Missions Efforts Changing our World
by M.L. Walls

This year has been a very exciting year for the Foreign Missions Department of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ! Reports from our missionaries are encouraging to know of how God is moving in their areas of labor.

We had the privilege of visiting eight District Camp Meetings this year. We sincerely appreciate the warm and welcome reception we received from each District Superintendent. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to promote the work of the Foreign Missions Department at your camp.

We had the honor of speaking at the very first Women’s Esprit Conference of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippines.
Following the WE conference, Brother Elkins and I had the opportunity of conducting a two-day seminar for the ministers and workers. What a blessing to witness the enthusiasm and willingness to learn coming from about 100 ministers and workers! The church in the Philippines continues to move forward in a positive manner with reports of baptisms and people receiving the Holy Ghost being report on a frequent basis.

Another highlight of our year was to be able to attend the 2nd Annual European Missionary Conference. This year it was held in Ireland where Brother and Sister Thomas Potter and daughter Julie are our missionaries. The Conference was held in the brand new church building that the Potters had been praying for and working toward for some time. They now have a beautiful building in which to worship God. The anointing of the Lord was on every service. The Potters are to be commended for being such great hosts for the Conference, and for the great work they are doing in Ireland.

During the month of October we had the distinct privilege of spending about a week in Cuba. The church is alive and well in Cuba after some 50 years of working under a communist government. The outpouring of the Holy Ghost was unprecedented! More than 100 were reported to have received the Holy Ghost during the services!

There is excitement in the air everywhere we go as we witness what God is doing in this evening time. To be privileged to be involved in reaching out to our world with the one true Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed a tremendous blessing. It is because of people like you who are reading this report that these things are happening. Together we are making a difference!

Your continued support of the Foreign Missions efforts is greatly appreciated.

Cuban Pentecost

by Rachael Rennard

The day before our family left for Cuba, Indiana experienced a record high in temperature. Normally the beginning of October is characterized by cool temperatures and changing leaves. Many Hoosiers were grumbling about the 95 degree temperatures, but we were busy packing and planning for our trip. Only 17 days later, I stepped onto Indiana soil again and was shocked by the swift change of season. The temperature was in the low 50’s and the leaves were a vast array of oranges, yellows, greens, purples and browns. Many of the cornfields that had been chest-high or higher had been harvested. Mums decorated the porches of Hoosiers everywhere, and the air was crisp with a smell of autumn. I was reminded how quickly seasons change. As I was silently thanking God for the beautiful autumn season and a safe return, He spoke to my heart and gave me a simple revelation. Just as quickly as the Indiana season had changed from a record-breaking hot summer to a beautiful autumn, so had the spiritual season changed in the island nation of Cuba.

The Apostolic movement in Cuba began in the 1950’s, but has remained somewhat dormant over the last 50 years. Churches had been preserved, the Gospel was preached, and some were coming to know and serve Jesus Christ. Praise God for men and women who were diligent in planting the seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for such a long time! Along with a recent change of leadership came a more passionate desire to see the Kingdom of God grow and flourish in Cuba. Recently, the Cuban pastors have been baptizing people in large quantities, but they have not seen many receive the Holy Spirit. There were even pastors and national leaders who did not have the Holy Ghost. The leadership in Cuba has been making the preparations and praying for an unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Since our trip in February 2007, we have earnestly prayed for the same outpouring, and we ask every church we visit to pray for the same thing. I am thankful to serve a God who hears our prayers and is willing to answer our requests.

Our group in October consisted of nine members. We were primarily visiting to attend the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ National Convention. They had around 500 in attendance from all over Cuba.

Most had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit, although many had already been baptized. We attended six services in two days. We were packed into a building, with temperatures soaring. Neither the crowd nor the heat was deterrence from diligently seeking after God. The speakers were Bishop Osvaldo Barizonte, the president of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in Cuba, Brother Troy Shurte, Brother M.L. Walls, my husband James Rennard, and my pastor Brother Matthew Ball. All preached with anointing and authority, and the results were staggering. On the first day, the National Secretary and pastor of one of the largest churches was filled with the Holy Ghost!
That night at least ten more received it.

