson, Kathryn Shelley, Jennifer Simmons,

Sherrie Taylor, Shandra Youell

GrAPhiC dEsiGnErBeth J. Wansley

wEb dEsiGnErs Timothy W. Beasley,Kalanda Kambeya

GEnErAl suPErintEndEntDr. Ronald W. Carpenter Sr.

ExECutivE CommittEE of thE CounCil of bishoPs

world missions ministriEsA.D. Beacham Jr., Vice Chairman

disCiPlEshiP ministriEsJ. Talmadge Gardner, Corporate Treasurer

EvAnGElism usAD. Chris Thompson, Corporate Secretary

IPHC Experience (ISSN 1547-4984) Vol. 8 No. 4, is published monthly except in July and December by Lifesprings Resources of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2425 West Main St., Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Printed in the U.S.A. MMXI. Address editorial comments to IPHC Experience, P.O. Box 9, Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Or email sray@lifesprings.net.

7 ExpressionsWe cannot do effective ministry without apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists. This is one of the secrets of the first-century church.by bishop ronald w. Carpenter sr.

IPHC missionaries respond to Japan earthquake / SCU breaks ground on new dormitory / Ministry leaders get preview of new movie Courageous / Ohio church hosts 40-day fast / California boy gets a miracle / Ron and Nan Carpenter heal gender tensions in romania / Emmanuel College basketball coach tJ rosene has winning faithPlus: news briefs

8 Events

12 Cover Story

18 Emerging Voices

Ed stetzer, leader of the missional church movement, offers his candid advice to the IPHC.

Florida pastor teryl todd, who grew up in the IPHC, has written a book about overcoming one of life’s most poisonous emotions. It’s called The Danger of Anger.

Letters and commentary from our readers.

22 E-Resources

23 E-Mail

Church planter hector Andrade, originally from Mexico, is a compassionate defender of immigrants. Today he is breaking down ethnic barriers in the IPHC as he plants churches in Minnesota and beyond.

20 Encourage

4 My ExperienceKevin bordeaux was a teenage fugitive. But when he prayed a desperate prayer—“God, if You are real, help me”—heaven sent a miracle.

reinventing Kids’ ministry for a new Generation. Don’t get stuck in a spiritual rut! Children’s pastor don webb shares how you can transform your outreach to children.Plus: 8 no-nos of Children’s ministry

CovEr Photo: © ThinkStock.com

LSR 2011099

www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 3

April 2011 Vol. 8, No. 4

I could find. By the time I was 19, I had three charges against me and was finally kicked out of college for threatening to beat up a professor.

It was during my final months at ECU that I realized God was chasing me down. As I look back on those years, it seems as if He were leaving “bread crumbs” along the way for me so I could find Him.

My best friend and drug buddy gave his life to Christ during that time. I didn’t even believe God existed. I thought church was a stupid concept. But my friend, unlike most Christians, decided to retain some of his non-Christian friends. I was one of them.

He would still skateboard with me from time to time, but now I saw a sparkle in his eye. He looked and acted differently.

At the same time, I began to have some “God encounters” on my campus. One day when I was in a bathroom coughing up phlegm (from smoking too much marijuana the night before), a young man asked me if I was okay. I told him: “Dude, I smoked 10 blunts with some friends last night.”

I said this to impress him, but his response was shocking. He said: “Hey, look, man, Jesus wants to save you. He loves you!”

I responded: “Hey, maybe I’ll do that one day. But I need to get cleaned up and have some fun first.”

He didn’t condemn me or preach at me. He simply said he would be praying for me. As he left that bathroom, I could

sense something profound that I couldn’t describe. Today I know it was the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

God continued to chase me after I was kicked out of ECU. I was hounded by the Holy Spirit. My friend kept sharing a little bit of Christ with me each time we skateboarded. Finally, on the weekend of March 1, 1999, I cried out to God while I was attending a party.

I walked outside and prayed a desperate prayer.

“God, I am so tired of being so empty,” I said. “If you are real, help me.”

He heard my cry. At 4 a.m. my life was changed forever. Two of my closest friends and I were drinking beer and tripping on acid. All of a sudden everything went black. I felt as if I had been thrown into eternity.

When I snapped back into reality, I thought I had experienced a bad trip. I looked at my two friends, and they were as white as ghosts. They were feeling something too.

I did not know God, but I knew some type of spirit had entered the room. I felt so much conviction from the Holy Spirit that I took a Valium so I would pass out. My friends didn’t want to talk about what happened. We were so scared!

The next Monday night I went to a service at Clinton Pentecostal Holiness Church in Clinton, N.C. Some of my skateboarding friends would attend meetings there from time to time. That night I gave my life to Christ, and immediately I was delivered from my alcoholism and drug addiction.

And I fell in love with the One who had been pursuing me.

Since then, I have earned two ministry degrees. I also toured with a Christian punk band. And today my wife and I are planting a church in Florida. I am so thankful that when my heart was far from God, He chased me relentlessly—and His love overtook me.

Kevin Bordeaux and his wife, Dianna, pastor The Well Community Church in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Log on at thewellpsl.com.

here are five simple steps you can take to begin a relationship with God:

1. rECoGnizE your nEEd. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, NASB). All of us are sinners, and we must admit our need for a Savior.

2. rEPEnt of your sins. Because God is completely holy, our sins create a wall that separates us from Him. By confessing your sins you will find forgiveness. “Repent” means to make a 180-degree turnaround. The Bible promises: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

3. bEliEvE in JEsus. God worked a miracle when He sent His only Son to die for us. We don’t have to pay for our sins … Jesus paid it all! We can’t work for our salvation. It is a gift from God, and all He requires is that we believe. Put your faith in Him. The Bible says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

4. rECEivE his sAlvAtion. God has given us this free gift, but we must accept it. Thank Him for sending Jesus to die on the cross for you. Thank Him for His amazing love, mercy and forgiveness. Then ask Him to live in your heart. His promise to us is sure: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God...” (John 1:12).

5. ConfEss your fAith. The Bible assures us: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). You have been born again and are now part of God’s family. Tell someone else what Jesus has done in your life!

This amazing experience can be yours. Embrace God’s love and receive the salvation that only Jesus Christ gives.

I rEMEMBEr GOING TO CHUrCH as a child and being taught stories from

the Bible. I also remember beating up a kid at a vacation Bible school.

The teacher kicked me out because of my rough behavior.

I stopped attending church when I was eight or nine years old. By

the time I was 17, I had purple hair, and I was playing in a grunge

rock band. Skateboarding was my only hobby.

