~Suriname News Flash - November 2011

Suriname News Flash

November 2011

Hello from the Rhoads family. Here are a few events from November.

November 10-13
The national conference of the United Pentecostal Church of Suriname took place in Paramaribo, the capital city. Below are a few highlights of the conference.

• Special guests, Pastor and Mrs. Kevin Prince, from Tyler, Texas
• Business meetings for national board and licensed ministers
• Leadership training sessions
• Three people filled with the Holy Ghost

November 19
Kristin celebrated her sixteenth birthday. (A belated Happy Birthday from the Western District Foreign Missions department)

November 25
Suriname celebrated the thirty-sixth anniversary of its independence.

November 27
The assistant pastor in Paramaribo baptized sixteen people at the central prison.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the church in Suriname.

The Rhoads Family
Missionaries to Suriname

Visit our web page at www.RhoadsMission.com

Follow us on Twitter at user name PhillipRhoads.

~Happy Thanksgiving 2011 from WD Foreign Missions

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Thank you everyone for your faithfulness and support in every area of giving...working together with God we can and will accomplish the work He has given us to do.

God bless all of you today as you celebrate 'Thanksgiving' with your family and friends...may God's continued blessing be upon you and your household as you serve Him.

"In all things give thanks..." - it doesn't mean that every thing that happens in our lives is good but that no matter what happens we will continue to praise and worship God and give Him thanks for His goodness, mercy and truth. "For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endureth to all generations."

Western District Foreign Missions Department

Michael Hanks, Director

John Thomas, Secretary

Jerry Powell, Promotion Director

Don Demyan, Director - Region One

Clayton Brown - Director - Region Two

John Thomas - Director - Region Three

Morgan Underwood, Honorary

~Missions Miracle in Nicaragua - Read How it has Happened!

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by Missionary Stephen Nix

It all started with two offerings!  In Bossier City there was a miraculous missions offering that was “looking” for just the right place to be invested in God’s Kingdom.  In Nicaragua, 150 pastors and wives were gathered together in the “Pastors and Wives Only” service during the Nicaraguan General Conference.  There was a need in the work, and an appeal was made to dig deep and give sacrificially.  All over the auditorium, precious men of God dug deep into their pockets and gave in a way that only the Lord could inspire.  In some cases, they gave money that they had planned to use to eat with on the way home … a trip that for some would mean eight to twelve hours on the road.  Regional Director John Hopkins began to lead the pastors and wives in worship as the offering was taken.  As they emptied their pockets to give, a mighty Spirit of rejoicing came over everyone present.  All over the auditorium, pastors and their wives came pouring out of their pews, and in front of the platform, began to dance before the Lord with all their might!  Some ran the aisles, others leaped up and down with the joy of the Holy Ghost, and various groups of ten or twelve pastors would link arms, forming a circle, and the circle would rotate as they jointly praised and worshipped the Lord of Lords and King of Kings … our Savior Jesus Christ!

As this awesome wave of the Spirit swept over the ministerial body of Nicaragua, and we worshipped with all our might, I borrowed Bro. Hopkins’ camera and captured a few moments of this unforgettable time of praise and rejoicing in the Spirit.  Sometime later, Pastor Jerry Dean of the Pentecostals of Bossier City was sharing the news of the victorious offering, wondering how to best use it.  Bro. Hopkins played the video clip of the Nicaraguan brethren worshipping after having given so sacrificially.  Something “clicked” and a bond was made with a people never met, yet known -- through the Name of Jesus and the power of his Holy Spirit that unites believers of like precious faith all over the world!  Bro. Hopkins shared that Missionary Supervisor Steve Nix and Nicaraguan UPC President Eduardo García had been praying for fifteen years for the Lord to bring to pass their vision for the Church to have a Bible School and National Offices on its own property.

From this conversation, the miracle for this vision began to unfold, and the William H. Dean Memorial Bible School Project was born!  The Bible School and National Offices of the United Pentecostal Church of Nicaragua would be a memorial in honor of a great man of God, Pastor Jerry Dean’s father.  While some miracles are instantaneous, others are a work in progress, which unfolds, little by little, exactly when the need is greatest.  The story of the project in Nicaragua is one of perseverance through a series of victories and sacrifices and one of an incredible commitment that has been ongoing and unwavering on behalf of the wonderful folks at POBC.  While it would have been exciting to wave a “magic wand” and watch everything leap into place overnight, this did not happen. What has happened, however, is that we have faced a series of events, challenges to be met, problems to be overcome, sacrifices to be made, and a whole lot of just plain hard WORK!  At every turn, God has provided and brought us through, and with each successive victory, He has taken us just a little further toward the end goal … dedication of the William H. Dean Memorial Building, and renewed Bible School operations.

