PILGRIM Camp Meeting - Pilgrim Holiness Church

The
Pilgrim
Volume 28 • Number 4
Fall
2013
Official Communication of The Pilgrim Holiness Church, Inc.
Camp Meeting
From the Editor
“... Be Instant in Season, Out of Season ...”
I
Staff
Editor
Rev. James Southerland
765-649-7802
[email protected]
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Franklin, Ind. 46131
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Rev. Chris Dewhurst
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Lexington, Ky. 40505
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Published quarterly by
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t might have been a stirring message.
It could have been during a time of meditation
while driving across the miles. It could have been
during a time of seeking God’s face in prayer.
The times are somewhat blurred in my memory,
but I do remember asking the Lord to lead me
to someone that He had already been busy with.
“Lord Jesus, please help me to be more sensitive
to the checks of the Spirit especially in helping
someone in need,” I had prayed.
The time came unexpectedly and out
of the blue. I was sitting in a pickup truck in a
cornfield talking to the owner of an excavating
company. After considering the small project he
would be doing, the conversation turned to the
troubled times America is facing and the need for
help from the Lord.
It was time to move on. I opened the
door of his pickup and placed one foot on the
gravel road. Then it came so quickly and plainly.
The gentle voice of the Spirit impressed me saying, “Jim this man needs prayer and a healing
touch!”
Turning the page back for a moment,
I remember Ben’s son talking of the sudden occurrence of a rare and vicious growth that had
appeared under his father’s arm. There were
quick trips to the doctor and plans for surgery.
Chemo therapy would be required. After a time
of thoughtful consideration, a second opinion was
sought from a top notch clinic in Michigan. The
surgery was done, but concern lingered. Chemo
treatment was not recommended. Perhaps a removal of the lymph nodes would be required.
Now half out of the truck with one foot
on the ground, and good byes having been said,
I was jolted with the quickening of the Spirit. I
turned quickly back toward my friend, climbing
back into the truck at the same instant saying,
“Ben, I believe the Lord wants me to pray with
you!”
His eyes grew wide as he responded to
my question, “Is that okay with you?” “Why yes,”
he said, “Go ahead.” Wasting no time, I laid my
hand on his shoulder and began calling upon the
Lord. The Holy Spirit filled the cab of the truck
with the most sweet Presence. Tears were flowing down both our faces. I concluded by saying,
“In the name of Jesus, I ask you to heal this man
completely, from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.” The witness was instant. God
had done something in that wonderful moment. I
looked at him. His face was covered with a glowing smile. Both his arms shot upward as he cried,
“I’m healed! I’m healed!” Praise the Lord!
The other day I saw him again. He
reported that he had the surgery removing 34
lymph nodes. The tests and surprised physicians
revealed that there was not a cancer cell anywhere to be found. Praise the Lord!
James A. Southerland, Sr.
Conference President
Mail all subscriptions and
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The Pilgrim
1328 West 2nd St.
Madison, Ind. 47250
812-265-4158
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3 Official Directory
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3 Special Report
4 Memories
5 Special Dates
6 Church News
8 Pictorial Guide
3
e were driving through the rain up in Canada on one
of our summer PR tours for our college and the subject came
up about turning on the windshield wipers. One of my quartet
guys is dating a girl whose father fixes up wrecked cars…vehicles
that are insurance-write-offs. This man had just restored a 2012
model Chrysler Town and Country van…and it had this amazing
feature…amazing to me at least since I drive a 2004
van…the windshield can actually sense when
there is rain, how heavy it is and adjusts
the speed of the wipers to match it.
My mind quickly went
to our families. What if we had
something inside us that just
knew when our family members were going through
a storm and how heavy
it was weighing down on
them…and were just able
to swing into action to respond with support and
love and grace?
That would be
great. But we are not God.
And we don’t read minds. And
the challenge is that for too many
of us, family life means spending
time alone “together”.
THAT is why it is important to
step out of our solo worlds within our families and
for parents to regularly make times to talk together…to sit
down each day as a family and share together…to let each member of the family share that day’s highs and that day’s lows. I like
to think of these times as “Grace Points”.
If you don’t know your kids and spouse’s highs and
lows, you don’t know your kids and spouse. And if THEY don’t
know their OWN highs and lows, THEY don’t know THEMSELVES.
Its important that the things that hit us spiritually and
emotionally get processed daily…in the context of a family and a
God who loves us.
Far better to monitor our lives daily…instead of just
waiting until a crisis hits; much better to deal with issues when
they are manageable than to wait till our kids or spouses finally
scream out from under the mountain of experiences that continually got bottled up and tamped down inside.