My life spiraled out of control when I left for college at East

Carolina University a year later. I quickly became addicted to

hard drugs and alcohol, and I experimented with every drug

how to experienCe goD

have you had the Experience? Send your testimony to Sara Ray at sray@lifesprings.net.

When I prayed a desperate prayer—“God, if You are real, help me”—heaven sent a miracle.

I Was a Teenage Fugitive!

“I am so thankful that when my

heart was far from God, he chased me

relentlessly—and His love overtook me.”

www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 5

by KEvin bordEAux

4 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com

www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 7

God’s redemptive purpose can be summed up in one statement: He intends to plunder hell and populate heaven. God wants to minimize the number of people who are eternally lost and maximize the number of people who are eternally saved.

The day is coming when those who gather around the throne of God will be numbered as “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands

of thousands” (see rev. 5:11). This is why Jesus died and created the church—to be God’s vehicle for transporting redeemed sinners from earth to heaven.

The success of God’s redemptive plan depends largely on how effectively the church carries out her purpose of winning the world to Jesus. That’s why it is so important for the 21st-century church to operate in the power of the first-century church.

How do we do this? The apostle Paul listed five special gifts Jesus gave to the church when He ascended: “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). These gifts are actually gifted people, given by Jesus to enable us to accomplish a mission that would otherwise be impossible.

The church cannot minister effectively without these gifts, but we have not always appreciated them. Pastors and teachers have operated with acceptance for years. After the second century, evangelists were not widely acknowledged until the mid-1800s.

And while prophets and apostles were active in the New Testament church, their modern counterparts have only recently been acknowledged. But I believe God has been working historically to restore proper focus on these gifts so the church can fulfill its 21st-century mandate. Consider these facts from history:

• The Protestant reformation of the 16th century brought a refocus on justification by faith, the universal priesthood of believers and the authority of Scripture.

• The Wesleyan reformation of the 18th century brought a refocus on personal holiness and sanctification.

• The missionary movement of the 18th and 19th centuries brought a refocus on evangelism and soul winning.

• The Pentecostal revival of the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought a refocus on miracles and the gifts of the Spirit.

• The office of the evangelist was given a refocus by God in the 1940s and ’50s

through Billy Graham, T. L Osborne, Oral roberts and others.

• The church in the 1970s saw a refocus on intercession and spiritual warfare.

• The ministry of the prophet became more accepted in the 1980s.

• God gave the church a renewed focus on the ministry of apostles in the 1990s.

What is the gift of the apostle? He or she is a person with the special anointing to provide authoritative leadership for a group of churches. This often involves the founding of new churches or the grace to bring revitalization to established churches. Apostles also are gifted to establish and maintain spiritual order.

New Testament prophets know the heart of God and declare God’s revealed strategy and purpose to the church. They also point out the areas where the church is out of alignment. Prophetic ministry is primarily corrective.

An evangelist is uniquely anointed to preach the gospel in such a powerfully persuasive manner that people feel compelled to repent of their sins and be saved. Every believer is called to be a witness, but not every believer is gifted as an evangelist.

Of the five gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11, only pastors stay in one location. The other four are usually itinerant. The word “pastor”

comes from the Greek word poimos, which means “shepherd.” Pastors feed, lead, guide, protect, heal and oversee the general welfare of the flock—and are called to lay their lives down for them.

Teachers are uniquely anointed to understand the deep truths of the Word of God and to explain those truths to others in such a way that believers grow in spiritual maturity.

All of these gifts are vital. But we must remember that God never gives gifts or anointing for self-glorification. So often people get carried away with the gift but forget the Giver and why He gave the gift in the first place!

Why did Jesus give these special ministry gifts? The answer lies in Ephesians 4:12: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

This is God’s original “church growth” formula. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are not called to build their own ministries. God uses them to empower the church. In the IPHC we believe in doing ministry God’s way. Let us embrace the fivefold ministry and welcome all of God’s vital gifts so we can reach the end-time harvest.

Five Gifts We Must Embrace

by bishoP ronAld w. CArPEntEr sr.

We cannot do effective ministry without apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists.

rEdEmPtion world outrEACh CEntErGrEEnvillE, sC.

you mAy rEGistEr by CAllinG EvAnGElism usA At: 405-787-7110 Ext. 3318

Instructing and inspiring church leaders who sense God’s calling to fulfill the growth mandate.

May 2 – 4, 2011

8 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 9

IPHC missionaries working in Japan are safe but shaken after surviving the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the country in March—spawning a devastating tsunami and triggering dangerous radiation leaks at nuclear power plants along the northeastern Japanese coast.

Hiro and Eryn Bamba, missionaries based in Tokyo, were inside a Tokyo building with their children when the quake hit on March 11. “We are used to having frequent small earthquakes in Japan, but this one was incomparably bigger than any we have ever experienced,” Hiro said.

The IPHC has two churches in Japan, and neither reported any damage. Russell Board, continental director of the IPHC’s

mission work in Asia, was not in Japan at the time of the disaster, but he returned a few days later. “We came back to a different country,” Board said, describing the shift in national mood.

At press time the death toll stood at 10,000-plus, with more than 17,000 people still missing. Japanese officials fear that most of those missing people were swept out to sea when 33-foot waves crashed on the coast near the city of Sendai. The waves reached as far as six miles inland in some places.

In the aftermath, millions of people were left without electricity and water. The Sendai quake was one of the five most powerful earthquakes in the world since

1900, when seismologists began keeping records.

As soon as news of the quake hit, People to People Ministries, the humanitarian arm of the IPHC, sprang into action. The ministry set up a fund for disaster relief.

Doug Beacham, executive director of World Missions Ministries, said the IPHC will likely partner with other Christian relief agencies in order to provide the best possible assistance to Japan. Board and Bamba will oversee the church’s relief efforts in the coming weeks.

Despite the magnitude of the disaster, many Japanese Christians believe the Holy Spirit will use this event to bring spiritual awakening to Japan. Historically, the country has been resistant to the message of Christianity—with only a small percentage of Japanese describing themselves as Christians. Most Japanese are either Buddhists or followers of the Shinto religion.

However, a 2006 poll conducted by the Gallup organization showed that interest in Christianity is rising among Japanese teenagers and younger adults.

Beacham is hopeful about Japan’s future. “While our hearts go out with genuine sympathy and sorrow for those who have been negatively impacted, if the Lord will somehow use this to demonstrate Christian love, that will be a critical way for the Lord to open doors for the communication of the gospel,” he said.

To give online to the People to People relief fund for Japan, go to iphc.org/asia-pacific-disaster.

For the first time in a decade, officials at Southwestern Christian University broke ground for a new building on the campus in Bethany, Oklahoma. The university hosted a groundbreaking ceremony March 10 to celebrate the construction of a new dormitory, scheduled to open this fall.

