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When love shows up | Go tell is on the Mountain | The Light that God Gives | The Place | Family Salvation Insurance

The O�cial Magazine of the Oregon District UPCI December 2012

accentWise men...

...still seek Him

A Note from the Editor As we headed into the Christmas season , an always

busy time of the year for us, I am reminded of what this holiday is all about. It ’s not about buying gifts for others or receiving gifts...it ’s not about decorating or out-doing the neighbor with the lights but it ’s about our beautiful Savior who came and died so that we might have life .

John 10:10b “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.”

Our son has talked a lot about Santa Clause and has tried to convince us that Santa is going to come and bring him presents...try reasoning with a four year old on this one and then when you do have him convinced that it will be his parents bringing him gifts and not Santa explain to him that he doesn’t need to go to school and tell all his friends that there is no Santa...that part was a lot harder than explaining to him that this is not about gifts but this season is about Jesus. We are celebrating Jesus’ birth .

I’m not quite sure how much he understands but he always seems to understand more than I think. As we put together our Christmas program (the first one for our church) it is so wonderful to see my son’s excitement as we go through the script of our Christmas play and he begins to see how amazing it was when Jesus was born . He asks questions about king Herod and the wise men ...he even wanted his four month old brother to play baby Jesus.

And through it all , we try to make sure that he understands that Jesus grew up to be a man ...that He loves us so much that He died on a cross to wash away our sins. This is generally a season full of love and joy...have you ever thought about why? Could it be because Jesus is love, Jesus is joy...that this season celebrates the most wonderful birth that there ever was? We celebrate this season not for the gifts and all the decorations that come during this time of the year but we celebrate the most beautiful birth that ever happened on this earth and we pray that our children will understand the most important reason for this season ...Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!

Kassie Meyer

Oregon District Apostolic AccentVolume 48, Number 1

www.ORUPC.com

Editor……………………..........…………….Kassie [email protected]

(503) 689-3589

District OfficialsSuperintendent……………......……………Ted GravesSecretary/Treasurer……..........……..Dan Sargeant

PresbytersSection 1…………………......…..…………Gary GleasonSection 2……………………........…M. Dennis JohnsonSection 3………………………......……..Kevin GoodwinSection 4…………………………......Steven L. Johnson

Honorary Board MemberM. David Johnson

North American MissionsDirector…………………………….......…..Steve HansonSecretary…………………….……….....…Virgil Alldritt

Global MissionsDirector……………………………….......James Bigelow

Apostolic ManDirector……………………………..……......Mark Edday

Ladies MinistriesDirector…………………………......….Geanice LangleySecretary…………………...…….....…….Rachel Sparks

Sunday School Director………………………….…......…Darrell SparksSecretary…………....………………….....…..Joe Higgins

Oregon YouthPresident…………………………….......…Stan GleasonSecretary………………………………......……Kevin Neu

Spanish MinistriesDirector……………………………………......Fito Avenia

Life in Focus Coordinator…...........Bill TittsworthPrison Ministry Coordinator….....….Doug LethinMedia Missions Director……......David P. JohnsonA.C.T.S. President………...….......M. Dennis JohnsonSenior Quiz Coordinator.…......…..Brian HuffmanJunior Quiz Coordinator.…......…Jonathan Toews

2 APOSTOLIC ACCENT October 2012

Inside this IssueArticles/Columns2 A Note from the Editor KASSIE MEYER

4 When Love Shows Up TED GRAVES

6 Go Tell it on the Mountain STAN GLEASON

7 The Light that God Gives RACHEL SPARKS

8 The Place JAMES BIGELOW

10 Available: Family Salvation Insurance DAVID REYNOLDS

Promotions6 Inside Out YOUTH DIVISION 8 Missionaries in Oregon FOREIGN MISSIONS

12 Christmas for Christ North American Missions


Shows UpBy Ted Graves

When Love

Many times kind gestures are planned in advance. The other day I heard about a family that was being honored because their husband/dad was serving our country in Afghanistan. During the presentation tears were flowing and praises and cheers could be heard from around 70,000 people in attendance. At the end of the soldier’s remarks via big screen media, he walked out of the tunnel and was greeted by his family who were running as fast as they could to embrace their loved one. I was moved to tears myself at the tremendous love that was shown that day.

One of the things I enjoy most about the Christmas season is that people have purposed to give and to be kind during this time of the year. The whole concept of Santa Clause is about giving to those who are already anticipating receiving something. At various grocery stores one

can see people putting money in little red buckets. Many acts of kindness can be seen almost everywhere you go.

