August 2019 Newsletter
In Remembrance
It is with great saddness, and fond memories, that we remember Carl G. Conway (5/21/31 – 7/20/2019) of Temple, Oklahoma. He met his best friend face to face on July 20th and is enjoying the presence of our Heavenly Father. God blessed him with a wife who loved and worked with him in his ministry. He joined the I.F.G.E.A. in 1996. Brother Conway was a blessing to all who knew him. He will be missed not only for all the ways that he ministered to the I.F.G.E.A. but, for the love and testamony that he showed and shared with those around him. Please keep his family in your prayers for he will be deeply missed.
General Board Meeting
August 13, 2019 at 12:30 PM
The next General Board Meeting will be at Westside Full Gospel Church in White Settlement, Texas and I encourage all Ordained men and women to pray about becoming a board member. There is still a need for at least three more members and with the growing number of women ministers in our Association it would be nice to have them represented on the Board as well as the men.
There are matters to be discussed and decided on and I know that we all want God’s will to be done in our Association so please pray for this meeting that God will have His will be done. Also, ask God to keep the Board Members safe on their way to and from the meeting.
New Restroom Facilities
For those who were at this years Camp Meeting, you heard that we are raising funds for NEW Restroom facilities and that the offerings that were received, over the expenses, were going toward new construction. The last estimate that we got on new restrooms was about $10,000 just for the plumbing and that we would be the ones to build the rooms and finish them. We ask each one who reads this Newsletter to pray and ask God what He wants you to give to our building fund. The longer it takes to raise the funds for the plumbers the more it will cost. We need labor and funds donated if we are to have new restrooms by next June. Be sure and note on your donations that it is for the building fund.
We, at headquarters, were happy to hear from Sister M. Simmons about some restroom partitions (enough for three stalls in both the men’s and the women’s that have never been used or assembled) that we could have at NO cost except for us picking them up and moving them. Please ask God to bless her and the Ministry that donated them to us. Many thanks, Sister Simmons.
The Roving Pulpit visits with Rev. Patricia Bell
Christians make great leaders, whether a local clerk, City, State or National Leader; One may not be called or gifted to serve as a leader or political position in our nation; But, we are all called to Pray.
The Bible says: the fervent Prayer of a Righteous man, avails much. The Bible also states we should Pray one for another, for the Church body, our loved ones, and the lost; and for our Nation and Israel. There is always much to Pray for and about. Luke 18:1
I Timothy 2:1-3 Paraphrased: First of all, Prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for Kings, and for all that are in authority, that we made lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
When I was a small child in 1962, One woman in Washington DC, filed a Petition to have Prayer removed from ALL Public Schools; Because No-one else showed up for the hearing or contested her petition, she was granted the evil petition. Note: (When there is a hearing of any kind, and no-one contest what the Petition asks for, they will be granted the Petition what-ever the case or cause.)
So, when Christians sit idly by, and say we cannot get involved, we are basically saying, let them have whatever they ask for; when the Lord specifically said Proverbs 29:2 “when the Righteous are in authority, the people Rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.”
Scripture plainly tells us to Pray about Everything; and if the Righteous are going to rule; God’s people (you and I) will have to Vote for the best person possible and stand for God’s Word and Pray that the Righteous will rule and not sit by and let evil take over as in 1962 - no Christian showed up for the hearing.
Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness exalts a Nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
There is not always a Christian person who we can vote for; but we can choose the one who is willing to stand for Christians, even if they are not a Christian themselves.
A couple examples:
Daniel 2:48 Daniel was made a Leader, Chief of Governors over all Babylon. V49. Daniel then requested to the King, that the three Hebrew would be placed over the affairs of the Province of Babylon, but Daniel sat in the gate of the King. Wow! Praise the Lord: He took a stand and was promoted and then he promoted other Christians.
Joseph was made Governor, as the Lord promoted him and gave him Wisdom to give interpretation to Pharaoh's dream. Pray, God will give the Wisdom to stand before leaders and give you the Words to say.
Of course, David was made King, as God used him; Did you know the Bible says: Promotion comes from the Lord! Amen.