“This is truly a banner day for Southwestern Christian University,” said President Ed Huckeby. “Today we look to the future and what is ahead.”

Students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the SCU Board of Regents, guests from the IPHC Global Ministry Center and various local and state officials, attended the ceremony.

Daniella Looper, a sophomore at SCU, said the dorm is much more than a building.

“It is a stepping stone for the future and the purpose of the school, which

is to lead students to Christ so they are then enabled to lead others to Christ,” said Looper, who serves as a student resident assistant at the school’s oldest dormitory.

The university is building the dormitory in response to unprecedented growth over the past academic year. SCU’s decision to move to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) sparked a 66% increase in undergraduate enrollment. University officials say current student housing is at maximum capacity, and more room will be needed to accommodate new students this fall.

The two-story building will house 64 resident students as well as a first-floor conference center that can be utilized as classroom or meeting space. Officials say the building will open in time for the fall 2011 semester.

iPhC lEAdErs GEt A PrEviEw of CourAGEous The film about fatherhood will hit theaters in September.

Several IPHC leaders recently attended a screening of the upcoming movie Courageous while attending a meeting for the National Coalition of Ministries to Men in Atlanta. The movie, which will premier in theaters in

September, is the latest production from Sherwood Pictures, the film company based at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.

The film’s tagline is: “Honor Begins at Home.” It tells the story of four law

enforcement officers who all struggle to connect with their children. When tragedy strikes, the men are left to wrestle with their hopes, fears and faith.

“This movie will cause you to reexamine your role as a father and the head of your household,” said Talmadge Gardner, director of Discipleship Ministries for the IPHC.

Bill Terry, director of Men’s Ministries for the IPHC, said the film will help men become better fathers and husbands. “If a man wants to understand more about his identity, manhood and family relationships, then this movie is a must for men,” he said.

Sherwood Pictures’ biggest hit was Fireproof, the 2008 drama that starred Christian actor Kirk Cameron. It cost only $500,000 to make and became the highest grossing independent film of that year—making more than $33 million. Courageous has a budget of $1 million, but like Fireproof it was filmed almost entirely in Albany, Ga., and in the Dougherty County (Georgia) area.

Most Sherwood films use local actors from Sherwood Baptist Church. Courageous also features actors who auditioned for lead roles.

To learn more about the movie or to see the trailer, go to courageousthemovie.com.

iPhC missionAriEs rEsPond to disAstEr in JAPAnChurches began relief effort after the March 11 earthquake.

sCu brEAKs Ground on rEsidEnCE hAll The new dorm will meet demand for growing enrollment

Devastated: The Sendai earthquake was one of the world’s most powerful.

Hiro and Eryn Bamba and children

» sCu studEntssPEnd sPrinG brEAK in hAiti

A group of 14 Southwestern Christian University students traveled to Haiti on March 11 to bring aid and comfort to victims of the 2010 earthquake that destroyed the capital city, Port-au-Prince. “Haiti has turned my world upside down,” said Kristin Brown, a junior at SCU, who said Haitians are some of the most loving people she’s ever met. For 8 of the 14 students, this was their first overseas mission trip. Team leaders said 20 people prayed to receive Christ during an evangelistic campaign. The trip was sponsored by The Awakening, an IPHC ministry that mobilizes youth and college students in missions.

» ChurCh offErs frEE mEAls, ClothEs

Ebenezer PH Church in Nashville, N.C., has begun a new outreach to their city called “Meeting the Need, One Need at a Time.” The ministry was launched in 2010 when local church member Mike Langley approached Pastor Vernon Potter about his desire to share Christ with the poorest people in the city. Now the church regularly hosts free meals and invites the community. The church also distributes toys, clothing and other items, and visitors can take what they need after they hear a gospel presentation. More than 50 people attended the last meal. “We have witnessed firsthand that it is more blessed to give than to receive,” said Potter.

» dr. KEnnEth bEnson diEs

Dr. Kenneth D. Benson, former IPHC pastor and educational leader, died March 2. He was

ordained with the IPHC in 1956 and served as assistant pastor and then senior pastor of the Holmes Memorial Church in Greenville, S.C., for 25 years and at the Charlotte Church in Charlotte, N.C., for 14 years. He was also president of Holmes Bible College for 16 years and a member of the IPHC’s General Board of Administration (GBA). He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; a son, Jonathan Benson, and his wife, Lisa; a daughter, Martha Kramer, and her husband, David; and six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in Danville, Va.

by méGAn AlbA

“In a country that has been shaken to its core, we can be a firm foundation of love and support. I am confident that the IPHC will do its part to share the love of Christ with Japan.”

—Bishop Ron Carpenter Sr. in his March 11 statement on the Japan earthquake

QuoTaBlE

Taking new territory at SCU

Courageous premiers in September

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Pentecostals are not known for observing the season of Lent, a time of contemplation and repentance leading up to Easter that is celebrated by millions of Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and other Christian traditions. But one IPH church in Ohio broke the trend by declaring a 40-day fast from secular entertainment during the Lenten season.

Rob Clegg, pastor of Celebration Center in Belpre, Ohio, said he felt God directed him to call his church to the fast as a way to encourage spiritual renewal. The pastor came across research indicating that the average Christian spends less than 15 minutes each day in prayer and Bible study but spends hours watching television or movies or surfing the Internet.

Clegg called the church to a 40-day fast from secular entertainment. The church has also been studying the book 40 Days With Jesus, and they have signed a covenant agreement recommitting themselves to return to Christ.

Church member Jeff Adams said signing the covenant was a significant moment for him. “I recognize by putting my signature on this covenant that God will be the number one priority in my life. And by doing so, I earnestly expect, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be transformed—both personally and in my family,” he said.

You can learn more about the 40-day fast and Celebration Center on their blog, belprecelebrationcenter.com.

CAliforniA boy GEts A mirAClE Sany Ramirez was healed of a brain tumor.

One year ago Sany Ramirez was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Doctors told his family nothing could be done to save his life.

But today, Sany (pronounced “Sunny”) is off all medications and continues to show improvement daily. He is a walking, talking miracle who tells others, “I’m already healed. We’re just waiting on God to give [the doctors] the paperwork.”

Sany and his family attend Zion Worship Center in Moreno Valley, California, part of the IPHC’s West Coast Hispanic Conference. His faith has inspired everyone at the church, especially conference Royal Rangers Commander Joe Vargas.

Sany’s illness has led the boys in Vargas’ Royal Rangers group into deeper and more meaningful prayer times. “Our group now really believes more in the power of prayer than

Behind every great team there’s always a great coach with an inspiring story. That certainly is the case for Thomas “TJ” Rosene, the head coach for Emmanuel College’s men’s basketball team. His spiritual journey is one full of passion, hardship and championship while serving God through playing and coaching basketball.