Years ago I heard a couple of stories about when love just showed up. First was about some small children that were performing at a Christmas program. The school they attended had ruled that there could be no mention of God in any presentation. This was so sad seeing as our country was founded because people wanted religious freedom. The little class was going to spell out ‘Christmas Love’. All was going as planned as each child turned over their letter to reveal the message for the season. The child who was to turn over the letter ‘m’ got things a little messed up by presenting her letter upside down. You could feel the crowd’s suppressed emotion not wanting to humiliate, embarrass, or laugh at the little girl. As the presentation came to an end, the crowd rose to their feet with the loudest and longest ovation of the night. You see, when it was all spelled out it said ‘ChristWas Love.’

Another story I read was about a church’s Christmas play. One of the young people who was a little

October 2012 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 5

By Ted Graves

simple and slow wanted to be in the play. Not knowing what part to give him they decided to give him the smallest part with the fewest words to memorize. He was going to be the Inn Keeper that Mary and Joseph were go-ing to ask for a room that event-ful night. He practiced his line to perfection: “I’m sorry but there are no more rooms available to-night.” The night finally came and the young boy was anxious and excited to be a part of the great performance to announce Jesus’ birth. During the only scene he was in, Joseph and Mary knock on his door. He opens the door and Joseph says, “My wife is about to deliver our first child. Do you have a room available for the night?” He took a breath, paused, and then blurted his line to perfec-tion. “I’m sorry but there are no more rooms available tonight.” As the sad countenance of Mary and Joseph showed on their faces, he was caught with an overwhelm-ing emotion. As they turned to leave the inn it hit him, with wa-tering he turned and said, “Wait!” as loud as he could. Mary and Joseph turned, knowing this was not in the script, as the young boy said in a proud and confi-dent voice, “YOU CAN HAVE MY ROOM!!” The play stopped as the crowd rose and began to clap and cheer for what seemed like an eternity because love showed up.

In a day when it seems almost everyone wants their own way, we need to stop and see if love will show up. Almost every problem I encounter is because someone wants it their way. I heard a song years ago, at a wedding reception, titled ‘I did it my way.’ I turned to

the person next to me and said “That’s a great way to start your marriage.” It’s amazing how ‘I will’ turns into ‘I want’.

We give our children room to make a mistake, we give our bosses room, we give the banker room; we give all kinds of people room to make mistakes. Somehow, when it comes to those we love: our spouse, our brother, our sister, we decide in a moment’s time to fight for our rights.

Jesus’ birth is one of the greatest examples of love showing up. He robed himself in flesh in order to die a cruel death in our place. He did not deserve to die. He was innocent, not guilty, but once again, love showed up.

Jesus instructs us to show love to others in the parable of the Great Samaritan in Luke 10. “ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou

spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Let’s make up our mind when disagreement, envy, or strife is showing its ugly head, to let love show up. It’s a proven fact that unity is the key to prosperity. Love your spouse, love your brother and love your pastor. Let’s give others the benefit of the doubt. Let’s strive to let love show up!◊____________________________

Ted Graves is the pastor of Apostolic Worship Center in Gresham, Oregon. He also serves as the superintendent of the Oregon District.

Go tell it on the Mountain

By Stan Gleason

People who don’t know Jesus will sing “Go tell it on the Mountain” this month. And then there are those who have experienced this glorious gospel who will sing that same song, yet won’t actually do what the lyrics are proclaiming. They will silently pass by people who are desperately hungry for truth; people who don’t know how to satisfy that hunger. And how could they know? “Before people can ask the Lord for help,

they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them.” (Rom 10:14 NCV) In this time of the year when the world is most open, what a great opportunity the church has to proclaim the good news of salvation.

Jesus is still the reason for the season. Unlike the innkeeper at the time of His birth, let us make

room for Jesus, especially in our conversations with the unsaved, and declare his glory to the nations.

Merry Christmas!◊____________________________

Stan Gleason is an Evan-gelist from Oregon City, Oregon. He also serves as the Oregon District Youth Presisdent.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” not only because of all the joyous activities and hustle and bustle of the season but also because this is the time where the birth of Christ is openly celebrated by saved and unsaved alike.

Humor:A little guy gets on a plane and sits next to the window. A few minutes later, a big, heavy, strong mean-looking, hulk-ing guy plops down in the seat next to him and immediately falls asleep.The little guy starts to feel a little air-sick, but he’s afraid to wake the big guy up to ask if he can go to the bathroom. He knows he can’t climb over him, and so the little guy is sitting there, looking at the big guy, trying to decide what to do.Suddenly, the plane hits an air pocket and an uncontrollable wave of nausea passes through the little guy. He can’t hold it in any longer and he pukes all over the big guy’s chest. About five minutes later the big guy wakes up, looks down, and sees the mess all over him. “So,” says the little guy, “are you feeling better now?”


