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1 Rehearsing Reaps Rewards

2 Who Said . . . ?

3 Gallery PICS

4 World Report

5 Youth: Encouraged & Inspired

6 Know What You Believe!

6 Learning about Holy Living

A youth recital was held on Tuesday evening, March 13. Several of the performers had recently participated in music competitions, some of whom were awarded a ranking at the state level! The music from those competitions and other special numbers were presented at the recital.

During the one-hour program, the audience heard thirteen musicians whose grade levels ranged from sixth through twelfth. They played a variety of instruments, including the piano, violin,

viola, cello, clarinet, oboe, baritone saxophone, bassoon, trombone, and percussion. Some of the songs were classical pieces, such as “Concerto for Two Violins” by Bach and “Concerto in D Major” by Kechler, but there were also some more playful songs, like the clarinet piece “Adios Muchachos.” They all did extremely well! It was

i n t h i s i s s u e

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Rehearsing Reaps Rewardsencouraging and inspiring to see how well these young musicians are doing with their musical training.

In the closing remarks, Darrel Lee thanked the performers and their parents for their efforts to develop

musical talents for the glory of God. He also thanked the piano accompanists who worked with the students on their pieces, and especially Janice Calhoun who organized the recital. Following a prayer, everyone was invited to a small reception with ice cream sandwiches—a well-deserved treat for all the hard work that went into the event!

A P O S T O L I C F A I T H . O R G

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(Top) The young musicians. (Bottom) Ariah Piper plays a bassoon solo.

“Several of the musicians had recently participated

in music competitions.”

March 2018

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Who Said . . . ?Our annual spring special meetings

took place from March 2-11 this year. Below you will find excerpts from some of the inspiring sermons and testimonies that were shared during the week. See if you can match the quotes to the speakers. (Answers below.)

Speakers: Solomon Akinduro, John Baros, Andy Chasteen, Melissa Downey, David Lambert, Payton Lee, Boniface Osunkwo, Charles Schleicher, Johnny Wyatt, Jr., Mikayla Worthington

1. “When you come to the Lord, there is no need for a diagnosis—He already knows the problem—no tests, no EKG to see what’s in your heart. If there’s sin there, He knows it. He’s a master Physician, He’s the great Physician, and He can operate down in the depths of our hearts where no one else can see.”

2. “Having grown up in this Gospel, I’ve heard a lot of the same songs. I’ve heard a lot of the same testimonies. I’ve heard a lot of the same sermons, on the same topics, but that doesn’t take anything away from it. There’s power in each and every service, and more importantly there’s power at the altar and I can go down there and sense it for myself.”

3. “You know Jesus, and there is somebody who needs to know that Jesus is alive, and so He placed you on that job. You are not at that school just

8. “The devil is weak. He cannot make anyone do anything, so he has to try to manipulate and con people . . . When you are tempted, do not think, ‘Oh the devil is so strong.’ Temptation is the proof that he cannot make you do anything. So, you resist him, and he flees!”

9. “I had a migraine-like headache all day . . . So after the service I prayed for a little bit and thought, I’m going to go get prayed for. I felt the love of God and He touched me and I haven’t had a headache since then.”

10. “I didn’t have any hope of higher education. The moment I volunteered, the Lord added something. The Lord gave me a federal government scholarship. That scholarship changed my entire life. I had music, I had education, I had a career. The Lord is so wonderful. I came to the Gospel empty but the Lord has filled me.”

seeking that degree; somebody on that campus needs to know that Jesus is alive.”

4. “I wanted to draw closer to the Lord, and as I did, He sanctified

me at youth camp in the Midwest. I remember going back to the dorm—we had no electricity at this youth camp—and I remember sitting there in the dark and thinking, I could just go to Heaven right now, I feel so free.”

5. “We have monuments, or Bethels. We might have a place at an altar or a pew where we can say, ‘That’s my Bethel. That’s where God met me. That’s where I received forgiveness.’”

6. “I ran away from the Nigerian army because I stole government property . . . When I got saved the Spirit of God said I had to go back to where I ran away from. I had to go and make restitution. That was so heavy, but I thank God I yielded. The Lord helped me. I went there, I made the restitution, and they forgave me.”

7. “Remember what God has done. Remember past victories so when you come upon a challenge or trial you can go to that faith shelf and reach up there and pull off one of those blessings and say, ‘God met me here.’”