Rosene has been in the spotlight since March 5, when the Emmanuel College Lions won—for the first time in school history—the 2011 SSAC Men’s Basketball Championship. Emmanuel was also awarded the SSAC Sportsmanship Team of the Year. The Lions represented the SSAC in the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship in Kansas City, Mo.

Rosene was raised in a God-loving, family atmosphere. Throughout his childhood and teenage years he developed

a passion for basketball. He played at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Ga., and set many school records in three years.

It’s no surprise that after high school he signed to play college basketball at Presbyterian College. Later, he continued playing at Reinhardt College while majoring in physical education. However, despite all of his success on the court, something just didn’t seem to settle right with Rosene. While in college he strayed from God and went down the wrong moral path.

“By the end of my college career I had so much regret,” Rosene told Experience. “I focused on self-gratification, but it only left me empty and unfulfilled. Finally, I realized how detrimental it was to my life.”

At that point Rosene decided he had to do some soul-searching. Through reflection and prayer—and listening to counsel from others—Rosene began to find his way. Before graduating from Reinhardt, he felt God leading him to become a basketball coach. He found peace in that calling and finally accepted the forgiveness of Christ, even though he had a hard time forgiving himself for his failures.

“I am so grateful God gave me the opportunity to live for Him,” Rosene says. “I decided I was not going to live a life filled with regret, but I would let God use my experience to positively affect other people’s lives.”

At Reinhardt College, Rosene served one year as the men’s basketball assistant coach, two years leading the women’s basketball program and two years as the men’s basketball head coach. While Rosene’s time there was successful, he felt God was calling him to something more. In summer 2007 he accepted the head basketball coach position at Emmanuel College.

Rosene moved to Franklin Springs, Ga., with his wife, Erin, and son, Boston. They soon discovered the God-centered community at Emmanuel College. During their time at Emmanuel, Rosene and his wife had their second child, Isabella.

“I am honored to serve at Emmanuel because I never have to wonder if this institution is straying from its mission,” Rosene says. “Without a doubt, I know my co-workers and friends are earnestly seeking God’s heart.”

Rosene is currently serving his fourth year as the EC men’s head basketball coach and ninth year as a head coach in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). During his tenure as a SSAC coach, Rosene has received several coaching awards.

While winning is important to him, Rosene believes the greatest part of his job is seeing what his players do after graduation. He believes all of the hard work, long hours and deep conversations are made worthwhile when he sees them making a positive impact in the world.

Says Rosene: “I don’t consider what I do a job; rather, I consider it a blessing. I have the opportunity to pour my heart and soul into 52 college guys. My ambition is not to cut any guy short from what I can invest in him. I want all of my players to leave Emmanuel prepared to be honorable husbands, fathers and leaders.”

In retrospect, Rosene has learned the joy in life comes from the journey, not necessarily the destination. Through learning from his trials and triumphs, Rosene has been able to teach his players to become better athletes and servants. As he continues coaching, Rosene encourages his players to reach for the stars—and to remember to enjoy every step along the way.

You can follow the Emmanuel College Lions on their journey at goeclions.com.

ohio ChurCh hosts 40-dAy fAstCelebration Center members turned off their TVs and focused on God.

The fast at Celebration Center has also been a time of worship.

A real winner: Coach TJ Rosene is serving his fourth year at Emmanuel College.

Go Lions! Emmanuel won the SSAC championship on March 5.

Sany Ramirez

EmmAnuEl’s bAsKEtbAll CoACh sAys fAith is his insPirAtionTJ Rosene took the EC Lions to a championship this year.

by trEvor lAniEr

ever before,” Vargas said. “Sany has showed us that we should never, ever give up.”

Sany’s parents, Eladio and Sylvia Ramirez, say their son’s ordeal has increased their faith. They now have a special message for any parent with a sick child: “God has everything in control. He is more powerful than any medical doctor or medical treatment.”

As for Sany, he says God has only started using him. He plans to become a preacher when he grows up.

Some might say he’s already fulfilling that calling.

To keep up with Sany’s progress, visit facebook.com/westcoastrangers.

brEAKinG thE GEndEr bArriEr in romAniABishop Ron Carpenter and his wife modeled ministry partnership.

In Romania, where women are often required to wear scarves on their heads during worship, or remain silent in church, old religious traditions are changing.

IPHC Presiding Bishop Ronald Carpenter, along with his wife, Nan, helped change some of those patriarchal mindsets recently when they traveled to Eastern Europe to preside over the ordination of two new ministers. Tiberiu and Timotei Bulzan are the sons of Teodore Bulzan, bishop of the IPH churches in Romania.

During the service, Carpenter invited each minister’s wife to participate in the ordination service. Including the women in the ceremony “apparently had never been done in the past,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter credited his wife for helping to break down cultural stereotypes during the trip. Several ministers were impressed with Nan’s presence and contribution to ministry, and they asked her opinion on various issues.

“One pastor even stated that the ministry relationship between my wife and me had a profound effect upon him, and he would be a better husband and minister because of it,” he said.

The Carpenters also visited IPHC leaders in Budapest, Hungary, where they joined in a midweek worship service and hosted a forum for local pastors.

12 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com

for aNewGeneration

www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 13

C o V e r s t o rY

Don’t get stuck in a spiritual rut! Here are key steps you can take to transform your outreach to children.

I’ve heard all the excuses.“Lord, You want me to

work with children? You are talking to the wrong person! Do you know how old I am? I am not qualified!”

I’ve said those things. Yet seven years ago I renounced my excuses and said yes to God. Now I know that God is looking for ordinary men and women who will allow

Him to ignite a passion to reach children and teens with the truth of God’s Word. I’m convinced winning children to Christ is the best way to reach the world.

I’m as ordinary as any other man or woman who works in children’s ministry. But what I do is not ordinary. I work alongside one of the greatest pastors in our denomination. God provided us

BY DON WEBB

Reinventing

www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 15

with a 900-seat children’s theater, and kids who come to our church are being changed by the awesome power of God every week.

Would you like to see the children in your church fall in love with Jesus and begin to develop a real daily relationship with Him? Would you like to see children begging their parents to bring them to church? Would you like to see children praying so fervently in your church that God answers by sending miracles? I know this can happen!

Here are some practical steps you can take to see God move in your local children’s ministry regardless of the size of your church. It begins with an army of one. You can be the “ordinary” vessel He uses to pour out His vision and Spirit.

rECEivE thE PowEr. There are days when I feel inadequate. Sometimes I tell myself, “There are other people who could do a better job as children’s pastor.” And there are moments when I want to walk out the door and slam it behind me. I have to remind myself that while there is nothing super about me, I am just a regular guy who has been called by God to deliver the gospel to the children of our generation.

