connectionIndependent Assemblies

uniting ministries worldwide

July/Aug 2011 | Volume 3 Issue 2

thirstkingdomhopeget to Know

shallowdeep

too

or too

2 • connection

calendar

www.independentassemblies.org

JulyNational Ministers ConferenceJuly 11-13, 2011Embassy SuitesNorman, OK

AugustInterstate Fellowship MeetingAugust 8, 2011Faith Community ChurchWhitefield, OKRev. Bill Fitzer(918) 967-2554

SeptemberInterstate Fellowship MeetingSeptember 12, 2011Capitol Hill Full GospelMoore, OKRev. Jim Robertson(405) 793-7727

World Harvest SundaySeptember 18, 2011

►For more information about upcoming events visit our website at www.independentassemblies.org

A YeAr for Unprecedented

opportUnities

A YeAr for Unprecedented

opportUnities

july 11-13 • 2011

IA ConferenCe speAkers GrAciA BUrnhAm

www.GrAciABUrnhAm.orG dAnnY weGmAn

www.pAthwAYoflife.orG

Workshops topICs mUltimediA for chUrches

ministeriAl ethics women in ministrY

the chUrch And tAx lAws christiAn leAdership for todAY

BienniAl BUsiness meetinG Tuesday, july 12 aT 9:00 aM

ordinAtion And presBYterY meetinGs to follow.

speciAl fellowship After mondAY niGht service for YoUth And YoUth leAders

connection • 3

connectionJuly/Aug 2011

ContentsCalendar

Missions for Today!

Equipping the Church

The Bible Prophecy “Answer” Man

Too Shallow or Too Deep?

When Ministry Gets Creative

Board Members

2

4

5

8

9

10

11

Produced by Layers Media, Inc.www.layersmedia.com

Independent AssembliesPO Box 1546

Ada, OK 74821(580) 310-0222

moving?If you are planning on moving or just recently moved, please contact the offices of the Independent Assemblies so that we may update your contact information. Also, keep us up to date with your current email and phone number.

We want to make sure you receive your copy of the Connection Magazine and all other Independent Assemblies updates.

Independent AssembliesPO Box 1546Ada, OK 74821(580) 310-0222

4 • connection

by: Mickey Keith

You and I have been given one of the greatest privileges anyone has enjoyed in the past 1,000 years. We’ve carried the torch of the Christ’s Light into a new millennium. Only one other generation of Christians was ever given that honor! Although our society is in a moral free fall, hanging only a thread away from cosmic chaos, in many ways the Light is brighter than it was ten centuries ago. The speed of world evangelization is unprecedented as the Gospel penetrates unreached people groups. Truly, a global awakening has begun, and we are a part of it!

It is estimated now that there are over 650 million evangelical Christians worldwide, and for the first time in history, there are more Christians today in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere. One out of every 8 people on the planet is a practicing Christian who is active in his or her faith. Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

More missionaries are sent from non-Western churches and missionary bases. The Protestant growth rate in Latin America is over 3 times the biological growth rate. Protestants in China grew from one million to over 80 million in less than 50 years, with most of that growth occurring in the last few decades. In the 1980s, Nepal was still a Hindu kingdom with a small persecuted church. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of believers, and churches started within each of its 100 distinct people groups.

Ten out of the 11 largest mega-congregations in the world are in Seoul, South Korea. They have the largest Pentecostal, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations in the world, the second-largest Baptist. With over 15,000 missionaries, the Korean Church sends the second-highest number of cross-cultural workers to other parts of the world.

In 1991 only 5% of all Asian Americans were born again, but in 2001, the number had increased to 27%, a 500% increase in one decade! In Korea, 30% of the population are born again, however, Korean Christians in the US number 75% of their population!!

Every Home For Christ has claimed 26 million decisions for Christ, and over 4 billion people have now seen the Jesus film with over 128 million recording conversions to Christ!

Today’s global uncertainties, disasters and threats of war call for a fresh commitment to Christ and His honor worldwide. Paul warned, “In the last days, perilous times will come.” Jesus said that signs of his coming would be wars, international conflict, famine, false messiahs, earthquakes, and strange signs in the skies (weather patterns, etc).” What should be our position as we attempt to bring closure of the Great Commission? A Great Commitment to the Great Commission will make Great Christians and a Great Church!

There is a cry for spirituality that’s the greatest in 50 years! What role has God called us to play in the end-time harvest? Has He brought us to the Kingdom for such a time as this? Yes. America’s gift to world missions- visionaries!

