february apostolic accent

February 2012

Oregon District Apostolic AccentVolume 48, Number 1

www.ORUPC.com

Editor…………………………………….Kassie MeyerGraphic Assistance........................Jason DiSenso

District OfficialsSuperintendent…………….……………Ted GravesSecretary/Treasurer……..……..Randy Langley

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………………………………Dan Sargeant

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

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

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

Sunday School Director………………………….……Darrell SparksSecretary………………………………..Loren Brown

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

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Just a few short years ago my life was on a different track and heading toward a different path. My focus was not on souls; it was not on leading people to Christ or reaching the city of Portland. Life was headed in the direction of a career and material things.

It was all about how much money I could make, how successful I could be and what I could obtain. Do you notice a pattern there? It was all about me.

Granted, my husband and I were doing a lot for the church in serving as youth pastors at my father-in-laws church, working with the music, leading the Ladies for a couple years, keeping a church calendar & cleaning schedule, JR was teaching and preaching quite a bit for his dad, etc. We worked in so many compacities and filled any position that needed filling but we were just there...just surviving.

It took a life changing event to bring us to where we are today. We had just moved into a beautiful home in Grove City, Ohio, had all new furniture throughout the house, drove nice vehicles and had it made when our “change” took place. I must say, it has been one of the best changes we could have asked for. Our bundle of joy, Javin Anthony, arrived just two months after we were all settled in our new place.

With this new addition to our lives, he not only brought us joy but brought a new mindset as well. It wasn’t about us or me anymore. It was about this precious child and caring for him. He helped change our way of thinking.

It’s funny because my husband had gotten me this book as a “hospital gift,” so he called it, titled, “90 Days to Becoming the Woman God Wants me to be.” This book helped in changing my life but believe me, that was not my response in the beginning. Ha! I wanted to know what my husband was trying to tell me?

Well, as Javin was sleeping one day, I picked up the book and that is where my journey to a spiritual life change began. It took me to the Word of God and to a new level of prayer and communicating with Him. I think it was near the end of the book that it was decided that we were not content with the lives we had. He had so much more for us if we would just change our focus. We knew we were not ment to stay in Ohio and we knew God had different plans for us but for years we hindered His will by putting ours first.

In just a short time, our faith in a new adventure was built and in less than 90 days, God spoke to my husband and the calling to Portland was confirmed in our lives.

I write all this to say, don’t be complacent with a life that is not ment for you. If you feel a call to do something for God, do it! Don’t hold back on what God wants for you. We had no idea how we would get to Portland but here we are. God makes a way when it is His will.

Even though these past three years have been without certainty, they have been the best! We have had humbling experiences and have learned what it is to live on faith. There is no greater place to be than in the will of God and doing what He wants, not what we want!

Kassie Meyer, editor

2 APOsTOLIC ACCEnT February 2012

Inside this IssueColumns2 A Note From the Editor KASSIE MEYER

4 Staying the Course TED GRAVES

Articles7 The R.E.S.T of His Story JAMES BIGELOW

8 What’s Your Question? STAN GLEASON

10 Moving Mountains SANDY MILES

11 God Wants to Heal You Everywhere You Hurt BONNIE PEACOCK

12 Talking with Your Teenager DAVID REYNOLDS

Advertisements5 Educators Conference SUNDAY SCHOOL

6 Missionaries in Oregon GLOBAL MISSIONS

9 Marriage Retreat YOUTH DIVISION

14 Best Decorated Classroom SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Staying on CourseThe Costa Concordia cruise ship

ran aground earlier this year on Fri-day, January 13th. This disaster has caught the world’s attention. Many lives have been lost with several still missing. The cause of this horrible ac-cident was due to the ship’s captain making an unauthorized change in the predetermined course, causing the ship to hit a coral reef, tilt and partially sink. Passengers describe the eventful evening as panic, con-fusion and complete chaos. At first the crew said it was just a power failure, but then the boat started to tilt. I have read several conflicting stories of this inci-dent. The captain is said to have left the ship before all passengers were safe. The port of-ficials are even heard commanding the captain to get back on the ship and help all passengers to safety. He is currently in jail pending an inves-tigation. Also, I heard that the ship’s employees were not well trained in how to handle this kind of a crisis.

