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TEAMtalk December 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Christmas Celebration!
It was so exciting to see Pastors, Regional Staff, and their companions gather from across our region in Middlebury, Indiana for our annual Christmas Banquet. The tables were set with delicious Amish cuisine and the fellowship was refreshing. Our Area Presbyters shared exciting news of great things happening throughout our churches. The Holy Spirit enveloped our time of worship, led by Cheryl and Randy Owens, as ministry couples ministered to one another. Pastor Melvin Lawson, our banquet speaker, did an excellent job challenging us to stay focused on the true meaning of the season. It is so easy for leadership couples to get caught in the hectic schedule of local church calendars that we miss the true meaning of this holy time. It was indeed a great day of leaders sharing with one another.
From my family to yours, we wish for you a blessed and holy Advent season. May the Christ of Christmas shine brightly in your heart and may His peace comfort your spirit. It is our pleasure to serve you in Michiana. Merry Christmas!
TEAMtalk September 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
Every October we celebrate the parsonage family and give God thanks for His gift of pastoral leadership to the Church. The Apostle Paul pointed out that when He [Jesus] ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men . . .And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:8, 11-13, NKJV). In my travels across this great Region of ours, I tell congregations that if they have a pastor who loves the Lord and loves them (the congregation), they have a gift from God!
October, National Clergy Appreciation Month, is our opportunity to show appreciation for the gift given to us by the Lord. This is a great opportunity for the local church to express to Pastor their genuine gratitude for his/her leadership. This is a time to express a heartfelt thank you for those late night hospital visits, counseling sessions, baby dedications, funerals conducted, prayers prayed, sermons preached, and lessons taught.
I realize that it is only September, but I want you to begin the planning phase of Pastor Appreciation NOW! Pastor boosters, Deacons, and key leadership should take the opportunity to organize a Pastor Appreciation Task Force that can brainstorm and implement ideas for appreciating the pastor and family during the entire month of October. I have listed a few ways to show appreciation; however, these should just be ideas to help get the creative juices flowing, don’t be limited by them!
- Gift cards to Pastor’s favorite restaurants
- Have Pastor’s car washed and waxed on the outside and detailed on the inside
- Host an appreciation dinner at church in Pastor’s honor
- Give Pastor a weekend off with the blessings of the church.
- Send Pastor and family for
an expense paid weekend getaway to enjoy some important family time.
- Honor Pastor’s children who are still living at home
- Shower Pastor’s companion with nice gifts; give her/him a shopping spree
As we did last year, the Michiana News will be publishing some of the unique ways that our churches have loved on their Pastor. Take pictures, write a summary, and send in your news so we can celebrate the gift of our Pastors with you.
TEAMtalk August 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
International General Assembly
In just a few days, delegates from across the globe will be converging in Nashville, Tennessee for the 94th General Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy. I am sure that you have been praying and seeking the Lord for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit among us. For our time together, General Overseer, Bishop Fred S. Fisher Sr., has selected the theme, “Spirit Driven”.
The General Assembly is a time of worship, learning, being inspired through anointed preaching, clarifying our vision, and discussing important Biblical themes. Several important decisions are pending at this year’s Assembly including the selection of our new General Overseer. Other important items are as follows:
- Monday: Minister’s discussion day with Committees concerning reports
- Tuesday: Business Session
- Wednesday: Business Session/Bishop Ordination and confirmation of the new General Overseer
- Thursday: Workshops, Mission Encounter
- Friday: General Presbyter’s meet with their region
- Saturday: Pastor’s Parade and the General Overseer’s Address
- Sunday: Appointments of International Directors, State/Region/National Overseers
Of course, each evening will be electrified with campmeeting. Several great messages will be preached throughout the course of the Assembly, inspired worship will be led, and anointed choirs will sing. As is always the case, the delegates will enjoy concerts with the Bahama Brass Band. On Tuesday through Friday, at 9:00 a.m., we will have the opportunity to meet together as the Michiana Region and pray together over the day’s events and the ministry needs of both the Region and the global Church of God of Prophecy.
I look forward to seeing you in Nashville!
TEAMtalk July 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Last year at our Regional Convention in Fort Wayne, IN, I issued a challenge for 2,500 members by the 2007 Regional Convention. You have taken seriously the challenge and have worked toward growing our churches all across this great region.
My annual report to the North American General Presbyter for June 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005 indicated 1,938 members in Michiana. One year later, the report for June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006 shows 2,184 members. This is an increase of 246 members, an eleven percent increase! God is indeed blessing.
We rejoice in all that our Lord is accomplishing as together we join Him in what He is doing. I appreciate your vision and labor. Many pastors are reporting significant increases in church attendance and new members.