On the second day of the Convention, my husband preached a simple message about faith. As he finished, he asked for anyone who needed a miracle from God to come forward. We were overwhelmed to see hundreds flood the front. There was no way to pray for them all in that kind of crowd, so Brother Shurte suggested a prayer line. We gathered all the Cuban pastors along with our group and lined up. For more than two hours people came through the prayer line. We saw person after person receive the Holy Spirit. We saw Cuban pastors, who in the past had been hesitant to lay their hands on people, lay their hands on people and receive the Holy Ghost! Many began to stagger out of the building and continue to pray. A large group formed outside, and if they did not get what they needed in the prayer line, more pastors were waiting outside to continue praying with them.

At one point I turned to the National Secretary and said, “This is like Cuban Pentecost!” From that point on, they were referring to the Convention as the beginning of Cuban Pentecost. Hours later, while we were eating lunch, the wife of the National Secretary told us she wanted to receive the Holy Ghost, too. We began to pray with her, and more people gathered around. Several more received the Holy Ghost in the cafeteria during lunch. The estimates are that more than 100 people received the Holy Ghost during our stay in Cuba. God’s Spirit blew in like a rushing mighty wind and changed the entire spiritual climate of His church in Cuba.

Service after service people were hungrily seeking God. Worship service lasted hours at times. People were drenched with sweat, yet still giving God 100 percent in worship. I have never seen people worship with such a spirit of joy. Children flooded the altars, participating in every aspect of the services, from engaging in worship service wholeheartedly to praying in the altar and receiving the Holy Spirit. In one particular service, I watched a young girl, maybe seven or eight years old, praying for her friend to receive the Holy Ghost. She was shouting things like, “That’s it, praise the Lord! Open your mouth, praise the Lord!”

The Convention took place on a Nazarene campground. During the course of two days, some of the Nazarenes heard the commotion and came to see what was happening. Many came forward for prayer for various needs, and several received the Holy Ghost. Some have started attending Apostolic churches! After the Convention, we attended a baptism service where about ten people were baptized from one church alone, whose membership had been 37. This year there have been so many to baptize that the leaders have been organizing mass baptisms.
In the period of one month around May, more than 70 were baptized.

Our bus driver, who we hired for our trip, was standing outside the church during the baptism service and afterwards told us he wanted to be baptized! When we visited in May, the pastors were witnessing to a Methodist pastor about Oneness and baptism in Jesus’ name. When our group returned in October, this pastor had re-baptized his entire congregation and joined the Apostolic organization! We visited his church and were thrilled to see the power of God working and moving in their church.

After most of our group left, our family stayed an additional week to make some arrangements for a future stay. One particular day we had stopped to eat lunch at a small restaurant. When we were finished eating, we realized that our camera bag had been stolen. Its contents were invaluable, not because of the video camera and digital camera (valued at close to $1000). Nor was it invaluable because of our passports which were inside. It was invaluable because it was the only footage of this “Cuban Pentecost.” We had hours of footage of people receiving the Holy Spirit. Our family and our translator began to pray. As my husband, our bus driver and our translator talked to security guards and restaurant employees, my three year old daughter and I prayed in the bus. I was extremely worried about the passport situation and devastated about the loss of the footage. I prayed that whoever stole the bag would watch the footage, feel conviction for taking the bag, and return it. The rest of the day is a blur.

We headed to the US Embassy, which was quite a process. They told us it would not be a problem to get new passports. They also advised us to file a police report. My husband dropped my daughter and me off at the house where we were staying, and they went to file the police report. They got in a Cuban police car and headed to the restaurant to talk to the employees. When they arrived, which had been about four or five hours after the camera was stolen, there was a couple there who claimed to have “accidentally taken the camera.” They turned it in to the reception desk at a nearby hotel. Everything was in the bag. I believe God answered my prayer in the exact way I asked Him to. I am thankful that He cares about what is important to us. What a miracle!

