Deliverance Temple, Inc.

CONTENTS
Things We’ve
Learned from
Bishop Miller
01
Conference
Review
06
Placing the
Keystone
09
God’s Plan for
Nancy Ann
15
THE OASIS is dedicated in honor of
Bishop Elvina E. Miller and her late husband,
Rev. Harrison F. Miller, founders of Deliverance
Temple, Inc. The Torch remains in the hands of the
leadership and the family at the Oasis, who continue to
carry on the vision of reaching the world for Christ.
They Shall Seem
Like Torches
Nahum 2:4
Bishop Elvina E. Miller
Founder of
Deliverence Temple, Inc.
Reverend Nancy A. Hudson
General Overseer
and Senior Pastor of
Deliverance Temple, Inc.
Deliverance Temple, Inc.
P.O. Box 38 • Shippensburg, PA • 17257-0038 USA
Phone: 717.532.5112 • Fax: 717.532.9450
Email: [email protected]
by Pastor Nancy A. Hudson
When you’ve been in the ministry
like Bishop Miller ( formerly
known as Sister Miller)
for many, many
years and live to
be at least 96,
as she has, you
learn a lot. When
you
learn a lot, there’s
so much you can share with others, and Bishop
Miller did just that. Many people learn, but keep
what they have learned to themselves, like
someone I once knew who would NEVER share
her recipes. But Godly leaders share all their
secrets because they want to further the Gospel
and they want what they have learned to go on
and on!
1.
too
1.
“You can never study God’s Word
much.”
“You can never study
God’s Word too much.”
Bishop Miller lived and breathed God’s Word.
She read other books, teaching books and gave
much credit to the writers, but most days you
would find her with her nose in the Bible. That
might explain why she, in my estimation, was the
most spiritual, yet natural, person I had ever met.
Her life was a great balance of both. God’s Word
seemed to ooze out of her and without her trying,
she always made me feel like I didn’t study His
Word enough. In other words, it challenged me
to strive and caused me to hunger for Jesus.
“Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15)
We hope you enjoy these golden nuggets.
They are truly only a fraction of the things we
have gleaned from Bishop Elvina E. Miller, D.D.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee.”
(Psalms 119:11)
-1-
2.
2.
“Don’t be a afraid to laugh.”
“Don’t be afraid
to laugh.”
Anyone who doesn’t know that Sister Miller
has a sense of humor, doesn’t know her. I did a
lot of traveling with her and had the honor to hear
her preach and minister to thousands over the
years. They loved her because she wove humor
into her presentation, and was never afraid to
laugh at herself and her failings.
I think most of us can tell story after story that
she shared with us. Each had a great moral or
lesson from God’s Word, but many would fit on
Comedy Central! A spoon full of sugar helps the
medicine go down! I also think humor endears
you to people and opens up their hearts to you.
She was a master at just being her humorous
self. She loved to laugh, but she knew there
were times when it was not appropriate, too.
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful
countenance: but by sorrow
of the heart the spirit is broken.”
(Proverbs 15:13)
“A merry heart doeth good
like a medicine: but a broken spirit
drieth the bones.”
(Proverbs 17:22)
3.
3.
“Don’t
forget to
thank to
people.”
“Don’t
forget
thank people.”
Wow, if there was one lesson I had to learn
the hard way, it was this one. It was not that
I wasn’t thankful, but sometimes I was too
intimidated to say it, or too proud, so I just
waited too long to say so - long enough to offend
someone. My parents taught me manners, but
from Bishop Miller I learned the value of being
thankful. I believe it was driven home to me
so profoundly by her teaching example. Many
times I was the beneficiary of her kindness and
generosity out of my necessity, and was deeply
humbled to receive money or some needed item
from her, when I knew she was needy herself.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another
in the fear of God.”
(Ephesians 5:19-21)
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
4.
4.
“Never poor mouth
“Neveror
poor
mouth or complain.”
complain.”
This lesson has a lot to do with honesty.
Actually, in this lesson, honesty and faith collide!
While Sister Miller never had an abundance of
cash, you never knew it. She didn’t live beyond
her means, but she had enough faith to know
that God would provide some way, some how!