Today we are doing our best with the help of the Word of God to stay on course as Christians. We pas-tors are doing our best to keep our churches on course. Paul advises the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:24 that he wants to finish his course with joy. We are also admonished in Prov-erbs 28:19 to remove not the ancient landmark.

In our world today sin is abound-ing as described in Romans 5:20.

Paul tells us in II Timothy 3:13 that evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and be-ing deceived. We must not let the world cause us to let our standards and convictions fall. We must stand strong and faithful in these last days. The “emerging church” as it is called is open to change and wants God to do a new thing. The Word of God has not changed. The Bible says that Je-sus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Our country was founded on religious beliefs. I have personally visited the very first church in America at James-town, and was

amazed to see Acts 2:38 hanging on the wall. When I asked about this I was told that, according to records, this scripture was on the wall in the very first church. Church services oc-curred several times per week and lasted up to 4 or 5 hours. As a pastor I asked what would happen to those who did not come to the services. Those who refused to attend church were given no food, and if they con-tinued to be unfaithful they were beaten. Although I do not recom-mend this practice today, it is clear that America was started as a Chris-tian nation. America has backslid-den horribly in several areas. In fact, some say that we are not a Christian nation. Personally I believe that we are still a Christian nation and that the grassroots of our country still

have an underlying Biblical under-standing. As our forefathers stood for righteousness and holy living, we must stand firm and not let this pres-ent world take us off course.

Pastors and Christians, I encourage you to stay on course walking with the Word of God. Psalm 119:105 tells us that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It is the only thing that will keep us on course. Matthew 24:35 states, “Heav-en and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away.” I find it interesting that some churches put their worship time online, but rarely highlight the Word of God. It is time for us to realize that the preaching of the Word is the most important part of our services. I Corinthians 1:21 states that it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Let’s love and cherish the Word of God. Let’s tell our people the truth that we are peculiar people and that we are the temple of the Holy Ghost. I Corinthi-ans 3:17 warns us, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God de-stroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

From the old time lighthouse to the modern day GPs, ships have re-lied on navigational helps to stay on course. Let’s not take any unauthor-ized course deviations on our path to God. Let’s stay on course! ◊______________________________

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

By Ted Graves


[[[OR

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012 5:00 PM Registration /Displays Open 7:00 PM General Session/CE Rally | Rev. Gary Trzcinski

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012 8:00 - 9:00 AM Displays Open/Continental Breakfast 9:00 - 9:55 AM General Session 2 | Rev. Gary Trzcinski 10:00 - 11:00 AM Administrative Vision - “Politics in the Pulpit” & “Social Justice” | David Barton on DVD 10:00 - 10:30 AM Effects of Changing Culture | Bro. Nathaniel Johnson 10:30 - 11:00 AM Purpose and Potential | Sis. Danielle Sparks 11:00 - 11:10 AM Break 11:10 - 12:00 PM Homeschool Update/Roundtable | Sis. Rachel Lethin 11:10 - 12:00 PM Music in Grades K-12 | Sis. Monica Trzcinski 12:00 - 1:30 PM Lunch Break 1:30 - 2:15 PM General Session 3 | Rev. Gary Trzcinski 2:15 - 2:30 PM Student Convention Update | Rev. Shane & Sis. Charla Graves 2:30 - 3:30 PM IndoctriNation DVD - “One Man’s Perspective on the Current State of Public Education” 7:00 PM General Session 4 Sunday School Vision for 2012 | Rev. Darrell Sparks Children’s Ministry/CE Rally | Rev. Gary Trzcinski

[[

[OR

This conference is designed to encourage, inspire, and equip our Northwest area homeschool parents, Christian school staff members, and Sunday School teachers in their mission to save and equip our children and youth.

ONLY$25REGISTRATION

Rev. Gary & Sis. Monica TrzcinskiToledo, Ohio

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Apostolic Life Center230 Pine Street SE

Albany, OregonPastor Dennis Johnson

HOST LOCATION

EVENING

SERVICES

OPEN TO ALL!!

