Magazine - Texas Conference of Seventh

Magazine - Texas Conference of Seventh

FALL 2007
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Conn
Midfielder
With A Mission :
Teen chooses God
over soccer
Check out page 8
ALSO
It’s About Faithfulness p. 6
Church Plant Reaches Affluent
Houston Suburb p. 10
Corpus Christi
School Revived p. 14
Fall
Bountiful
2007
The Best
Christmas
Presents
Blessings
COV E R STO RY
8
s the Holiday season approaches, I find
myself reflecting how God has blessed our
conference in 2007.
We are on pace again to have a significant number
of baptisms – more than 2000, for the sixth year in a
row. In June our conference crossed a major milestone
when our membership topped 40,000. By December
31 the number could pass 41,000. This is exciting,
not because of the statistics, but because each person
in that number is now God’s child called to testify to
others about their own discovery that they are precious
to God. He loves them personally.
We also planted 15 churches in various areas of the
conference in 2007. You will want to read the story
of one of these, The Woodlands Company, located
between Houston and Conroe, on page 10. Each church
plant is a new lighthouse in a new community to lighten and touch the lives of a new group of
people for the kingdom.
All of this growth creates many exciting opportunities, but it also creates challenges as we
seek to fund pastors for these new congregations as well as our existing churches. Many of
our new plants, such as The Woodlands group thrive on lay leadership under the coaching of
a pastor, but we still need to have adequate leadership to move our churches forward in the
field.
Your tithe faithfully returned to God through His conference is what funds the desperate
need for these pastors’ salaries. Check the article on page 6 to get a more specific breakdown
on how tithe money is used.
God promises in Malachi 3:8-10, if we are faithful to him, He will pour out more blessings
than we are able to receive. That is a lot of blessing. He is already blessing us abundantly.
Now it is our privilege together to take part, not only by returning tithes and offerings to our
local church, but by giving of our time in reaching friends and neighbors with Christ’s love.
That is a joy beyond description. Plan now by making a list of people you long to be saved
when Jesus comes. Begin to pray for them each day. Watch for opportunities to express
the kindness of Jesus’ love. Be an encourager, never find fault. It is the Holy Spirit’s work
to convict of sin. Don’t let another year go by without bringing some to the life-changing
relationship with Christ. Let’s grow even more next year. 4000? 7000? 10,000? Who can
imagine what blessing He has in store when we are faithful to Him and filled with His Holy
Spirit?
A
F E AT U R E S
10
The Woodlands
A new company finds ways to grow
in an affluent community.
10
Mission: Texas
4
Men’s Retreat
5
It’s Not the Amount
6
North Texas Churches help rebuild
from Rita.
Men find Christ through fellowship
with other men.
God doesn’t require us to give large
amounts, just that we be faithful.
Freedom Behind Bars
12
How God Saved Our School
14
Bastrop sends Bibles to prisoners.
A radical idea saved the nearly empty
Corpus Christi school.
FALL 2007
COLUMNS
Practical Spirituality
Great Advent Movement
Pastor Leighton Holley is the president of the Texas Conference. He can be reached by emailing
[email protected]
aBouT The cover:
3
13
The FLAME is a publication of the Texas Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists. This magazine is published
quarterly and sent free of charge to members of the Texas
Conference. All others require an annual subscription
fee of $10.00.
Daniel Rojas aspired to play professional soccer, but
eventually had to choose between his dreams and his
God. Now he’s on a new mission - to save his friends.
Midfiel
de
With A
Missior
n
Teen
choose
over
soccer s God
out p.
8
Check
ALSO
It’s Abo
Connectin g Seventhday Adventis ts in Texas
:
s.com
to
ckpho
Keene Spanish teen Daniel Rojas
was confronted with serving God or
pursuing his dream.
By mike Tucker
Faith for Today
sr. pastor arlington seventh-day adventist church
©iSto
8
:
Photo
Midfielder with a Mission
W
hat is
the best
Christmas
present you’ve ever
received? Is it a present
you received as a child
or something your
children gave you?
I received an early
Christmas present this year,
and right now it stands as one
of the best presents I’ve ever
received. Allow me to explain.
As many of you know, I just
completed a new series of evangelistic
meetings called HeartQuest: Finding the One Who Has Loved You
All Along. The North American Division asked me to conduct a
series of meetings that was designed to appeal to secular people. We
found that the presentations spoke as well to Adventists who were
longing for something more in their relationship with God as they
did to secular people.
The early Christmas present I received came in the form of an
email from an Adventist. Here is a portion of her email:
“On a personal note, I believe that I have been the most blessed
by HeartQuest. I became a member of the [Adventist] Church
in 1977 as a teenager coming from a Catholic background. The
evangelistic seminar that brought my Mom and myself into the
church was focused on such themes as the mark of the beast,
Sunday worship being beast worship, jewelry, diet, the 144,000,
etc. At the time it all seemed very exciting but the excitement soon
dwindled and I fell back into earning my way to heaven. Not by
lighting candles and reciting
prayers like in my old church,
but by eating strictly, dressing
soberly, serving in my
church and measuring the
depth of my relationship
with Jesus by these
things. Unfortunately, I
measured everyone else’s
relationship with Jesus
this way too! I eventually
became weary of this
fruitless labor and left the
Pastor Mike Tucker
church. After 20 years of living
for today I found my heart yearning for more and I sought out
the church again.
“I am presently active in my local church. I hold three church
offices and sit on the church board. But I sense that a part of me is
still void and I am still serving for the wrong reasons… Then came
HeartQuest.
“In a nutshell, it has changed me. For the first time in my 45 years
of life I am beginning to believe that Jesus really does love me! I
am beginning to accept the truth that I am not just a face in the
crowd but that it is me that He wants. ME! Can you imagine? All
these years with such a void! Not just in my heart for Him but more
so in His heart for me! My name may have been our church records
since 1977 but they have been written in the Book of Life today.
“Thank you for this Jesus centered seminar. All of our doctrines
are but ropes of sand without a firm understanding of His love for
us.