~Suriname News Flash - October 2011

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October 2011

As someone once said, "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." We are definitely behind, as November is over half gone and we are just sending out our October update. Here it is, hopefully better late than never.

October 2
Back to School Sunday with special program and prayer for students.

October 5
Three people received the Holy Ghost at Open Door Group Gonggrijpstraat.

October 6
Happy birthday, Sandra! (And, a belated Happy Birthday from WD Foreign Missions)

October 9
One person received the Holy Ghost in Paramaribo.

October 11
Happy birthday, Phillip! (And, a belated Happy Birthday from WD Foreign Missions)

October 16
Leadership meeting for capital city church.

October 23
Assistant pastor preached in Paramaribo service. One person received the Holy Ghost.

October 28-30
Trip to Barbados for the Caribbean Conference of the United Pentecostal Church.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the church in Suriname.

The Rhoads Family
Missionaries to Suriname


Visit our web page at www.RhoadsMission.com.
Follow us on Twitter at user name PhillipRhoads.

~Kenneth F. Haney - A Word from J. Mark Jordan

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On December 8, 2009, I wrote this letter as a response to the administration of Kenneth Haney after eight years as General Superintendent.  Little did anyone know that we would attend his funeral less than two years later.  As I re-read this letter, I felt it said everything I would have said in a written farewell.  Hopefully, it will add something unique to the hundreds of other expressions that his passing has inspired. 

Dear Brother and Sister Haney, 

Leadership at the highest levels requires a special dispensation of the grace of God.  “All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.”  Of all the things will be said about both of you during your farewell season, this quote from John Kenneth Galbraith seems most appropriate to me.  Your ability to identify the major anxieties of our time, and the courage to address them, will forever define your place in the history of the United Pentecostal Church, International.  

Thank you for bringing integrity, transparency and kindness to the position you held.  Thank you for your determination not to politicize your office.  Thank you emphasizing a realistic approach to our operations, even though it necessitated difficult decisions.  Thank you for leading us again and again to unity and brotherly love, pouring in the oil and balm of healing.  Thank you for reminding us of our glorious oneness Pentecostal past, in both formal and informal ways while continuing to show us an even more glorious future that remains within our reach.  Your irrepressible optimism set the tone for the many leaders under your influence, like me, and you constantly gave us a sense of purpose in our collective vision. 

You accomplished all of the above without diminishing your ability to personally touch our lives.  You took the time to shake our hands, call our names, compliment us on our achievements and listen to our grievances.  You conducted yourself in your official capacity with exemplary humility, never showing the effects of any private burdens or difficulties of your own.  You accepted the will of the brethren as the will of God, and you demonstrated to us all tremendous grace and dignity as you relinquished your position to another. 

I am confident that you will venture into the next phase of your life and ministry with great faith, but there will be moments of reflection on the past eight years.  As you look back, always remember that you engaged in greatness, not pettiness; that you were a force for the positive, not the negative; and that you always chose the right way, not the convenient way.  You did not choose the climate or context of the times in which you were thrust into leadership, but you did not vacillate under the stress and demands of the circumstances.  Truly, you were brought to the kingdom for such a time as this.  

We are a better people, a better organization and we are better equipped because of your eight years at the helm of the United Pentecostal Church, International.  You have our undying gratitude. 

With great love and respect, 

J. Mark Jordan

*Note!  Reprinted with permission of the author, Bro. J. Mark Jordan.

~The Lord of the Harvest/Plan for World Evangelism - #8

Move On:

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:14).

To shake the dust off their feet was a Jewish custom. It was a visual to show the people that they had made the wrong choice. The opportunity to choose Christ may never be presented to them again. It let them know that the messenger was innocent of their blood. He had obeyed the Lord of the Harvest, fulfilled His task, and the results were in the hands of God and those that heard him. Shaking the dust off one’s feet was also symbolic to the preacher. It told him to keep moving and not to be discouraged.