MARCH 1-2, 2012ALBANY, OR

EDUCATORSCONFERENCE

wEST COASTWEST COAST ACTS & OREGON DISTRICT SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTS:

Phil & Twyla Tolstad February 21-26 (Scheduled Wed-Corvallis; Thur-Albany; Sun AM-Hood River, PM-Gresham) Uganda

Richard & Patricia Porter March 12-18 (Scheduled Mon- Albany: Section 2 Ministers Meeting) Swaziland

Richard & Coral Denny April 10-15 (Sun AM- Oregon City)RD Pacific

Dwayne Abernathy April 24-29Belize

Kevin & Lolita Vacca May 1-6Philippines Stan Scism May 22-27 So Asia/UK

Robert & Elizabeth McFarland Jun 5-10Israel/Pal

Jayson & Nellie Long July 10-15 (Sun 2PM- Gresham: Spanish) Nicaragua

Crystal Reece July 24-29Tonga

James & Stacy Marse August 28-September 2 (Tue- Tigard)Bolivia

Cynthia White September 4-9Middle East

Steve & Loy Bennett November 6-11Israel/Pal

Keith & Elizabeth Ikerd November 13-18 (Sat/Sun AM/PM- Oregon City)Namibia

MISSIONARIES IN OREgON

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]

global Missions

global Missions The R.E.S.T of His Story

< A Look Back from the Future >

God has graciously provided a way for everyone to enter into his REsT, which often involves one or more of these words that I have chosen as an acrostic: Repentance, Enlightenment, strength, and Tribulation. The gospel of Christ, with its attendant blessings, is the focal point of the scripture of truth. Although it was preached unto the Israelites, it did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it. As a result, their carcasses fell in the wilderness en route to their promised place of rest. Their lack of repentance, despite being enlightened and strengthened for the journey, led to much tribulation and to their ultimate demise.

The tender mercies of our God allowed the younger generation of Israelites to enter into Canaan and to occupy it. Their mandated mission was to be his witnesses to all the other nations, thus bringing glory to the one true and living LORD. This truth is brought out in Isa 42:10-12 (AMP). “sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down

to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them [sing a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world]! Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of the rock [sela or Petra] sing; let them shout from the tops of the mountains! Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the islands and coastal regions.”

The word "WITnEss" comes from a verb which means "to say something again and again." It may be defined as "one who strengthens or confirms the saying of another." Israel, as God’s witness, was to strengthen and confirm what God told them. Looking back from the future, we see that Israel often failed to be the kind of witness God wanted her to be. As the years passed, the nation turned away from the LORD and from His Word, becoming less and less different from the peoples that lived around them. His chosen witnesses pointed less and less to the God that they were supposed to represent.

The book of Jonah shows us the heart of compassion that God has for ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. Jonah was sent overseas as a missionary to take the gospel to Assyria. He later confessed that he disobeyed the LORD because he knew that God was merciful and compassionate. Jonah felt that the wicked people of nineveh deserved God’s wrath, not God’s mercy. After much tribulation, he finally preached to them the word of the Lord but was displeased when the people responded by turning from their evil ways. Jonah did not share the heart of God for global missions; in fact, the rest of the story reveals that he was more concerned about his God-given plant (signifying his own comfort and well-being) than he was for the salvation of 120,000 people._____________________________

This article was provided by the

Oregon District Global Missions

Department. James Bigelow

is the Oregon District Global

Missions Director.

Expand your vision; impact our world. Go to www.faithpromiseworks.com

February 2012 APOsTOLIC ACCEnT 7

By stan Gleason


What’s Your Question?

Ever wonder where a question might take you? (GoogleScienceFair)

A Bit of Humor...submitted by Kandi Brown•The early bird might get the worm, but the second

mouse gets the cheese.•If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try

missing a couple of payments.•How is it one careless match can start a forest fire,

but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?•Did you know that dolphins are so smart that

within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw

them fish?•The sole purpose of a child’s middle name, is so

he can tell when he’s really in trouble.•I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.

Why aren’t more people serving God in my city? Could my friend who refused a home Bible study change his mind? How could I win a soul to Jesus this year? Could I conquer a peak that nobody else has? Could Jesus use me to do the impossible for Him? Could I go deeper in God than I’ve ever been before? “The greatest pioneers ask the most questions.” (GooglescienceFair) What questions are you asking?

Jesus raised the dead, opened blinded eyes and deaf ears, and

made the lame to walk. That amazes me but what amazes me even more is that Jesus said “greater works than these” (John 14:12) shall those that believe on Him do. Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant by that? That’s the very reason that He left that statement open ended and didn’t clarify it for us. He wanted us to wonder about what He meant. He wanted our curiosity to be aroused because there are miracles wrapped up in our questions. Miracles are not

in our answers. When we know the answer to everything, we are satisfied with the way things are, but when we ask God questions, He begins to work miracles. “Ask, and ye shall receive” (John 16:24) no questions, no miracles. What is your question?◊____________________________

stan Gleason is an Evangelist from Or-egon City, Oregon. He also serves as the Oregon District Youth Presisdent.

