Delmar and Eileen Debault

Directors

News of

THE MASTERS MESSENGERS

With

International Christian Ministries

P.O. Box 848

Lake Wales, Florida 33853Tel. (813) 676-6667

Summer Edition 1994

"Restoring" The Restoration Movement "Down Under"Our two months among the Churches of Christ in New Zealand and Australia in September-October, 1990, left us with

mixed emotions. Almost all the churches are affiliated with conferences and the State Conferences are controlled by theFederal Conference, which is a part of the World Council of Churches. Congregational autonomy, eis we know it, hardlyexists. But we found a hunger for evangelism and church growth among many of the leaders and "grass roots" members.At the Federal Conference meeting in Brisbane, Queensland in October, 1990, a number of ministers sought me out for"caucusses."Iwas surprisedthey hadevenheardofme. Theylongforfreedomfromtheecclesiasticalcontrolandunblushingdenominationalism ofthe conference "hierarchy." They understand their dilemma but have no concept as to how to get outof it. I proclaimed, "RESTORATION! Turnyour backs on this mess and go out and establish free NewTestament churchesaccording to the pattern in the book of Acts and the Epistles, banded together only with the bonds of a common faith anddedication to ONE LORD and ONE GOD, Father of us all." Many replied, "We are where you were some 60 years ago inyour struggle with the UCMS (United Christian Missionary Society) and the Disciples of Christ, except we dont have thegreat leaders in strong chiirches to champion our cause." Then they surprised me by rattling off the names of a number ofthose stalwarts who refused to acquiesce to the idols of liberalism and denominationalsim -- P.H. Welshimer, W.R Walker,O.A.Trinkle, C.G.Kindred, Edwin Errett, James D. Murch, et al (nowall deceased, but I personally knew them in the earlydays of my ministry, 50 years ago).

Stephen Cheek Memorial RestorationLectureship Committee, Brisbane, Queensland,

Australia

Front row: Robert Klauke (with seeing eye dog); guest lecturer,DelmarD.Debault; JohnTelfot^andBriceNeilson. Backrow: DarrylKrausse, Minister; Neil Lindenburg and John Stanbury.

There Is Light At The End Of The Tunnel

A movement is imderfoot to "restore" and return to "theancient order of things." An ad hoc committee ftnm churchesinthe Brisbanearea has inauguratedthe "STEPHENCHEEKMEMORIAL RESTORATION LECTURESHIPS," an effortto restate the principles, to inform and challenge the Australian churches to rebuild on the foundation laid down by theflaming young evangelist, Stephen Cheek, in the 1870's and'SO's. I was invited to deliverthe lectureship inthe first annualseries in churches in the Brisbane area, October 11-24,1993.I lectured or preached 24 times in 14 days and nights (gainedpounds, too "thoseAussies feed "good").The "OljrmpianTorchof Faith" has been relit. The struggle will be long, hard andbitter but victory can come. I sometimes had some of the'bishops" in the audiences. I tried to preach what I thoughtPaul would have preached in similar situations.

And The Truth Shall Make You Free

Stephen Cheek, a 25-year-old Scottish schoolteacher inTazmania in the 1870's, read and studied himself out of the

continued on page 2

Restorationcontinued from page 1

rigid denominationalism of his forebearers and began topreach the Gospel as he understood it fi*om the Bible alone.He baptized scores of jjeople and established 7 churches inTazmania, unaware that the Restoration Movement was infull bloom in the USA, Great Britain, New Zealand and"mainland" Australia. InVictoria, Cheekwas introduced tothe writings of Thomas and Alexander Campbell and other"Restoration" authors. He was amazed to recognize thatwhat he had come to believe by independent study wasidentical with the Gospel of the so-called Campbell-Scott-

Tb Russia In Ai;^ust?Maybe!!! Eileen and DDD have been invited to

teach in a large Family Bible Caimp (over 300) nearMoscow, then east of Moscow to formerly a part of theUSSR, and teach leadership training seminars innewly-established churches. We first said, "No, wecan't consider it." We have just returned from thePhilippines and our travel funds are nil. RT airfare,Orlando to Moscow, $1,050.(X) is beyond our personalbudget. Then a promise of$500.00 on the tickets wasmade. Eileen said perhaps I could scratch up another$500.00 and go alone. I vowed in my trip to Russia in1992 that I would not go again without her. It is inGod's hands. If He wills that we go as a team - fine.If it is His will fiiat I go alone, I cannot refuse to go.