Because of her positive outlook, we never knew
she was in need. The simple meals she cooked
for us seemed like feasts from the Four Seasons
Restaurant. We never knew it was just stewed
Italian tomatoes dipped in bread. We thought it
was something from the pages of “Bon Appetite”!
If you pinned Bishop Miller down, she would
hesitantly share her needs, but she never gave
you a run down of her troubles. That way, when
God blessed her, you knew it was miraculous and
not because she manipulated someone to feel bad
and to be the one “God” used to bless her. She
really kept her mouth shut! She was full of faith!
-2-
“O thou that hearest prayer,
unto thee shall all flesh come.”
(Psalms 65:2 KJV)
Later in life, she would share stories with us
about how she and Brother Miller lived on eggs
for weeks at a time because that was all they
had. Knowing her, those eggs took on so many
forms that even Brother Miller didn’t realize it was
an omelet one day and baked eggs the next. If
I remember correctly, the first time I met her we
enjoyed lunch together and I am sure we had egg
sandwiches!
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left
hand know what thy right hand doeth.”
(Matthew 6:3)
5.
5.
“Not slothful in business; fervent in
spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints;
given to hospitality.”
(Romans 12:11-13 KJV)
6.
“Prayer
meetings
at 6 am willatnot kill
“Prayer
meetings
6 a.m. will not kill you.”
Sister Miller had a lot of crazy ideas during
the years when we were much younger; she
was doing anything and everything to get us all
“straightened out” and “keep us out of trouble.”
One of the things we did religiously for a period
of time was have 6 a.m. prayer before we left for
work two or three days a week.
It was not my favorite thing as I am not a
morning person. But one thing it did was make
me thankful for every other day when I could
sleep an extra hour. The other far more important
thing it did was teach me the difference between
a sincere prayer from the heart and a prayer
that was conjured up from your mind just so you
could say you prayed! You could feel real, sincere
prayers penetrate the heavens; the fake ones
plummeted to the floor. I experienced both!
Due to some upheaval in our lives that
included a large number of folks who changed
jobs, got married, moved further away and had
children, we no longer hold these early morning
sessions. But in all honesty, I’m not beyond
beginning them again. They worked a real spiritual
work in us all. You can never pray too much. I
believe, however, that you can pray too little.
6.
“Learn “Learn
to eat your
tovegetables.”
eat your
vegetables.”
This one may make you say, “You should
have learned that from your parents.” Well, they
tried, but there was an amazing number of things
that I was either not exposed to or stuck my nose
up at when I moved to Shippensburg. I never had
deer meat, I never had liver. My first meal sitting
at Sister Miller’s table with she and her husband
was: you guessed it, DEER LIVER! Thankfully,
I was way too intimidated to not eat it, plus we
were taught at home to eat what was set before
us. So with about a bottle of ketchup, I choked
it down.
I have been amazed at how valuable it is to
learn to eat many different things. I actually feel
like I have gained a more global, diverse attitude
by experiencing different cultural foods. Because
we ate what was set before us when with Bishop
Miller, I was a-okay in Brazil, Africa, England, and
around the world. Was it all my cup of tea? No,
but I learned to not offend people by my narrowminded eating habits. I’ve had goat, raw this, raw
that... and I’m still alive! I really believe people
need to take this one to heart if they get into
God’s service in any form. You are going to be
asked to dinner A LOT, and no one likes it if you
don’t like their cooking!
-3-
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,
live peaceably with all men.”
(Romans 12:18 KJV)
8.
“And they, continuing daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart.”
(Acts 2:46 KJV)
7.
you
7.
you like what you see?”
Sister Miller looked great all the time. I knew
trying to compete with that was a joke, but it
doesn’t hurt to do the best with what you have!
That’s a lesson I am still learning and wish I
would have yielded to her advice a bit sooner
about some things. I didn’t always like what I
saw in the mirror so I just didn’t look and I spent
a lot of time just trying to cover up the obvious.
Today, I am doing my best for my own self image
and for my health, to shed some weight. It’s great
to feel good about yourself!
Recently, I was talking to a minister who
nearly knocked me over with bad breath! I
immediately backed away, as delicately as
possible. Bishop Miller and I had a pact. If she or
I ever had an odor or bad breath, we promised
each other to tell each other. I have recently
made that same pact with another one of our
ministers and I never feel insulted if they give
me some hygiene advice! I know they love me
and are looking out for my best and I love them
enough to tell them, too.