“May this be the first of many HeartQuest seminars.”
Well, that was my early Christmas present, and it may be just
about the best one I’ve ever received. How about you? What is your
all-time favorite Christmas present?
ut Faith
fulness
Church
p. 6
Plant Rea
Houston
ches Afflu
Suburb
ent
p. 10
Corpus
Christi
School
Revived
p.
14
Photo by Ryan Teller
THE FLAME
3
Andres Portes
Sergio Rodriguez y Dimarco Pereira
WichiTa falls and BoWie
TaKe mission Trip
To TeXas ToWn
By ryan Teller
2007
hombre de valor
una jornada de integridad moral y de crecimiento espirtual
Retiro Espiritual para Caballeros :: Camp Hoblitzelle*Midlothian ::
Junio 1-3/07 ::
“I
t’s been two
years now,
hasn’t all the cleanup work
already been done?” thought
Travis Patterson, pastor of
the Wichita Falls and Bowie
Churches as he looked at the
letter from Groves Community
(Port Arthur) pastor, Bob
Stumph. But this letter arrived in
early 2007, asking for volunteers
to help rebuild thousands of homes
damaged by Hurricane Rita’s fury in
2005.
Between his two churches, Pastor
Travis was able to get 12 people
to commit to make the trip to Port
Arthur for a week to help rebuild
ruined homes.
“My husband and I have never
been on a mission trip,” said
Wichita Falls member Thaynn
Summerlin.
4
FALL 2007
“When our pastor asked the congregation, my husband and I thought
we needed to go.” With only two weeks of vacation time, the family
struggled with whether to use half of it for this project. “But when it
was over we felt it was a great blessing. We wished we could do it
all the time. It inspired us to want to do more.”
“We were surprised to see so many homes in such bad shape,”
remembered Pastor Travis. “There were blue tarps everywhere
covering roofs [that were damaged]. There are still around 4000
FEMA trailers. It was amazing to see how many homes were not
livable.”
The group spent the week working on seven different houses.
Most of them worked together as a group doing everything from
felting the outsides of houses, to gutting the insides of houses
to remodeling bathrooms. A couple of the members skilled in
construction work spent time at other houses where their specific
talents were most needed.
The project in Port Arthur is an interfaith effort. A not-for-profit
organization supported by many area faith groups coordinates the
rebuilding. Volunteers who come from all over the country are
put to work doing most every type of construction task under the
supervision of skilled foremen. A Methodist Church provided
rooms and showers for the Wichita Falls/Bowie group.
Not only did the group provide 400 volunteer hours in a week,
but they gained a blessing as well. “It helped the two churches
get to know each other better,” the pastor explained. “We are an
hour apart, so we don’t often do stuff together. This was a neat
opportunity to get to know each other better.”
But the work in Port Arthur is far from over. Thousands who
had no insurance still live in damaged homes or in travel trailers
supplied by FEMA. “Some people think that it’s not a mission trip
if you don’t pack your bags and go to South America,” said Thaynn.
“Mission is evangelism, sometimes it’s just sweat.”
If you are interested
in bringing a group to Port
Arthur, contact
pastor Bob Stumph at
[email protected]
or Adventist Community
Services at 817-641-7679.
They are in constant
need of volunteers for
the rebuilding effort.
Housing is provided;
all you have to bring
is your own food
and a willing
spirit.
reTreaT
Distrito: Alvarado y Arlington Sur. Tel. (817) 240-3422
E
dgardo
Perez
didn’t
plan on making
friends as he
exercised at the
Huguley Fitness
Center. But one
man had proven
to be an efficient
workout buddy.
The two worked out
together for several weeks.
It was only when he got invited
to visit the Alvarado Spanish Church
that Edgardo learned that this man, Sergio Rodriguez, was a pastor.
“I come from an Adventist family,” Edgardo remembered. “I
even studied at Montemorelos University [in Mexico]. I went to
church on and off all of my life, but I didn’t want to give up my
lifestyle. You need to be completely committed, so I had never been
baptized.”
But as he and Pastor Sergio became friends, the pastor invited
him to come to the local men’s retreat that he was planning for his
district. The retreat changed Edgardo’s life. “During the retreat,
I felt like I was touched by the Holy Spirit,” he explained. He
felt inspired by the preaching and especially the comradery that
developed among the men.
“He valued the togetherness, the ‘man’ questions that were
answered,” he remembered. “In a group setting you lose your
inhibitions because you know that these men are dealing with the
same things you are.” At the retreat, Edgardo decided to commit
himself completely to God and be baptized.
When his wife saw the amount of his first tithe check, she was
not happy, but he would not budge in his commitment to God. Now
through his witness, she has begun attending church with him and
studying the Bible.
Brotherly love
Luis had never had much of a relationship with his brother. They
were several years and many miles apart. But after making some
poor decisions and falling on hard times, Luis received a call
from his brother, Pastor Sergio, inviting him to make the trip from
Providence, Rhode Island, to Texas for his district’s men’s retreat.
“I wasn’t in search of God,” Luis remembered. “But I was able
to meet God. My life has been different ever since.” Through the
messages of Pastor Andres Portes, Luis realized that he was not
living out God’s plans for his life.
RESHAPES
men’s lives
By ryan Teller
One of the many friends Luis made that weekend was a 17year-old young man. “Throughout the whole retreat we related to
each other,” he explained. “I came from a different background, but
I could see myself reflecting in him – he was dealing with a lot of
the same issues [that I had]. I was able to give him a lot of different
advice to stay clear of mistakes that I had made myself.”
Luis also rekindled the relationship with his brother. “We didn’t
really have a relationship before,” he explained. “Now I’ve gotten to
know him also. God is our common denominator.”
The Texas Conference Hispanic Department is planning a Texas
Conference wide Spanish Men’s Retreat for April 25-27 at the
Salvation Army Camp in Midlothian, Texas. For information or to
register, please contact Sofia Fuentes of the Hispanic Ministries
Department at 817-790-2255 ext.106 or [email protected].