DDD leading aseminarwithelders and

deacons in a Cebu Bible

Seminary classroom.Many weekends arespent on other islands,by overnight ship or byplane (domestic fares,inter-island are inexpensive). Improvisedclassrooms are

adequate for extensiveteaching in leadershiproles, evangelism andstewardship.

Stone movement in the U.S. He brought the Tazmaniancongregations into common cause with the AustralianChurches ofChrist. In 1881-'82, Cheek rode a horse acrossAustralia to the northeast state of Queensland as thepioneer New Testament evangelist. August 1, 1882, hebaptized 16 persons at Zillmere Water Hole, a famous"oasis" on the frontier, and organized the Zillmere Church ofChrist. Other churches were planted in rapid succession,one as far as Toowoomba, 75 miles to the west of Brisbane.His untimely death in 1883, at the age of 31, with typhoidfever stiUed the voice of this oracle of the faith. Many of theexistingchurches like to trace their roots to the preaching ofStephen Cheek. May his tribe increase!

BIRTHDAY MEMORIES IN A FARAWAY hAND: March 8,1994, the staff ladies from Cebu Bible Seminary met in the home ofYola (Mrs. Larry) Ceu-Uon to help Eileen celebrate her birthday. Leftto right: Miss Jadeth Celis, Mrs. TeoHsta Carpiso, Mrs. VictorianaJoyohoy, Mrs. £isparanza Magoncia, EUeen, Mrs. Nicanora Celis,Mrs. Adelaide Lusoc, Mrs. Dionicia Bacacao, Miss Rose Najarro andMrs. Dulce Labrado.

Among the 10graduatingseniors in1994, our missionsponsored 3 of themthrough four years inthe Seminary. DDDwas the Baccalau

reate speaker andveteran missionary,Mrs. Betty Turner,deliverd the Com

mencement address.

Arnold Corsiga baptizing two girlsin the PaciAc Ocean, near Jagna, onthe south shore of the Island of Bohol.

WEDDING BELLS, APRIL 9: April 9,1994 (Arnold's 27thbirthday), Miss Justiniana Acabo (Justin, for short) and ArnoldCorsiga were married in a lovely Filipino ceremony (something tobehold) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Arnold had baptized Justin ayear ago, when she was a senior in high school. Jul Castellano wasthe officiating minister.

Dan Aquino, orphaned lad,proudly holds his new guitar, aChristmas present from ouryoungest daughter and husband,Cindy and Jack Craig. Dan is theson of Daisy Aquino, who was ourhelper (maid) in 1983-'84,1985-'86,while we were teaching in CebuBible Seminary. Daisy died iixim astroke September 30, 1988. Jackand Cindy are sponsoring Daninhisschool studies. He starts first yearhigh school June, 1994.

Eileen and Dan Aquino "gettingthe time right" in our cottage nearthe Cebu Seminary April, 1994.

EASTER, APREL 3,BOCOLOD, NEGROS

OCCIDENTAL

Missionary Betty Turnerspoke for the Easter sunrise service, followed bybreakfast for allat the Green Plains Church of

Christ. DDD delivered the Bac

calaureate message in the AMservice. Eileen Debault was the

Commencement speaker in theafternoonfor thecombinedGreen

Plains Educational Center (ACEgrade school), and the Bible college, Negros School of Evangelism.

PHILIPPINES

OUR WORKERS ON BOHOL: Left to right: Deolinda andCrispin Millendez, serving the Katarangan church, Ubay; Jul andLuz Castellano, Chiirch of Christ, Tagbilaran City; Nemesio EmdTerry Carbonilla, Church in Ubay; Rene and Lenny Perez, Tagbilaran City; Jose Pedajon, Island church, Bohol and Arnold Cor*siga, Calma Church, Jagna. (All graduates of the Cebu BibleSeminary.)

No New Testament church existed on Bohol until 1984 whenNemesio and Terry Carbonilla opened the Hrst work. From theCebu Bible Seminary in 1985, Eileenraised a major portion of theirsupport from the U.S. with 10 hand-written letters.

COMMUNISTS

CAN BECOMECHRISTIANS: This

former New PeoplesArmy (communist)leaderwas evangelizedand baptized byBrother Fedic Aguilar,now nearly 80, veteranpreaching elder andchurch planter. Thisformer communist and

his wife donated land

near their home for anew church building(worship is now held intheir home).