“Intimidation is
not correction.”
You will never get people to see things your
way by intimidation. It only drives them further
from where they need to be. The best way to
correct others is with kindness and truth and
by guiding them to a better way of life for their
own sake. Continual hounding only causes
them to look the other way or brings them
discouragement.
“Look in the mirror; do you like what
see?”
“Look in the mirror; do
But beyond our looks, our teeth, our weight
and all that stuff... we should still do our best to
be neat, smart, careful with our clothes and how
they fit, and cognizant of having clean teeth,
clean eyes, clean fingernails. We should be
concerned with how we smell, if our clothes are
wrinkled and if our breath is pleasant.
8.
“Intimidation is not correction.”
There is a right way and a wrong way to
talk to people. Allow God to get control of your
tongue and He will temper you and you will do a
world of good for someone you love. Only leaders
who have allowed themselves to be tempered
should dish out correction or discipline. Done in
anger or frustration, discipline has the opposite
effect.
Unfortunately, I have learned this the hard
way, but thankfully, I am learning. Bishop Miller
was older and could carry a bigger stick. Young
leaders need to cool off before they even pick
up the stick. Then their words will be honored
because the one behind the words has earned
respect by living a life before God and allowing
Him to work His nature in them.
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children
to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord.”
(Ephesians 6:42 KJV)
9.
9.
“Respect Authority.”
“Respect authority.”
We live in a world where respect for authority
figures has gone somewhat by the wayside.
Unfortunately, many authority figures have acted
in ways that cause us to wonder if they are
worthy of our respect. Regardless of that fact,
-4-
authorities deserve our respect. Bishop Miller
has been a stellar example of how to respect
authority. No matter if a president, senator,
leader, mother, teacher, policeman or older
brother is the given authority, the Bible tells us to
pray for them because God is the one who has
set them in that place of authority.
Sometimes I know I need to be more vocal
in my outward praises of God, yet I know I want
the real thing. As I keep living it, I’ll keep getting
it, too. Any of us who love Him will and we won’t
be praising Him because someone tells us we
should. We will vocally love on Him because we
LOVE HIM!
Bishop Miller has redirected our criticism,
cynicism and disrespect and has taught us,
turning it around to cause us to pray and believe
for authorities, knowing how God can use our
prayers to bring change. Plus, it teaches us
something in the process! Keep in mind that
what you give out, you get back. No matter who,
authorities deserve our respect.
Even today, Bishop Miller, while no longer
in full time ministry, is at her best when we
begin to pray, and loves hearing all the stories
of everything we are doing here at the church.
When we visit her, all we have to do is begin to
pray and she is right on target and takes over...
no matter who has begun to pray! She LOVES
God and loves talking to Him!
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty. For this is
good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV)
“What doth the Lord thy God require of
thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk
in all his ways, and to love him,
and to serve the Lord thy God
with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
(Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV)
10.
10. “Put
God first: love God.”
“Put God first: love God.”
I know, I know... this is a given. But is it?
Bishop Miller did way more than “be a Christian.”
She was not religious. She didn’t put on an act.
She lived it. She loves the Lord Jesus Christ
and it showed because fruit poured out of her
life. Plus, surprise, surprise! She talked about
God like she was in communication with Him
everyday. Praises flowed, not like a record or
a parrot, but NATURALLY as a part of who she
was. She was in touch with God and loved to
thank Him and give Him praise to the point that,
being around her, you were convicted! It was
contagious.
I hope you have gained some good things
from these small nuggets! I believe as we are
able to continue to apply these great lessons to
our lives, our understanding and love of God will
increase. We should never stop learning, and the
best ones to glean from are those who have gone
before, the ones whose lessons never seem to
leave our thoughts no matter where they are. That
is the best way to respect and honor their lives.
-5-
Praising,
Encouraging,
Rockin’ Out!
Special times with our Pastor Nancy Hudson with Bishop George
dear Bishop Miller!
Beninate and Pastor John Bowers
Rev. Harry
Thomas of
Creation
Ministries
The Saxton Choir
-6-
60th Anniversary Production
Honoring our past, looking forward to our future.
