Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church

Pastoral Newsletter for

September 2010

In Memory of

Saturnino Garcia

Dr. Saturnino P. Garcia (78), father of Pastors Ed and George Garcia and former General Superintendent of the Philippine Wesleyan Church, died Wednesday, August 18, 2010. Ordained to the Wesleyan ministry in 1963, he was a pastor, a district superintendent and in 1975, was elected General Superintendent. Upon his retirement in 1989, he became director of “2000 by 2000,” traveling to all Wesleyan mission fields to assist in reaching the goal of 2000 Wesleyan churches in world mission countries by the year 2000.

Dr. Garcia represented the Philippines as a delegate to four General Conferences of the Church and served as chairman, secretary, and member-at-large of the Wesleyan World Fellowship. In 1981, Indiana Wesleyan University honored him by conferring a doctor of divinity degree.  Dr. Garcia transferred his ordination to the Pacific Southwest District in 2001.

Dr. Jerry G. Pence, General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church said, “Dr. Garcia’s life and accomplishments tangibly displayed the transforming power of God’s sanctifying grace.  He remained a humble soul from humble beginnings while accomplishing great things for God.  We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for the pivotal role he played in the global expansion of The Wesleyan Church—from leading the development of the first Wesleyan General Conference beyond North America, to raising up an active generation of Filipino leaders passionate about biblical holiness.  He inspired hundreds of missionaries and indigenous leaders (to make disciples) and (to plant) churches in dozens of other countries around the world.  Although he has victoriously concluded his race, his example challenges us to renew our own devotion for spreading hope and holiness everywhere.”

Thrive

Workshops for all areas of Adult Ministry

Northern Zone Event: Sept. 11, 2010 at Riverside Wesleyan Church, Sacramento, CA

Eastern Zone Event: Sept. 25, 2010 at Foothills Community Church, Tucson, AZ

Thrive is a FREE, one day training event focusing on helping adult ministries in the local church.  It is open to pastors, assistant pastors and leading lay people working with adults. You’ll join a diverse team of leaders from within your zone who will teach you to create and staff irresistible adult ministry environments.  Workshops will focus on young adults, seniors, singles, small groups, Sunday school, discipleship and more.  Please let Mandy Hill know the names of those attending from your church – Mandypsw@aol.com or 619.660.0102.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Your prayers are requested for the pastors and ministries on our district.  This month please be in special prayer for the following:

Matthew Kelly is the son of Pastor Chris and Rudonna Kelly at our Summit Church in Oakley, CA.  Matthew continues to show progress in his rehabilitation.  Being at home is a great blessing to him as his family and therapists are able to minister to him.  His physical skills are improving; he is able to walk, run, and ride a bike again.  He is slowly regaining his memory and skills needed to be a student.    Matthew is preparing for the ministry – he is a dedicated young man and we are believing for his full recovery.  For further updates please visit the CaringBridge website at  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewrkelly.  Please remember him in prayer.

Carol Garlow serves on the staff of Skyline Wesleyan Church where her husband Jim is the senior pastor.  Over the past three years, you have prayed for Carol.  She is again undergoing chemotherapy.  She is having a difficult time tolerating this - please be in prayer for her complete healing.  For further updates please go to http://www.skylinechurch.org.

Titus Tsosie (age 17) is the son Darwin Tsosie, one of our Navajo pastors in Arizona.  Titus is home now using a wheelchair to get around.  He has no feeling or ability to move from the waist down.  Home life will not be easy because of the size of their home.  Also, the property and much of the reservation is not paved, which makes wheelchair usage very difficult.  The Navajo Nation is looking for a larger home for them to rent which can accommodate Titus and his special needs.  Please be prayer for this special need.

Marvin Dennis, pastor at Good Shepherd Wesleyan in Carson City, continues to need our prayers.  He has multiple health issues, including the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.  Please be in prayer for Pastor Marvin.

Ben Yazzie, pastor of Dineh Wesleyan Church in Keams Canyon, Arizona, continues to have dialysis three times a week.  His vision in his one good eye is gradually getting worse.  Please pray for Ben.