Each day should have the closure that family support
and love and God’s grace can bring. It buttons up the day with
grace. As much as possible, as family members share
their highs and lows, try to make some scriptural application to it. Some times you may
not be able to. But try. Sometimes
your efforts or what you have to offer in life wisdom or from God’s
Word may not be understood
right off. But do it anyway…
it’s like putting money in
the bank…one of these
days it may make sense
at the right time.
When we do this daily
exercise, it is important
to end it with some sort of
reminder of God’s blessing…of His grace, His unconditional love, His peace,
His protection, His wisdom. His
forgiveness. End the time together
with a blessing from the Lord on each
life or on the whole family. Point the whole
day back to God. Parents don’t have to be the
source of this blessing. They just become channels through
which God’s blessing flows to their family.
No, none of us have some built-in sensor – like that
fancy Chrysler van – that automatically knows and gauges the
storms. But when we make it a point to affirm, laugh, cry and pray
together…to share our highs and lows as a family…we can stay
vitally connected.
It gives us the chance to see our life experiences each
day through the lens of grace…and put them back into God’s
hands. And it gives our families a fighting chance to be strong in
the Lord as each day closes in the security that my family loves
me and that God does, too.
P.O. Box 56
Hemlock, IN 46937
4
here were you on June 21-30 of 2013? Perhaps you
have a job that keeps you tied down 5-6 days a week. Maybe you
have a physical ailment that keeps you in the home or at rest most
of the time now. There may be other duties that demand your time
and all of your effort. For quite a number of blessed individuals,
God in His mercy and kindness allowed them to attend the 47th
Pilgrim Holiness Church Camp Meeting. What a camp meeting it
was! Those who attended will remember it as a spiritual and moving camp. The Frankfort Campgrounds itself seemed like “Holy
Ground.” During the day, between services, God’s presence was
so real and the early morning prayer meetings, He seemed to
bring Heaven and Earth together. Bro. Don Raines led the devotions and emphasis was stressed on different needs each morning. There were many of those staying on the grounds who attended each morning and what an encouragement those prayer
meetings were. If you missed them and can be at camp in 2014,
if God tarries, don’t miss out on the gift of early morning prayer
meeting with other saints seeking God’s will and way with their
lives. You’ll grow in His grace and wisdom. Many of you that could
not be at camp were lifted before the Lord in prayer. Our Pilgrim
pastors, congregations, and other loved ones were presented to
the throne of God for His encouragement to be granted to His
people. Oh, for the privilege of prayer!
Dr. Randall McElwain is noted across the conservative
Holiness movement for his God given educational and musical
abilities. What most of us didn’t realize is how God has blessed
him with the gift of preaching. Bro. McElwain brought sermon
upon sermon, dealing with progress in sainthood and our walk
with Christ. On June 23 AM service, the message titled: “Wasteful Worship” was perhaps the most dynamic sermon ever given
concerning asking ourselves the question of having no reserve,
no retreat, and no regrets in wasting our life for Christ. Bro.
McElwain stated, “In the eyes of the world, worshipping God is a
waste. True worship is worshipping God with no strings attached.
When Mary anointed Jesus, the fragrance effected everyone,
but the precious, costly perfume was only for Jesus. All of the
others thought that the action was wasteful, except Mary and
Jesus”. The question by Bro. McElwain was, “Are you wasting
your savings on Jesus while others are planning a future? Human nature rebels against wasting for God. Was the tabernacle a
waste?” Rev. McElwain gave us practical lessons and wisdom in
worshipping God. “Service to God without communion with God
will always bring destruction and distraction. Following is more
important than doing. There must be that communion with God
that allows Him to pour into us in order to renew our Spirit. Don’t
quit working for Jesus, just take time to be Holy. Enoch thought
that the most important thing in life was walking with God. The
world thinks, ‘What a waste!’ Do we worship and perform for only
one (Jesus), regardless of the cost? Have we wasted our life for
Christ?” Matthew 16 says, “Whosoever shall lose his life for my
sake, shall find it.” “The only way to keep from wasting your life
is to waste it on Jesus. The great irony of the Gospel; God uses
those who waste themselves for Him. Are we wasting our life for
Jesus?” The message concluded with the song, “Holy, Holy, Holy,
All the saints adore Thee.” The last question of the message was,
“Are we practicing casting our golden crowns here, for there?”