Rev. Ron
and Christi
Bishop from
Shepherd
Shapers
Pastor Kathy
Speck does
the “Saxton
Shuffle.”
Generations of Weavers serving together!
-7-
Pastor Ambrose
Brennan Greetings from
Ghana.
The Katers: I Do. . Again!
Generations
of Bishop
Miller’s
Family!
-8-
who gathered that day rejoiced as they witnessed
Pastor Nancy A. Hudson installed as General
Overseer of the Oasis of Love Churches and the
Senior Pastor of the Oasis of Love Church of
Shippensburg, PA.
Rev. Kathy Speck, pastor of the Oasis of Love
Church in the Valley, Saxton, PA officiated the service
and Bishop George R.
Beninate of Christ the
King Church of Upper St.
Clair, PA gave the keynote
address: “Statement of
Purpose: What is an
Installation?” In it he
noted that what was truly
happening this day was
more of a confirmation
of Pastor Nancy, who is
already functioning in the
Rev. Kathy Speck
various aspects of what the
opening the service.
office requires.
A summary of the installation service
of Rev. Nancy A. Hudson.
TESTIMONIALS
Testimonies followed, giving a personal look
into Pastor Nancy’s life from the time she came to
Deliverance Temple as a young college student until
today. Pastors Edmund and Nancy Schale from
the Shippensburg Oasis testified to “God’s Hand on
Pastor Nancy’s Life.” Having known her from the
beginning, the Schales told of the growth and change
in her as she submitted herself to the teaching and
training of Bishop Elvina E. Miller and shared how the
closeness of the relationship
between her and Pastor Nancy
influenced each other.
Throughout the world arches are used in
construction because of their ability to carry and
distribute weight and also for their beauty. Arches
first appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC
in Mesopotamian brick architecture during the time
of Abraham. Later, the ancient Romans began the
systematic use of arches and were the first to apply
the technique to a wide range of structures such
as aqueducts, arenas and temples. By definition,
an arch is a weight-bearing structure that is able to
support the weight of further construction above it.
At the apex of an arch is a keystone. This
wedge-shaped stone piece is the final piece placed
during construction which locks all the stones into
position, allowing the arch to bear weight. The term
“keystone” is also used figuratively to refer to the
central supporting element of a larger structure, such
as an organization, without which the whole structure
would collapse. Until that keystone is set in place, the
entire arch is unstable.
On Sunday, September 15, 2013, the Oasis of
Love Churches placed its own “keystone.” Those
Rev. Lyle A. Miller, son
of Bishop Miller and pastor
of Living Fellowship Church
of Rio Rico, AZ, along with
Pastor Art Speck, pastor
of Oasis of Love Church of
Pastor Lyle Miller
Huntingdon, PA
and grandson
of Bishop Miller, both shared
how Pastor Nancy was
faithful in serving
Bishop Miller
-9-
Pastor Art Speck,
Bishop Miller’s
Grandson
people and their likes and
dislikes. Pastor Nancy has
carried that care and attention
to detail to the physical aspects
of a church building,
which is easy to see in
the interior decorating at
the Shippensburg Oasis,
but it also extends to the
care for the people who
comprise the church. One
would be hard pressed to
find someone who has not
received an encouraging
word/phone call/note/card
from Pastor Nancy at one
Dr. Paul Tribus, Rock
time or another.
over the years.
Pastor Lyle said
Church, VA
that over the past
40 years she was
like Joshua who served Moses
for the 40 years that the children
of Israel were in the wilderness,
learning and preparing for the
day God would appoint him to
lead God’s people. Pastor Art
told how he learned to share his
grandmother with Pastor Nancy.
As a young person, if he heard his
Grandma was coming for dinner,
he knew an extra plate would
automatically be set for Nancy
as well. Yet, through it all, he
understood he gained a “sister”
and that his grandmother had
someone to help her.
“Care of Our Churches” was
the topic Rev. Linda Ruth, pastor of
Oasis of Love Church of Edinboro,
PA talked about. Linda grew
up at the Shippensburg Oasis/
Deliverance Temple and, at
a young age, was impressed
by Pastor Nancy’s
attention to details
concerning
The last testimony
was given by Deborah Tatum, wife
of Rev. Paul Tatum, former pastor
of Shippensburg First Church
of God. Deb talked about the
influence the Oasis of Love Church
under Pastor Nancy Hudson’s
leadership has had on the local
community and encouraged her to
continue with the local outreaches.