“It was a great experience; not only did I learn, but I was able
to be a witness to others,” said Luis of his experience at the men’s
retreat. “I was living my life, but I was empty. When I came back, it
was like a light switch – life had more meaning.”
Abril 25-27,
2008
Midlothian,
Texas
817-790-2255
ext. 106
¡Regístrese
ahora!
THE FLAME
5
IT’S NOT THE AMOUNT
THAT counTs,
Faithfulness
IT’S YOUR
TO

of corporate giving can be a powerful force for good. “I went
to Southwestern Adventist [College, at the time], and one of the
principles that I learned in accounting is if you take small amounts
and you systematically do something with it all the time, the returns
can be much bigger than if you do a large amount all at once,” he
explained. He has seen this idea played out in the church.
Over the years he has seen the “Lamb’s Offering,” an offering
typically picked up by children before the children’s story, grow to
nearly $40 a week. This money funds Vacation Bible School and
other outreach activities. “Emphasize to a child to give even nickels
dimes and quarters to the Lord. Jesus took just a few loaves and
multiplied it beyond measure. God does the same with our money.”
Paul, an accountant by trade, has noticed over the years that
giving goes up when special projects are presented, but doesn’t
By ryan Teller
What happens to the money i put in the Tithe envelope?
R
6
FALL 2007
Date_______________________
ate_______________________ ID #_____________
Name_____________________________________
Address____________________________________
City_______________________St______Zip_______
Church_____________________________________
Church______________________________________
TOitheffering
s
G
andLove
to od
CONFERENCE
LOCAL
Tithe (10% of Income)..........................80 $_________
_________
Local Church Budget.................102 $_________
_________
Building Fund................................ 904 $_________
_________
______________________________ $_________
_________
Texas Vision..................................82.14 $_________
_________
Texas Education Fund........................82.41 $_________
_________
Ingathering-Texas ACS (Solicited).......82.38 $_________
_________
Ingathering-Texas ACS (Personal).......82.39 $_________
_________
Today’s Special Offering.......................... $_________
_________
______________________________ $_________
_________
WORLD
stewardship. “We show our loyalty to God through tithing,” he
explained, “but we manifest our love for Him in offerings. Offerings
are not required, but given freely.”
In the time of Moses, God set up the tithing principles to support
the work of the priests in the tabernacle so they could devote
themselves full time to ministry. Today, the Seventh-day Adventist
Church follows a similar principle. The tithe given at the local
church is passed on to the conference, which uses the vast majority
to pay the salaries of pastors who lead the local churches. Because
of the shared tithing concept, all the money goes to the Texas
Conference where it is then paid out to pastors on an equal basis.
That way, the pastor who has three or four small churches gets paid
the same amount as the senior pastor of a large church.
“I wish more people understood that the ten percent tithe is what
we return to God – that is what He requires of us,” Raul said. “But
the offering is what makes the local church run. The local church is
what makes a difference in the community. In order for the church
to function, it must be funded by offerings.”
However, all ministries in the local church are funded by another
line item on the tithe envelope – church budget. This falls under the
category of offerings – separate from tithe. Without church budget
funds, a church can’t afford to pay the electric bill, pay the phone
bill, cut the grass, buy Sabbath school materials, or any of the other
things that a local church does.
Paul King, the treasurer of the Desoto Church, a congregation
that sees about 100 in attendance each week, feels that the idea
Texas Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists
Mission Budget...........................81.12
SPECIAL
aul Ruiz stared at the letter in his hand, a knot
tightening in the pit of his stomach. He could barely
bring himself to read what he already knew was
written there. Things had been tough since he opened his quick
lube business. He had gotten further and further behind on both the
business bills and his personal obligations. Now, after not making
his mortgage payment for three months, his bank was
giving him one week to catch up on his payments or take
foreclosure.
He had no extra money. He was behind on other bills. But he had
always been very deliberate about paying his tithes and offerings.
The friends who had introduced him to the Adventist message
years before had taught him the importance of giving back to God
not only in word, but in example. Raul was deeply impressed by
their faithfulness and determined that he, too, would always give
faithfully to God. He had continued to do that even in the recent
tough times, and now things looked pretty bleak.
That Friday a freak, out-of-season thunderstorm descended upon
their home, significantly damaging the roof. A call to the insurance
company on Monday revealed that the damage was not covered
under his homeowner’s policy. Could things get any worse?
The next Tuesday, two days before his back mortgage payment
was due, Raul got another call from the insurance company.
“Uh, we made a mistake,” said the voice on the other end. “How
much money do you need and how soon do you need it?”
“I need the money tomorrow!” Raul replied excitedly. A
representative came from the company and personally handed him
a check the next day. Raul was not only able to catch up on his
mortgage, but also by doing the work himself, had enough money
left to repair the roof.
This is just one of the many times that Raul, who now serves as
the treasurer of the Grand Prairie Spanish Church, has seen God
work in his life through the years.
“These are just material things that are not important,” he
stresses. “The important part is that offerings fund the work of the
local church.”
Twenty years of faithfully giving to God – 10 percent tithe and
10 percent in offerings, has taught him valuable lessons about
discount the importance of giving regularly to the church budget.
Each year he and the church leadership have to look at giving trends
and decide how to allocate funds over the coming year, based on
how much they expect to take in. This can be problematic if giving
patterns change unexpectedly. It might at times be hard for the
church to pay the light bill.
“God expects us to open our hands willingly, even if it’s hard
sometimes,” said Paul. “I don’t try to pressure people; I just want
them to understand what God is willing to do for you if you open
your whole life to Him.”
“I’m happy to give offerings because it reminds me that Jesus is
coming soon,” explains Raul. “The offerings not only funds local
church needs, but also missionaries and ministries that are spreading
the gospel.”
Ing. Hope for Humanity (Solicited)......81.27 $_________
_________
Ing. Hope for Humanity (Personal)......81.26 $_________
_________
______________________________ $_________
_________
$_________
_________
______________________________ $_________
_________
CASH CHECK #_______________ TOTAL ENCLOSED $________
________
Have you remembered God’s church in your will?
