A Tribute to Rev. J. T. Pugh

Bro. J. T. Pugh was a gentleman, a friend to many, a true christian, a pastor, a leader among men and a leader of men, an anointed teacher,  preacher, mentor, visionary, statesman, and ambassador who represented the kingdom of God in the most Christ-like manner. He was passionate about the work of God.  His work on earth is over, he has gone on to his eternal reward along with his precious wife of sixty-five years; however, the things he taught us will live on in our hearts forever. 

Bro. Pugh was General Home Missions Director of the UPCI for a number of years.  We appreciate his dedicated, loyal, and faithful service.

Jerry E. Powell


The following is from OA Online, Odessa, TX

It was the “for better or for worse day, in sickness and in health, till death do us part” day. March 23, 2010, was the day Jesse Truman Pugh Lived for. It was the day J.T. Pugh became a spiritual being and left the cares of life for the splendor of heaven. Bessie Byrl, his mate of 65 years, had told him the day before he left, “let’s go together.” Instead, she sat by his side as he made his journey into the land he had preached about, lived for and believed in since he was 12. As his last breath passed from his body, she led her family in prayer and then in the song that signified his life, “We’re part of the family, the family of God.”

Uncle Jay’s life began in Noble, La., Oct. 28, 1923, to an affluent farmer and his wife. He was the youngest of five and the only boy. Uncle Jay’s life (that’s how I knew him, but he was Dad, J.T., Papa, Pastor Pugh, Bro. Pugh) changed drastically when he was four. That’s when a tornado came through Noble and killed his father, Jesse Trulanzer Pugh.

General Conference of the Philippines - Report by David K. Bernard

The General Conference of the Philippines at the end of February was greatly blessed by God. It was held in Davao City, with over 7,000 people in attendance. At the last service, hundreds rushed to the altar. So many received the Holy Ghost that it was not possible to get an accurate count. There were several notable healings, including one man who rose out of a wheelchair. The UPC of the Philippines now has about 2,000 ministers; 5,000 churches and preaching points; and 300,000 constituents. Their goal is to grow to one million, and they are well on their way.


David K. Bernard

Anticipation Makes the Days Sweeter

The following is an excerpt from "The Finland Flashpoint," a newsletter published by the Mark Alphin family, deputizing missionaries to the country of Finland.  This article is written by their daughter Candace.

Do you remember when you were a child, and your birthday was appearing fast on the calendar? You would begin planning and plotting months before your birthday even happened. You would run to your mother, "Mom! My birthday! What are we going to do?!" Or you'd dash to your father, "Dad! What are we doing for my birthday? It's almost here!"

When "Go ye" becomes 'I'll Go'

Note!  The following was submitted by Bro. Jacob Palma at my request.  Bro. Palma was an AIMer to the country of Costa Rica in Central America.  He and his wife are now preparing to go and spend a year in the country of Uruguay, South America with missionaries Michael and Ivonne Walmer.  If you would like to make a financial contribution to help them complete their budget please contact me and I will put you in touch with them.  (Bro. Palma did not ask me to make this request).

Thank you,
Jerry E. Powell

I sat in the corner of small restaurant and watched a girl no older than 8 years old devour a stranger’s leftover chicken. Her tiny feet swung from the chair underneath the table. With a tortilla she gathered the scattered rice on her plate, while instructing her little brother what to do with the merchandise they sold outside. It didn’t take long for me to realize that these were street kids. Their clothes were torn and stretched, their skin was dirty and their hair was matted. They were only children, eating what paying customers didn’t finish.

NEWS Flash - Bomb Blasts in Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan 3.12.2010

There have been 5 bomb blasts here in Lahore within two hours, and another one just now. That makes a total of 8 bomb blasts today. We have been advised by Bro. Allan Shalm not to go out

EARTHQUAKES!

And great earthquakes shall be in divers (various; sundry; different) places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
~ Luke 21:10-12

A Visit to Fiji

I was asked to post some information about my recent trip to Fiji. Check out the new page "A Visit to Fiji in Dec. 2009."  Below is a short video clip of singing at the General Conference of Fiji in 2009.

Note!  Aug. 21st, 2010 - due to space requirements the above page "A Visit to Fiji" has been deleted.  I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Jerry E. Powell

CSI NEWS

Chile Update #4 - 3/6/2010

A Missionaries Commitment (read complete article) - this statement inserted by Jerry E. Powell.

Aftershocks and threats of tsunamis continue in Chile. Thursday evening an earthquake took place in Northern Chile which the scientists say is not related to the major earthquake experience last Saturday in South Central Chile. As people get desperate the curfew hours have lengthened making it almost impossible to get supplies, get them organized and into the hands of the people. Missionary Dan Barkley in Santiago has been busy with the churches there trying to get supplies bought and transported to areas affected. A normal trip to Concepcion where the Hayes are takes 5 hours; because of traffic, damaged roads and danger of travel it is taking a full day to make the round trip.

CSI NEWS

Chile Update #3 - 3/5/2010

Missionary Dan Barkley made it from Santiago to Concepcion with a van full of food for the Shane Hayes family.

Chilean Earthquake Update from Missionary Shane Hayes

Today at 10:25am (Thursday 2.4.2010)

We are at ground zero of the 8.8 earthquake in Concepcion, Chile. My neighbor is a seismologist and says that it registered here a 8.9. I have never felt something so terrifying in my life. We literally couldn't walk or run to our children's rooms, so we crawled. We literally watched the walls and floor twist and turn... Everything was crashing around us, I thought we were dead.

CSI News

Chile Update #1

3/2/2010

This morning I was able to have a conference call with South America Regional Director Darry Crossley and our missionaries in Chile, Daniel Barkley and Shane Hayes. The urgent need right now is for us to somehow get food and water to the Shane Hayes family and the saints in the Concepción area.

CSI (Compassion Services International) NEWS

Chile Update #2

3/2/2010

Per conversation with Bro. Barkley last night. By the time he was able to get gas and supplies it was too late to begin his trip south because of the imposed curfew. Entrance into Concepcion is closed between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

Earthquake Update - Chile

Chilean authorities extended an overnight curfew to midday Tuesday as thousands of troops struggled to contain out of control looting and crime in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

Despite the heavy military presence in the badly damaged city of Concepcion, looters burned stores and residents complained of deteriorating security and slow government delivery of food and other basic supplies. Soldiers fired teargas in efforts to restrict disorder.