CHARGE FOR THE OFFICE
What a wonderful time of
solemnity before the Lord as
Pastor Nancy A. Hudson was
given a charge for the office by
Dr. Paul Tribus of Rock Church,
VA with the laying on of hands
by the ministry team! Just as
builders rejoice when a keystone
is set in place on a beautiful arch,
the leaders and congregation
rejoiced together, thanking God
and knowing that His appointed
leader was commissioned to carry
forth the work of the Kingdom of
God through the Oasis of Love
Churches! - 10 -
PASTOR NANCY ANN HUDSON
Pastor Nancy was born on
August 23, 1952 in Lewistown,
PA, to Harold Elwood Hudson and
Kathryn Ann (Harpster) Hudson.
She has one brother, Richard
Alan Hudson. Nancy was raised
in and was a member of the Holy
Communion Lutheran Church in
Yeagertown, PA for many years,
under Rev. Dean Rupe.
After high school graduation
in 1970, she entered Salem
College in Salem, WV as a preveterinary student. Through a
series of events, Pastor Nancy
committed her life to God,
accepting Jesus Christ as her
Lord and Savior in 1972 at
Mom Gearhart’s Pizza Shop in
Lewistown, PA. The following
year, she met Brother and Sister
Miller. Then in the fall of that year,
she met Pastor Kathy Speck at a
prayer meeting at her home. She
credits those meetings to being
some of the sovereign encounters
with people whom God has used to
shape her life.
Pastor Nancy A. Hudson
In the spring of 1974, she
was baptized in the freezing waters
of Big Pond by Revs. Harrison
and Elvina Miller, and a sovereign
touch of God came upon her that
included a prophetic word through
Sister Miller, saying how God
was going to use her.
She finished her education,
changing her major, and
in December of 1974, she
graduated with a double major
in Speech Communication and
Art. She immediately moved to
Shippensburg having obtained
a temporary job teaching Art at
the Junior High School. At the
end of that year, she was offered
a full time position, but in her heart
she already knew what she was
supposed to be doing, so she
turned it down.
During the previous summer,
while helping Bishop Miller with
preparations for Conference, she
received another sovereign touch
from God while riding home from
campus on her bike. She was
overwhelmed with God’s presence
as two words came to her mind.
Those words were: “Help her!”
The “her” was Sister Miller and
that is what she proceeded to do.
Whether it was laundry, cleaning,
watching the dog, cooking for her,
typing, sewing, making phone
calls, scheduling her flights,
running errands, prepping her for
trips, traveling with her – she did it!
During those years she
received Bible teaching, etiquette
instruction, lessons in oratory,
instruction in LIFE. Sister Miller
taught her how to cook, bake,
clean, trim grass and she even
tried unsuccessfully, to train her
build a nucleus ministry team here
at the Oasis. Pastor Nancy has
always been one to credit those
around her for their abilities and
continues to experience that “you
can’t do it alone,” a lesson many
ministers would do well to learn.
That lesson has been a key in her
management and ministry style.
At the Oasis of Love Church
Conference on Monday, May 29,
2006, Bishop Miller, and Bishop
Pastor Ed
George Beninate along with the
Schale and his
approval of all those present,
wife, Pastor
Nancy Schale anointed and publicly confirmed
Pastor Nancy as Bishop Miller’s
successor. Much has happened
since that day, God is faithful and
His timing is perfect. He’s never
to do her hair! She generally
late and never early!
became a dear friend and
companion to Bishop Miller after
There is still one special
she lost her beloved husband,
“chore” which Bishop Miller has
Harrison. It was truly like a
assigned to Pastor Nancy, one that
mother-daughter relationship and
she has not yet completed. Bishop
included some motherly discipline
Miller has instructed her to write a
along the way, too!
book that tells the story of what it
When Bishop Miller began
to travel extensively, she started
to entrust the care of the church
to Pastor Nancy and others, and
like all young leaders, she made
her share of mistakes. In her heart
though, she was still following
those two precious words, “Help
her.” By helping Bishop Miller, she
knew she was indirectly doing it for
God Himself because Bishop Miller
was undoubtedly His servant and
minister.