The Cuban church is truly in a new season. Jesus is moving in an awe- inspiring way. No longer are they holding on, only dreaming of and praying for an outpouring of God’s Spirit. They are seeing it happen!
They are walking with an Apostolic authority and anointing. Our Cuban brothers and sisters are in a season of end-time Apostolic revival, and this “Cuban Pentecost” is only the beginning. Praise God for hearing the prayers of generations and honoring His promise to pour out His Spirit.

Let us share in their joy and experience a similar revival at home. If you would like more information about the revival in Cuba, please visit www.cubaforchrist.net, and if you would like to be added to our e-mail news list, please e-mail us at info@cubaforchrist.net. Cuba for Christ!

Rachael Rennard and her husband James are preparing to move to Cuba to become missionaries there.

European Conference

Waterford, Ireland

The view outside our church doors reveals an abundant harvest. Sometimes, however, we become so entrenched in our field of souls that we lose sight of the big picture of the Gospel. The antidote for tunnel vision is to visit a foreign field, and a journey to Ireland to attend the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ European Conference proved that fact once again. This trip was a reminder that the Kingdom of God is universal, and the Apostolic message is multinational. People gathered from various points of the United States to join missionaries from Russia, Norway and Ireland. A special anointing was on this meeting from the outset. A new church was dedicated, children witnessed the Gospel presented in a distinctive fashion, and souls were baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.

The 2nd ALJC European Conference began with Bishop M.L. Walls, our Foreign Missions Director, leading the European missionaries down the center aisle carrying the flag of their particular country. Anticipation mounted as Acts 2:38 was quoted in various languages. Brother Robert Martin, our General Superintendent, asked people from each country represented in the service to stand. The reading of the nations sounded like a United Nations roll call. The number was staggering – 17 countries and four continents were in attendance (Bulgaria, Faroe Islands, Norway, Russia, Philippines, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Congo, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, Ghana, Jamaica, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the United States). Sister Julie Potter began leading worship, and immediately I felt connected to saints from all over the world. It was easy to feel at home as the presence of the Lord flooded that new sanctuary. The service highlight was an anointed message from Bishop Walls on the power and purpose of building God a dwelling place. The ensuing services escalated in anointing and blessing.

On Thursday morning Evangelist Nathan Roberts brought his unique style of ministry to the entire congregation. Children and adults alike were captivated by the message of truth he delivered. Brother Roberts also conducted a Children’s Service each evening. Friday evening several children received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

According to Brother Potter, these were some of the first children to be filled with the Spirit in their work. The Stumbo’s son, Luke, was among those who received the Holy Ghost that week. By all accounts, five were filled with the Spirit and five were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ at this conference.

On Thursday evening the new church facility was dedicated for the work of God. For several years the church worshiped in various motels. While God blessed and souls were added, they needed a more permanent place of worship. God is faithful to answer the prayers of His people, and now Great Hope Gospel Ministries of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ gathers to worship in one of the most upscale industrial parks in Waterford. This first-class structure is a place where anyone would be proud to worship. Bishop Walls handled the dedication with class befitting this complex. Later Brother Martin ministered on “The Other Side of Weary.” With anointed words of encouragement he challenged all of us to keep pressing onward. As the conference continued I became increasingly thankful to be a part of this organization and the move of God in Ireland.