It is easy to read this passage and the only thing that remains in our minds is the negative; to shake the dust off our feet and move on. But, look at the reverse impact of adhering to this master plan of evangelism. Through following its principles the gospel is taken to the whole world, the kingdom of God is expanded through evangelism, deepened through discipleship, new churches are planted in the most cost-effective manner, and souls are saved. These are all reasons for rejoicing and lifting one’s hands in praise, bending one’s knees in worship, and proclaiming God’s goodness. And that beats causing a little dust storm any day.

Jim Poitras, Director of Education/AIM for the UPCI Global Missions Department

*This is the last in a series of eight posts to complete the article

~The Lord of the Harvest/Plan for World Evangelism - #7

Provide:
“Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat” (Matthew 10:9-10).

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33).

The principles of God’s Word are very clear. If we take care of God’s business, He will take care of our business. God will provide. He will not forsake us. We walk by faith. Susan Fitkins said, “We never test the resources of God until we attempt the impossible for Him.” God has all we need and He will supply it to us (Philippians 4:19).

Inquire:
The messengers were to inquire or search for a place or person open to letting them stay there. Hopefully, in any and every town there is someone that will welcome the truth into his home and heart and will listen to the message and let it take hold in his life. Not everyone will be open and receptive. That is why, in missions, we refer to populations or people that are either receptive or resistant.

“And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10:11-13).

Gailyn Van Rheenen in Biblical Foundations and Missions explains “the world may be thought of as a giant orchard having many fields. Although some fields are ready for harvest, the husbandman is concerned about all fields, for their harvest will come in due time.” The Lord of the Harvest cares for the world and sends laborers out into the fields; everywhere and anywhere. People are like those fields. They go through times of readiness and resistance. She recommends that “the receptive should be harvested while they are open to the message and the resistant nurtured until they become receptive.”

Jim Poitras, Director of Education/AIM for the UPCI 

Global Missions Department

~Thai-Gram - Nov. 2011/Ed and Mary Simmons

Thai-Gram                        November 2011                                                                        Please continue to pray for Thailand as there is  much flooding taking place all over the country. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  There is a new page on our web site-New Life Bangkok  Please visit to learn about the capital city of Thailand  whose population is larger than 160 countries of the world. Click HERE New Life Bangkok to visit the page.                                                        _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ After General Conference we began our deputizing in the Oklahoma District. Had a wonderful time staying  with our previous Regional Director for Asia, Paul  Dennis. Brother and Sister Dennis were wonderful  hosts. I purchased Brother Dennis's new book at  General Conference and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the life of this apostolic minister/missionary. If you're looking for an inspirational and faith building  book, then I highly recommend, "Order My Steps".  You can go HERE to get more information. Paul Dennis & Ed Simmons Shirley Dennis & Mary Simmons Brother Nattapong passed away in his sleep at the Ladies' Conference last month in Thailand. Please remember his family in your prayers. He was one  of our dedicated and faithful pastors and a member of the Thai UPC General Board. The population of the city of Bangkok is larger than 160 countries in the world! Please add edandmarysimmons@aol.com to your email's contacts/address book. God bless each of you. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support, Ed & Mary Simmons Bangkok, Thailand Ed & Mary Simmons 8855 Dunn Rd. Hazelwood, MO 63042 USA edsimmons238@yahoo.com    Become a "PARTNER IN MISSIONS" with Us                 Visit Our Web Site Visit Thailand Bible School Web Site Visit ApostolicWeb.Com

~The Lord of the Harvest/Plan for World Evangelism - #6

Demonstrate:

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1).

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35).

A “power encounter” is a demonstration of God’s power and His acts. It manifests the power of God through answering immediate needs and (at times) through working signs, miracles, and wonders that will confirm the Word of God. These demonstrations may help people make a step of faith. They authenticate the message that has been preached. As signs they evoke awe and astonishment. As miracles they display supernatural power.

~K. F. Haney - A Tribute from the Stockton Record

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Bishop Kenneth F. Haney
Stockton, CA


STOCKTON - Bishop Kenneth F. Haney, a charismatic pastor and for three decades the driving force behind one of San Joaquin County's largest churches, died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 74.

Haney, pastor of Christian Life Center from 1972 to 2001, was responsible for launching several large ministries:

» Christian Life College, based on West Lane in Stockton.

» Fourteen satellite churches established throughout the county.

» Stockton Christian School, a kindergarten-through-high school campus, also based on West Lane.

» Christian Life Center, a 5,800-seat church at 4303 Christian Life Way in Stockton.

» KYCC, a 41,000-watt radio station founded at 10 watts.