Pastor Edmund Schale
and Pastor Nancy A. Hudson
were ordained in the ministry
in 1985. That helped solidify a
long friendship and partnership
in ministry with Pastor Ed and his
wife, Nancy, as God continued to
- 11 -
was like to live with a busy pastor
and missionary. We think it should
be titled, Help Her.
Pastor Linda Ruth
saw, the deaf heard, the dead
were raised and people flocked
to the meetings. One such
place was a “small” basement
church in Saxton, PA - the Bible
Deliverance Center, where the
Millers served as pastors for
several years.
OVERVIEW OF THE
OASIS OF LOVE CHURCHES
The Oasis of Love Church,
originally named Deliverance
Temple, was begun in 1952 by
Harrison F. Miller and his wife,
Elvina E,. Miller, both ordained
ministers of the Gospel. Saved
and trained in the Assembly of God
Church in Hamburg, PA in the late
1930s, the Millers were sent out
to “Preach the Gospel” from their
home church in Reading, PA.
Sister Miller, as she was
called, had a sovereign calling
to “Africa, Dark Africa…” with a
definitive anointing to heal the sick.
She and her husband, Harrison,
and their two small children, Myrna
and Lyle, sold everything,
including their home, and
began traveling in a small
“trailer,” holding revival and
tent meetings throughout
Pennsylvania.
The Saturday Miracle Night
meetings drew people from near
and far and, before long, people
from the Shippensburg area
began requesting the Millers hold
services in that area. They were
held in the former WSHP Radio
Station building and in a former
“theater-in-the-round” near the
state game lands at Michaux
Forest. This group began to grow
and the demand increased for
The Millers to plant a church in
Shippensburg. The funds were
raised, the land purchased and, in
1953, building began.
The day the cornerstone
was laid, Sister Miller left for her
first missionary trip to Africa with a
promise to return for the church’s
dedication. Little did she know that
the events of
that trip to the
Gold Coast
(now Ghana)
would be an
inspiration and
The Miller’s ministry
began to grow and
manifestations of the
miraculous were present in
the meetings as God
poured out His anointing
upon Sister
Susanne Brennan
Miller in
particular. The
blind
Deb Tatum
- 12 -
“So the Lord said to Moses,
‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man
in whom is the spirit of leadership,
and lay your hand on him. Have
him stand before Eleazar the
priest and the entire assembly and
commission him in their presence.
Give him some of your authority so
the whole Israelite community will
obey him. He is to stand before
Eleazar the priest, who will obtain
decisions for him by inquiring
of the Urim before the Lord. At
his command he and the entire
community of the Israelites will go
out, and at his command they will
come in? Moses did as the Lord
commanded him. He took Joshua
and had him stand before Eleazar
the priest and the whole assembly.
Then he laid his hands on him
and commissioned him, as the
Lord instructed through Moses.”
Numbers 27:18-23 NIV
instrumental throughout her
ministry, especially in her latter
years, when the Oasis International
Training Centre was established in
Prampram, Ghana.
Upon her return to the
United States, the Temple was
dedicated and the Millers enjoyed
many years of successful ministry
in Shippensburg. Then another
ministry opportunity opened up to
them on the island of Cuba. There
Sister Miller established a mighty
work, along with a successful radio
outreach which covered the entire
island. Brother Miller was able to
join her in Cuba, leaving the work
in Shippensburg in the hands of
others. After the revolution and
the take over by Castro, the Millers
returned home to Shippensburg
and discovered the people had
been drawn into false
doctrine. The following
14 years were a period
of drought as more than
75% of the congregation
left after the Millers took
a righteous stand against
unrighteousness.
Brother Miller sought
work to help meet the
monthly mortgage payment
and Sister Miller stayed at
the church cleaning, holding
services and maintaining the
building.
In 1967 Kathy Speck, a
teenager from Bible Deliverance
Center, began attending
Shippensburg State College.