For information contact Trust Services Department
(817) 783-2223
TiThe: This money is sent to the Texas Conference. Of that, the
Conference keeps 75% and sends 25% to the Union, Division and World
Headquarters. This money is used for operations and mission, etc. Here
is a breakdown of how the Conference uses the funds:
Local Church - 53%
Supports current and retired pastors and evangelists
TITHE
Departmental - 10%
Funds staff and ministries of the Conference
Education - 27%
Funds a portion of teacher’s salaries and SWAU
Administrative Costs - 10%
Operations of the Conference office
CHURCH
BUDGET
TEXAS
VISION
church BudGeT: This money funds the operations and outreach of
your local church including:
- School Subsidy
- Utilities
- Mortgage
- Office expenses
- Local Evangelism
- Sabbath School
- Insurances
- Any other local projects
TeXas vision: This offering goes to the following Texas Conference
Projects:
1/3 - Academies
1/3 - Church Building Projects
1/3 - Evangelism
MISSION
BUDGET
mission BudGeT: Seventy-five percent of this offering goes to
support divisions and institutions outside North America. Twenty-five
percent is allocated to various entities listed on the tithe envelope under
mission budget.
inGaTherinG: In Texas, Ingathering Funds go to support the Texas
Adventist Community Services and Disaster Response operations. Hope for
Humanity funds many projects, 80% of which benifit children. Half of these
funds revert directly back to the Conference for community services.
INGATHERING
THE FLAME
7
WITH A MISSION
By Kristina pascual
In Corpus Christi, Daniel began to get into the rhythm of things,
am skilled, I have a gift. Soccer is my passion, my future,”
getting up extra early, taking turns cooking for the group and
thought Daniel. “But this just isn’t right anymore.” The
working the daily routes assigned to him for canvassing. It was
decision burned inside of him. The thought of the effect it
amidst all the busyness he began to depend completely on God. His
would have on his life.
morning devotions played a significant role in assuring him of God’s
Since the age of six, soccer has been this Colombian teen’s
presence, as did constant prayer.
obsession. Still attending church on Sabbath, Daniel tried to satisfy
His relationship with Christ continued to grow, and so did his
both his Adventist world and his soccer world. “I would go to
determination to finish the program well, despite some setbacks. In
church, and then go play my soccer games,” he explains. “Or it
the last days of the program, Daniel looked back and realized he had
would be the opposite. I would go play, take clothes, then change
learned some serious lessons about dealing with rejection and made
and go to church.” He continued the habit of playing on Saturdays
strong friendships that reinforced his spiritual walk. Both would
even when he moved to the United States in 2004.
have an effect on him when he returned home.
The Rojas family moved to the small university town of Keene,
Once back at Keene High School, he was different. He carried
Texas. As they settled into their new home, Daniel and his brother
his Bible to class because he had learned to have his morning
began to yearn for soccer. Daniel joined the Texas Lightning Soccer
devotions regularly. His
Club in the nearby Dallas-Ft. Worth
friends noticed a change
area and received a full scholarship
“if i had To choose BeTWeen soccer and
in him. They didn’t like
to play for the entire year, still
canvassinG, i’d choose canvassinG.
this better behaved side
playing regularly on Sabbath.
Last year, Daniel’s team was
soccer isn’T GoinG To GeT me inTo heaven.” of Daniel. He began
to feel their rejection.
invited to play in Brazil for three
Meanwhile, his family
weeks. He received a sponsorship
had also noticed a difference in Daniel.
that allowed him to make the trip with all his costs covered.
A few weeks later, “Sabbath” was the topic of study in Sabbath
Professional soccer was his aim and his skills allowed for the right
School. Daniel was in the off-season for soccer at the time. In the
doors to open for him. One month before the soccer tour in Brazil,
back of his mind he was prepared to play soccer on Saturdays. It
however, Daniel’s church invited the young people to sell Adventist
was, after all, his passion, but the topic got him thinking. Playing
books in Corpus Christi during Christmas break. He was slightly
soccer games on Sabbath was not
interested and briefly discussed the trip with Jonathan Belew, one
honoring God. Later that week he
of the organizers. Pushing the idea to the back of his mind, he only
ran into a canvassing friend. He
considered the extra cash it would mean in his pocket.
confided to her his Sabbath
Daniel went to play soccer in Brazil as scheduled. A few months
struggle. As they discussed
went by and he forgot all about canvassing. One Sabbath, Jonathan
it, he felt that the right thing
ran into Daniel at church and pulled him aside, reminding him that
to do would be to observe the
the preparation meetings for canvassing began the next day. Daniel
Sabbath. That meant he could
decided there was no harm in checking out the meetings and spent
no longer play soccer.
Sunday morning learning about the canvassing plans. Surprisingly,
After the sermon, he made up his
he became very interested.
mind and headed home to tell his family
He told his parents he’d like to spend his Christmas break
about his decision. “You have to do it. You have to make a change,
canvassing in Corpus Christi. His parents were surprised, but when
because if not, everything that you go through is in vain.” Daniel
they saw he was actually serious, they told him it would be his
thought to himself. He prayed for strength to tell his father he would
decision.
be abandoning his dream of playing professional soccer. His family
In preparation for the trip, he studied the material in addition to
had invested time and effort in Daniel’s soccer and telling them
his school work, so that he would have a good grasp of the content
would not be easy.
of the books he was supposed to sell. Daniel knew he would have
“I don’t want to play soccer on Saturdays anymore. I want to
to eat only vegetarian food, shower in gyms and have to respect a
stop,” he told his father. His father turned away, the disappointment
curfew, all new experiences.
8
FALL 2007
“I
on his face unhidden. “If that’s your decision. Fine.”
Daniel retreated to his room, but his mother followed.
“What about everyone who has invested in you? What about all
the help you’ve received?” she asked.