Every day I ask God for His anointing because

I know that makes all the difference in the world. Samson was an ordinary man, but when the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him, he became

extraordinary. When you find

yourself questioning your qualifications to work with children, or you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, ask God for a fresh anointing. You will receive strength you never knew existed. You will become creative, innovative and empowered to win the hearts of kids.

you must Go hiGh-tECh. The message of the Gospel never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today

and forever (see Heb. 13:8). But if you want to be successful in reaching kids, your methods of teaching must change constantly.

The days of flannel graphs and felt boards are over. Kids speak a new language today—it’s called technology. They are computer-savvy, and they live in a world of iPods, iPads, iPhones and cool video games. You must seek out innovative and sophisticated methods that capture their interest without compromising the integrity of God’s Word or watering down the message of Pentecost.

Today’s children are accustomed to every gadget known to mankind. Use every opportunity to make your presentation of the gospel technologically advanced. (Often I’m the most “technologically challenged’ person in the room, but I have great team members who help me stay on the cutting edge.)

Just remember: While we need to incorporate technology, kids need more than a show. While it is great to utilize lasers, pyrotechnics, fog and haze machines, goofy costumed characters and wacky puppets, you can’t trust those things to do the Holy Spirit’s job. Buildings and set decorations don’t change lives—only people who are full of the Holy Spirit do that.

GEt out of thE old box! Allow God to help you think creatively. Don’t do something because it has been done that way for umpteen years. If it wasn’t working before, it probably won’t work now.

On the other hand, Samson threw away the very thing that brought him victory: the jawbone. Don’t throw away the things that work. Don’t toss out the jawbone of fasting and prayer. If it worked once, it will work again. remain open to God’s direction; ask Him to help you be creative and innovative in your approach.

What your kids probably don’t need is another classroom setting. They are in classrooms every day at school. They need to learn to worship. You must teach your children to become worshipers.

At our children’s ministry (which we call The Filling Station), we seek to be different and fresh each week. We open with prayer, praise and worship, and special music or dance. Then we may have puppets, an offering time, a drama or comedy sketch, a game, a brief video clip, an illustrated sermon or prayer around the altar. Ask God to lead you in the planning and direction for each service. He knows your children and their needs. And He knows the best way to reach them.

EnGAGE thE sEnsEs. Children learn better when the message is given in shorter bites. Their attention span is not so long. So you should reinforce lessons with visual aids, object lessons, multimedia, hearing, touching and participation. You should also make changes in your worship area, and repeat your central message or theme often.

(But I must add this note: If your message is anointed of the Lord, kids will sit through a 30-minute sermon without squirming—and sometimes they will end up at the altar seeking God’s face.)

To teach the concept of giving, we operate a fully functional “bank” for our kids. When a child brings an offering, he goes to the “Bank of the King James” where “tellers” exchange his paper money or checks into rolls of pennies. We then receive the morning offering in five-gallon buckets that are designed for competition between either boys vs. girls or Team A vs. Team B.

14 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com

Avoid thEsE PitfAlls As you dEvEloP A dynAmiC outrEACh to ChildrEn.

1.

2.5.

3.6.

8.

4.7.

don’t make it a one-man show. You can’t do this ministry alone. Don’t be afraid to teach others how to do what you do. Give them a chance to make mistakes. Give them opportunities to grow in their ability to reach kids for Jesus. You’ll burn out if you try to do it all yourself.

don’t sound desperate for helpers. You need volunteers, but avoid placing “statements of desperation” in your church bulletin. Be positive. Recruit workers by saying, “Here’s an exciting opportunity to serve!” You’ll be surprised at how many people respond. Refuse to accept just anyone who “bites” at the opportunity to work in your ministry; choose only those best suited. There are incredibly talented people in your congregation who need to know they are needed.

don’t screen workers improperly. You can’t afford to forgo careful screening of anyone who works with children. Be diligent in requiring criminal background checks and updating these at least every two years. Don’t hesitate to advertise this policy. Parents will feel more secure placing their children in your care when you take the security of their precious cargo seriously.

don’t neglect your own spiritual nourishment. Serving is wonderful, but it does not replace your own time with God. Don’t allow the busyness of ministry to cause your personal

relationship with God to suffer. You must ensure that you and your volunteers attend a church service every week to receive spiritual encouragement from your senior pastor. An empty spiritual life will lessen your ability to guide your kids and your team members into a vibrant relationship with Jesus. And whatever you do, put your own family first!

don’t ignore what children are saying. You can learn a great deal by paying attention to what your children have to say. Get to know the kids in your ministry personally. Are they developing a closer relationship to God through your guidance? Do they understand what you’re teaching? Constantly change your methods to keep their attention.

don’t shut out your pastor. your senior pastor is your friend. Be sure your vision is the same as his. If it isn’t, you don’t have any business leading your department. Ask to meet with him once a month to share the great things God is doing in your ministry. Express your love, appreciation and support to your pastor through e-mails or other personal correspondence.

don’t call your ministry Children’s Church. Nine- and 10-year-old boys and girls don’t think of themselves as children. They are way too cool for children’s church—that’s for little kids! But the same 10-year-olds would love to

come to Paradise Island, Dry Gulch Junction, Inspiration Point or some other cool place. (Even the name Kids’ Church is better than Children’s Church.) Our children’s ministry is known as The Filling Station. Having a unique identity like this places vision and values on your ministry. It is helpful to theme your meeting area around your logo—a few palm trees, for example, or a small tent, a grouping of patio lights, or whatever your budget will allow. It also provides an escape from ordinary classrooms.

don’t ever say your church is too small to do cool things! Creativity has little to do with budget. You probably have enough stuff lying around your house to create an interesting new look in your church classroom. Kids are not asking you to give them Disney World; they just want you to show them love and to teach them the truth. I have found some really cool stuff at the dollar store, the thrift store and even at a landfill! Give everything a good cleaning, and the kids will love it! No matter how small your church is, don’t hesitate to aim for the moon. God’s Word tells us that we have not because we ask not. It may take a while to get there, but God specializes in the impossible and delights in giving us the desires of our hearts. Keep your motives clean, maintain the integrity of your ministry, and fast and pray for your children. God will work through you!

by don wEbb

No-Nos of Children’s Ministry

continued on page 16

16 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com www.iphcExperience.com | February 2011 17

July 12-16Greensboro, NC

"Mission possible"

Swimming

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Black PowderPageantrySongsSkitsHikingFoodFun & FellowshipRifle Range

ArcheryPaintballRope CourseZip LineDevotionsSpecial SpeakersSwimming...much more

After all the children have placed their offerings in the appropriate buckets, we pray and give thanks to God. The buckets are then weighed to determine which bucket is the heaviest. A winning team is announced.