Bible Quizzing Dates:

JR Quiz - February 4th Oregon City, OR

SR Quiz - February 18th Gresham, OR

By stan Gleason

You Hurt


Moving

ThErE wErE Two warring TribEs in ThE andEs, onE ThaT livEd in ThE lowlands and ThE oThEr high in ThE mounTains. ThE mounTain pEoplE invadEd ThE lowlandErs onE day, and as parT of ThEir plundEring of ThE pEoplE, ThEy kidnappEd a baby of onE of ThE lowlandEr familiEs and Took ThE infanT wiTh ThEm back up inTo ThE mounTains.

MountainsBy sandy Miles

The lowlanders didn’t know how to climb the mountain. They didn’t know any of the trails that the mountain people used, and they didn’t know where to find the mountain people or how to track them in the steep terrain.

Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby home. The men tried first one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail and then another.

After several days of effort, however, they had climbed only a couple of hundred feet. Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlander men decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below.

As they were packing their gear for the descent, they saw the baby’s mother walking toward them. They realized that she was coming down the mountain that they hadn’t figured out how to climb.

And then they saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be?

One man greeted her and said, “We couldn’t climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn’t do it?” She shrugged her shoulders and said, “It wasn’t your baby.”

By Jim Stovall

As I was reading this story, the Lord began to talk to my heart. Just as this mother’s love for her baby, we the church should have a love for the lost. nothing was going to stop her from getting her baby from the highlanders. she didn’t let the steep terrain or the crooked paths stop her. she was determined to reach the top and reclaim her child. The Bible tells us that we (the church) is the Mother. so, it is our duty as “the Mother” to go after the lost, with a Mother’s love that is so determined and unconditional to retrieve our children (the lost) out of the clutches of the enemy! Remember, no matter how hard the path or how rough the terrain, we can climb that mountain

and become victorious! Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them,

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Luke 14:23 “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” ◊______________________________

sandy Miles is a pastor’s wife in Roseburg, Oregon. she also serves as the Oregon District section 3 Ladies Director.

Coincidence?I think not. Physicians today admit

the major cause for most diseases is emotional — anger, stress, hate, un-forgiveness, bitterness.

We are good at presentation — presenting a well put together pack-age of success and confidence. A bright smile carefully placed before interacting with others. While inside we are dying, stomachs churning with stress, minds swirling in fear, hearts crushed by the heavy blows of disappointment. Unresolved con-flict, bitterness that has not been dealt with, and unhealed emotions can set us up for eventual high blood pressure, strokes, and other health problems.

God’s desire for our lives is for us to be more than an attractive shell. He wants us to be free, liberated, at peace, joy-filled, and confident.

When we visit our family doctor, we have to give him all the details — what led up to our illness, the symp-toms, and even show him where it hurts. We must do no less when we come to God. We need to tell Him

everything. Bearing our souls leaves us feeling vulnerable. We may not feel there is another person we can truly talk to about the struggles and pain in our lives, but God is safe. He won’t tell our secrets, use the infor-mation against us, or think less of us. The truth is, He knows it all anyway. He is waiting to see if we will trust Him with every facet of our lives.

And we can trust God. He came to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. “The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim lib-erty to the captives, and the open-ing of the prison to them that are bound” (see Isaiah 61:1.)

no matter the pain of our past, the bitter memories of shame, or our past failures, God offers an antidote: His presence, His peace, His joy, His love, His healing power.

What a trade! Like the bitter waters in the Old Testament, God takes the bitter places of our lives and makes everything better. While we may be able to remember the heartaches

of the past, they no longer have the power to hurt us.

Dear God, I give you my past. The memories that still make me bow my head in shame. The words spo-ken that should never been uttered — every slight, pot shot, and attack — all my failures and mistakes. The injustices inflicted by others and the misery I’ve caused myself. I need You to heal me — heal my body, heal my mind, heal my emotions, heal my memories. so many things in life are painful. I ask You to heal me every-where I hurt. In Jesus’ name. Amen.______________________________

Bonnie Peacock is a free-lance writer for various religious publications. she and her husband attend the First Untied Pentecostal Church in

Odessa, Texas.