On Friday morning the men and ladies had separate sessions. In the ladies’ service Sister Potter and Sister Stumbo both addressed the ladies and Sister Mikki Glaeser ministered in song. Sister Karen Farney made a special presentation to the missionary families symbolizing our appreciation for their work. Sister Faythe Gill taught on the importance of putting on the whole armour of God. At the end of the service the ladies gathered in the altar area, linking arms and quoting Scripture as they put the Sword of the Spirit into action. The men enjoyed hearing from Brothers Sam Speer, Mark Stumbo and Jordan Stumbo. Each expressed their passion for souls and commitment to truth. That evening I had the privilege of ministering on “The Power of Amen.” The way to bring the invisible promises of God into our visible world is by proclaiming an emphatic “Amen” to all God has for us. This experience was a focal point in my ministry.

Brother J.D. Mullins, the European Regional Supervisor, returned to the States with a great testimony of God’s power and grace. Due to an adverse reaction to prescribed medication, he became gravely ill. He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and admitted to the ICU. The call to prayer began to circulate among the group in the hotel and even throughout the States. The initial prognosis was very bleak. The possibility of a lengthy unpleasant hospital stay was said to be imminent. However, not only was Brother Mullins released on Friday evening, he delivered a message of promise at church on Sunday. He expressly reminded each missionary that the future for revival is extremely bright.

Ireland, known as the Emerald Isle, is a beautiful sight of rolling green hills and lush meadows. This fascinating land has a grand history and a remarkable culture. Ten years of economic boon has rapidly raised the Irish standard of living. A good economy and low unemployment draw workers from all over the world to find jobs. In spite of this prosperity, Ireland has the dubious distinction of having the number one suicide rate per capita in the world. Souls are in desperate need of salvation. Certainly the Potters have come to Ireland for such a time as this.

The passion and love the Potter family have for Ireland is easy to recognize. They have completely sold out to the work and people of Ireland. Brother Potter is a man of grace and dignity. The love the people of Ireland have for him is evident. They call him “Daddy.” He has worked tirelessly on the church building, and its quality is a testament to his high standards. Sister Potter is a dynamo of action.

During our entire stay she kept us organized and busy. What an amazing woman! She is surely a handmaiden of God. To meet Julie is to fall in love with her sweet spirit and radiant smile. She does a wonderful job of leading the worship in the church. She helps complete this powerful missionary team.

The faces of the people in Ireland reveal their hunger and passion for God. Their testimonies reflect the truly amazing grace of God.
Carol is the story of a changed life. She left her native Zimbabwe broken on the inside. She had no peace and even attempted suicide.
Life in Ireland did not prove to be much better for her. Brother and Sister Potter found Carol living in the ragged environment of a hostel. They took her into their home and God changed her life.

Carol’s words were: “When I heard of this Gospel and I grabbed it, my life was changed.” Now married to a Holy Ghost filled man and the mother of two children, she sings a new song of praise to God. With tears streaming down her face she sang, “Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds my future, life is worth living just because He lives.” This is why the Potters are in Ireland preaching this glorious Gospel. It is to reach others like Carol.

The people of God in Ireland truly extended a hand of fellowship to every one of us. Their friendly expressions flowed from genuine Christian joy as they welcomed us with open arms. Several from the church in Dublin traveled to Waterford for the Conference, and we were able to become acquainted with them as well as with the saints of Waterford. Following each night’s service we were served a delicious, first class meal. These are precious people.

I returned home with a greater appreciation for the ministry of the Potter family. Although our church has supported this work through prayer and finances, our support will now go to a higher level after witnessing firsthand the work in Ireland and the dedication of the Potter family. Ireland is a field ripe for harvest, worthy to sow into.

Tim Gill pastors Medora Pentecostal Church in Medora, Indiana.

European Conference Reports from Our Missionaries

Ireland
by Thomas Potter, Missionary to Ireland

We finally were able to move into our new facility on the last week of September. This was just days before the 2nd European Missionary Conference convened. What a rush to finish in time. There were many 12-hour days leading up to the conference, but I can tell you, it was worth it. Several received the Holy Ghost and six were baptized in Jesus’ name!

