Lyndell Taylor

Tim Bennett

Brad Davis

Beth Stephens-Johnson

EXTREME TEEN CAMPJune 16 - 20SPEAKER: BETH STEPHENS-JOHNSONWORSHIP: Josh Branch & Destiny Outreach Ministries

DESTINY JUNIOR TEEN CAMPJune 23 - 27June 23 - 27SPEAKER: BRAD DAVISWORSHIP: Jordan Myers

ADVENTURE PRE-TEEN CAMPJune 30 - July 4SPEAKER: TIM BENNETTWORSHIP: Awaken Youth Band, Buena Vista PHCBand, Buena Vista PHC

KIDZ QUEST CAMPJuly 6 - 9SPEAKER: LYNDELL TAYLOR

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE OUR WEBSITE AT www.appconf.org PHONE: 540.674.4131x201 E-MAIL: DMSecretary1@aol.com FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT - Camp Maranatha AppalachianConference FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @ Camp_Maranatha

One WeekWill Change Your Life!

CAMP MARANATHA ‘14

Vol. 75, No. 7 March 2014

Vo i c e o f t h e A ppA l Ac h i A N c o N fer eN c e o f t h e i ph c

Voice of the AppAlAchiAn conference of the iphc

Bishop’s PagePreston Mathena

How did 13 pastors respond when one of America’s leading church growth consultants promised that their church attendance would double in two years? Sign us up! Dr. Owen Weston has begun meeting monthly in the Appalachian Conference, teaching the seminar “24 to Double.” He combines his research and years of pastoral experience to motivate and teach church leaders how to accelerate growth in the church. Dr. Weston’s motivation is simple. He says, “We are one generation away from seeing the church go away.” His emphasis is on getting new people saved and working in the local church.

The Conference is facilitating these Friday evening and Saturday morning sessions (first weekend of each month). It is not too late for a church to sign up. In fact, Dr. Weston is leaving enrollment open until June. The leadership team from your church is welcome to attend a session, without obligation, to determine further

involvement in the program. The Friday meeting is held at Harbor of Hope in Christiansburg from 7-9 p.m.; the Saturday meeting is held at Destiny Outreach Center in North Tazewell from 10-12 p.m. Both sites offer the same material but give the church a choice of location and time. Dr. Weston leaves you with this challenge: “Pastors, what is your plan to lead the church to growth in the next two years?”

The first session was on developing a vision. People love to follow a vision … a vision that motivates! This type of vision is made up of three things: Passion, Best at, and Resource Engine. It normally takes three months, or 12 Sundays, of preaching for the new direction to take hold in the church. The vision must be the guiding force behind the ministry of the church for the next year or so.

A church needs a new vision statement:• when there is no excitement in the church.• when people are coming out of obligation.• when it is hard for most people to get involved.• when the community has changed.Session 2 in March will focus on “Developing Laity Involvement.” Your church grows by the ratio of laity involvement.

24 TO DOUBLEIT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET ON BOARD!

Participating churchesBent Mountain–Pastor Sharon Hartman Liberty Hill–Pastor Bobby LewisBluefield–Pastor Eddie Johnson Life Changers–Pastor Todd PorterCrossroads–Pastor Travis Lowe New Beginnings–Pastor Ray McDanielDestiny Outreach Center–Pastor Steve Branch Shenandoah–Pastor Gary SalerFreedom Family Worship–Pastor Eric Lockett Trinity Fellowship–Pastor Billy GriffinFrench’s Chapel–Pastor David Wood Tower of Refuge–Pastor Stacy CopeHarbor of Hope–Pastor Richard Kingrea Victory Restoration–Pastor Ray Kingrea

March 2014

April 4 April 15Rev. Edward Wood, Sr. Rev. David Bain5879 Jewell Avenue P.O. Box 27Dublin, VA 24084 Natural Bridge, VA 24578 April 19Rev. Larry Snider505-A Village LaneChristiansburg, VA 24073

MESSENGER(USPS 621-580)

Vol. 75 — March 2014 — No. 7

ExEcUtiVE EditoR – Preston Mathena

StAFFPhone 540-674-41315847 Oak Grove AvenueDublin, VA 24084

EVANGELiSM & WoRLd MiSSioNS MiNiStRiESLarry Meadors5847 Oak Grove AvenueDublin, VA 24084

diSciPLESHiP MiNiStRiESRon Fredericks5847 Oak Grove AvenueDublin, VA 24084

WoMEN’S MiNiStRiESKathy Mathena103 Windsor CircleBluefield, VA 24605Phone: 276-326-3000

WiNDonna Hankla139 Ridgeway DriveBland, VA 24315Phone: 276-688-3709

MEN’S MiNiStRiESQuent Baria1712 Vineyard StreetBluefield, WV 24701304-952-9227

deadline for all script to reach the office:1st of each month for the next month’s issueEmail to shwood7@yahoo.com.

coNFERENcE BoARdSuperintendent – Preston MathenaAssistant Superintendent – Mike DodsonSecretary – Frank NeffTreasurer – Gary CopeBoard Member – Larry MeadorsBoard Member – Wanda MyersBoard Member – Steve Willis

MESSENGER (USPS 621-580) is published monthly by LifeSprings Resources, 2425 W. Main St., Franklin Springs, GA 30639, for the Appalachian Conference. Subscription price $2.00 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Franklin Springs, GA 30639.