These are mission leaders who will train and equip the national pastor and apostle to reach his region. (Of the 2 million national pastors in developing nations, only 5% have any formal training). This model of training nationals, originated and used by the Holy Spirit for several decades, brings tremendous results. One of the best, most strategic investments we can make is to equip those best positioned to finish the job!

Pastors and Church leaders must lead the way. Make yours an apostolic/missions church! Just as God parted the Jordan river for the priests when they stepped in to cross, leaders must get their feet wet!! Get out front and lead!!

Missions for today!

connection • 5

Focus Ben and Tammy Aguirre take the Ephesians four commission to build up the saints for works of service seriously. The vision is to see the Church equipped for strong families while fostering individual gifts and callings for the furtherance of the Gospel.

The Aguirres started ministry in Antlers Oklahoma in the early 1990’s. After turning over the work to a couple in the church they moved to Queen City, Texas. When the pastor left for mission work, they were instated as pastors in 2002.

Almost ten years later they’re seeing God act on His word. The Aguirres have a weekly one hour radio show and services appear on local TV three times a week. “It’s been a wonderful way to reach out and minister to the community,” said Tammy. “We get a lot of prayer requests on the radio and we pray with people live. We’ve had people come up to us in a public place and say, ‘hey we know you. I saw you on TV and you really ministered to me.’ People also email, call or facebook praise reports from the radio show and it’s great to get that feedback.”

God’s shown faithful provision through “The Citadel Retreat Center” which hosts affordable summer camps, retreats, and even weddings. After some hard work, the church has been able to pay off a large sum of debt.

With compassion for local mission work, they’re also concerned about political persecution facing the American church and they spotlight reports on their website. “We believe it’s our responsibility as Christians to

steward our liberty. God gave us this nation as a vehicle for evangelism so we ought to be aware of what’s going on around us if we want to be effective. The more informed we are, the more equipped,” said Ben.

CFC is all about being equipped. “The maturing of the saints is a fundamental command in Scripture to five-fold ministries. We focus on communication and teaching but also hands on teaching,” said Ben. “We try to give everyone a place to express their gifts whether that’s in the church youth group, children’s ministry, worship, or nursery.” They’re also supportive of ministry outside the walls of the church. They’re sending a few workers to help with the Alabama tornado disaster and just gave special offering to Samaritan’s Purse in addition to supporting several missionaries.

Their ministry is characterized by relational discipleship. Youth pastors Philip and Michele Poteete came to CFC with a divorce bound marriage. Through counseling and discipleship their marriage healed and now have a thriving youth ministry. “We want people to fulfill their calling in relationship, in humility, with interdependence on one another to build up the body of Christ,” said Ben.

Their vision is summed up in growth and maturity. “We’re always striving to have an environment conducive to that, to discipleship that equips the saints for the work of the ministry,” said Ben. “Teaching them doctrine but bringing them an experience with Christ so it’s not second hand knowledge but a real relationship with God that is grounded in God’s Word.”

Equipping thE

Churchby: Mindy Wood

Ben and Tammy Aguirre

6 • connection

independentassembliesfellowship

a year for Unprecedented opportUnities20

11

JUly 11-13, 2011▼

WORKSHOPS: Gracia Burnham- “Women in Ministry” • Gary Eby - “Multimedia in the Church” Greg Bond - “Church & Tax Law” • Danny Wegman - “Church Leadership” • Jerry Edmon - “Ministerial Ethics”

Gracia BUrnhaMShe and her husband Martin were missionaries to the Philippines, when they were taken hostage by Muslim rebels. Over the next year, even while forced to live in horrible conditions in mountainous jungles,

Martin and Gracia witnessed to their captors. During a daring military rescue, Martin was killed, and Gracia severely wounded. Over the last several years, Gracia has been raising her family, traveling, and encouraging believers to serve in cross-cultural missions. Her incredible story is told in the book, “In the Presence of my Enemies”. Her story will inspire and challenge you.

danny WeGManSenior Pastor of Pathway of Life Church in the Dallas Metroplex. Pastor Danny travels extensively, ministering in churches and encouraging pastors. He has appeared on TBN, Daystar and Promiseland Television

Networks. Through his leadership, Pathway has become a leading multi ethnic congregation in the city, feeding hundreds weekly, reaching out to hurting people in every walk of life. Pastor Danny has a powerful preaching style, and his Pastoral gift enables him to encourage with sincerity and humility.