So this is why it troubles my Spirit and heart, when I hear a Christian say, we can’t get involved in politics. That is who sits by, doing nothing and allowing the wicked to rule. Then complaining rather than Praying and promoting a good person (even if not a Christian) who will stand for the Rights of the Bible and a Child of God.
James 5:16 The fervent Prayer of a Righteous man/person avails much. Pray for leaders and all in authority, that the Lord will put in the hearts of who the Lord wants to rule, and be in charge of His Children and Nation.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
August
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
Be sure and wish these fellow workers in the ministry field, a Happy Birthday. As we know, we all need a kind word every so often to keep our spirits up so we can do God’s work.
Jackson Bell (19), Eugenia Covey (2), Phillip Johnston (17), Tresten Ledford (29), Emilio Lomas (8), David McMichael (30), Donna Stephens (12), Donald Stepp (1), Jerry Wilkins (8), and Gary Wingrove (15)
The spouse of our ministers can use an encouraging word as well, so please be sure to let this supporter know that you are praying for her/him as well.
Carrie Conway (2), Vickie Gibbs (4), Ella Ross (13), and Eunice Wingrove (7)
We want to recognize those couples that are celebrating anniversaries this month with a special prayer on their day and maybe a kind word.
Jackson & Pat Bell (22), Thomas & Karen Charlebois (22), Daniel & Vickie Gibbs (31), Bill & Donna Hayes (17), Emilio & Trudy Lomas (15), David & Marle McMichael (30), Charles & Ella Ross (15), Marvin & Darlene Sawyer (1), and Odilia & Eppie Sintas (9)
Women of Worth/Helping Hands
The second annual Women’s Conference to be held in October at Sterling Full Gospel Church in Independence, Missouri on the 8th, 9th and 10th. Plan to be there, because the theme is “The Proverb’s 31 Woman.” If it is like last year’s conference you will be blessed. More information will be coming. A listing of lodging will be put in the next Express. If you want to reserve your room before September contact me at the address above and I will be glad to get the list to you sooner.
Does your church have a Women of Worth/Helping Hands group? Do you want one? Need information? Send your request to me and I will pass it on to Sister Lois Ruff and she will get in contact with you.
- NEWS FLASH -
Just heard, that we will be getting our second Women of Worth with Helping Hands group started this month.
Sterling Full Gospel
I heard from Brother Thomas Caffrey that his ministry, Still Waters, took the men from the Union City Missions on an outing to the lake for a time of fun, food and fellowship. I heard that this year’s outing to the lake was a big success. This is the second trip that Still Waters has sponsored. Brother Caffrey said it was better than last year and the video clip that Union City Missions posted to facebook last year shows Brother Caffery ministering the Word with the men.
Almost Renewal Time
Just a note to remind you to keep an eye on your mail, since the renewals are scheduled to be mailed out towards the end of the month. This would also be an excellent time to encourage or invite fellow ministers, that do not belong to another organization or association, to join with us. If you need Credential Applications and Constitution and By-Laws just request them from the Office.
A Word of Encouragement
WOW!!! What an awesome Camp Meeting that was, however it is now yesterday’s news. We must take what we received and go out and use it in our Daily Lives. We must all step further in doing God’s plan for our lives. We must study, pray, worship more. We must encourage, love and lift up others and never put them down. We must all be servants to one another. There is not one of us better than the other. We may not all be on the same level, we are not supposed to be, nevertheless, we all must love each other and do the work God has called us to do.
I am excited to hear about what God is doing in your ministry. I feel a stirring in the Spiritual atmosphere. I believe we are fixing to see a mighty moving of God, an experience in Him that we have never had before. We must be prayed up, read up and ready to go up.
God Bless You All.
Rev. Donna Stephens
General Board Members Needed
Brother Gary Wingrove along with the other Board Members would like our Association to be represented by a minimum of 6 to 8 board members. To reach that goal we would like for all Ordained Ministers that have been with us for at least two years to pray with an open heart and mind asking God this question, “Do you want me to become a Board Member of the IFGEA?” Then when God speaks, listen and then act on what God directs. Board Members can be men or women. We, the Association, need your support and prayers.