Our visiting brothers and sisters from the United States, Brothers Robert Martin, M. L. Walls, James Mullins, Timothy Gill, Nathan Roberts, and Sister Faythe Gill, ministered with the anointing of God. My! Did we ever have a time! Also, we were blessed to hear from our missionaries, Brother Mark Stumbo (Russia) and Brother Sam Speer (Norway). Unfortunately, Sister Speer and Brother and Sister Danny White (Netherlands) were unable to attend.

Sister Potter reports that the ladies were greatly blessed in the ladies’ meeting. Sister Gill and and Sister Stumbo did a marvelous job encouraging the ladies to continue on, regardless of the circumstances and situations they face.
The owner of the business park where our new facility is located came to two conference services. He was greatly impressed. He is actually telling everyone about our church, and some people have promised to come! In fact, his eldest son had his hands lifted to God with tears in his eyes during Kid’s Church with Brother Nathan Roberts. We serve a faithful God to Whom there are no limits. Indeed, He is limitless; no vision or dream is too big for our God.

Several years ago, while in prayer, I saw fires all over Ireland. We are expecting revival as never before. We will gladly spend and be spent for this glorious Gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.

Norway
by Samuel Speer, Missionary to Norway

We are praising God for our 2nd European Conference held in Waterford, Ireland in October. We just returned and are still rejoicing for all we experienced there.

Ten of us left from Norway to attend, but at the airport, we found out that our foster son, Abel, needed a special entry visa for England. We did not know this before, so he, Sister Speer and our son Ernie had to return home. That was very disappointing to us all, especially to Betty and me. She had worked so hard in planning and putting it all together and then was not able to go.

Arriving in Dublin in the late evening, we rented a van to continue on to Waterford. For all of you who have never driven on the left side of the road, I will tell you that it is quite an experience. Driving in the dark and rain, not really knowing what direction we needed to travel, was very frustrating. By God’s divine help we did finally arrive in Waterford around 11:30 that night.

I am sure you will hear more from others who attended, but we want to give the Lord praise for such anointed ministry from all who spoke to us. Opening the service was the presentation of flags from each country, and an introduction by Foreign Missions Director M.L. Walls and General Superintendent Robert Martin. The evening message by Brother Walls was so inspiring. May the Lord strengthen us to keep the fire burning. Brother Martin spoke on “The Other Side of Weary,” where reaping is promised. The message was so timely to us all, especially the missionaries. Brother Tim Gill brought the message, “The Power of Amen.” I will always say “amen” in a greater understanding and power from now on.

Brother James Mullins had a severe reaction to some medicine he was taking and had to be rushed to the hospital before the conference even began. We were all in earnest prayer, and the Lord delivered him. He was able to be in service with us on Friday evening and ministered to us on Sunday morning. Powerful anointing! What a mighty God we serve! Brother Nathan Roberts wonderfully presented the Gospel message in his unique ministry, and all the children loved that, even us “big children.” What a talent and calling he has. Sister Faythe Gill spoke to the ladies on Friday morning, and I believe all of them were brought to a higher level in the faith.

During the conference six or seven received the Holy Ghost and seven were baptized in Jesus’ name. We all are praising God for His outpouring, including filling Luke Stumbo with the Holy Ghost. This promise is still to our children!

Mexico Missions Trip:
Louisiana Youth Build Church in Rio Bravo

by Kristy Harris

Several months ago, Reverend Steve Wilson preached a message at a Foreign Missions Rally at Apostolic Faith Chapel in Gilbert, Louisiana. During the message he asked a question that has made a great impact on our church family. His question was simple, “If you are not currently in a building program, what is wrong with building a church in foreign missions?” I thought at that moment how great it would be if our church could help someone in foreign missions. I prayed God would give us that opportunity, not knowing that He already had a plan.

In April, Missionary Shirley Hickman came to visit our church during her deputation. During her slide presentation of Mexico, she showed a picture of the church in Rio Bravo. She began to tell us that this church was a work in progress, and God was blessing them with many souls. Immediately, God brought back to my remembrance the question that Brother Wilson had asked us during his message that night. I began to weep before God and prayed that he would make a way for us to help her finish this church.