The Pentecostal church grew rapidly under Haney's leadership, expanding first to its 9023 West Lane location in 1978 and then to its present site off Highway 99 in 2004. His son, Nathaniel Haney, has been pastor since 2001.

The church is best known around Northern California for its 24-hour Christian radio station, which began humbly in 1975 as KCJH. The listener-supported ministry was a Haney dream and originally named for his father, Clyde J. Haney, who helped found the original church in 1935. Renamed KYCC in 1999, today it has a network of stations and reaches listeners in five Western states.

"He was a man of great integrity and compassion," said the Rev. Janice Ivey Smith, 74, a 1988 graduate of the Bible college and today an associate pastor with the church. "People from all walks of life could identify with him and relate to him. He was such a kind-hearted person."

When he left the pulpit in Stockton 10 years ago, Haney and his wife, Joy, moved to St. Louis. He spent eight years traveling the world as the general superintendent of United Pentecostal Church International, which has 4 million members.

He retired to Stockton in 2010.

"Traveling internationally for our denomination didn't change him," Smith said. "He was a wonderful, kind and approachable person."

In the 1970s and '80s, Haney also was known for organizing citywide crusades and using the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium to stage them.

"He was the greatest Christian man I ever met," said Joy Haney, his wife of 50 years. "You meet few people in life who are so genuine and true. He was real. He was a selfless man and gave so much of himself."

Born on July 18, 1937, Kenneth Haney also is survived by his five children: Sherrie Moran, Nathaniel Haney, Elizabeth Shivers, Stephanie Montes and Angela Haney; 11 grandchildren; and three sisters.

His greatest accomplishment? The radio station? The huge church? The satellite ministries?

"He was so rewarded by the college alumni serving around the world," Joy Haney said. "From the college in Stockton, they are serving in almost every country around the world."

Bro. Kenneth Haney doing what he loved...preaching the Word of God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYtuLBt1izQ


- Kevin Parrish, the Stockton Record

*Note! Pictures, emphasis with font color, italics and bold are this editors and not part of the original article written by Mr. Kevin Parrish.

~The Lord of the Harvest/Plan for World Evangelism #5

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Call:

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1). Because there are lots of lost and only a few seekers, God calls. Entire lessons and books have been written on the subject of the call so we won’t linger with that. The thing to note here is to reiterate that for those He calls, He gives them power. He enables, equips, and empowers His workers to reap the harvest. A call birthed in prayer and fasting, releases spiritual authority and power.

Go:

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:5-7).

The obvious thing about being sent forth is that someone has to “go.” Jesus carefully directed them to the lost. They were to start with the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” His plan for evangelism started at home but eventually worked its way around the globe (Acts 1:8). They began in Jerusalem but didn’t stop there. It is always God’s plan to go the distance; to the uttermost parts of the earth. Someone has rightly said that the light that shines the furthest shines the brightest at home. Someone else quipped, “Don’t send a lamp to the mission field that will not burn at home.”

In reading this verse and verses that follow it, it is obvious that Jesus had a strategic, focused, plan.

Declare:

It wasn’t enough to just go. “As you go, preach.” We are to proclaim the good news of the gospel. The kingdom is at hand: it is drawing close to people and bringing them to a point of decision. This is called a “truth encounter” and should be an integral, pivotal part of every Gospel presentation.

Paul testified that he came “declaring unto you the testimony of God” but also in “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:1-4). Those two aspects of presenting Jesus Christ to a lost world work hand-in-hand.

~Veteran's Day 2011 - Honoring All Who Served...

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Thank a Veteran Today!

If you see a veteran today in an Airport, Mall, Restaurant or any number of places please thank them for their service to our country; buy them lunch or a cup of coffee as a small token of your appreciation for their commitment to the cause of 'Freedom.' Because of them and those who have gone before we live in "...the land of the free and home of the brave."


Thanks to all the veterans who are reading this blog post...we love and appreciate you! Thank you for your service to our great country.

~Farewell Bishop Kenneth F. Haney

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Bishop Kenneth F. Haney went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Viewing:
Wednesday, November 16th | 7PM - 9PM
9025 West Lane

Funeral:
Thursday, November 17th | 11AM
4303 Christian Life Way

All flowers can be sent to:
Christian Life Center
9025 West Lane | Stockton, CA 95210

Thoughts and tributes from 'Twitter.'