PoStMAStER: Send address changes to MESSENGER, 5847 Oak Grove Avenue, Dublin, VA 24084.

WEBSitE: www.appconf.org

cREdit GRAPHicS: Thinkstock.com

APRIL DATES TO REMEMBER

REV. MRS. ERNESTINE MARTIN FINISHES HER COURSE

4 First Friday Fast

5 teen talent

11-12 W.M. spring trip

13 Palm sunday

18 Good Friday–office closed

20 easter

23 administrative Professionals Day

25-26 Maranatha Class

26 Conference Junior talent

26 W.M. tea Party

28 Youth Camp early registration

Rev. Mrs. Mae Ernestine Martin, 81, went home to be with her Lord on Jan. 30, 2014. She was licensed as a minister with the Appalachian Conference in 1968 and ordained in 1970. During her ministry, she pastored the Eccles P.H. Church, as well as pastoring Shady Spring P.H. Church for many years. Those who knew her were influenced by her Christian love and service. Her funeral was conducted on Feb. 3, 2014, at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel in Prosperity, W.Va. Her family and friends are blessed by her godly legacy.

APRIL RETIRED MINISTERS’ BIRTHDAYS

Voice of the AppAlAchiAn conference of the iphc

World Missions & Evangelism LarrY MeaDors

Join the Celebration… Give to Global Outreach Offering 2014!

APPALACHIAN CONFERENCE MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM MINISTRIES

The Conference Executive Council and Discipleship Ministries Board invite you to make your pledge and give your offering to the Global Outreach offering this year.

Jesus shares the “lost” parables in Luke 15. When the lost sheep, coin and son were found, the response was the same … a reason to celebrate! World Missions celebrates that the lost around the world are being found. Will you join in rejoicing that the gospel is going forth in more than 100 countries through the IPHC World Missions Ministries (WMM)?

Pastors and mission directors are invited to be part of the celebration as WMM hosts the annual Global Outreach banquets in the district meetings this month. The 2014 theme is “Join the Celebration.”

Please come to the banquet that is convenient for you and your spouse to attend, and bring your missions director. All will be the special guests of the World Missions Department. You will hear exciting firsthand accounts from those on the front line of world evangelization. Please consult the schedule at appconf.org and RSVP as soon as possible.

Every believer and every church can easily be involved in HIS mission to reach the world with the gospel. Please give to the Global Outreach offering this year. Each gift is so important.

Let’s celebrate that $136,069.16 was given from the Appalachian Conference in 2013! Thank you for your sacrificial giving!

Conference Executive Council Conference Discipleship Ministries Board

Matt worshipping in the Philippines

Matt Bennett currently serves as the director of People to People Ministries for the IPHC. He received a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Emmanuel College in 1991 and a master of arts degree in missiology from Regent University in 1997. In 1993, Matt began his missions ministry in London, England, where he served as the assistant director for the Centre for International Christian Ministries and later as a missionary to the Turkish population. Matt’s vision to “Mobilize the Reached to Evangelize the Unreached” has been evident as he has been actively involved in Muslim evangelism ministry within the 10/40 window, training international leaders and social development. He currently resides in Oklahoma City with his lovely wife Janese and their two children, Austin and Brooklyn.

MATT BENNETTGLOBAL OUTREACH BANQUET SPEAKER

March 2014

Discipleship Ministriesron FreDerICKs www.ac-dm.org

Emmanuel College Preview Weekend

Hearts for God Celebrates First Anniversary!

The place you want to be! March 21, 2014. Emmanuel College is your college and a part of our heritage. There is no charge to attend a preview weekend. You simply need to sign up on the college website, ec.edu, under the Admissions tab. Prospective students that attend one of the Preview Days will be entered to receive a $1,000 scholarship! It will be an enjoyable and informative time for students, parents and pastors! For more information or to register, call Lynn Huhn at 706-245-2873 or 706-680-5363 or email: lhuhn@ec.edu.