My team members and I have been drenched in yucky green slime by our children multiple times because the kids either met or exceeded an offering goal given them. As a matter of fact, I have endured so many pies in my face I could never count them! I believe children who learn about tithing and giving when they are young will grow up to be responsible adult givers.

To assist with teaching about right and wrong and responsibility to God, we use illustrations, gospel illusions, video clips, comedy, puppets and goofy costumed characters. A pirate named Captain Deceit, for example, entices people to make bad decisions and wrong choices. Often there are consequences for yielding, and most of the time Captain Deceit is defeated by using God’s Word.

don’t Just tEACh…GEt your Kids involvEd. Our media department consists of adults who operate computers for Media Shout, television cameras and switching, pyrotechnics, fog/haze/bubble machines, video, sound and specialty lighting for our weekly services. Our older children may also apply to serve as media interns, and they are trained extensively in these areas.

Our stage manager, in fact, is a very responsible 10-year-old boy who takes his job very seriously. It is not unusual for our senior pastor to ask some of our knowledgeable and dependable children to help in the media department of the main sanctuary. We are instructed by God’s Word to “train up a child…”—and I believe that includes training them to serve. Don’t try to do everything alone—recruit other children to help run the children’s ministry!

Our children are encouraged to participate in drama, praise movement,

quizzing, games, physical challenges, puppetry, mime routines and music. Our praise team consists of both adults and children. This helps kids develop their talents. It also teaches them commitment and responsibility since they are not allowed to sing on the praise team unless they attend rehearsals.

mAKE ChurCh fun for your Kids. I have found that kids tend to pay attention better when we teach to puppets or costumed characters on stage instead of teaching directly to the audience. Often kids will interject their own thoughts and ideas about what should or should not be done by the characters.

We constructed something called the Awesome Testimony Machine—or ATM—inside our children’s sanctuary. This is where children can leave their prayer requests and share praise reports when God answers them. We teach our kids that God not only hears our prayers, but He also answers!

During one prayer time, some children were looking at a piece of paper and laughing. When we approached them (thinking they were misbehaving), they explained, “We’re not playing; we’re happy because we are checking off prayer requests that God has already answered!”

We also give our children rewards for memorizing Scripture passages. If they bring visitors to church with them or compete in other challenges, kids can also earn what we call “Citi-Bucks,” which may be spent in our Amazin’ Gracie’s Store.

involvE thE PArEnts so you CAn rEACh thEm. God instructed me to teach a three-week series on water baptism. In one service we dramatized our Lord’s baptism by John. We ended the month with a service during which any children who showed they understood and chose to follow the Lord in water baptism could do so with their parents’ permission.

Parents and family members were given personal invitations to attend.

The Filling Station was full that day. Every seat was taken, and people were standing wall to wall. Even the halls outside were filled with people watching on the television monitors. We baptized 56 children that day, and we experienced an awesome move of the Holy Spirit in the service.

Another time, our children were taught about Holy Communion. Again, we chose to dramatize the Last Supper on stage. On the last Sunday of that series, we allowed children to partake of communion if they had their parents’ permission. We sent out letters to the parents several weeks ahead of time so they could pray about it and discuss it with their children.

Several of the parents responded to their children by saying, “No. We don’t believe you understand yet.”

But the children responded, “We have accepted Jesus, and we understand

about communion, and we want to participate!” Finally the parents who had doubts ended up granting permission.

It was beautiful to watch as parents observed their children taking

communion. We had set up tables on the stage, and some men portrayed Jesus and the disciples at the table. Then tables were set up on the main floor, with places for people to sit and partake of communion with Jesus and His disciples in costume. The anointing in the service was heavy. Tears flowed, and families joined in a beautiful act of worship.

Now those children understand why we embrace and teach communion. Nothing is more exciting than seeing young children experience God and grasp the truth of His Word!

When I took the reins of the children’s ministry at my church, I began to pray for three specific things: (1) that

every child would accept Jesus as his or her personal Savior and begin to develop a personal relationship with Him; (2) that each child would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and allow the gifts of the Spirit to be manifest in his or her life; (3) that the children would learn to share Jesus Christ, and that evangelism would become normal and natural for them. That is still my heart’s cry today. Do we have other prayers and goals beyond that? Absolutely. But those three things will forever change their lives.

I pray that you will set the same goals—and that as you surrender to His empowering grace, the Lord will help you to launch a powerful and effective kids’ ministry that will revolutionize your church and community.

Don Webb is children’s pastor at Tree of Life Ministries, a church in the IPHC’s Appalachian Conference. He and his wife, Dale, have two daughters and six grandchildren. Don says his greatest joy is that all of his children and grandchildren are serving the Lord passionately.

Church Institutions is now receiving applications for the $5000 Graduate School Scholarship. To be eligible, you must be an IPHC member with a transcript proving your enrollment in a graduate program other than at an IPHC institution.

iphcgraduate

school scholarship

APPliCAtion dEAdlinE is JunE 17, 2011.

For additional information or to request an application, call

405-787-7110 x3325, email syouell@iphc.org or go to our

website at www.iphc.org/discipleship.

18 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com www.iphcExperience.com | February 2011 19

Breaking Down Walls for latinos

Hector Andrade and his wife, raquel, grew up in Mexico, so they don’t like snow. But today they endure cold weather in Minnesota (where winter temperatures can reach minus 40) as they plant churches in the United States.

The Andrades are missionaries to this country, and they have already planted 21 IPH churches in Minnesota and Texas, mostly among Hispanic immigrants. Because of their own experience of immigration, they have special concern for people who leave their countries to find a new life in America.

Church planter Hector andrade, originally from Mexico, is a compassionate defender of immigrants.

A first-generation immigrant, Hector left the Veracruz region of Mexico when he was only 17 to work in the vegetable fields near Mission, Texas. (“They paid me about $1.50 a sack,” he recalls.) He was able to attend college and learn English and computer skills. Then he moved to Minnesota in 1992 because he knew it would be easier to practice his new language there.

It was in Minnesota that Hector found Jesus Christ. He had attended a Pentecostal church for many months, and he read the Catholic Bible from cover to cover. But he still struggled to believe that as a Catholic, he had

Hector and Raquel Andrade both came to the U.S. from Mexico.

by J. lEE GrAdy

not been taught complex biblical truth. “I called the only born-again Christian I knew in Mexico, and he showed me that I was facing two roads—a wide road to hell and a narrow road to eternal life,” says Andrade. “He prayed for me, and I received the Lord while I was home in my apartment.”