Check-in BeginsManagers ReceptionService: Gracia BurnhamYouth Meeting

BreakfastWorkshops IWorkshops IILunch Missions UpdateService: Danny Wegman

BreakfastBiennial Business MeetingWorship, Ordination andPresbytery Service

3:00 PM5:30-6:30 PM

7:00 PMTBA

6:00-8:30 AM9:00 AM

10:30 AM12:00-1:30 PM2:00-3:00 PM

7:00 PM

6:00-8:30 AM9:00-10:00 AM

10:30-12:00 PM

Monday, July 11th

Tuesday, July 12th

Wednesday, July 13th

8 • connection

Floods. Wars. Famines. Diseases. Earthquakes. The earth contracts with the pain of disaster and the ravages of increasing wickedness. Like a woman in childbirth, the frequency and severity escalate so that even the lost know we live in the dreadful shadow of something to come. Few feel the constant burden of that more than Allan Walker, prophecy expert and passionate evangelist.

Walker was fascinated by Bible prophecy after he was born again in 1973. “I was converted from a life of deep sin through powerful, anointed preaching of judgment. It was the old fashioned preaching of ‘the hand writing is on the wall, thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.’One week later a Spirit filled Baptist preacher came to town. I was filled with the holy spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. From that time on I was in church and in the Word of God. I was a student of Bible prophecy right from the beginning of my experience,” said Walker.

By 1980 he was licensed and ordained by a pentecostal denomination and joined IA by 1992. He helped pioneer Living Word Family Church in Nowata and was busy working in all facets of ministry when the Gulf War brought heightened awareness of Bible prophecy to the church. “I began traveling to local churches teaching on Bible prophecy. Since that time I had been to over 300 churches in a four state area.”

God opened doors for Allan and his wife Carline to work full time for Voice of the Martyrs in nearby Bartlesville. “It’s been a good experience for us. For those in IA who have been interested in the persecuted church, VOM’s primary ministry is assisting these churches who are fulfilling the Great Commission in the 10/40 window of Islamic and Communist countries.”

On the weekends he delivers insightful teaching about Bible prophecy as well as fundamentals of the Christian faith and messages the Lord leads him to give a particular church when filling in for

a pastor. His focus is Bible prophecy without the extremes sometimes found in today’s teachings. “It’s necessary to get a good grasp of the whole counsel of God’s Word so that we can grasp His overall plan and not be swept into excess and extreme in any area. All the details of the bible are important but we need an overview of how it all fits together. Bible prophecy is like a giant jigsaw puzzle, if you don’t get all the pieces together then you’ve missed something somewhere. We need to get this grand overview of how it all fits together.”

Walker teaches in a way anyone can understand, primarily from three seminars all with helpful PowerPoint and illustrations. “Bible Prophecy 101 is an introduction to the subject of Bible prophecy. Part 1 is ‘God’s Plan of the Ages,’ an overview of the people and main events of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation in an hour’s time. Part 2 is ‘Signs of the Times and Current Events.’ While the two presentations go into detail about Bible prophecy, it’s just as much about biblical literacy and getting a good overview of God’s Word. The second seminar is ‘The Tabernacle,’ a dynamic visual presentation of the tabernacle, the furniture, the priestly offering and it reinforces the fundamentals of the faith along with deeper teaching. The third is ‘The Promise, Power, Purpose of Pentecost,’ a dynamic overview of the book of Acts, various outpourings of the Holy Spirit and detailing the gifts of the spirit and the public and private use of the gifts of the Spirit.”

Walker brings a sober message to the Church but also hope. “There is still room for a victorious church in the midst of an apocalyptic setting.There is a growing number who hold to the truth and believe that revival can indeed happen in the last days even though apostasy and departing from the faith, even though judgments will happen and the Mid East crisis will continue until Christ returns.”

His seminars are also available on DVD and YouTube. He is still accepting bookings for this year’s schedule.

by: Mindy Wood

Allan and Carline Walker

The BiBle ProPhecy “Answer” MAn

by: Mindy Wood

connection • 9

Many of us were taught that to reach people today, we have to make our sermons simple, practical, and relevant. While I agree that all three qualities are important, we must never forget they all must be spiritual to change lives!

In our efforts to reach people far from God, some pastors with good intentions are perhaps making messages too shallow.

When people come to church today, I believe they truly want to know what the Bible says. There seems to be a genuine hunger for God’s Word. Even if a curious non-Christian attends church, most want to hear a biblical message rather than a self-help and feel-good sermonette.

Our American churches today are sadly filled with many biblically illiterate people. Many truly want to learn more. Most prefer to be challenged rather than babied.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what people want. If sin separates people from God, we can’t be afraid to preach about sin, the cross, and the resurrection.

The other extreme can also be dangerous. We have to equally guard against our sermons being too deep.

Some pastors are hypercritical of those who aren’t deep. But sometimes deep can

equal boring or irrelevant.I love studying the meaning of Greek

and Hebrew words and find sharing some with the church to be very helpful. But an overuse of the original languages can become dull.