His decision would affect many people. How would he tell his
coach? He took a walk to think and pray. Friends rejected him at
school. His family was confused and disappointed. He was the only
one content with his decision. He felt alone. He called one of his
canvassing friends who assured him he was not alone. God was
always with him and he had other friends who would support him.
Then, an encouraging call came from his cousin, a theology
major at Southern Adventist University. Daniel hadn’t spoken
to him in a while. As the two chatted, Daniel decided he would
stand firm and tackle the resistance with love and patience.
Daniel’s coach listened as he explained that he couldn’t
play soccer anymore. He had to honor God first and
foremost.
“I don’t
understand
your
decision,
but I need
you on this
team. Please
consider
playing the games
that are not on Saturday,”
was the coach’s surprising
response.
Daniel has a bright
future ahead of him and
he is constantly growing
in Christ. He is actively
involved at the Keene
Spanish Church and has
shared his testimony at
different churches on
several occasions.
Daniel has
given his
talents to the Lord and has made it his mission to
bring other youth to Christ. He is a witness at
home, school and on the field. His patience
and love have softened up the hearts of those
around him. His family and friends now
understand what motivates Daniel and
are supportive of his decisions.
God allows us opportunities in
which we must choose to follow
Him faithfully. Although some
may require sacrifices, the
Lord provides and gives
us the desires of our
hearts, according to his
will.
THE FLAME
9
The
Woodlands
By Ryan Teller
The recently formed company in
The Woodlands uses a variety of
methods to reach this upscale
community.
E
vangelist Jack DuBosque smiled as the Sweet Tomatoes
Restaurant began to fill with people. Nearly 30 people
showed up that night – each bringing a friend. Jack
challenged the church members to bring at least one friend to hear
the opening night’s presentation at Sweet Tomatoes and he would
pick up the tab. “We had more than 60 people that night,” he
remembered. “Half of them were visitors.”
Many of them stayed through the meetings and at the end, six
new members joined a group from the Houston Northwest Church
to form The Woodlands Church Plant. And while Northwest
Pastor Paul LeBlanc is their pastor, the new congregation had
to be largely self-sufficient – the large Houston Northwest
Church still commands most of his time.
Drumming Up Bible Studies
Houston Northwest member Jon Dameron had been taking
every ministry-training course he could find in an effort to
be of service to God and to his church. When he learned of
plans to plant a church, he threw himself whole heartedly into
preparations for the evangelistic meeting, including helping
Pastor Jack with
setup and all the
technical details.
Jon was elected
as one of the new
group leaders,
along with David
Pershall and Ken
Nelson. As a
postal carrier in a
commercial area
of town, Jon sees a lot of people each day, and he often has
the opportunity to befriend and then witness to them. Soon
he had several people who wanted Bible studies, so he went
to Pastor Paul. “I’ve got all these people who want Bible
studies,” he explained, “but I don’t know how to give a Bible
study.”
Pastor Paul gave him a set of Encounter Cards that lead
participants step by step through the Bible researching basic
questions and answers. “It lets people find simple Bible
answers for themselves,” Jon explained. He was so excited
about the effectiveness of the cards that he started a study
group on Friday nights to train other members on the use of
these cards.
10
FALL 2007
Small Groups Provide Safe Route To Church
One day on his mail route, a secretary handed him a big handful of
loose mail. “Don’t you bundle your mail?” Jon asked. He proceeded
to show her the engraved notice on the mailbox stating that all
bundled mail must be bound by a rubber band.
“I guess I missed that,” she replied.
“Hope you don’t miss God’s writing,” he replied.
“Oh you mean the ten commandments,” she said knowingly.
“Those are so hard to understand and keep.”
So the two struck up a friendship and the woman requested Bible
studies. She invited all her family and friends and soon the Bible
study also became a small group.
“Bringing people into these small groups is the best way to start
building relationships with people and show people the love of
Jesus,” Jon explained.
Some people have
started attending
church through his
small groups. And he
immediately involves
them in the life of the
church. “I like to get the
new people involved,”
he explained. “I got one
new member to sing
with the praise team.”
Jon Dameron(above) along
with the other lay leaders,
shoulders the Leadership
load at The Woodlands.
Reaching the
Community
Because The
Woodlands is
a very affluent
area with an
average household income of $165,000, the group realized that
many traditional community service outreach models would not
work for their church. “Nobody here is really in need,” explained
church leader Ken Nelson. “One of the things that has a large
impact on affluent people is that they don’t take time to take care of
themselves. Some of them need to stop and listen to their doctors
and make lifestyle changes. We figured this was the best way to
make an entering wedge into the community.”
So, led by member Nancy Matos, the church launched the
Coronary Health Improvement Program (or CHIP) with a booth at
The Woodlands Health Fair on November 3. It’s being followed
by regular seminars for the next several months, involving health
lectures and cooking demonstrations that help lead people to
lifestyle change. The group plans to culminate the program with an
evangelistic series.
God Spoke to Him
The original six baptized members have been joined by still more.
One of the new baptisms, Conrad Diozon, had no use for God
before he attended Pastor Jack’s evangelistic meetings. Even though
years before he had promised God that if he and his wife would
have children, he would join the church, he went back on his word
and continued in his atheistic belief system. Now 17 years later, his
wife dragged him to that first meeting at Sweet Tomatoes. He didn’t
believe the sermons and at times made fun of the preaching, but
continued to attend with his wife until he got up one morning and
experienced what can only be described as a vision from God.
Throughout the morning, God showed Conrad how He had
worked in his life and showed him proof of His existence. That
day his life was changed. He shared his experience that night at the
evangelistic meeting and brought a co-worker with whom he had
shared his experience. At the end of the meetings, Conrad and his
wife were baptized.
Lay Leadership
On October 20, the group was organized into a company – the next
step toward becoming a full-fledged church. Through the efforts of
the members in concert with the Holy Spirit, the group has grown to
more than 50 attending each Sabbath.
Ken Nelson believes that not having a full-time pastor has
been positive for the group. “When people are working together,
you have a bond that is much more solid than just showing up on
Sabbath morning,” he explained. “It forces people to use their gifts –
it puts people in ministry. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing.”