Other memorable sermons by Bro. McElwain were
“Mount Moriah”, emphasizing “Don’t struggle with God’s promises
and surrendering to God what is most precious to us, and God’s
fullest blessing will come. “What Doeth the Lord Require”, with
the acclamation that “the factor that makes the difference in our
growth in Holiness is the quality of our fellowship with Christ.”
Our other anointed evangelist was the Rev. Adam
Buckler. For many of us campees, it was the first time to hear this
fireball from Kentucky. We also found out that UBC has elected
him to be their president. UBC had better put on their seat belts
for the ride of their life. We expect to hear of wonderful movements of God in their midst with Bro. Buckler sitting in the cockpit
and God directing him. (And we do believe he wants God to direct
him).
On June 22, Bro. Buckler gave us a message of
“Christmas in June” (July) from Matthew 1:18-25. The title of the
message is “Emmanuel, God is With Us.” He preached other tremendous messages, such as: “The Proof is in the Pomegranate” asking us if we were having the fruit of Canaan Land; Love,
Joy, and Peace, and sharing these with the lost world? “Are you
thrilled about the fruit of Holiness (Canaan Land)? If you’ve tasted
it, you should be.” He said he just wanted to talk to us as an old
friend, and he did just that.
Getting back to “Emmanuel, God is With Us,” Bro.
Buckler proclaimed there is no more profound promise given to
humanity and, not a greater triumphant message in the gospel,
than “God is with us.” “We can get excited about a lot of things,
but if it were not for this fact that God is with us, we’d be helpless
and hopeless in the world. Have the trees always been as green
as they are now? Has the sky always been as blue? When God
comes in, He turns on the light and changes all of our perceptions! He is a personal God. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they shall see God.’ When He is in us, everything looks different.
God is with us, God is for us, God is in us.” Praise God!
Rev. Buckler gave the illustration of an Atheist whose
son started in Sunday school. To make the boy realize that there
is no God, he wrote on a poster, ‘God is Nowhere’. He knew that
his son would see it and they could talk about it. When the son
came home, however, the dad was startled, as the son was excited. He said, “Yes, Dad, that’s what they said at Sunday school,
‘God is Now Here!” When we see God, our perception changes!
(Hallelujah!).
We were reminded at the end of the message, “We are
a bought back bunch – we ought to act like it.” And then Bro.
Buckler shouted a little. What a stirring message!
As you can see, you must make Camp 2014 a priority
and your vacation next year.
Bro. Southerland, with Bro. Nichols and the Council
backing him, did a marvelous job of leading both the Conference
and the camp. All hearts were inspired, and left camp believing
that God is going to help His people this coming year. Come on,
Pilgrims! We’re not home yet and we have many to win for him.
This can be our best year ever for Christ, the lost world and our
churches.
The Glick family! What can we say but “Thank God for
the gift of their ability, spirit, and love to His people.” The addition
of their ministry helped create the spirit of worship and praise, and
in the alter calls, and the Holy Spirit used their love and compas-
sion to the fullest degree.
Lorna Rundell once again was a major hit with our children and grandchildren. Her youthful energy and dynamic spirit
enthused and energized the children to “bubbly and overflowing.”
Then, of course, the parents and grandparents were proud of
their “little ones” performance.
The missions service once again brought the focus on
Antigua and Dominica. We are needing a church in Antigua and
we believe God wants it. The Heddens spoke with enthusiasm
and zeal as they were preparing for their departure to Antigua.
Keep them in your prayers.
Amy Bryant once again fed us to capacity and so all
was well. “Keep people fed and they will be happy.” Anonymous.
Many went home heavier than they came to camp.
Once again, our youth is priceless to our church of today and due to a generous supporter of Pilgrim Camp, our youth
on Friday night brought in a tidy contribution by being in attendance in the service. The youth were also our ushers this year
and hopefully they will involve themselves even in other areas of
our camp. Thank you Pilgrim youth!
In conclusion, if you were unable to attend, we can still
give you a little of 2013 Camp meeting. Order the sermons and
singing on CD from Bro. Paul Gray at P.O. Box 234, Palestine,
Illinois 62451, (618) 586-2260.
“Clay Kneaded”…it’s a play on words, but it was our
theme for PYC ’13. God needs clay to make into useable vessels, but the clay will be kneaded in the process. I don’t think that
I have ever been as excited about our theme as I was this year.
Rev. Frank Heidler, a dear friend of mine from college days, was
our evangelist and did a terrific job with this subject during the
morning sessions. Sometimes he brought out laughter, but the
truths he gave were right on the mark. What a blessing he was,
not only in the morning sessions, but also in the preaching of
God’s Word in the evening services which produced altar scenes
every night. In addition to the ministry of Bro. Heidler, we were
blessed each evening with the music ministry of Jonathan and
Jalena Glick.