After marrying raquel (who grew up in El Mante, Mexico), Hector received valuable ministry training from Charlene West, an IPHC missionary who served in Latin America. In 1996, Hector was installed as pastor of Comunidad Cristiana in Worthington, Minn. While he continued his theological studies, his wife obtained her master’s degree and became an educator. Most of their church members are from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Their early years in ministry were not easy. Not only is Minnesota brutally cold, but the spiritual climate—dominated by non-Pentecostals—is sometimes hostile toward Pentecostal faith. Hector didn’t feel totally qualified for the pastoral job, but his lack of training was offset by his infectious spiritual passion.

“Even when I made mistakes, my congregation was very patient,” he says with a laugh.

Today, at age 41, Hector serves as an overseer of churches in the Northern Plains Conference, and he focuses on reaching the booming Hispanic population in the United States. He is quick to remind everyone that Latinos are a strategic priority.

“Today the IPHC is growing because of work among Hispanics,” he says. “If you take out the Hispanic growth, you will have a dying denomination. The same is true of the American church as a whole. U.S. churches will die in 10 years if you remove minority churches.”

He adds: “We must become a multicultural movement.”This was Andrade’s prophetic message in February when he

addressed leaders at the IPHC’s Centennial Celebration in Falcon, N.C. He told the audience that denominational leaders must both (1) empower immigrant leaders and (2) embrace them and extend compassion.

“Gloria a Diós!”: Worship at Comunidad Cristiana

to contact hector Andrade, e-mail him at: ccw@frontiernet.net or log on at ccworthington.org.

He also believes that Anglo Christians must renounce hurtful stereotypes of immigrants, and he urges church leaders to engage in more meaningful cross-cultural experiences with minority groups.

“We have to learn to understand each other,” Andrade says. “Please learn how minorities think. Please don’t judge us. We do things differently, but the way we do things is not necessarily wrong.”

When Andrade started his work in Minnesota, he worked another job while pastoring. He started his district with no money, which was why his district grew slowly in the beginning, he believes. He suggests that more money should be invested in planting ethnic churches if we want to reach all nations. Yet, he says, some Anglo leaders tend to look down on immigrant church efforts because they are not well funded.

Andrade reminds people that if Jesus were on earth today, He would help those who are marginalized.

“Jesus spent time eating with all kinds of people, conversing with them and relating to them culturally,” he explains. “This is a key to reaching Hispanics. Jesus invested quality time with people. He reproduced Himself in those He chose to be great leaders by setting the best possible model for them. He always treated His followers as partners in the Kingdom and never as members of a less privileged subculture.”

Andrade’s church-planting strategy is unique. Because immigrants move often to find jobs, he trains church members to develop a missional mindset. When church members relocate to another city, they open their homes for Bible studies and begin new churches. In the

past, Andrade sent his associate pastor and 25 members to open a new church in rochester, Minn.

“This has been our strategy since the year 2000,” Andrade says. “Our people believe church planting is important.”

And while Andrade focuses on Hispanics, his master plan includes targeting other minority groups—including the large number of Ethiopian, Sudanese, Eritrean and Somali immigrants living in the Minneapolis area.

It’s a rare moment when a respected evangelical leader has really nice things to say about a Pentecostal denomination. But the IPHC has found a friend in author and

church growth consultant Ed Stetzer. Currently Stetzer serves as the director of Lifeway research (part of the Southern Baptist Convention), and he is Lifeway’s missiologist in residence.

Stetzer could well be called the philosopher of the contemporary American church planting movement, otherwise known as the missional movement. He has planted churches in New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia and has trained pastors and church planters on five continents. He has taught at 15 seminaries and has authored numerous books, including Breaking the Missional Code (with David Putman, 2006) and Planting Missional Churches (2006).

After Stetzer spoke at three IPHC church planting conferences, we talked to him about his views of our denomination.

Why has church planting become so popular all of a sudden?

stEtzEr: That’s due to many factors, one of which is the recognition that North America is more of a “missionary situation” and in need of more church plants. Church planters are responding to the need for gospel-preaching churches that win an increasingly lost culture to Christ.

But to be fair, part of the reason is dissatisfaction with established churches. I think many church planters have determined that church revitalization is not worth the work (a view I would not agree with).

What are the smartest things people are doing today in terms of church planting?

stEtzEr: I’d say the smartest thing people are doing today is to plant churches with the idea that they’re going to plant more churches, not within the first five or 10 years, but from the very beginning. The International Pentecostal Holiness Church’s Antioch School is a good example of this. They are helping people to see early on that church planting is essential for each church to own.

When we look in the New Testament, we see the Jerusalem church became rather lethargic and unengaged in mission. The Jerusalem church generally sent people out to check up on the

theology of other church plants rather than actually to plant more (with the brief exception of one trip when Philip was sent into Samaria). On the other hand, the Antioch church was a vibrant sending church, multiplying itself. That’s the model we need in our churches today.

What are the dumbest things people are doing in church

planting? What mistakes are people making that the IPHC should avoid?

stEtzEr: They are planting churches that are simply gathering groups of religious customers who want to have church in a “fresh” way. Thus, church planting doesn’t actually lead to more men and women being challenged with the claims of the gospel, following Christ and becoming born-again believers. Instead, it just simply shifts sheep around.

a Church Growth Expert Speaks to the IPHCEd Stetzer, proponent of the “missional church,” offers his advice to our movement.

An intErviEw with Ed stEtzEr

20 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com

It’s often said that church planting is the best way to evangelize a community. Do you agree?

stEtzEr: No, church planting is not always the best way to evangelize a community. I think people are the only way to evangelize a community, and I think church plants are an effective means for deploying people. I don’t think we need a “best.” We need a “both.” We do need church plants evangelizing people who are not being reached by established churches. But at the same time we need established churches evangelizing people from their own contexts and communities.

You’ve spent some time with IPHC leaders recently. What have you learned about us?

stEtzEr: I’ve learned that the International Pentecostal Holiness Church is actually right now in some of its best times. My experience has been, in listening to other Pentecostals, that some look back to Azusa and the movement that exploded out of there, or they look back to the ’40s and ’50s as the golden era in evangelism and church planting.

Yet when I talk to leaders of the IPHC, what they indicate to me is that now is the golden era in many ways. I think that’s a testament to the focus on evangelism and church planting that you have maintained.