Pastor Paul taught “Preaching 101”. Now a variety of people in
the congregation handle the preaching duties each week. Three lay
leaders handle the operation of the church since Pastor Paul can only
be there once each month.
Jon agreed. “We want to teach the church to be lay led so we’re
not dependant on a pastor,” he explained. “After that we want to
plant more churches to do the same.”
Ken likens this model to that used in the early Adventist church.
“If we can take care of ourselves, then Pastor Paul can make more
effective use of his time and talents by planting another church.”
If you are interested in finding out more about church planting,
please call Tom Evans, Texas Church Planting Director, at 817-7902255 ext. 141, or email [email protected].
On Becoming a CHURCH…
The Texas Conference has put in place requirements that a group
must meet before becoming a company and then a church. These
requirements may be more stringent than those at other conferences’
requirements, but we have found they are necessary to insure the
success of a congregation.
◙ Requirements for obtaining COMPANY STATUS in the Texas Conference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
30 baptized members.
30 or more average attendance for the previous three months.
$25,000 in projected annual tithe.
Date set to complete the Natural Church Development (NCD) survey. This is an indicator of church health.
Date set for review with church planting director.
Assigned pastor or pastor-coach if group is lay led.
◙ Requirements for obtaining CHURCH STATUS in the Texas
Conference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
55 baptized members.
60 or more average attendance for previous 3 months.
10 or more individuals have joined by baptism or profession of faith since the company was organized.
Company has held at least one public evangelistic series.
$50,000 in projected annual tithe.
Treasurer has completed certification process with the Texas Conference Treasury Department.
Completion of the Natural Church Development survey with minimum average score of 50. The Conference will cover the cost of the first survey.
The voted commitment to a supportive (meaning subsidizing groups of children to attend church school) or constituent relationship (which includes monthly financial subsidy) with an Adventist church school. If the church is
located beyond 45 miles or a 45-minute drive of an established school, a monthly financial subsidy should still be a part of the local budget for an agreed upon monthly school project with the Conference.
Completion of a review with the conference church planting director or another designated individual.
Assigned pastor or pastor-coach if the church is lay led.
Resources:
Encounter Cards are available from AdventSource at
www.adventsource.org or by calling 800.328.0525.
Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP):
more information is available at www.adventistchip.com.
THE FLAME
11
THE
A
GRE T
Freedom
Behind Bars
DVENT MOVEMENT
Texas Conference staff move around the conference
■ David Amador is the new pastor of the Mesquite Spanish and
Dallas Spanish East churches. He most recently pastored the
Brownsville and San Benito English Churches.
By Fred Snell, Lay Pastor of the Bastrop Church
■ K. C. Anyalebechi is the new pastor of the Galveston Church. He
recently graduated from Southern Adventist University.
S
he could feel the pain, the longing for a better life as she read
each letter. For each writer the story was so different yet so
much the same – a life of bad choices which culminated in a
desperate desire to know Christ. As Dixie Patterson read one letter
after another sent to the Bastrop Discover Bible School, the message
of each prisoner was clear: “Give me the Bible.”
“Pastor Fred, read this one,” Dixie said. As I read, the blessings,
prayers and praise began to flow through me.
Bill* wrote, “I want to thank you for the wonderful Bible studies
that you and the Discover Bible School have been sending me. And
I also have not thanked you for the beautiful Bible that was sent to
me.” While these words were good to hear, Bill’s next words made
it all worth the time, prayers and funds. He said “I use it and read it
daily and nightly.” These words were a springboard for the church
to decide to begin sending Bibles into the prisons when a prisoner
returned his or her third answer sheet and a request for a large print
Bible.
The words of John 8:32 became the heart of the Discover Bible
School – “You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
(NIV) God’s Word began to be shared through this man’s faith and
studies with other prisoners. We encouraged him to make John 17:3
his testimony – “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
As Bill witnessed, more prisoners wanted the studies. Then he
began to write and call his wife, Debbie* who was in another prison
to tell her the wonderful news of the Savior. We received a letter
at the Discover Bible School from Debbie. “I want the same thing
that has changed my husband,” she wrote. “He prays for us and
our family. Please send me those lessons.” We did, and she began
spreading the news as she studied. As Bill signed up other prisoners,
Debbie was doing the same. This family allowed themselves to
be changed by the word of God. They plan to attend an Adventist
Church when they get out of prison, but as he says, “I am already
free within.”
Another letter came from a father who lives in Houston. “I
just want to thank you. My oldest son is in prison and he is using
the studies you provide,” this father wrote. “He was especially
thankful for the beautiful Bible you sent. His whole talk is different.
He prayed for me and the family over the phone. Please, if your
message can change him, can you send the studies to my younger
12
FALL 2007
son along with a Bible? Please send me and my wife the studies,
too.”
As Sister Patterson reads and answers letters, her soul is
refreshed. She has organized the letters and studies, and will
be leading out in training for the whole Bastrop church in the
participation of this ministry. Already, Sister Patterson has recruited
Delma Ramos to assist in the Spanish ministry because we are also
sending out a number of Spanish lessons.
How can a small church like 60-member Bastrop serve several
prisons with the life changing message of God’s love? The Alpha
Adventist Church in Austin would visit an Austin prison every
other Sabbath afternoon. While visiting the Bastrop church, Alpha
member Lois Robinson asked the church for materials to give to the
prisoners. The Bastrop church maintains three Signs of the Times
magazine racks and they had just received the next delivery of the
Signs. In the back of each magazine, information about the Discover
Bible School is stamped before they are placed in the racks. We
could only surmise this was the spark that started God’s Word
to flourish. God’s Word jumped from the prison in Austin to the
Conroe prison to the women’s prison in Dayton.
Currently 197 prisoners, (of which 79 are women), in these three
prisons are taking the studies with more names coming in each day.
While the church has sent each of them a Bible, there are more
requests coming in each day. One of the students who had been
taking the lessons began a study group. She then had all sixteen of
the women in the group request their own studies and Bibles.