One in particular is Christ Tabernacle, in Sheridan, IN. My family and I were honored to be with Pastor Rich & Kathy Barker, and their church on Sunday, June 11, 2006 to dedicate their new sanctuary and facilities. Five years ago, on the second Sunday of June (2001), Pastor Barker and his wife planted a new church in Sheridan. During those five years, Christ Tabernacle met first in the Barker’s home, then in a rented store front. Now, under the capable leadership of Pastor Barker, the church has a modern facility, with computerized media and an educational and fellowship wing. To God be the glory!
Sometime ago I toured the new building when it was still under construction. Walls had been framed, but no drywall had yet been hung. I was intrigued to discover that on the two-by-fours, two-by-sixes, doorway headers, altar area, platform, and kitchen service counter, Sunday School teachers, worship leaders, kitchen staff, and leadership staff had taken permanent magic markers and written down Scripture passages. Throughout the entire building the Word of God had been written down. The congregation was indeed building their church on the Bible! Today, the passages have long been covered up by drywall, carpeting and cabinetry; however, the Word of God is still vibrant in the life of the members of Christ Tabernacle!
God is building this Region by building and growing our local churches. Keep up the good work, Michiana!
TEAMtalk June 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Emerging Leaders
It is so exciting to see God continuing to raise up leaders for the great Harvest endeavor. Jesus instructed His disciples to “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Mt. 9:38, NKJV)." Our Lord is sending out these harvesters right here in Michiana!
Recently (May 5, 2006), the Regional Ministerial Review Board (MRB) convened for its Spring session at the Safe Harbor church in Sodus, Michigan. A total of seven (7) candidates appeared before the MRB. It was great to witness the eagerness and the sense of a life-time commitment that was exhibited by the candidates. Their passion for ministry and zeal for building the Kingdom of God are refreshing. God is up to some wonderful things here in Michiana, and He is raising up leaders to take us to the next level.
The candidates worked faithfully to complete their courses and requirements for licensure and ordination in the Church of God of Prophecy. Additionally, all of the Bishop candidates met with me earlier in the year for a two day Bishop orientation meeting. Each of these ministers are faithful men who will in turn teach faithful men and women (2 Tim. 2:2). I commend each one for their accepting the call of God upon their lives and congratulate them for the church’s recognition of the anointing upon them.
Our new Bishops will be ordained at the General Assembly in Nashville, TN. I am proud of each of these ministers. We have several other candidates that will be appearing before our next MRB meeting. God is up to a great work in Michiana, and He allows us to join Him in what He is doing! Way to go Michiana!
TEAMtalk May 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Vision Now, Victorious Future!
The theme for the Church of God of Prophecy since our 2004 International Assembly has been, Vision Now, Victorious Future. Our General Overseer, Bishop Fred S. Fisher, Sr., has challenged us to dream big and stretch to the future.
One of our vision goals in Michiana has been that we grow to 2500 members by our 2007 Regional Convention, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. You have caught the vision and we are marching toward that goal! Pastor Sam Smith in New Albany, Indiana reports several new members joining since his coming to pastor in September, 2005. Pastor Barker has recently received five new covenant members.
This year, we have organized four (4) new churches in Michiana! Our most recent church is in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It was my pleasure to organize the Aun Hay Esperanza congregation as a Church of God of Prophecy on April 30, 2006. We organized the church with 111 members! Juan and Tabitha Martinez are serving as Pastor of the congregation. Pastor Martinez is a gifted and anointed leader and we extend the right hand of fellowship to this great church.
Pastor Bill Miller, the Pastor of our English speaking church in Benton Harbor is to be commended for his leadership and ministry to Pastor Martinez and the congregation. It was indeed an honor to be able to organize this newest church. The worship is passionate and powerful, and the anointing of the Lord flows through this congregation.
As well, this church has contacts in South Bend, Indiana and Kalamazoo, Michigan. They have a vision of planting a church in each of these cities. Indeed, our vision is becoming a reality right now! To God be the glory!
TEAMtalk - April 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Forward We Go!
The Lord continues to move throughout Michiana as you are fanning the flames of revival! On March 29th, it was my privilege to organize two (2) new churches in Indianapolis! We now have a new church on 16th Street, and also the new Puerta del Cielo (Heaven's Gate) congregation. Nineteen (19) new members were received by covenant. Both of these new churches are Spanish speaking. Our Spanish Ministries Administrative Assistant, Miguel Ramirez is to be commended for the leadership that he has provided to these two missions that have now officially been organized as churches! We welcome our brothers and sisters in Christ into the Church of God of Prophecy. Bienvenidos! We have now gained (3) new churches in 2006 in Michiana! To God be the glory!