 

Belief+Behavior Workshop:

Connecting Belief & Behavior in Christ

Workshops for all ministry workers from the nursery to senior adults

Southern/Central Zone Event: Oct. 23, 2010 at El Camino Christian Fellowship, Encinitas, CA

The Spiritual Formation Department is working with each district to provide spiritual formation training and local workshops for leaders of every age group in church ministry, adult through children’s leaders.  Pastors, please bring your ministry leaders with you to get renewed with training from our SFD in Indiana.  Have all your leaders save the date on their calendars now. This is a free, one day training event that includes lunch, but registration is required to secure lunch reservations. 

Visitor Sensitivity Training Seminar in Los Angeles Area

The San Dimas Wesleyan Church will be hosting a “Visitor Sensitivity Training” mini-workshop on Saturday, September 18^th from 9am – noon.  It will be taught by Dr. Charles “Chip” Arn.  If you desire further information, please contact Pastor Tim Kirkes at the San Dimas Wesleyan Church, 125 East Gladstone Street, San Dimas, CA 91773.  Other contact information is 909.599.1603 telephone and tim.kirkes@sdwchurch.org – email.

District Web Site

The Pacific Southwest District has a web site containing valuable information and resources concerning the district and The Wesleyan Church.  To access the site, please go to www.wesleyanpsw.org.

District Wesleyan Missions Web Site

Joe Martin is our District Director of World Missions.  He has developed a great web site for ministerial as well as lay to visit and learn about our district’s Missions Program.  The web site is www.pswglobal.org

District Journal

The District Journal is now available by request from the district office.  The notebook that was distributed at district conference has everything in it that the district journal normally contains except for the actions at district conference.  If you desire to have a district journal mailed to you, please call the district office. 

Oklahoma Wesleyan University Visit 

Now is the time to begin thinking about how your church can promote and support our area university – Oklahoma Wesleyan University.  Please get a group together and visit the campus. 

The Pacific Southwest District has a travel scholarship available to assist a prospective student with expenses in visiting the campus.  The scholarship is $200.00 for the first visit to the campus.  The student must be in high school to receive the scholarship. 

Oklahoma Wesleyan University – an Update

FROM:  Everett Piper, President

Well - They are all here!!  We just finished New Student Orientation and we likewise have welcomed the returning students back to Oklahoma Wesleyan University and I am VERY excited to share the following news with you.

First, this is a record setting year on almost every measure.  Here are just a few of the "best ever" stats that God has provided -

1.  We have the highest new student enrollment ever in the history of the University at 226 new students (a 28% increase over last year!!!).

2.  We have the highest traditional campus enrollment ever in the history of the University with well over 520 students maxing out our campus facilities, residence halls etc!!  Note:  I don't have our total enrollment yet but I believe that it will approach about 1,200 students when we add all graduate, undergraduate, adult and traditional students together!

3.  We have the highest ever returning student retention rate at 86%!

4.  U.S. News and World Report has again ranked us in the Top Tier Regional Best category for Western Region baccalaureate granting colleges.  We actually moved up from number 9 in the entire western region last year to number 6 this year.  This is the best ranking ever for OKWU and one of the highest rankings in the nation for holiness colleges and universities.

5.  We are also ranked by U.S. News on their "Great School - Great Price" list.  This is the first time ever for OKWU and we were ranked number 7 in the Western Region in this category!

6.  Likewise OKWU is ranked as one of the schools with the highest proportion of classes under 20 students.  First time ever for the University to be so recognized!

7.  Finally, Forbes selected seven colleges in Oklahoma that they have labeled, "America's Best Colleges".  This year OKWU ranked #5 on the Forbes list. Again, only seven schools in all of Oklahoma were even mentioned.  So, just to make the list is a significant accomplishment.

We are off to a record breaking start in many ways and we are very grateful to God for his grace and to all of you for your support and loyalty in making this a time of celebration.