~Farewell to a great leader, whom I admired from a distance! - Shannon D. Stanley


KFHaney came to @pobc when we were building our FLC. He said to me, "If I were you I would pay an architect to draw up some floor plans for a bigger sanctuary and just see what happens. I said, "would u mind if I finished the FLC first?" He said, "You can do what you want, just telling you what I would do." He was a true visionary who never stopped visioning greater things! - Jerry L. Dean


Honor to Kenneth Haney! A man of vision and imagination who had a heart for bigger things. I will ever value my "one on one" times with him. - Carlton Coon


Thankful for men like @KFHaney who has shown my generation what it means to be a leader, visionary and most importantly, a Christian! - Andy Hines


Our love and prayers go out to the entire Haney family. Our beloved Bishop will be greatly missed! 
-Vickie Richardson


Greatly Saddened by the passing of Bishop @KFHaney His life, ministry & passion has impacted me & many others. Praying for the family. - Omar Jolly


Bishop Haney found me at a time where I needed direction. My course was forever changed. - Simeon Costa


Sad to hear of the passing of Bishop Haney. He was truly a wonderful leader & a visionary. Praying for the Haney family. - Robert Eaby


Mourning & celebrating the passing of Bishop Haney. Unparalleled in vision & purity of purpose. Oh, for a thread of his mantle to fall on me. - Darrell Johns


Bishop Haney led us with dignity, exited with poise and was translated to a much better place. Prayers for the Haney family. - R. Kent Smith


Saddened by the loss of Bishop Haney. A revivalist that was ahead of his times & a consummate Christian. Praying 4 the family & Joy L. Haney. - Kris Dillingham


Another elder is gone ! Lord have mercy this is happening to quick!!! Loved the bishop and the first lady Joy L. Haney. - Greg Godwin


Kenneth Haney- one of the greatest friends that The Gospel and The Great Commission ever had.
- Tim Mahoney


Saddened by the LOSS, but so inspired by the LIFE of @KFHaney. Grateful for the influence of his unparalled passion for Apostolic revival! - Shay Mann


We pray for the Haney family today. The loss of Bishop Haney will leave a tremendous void here on earth. Our loss is Heaven's gain! - Compassion Services International


Kenneth Haney: a true man of God who took the visionary step first & then thought about the cost; a life of sacrifice never 2 b forgotten. - Dannie Hood


Praying for the Haney family! - Darryl Freeman


1st time I met Bro Haney was in his office @ WEC, he talked with me like I was the most important person in the room. Thats just who he was. - Jay Teague


Saddened to hear of the passing of Kenneth Haney today. A great leader but an even greater man. Honored to know such a servant. Heavens gain. - ALJC Supt. Robert W. Martin


KFHaney RIP..."we have not many fathers..." You will be missed my friend! Prayers for the family.
- Robert Mitchell


KFHaney - He showed us how to grow a church to thousands, how to give millions, how to serve one Master. Thank you for the gift of example. - Aaron Soto


Will greatly miss my 'birthday-buddy' & former racquetball partner KFHaney ~ the visionary Gen Supt who led the UPCI into the 21st Century! - Art Hodges III


Death cannot kill what cannot die. Bishop Haney is more alive than he has ever been. - T. F. Tenny

KFHaney, JoyLHaney shedding tears this morning over the loss of a truly great man. Heaven's sounding sweeter... - Rhonda Hurst

We grieve the loss, heaven rejoices the gain, RIP Bishop Haney! - Scott D. Grant

In memory of Bishop @KFHaney: "Tears are a tribute to departed friends. For the body is sown in hope and resurrection seed must be watered." - Raymond Woodward

I'm sad we have lost a great leader in Bro Haney. He was an inspiration to all young ministers.

- Stanley O' Donnell

Bishop Haney has won the race and finished the course. - Tim Torres

My daddy the 5 star general is in heaven....His legacy will carry on. - Stephenie Haney Montes

Sad for me to hear of the passing of @KFHaney. A leaders' leader. Praying for the Haney family.

- Tim Gaddy

Praying for the @KFHaney family. - Nathan Harrod

Heart is heavy with the loss of our Bishop Kenneth Haney. Huge impact on my life and ministry... and thousands around the world! - Mark Hattabaugh

Praying for the Haney family this morning. May God comfort and strengthen them. - Doug Morgan

Rev. Kenneth Franklin Haney...rest in peace in the Arms of Jesus. You will forever be missed and dearly loved.

Please continue to PRAY for the family of Kenneth Franklin Haney who has "...finished his course."