One prisoner asked for prayer for his parents. The church had
special prayer for them. When we mentioned that we had a prayer
for them on Sabbath, he wrote back with remarkable news. They
were not only doing well, but their relationship with him was better.
He is attending the outreach the Austin Alpha church is conducting.
I could fill this magazine with story after story of God’s wonderful
working in the lives of these prisoners. But the Bastrop church is
having a hard time keeping up with the Bible requests. If you have
large print New King James Bibles and wonder what to do with
them, please send them. We also can buy them for $10 each.
The prisoners are searching for something real. There are a
number of churches around Texas that run prison ministries. Are you
ready to reap the harvest?
■ Robert Beaty is now the Bible worker for Jack DuBosque’s
evangelistic team. He comes from Athens, Texas.
■ Edgar Chavez is the new pastor of the Galena Park Spanish
Church. He most recently pastored the Victoria and Beeville
District.
■ Bill Cork is the associate pastor for the Houston International
Church.
■ Pat Gregg is now serving as the associate pastor of the RuskElkhart District. He previously served as the Bible worker for Jack
DuBosque.
■ Karl Leukert is the pastor of the Jefferson Central Church. He is
from Marshall, Arkansas.
■ Chad Carlton will now pastor the San Marcos church in addition
to the New Braunfels Church. He most recently pastored New
Braunfels along with the San Antonio Northside and Philadelphia
churches.
■ Giovanni Marin is the new pastor of the Bryan College Station
and Waller District. He recently earned his M.Div degree from
Andrews University.
■ Wilson Montoya is the new pastor of the Victoria-Beeville
District. He most recently pastored the Mesquite Spanish and Dallas
Spanish East Churches.
■ Michael Shannon is the new pastor for the Laredo English
Company. He most recently served as the Bible worker for
Evangelist Ruben Rodriguez.
■ Michael Sulan is the pastor of the Mineola Church. He most
recently pastored in Southern California.
■ John Taylor is the pastor of the Jefferson Academy and MariettaNew Hope churches. He most recently served in the ArkansasLouisiana Conference.
*Not real names.
THE FLAME
13
R
U
O
D
E
V
A
S
D
O
HOW G
SCHOOL
By Ryan Teller
Corpus Christi area churches
commit to Adventist Education
for every member.
T
he Coastal Bend Adventist Junior Academy school
board faced a serious dilemma. They had already hired a
teacher for the 2007-2008 school year, but they only had
six students. Pastor Milton Adams had seen this before. “In my
experience,” he recounted, “the following year the school closes.”
With three constituent churches, Annaville, Corpus Christi Spanish,
and Corpus Christi Downing, the school board wanted to see their
school turn around and thrive.
So he recommended that the board try something he had done at
a previous church. “We’ve already paid the teacher no matter how
many students we have,” he explained. “Our costs will be the same
no matter what. It’s risky, but if there’s ever a time to try it, this
is the year.” The three churches then committed to promise their
members that finances would not keep any of their children out of
the school. “We weren’t promising free education, but if the parents
valued Adventist education, finances wouldn’t keep them out.”
The churches agreed and the school board set up a financial
review committee that would meet with each family that felt they
could not meet the $200 monthly tuition per child required to meet
the budget.
The pastor asked each family how much they could pay each
month towards the $200 tuition. “The churches are sacrificing to
provide a school for your children, and we trust that you will also
sacrifice so that together we can make this happen.” When they gave
a figure, whether it was $5 or $150, the committee agreed that this
would be their tuition and this amount was kept confidential. The
rest of the conversation would not change their child’s enrollment.
But they did creatively explore some additional possibilities.
“Do you have cable television?” Pastor Milton asked. “As, we
mentioned earlier, the churches are sacrificing for your child and we
would like to ask that you be willing to sacrifice by canceling the
cable subscription and adding that amount to your child’s tuition.”
Every family agreed to give up their cable television. “Not having
cable will help our teachers give your child a better education
because there will not be a conflicting value system competing for
your child’s attention.” the pastor explained.
The school now has 29 students and will gain two more in
January. The school room in the church was now too small. The
fellowship hall was quickly remodeled to accommodate the
expanded student body. Because of the additional enrollment, the
school was able to add a Kindergarten and Pre-K program. Now
one teacher wasn’t enough. So two parents volunteer as full-time
aides to assist the teacher, Marcy Tanner.
Alma Soyos attends the Corpus Christi Spanish Church. Last
year she enrolled her older son in first grade at a nearby public
school. But this year she chose to give up her cleaning jobs and
volunteer full time at the Adventist school where her now second
grade son and her Pre-K son attend.
“It’s been a big blessing,” she exclaimed. “We’re doing better,
we don’t need that money that I was making. Going to the
Christian school is helping my children get a better life.”
And her son appreciates it, too. Alma remembered her son’s
comment about his new school. “Last year I couldn’t tell
LUNCH IN THE
THE STUDENTS ENJOY
E CORPUS CHRISTI
FELLOWSHIP HALL OF TH
DOWNING CHURCH.
14
FALL 2007
my friends that I was
Christian,” he told his
mother. “This year I
don’t have to tell them.
Everybody knows. We
can share the Bible
stories.”
“That made me so
happy,” smiled Alma. “He
prays every day for his
Dad while he’s working.
I can see a real difference
in him.”
OF THE FELLOWSHIP
This wouldn’t happen
A CONVERTED SECTION
CHRISTI DOWNING
without the tireless efforts of
HALL AT THE CORPUS
the teacher, Marcy Tanner,
ORE SPACIOUS
CHURCH PROVIDES A M
the full-time volunteer aides
UDENTS.
and the many parents who
CLASSROOM FOR 30 ST
volunteer to do everything
from read to the children once a week to clean the classroom on a daily basis. “We have a
teacher who is committed.” explained Pastor Milton. “Even with the help of the volunteers,
she’s still responsible for all 29 students. I’m very proud of all of them.”