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS are one of the

most effective tools ofevangelism, notonlyinthe U.S.,but also are popular in the F^iilippines. Rose Corsigaand a class of happy kids on Bohol.

JulCastellanobaptizingabrotberand sister at the close of a VBS.

WINDWARD ISLANDS SCHOOL

OF EVANGELISM, STVINCENT,WJ. (GRENADINES)

1998 GRADUATES OF

WINDWARD ISLANDS

SCHOOLOFEVANGEUSM, ST.VINCENT, W.I. hrom Suriname,South America, Jamaica andGuyana, S.A. Graduates are EastIndian, black and mixed race, allEnglish-speaking.

On behalf of

the 1993 graduates of WISE,Dennis is presenting the oldProf, with a

going away gift.

Outdoor VBS

assembly with RoseCorsiga leading thechoruses, accompanied by CrispinMillendez, guitarist,withDeolinda assist

ing (far right).

We met Dennis Bender in

.1988inGuyana, SouthAmeri-ica, a 15-year-old orphanedlad, practically homeless. Hewas a zealous worker in the

Mara Church of Christ (interior, Guyana) and effectiveyouth leader. In April, 1993,DDD is presenting hisDiploma in Bible from WISE,St. Vincent, W.I. Dennis isnow serving and rebuildingthe Stanleytown church inNew Amsterdam, Guyana. Heis multi-racial. East Indian,black and Amerindian.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary GoldenAnniversary 1944-1994 • Founders' Week, May 4-7,1994

In February, 1944, Postmaster (preacher) Robert L. Graham, Dieterich,Illinois; Howard Yonaka, Minister, Flora (IL) Christian Church and Iattended a preaching rally in the Lincoln Christian Church. In the closingservice. Earl C. Hargrove announced the plans for the founding of LincolnBible Institute in his famous sermon, "The Preachers Are Coming!" I had leftButler University, Indianapolis, at the beginning of World War II to becomePostmaster in Mason, Illinois. I was preaching regularly, including numerous revivals (2 weeks in those days) in neighboring towns and in ruralchurches. I intended to finish Bible college and seminary after the war. But Bro. Hargrove's historic sermonchanged those plans. I was among the first to enroll after

LBI was charteredMay 4,1944, and applications were accepted.After resigning my Civil Service Commission, Eileen and I, with2-year-old Darlene, moved to Lincoln for the opening semesterin September. There were 15 full-time students, 8 young ladiesand 7 men. Among us was Carl Bartels, a 53-year-OLiD! WorldWar I Veteran. I am the last living of the 7 fellows.

From the emotion-filled Founders Day rally Wednesdayevening. May 4, through Commencement Saturday morning.May 7, the campus flowed with happiness mixed with tears ofmemory. I am thankful daily for the five years I was privilegedto study atLBI, 1944-1949 (includingfour summerterms), whileserving as minister of the Minier Christian Church. Our son,Boyd Lee, was the first baby bom in the LBI "feunily."

Earl C. Hargrove, founder and firstpresident, Lincoln Bible Institute; DDD;Charles E. Mills, Prof. Church History andfirstdeanofLBI; andEnosDowling, first deanof (graduate) Lincoln Christian Seminary.

FOUR VETERANS, BUT ALLSTILL ON THE FIRING LINE:DDD; Dr. Marion Henderson, Prof,Greek New Testament, LincolnChristian College; Dr. James D.Strauss, Prof. Theology and Philosophy, LincolnChristianSeminaryand Dr. Wayne Shaw, Dean, LCS.

What is International Christian

Ministries?

Onaregularbasis, we are supportingfour Filipinoevangelists (eindfamilies) on three different isleind provinces: Negros Oriental, Boholand Mindanao. One professor in the Cebu Bible Seminary receives hersalary through ICM. A fifteen-year-old orphaned boy just finishedgrade school (boarding) in Bocolod, Negros 0»idental, ready for highschool, financed completelythrough ICM. A youngpreacher inGuyeina.South America (1993 graduate of Windward Islands School of Evangelism, St. Vincent) receives one-half of his salary through ICM. We aresupporting five students in the Cebu Bible Seminary. In the past 10years, over 20 have graduated from CBS, their monthly budgets madepossible with checks fi*om ICM. We have helped with numerous otheremergency needs. We have lost count of the number of Bibles, studybooks and guitars that have been provided. Medicines and medicalexaminations are not uncommon. We are grateful for IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service) which responds to an occasionalcall for help that is beyond our meems to supply.