I had the privilege of sharing and celebrating with the Hearts for God Senior Ministry at Faith Temple, Pearisburg, as they celebrated their first anniversary. Hearts for God began with a group of 10 interested individuals meeting for the first

time in the home of Sherry Tickle. They organized on Sept. 17, 2012, and adopted their name, Hearts for God, on Nov. 15, 2012. They are not only a vital part of the Faith Temple ministry, but also the Conference

Senior Ministry. A number of their group members have participated in our annual Golden Eagle Encore Ministry trips. For more information on how you can start a Senior Ministry in your local church or become involved in the Conference Golden Eagle Encore Ministry program, contact my office at 540-674-4131, ext. 201.

Pictured are Lois Tabor, secretary; Leon Reeves, president; and Shirley

Reeves, vice president.

Ranger of the Year 2014Jonah and Elijah Cortez

represented the Appalachian Conference in the National Royal Rangers Ranger of the Year competition at the Bridging Our Ministries Conference at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina in late January. Jason and Tracy Loving are the proud parents. Elijah came in first place in the National Expedition

Ranger of the Year Competition and Jonah came in second place in the National Adventure

Ranger of

the Year Competition. These two young men are part of Outpost #163 at Christian Life International in Salem, Va., where Ryan Linkous serves as their senior pastor. They have both been part of Royal Rangers since elementary school age. All of their outpost commanders are very proud of their hard work and dedication.

Pictured: Leon Reeves, Richard Martin, Steve Dixon, Jonah Cortez, Elijah

Cortez, Conference Commander Steve Allen, and Freddie Sweet.

Jonah and Elijah Cortez

Voice of the AppAlAchiAn conference of the iphc

Women’s MinistriesKathY Mathena

Our theme for the 2014 WM Day is Princess Warrior. It is time for us, as women, to rise up and take our place as soldiers in the army of God. Our women need to be better prepared to go to battle for our country, our homes, and our workplaces. We have an enemy whose intention is to steal, kill, and destroy the very fiber of our heritage. We must take our stand in the power and authority of the Spirit that God has placed within us. Though we are in a war, God, the giver of life, has positioned women for promise and victory.

Any convenient Sunday can be designated as W.M. Day for the local church.

Women’s Ministries Day

UPCOMING DATES• Annual Bus Trip – April 11-12. This year we will travel to Sight and Sound and see the new

production of Moses, and then on to Hershey, Pa., and tour the candy factory. Call Martha Hall (540-250-7761) to see if there’s still room for you.

• Annual Tea Party – April 26 at noon in Bramwell, W.Va. – The Corner Shop. Don’t forget to decorate your hat – the best one will win a prize. Pre-registration of $15 per person must be sent in to Martha by April 18.

• Women’s Ministries Convention – June 7 at Pulaski Family Worship Center. Registration starts at 9. Send your names for the Memoirs Report to Odessa Shupe, 617 7th St. NE, Pulaski, VA 24301, or email her at oshupe@nr.edu. More details will be in next month’s Messenger.

Mail your bus trip and/or tea party registrations to:

Martha Hall1240 Meadowlark DriveWytheville, VA 24382

Photographer needed to take pictures of our special events.Contact Kathy Mathena at 304-952-1050 or krmathena@gmail.com if interested.

March 2014

World Intercession Network Donna hanKLa

THE DEVIL STRIKES THREE TIMES!Have you ever noticed that an area hit by a storm, earthquake, hurricane or flood is often struck again? For example, the Polar Vortex has hit the

Eastern Region of the United States three times in the last three months. One weather report stated that many of the regions in the United States would see temperatures plunge for a third time this winter, falling 15-30 degrees below normal.

Even in a boxing match, the athlete who is struck down and struggling to get up is given a chance to arise. The referee stops the opponent and gives the one who is fallen a chance to arise. Not so with the devil. He strikes again, often before the victim can stand up. His goal is to knock you off your feet and keep you down!

JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS – Jesus had just fasted 40 days and was very weak. He needed rest and food. Instead, He encountered the devil and had to stand His ground. Three times the devil tempted Jesus. Three times the devil lost!

TEST OF IDENTITY – Satan tempted Jesus in his hunger, saying, “If You are the Son of God, then order these stones to turn into bread” (Luke 4:3). Jesus had to remember that His Father was the one true God. To be successful, Jesus had to know who He was and who His Father was! The Father had given Him all authority, but it was not to be misused.

TEST OF FAITHFULNESS – Would Jesus remain true to His Father, or would He give homage to the devil? The devil offered Him all the kingdoms of the world, if He would just bow the knee once! The answer is found in Revelation 19:11: “After this I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse appeared! The One who was riding it is called Faithful and True.”