Genesis 1:1-41) In the beginning GOD created

the heaven and the earth.2) And the earth was without

form and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of GOD moved upon the face of the waters.

3) And GOD said, “Let there be light: and there was light.

4) And GOD saw the light, that it was good: and GOD divided the light from the darkness.

This is the beginning of all things, and HE is the beginning of True Life.

In Genesis, God said, “Let there be Light”. The earth was without form and void. The true beauty of the earth was shrouded in darkness. When the Spirit of God moved upon the earth it uncovered something spectacular for mankind to enjoy. Our lives

were filled with darkness because of our fallen nature. Then the Spirit of God moved, through the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and it brought purpose and form to our lives. The Spirit of God shines in us that we might be a light to this dark and wicked world.

Then God divided the light from the darkness. That is the same thing He desires in our lives. God wants us to separate our lives from our old lifestyle of darkness. This separation can only occur by a divine move of God.

Some verses to consider:John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am

the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:

walk as children of Light.I Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the

children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

John 1:4 In Him is life; and the Life was the Light of men.

I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath Called you out of darkness into HIS marvelous Light.◊____________________________

Rachel Sparks is the Ladies District Secretary for the Oregon District.

The Light that God Gives

By Rachel Sparks



A few years ago, a friend loaned me a book called “The Shack”. He and his wife were ‘gaga’ over it and, because I was a preacher, they thought I should read it and so I did – sort of. I thought the first part had a good plot. The tale re-volves around a guy named Mack whose young daughter was ab-ducted during a family vacation. Her body was never found but the police did find evidence in an abandoned shack to prove that she had been brutally murdered by a serial killer. In the throes of his sadness and despair, Mack got a note from God to meet him at the shack, where he finally went.

I simply browsed through the book beyond that point because, in an apparent attempt to explain the godhead, the author portrays God (whom he refers to as ‘papa’) in bodily form as a matronly Afri-can-American woman who later turns into a pony-tailed, grey-haired man because that image is more appealing to Mack. Jesus is seen as a young Mid-Eastern man and the Holy Spirit is depicted as a delicate woman of Asian descent. These members of the Trinity (so-called) help Mack cope with the hurt and anger he experiences over the loss of his daughter. He leaves the shack as a changed man.

Although there is a sense in which one might think of a time fraught with danger, evil, grief, etc., as being in a shack, the Bi-ble likens the presence of God to a ‘place’ quite different from a

shack. The place is more figurative than literal.

God grants repentance in this place.

Speaking of Esau, the Bible tells us, “For ye know how that after-ward, when he would have inher-ited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repen-tance, though he sought it care-fully with tears.” -Hebrews 12:17

After we have found that place, we need to live there.

God reveals his glory in this place.

In response to his prayer, “Show me thy glory”, Moses received an invitation from God that said in part, “There is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock”. He hid Moses in a clift of a rock (in Christ) and proclaimed him-self to be “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, for-giving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.” -Exodus 33:21; 34:6-7

God has appointed a secure dwelling place for us.

a) “I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wick-edness afflict them any more, as beforetime.” -2 Samuel 7:10

b) “In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me.” -Psalm 27:5

We need not fear men nor dev-ils so long as our lives are hid with Christ in God!

God wants us to provide a place of habitation for him.

David had the right idea when he vowed, “I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” –Psalms 132:4-5

This mighty God explained that some of his people experience dwindling resources because they put their place ahead of his: “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” –Haggai 1:9

God does not want us to get out of place.

“If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenc-es.” -Ecclesiastes 10:4. This prin-ciple applies in the home, in the work place, and in the church. It is important that we know our place and keep it.

God wants everyone to expe-rience the intimacy of dwelling with him and all other believers in this place.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and pre-pare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto my-

The Place By James Bigelow


Oscar & Erin Rodrigues January 22-27 Europe/Middle East, Portugal

Stephen & Lynnette O’donnell January 29 -February 3 Hong Kong, Asia

John & Vonda Guidry March 5-10 Columbia, South Africa

Stephen & Yvonne Nix March 26-31 Central America, Caribbean, Nicaragua

Charles & Stacey Robinette April 2-7 Austria, Europe/Middle East

Dan & Debbie Barkley April 23-28 South America

Information on each missionary and country, plus many helps, can be viewed or downloaded at www.globalmissions.com Pastors can place their request for specific missionaries to visit their church by contacting James Bigelow at:

541.756.7141 or 541.217.4310 [email protected]

self; that where I am, there ye may be also.” –John 14:2-3. Jesus went to Calvary to prepare that place because he wants us to be with him where he is: in the Father. Such a place of close fellowship with him as the Comforter was not made possible until after he died, was resurrected, and ascended up into heaven.