As soon as the service was over, I went to talk to Bishop Harris about the burden God had placed in my heart. We began to make plans with Sister Hickman, and in July I met with her and gave her an offering from our youth group to help with the cost of the building supplies. As time passed, Sister Hickman began to prepare for our arrival. Our plan was to help her build a church in two days. Our group of 17 consisted of two carpenters, one electrician, and 14 young people that just had a burden to do something for God.

Upon our arrival in Mexico, our hearts became stricken with sorrow at the sights we saw. No words can describe the conditions that these people have to live in. Pictures can do no justice; you have to see it to understand. On Thursday, we drove to Rio Bravo. As we pulled up to the church, I heard gasps from people in the van as we realized that this small, tin-covered lean-to with no walls was a place of worship. There was total silence as we walked up to the church. The Spirit of the Lord swept over us as we listened to Sister Hickman tell about the church family and how the people love to worship God.

She said that the heat is almost unbearable at times, but the people will worship God for hours without stopping. She said that the Mexican people are so hungry for the truth. Many souls have received the Holy Ghost at the Rio Bravo church in the past two years. I will never forget how I felt that day as I realized that we would be changing the lives of this congregation forever by giving them a new building in which to worship.

Over the next two days, we spent 30 hours working on the existing frame. Looking back now, we are all amazed at how much work we were able to accomplish in such a short time. We were able to fix the leaking roof, add extra support to the existing structure, add plywood walls to the outside, put in windows and doors, add sheet rock to the inside, and build an additional room for the Sunday school. Sister Hickman was concerned about us working in the heat and had been praying that God would send cooler weather. God sent a small shower of rain each morning that brought us relief from the blistering heat. God held back the heavy rains from us on Saturday.

It was raining all around us all day long, but we never had to stop working, because it never rained on us at the church.

We were blessed to attend a service with Sister Hickman at the Reynosa church on Thursday night. Reverend Curtis Harris preached as Sister Hickman translated the Word of God. The Spirit of the Lord moved in a mighty way as we cried, prayed and rejoiced together.

Working in the mission field is a very humbling experience. God performed many miracles within us while we were in Mexico. I know we were a blessing to Sister Hickman and the Rio Bravo church, but the blessings we have received in return far exceed what we were able to do for them.
Sister Hickman is such an awesome woman of God. She was an inspiration to us as we watched in amazement at how she ministered to the Mexican people everywhere she went. They love her and treat her with the highest respect. Sister Hickman is dedicated to the people of Mexico. The sacrifices that she makes for the work of God are tremendous and do not go unnoticed by God. We were so blessed to get to know her and Sister Rosealinda. We all enjoyed hearing Sister Hickman share her stories of the miracles God has performed for her while working in Mexico. She preached to us, laughed and cried with us, and fed us delicious fried chicken. We pray that God will send her a great revival in Mexico.

God sent us to help Sister Hickman continue her work in Mexico. Although we were not able to complete the inside of the building, but we are making plans to go back to finish in the spring of 2008. Sister Hickman has since reported that ten new converts were seeking for the Holy Ghost on the second Sunday in the new building. Praise God for the new souls in Mexico.

During the month of September, our church was able to travel abroad in three different missions’ fields in the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our pastor, Bishop Virgil Harris, traveled to Papua New Guinea for two weeks, Reverend Nathan Roberts ministered in Ireland, and we were able to physically build a church in Mexico.

We are so thankful that we have been able to be a part of God’s work in the ALJC Missions’ Department. Special thanks to Sister Hickman for allowing us to come to Mexico and to Bishop Virgil Harris for supporting us. We pray that souls will be added to the Kingdom of God because of our sacrifice.

Kristy Harris attends Apostolic Faith Chapel in Gilbert, Louisiana. She is married to General Youth Secretary Curtis Harris.