Eileen and I raise our travel funds through ICM. We have neverbeen ON SALARY, while representing Mid-India Christian Mission inthe beginningof this special ministry, or after the incorpwrationof ICMas a non-profit missionary organization. We fire compensated for ourtravel expenses in the U.S. and, of course, our overseas mission trips.Our Social Secxirity checks "keep the home fires burning," pay insurance premiums, telephone, utilities, prescriptions, etc.

Without the prayers of so many, find the REGULAR financialsupport that we can depend upon, we would be forced to cease what webelieve is a very vital ministry. God bless you for it

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HOTEMBER 30. 1994 813-676-6667

Our Christian friends,

It happened at the 11th hour of the 11th month in 1918. The German Kaiserhad surrendered, the Armistice was signed and World War I was officiallyover.

So what? (you say)l Just this - I send a newsletter every month. But thelast one was dated October 15, just before I left for Illinois and theNational Missionary Convention in Peoria, Oct. 20-23.And here I am at 11:00PM, Wed. night, Nov. 30, putting the finishing touches on this news up-date.So, I WILL make it in November, even the 11th hour.

The Missionary convention was among the best I have ever attended. This_world out-reach emphasis is easil}'^^ the most exciting thlTig happening inthe church as we close out the 20th century. The convention had so manyhighlights, no weak spots that I was aware of. The main sessions had anattendance of about 1500, plus the youth and children's sessions. I wasespecially proud of my Alma Mater, Lincoln Christian College/Seminary.All classes were dismissed on Friday, and most of the student bodj'^, staffand faculty were present. The college shared in special music and theclosing session was graced with the superlative preaching of Dr. Wayne Shaw,Dean of Lincoln Christian Seminary.

Beyond any doubt, the emotional peak was reached in the prayer by Mrs. PushpaLall, widow of the late Dr. Vijai Lall, Damoh, M.P., India. She prayed justbefore her youngest son. Dr. Ajai Lall delivered a most stirring, dynamicGospel message. I had avoided meeting them before that Sat. morning sessionand that was wise. When they left the Convention stage, following hismessage, they saw me and rushed to embrace me. I will not profane thesacredness of those moments with any attempt at verbal description,except this brief statement. Through his tears, Ajai sobbed, "BrotherDebault, I am an evangelist in India because of you. I would not havebeen the speaker at this convention today had it not been for your influence and inspiration in my life. You challenged me to evangelize myown people. I will be ej:e rna 1 gxa-t.efjil fo-r^-the-^^lre -mo4eI.- that you -areto me."

My personal enjoyment of the convention was enhanced with the privilegeof staying in the home of Harley and Marilyn Fishel. They were teenagerswhen we served the Christian Church in Minier, 111., 1944-'49, while astudent in Lincoln Bible Institute (now LCC/CS). Then another bonus wasa 3 day visit in the home of Prof. Fred N. Johnson, LCC, wife Kathy andour "adopted" granddaughters Lisa and Amy, following the convention. (IfI remember correctly, the Scrabble scores ended exceedingly well).Thurs.Oct. 27, I drove to Charleston to be with my brother Charles (Chick) andwife Louise. He has completelj'^ recovered from the malignancy for whichhe was treated last winter and spring. Louise is progressing well fromrecent surgery. I baptized Chick in October, 1941, just before the startof World War II, and later performed their marriage. I spent Fri.nightin Effingham with my youngest sister, Norma Daniels (widow). I left herhome at 6:00 AM, Sat. and drove all the way to Lake Wales in 17 hours,1020 miles (1630 Kms), for an average of exactly 60 miles per hour. Eileenwas staying with her mother, didn't know I was home until Sun. morning.When I retired, it felt like the bed was moving down the highway at 65MPH. Wouldn't trade our 1984 OLDS 88, Delta Foyal for a 1995 model compact,if I had to drive it.

Eileen's mother, 'Grandma' Sadie Davis is recovering remarkably well fromher broken hip and wrist. Eileen stayed with her until Nov. 15, so she isat home alone now, but she has good neighbors and we see her everyday. Ina few weeks, she will be going strong, as good as "new", an unbelievable93 year old. She attended the mid-week service tonight (Nov. 30) for herfirst-time since her fall and received a standing ovation when she walkedinto the Fellowship Hall.