TEST OF PURPOSE – The devil offered another way to achieve purpose. “If you are the Son of God, cast Yourself down from the top of the temple. Angels will watch you closely and carefully” (Luke 4:9, 10). People will see this jump and see the angels. Then they will follow you. Jesus held fast to the purpose of God for His life and to the way that God would fulfill this purpose!

A MORE OPPORTUNE TIME – After Jesus had successfully used the Word of God at each temptation, the devil left. To each temptation He said, “It is written.” Even though the devil lost, he would look for an opportunity to strike again. God’s Word will WIN again!

THE COMING BLOOD MOONS – Opportune times are coming upon the face of the earth and we must get ready! Four blood moons occurring on Jewish feast days are about to occur within the next two years. It is very rare for this to happen exactly on Jewish feast days. Every time a blood moon has appeared on a Jewish feast day, a big event has affected the nation of Israel. April 15, 2014, is Passover and also a blood moon!

WIN WITH GOD’S WORD – Like Jesus, be prepared to pray God’s Word with the authority He has given. “IT IS WRITTEN!” Study and show yourself approved. Now is the time to pray!

Men’s MinistriesQuent BarIa

SET APART FROM THE RESTLast month we looked at the first two aspects of the life of John the Baptizer that made him great. These included the fact that he grew up in a Spirit-

filled home and that he was personally filled with the Spirit. This month we will look at two more aspects. So let’s jump right in.

3. JOHN HUMBLY PREPARED THE WAY FOR JESUSWhen John was born, his father prophesied, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare

his ways” (Luke 1:76 ESV).John was a bit of a rock star in his day once his public ministry began. There had not been a prophet for some 400 years until John opened his mouth

and the Spirit anointed his preaching. He was a bit of a crazy man who grew up in the wilderness and was not owned by the religious establishment. He was young, around 30, strong, and fearless. Crowds flocked to him. Yet John was not all about John. John was all about Jesus.

“After me comes he who is mightier than I,” John said, “the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie” (Luke 3:16). As he was trending on Twitter and cracking the iTunes Top 10, John said he was unworthy to do the work of a slave for Jesus Christ. Later, when his fame was hotter than ever and he could have cashed it all in for a huge ministry, he set it all aside, sent all his disciples to follow Jesus, and said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

4. JOHN WAS AN EVANGELISTJohn fulfilled his ministry “to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God”

(Luke 1:77, 78).John was not a coward. John knew that by preaching repentance he would be despised, hated, and opposed. But he loved God and he loved people.

He knew that sin separated people from God, and that people needed to repent of sin and be saved. He did not settle for just doing good works; he kept preaching the bad news of sin and the good news of salvation. He preached this message largely to religious people who thought they were righteous, and many were saved.

As Spirit-filled people, let’s learn from John. The only star in our lives should be Jesus. He should be what every service, every program, and every area of church points toward. He should be the beginning and end of all we do.

Next month we will look at the final two aspects that set John apart from all the rest.–Excerpted from the article “A Hero for Young Men” by Mark Driscoll (theresurgence.com)

MESSENGER(USPS 621-580)5847 Oak Grove AvenueDublin, Virginia 24084

Address Service Requested

Periodicals Postage Paid at Franklin Springs, GA 30639

MARIE CALDWELL – FAITHFUL SERVANT TO THE ENDOn Dec. 6, 2013, heaven’s gates opened to receive yet another

saint – Marie Hazel Caldwell, the oldest member of the First Pentecostal Holiness church of Bluefield, W.Va. At 98 years old, she continued to impact lives, as she did her entire life. She was always willing to serve, both in her local church and on the conference level. She was a familiar figure in the kitchen at the annual camp meetings, and she cooked for summer youth camps for 28 years. The days that Mom spent at camp or camp meetings were the very best times she had. Camp and all the people she spent time with were memories that she never forgot. She was always ready to talk about camp and all the time she spent with so many people she loved, and there was no doubt that they loved her too.

Marie Caldwell taught Sunday school for many years and loved supporting missions by saving quarters for donation folders. Her faithfulness and dedication were known by all who knew her. Her godly spirit and example will live on for years to come in the hearts of her family and friends. We thank the conference for remembering her with beautiful flowers and we thank all who came, prayed and who loved her as we did.

– Submitted by Mick Caldwell and family

2013-2017IPHC MANUAL

NOW AVAILABLEAs adopted by the 27th General Conference, this manual covers the doctrine, history and governance of the IPHC.

Price: $7.95Item No. 2109013(12 or more copies: $6.95)Spanish version coming soon!

Order from LifeSprings Church Curriculum & SuppliesP.O. Box 9Franklin Springs, GA 30639800-541-1376orders@lifesprings.net

Marie Caldwell, left, and Cora Smith in the kitchen at Dublin