Thursday evening was the crowning of the camp with
the pre-service beginning at 6:30 then followed by the regular
evangelistic service at 7:00. The service was good but nothing out of the ordinary until Bro. Heidler opened the altar at the
conclusion of his message. The altar lined with young people
seeking God. As the praying began to subside it was time for testimonies. It is a delight to listen to these kids voice their praise to
God. I was beginning to feel that it was time to close the service
but didn’t really know how or feel clear on doing so, but God was
working His plan. One of the young men from a Bible College
stood and expressed a need to pray and once again the altar
filled. The service was charged with the Divine Presence which
provided the youth with an experience of a personal encounter
with God. The service concluded sometime after 11 PM. One
young lady commented on a picture of an altar scene that she
will “never, ever forget youth camp”! She comes with a Pilgrim
heritage, but because of the ravaging effects of sin, you would not
know it just by simple conversation.
It’s been rightly said that this spiritual encounter will not
in itself save any one of these kids, but I’m confident that a seed
has been planted and will never be forgotten. I believe that a large
part of the problem for our youth is when they see inconsistencies
from the adults…people that are bumping the borders and pushing the limits. The lines are being redrawn on what is considered
modest dress; less on the sleeves, less on the length, less on the
neck and less on the footwear! On the other hand we are seeing
more of some things as well…more use of makeup, more trinkets
of ornamentation, more similarities with the culture, and more attachment to sports. Someone said that the battle will be fought
where the lines are drawn, but our lines are becoming so blurred
that the battle has all but disappeared because some are silently
moving the lines. Yes, it’s true, if the encounter with God at PYC
’13 is to be anything more than a memory, then we need a revival
in many of our own private lives!
The registration process for Pilgrim Youth Camp 2013
was underway by 10 AM with young people lining up to be campers. When registration concluded we had a total of 163 campers
on hand for the week. The weather once again was ‘youth camp
perfect’. Sunburned faces were soon the norm and a few of us
sported burned heads as well. Many times when people look at
statistics they look at ‘trends’ so here is a three year trend: Of
the 163 registered campers this year, Pilgrim churches provided
112 of them, which is up from 95 last year and 79 the previous
year; 51 youth came from other churches. That shows 69% of our
youth campers were from Pilgrim Holiness Churches.
I must express my appreciation for the men who make
up the Youth Camp Committee! They are not only colleagues but
they are also wonderful friends. They are a great group of men
who are dedicated to and passionate about PYC. A thank-you to
many others who were not at Youth Camp but provided prayer
and financial support! Thank-you for praying for me, the staff
and for the camp in general! We cannot succeed without God’s
Divine intervention!
I am often made aware of my need of the Lord’s special
help. I know that wisdom and strength come from above. Thankyou for the incredible honor to have been the Pilgrim Holiness
Youth Camp Director for another year and to God be the glory!
I am truly a blessed person having such wonderful
young people to serve!
A big thank you to those who made Darlene Kelley’s last earthly
camp meeting special. She made a list of all those who came
by the cabin to talk and pray with her. It meant so much to her
for your visits and kindness that was shown. Within eleven
days after camp she made her final trip and landed on Heaven’s
shore.
Thanks to all who have kindly remembered me in memory of her
loss. You, again, have been so kind and I am grateful.
Connie Hull
5
McElwain
Buckler
Rev. Jackman honored
Glicks
teens participate
orchestra
teen crowd
missions service
children’s program
8
Memories
72, died on Thursday, July
11, 2013 in her residence near Upland, Indiana. She was born in
Adrian, Michigan on May 23, 1941. Darlene worked at Bixby Hospital in Adrian, Michigan for 11 years, at United Holiness Church
in Manistique, Michigan for 3 years, at United Holiness Church
in Holton, Michigan for 3 years, at United Holiness Church in
Muskegon, Michigan for 6 years, and at Pilgrim Holiness Church
in Marion, Indiana for 17 years. She enjoyed reading, especially
Christian novels and solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles.
Most of all, she enjoyed being with people.
Survivors include sister, Patricia Stagner, Alabama;
several nieces, nephews and her church family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Garner and
Jane (Allen) Williams; siblings, Dick Kelley, Barbara Jones, and
Kathy Kelley.
Funeral Service was at 11 am on Tuesday, July 16,
2013 at Jefferson Christian Church, 5220 South 800 East, Upland, Indiana with Reverends Mark Arnett and James Southerland officiating. Burial was in Jefferson Cemetery, Upland, Indiana.