I suppose the Oak Ridge Boys had the John 14 passage in mind when they recorded this song:

Come go with me to that land over yonder, He’s prepared for the pure and the true.

It’s a place where sickness and death cannot enter, I’m going brother how about you?

Maybe today or maybe tomor-row, He’ll return in robes of pure white.

I’m packing up now getting my things together, Who knows? It might be tonight.

I know I know, there’s no doubt

about it. He lives in my heart and I’m gonna shout it

I know I know, my sins are for-given. And I’m on my way to a place that’s called Heaven.◊___________________________

James Bigelow is the Global Missions Director for the Or-egon District.

*A multitude of lost souls in Portugal await the return of missionaries Oscar & Erin Rodrigues, who have been on deputation for the past 24 months. Will you partner with God in prayer and financial support so the precious people of Portugal can hear about ‘the place’? Request a service with these missionaries any day Jan 22 – 27. The only booking they have so far is on Sun-day evening with the Johnsons in Albany. Those of you who minister to Hispanics will be glad to know that the Rodriguez family are bilingual.

*The teeming multitudes of Hong Kong and Chi-na long to find ‘the place.’ Let’s do all we can to hasten Stephen & Lynette O’Donnell to the field of their calling. These veterans of the gospel would be blessed (and be a blessing) to the churches of Oregon where they are invited during the week of Jan 29 – Feb 3. They are scheduled to be with the Easthams (Corvallis) on Tuesday and with the Gleasons (Oregon City) on Sunday evening.


Available: Family

By David Reynolds

“As For me and my house, I will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

“What can I do to assure my child will serve the Lord?”

Blessed Assurance:Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchased of God,Born of His Spirit, washed in His

blood.

Salvation Insurance


Many years ago Fanny Crosby wrote this classic Hymn. It still expresses my confidence in my secure position and relationship with God. I can know I am saved --but what about my children?

I recognize that my children are free-willed moral agents and must chose to serve God just as I did--but I believe I can claim God’s promises for their salvation.

“For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” [Acts 2:39]

In order to have this ‘Blessed Assurance’ there are things we as parents can and must do. We all can buy some ‘Salvation Insurance’. You buy insurance to protect your family in case calamity strikes. You pay a small price now consistently to insure you are protected against the unknown later. Just so, there is a price you must pay when your children are young to assure their salvation for eternity. There is a life you must live consistently before your children in order to point your child toward God.

‘Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.’ [Prov. 22:6]

Salvation Insurance: Benefits and Conditions:

• If you want them to be stable Christians -you must make up your mind you will serve Jesus Christ yourself. You must draw a line in the sand between you and the ‘world’ and you must not cross it.

• You must be present at church every time the church doors are open. You must not make excuses.

• You must not send them to Sunday School nor do you skip

Sunday School and show up for Morning worship -you must bring them to Sunday School.

• If you want them to worship God, they must always sit with you so that they can see and hear you worship--aloud and fervently. If you want them to sing -then you must sing with all your heart. If you want them to respect the Word of God, you must stand up when the Word is read.

• If you want them to respect preaching, you must stay in the Sanctuary when the Minister is preaching --in fact help him preach.

• You must not just hope your children go to the altar --you take them to the altar. You allow them to hear you pour out your heart. You allow them to hear you repent. You allow them to hear you weep. You allow them to hear you speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

Your children must hear you pour out your heart to God for them -they must feel you sincerity -they must feel your arm around them in concern and love.

• If you want your children to respect the House of God, then you make sure you do not talk in the Sanctuary during the service --you must never chew gum in church.

• If you wish them to respect their Pastor, then you never have ‘roast preacher’ for Sunday dinner.

• If you want them to respect God’s saints then you never speak of the saints weakness’ and failures -you pray for them.

• What kind of Christians do I want my children to be? Then that is the kind of Christian lifestyle I must live before them.

• What kind of Christian do you want your child to be? Now you know what kind of Christian you must be.

“ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.’ [James 2:17]◊____________________________

David Reynolds has been the Minister of Discipleship at Portland Pentecostals since 2007. He is a graduate of Conquerors Bible College, Cascade College, Portland State University and post graduate work at the University of Oregon.

He served as a teacher, assistant Principle & Principle. Since retiring from public education he has traveled extensively to over 37 countries preaching & teaching in Bible Schools and has written several books on Education, The Family & Parenting.

Here is a look at Bro. David Reynold’s new book:

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