By Bonnie Peacock

God revealed Himself, bit by bit, throughout the Old Testament. The first glimpse the Children of Israel had of God as their healer was interesting. This initial miracle did not involve the healing of cancer, deaf ears unstopped, or blind eyes opened, but God made bitter waters sweet. (see Exodus 15:22-26.)

god Wants to Heal You Everywhere

You Hurt

February 2012 APOsTOLIC ACCEnT 11

Photo by: David Castillo Dominici

" And these words... shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest... when thou walkest... when thou liest down, and when thou ris-est up." Deut. 6:6,7

12 APOsTOLIC ACCEnT January 2012

Talking with Your

TeenagerBy David Reynolds

Photo by: David Castillo Dominici

January 2012 APOsTOLIC ACCEnT 13

Question: “How can I communicate with my teenager? He either does not want to talk to me or he gets angry when I tell him what I want him to do?”

we must open up the lines of communication when there is no conflict. we are not talking enough to our children about our faith -or about anything else. our schedule is so hectic that we all are “ships passing in the night”. Even when we take trips together we are usually all listening to a stereo system as we are hurled parallel to each other down the road. Then we criticize the teenagers who go around wearing a ‘walkman’ or an iphone glued permanently to their heads.

we are not talking enough with them when they are children -when they want to talk. suddenly they are now teenagers and we are surprised and hurt when they shut us out and do not wish to talk. The time to open up communication and talk with them about life and the changes they are facing in their life is before puberty.

i have had many parents who were willing to get involved with their children in the Elementary school --who would not darken the halls of the middle or the high school. we, as parents, are backing away at the very time when they need us the most. Their habits and attitudes many times repel us, so the conversations we do have with them become very confrontational and judgmental.

it is up to us, as christian parents, to bridge the gap. we must first change what we are doing and then pray that they will react positively to us. here are a few ideas:

1. when they make a ‘mess’ -don’t ask ‘why?’. Just hand them a rag so they can clean it up!

if we are honest, most of our conversations with them go something like this: “why did you...?’, “why can’t you...?”, “how come you didn’t ...?”.

These are not questions. They are ‘put downs’ and criticisms. remember there is always positive intents behind most parental ‘put downs’.

They need encouragement not criticism. stop all sarcasm and ‘put downs’ anywhere in your home. home should be a sanctuary and a “criticism free Zone”.

2. when there is a problem -focus on the behavior not on the person.

with a firm voice you can say, “ it makes me feel angry when i find your coat in the living room. i would like you to hang it up when you come home. next time i find it in the living room i will put it away for two weeks, and you will have to find other ways of staying warm.”

when you find it there; put it away without falling for the desire to lecture --do not argue or defend your action --do not give it back for the two weeks. surprise! They will not freeze.

celebrate each step in the direction of improvement rather than focusing on the mistakes.

3. make sure your ‘body language’ is also nonjudgmental and is saying the same thing as

your voice.4. Talk with and to them -not at

them. Take time to talk not just about what’ they did but rather about how they ‘feel’ about what they did.

5. when they share something shocking; do not act shocked - Thank them for sharing.

6. make special time for them. make a date with them for

hamburgers. drive them to school at least once a week. drive to church together. i make sure the radio is off, and i keep the conversation going -hoping your teen will open up to me. “what are you looking forward to today?”, “what is your biggest problem today?”

7. ask them their opinion --let them know you trust them.

if you are willing to listen to their small talk, they will be more willing to share serious thoughts.

give them your time - rather than your things - you will never be sorry! ◊____________________________

david reynolds has been the

minister of discipleship at

portland pentecostals since

2007. he is a graduate of con-

querors bible college, cascade

college, portland state univer-

sity 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.

Send Pictures to [email protected]

Oregon Sunday School Department introduces

Best Decorated Classroom Contest

Cash Awards for the Top Three Classrooms

This event is made possible by the “Save Our Children”

Drive which is now in progress.

The Oregon District would like to thank Brother and Sister Dugas for all their years of service with the Oregon District Apostolic Accent. We love and appreciate you both and all you have done. May the Lord Bless you!

Thank You!

february apostolic accent

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