Darlene Sue Kelley,
“But the path of
the just is as the
shining light, that
shineth more and
more unto the
perfect day.”
Proverbs 4:18
L
Lawrence
Clifton,
95, of Columbus, Indiana, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died August 2, 2013 at Kindred Columbus Health in Columbus, Indiana.
He was born April 27, 1918 in Menfro, Missouri, son of
Norman and Grace (Foster) Clifton. He and Ida I. Winkler were
married on February 15, 1946. She preceded him in death on
June 3, 1998.
Brother Clifton was a retired farmer. He was a member
of Pilgrim Holiness Church in Franklin, Indiana.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary
Jane and Chuck McGuire of Columbus, Indiana, Kathy and Dave
Spring of Eldridge, Iowa; two brothers, Francis Clifton of Scottsdale, Arizona, Virgil Clifton of St. Louis, Missouri; 6 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren. He
was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 5 brothers, and one
sister.
The funeral service was held August 6 at Young &
Sons Funeral Home in Perryville, Missouri with Rev. Don Estes
officiating. Burial was in Home Cemetery.
Special
Dates
Rosalynn
Bella Koester,
6 weeks old, of Effingham, Illinois passed away at 3:49 p.m., Monday, August 5,
2013 in Cardinal Glennon Children Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Rosalynn was born on June 22, 2013 in Mattoon, Illinois, the infant daughter of Anthony W. and Andrea L. (Jones)
Koester.
She is survived by her parents of Effingham, brother
P J Jones and sisters Raelynn Koester (her twin) and Haleigh
Jones all at home. Grandparents: Brian and Emily Koester of
Teutopolis, Lisa Oliver of St. Elmo, Illinois, great- grandparents:
Lorene Abendroth of St. Elmo, Bob Oliver of St. Elmo, Tony &
Mary Jane Koester of Teutopolis, Illinois.
She is preceded in death by great-grandparents:
Charles Abendroth, Rosemary Oliver, and William King.
Funeral service was Friday, August 9, 2013 at C & A
Pagel Funeral Home in St. Elmo, Illinois with burial in Fairview
Cemetery near Brownstown.
October
Birthdays
3 - Penny Ford
5 - Charlotte Meador
9 - Joan Christy
19 - McDowill Henry
20 - Tim Forsee
24 Dale Stratton
24 - Linda Hopkins
24 - John Zeigler
27 - Naomi Gray
27 - Glenn Halstead
Anniversaries
16 - Gary & Nancy Grissom
30 - Bob & Marie Nuchols
October 17-19, 2013
December 6, 2013
Crest Haven Family Center
Oblong, Illinois
Pilgrim Holiness Church Conference Center
Anderson, Indiana
December
November
Birthdays
Birthdays
2
3
11
11
12
19
19
- Max Masters
- Larry Bittinger
- John Forsee
- Marie Nuchols
- Ken Christy
- Don Davison
- Mae Sannes
28 -
Happy Birthday
Conference President
James Southerland!
30 - Charles Line
Anniversaries
6 - Bill & Lynette Spencer
7 - Louis & Treva Fox
9
10 - James & Sharon Farney
4
6
6
8
12
15
- Robert Gray
- Elverne Asbury
- Fitz Vigilant
- Don Walden
- Ken Miles
- Janis Leach
17 - Leanne Zeigler
19 - Barbara Brock
24 - Ray Meador
26 - Phil Harris
27 - James Farney
31 - Mary Harris
Anniversaries
5 - Rev. & Mrs. Rodney
16 - Gary & Linda Hopkins
31 - Lowell & Jean McVey
Congratulations
23 - Jim & Patsy Southerland
on their 51st!
have been in the Ministry for many, many years, and are looking
forward to the wonderful prospects at Decatur!
Church
News
Corydon, Indiana
In early July the church added several new members.
Dwayne and Andrea Reynolds, Bro. and Sis. Dick Heatwole, and
Leah Ranke.
Dwayne and Andrea Reynolds also celebrated the dedication of their youngest daughter Chloe Renae Reynolds. She was
dedicated on the 14th of July and Bro. Dick Heatwole prayed for his
granddaughter and her parents.
On Friday, July the 19, a Penn View trio sang many uplifting and worshipful songs. Also, one of the members played pan
pipes and did an exceptional job.
Sis. Elaine Lowe became Mrs. Lovell on July the 26. The
lucky groom was Mr. Steve Lovell.