“I remember sitting there in the dark and thinking, I

could just go to Heaven right now, I feel so free.”

(Left) David Lambert. (Top) Johnny Wyatt, Jr. (Below) Melissa Downey.

Answers: 1. Andy Chasteen; 2. Payton Lee; 3. Johnny Wyatt, Jr.; 4. Melissa Downey; 5. John Baros; 6. Solomon Akinduro; 7. David Lambert; 8. Charles Schleicher; 9. Mikayla Worthington; 10. Boniface Osunkwo

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Gallery PICSselections from our online albums

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(Clockwise from top left) Lori McKibben testifies; Lucas Moen flashes a grin; Donovan Ewers thanks God for his blessings; Chris and Jillian Luka sing a duet; Tai Woo Park shares his testimony; Rich Barrett plays his trombone; Maya Nedelcu sings; Serena Asaya listens intently; John Baros preaches.

Excerpts from Friday, March 2 Following the Chile camp meeting in Chimbarongo, Sam Ajayi, Director of South America work, and his wife, Shade, distributed literature on the streets of a town in southern Chile. Then, on Sunday, February 25, they and the Chimbarongo saints joined our Rauco congregation for a combined service.

They began with Sunday school taught by Israel Gajardo-Monardes, the Chile District Superintendent. In the morning service, as the congregation was singing “At the Cross,” the Spirit of God moved many to tears. The message drew from the account in 2 Kings 7 of the famine in Samaria that resulted from the Syrian siege. It was brought out that God sent a dramatic promise of deliverance through His prophet Elisha, but one of the king’s officers doubted God’s ability and perished as a result of his unbelief. The congregation was admonished to have confidence in God when He speaks. The message was followed by a sweet time of prayer and consecration.

Brother Sam said it was difficult to part with the Chile saints after a wonderfully blessed camp meeting and then an additional time of fellowship in Rauco. Please continue to pray for the work in South America.

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Excerpts from Wednesday, March 21Accompanied by my son, Randy, and his eight-year-old son, Oscar, I left for South Africa on Monday. We arrived in Johannesburg early Wednesday morning, and that afternoon attended the dedication for the South Africa headquarters church, located on the campground in Bapsfontein.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new building was preceded by a dedication service held nearby under an awning. A variety of music was presented throughout the service (pictured above), including two songs by the choir. Oscar said he thought the music was “cool,” especially because several numbers were sung in native languages. One of these was “Waye Khon’ e Mandulo,” or “Ancient of Days,” presented by the youth choir in the Zulu language.

During the service, a brief history of the campground property was given. It was purchased in 2001, and the first camp meeting was held there in 2006 in a big tent. Over the years, several buildings were added, including cooking facilities and guest accommodations. Construction of the tabernacle began in 2017, and was completed in less than five months—an amazing accomplishment!

The service concluded with a dedicatory sermon and prayer. Then everyone gathered at the tabernacle for the ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a look inside and closing comments.

P o s t s F r o m

B r o t h e r

D a r r e l L e e ’ s

J o u r n a l

Read more at apostolicfaith.org/world-reportWorld Report

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From the

Superintendent ’s

Desk

The opening weekend of Portland special meetings included a youth service on Friday evening and a full day of youth activities the following day. Saturday began with breakfast at the Fellowship Lodge. Then, teams of young people participated in a short challenge to construct towers using only sheets of paper and tape. It was remarkable to see what tall towers were constructed in just a few minutes!

Following this, the group sang a few worship songs and then listened to a devotional from Terrance Scott, from Seattle, Washington. He spoke about relationships, and specifically about the relationship between an individual and God. Any good relationship requires communication, and Brother Terrance said this applies to one’s relationship with God as well. God’s main communication with mankind is the Bible, and if we have a love of His Word, it will keep

our relationship with Him strong. In addition to finding instruction in God’s Word, Brother Terrence emphasized that the Bible is a great affirmation of God’s love for us. To help illustrate that point, a video titled “Father’s Love Letter” was shown, which depicted dozens of verses that declare God’s love

as a young man his family went through difficult times, and he decided to turn away from the Lord. He started selling drugs in an attempt to get out of poverty, but eventually he was arrested and imprisoned. After his girlfriend (Meisha) was saved, she invited him to church. Eventually he went and the Lord dealt with his heart. He realized that giving your life to God is not an act of weakness, but an act which takes boldness and courage. He repented and was saved that day, and even though he felt unworthy to return to his church family, they welcomed him, and God made him feel right at home. Brother Terrance ended by saying that being a Christian is not about acting holy; it is having a relationship with God and letting Him guide your decisions. When we surrender completely to God, He will be glorified in our lives and we will have nothing to be ashamed of.