And how can the church afford to do this? The costs would have been the same with six
students or with 30. They still had to pay the teacher and the utilities. Now they have money
coming in for each family and God has made up the rest. “The Annaville church treasurer
was amazed,” explained Pastor Milton. “They are doing a lot better than we ever imagined.
Everything is being funded, and now the board is beginning a fund-raising campaign for a
school building.”
God’s blessing have come back to the church. “Downing’s combined budget was in the red
when I arrived 14 months ago,” explained the pastor. “Last I looked we had $68,000 in the bank,
have done $25,000 worth of facility remodeling and paid off the church mortgage.”
VOLUNTEER TEACHER
ALMA
SOYOS FOCUSES HER TIM
E ON
ISMAEL BALTRAN AND
THE REST
OF THE PRE-K CLASS.
With change has comes difficulty.
Not everyone has been supportive of the
changes at the church. But God blessed
when the school board decided to step out in faith and was willing to make money and politics a
non-issue. Now many parents are involved in the school and it has become an evangelistic focus
of the church. “We’ve been building a volunteer base,” Pastor Milton explained. “If it weren’t
for [everyone working and sacrificing together], this wouldn’t have happened.”
If you would like to learn more about Adventist Education, please contact the Texas
Conference Education Department at 817-790-2255 x135 or email [email protected]. Pastor
Milton can be reached at [email protected].
Sev en th -day
C on ne ctin g
Tex as
A dv en tis ts in
A publication for the members of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church in the
Texas Conference.
Texas conference
of seventh-day adventists
p.o. Box 800
alvarado, TX 76009
phone: (817) 790-2255
fax: (817) 783-5266
www.txsda.org
The flame sTaff
publisher ....................................... leighton holley
editor.....................................................ryan Teller
assistant editor ........................... Kristina pascual
Translation ................................... Kristina pascual
.............................................................Sofia Fuentes
layout designer..........................Tammy G. prieto
TeXas conference sTaff
president ....................................... leighton holley
secretary ............................................doug Kilcher
Treasurer................................................errol eder
vice president, hispanic ................... carlos craig
undertreasurer .......................................John page
associate Treasurer ........................... orville ortiz
associate Treasurer ................. radhames lizardo
association secretary.................mike doucoumes
association Treasurer ............... roger mekelburg
children’s ministries ............ margaret Taglavore
church planting ................................... Tom evans
communication ....................................ryan Teller
communication assistant........... Kristina pascual
community services ...............................Joe Watts
education ............................................ Bonnie eder
education associate ............................ John hopps
education associate ......................... darrell Beyer
education associate ........................ carol Bradley
evangelism ......................................... carlos craig
event planning ................ sheri Kongorski-denny
information Technology ......... richard Bankhead
iT associate............................................Zeb Worth
ministerial............................................ Gary Brady
print shop ..................................... mario ledezma
stewardship .......................................... Tom evans
Transportation.................................. rob Williams
Trust services .............................mike doucoumes
Trust assistant ................................. lynette ecord
Women’s ministries (english) ............lynn ripley
Women’s ministries (spanish) ..........sandy reyes
Women’s min. (shephardess) . Betty lynn holley
youth ministries ...............................Josue murillo
young adult ministries ................. lane campbell
The FLAME is a publication of inspiration and
education sent to all members of the Texas Conference
on a quarterly basis. It is our prayer that you will find
the stories in these pages inspiring and empowering
so that you can join in our great commission to share
the flame of Christ’s love with our mission field right
here in Texas. If you have questions or comments,
please email: [email protected].
THE FLAME
15
Non-profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Alvarado, TX
The FLAME
P.O. Box 800
Alvarado, TX 76009
THE
BACK PAGE
Permit No. 80
what’s happening around Texas
what’s happening around Texas
J
January
11-13
Central Texas Young Adult Event
Cedar Park Adventist Church
This young adult rally will start at 7 Friday evening
with a Cafe Renewal. Sabbath will be filled with
inspiration and networking activities. For more
info check out the young adult page at
www.texasadventist.org.
14-18
North American Division Youth Ministries
Leadership Summit - Dallas
Training and networking for anyone involved in
youth ministry leadership. The event will be at the
Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas. To register visit
www.adventistyouthministries.org.
25-29
SWAU Basketball Tournement
Southwestern Adventist University - Keene
Features teams from Adventist academies across the
Southwestern Union. For more info go to
www.swau.edu.
14-18
25-26
North American Division Young Adult
Leadership Summit - Dallas
Calling all young adults and those who minister
to them. The event will be at the Adams Mark Hotel
in Dallas. To register visit
www.adventistyouthministries.org.
Houston Young Adult Event
Gulfhaven Adventist Church
This young adult rally will start at 7 Friday evening
with a Cafe Renewal. Sabbath will be filled with
inspiration and networking activities. For more
info check out the young adult page at
www.texasadventist.org.
22-24
Southwest Chapter Adventist-laymen’s Services
and Industries (ASI) Convention - Ft. Worth
For all business owners and lay people passionate
about spreading the gospel to the world. The meeting
will be at the Ft. Worth First Adventist Church. For
more visit www.southwesternadventsit.org.
22-24
Pastor’s Wives Retreat - Dallas
For Texas Conference Pastor’s wives. To RSVP, email
Betty Lynne Holley at [email protected] before
January 10.
29-1
Austin Area Church Planting Rally
Austin First Adventist Church
Featuring guest speaker Rodney Mills in English and
Marshall Gonzales in Spanish, this event is for
everyone interested in planting a church. For
more info contact Tom Evans at [email protected].
F
February
2-3
14-17
Dallas-Ft. Worth Area Church Planting Rally
Grand Prairie Adventist Church
Inspiration and training for church planters and those
interesting in learning how to plant a church. For
more info contact Tom Evans at [email protected].
SWAU Secondary Music Festival
Southwestern Adventist University - Keene
Students from the university and various academies
will present a concet at the Morton H. Meyerson
Symphony Center in Dallas on Sunday, February
14th at 7:30 p.m.
To list an event, email [email protected]