The trip to Haiti was an extreme success. Kristen and
Briana have both said that they would like to return and visit again.
On August 20 Kiara Mae Toy was born to Emily and Jason Toy. She weighed 6lbs 9.5 oz.
The church has finished the shelter house and will be
putting down grass next month. On Saturday the 24, the church
had a picnic at the shelter house to celebrate the finished product.
Also, the school started out with 40 students this year.
The September VBS will start on the third and go through
the sixth. The theme is “Kids out of This World,” and it is being done
by Andrea Reynolds. The youth are going to help lead songs, help
with crafts, games, and Scriptures. Praise God for his wonderful
works!
Decatur, Illinois
The congregation is happy to welcome as their NEW
Pastor, the Rev. & Mrs. John Powell. Rev. John & Beverly Powell
Franklin, Indiana
Everyone at Franklin Pilgrim Holiness Church has been
busy working for the Lord and serving him in the beauty of Holiness. During the last week of July, we had VBS with the Bakers.
There were 72 children/youth that attended. That was a great outreach to our community and new people were invited and attended.
The Bakers did a wonderful job teaching the children and engaging
them in songs, stories, and activities. Sis. Vanessa Froelich, Junior Church Teacher, also did an outstanding job organizing VBS.
On August 6th, the day before their 20th anniversary,
Marcus Jack Forsee was born to Rev. Tim and Sis. Kim Forsee.
This is their 8th boy! What a house of joy they have with all the
boys, and what a way to celebrate an anniversary! God has definitely blessed the Forsee family.
On August 18th, we had a dedication service for our
church library. The John and Vera Fisher Library is compiled with
various Holiness literature. What a blessing it will be for years to
come. We are grateful to the Fisher family. The Bill and Rosemary
Douglass family also donated numerous Holiness resources to the
library. We are thankful to have wonderful church librarians as
well, Gary and Naomi Greathouse have spent many hours organizing and preparing the library for our use.
On Saturday, August 24th, our church had an outreach
picnic at Johnson County Park. There were a good number of
visitors and children in attendance. We pray God will bless these
efforts and bring these people into our church fellowship meetings
on a consistent basis.
Our church has Youth Night on the last Sunday of each
month. Sis. Forsee and Ethan played the piano together, then
Ethan, Evan, Adam, and Caleb Forsee sang for Youth Night. We
love our young people and want to encourage them to grow closer
to God. Pastor Forsee has a great way of engaging and encouraging young people. May God continue to bless him with his passionate efforts.
Pastor Forsee has been presenting a Bible study on the
book of James, a chapter on purity. We are thankful for the truths
he has been emphasizing to help us grow as Christians. We are
honored to have such a pastor and his family at our church. We
are truly blessed.
Let’s just keep praising the Lord. Although the world is
10
filled with sin, we are the light that shines in the darkness. Thank
God for His wonderful grace and blessings.
Muncie, Indiana
Greetings from the Muncie Pilgrim Holiness Church.
“Farewell to Our Pastor and Friend”
On June 30th, 2013, the church was filled with 153
people who gathered to honor and bid farewell to Rev. Stephen
G. Clemens and family. After 29 years of faithful service, Brother
Clemens decided it was time to move on.
Brother Jerry Case was in charge of the song service.
At a time of transition in our church, the perfect song was chosen-”Gentle Shepherd”. Brother Clemens gave a short message from
Phil 1:4-11 and Hebrews 12:1...Let us run with patience the race
that is set before us...
“A Time of Tears and Laughter”
Brother and Sister Clemens were joined on the platform
with all their children: Shawn, Stephenie and Scott (who was the
spokesperson for the family). He spoke of the childhood they had
right there at the church. There were tears and laughter—Memories which will remain—29 years and 11 grandchildren later. We,
as a church, wish them well and will pray for them daily.
The Good News children gave a presentation to the Pastor and Sister Clemens--for the pastor, a plaque. There was an
angel lamp with a plaque for Sister Clemens, as well as photo of
the Good News Children.
Following the service, we all went to the school for a
farewell meal and time of fellowship. A big thanks goes out to
Lorna Miles and her helpers for a very nice job. We also wish to
thank the ladies for all the good food they brought in.
On August 25, we welcomed our new pastor and wife,
Rev. Anthony and Crystal Harris. The Muncie Pilgrim Holiness
Church is enjoying the excitement of serving God with a renewed
spirit, looking forward to new growth in the church. To God be the
Glory!