Philippines Conference
by Hope Elkins

For you who think you’ll have to leave all of America behind when traveling overseas, take comfort! As we breakfasted at the Jolly Bee, eating Dunkin’ Donuts from a stand around the corner, we realized once again that the entrepreneurial Americans never leave a stone unturned. It seems you can find American food in every nation.

Manila, a city of contrasts, is considered one of the larger cities in the world (population 11 million). Within a few blocks one can see the worst kind of poverty to opulent high rises, home to the rich and famous. Multi-leveled shopping malls, literally spanning several blocks, dot the city landscape, but we were told it would take a day’s wages for a family to eat at the Jolly Bee. Religion and immorality seem to coexist with ease in this city where sin is taken for granted by the general population. Manila truly needs God, and thank God this Apostolic truth is being preached there.

Manila was actually our last stop on the way home. We had spent the past four days at a conference and seminar in Segay City and two Sunday services in Segay and Bacolod. What a glorious time we had at the Women’s Esprit (WE) Conference, “The Virtuous Woman.” Sister Laverne Delicano, the Philippine Women’s Esprit President, outdid herself in showing kindness and hospitality. How we enjoyed being with our sisters in the faith and feeling God’s Spirit move in our midst.

The ministers’ training seminar, organized by ALJC General Secretary Brother Nino, consisted of teaching interspersed with worship. Again God’s Spirit moved in a wonderful way as we sang and praised together and as Foreign Missions Director M.L. Walls and Brother Russell Elkins taught on a variety of topics related to the ministry. We made many lasting friendships during our time of fellowship. On Sunday, Brother Walls preached in Kabankalan, and my husband and I went to Segay. In the Segay service, God poured out His presence in a special way. As we praised God in song, people began to demonstrate under the power of God, and several unsaved young people began to cry and pray.

It was one of those services when you totally forget yourself in God’s mighty presence. We learned later that the service in Kabankalan was much like ours. In both services a total of eight were filled with the Holy Ghost, and seven returned to their home churches with the intention of being baptized in Jesus’ name. The next day we flew out of Bacolod with feelings of sadness at leaving our friends but also of joy that God had met with us.

An hour and a half later we were met at Manila by Brother Alan Malunes, an ALJC pastor who so graciously assists visitors through airport procedures and the labyrinth of Manila traffic. After reaching the hotel, Brother Walls and Brother Elkins met with several ALJC ministers and their wives. The next day we traveled to Brother Carlos Grant’s headquarters where we met Brother Jepty Cayao (the Superintendent of the group), Brother Lee (who administered the large, flourishing school on the property), and Brother Agusto (Toto) and Sister Emili Catuncan (both of whom work in the compound). Sister Emili prepared a lovely meal for the visitors, and we had a wonderful time touring the headquarters where Brother Grant, during his lifetime, had administered many churches all over the Philippines.

The highlight of the visit was meeting the first worker who helped the Grants in the beginning of their work. This dear 83-year-old sister spoke about how she and a number of other people became disenchanted with the formalism and lack of spirit in a denominational church where they attended. One day on the street, someone handed them a tract about Jesus’ name baptism, and they began to study and saw for themselves that there was more for them. About that time, Brother Grant landed in Bacolod to begin his work. When these people heard the preaching, they knew Brother Grant’s message was true, and joined the work which greatly prospered over the years and is still strong today. They celebrated their 50 year anniversary in October. God is certainly in control and knows what He is doing in all things.

After our wonderful day at the headquarters, we came home to pack for the flight home. What a beautiful, significant trip, with God leading at every step. Praise His holy name.

Hope Elkins is Pastor Russell Elkins’ wife. They serve Shiloh Temple in Bloomington, Indiana.

Philippines Rejoicing Over Recent Conference
by Roberto C. Nino Jr.