One of the most crucial needs for church planting is trained leaders. What is the best way to grow and develop strong leaders, in your opinion?

stEtzEr: I’m hesitant to say one way is the best way to grow leaders because I think you can’t make that statement without recognizing that we have multiple ways to train and deploy leaders. When people go to your educational institutions, leaders are produced, both for church planting and for established church ministry. When leaders are raised up from your alternative credentialing track, perhaps from other language and ethnic groups, that’s a successful way to produce leaders. So I think we need multiple ways to raise up leaders for the harvest.

Every denomination and group has its quirks and weaknesses, especially when it comes to their outreach strategy. What would you say are the IPHC’s weaknesses?

stEtzEr: The reality is that in any movement a minority of churches are actively involved in church planting. I would say that

if the numbers hold true with the other Protestant and even Pentecostal churches we have studied, the majority of people in the majority of IPH churches are unengaged in meaningful ministry and mission. Thus, we have more of a spectator approach, with a few churches being involved in church planting, and a minority of Christians being involved in ministry and mission out of their own church. I think that’s a weakness for all of us to address.

“The Antioch church is a vibrant sending church.… That’s the

model we need in our churches today.”

.

www.iphcExperience.com | Apri l 2011 23

BooK

onE PAstor’s viCtory ovEr dEstruCtivE EmotionsThE DanGER oF anGER BY TERYL TODD (MINISTRY SOLUTIONS, $13.99)

Florida pastor Teryl Todd was a successful pastor, but a storm was brewing inside his soul. He was full of anger, and after he reached his late 40s, he found it more difficult to keep a lid on his damaged emotions. Finally, during a staff meeting at his church, he yelled at a staff

member and demoralized everyone in the room.“What scared me is that I couldn’t explain why I ‘went

off’ like that,” Todd says. “My actions were uncalled for. It shook me up so badly. For the first time I admitted that I had a problem. The incident launched me on a search for healing.”

Todd’s search resulted in a powerful encounter with the Lord and a deep deliverance from anger and bitterness. It also became the message of a book he wrote last year, The Danger of anger. In it he chronicles his own painful discovery that he had harbored unforgiveness in his heart.

His anger problem, Todd writes, was rooted in the fact that he had never learned to practice total forgiveness.

“I practiced a kind of partial forgiveness that says, ‘I forgive you as long as I don’t have to see you again,’” says Todd. “The real indicator of this kind of ‘surface forgiveness’ is that we usually want those who hurt us to suffer for what they did.”

Todd and his wife, Kathy, were both raised in the IPHC, and his father, John B. Todd Jr., is an IPHC evangelist. Kathy’s father, Calvin G. Wellons, served on the Emmanuel College board. Both Teryl and Kathy attended Emmanuel, as did their two daughters. Today, Todd pastors Evangel Assembly of God in Tallahassee, Florida.

“I love the IPHC!” Todd says, noting that his church was originally planted by former IPHC members who had endured a difficult church split.

The Danger of anger is full of insights, not only for ministry leaders but for anyone who struggles with negative emotions. Todd explains that anger is really a failure to trust God.

Teryl Todd, and wife, Kathy

After the Japan disaster on March 11, many IPHC members asked us for reports on our missionaries there. We are happy to learn from Russell Board, our regional missions director, that all IPHC members are safe after the quake and tsunami. Also, Emmanuel College students Brandi Gibson and Mary Stewart, who were serving as interns in Japan, are now safely serving in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our readers posted some comments about Japan online:

Good news about Brandi Gibson and Mary Stewart. God help them to minister to those affected! Let this bring the people of Japan to Your feet, Lord! Comfort those who have lost loved ones.

Diana OreaLynchburg, Virginia

Our prayers are with you all. May His divine covering continue to provide His shelter, as He did thus far, and may He give [our missionaries] wisdom as to how to go about rebuilding the hopes of a shattered people and a shattered nation.

Moses Kumarhyderabad, andra Pradesh, India

Praise God for His keeping hand and staying power. Be with your people, God, and give them strength and peace.

June Moye Jennelle

“I’m still trying to take in all that took place at the Centennial celebration! What an awesome time. I can’t wait to watch the services again!

–Tim Suber,Rocky Mount,

north Carolina

“Anger can grieve the Holy Spirit,” he says. “It is scary to realize that on one hand I can fast and pray for a greater manifestation of the Holy Spirit, while at the same time I can grieve the Holy Spirit by ignoring or falling short of God’s grace.”

Todd says he regrets that he ignored this truth for so long. He says his anger scared and intimidated his wife and caused her to “walk on eggshells” while she attempted to control the atmosphere in their home—making sure that “things didn’t upset Daddy.” Kathy then began praying and fasting for her husband.

“God answered Kathy’s prayers by allowing me to get desperate enough to reach out for help,” Todd adds. “I don’t deserve her love. Kathy is a Proverbs 31 woman. I did a wonderful day’s work the day I married her.”

Todd’s book is a refreshingly honest look at a problem many pastors refuse to address from the pulpit. It would make an excellent group Bible study—or a life-saving resource for anyone dealing with anger issues.

Todd offers this counsel to anyone who is stoking the fires of bitterness: “If you are struggling with anger, don’t deny it. Admit it. Identify the root, appropriate God’s grace, let the Holy Spirit heal your emotions, and be free in Jesus’ name!”

You can reach Teryl Todd at teryltodd@evangelag.org.–J. Lee Grady

Thank you, God, for watching over Brandi and Mary, and for protecting them from the earthquake and tsunami.

Justus MuyotiKitale, Kenya

Glad Brandi and Mary are OK. Please keep us posted as we continue to pray.

Ed HerschmanCharlottesville, Virginia

We want to involve our children’s ministry in some type of “kids-to-kids missions.” We have considered ziplock bags filled with basic needs. Would this be possible to distribute through any other relief organizations?

Jan Cromer

Editor’s note: Please contact the IPHC’s People to People ministry on how you can help kids in Japan. You can reach Matt Bennett at mbennett@iphc.org or call 405-787-7110, ext. 3212.

If you would like to donate to the IPHC’s ongoing disaster relief efforts in Japan, you can give online at iphc.org/asia-pacific-disaster.

Editor’s note: You can send your article queries to associate Editor Sara Ray at sray@lifesprings.net. We are especially interested in testimonies and news items.

You can order this book from Lifesprings Resources, 800-541-1376 or online at lifesprings.net.

22 April 2011 | www.iphcExperience.com

FREE SoftwareThe IPHC has replaced the paper reporting forms with the new ERS (Electronic Reporting System). The basic reporting (Lite version) is at no cost to the conference. You can activate your Conference with Martus Solutions on this website: http://iphcdb.com/

If you need assistance with activating the conference, contact Bill Cox at bcox@martussolutions.com.

ISSN: 1547-4984LifeSprings Resources2425 West Main StreetP.O. Box 9Franklin Springs, Georgia 30639