Linda Clevenger, reporter
Noblesville, Indiana
Greetings from NPHC!! This year so far is zooming right
along and we are heading into the half way mark of the 2013. The
first Sunday of June ended our Sunday School Campaign, Racing
Towards The Mark, which was a very rewarding time with everyone
doing their part to make it a success.
This year especially we have seen God move in a mighty
way in our services many times. We have seen more people from
the Riverwood and the Noblesville community that our church has
been calling and working with for several years start attending our
services more. We started picking up children on the bus and now
we have a good number of adults that attend each Sunday. We
have had several get saved and also have had some to call and
say, “Could you come to my house? I want to get saved.” That’s
what it’s all about folks. Winning souls for Christ.
While family camp was going on some thought it best to stay and
have church for those that have been coming so faithfully from Riverwood and Noblesville for Sunday morning worship. Those of us
that were staying, might tell you our faith was not thinking a large
number with so many away at camp meeting, but we were pretty
excited that we had 75 the first Sunday. PTL!!
We also had a well-attended Memorial service to celebrate the 1 year passing of Jordan Franklin on Sunday afternoon,
June 16th. We so miss his smile and hugs around NPHC.
July was busy as ever, but nice in the weather department for our VBS theme this year “Adventures In Time” with our
very own people taking part again this year. As we traveled back in
time each night a different Bible character would appear. We even
had our very own cool Scripturebots, Shaunbot and Megatron, aka.
– Shane Fish and Megan Franklin to help the children learn their
scripture verses.
We have all the highlights on our facebook page if you
would like to see more under photos. https://www.facebook.com/
NoblesvillePHC. If you would like to follow us, please feel free to
“Like” us. We also do live streaming of our services (just audio as
of now) and working on getting them all archived.
Here at Noblesville our youth get very involved from calling to helping out the senior citizens of our congregation with things
they no longer can do. Many hands made work a little more enjoyable.
We are so excited for the days ahead here at NPHC as
summer is fast coming to a close and fall is just ahead. We are a
soul saving station and may we as a congregation help spread the
word and minister to the communities that God has so faithful let us
work among.
Lexington, Kentucky
The congregation in the heart of the bluegrass is working
tirelessly to beautify and improve the grounds. Situated in the heart
of the urban jungle, the church has such an incredible opportunity
for outreach. But, in order to reach the community effectively, the
church property has been in serious need of updates and repairs.
The most pressing issue was the fact that there was not adequate
signage. Many people in the neighborhood cliamed to have lived
close the church all their lives, not knowing that it was a house of
worship. A beautiful eight-foot sign with matching signage for the
parking lot and building have dramatically increased the church’s
visibility.
Additionally, extensive landscaping has been planted
around both properties – complete with a pine tree, hundreds of
beautiful flowers, 16 holly bushes, 2 azalea bushes, asiatic lilies,
transplanted hostas, and day liliesed some. The butterflies and
bees have come from miles around, and they have brought new
converts and new attendees. Just like our gardens, our church is
growing and flourishing!
It’s a Boy!
Rev. Tim and Kim Forsee welcome their 8the son into
their family. Marcus Jack Forsee was born August 6, 2013 at 9:40
p.m. at Community South Hospital, Greenwood, Indiana. He was
7 lbs. 5 oz., and 20.5 inches long. He sure is cute. He gets a
lot of attention from his brothers; Luke, Ben, Ethan, Evan, Adam,
Caleb, and Levi. The baby’s grandparents are Nancy Ellers of
Crooksville, Ohio, and John (Jack) and Lorna Forsee of Batavia,
Ohio. The Forsees pastor the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Franklin,
Indiana.
11
In my journey to be more Christ-like, I have had to ask
myself some of those piercing questions. I mean questions like,
“What would Jesus support?” and “Where would Jesus go?” I
found out several years ago that it is one thing to be a Christian,
and it is quite another thing to live as an entirely sanctified believer in this present world. However, I am presently discovering
an even deeper truth. When the Apostle Paul said, “And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God,” (Romans 12:2) he was talking about far
more than just trying to be more like God. Paul was calling us to
a relationship of radical Holiness – an obsession with the worldview of the Heavenly Kingdom. The kind of carefulness Paul proscribes goes beyond merely being conservative or set apart. God
is calling us all to drastically see life differently. To do this, we
may be called upon to reexamine some of our dearest notions
and hardest-held ideas.