This edition of The Michiana News will be our first ever to also be printed in Spanish! Our editor, Chris Weathers has provided great leadership in making our monthly publication available for our Spanish brothers and sisters. He is to be commended for his labors.
Other reports are coming into the Regional Office of new members being added to the church. New members have recently been added to the church in Royal Oak (MI), Muncie (IN), Jamestown (IN), and Salem (IN). God is moving as together we continue to march toward 2500! Keep up the good work Michiana. God has only just begun to lead us into greater dimensions.
March 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
The March Continues!
You may recall that in our 2005 Regional Convention we accepted the challenge to march toward 2500 members by the 2007 Regional Convention. God is moving throughout Michiana as new converts and new members are being added. Recently, Pastor Dwayne Turner called to share that new members had been received in the Huntington, Indiana church. As well, it was my privilege to organize our newest church in Detroit, MI on February 11, 2006. Nine (9) new covenant members joined the Church as the Detroit, Eastern Plaza church was organized. Pastor Bartolo Matos of Holland, MI is to be commended for his labors in planting this church. As well, the Detroit–Greenfield congregation under the leadership of Pastor Imolyn Dobson has come alongside and partnered with this new sister church. Tomas Padilla has been appointed as the Pastor of the Detroit-Eastern Plaza congregation.
Other advances are being made in several of our missions throughout Michiana. It appears that some of these missions may be ready to be organized prior to our General Assembly! We currently have missions in South Bend, Indiana; Indianapolis, Sixthteenth Street, Indiana; and Lansing, Michigan. As well, Pastor Bill Miller has been actively working with a local congregation in Benton Harbor and Pastor Miguel Ramirez has contacts with an independent group in Indianapolis. The Lord is moving as the march continues.
TEAMtalk - February 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Improving Our Serve!
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV)
The Region is buzzing with excitement over our new Ministry of Education emphasis. Our Regional Educational Director, Jack Anderson, Jr., has put together our first, in a series, of educational weekends. Since the first of the year, two weekends of CBL (Center for Biblical Leadership) have been offered. The first seminar was hosted by Victory Lighthouse in New Albany, IN, January 6-7, 2006. Pastors and members gathered from across Southern Indiana for a great weekend of worship and workshop. The student body was approximately fifteen. The second seminar was hosted Harvest Worship Center in Taylor, MI, February 3-4. Over 40 pastors, leaders, members, and Regional Staff came together to worship and learn! The third weekend, in the Spring semester of studies, is scheduled for May 5-6, 2006 at Safe Harbor in Sodus, MI. The tracts of study are:
Learners have commented that these seminars have been a tremendous benefit. It has improved our level of effectiveness and awareness to issues pertinent to ministering to today’s world.
- Children’s Ministries, Nan Weesner, Instructor
- Understanding & Interpreting the Bible, Jack Anderson, Jr.
- Pastoral Counseling, Tim Harper
As well, in a continued emphasis of Improving Our Serve, the annual Emerging Leader’s Conference (February 19-20) and Pastor/Staff and Companion’s Conference (February 20-22) will convene in Middlebury, IN. Special guest speakers will include Dr. H. E. Cardin, State Overseer of Georgia, and Virginia Chatham, Managing Editor of the White Wing Messenger. Our theme is Leading With Excellence. The conference promises to be a great time of worship, fellowship and learning to be better leaders in the Kingdom of God.
TEAMtalk - January 2006
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Pastors, Staff, & Companions Conference
Leading with Excellence, 2006
In just a few weeks, February 20-22, 2006, Pastors, Regional Staff, along with their companions will be gathering in Northern Indiana for our annual conference. Plans are underway to make this a great time of learning, fellowship, faith and fun! Once again, our theme will be Leading with Excellence! Guests speakers will be challenging us to continue to improve ourselves to be all that we can be for the Lord.
We have some wonderful leaders right here in Michiana. However, good leaders recognize that in order to become great leaders it takes stretching ourselves to the next level of excellence. We will have opportunity to engage in several stretching exercises at this conference helping all of us to become more effective in our leadership gifts.
This year, our conference will be in Middlebury, Indiana at the Essenhaus Conference Center. The Essenhaus hotel is extremely nice and will provide a wonderful atmosphere for our learning together. I encourage all of our pastors and staff to return their applications early in order to be able to guarantee specific room choices.
Once again, there will be special times of sharing for the Pastor’s Companion. My wife, Karen, will facilitate the Pastor’s Wives, and Scot Lowe, will facilitate the Pastor’s Husbands. As well, there will be a special banquet time on Tuesday evening that will afford us a great time of fellowship.
Karen and I look forward to seeing all of our Pastors, Staff and Companions at the conference. As well, I encourage our local churches to assist their pastor in the tuition and expenses for attending this conference. As we invest into our leaders, they return that investment back to us.
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