It was a blessing and encouragement to have the Scott family visit and share their testimonies. Following their inspiring and challenging words, the evening closed with a time of prayer.

and care for humanity. The devotional concluded with encouragement to value God’s Word above all things and to obey it, because then it will be a refuge to us and a source of blessing for ourselves and those around us.

After a time of prayer, some of the young people spent the afternoon playing laser tag. Everyone returned at 6:00 p.m. for a dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and more fellowship. Several people participated in a skit that demonstrated the powerful transformation God can make in one’s life.

The highlight of the evening was the time for testimonies. Several of the young people shared how God has helped them, and then Brother Terrance and his wife, Meisha, gave their testimonies. Sister Meisha told how she grew up in the projects with almost

no parental supervision. As a child she was violated and taken advantage of, to the point that she felt there was a curse on her life. By age sixteen she had two daughters and thought of becoming a prostitute, but one day at a bus stop, someone gave her an invitation to church. She attended a Sunday service and went forward to pray, and the Lord saved her! Over time the Lord healed her wounded heart, gave her a loving family, and provided her with a job. She encouraged the young people to seek God first regardless of challenges because He has good plans for each one.

Brother Terrance shared that he was raised in a Christian home and was taught the right way to live. However,

(Left) Terrance Scott shares his testimony. (Above) Young people participate in a skit.

Youth: Encouraged & Inspired

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“When we surrender completely to God, He will be glorified in

our lives and we will have nothing to be ashamed of.”

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The youth group met for their monthly youth focus session on Friday, March 23. They started with a meal of nachos and a time of fellowship, and then played a game of “team Pictionary.” Teams raced to sketch and identify a variety of Bible characters and objects, with the fastest team winning one billion points! The points had no monetary value, but the pride of accomplishment was invaluable.

The study topic of the evening was a review of Christian apologetics arguments that had been discussed at several past youth focus sessions. Trent Paulsen has been leading the apologetics series, and because of the depth of these topics, it seemed appropriate to review what had already been discussed. Brother Trent reminded the group of the basic principal that “nothing can

come from nothing,” that “truth” is defined as what “corresponds to reality,” and that belief in moral values entails belief in a moral law giver who transcends what is bound by the law.

The group was also asked to answer questions about their beliefs of God and life, which would determine if they held an Eastern, Atheist, Post-Modern, or Christian worldview. Brother Trent explained that an Eastern worldview believes in many gods and many ways to reach the ultimate goal of enlightenment; an atheist worldview believes in no gods, and each person’s existence ends at death; a post-modern worldview is relative—what is true for one person may not be true for another;

and a Christian worldview is founded on the Biblical teaching that eternal life is only possible through Jesus Christ. The point was made that a person’s worldview will determine his answer to questions like, “Is abortion wrong?” and “How should we live?” The session was a great reminder of how important it is to know what you believe and to know that it is correct, because the consequences will be eternal.

Know What You Believe!

The seventh Bible study in the Living Holy series was titled “Holiness in Our Actions.” Sam Ajayi used Psalm 101:1-8 where the Psalmist identified some actions that are vital for holy living. Psalm 101:2 says, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way . . . I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

Brother Sam shared some of his personal testimony about how God saved him in 1975, and how he later learned that when God saves you, although it is wonderful to be forgiven, your humanity is the same. Your emotions, senses, and free will are all the same in your life. However, when you draw closer to the Lord and receive the experience of sanctification, God puts a

somebody else which may or may not be true. People may start to judge the person being gossiped about without knowing the truth. The Bible says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Brother Sam concluded the session with Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” God is telling us to see the light, live the light, and be the light.

principle of holiness in your heart that will help you to live holy in accordance with God’s Word. Brother Sam referred to this as a template of truth.

One of the actions Brother Sam focused on was Christian communication. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 we find the words, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt

good manners.” He mentioned there are many words which should be deleted from a Christian’s vocabulary because they show a lack of reverence for God. Brother Sam pointed out that another form of evil communication is gossip. Gossip is saying slanderous things about

Learning about Holy Living

“I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”