Ministerial Preparation Classes

Northern California Class for ordination

*NT Intro by Jon Sheppard at Crossroads

Thursdays, Sept. 2^nd, 2010 to Sept. 30^th, 2010

*Intro to Homiletics by Bill Wickham   at Arcade

Thursdays, October 21^st, 2010 to November 11^th, 2010

*Church Leadership by Jon Sheppard at Arcade

Thursdays, January 27^th, 2011 to February 24^th, 2011         

Global and Intercultural Ministry by Ron Freeman at Arcade

Thursdays, March 10^th, 2011 to April 7^th, 2011

Students can register by contacting Pastor Bill Wickham at billw@springvalleychurch.org or calling 916.632.2026.

Southern California Class for ordination

Pastoral Counseling by Larry Orr at Wesleyan Christian Fellowship in Moreno Valley

Saturdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2010 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM

Students can register by contacting Pastor Larry Orr at larwcf@verizon.net or calling 951.924.5466

FLAME Classes

There are a number of courses being offered this year in other districts of The Wesleyan Church.  You are encouraged to attend these classes.  For details and registration information go to www.wesleyan.org/flame.

The Pacific Southwest District will be offering a scholarship for individuals who desire to attend a FLAME course outside of our district boundaries.  The scholarship is $200.00 for the first course in a week and $100.00 if you take a second course in the same week.  Please call or email the district office to receive this scholarship.

The Great Co-op Mission

This month in the Great Co-op Mission we want to share with you some missions work that takes place here in the local arm of the Pacific Southwest District missions field. God has used this powerful ministry to reach people in need of God’s touch locally, nationally and internationally. Dr. Victor Khalil is an ordained minister in the Pacific Southwest District of the Wesleyan Church. He started Ministries International in 1981. Ministries International (MI) is based in Poway, CA and has been reaching Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through TV, satellite & internet media, relationship building and prayer for almost three decades.

Last year Dr. Khalil took on another opportunity to reach even more Muslims by becoming a teacher of college students as he accepted a position at Biola University to be their instructor of Arabic language. After a great first school year, Dr. Khalil led a group this summer on a short term Missions trip to Egypt to work and serve in the local Church. They also added to the light of Christ that is pushing back the darkness of Islam in the Middle East.

The following is from a recent news letter from Dr. Khalil.

 

God is moving in the Muslim world.

There is much the American media does not tell you.  From information I receive directly from pastors in the Middle East and from Arabic newspapers, it is not an exaggeration that since 9/11 there have been 4 million converts from Islam to Christianity in Egypt alone.  In Iraq, over 2 million Arabic Bibles were delivered by American troops, and over 100 evangelical churches and a Bible school have been established, along with a Bible printing press.  In Iran, a leading Muslim cleric said during a live interview that if Iranians were given freedom of religion, over 70% would become Christians.  Thousands are coming to know the Lord even without this freedom.

The Christian church in the Middle East is alive and well.  Persecution is bringing more to Christ.  M.I.  partners with Aglow International to bring the gospel by satellite to 180 million Arabic-speaking homes in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and North America. 

M.I. and Aglow International work together to reach Muslim women through two programs called "Diwaniya for Women" and "The Rest of the Story".  "Talk of the Hour" and "Bright and Morning Star" are the other programs that complete their current media line-up.

I have more to share with you about what God is doing with Muslims and in the Muslim world.  If you would like to receive a sample DVD of the programs please email me at boctor7@gmail.com and I will get that in the mail to you.  You can also view most of our programs on our website, arablights.com.

Let's partner together to reach the sons of Ishmael.  There are about 1.3 billion Muslims in the world and many of them are now living in America.  Join me to help fulfill the Great Commission in preaching to the unreached Muslim world.

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).  Christ is coming soon. 

God promised Abraham that he would bless Ishmael and make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20).  Let's not forget to bless the sons of Ishmael by introducing them to their Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. 

I would be honored to help your ministry reach out to the Muslims in America and the Middle East.  M.I. can provide seminars and training classes, and can facilitate local mission outreaches and trips abroad.

Ministries International:  Using Media ARTS to Proclaim Christ to the Muslim World

Awareness:  Alerting the church to the strategies of Islam and to God’s strategies for advancing His kingdom in the Muslim world.