God used her during that time to
work with Sister Miller. She was
a spark on campus that ignited a
revival among many young people
who came through the doors of
Deliverance Temple. One by one
they came seeking an inward
change, hungry to hear teaching
from the Word of God. In October
1974, Rev. Harrison Miller went
home to be with the Lord and
Sister Miller was left with a church
full of “messed-up kids,” but from
among these God would raise up
leaders through her training.
During the 1970s, 1980s
administrator of the Oasis
International Training
Center.
Prayer over Pastor Nancy
and 1990s, Sister Miller continued
her mission outreach and traveled
extensively preaching the Gospel
and ministering to thousands
in West Africa, South Africa,
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi,
Japan, Brazil, South America, the
Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico,
Italy, Australia, Portugal, Latin
America, the Philippines, Japan
and Greece.
Growth and expansion at
home resulted from Sister Miller’s
teaching and training and she set
in Kathy Speck as pastor over the
Bible Deliverance Center. Shortly
thereafter her own daughter, Myrna
Speck, was set aside to establish
a church in Huntingdon. This new
work was called New Covenant
Fellowship. Pastor Myrna and
her husband, Bursie Speck, had
a vision for youth and established
Upper Room Youth
Camp, where
thousands of children
have received a
touch from God over
the years. Today,
their son, Rev. Art
Speck is the camp
director and
Pastor Nancy A. Hudson and Bishop Beninate
- 13 -
In Shippensburg,
Nancy Hudson and
Edmund Schale were
ordained to work with
Sister Miller in pastoring
the flock there. Another
church that began in the
1980s was the House
of the Living Word in
Waterford, PA, which
later moved to Edinboro after a
building was erected on donated
land. Rev. Linda Ruth pastors
that flock, training others with the
same instruction that she received
from Bishop Miller in her days at
Deliverance Temple. There is
still another church that needs
mentioned. Sister Miller’s son,
Lyle Miller and his wife, Cris, also
pastor a thriving outreach in Rio
Rico, AZ. The Living Fellowship
Church is a young, but growing
work and their daughter, Carol
Miller, serves with them as the
Youth Pastor.
As each church in its
respective area ministers to the
needs of the people, the Oasis
of Love Churches are united in a
single cause and that is to reach
the lost with the Gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
I’ve heard tales of the poor and the broken, who never doubting,
reached fortune and fame,
I’ve heard stories of those hidden in obscurity,
which have made themselves a name.
I’ve heard accounts of dismal failures, who never quitting,
reached great success,
But there’s a story from the portals of heaven, which is one I like the best.
Now please tune your ear and listen, try not to miss a verse,
And excuse this poet’s poor attempts, which may be for better or for worse.
As these words unveil a life, a gift, a blessing from above,
One God ordained, molded and shaped, with patience, grace and love.
“Can anything good come out of Lewistown?” The scoffers mocked and jeered.
But a darker spirit corrected them, “No! It’s Yeagertown I fear.”
You see God had been up to something, but His creation was undisclosed,
There were rumors of an undercover agent, wearing hippy “kind of” clothes.
The angels marveled in fascination, the powers of darkness now concerned,
For, like Christ that went before her, she would not easily be discerned.
For she would be hidden in humanity, at first covered in guilt and shame,
So no one could ever imagine, she’d be a beacon for His name.
She grew up like most other kids, and discovered life’s not always fair,
Overcoming disappointments, like when her brother cut her hair!
So God brought her through Chief Logan, then to Salem for a spell,
But the enemy, now suspicious, unleashed his arsenal from hell.
- 14 -
“I will break her, I will hurt her, I will make her sins as scarlet red,
Then I’ll dump her in an elevator, and she’ll be good as dead.”
But you cannot foil the Almighty’s plan, nor quench His omnipotent grace,
For He’d resurrect His “Nancy Ann”, exchange His glory for her disgrace.
She helped me learn to prophesy, to reach out, sing and dance.
Well, actually, she didn’t give my pirouette much of a chance!
There were some times right in the services, we laughed until we cried,
When Bishop announced “Chubby Peacemaker,” I thought we both would die!
If you hang with Pastor Nancy, you’ll soon find what she loves,
Starbucks, Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, and don’t forget VW bugs.
Pens of every shape and size, dogs and puppies, too,
Dorothy, Toto, the Wizard of Oz, and the Penn State white and blue!