Similarly, the history and context of a chapter is also often important. Sometimes, though, a pastor can spend so much time in the deep end that people drown in unimportant facts.

Two years ago, a very intelligent pastor moved into my community. Many of my friends attend his church. His sermons are so intellectually deep that the average person can’t track with him. His church has lost about 40% of its weekend attendance.

Several people approached him and asked if he could make the messages easier for them to understand. He adamantly opposed, explaining that he’d never “dumb down” God’s word. While I admire his passion, I think he lacks wisdom.

Those who truly have the gift of teaching must guard against over-teaching a text.

Is your preaching too deep or too shallow? What do you struggle with the most?

by: Craig Groeschel

www.sermoncentral.com

too shallow or too deep?

10 • connection

As the culture war rages on and people find themselves lost and confused, hurting and empty it’s the people of God who rein them in with demonstrative faith built on solid biblical teaching. Pastors Jimmy and Barbara Milligan are reaching the people of Moore, Oklahoma as they minister to the “whole person.” Their mission is to arm the church for victorious living over sin and oppression, to stand firm in these last days.

Like many churches they’re using the avenues of technology like stage lighting, graphics, video, audio and website productions. That’s pretty standard stuff these days but when the issue of intercessory prayer came up, they decided to think outside the box. “We came up with the idea for a prayer line using a cell phone plan that allows you to add multiple lines. I give them to my prayer people. We don’t have the resources to keep someone sitting by the phone and people’s lives are busy so it’s a way we can engage people for ministry. Intercessory prayer is extremely overlooked. When a church member who prayed for us everyday passed away, Barbara and I felt the difference. This lets people carry on their routine but minister at any given time,” said Jimmy.

With appreciation for the importance of children, teens and adults ministries they keep things hands on and when it comes to

being the hands of Jesus, they decided to reach beyond their own resources in the community. They created a local mission “My Father’s Business,” a food and clothing distribution center that is supported by several local churches. Skeptics said crossing those denominational borders wouldn’t be a success but the Milligan’s persevered. “They put us on their missions list and it takes the pressure off any one church to meet these needs by pulling together. We have the volunteer base and the building but we get support from other churches.” They serve on average 160 families a week and are working to finish a new 7,200 square foot building.

As they do everything they can to reach out, the Milligans hope to see God visit America in revival, starting with the church. “The day of the Lord is coming,” said Jimmy. “Our hearts break to see God bring in people to reach. I’m not a pastor who looks at the number of people in my church but my heart’s cry is ‘God please send me these people so they can hear the Word.’ I want to equip the people to stand in these days.”

In the meantime, they watch over the work God has given them and rejoice in His blessing and faithful provision as they anticipate the next ministry adventures God has for them.

by: Mindy Wood

Jimmy and Barbara Milligan

WHen MiniStRy GetS CReative

connection • 11

Southeast Oklahoma DistrictRev. Billy Hunter

Antlers, OK(580) 298-2740

Southwest Oklahoma DistrictRev. Donnie Miller

Cyril, OK(580) 464-2224(580) 512-3657

northeast Oklahoma DistrictRev. Mac Blackwell Locust Grove, OK(918) 479-6057

north texas DistrictRev. Marc Jones

Athens, TX 75751(903) 675-6011

Southeast texas DistrictRev. Herb Hawthorne

Baytown, TX(281) 723-2278

South Central texas DistrictRev. Jerry Edmon

Elgin, TX(512) 281-5316

Midwest Regional DistrictRev. Mark Maynard

Granite City, IL(618) 931-4106

arkansas DistrictRev. Charles Kendrick

Alexander, AR(501) 303-0831

Mickey Keith PresidentPO Box 1546 Ada, OK 74821 (580) 310-0222mickey.keith@gmail.comwww.life623.com

Ken anderson Secretary/TreasurerPO Box 1120 Lexington, OK 73051(405) 527-6030 kda@valornet.comwww.libertygospelok.org

Robert JohnsonDirector of World MissionsPO Box 978 Blackwell, OK 74631 (580) 363-2734roj@clarionmissions.orgwww.clarionmissions.org

Jerry edmonBoard MemberPO Box 862 Elgin, TX 78621 (512) 281-5316Jedmon1234@aol.comwww.fwcelgin.com

Dr. ted estes Vice PresidentPO Box 2248 Claremore, OK 74018 (918) 341-8344pastorted@lifechangerchurch.comwww.lifechangerchurch.com

executiveBoard

Regional Representatives

Inde

pend

ent

Ass

embl

ies

P.O

. Box

154

6A

da, O

K 7

4821

ww

w.in

dep

end

enta

ssem

blie

s.o

rg