Reaching:  Touching the lives of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world. Showing compassion for suffering believers.

Training:  “Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry” at home and overseas.

Sending:  Training and providing opportunity for national workers in the Muslim world.

Biblical teaching in the context of Eastern culture has also strengthened believers in the U.S. and abroad for over thirty years.

If you would like more information on Ministries International, would like Dr. Khalil to come speak at your church, or would like to become a prayer or financial partner please contact him at the following:

Dr. Victor Khalil

P.O. Box 448

Poway, CA  92074

(858) 486-0333

Email:  boctor7@gmail.com    Website:   www.arablights.com

   

Your Pacific Southwest District Missions Board reminds you to please help our missionaries in security sensative countries by never publishing their names and personal information on any internet web site or in web article. If you have questions about who they are please contact me ASAP.

Our District Mission and Goal is EveryOneSupport1 of our Missionaries from the Pacific Southwest District. Please prayerfully consider adding Dr. Khalil and Ministries International as part of your mission prayer and financial support budget.

Promoting the support of Missions work locally, nationally and internationally.

Informing you so you can Know Them, Support Them & Send Them.

Matthew 28:19 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…

Pastor Joe Martin

858-486-0100  Office              858-722-1444 Cell

TOGETHER STRONGER: The Gathering ’11

The Pacific Southwest District is expecting pastors and assistant pastors (and if married, your spouse) to attend The Gathering ’11.  The Gathering ’07 was just terrific and this one will be even better!

NOW is the time to do two things:

1.     Make your airline reservation – Southwest Airlines has posted their January flights.  This means that airfares have dropped, not only for them but most airlines.  This is the best time to get a deal to fly to Jacksonville, Florida. (see event schedule below)

2.     You need to register online (www.wesleyan.org/Gathering).  Then let me know you are registered and I will send you the scholarship reimbursement.  You can register by using either a credit card or by sending a check.  I cannot register for you as they are requesting information that I do not know about you. 

The Gathering '11 is a Wesleyan ministry conference which will be held in Jacksonville, Florida, January 4-7, 2011. This powerful, three-day experience will unite, inspire, and breathe resiliency into the lives of ministers.

Sponsored by The Wesleyan Church Board of General Superintendents, this conference brings hundreds of Wesleyan ministers together for a concentrated time of revival built around vital topics, anointed speakers, Spirit-filled worship, and practical networking with ministry partners.  (see list of speakers and seminars below)

Come relax at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel, plus enjoy full access to all conference rallies, seminars and activities with conference registration. For more information visit www.wesleyan.org/Gathering.

The Pacific Southwest District is offering a scholarship for all pastors and assistant pastors along with spouses who attend this event.  The scholarship covers the hotel expense and registration.  Each attendee will be responsible for their travel expenses and food.  The scholarship is $500.00 per couple and $400.00 for single.  Please email Steve Babby at Stevepsw@aol.com after you have made your reservation.  He will arrange for the scholarship check to be sent to you.

Schedule for January 4-7, 2011

Tuesday, January 4

2:00 - 7:00pm      Conference Registration

4:00pm                Hotel Check-in Begins

7:30pm                Stronger Passions – General Session

Wednesday, January 5

7:00 – 8:00am     Intercessory Prayer

9:00 – 10:30am   Stronger Families – General Session

12:00 – 1:30pm   Lunch

1:30 – 3:00pm     Seminars

3:00 – 3:30pm     Break

3:30 – 5:00pm     Seminars

5:00pm                Dinner

7:30pm                Stronger Connections – General Session

9:00pm                Reception

Thursday, January 6

7:00 – 8:00am     Intercessory Prayer

8:30 – 10:00am   Seminars

10:00am              Break

10:30 – Noon       Stronger Influence – General Session

12:00 – 1:30pm   Wesleyan Leaders Lunch and Vision Rally

12:00 – 5:00pm   Lunch, Free Time and Special Events

5:00pm                Dinner

7:30pm                Stronger Communities – General Session

9:00pm                Reception

Friday, January 7  Hotel Check-out