It’s our interests that make us different; our desires make us unique,
But it’s God’s mercy and anointing that gives us grace to speak.
You didn’t call yourself, we know, but prayed, “Your will, Lord, let it be.”
And you said many times within your heart, “Let this cup now pass from me!”
But this cup has been His choosing, this is Graduation Day,
It’s time for your “Installation,” so you can lead the way.
Your Mother’s torch has been passed to you; run with confidence and grace,
For He’s called you to cross the finish line and lead others in the race.
Moses saw the promise land, but Joshua led them in,
You’ve marched around your Jericho, so let the shouting now begin.
Pick up the sword of Goliath, and cut off the giant’s head,
Wipe out all the enemies of God till everyone is dead!
You have an army now behind you; they are faithful like Joshua’s men,
They are standing here now in support, this day to usher in.
Let all doubting and indecision, be cast forever in the wind,
For the Holy Spirit is moving, the wind is blowing again.
- 15 -
So pick up the mantle now, my daughter, and do not be dismayed,
For the years and years of training, have brought you to this day.
Don’t worry about being perfect, or trying to fill “her shoes”,
I’m just looking for an open vessel, someone I can use!
So thrust in the sickle now and reap, let the creative juices flow,
I’ll give you constant confirmation, so you will know which way to go.
I’ve surrounded you with council, wise women and wise men,
Take comfort now in knowing, they are with you till the end.
Who are these Saints? Need you ask?
They are the ones who were just like you,
The depressed, in doubt, discouraged ones, who did not have a clue!
The ones that Bishop Miller gathered, and threw upon the fire,
Who stayed in the pan, till their flesh was cooked, and now have My desire.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in Shippensburg I pray,
So, Pastor Nancy, take the reins, I’m leading you today.
Don’t worry about lacking wisdom, or not having enough skill,
Why do you think for all these years, I kept you on the grill?
To burn away all your desires, till your heart was completely Mine,
So you would search Me and you would know Me
and great treasures you would find.
Feed My flock with solid meat, make them strong and make them tough,
Teach My Word to them continually, they can never get enough!
Now a parting word, from your little brother, I cast my vote for you!
I agree with your Installation, I Do! I Do! I Do!
With certainty within my heart, I know that it’s God’s plan,
It’s the fulfilling of God’s calling, He truly loves you, “Nancy Ann!”
- 16 -
The Oasis of Love Churches Deliverance Temple, Inc.
Bishop Elvina E. Miller, D.D. Founder | Rev. Nancy A. Hudson General Overseer
The Oasis of Love Church
of Shippensburg
The Oasis of Love Church
of Edinboro
303 South Washington St.
P.O. Box 38
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Phone: 717.532.5112
Rev. Nancy A. Hudson, Senior Pastor
Rev. Edmund Schale, Pastor
Rev. Nancy Schale, Pastor
Rev. Jerome Kater, Pastor
Rev. Angelique Brown, Pastor
13030 Capp Road, Box 316
Edinboro, PA 16412
Phone: 814.734.7636
Rev. Linda Ruth, Pastor
Living Fellowship Church
431 Avenica Coatimundi
Rio RIco, AZ 85647
Phone: 520.761.4999
Rev. Lyle & Cris Miller, Pastors
The Oasis of Love Church
In the Valley
Bethel Church of Christ Jesus
The Oasis of Love Church
of Huntingdon
Oasis of Love Worship
Centre International
2159 Broadtop Mtn. Rd.
Saxton, PA 16678
Phone: 814.635.3424
Rev. Kathy Speck, Pastor
“An Oasis of Love”
P.O. Box 4579
Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
Rev. Simon Attah, Pastor
10991 Station Road
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Phone: 814.627.3819
Rev. Myrna Speck, Senior Pastor
Rev. Arthur Speck, Pastor
Rev. Dotty Poore, Pastor
P.O. Box 513
Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
Rev. Dr. Kwabena Darko, Pastor
Oasis International Training Centre
P.O. Box 43
Prampram, Ghana, West Africa
Rev. Ambrose and Susanne Brennan
Diane McKee
- 17 -
The Oasis of Love Church
Deliverance Temple, Inc.
P.O. Box 38
Shippensburg, PA 17257-0038
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Shippensburg, PA
Permit No. 18