One area to which I have been giving a lot of thought,
recently, is the area of professional sports. Now, as I write, I
realize how divisive this issue is. While one reader is probably
saying, “Oh, boy, here comes the legalist rant,” the other reader
might say, “Why even talk about it?! If your heart is in the right
place, the entrapments of the world won’t be an issue. There is
no place for professional sports in the entirely sanctified life.” I
am very sympathetic to both viewpoints. Why? Because I have
dear friends and loved ones (in whom I have loads of confidence)
who come down on both sides of the issue. I realize that when
Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith
the Lord:” it is talking about salvation. But I believe that the offer
for a reasoned-out response echoes the sentiment of who God
is. This article will seek only to present some facts. Where you
choose to go from there is between you and God.
I was astounded to discover that according to theawl.
com, “Baseball player salaries, starting in the mid-70s, began
to climb steadily, shooting through any number of roofs—in 48
years, the average salaries have increased by 3,125%. The average salary for a player in this period was never exactly an insult, always at least six figures, but by 1990 entering millionaire
territory.” This trend can be seen somewhat in the other sports,
but it is much more pronounced in baseball, because baseball is
“America’s pastime.”
I recently posed the following question to some friends,
Even if the majority of sports organizations were not
subsidized (at least in some part) by alcohol manufacturers, and even if the majority of games did not involve
heavy alcohol drinking by spectators, and even if the
gyrations of the cheer or dance girls weren’t provocative, and even if the cheer or dance girls weren’t half
naked on the field - can a careful Christian support
(through merchandise, tickets, TV and radio ratings,
and web traffic, etc.) an organization that actively tries
to make demigods out of mere mortals and pays these
people 10, 100, or even 1,000 times what they are actually worth? Now, I realize that CEO’s and lawyers,
too, are WAY overpaid. But there are a few key differences that make their salaries a tiny bit less egregious:
(1) posters, jerseys, and blankets rarely bear the image or numbers of CEO’s and lawyers, (2) few teens
or children with developing identities can recite the
names and playing positions of any CEO’s or lawyers,
and (3) CEO’s and lawyers make an attempt (albeit,
often scandalously) at providing a service to people,
other than mere entertainment diversion.
I expected the discussion to get animated on the topic
of money and sports, but I did not expect my eyes to be opened
even further. One of my good friends brought up two other points.
First, he reminded me of how prominent it has become for professional sports teams to blatantly desecrate the Lord’s Day, as
standard practice. Sundays have become such a huge sports
day, that many mainstream pastors have felt pressured to alter
their service schedules (to get people home before for kickoff)
or integrate sports themes and special sports programming into
their regular church services. Some Christians attempt a compromise by having a friend record the game for later or by only
attending non-Sunday games. However, shouldn’t we be asking
whether it is appropriate to even support an organization at all,
when that organization so blatantly and routinely profits directly
from desecrating the Lord’s Day?
Second, my friend pointed out how prominent aggressive behavior is for many professional sports. But, come to think
of it, I have recently wondered why we Holiness people seem
to be declining in the virtue of piety. It has seemed to me, for
some time, that the traditional focus the Holiness Movement has
always placed on careful piety has been replaced with a rash,
aggressive promotion of individual agendas and personalities. It
seems we tend to raise mere men – evangelists, singers, and
Christian leaders – to such ethereal heights of esteem, that when
their actions are unholy, we feel compelled to justify them. Then,
when they come crashing from their man-made perches, we
blame God. I’ve wondered why we – the called-out ones – put
such focus on charisma, charm, passion, and personal drives
for success. Have we unwittingly traded our Biblical values for
trading card statistics? Has the lowly pastor been replaced with
the basketball power forward? Has the quarterback robbed the
prayer warrior of the admiration we once paid her?
Interestingly enough, there is no clear reference to professional sports in our Pilgrim Holiness Church Discipline. Horse
racing (due to the gambling), and inter-church sports leagues are
not allowed. But no reference is made to the MLB, the NFL, the
NBA, NASCAR, the PGA, the MLS, the US Open, the NHL, or the
Olympic games, etc. With polity approaching in our Conference,
should this be addressed? Should it be addressed in our own
homes? In our own churches? What does it mean to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”? As I said earlier, I have no
desire to hurt or offend. I am searching my own soul, and inviting
my friends to do the same.
I recall that ancient tale, where the Greeks secretly invaded the city of Troy through the gift of the horse. Many times
the most destructive forces in our lives come upon us quietly and
innocuously. If we are to be radically Holy, though, we must ask
ourselves these questions. When I hear, “Come now, and let us
reason together,” I often say, “Ouch!”
Noblesville, Ind.
Noblesville, Ind.
Corydon, Ind.
Kelley
Koester
Noblesville, Ind.
Toy
Franklin, Ind.
Corydon, Ind.
youth camp
Lexington, Ky.