Now an exciting up-date on the remodelling and renovation of the buildingunder the big oak tree in our back yard. The 12' X 14' storage building wehave called the 'barn' is a barn no more. Built in 1928 (when our housewas built) with hard-pine lumber, it had only a single floor, studdedwalls and a roof. Our good friend. Jack Howser, was available to finishthe 'barn' for my office/den/hide-away (we don't know what to call it).

Oatmar D. DabsuH Q-3 "3 (pP.O. Box 848 'Uko Wales, FL 33893

Jack did it all (with my limited assistance) the electrical wiringand telephone installation, insulated the walls and ceiling, sheet-rock, panelled walls, new windows and doors, new floor and carpet,installed the lights, trimmed it out and painted what was needed.It is finished, ready for occupancy. I hate to brag, but it is reallj'nice.. All we need now are the books shelves installed and storagecabinets completed and I will transfer from the 9' X 12' half of ourfront porch-room that I have used since we bought the home in 1981.

But, oh brother! Now I am faced with the monumental task of moving myentire office/headquarters.I intend to move only about half my library,perhaps less than 400 volumes. I have previously taken several suitcases of books to my preacher friends in the Philippines. Sets ofcommentaries have been given to Bible college professor friends. Iwill take many volumes to Florida Christian College, Kissimmee. Thebooks that will make the move will be a select library. I just don'tneed so much anymore.

But that isn't all. I must go through my files (and they fill cabinets,boxes and shelves) and discard the accumulation of a half century andpreserve only that which will be of use to me in the afternoon yearsof my life. Much of it is valuable only to me anyway and even treasurednostalgia will become a bonfire after those dates are chiselled onmy head-stone.

And now, more GOOD NEWS 1 I am the proud possessor of Computor/WordProcessor and Printer. The Computer is a gift from our son-in-law.Jack Craig and j'^oungest daughter Cindy. Jack needed a new one, withall the new doo dads and gadgetry in his business. This older onewill do everything that I need. But I don't know beans about a computer. I can't even find the ^ and OFF switch, but I WILL LEARN IT II have a number of friends, a few preachers among them, who may beconsidered by some as just a bit stupid who have become adept withcomputers. (No comment necessary, but if they can, I can).

Thanksgiving was again a festive occasion for our family here in LakeWales. The entire tribe (with the exception of youngest grand-son, 16year old Sean, who had to stay at home for basket-ball practice) arrivedWed. evening, Nov. 23. I had barbequed chicken on our out-door grillwhen they arrived. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, we feasted on _thetraditional baked turkey and all the trimmings, corn-bread dressingpumpkin and mince pies, other "goodies" too numerous to mention.Friday, I barbequed pork country ribs, with old DDD's special sauce,finger lickin' good stuff. Saturday, we all drove to daughter Cindyand Jack's new home in Ovieda (Orlando) 60+ miles, for supper ofbaked ham and yam. Their first meal, with guests, in the new home.When the last of the family left for home Sunday morning, Nov. 27,we felt a little like the aftermath of a hurricane-t5''phoon. We wouldnot miss it for the world. We will all gather in the home of eldestdaughter Darlene and family, Forsyth, Georgia, for the Christmasholidays for a repeat of the Thanksgiving activities. But with oneexception. Christmas Eve Darlene makes Mexican chili, best you everate, BUT HOT I Once it was so hot we had to use wooden spoons to keepit from melting the metal ones, (a slight exaggeration)«

1995 is one month away, so a quick run-down on our mission plans, withdetails in the next news up-date. I will fly to Managua, Nicaragua,Jan. 6 to preach 3 Sundays and lead in a Bible study seminar in"Ephesians" with 60 church leaders.Morning and evening sessions areplanned, plus 3^ sessions for the two Saturdays. Billj'^ Loft has baptized

^Oirpe"bpTe irir^two years in Managua and needs help in-t-ra4^ni-ng Pasbor/Elder preachers for the many house churches meeting regularly. InFebruary, I will go to Haiti and the Dominican Republic for similarprograms. In March, the plans are for a mission trip to Costa Ricaand Panama. There is a great movement for New Testament Christianityin Central America and the Caribbean. Puerto Rica and the Bahamas areon the agenda before May. I have to be home for the first week in Mayfor my 45TH consecutive Kiamichi Mens Clinic in Oklahoma.

I am out of space. May keep us all in HIS LOVE,