The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ – Philippines was once again blessed during the recent visit of ALJC – USA brothers and sisters.
Sister Debra Naimy, Sister Loraine Vigil, Sister Lynn MacDonald, Brother Russell and Sister Hope Elkins, along with Foreign Missions Director M.L. Walls came to grace the occasion of the first ever Women’s Esprit (WE) Conference held at Sagay City, Philippines on September 19-20. Worthy of commendation also was the Ministers’ Seminar, “Preparing for Harvest,” conducted by Brother Walls and Brother Elkins in Bacolod City on September 21-22. Also very successful were the revival services on Sunday in two separate venues simultaneously – Sagay City and Kabankalan City. Though the 90 km trip back and forth between these three separate venues and heavy rain downpours were truly a sacrifice, nonetheless the blessings each delegate received was worth it all! A touch from heaven was mightily felt during these series of events.

Our women went home from WE Conference enlightened, revived and excited to get involved in the work of God. What a blessing to our local churches! During the Sunday revival services, eight people received the Holy Ghost and seven decided to get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! Brother Walls and Brother Elkins preached a message drawing us to seek God in prayer, praise and worship. Truly God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!

One hundred and twenty ministers from the Visayas Group of Islands and one from Mindanao were able to attend the Seminar. The various topics – pulpit ministry, the worker’s call, preparation and qualification, effective Bible study methods, preparing sermons and delivering them with anointing, the nine gifts and nine fruit of the Spirit – were a crunchy appetizer, sumptuous course and a sweet dessert to hungry workers feasting at the Lord’s table. Like Paul to Timothy, Brother Walls and Brother Elkins succeeded well in stirring up the gifts and passion in the hearts and minds, leaving behind a trail of light brightly beaming in the path of these young aspirants in the Faith’s Hall of Fame. The seed of revival already planted in the hearts of every participant was truly nurtured, preparing the Philippines to be the next greatest revival in the world!

The date for another “Preparing for Harvest” Seminar will coincide with the planned visit of Reverend Mark Naimy and company. For Mindanao ministers, the Seminar will be January 22-23, 2008; for Manila ministers, services will be held January 25-27. The date for the 2008 General Conference was set for April 18-20, 2008 in Bacolod City.

It is also exciting to report that the revival held in April 2007 lingered on and created a sense of awe and wonder among our saints and ministers. In my ALJC life, that was the most well-attended conference and the best so far! Our churches and ministers grew in numbers over just a short period of time since then. During the Seminar, Reverend Juan Sanguenza – a bishop representing a Oneness Apostolic organization from Mindanao Island – submitted to Brother Walls 19 new applications for affiliation of pastors and ministers under his group and another from Panay Island, making it a total of 20 new ministers. Praise the Lord!

It is exciting! Yet looking at the vast fields ready for harvest in the Philippines, we have not yet even scratched the surface. We are privileged to have local pastors and ministers who devote their best efforts in the work of the Lord despite the difficult circumstances they are facing in their fields of calling. There is a great burden among us to build more churches and win more souls in main cities. As you read this, can you spare a moment to pray for these needs? Please help us keep the light continually burning in this dark part of the world!

We give honor to the ALJC Foreign Missions Department led by Brother Walls with Brothers Gene Ebright, Russell Elkins, and Vernon Kelly.
And special thanks to Brother Mark Naimy and his family and all members of the ALJC for touching our lives and making a difference in our world. Likewise to men and women who took the plunge and visited the Philippines to give us a dose of hope and encouragement, including Brothers R.B. Bingham, Jonathan Vazquez, Robin Johnson, Dale Bostic, Harold Sheppard, Robert Wimberley, Tom Friend, Bill Mills, and others. You all leave behind footprints in the path we are walking in the way of the Lord today! Thanks a lot and may the Lord bless you richly.

Above all, we give honor to the Lord Jesus Christ who is worthy to receive all the glory in this life and that which is to come!

Roberto C. Nino Jr. is the General Secretary/Treasurer of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippines.