The

Pilgrim News December 2016

Volume 66, Number 9

Features:

“Holiness Unto The Lord ”

Editorial - Christmas Is............. Pilgrim Women....................... Pilgrim Missions....................... Church News............................ Missionary Intern.................... Feature: Encountering Islam.. ... Pilgrim Youth..........................

2-3 4 6, 10 7-9 8, 9 11 12

The

Pilgrim News

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“Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”   – Matthew 1:23

Him, we will fail. With Him, success is assured. Moses was determined not to move an inch without the promise of God’s Divine Presence with him.

God’s Presence is the Solution to All of our Problems.    Solutions. Answers. We all want them and sometimes it seems that we demand them. Many times, people refuse     Wow! What a thought: to go on without them. Yet in spite of “GOD WITH US!” all of our efforts, we fail to obtain them. Let’s face it! Problems come and it is our Simply amazing! The Lord God incarnatresponsibility to have a ed – God coming down solution – or is it? in the flesh – to be WITH Moses understood    There are some things MAN. “down here” that we will “…for he dwelleth with a very elementary never understand and we you and shall be in you.” will never have a solution truth: We must have – John 14:17 however hard we try. God is “big enough to rule That is not very comfortGod’s Presence! this mighty universe, yet ing to those of us who small enough to live within see ourselves as problem my heart!” “Into my heart, solvers. Bro. Palmer, the into my heart, come into my heart, Lord adult S.S. teacher at Syracuse, would ofJesus. Come in today, come in to stay, ten be caught saying (when I was preachcome into my heart Lord Jesus!” ing), “Fix it Lord, fix it!” “And Moses said unto the Lord, See,   What truth! The sooner we realize thou sayest unto me, Bring up this that God really is the solution to all of people: and thou hast not let me know our problems, the stronger spiritually we whom thou wilt send with me…And will become. May we be determined like he said, My Presence shall go with Moses not to proceed unless we have the thee, and I will give thee rest. And he promise of God’s Divine Presence with us said unto Him; if thy presence go not in all of our endeavors. with me, carry us not up hence.” –    Oh, the peace and satisfaction that Exodus 33:12-16 comes when we find that God is really Moses Understood the only solution to our problems. The A very Elementary Truth. Scriptures teach us that when God is present, all is well; even when things do   We must have God’s presence. We must have Him in His fullness. Without not appear or seem to be well.

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Cover photos provided by Rhea Dawn Owens. Top, Middleburgh; Bottom, Rockwood

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3

Lord each soul has their place and in my mind there is no doubt that my name has been called out!”

   What a load off our minds when the answer finally arrives. He is peace in the midst of turmoil. He is light in the midst of darkness. He is joy in the midst of sorrow. He is healing in the midst of pain. He is strength in the midst of weakness.

  He Abides! The Presence of God abides. Whatever other distinctives you may claim, it is only the abiding presence of God that separates you from the rest of the peoples of this world. Cherish His Presence in your heart. Guard your heart from any and all that would try to rob you of the Presence of the Holy One!

Song writers testify to this

His Presence is Safety from any earthly threat

“All that I need he will always be, all that I need till his face I see. All that I need through eternity, Jesus is all I need!!!” “He’s all I need, He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need. Since He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole, Jesus is all I need.” “Christ is the answer to all my problems, Christ is the answer to all my needs. He is my Savior, my Sanctifier, Oh hallelujah, He’s all I need.” His Presence will Separate us from all other peoples “…so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” – Exodus 33:16 We are all known by some distinctive “Some men are known by their name, others are known by their face. Some men are known by their fame, others are known by their race. But in the Kingdom of our

E v e n t s

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” – Psalms 46:1-11   The day of the 911 terrorist attack in New York City, I was giving my son a spelling test. After the spelling test, school was over for the day. After explaining to him what had happened, he kept looking out the kitchen window as if to say, “Dad, they’re coming for us! How long will it be?” I then responded to him, “Son, we are only safe in the arms of Jesus!” Though the earth be removed, mountains carried into the sea, waters roar, earthquakes, volcanoes, the heathen rage, planes flying into buildings, our little world collapsing around us, yet we need not fear when GOD IS WITH US!    Let us seek the Presence of the Holy One. Let us sacrifice all else for the Presence of God in our Midst. “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down…” A quote from John Wesley seems appropriate here. On his death bed, he said, “The best of all is, God is with us. Farewell!”

16th – Conference-wide Day of Prayer and Fasting 13th-15th – Mid-Winter Youth Convention in Albany 15th – Last date for proposed changes to Polity 5th – Ministerial Benevolence Fund Offering 17th – Pilgrim Day of Prayer and Fasting

The Pilgrim News — December, 2016

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How do you feel about Christmas this year? Is the “the most wonderful time of the year?” Or – if you are being honest – would you say, “more like the most stressful time of the year!”    I am beginning to see that how I view things (and the way I allow my circumstances to dictate my attitude) are really choices that I am making. Yes, there are certainly things that are beyond my control and there are things that I can adjust to make life more simple, but in either case, my moods and my attitudes are two areas that only I can control. Jesus longs to mold them and transform these areas of my heart into His likeness. Satan, on the other hand, loves to use them as weapons to discourage me and hurt others. Each day and in each circumstance, I stand at a crossroads.    Will I allow the storms to blow me into discouragement, depression, grumpiness, impatience, etc. OR . . . will I consciously choose to adjust my thoughts, quiet my heart, and think on things that are good? Will I roll up my sleeves and take my thoughts captive that they may be obedient to Christ?    Oh, how tempted I am to pass the blame.    “I have so much going on,” I want to explain.    “Nobody understands!” my heart likes to whine.    “If you had my week, you’d be grumpy too.”

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. . . and on and on the excuses roll.    While I readily confess that we will all be handed ample opportunity to allow our minds and hearts to become overwhelmed, I believe that (through Christ) it is possible to discipline my inward thoughts and reactions so that each circumstance draws me into His presence rather than pushing me into a fog.   What does this have to do with Christmas? A lot – if you live in America! This time of year bubbles over with so many blessings; yet the Enemy is ever present to whisper his lies and steal the joy out of our hearts. He drives us to not be satisfied with “good”; so, we push ourselves for perfect. Instead of opening our home and hearts to family and friends, we fret about what others think about us. We allow our imaginations to run away with what Christmas should look and feel like – sometimes to the point that we become dissatisfied with reality. We focus on the blemishes in loved ones lives rather than the blessings contained in our families’ hearts. So as you decorate, bake, and prepare the gifts, don’t forget to “put on Christ.” Allow Jesus (i.e., Christlikeness) to be your primary ornament and the decoration of your heart this year.   Make good Christmas choices!

The Pilgrim News — December, 2016

Bill Miller

   I grew up in a home where I knew nothing about who Jesus was – other than a curse word – until the age of six when a friend of mine invited me to go to the North Troy Pilgrim Holiness Church. That is where I learned who God was and

what Jesus did for me upon the cross. But I didn’t fully understand it yet. Then I went to Victory Grove Camp at age 12.    I knew nothing of the camp and one night, people were shouting and running around. I thought it was crazy. However, at age 13, I went back to Victory Grove Camp and knelt at the altar. There I gave my heart to the Lord and He saved me from my sins. Throughout that time, people saw a change in me and I was different – even a better student in school and people noticed. Praise God for that!    God called me to preach at age 17, but I didn’t know

where I was to go to school to prepare for the purpose God planned for my life. Then, I was at Campus Days at Penn View Bible Institute and God led me there. Tragedy struck my family and my father passed away suddenly. I didn’t know what I was going to do about going to school. But one day after that, my mother came to me and said that I was going to Penn View – so that’s when I went. I had hardly any money in my pockets, no job to come home to and going to school.    God provided for my first years at school and they were great. I took 5 years off and in those years, I grew closer to God. I was sanctified and drawing ever closer to Him – never wanting to stop. God led me back to Penn View and that is where I am now, finishing preparing to go forward into His ministry and preach the gospel.    I praise God for all He has done in my life. Without Him, I was nothing, could do nothing and my life would not be as joyful as it is serving the Lord. I will serve the Lord with my life; and praise Him, serve Him and follow Him wherever He leads.

Do you know . . . Bill Miller?

Evangelists’

Slate

Pilgrim Holiness Church of New York, Inc. Rev. Rowan Fay - 336 Wagner Road, Mocksville, NC 27028; rjfay62 @ gmail.com; (352) 425-2510 Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey McCallus - Singers — weekend and driving distance meetings only; 14823 State Highway 37, Massena, NY 13662; (315) 764-9048 Rev. Donald M. Myers - 1758 Avenue M, Schenectady, NY 12304 [email protected]; (518) 374-4518 or (518) 641-2542 Rev. Paul E. Pierpoint - Box 1065, Hobe Sound, FL 33475-1065; [email protected]; (772) 546-0751 or (772) 263-9508

Other Churches Evangelists and Singers listed upon proper recommendation Rev. Peter Casalino, Sr. - 1007 Dennison Street, Indianapolis, IN 46241; Cell 765-635-4791 Paul and Robyn Clemens - 1836 Josephine Street, Cincinnati, OH 452193016 Rev. Robert England - 30205 Carey Road, Salem, OH 44460; (330) 277-1342 or (330) 301-6747

Rev. Paul L. Kaufman - 5722 Butler Grange Road, Salem, OH 44460; (937) 444-5160 Rev. Edward S. Lecates - 7000 Tulane Drive, High Point, NC 27263; (336) 431-5174 or (336) 688-4174 Rev. & Mrs. Derek McIntire – http://mcintireministries.net; (570) 630-0853 Rev. & Mrs. Steven Mills - 123 Hickory Lane, Batavia, OH 45103; (513) 460-0808 Rev. Edward Overdoff - P.O. Box 169, Pittsfield, PA 16340 (317) 260-9396 Donald & Valerie Quales - Song Evangelists; 2228 Woodsdale Road, Salem, OH 44460; (330) 397- 3181 (Home) or (330) 3376403 (Work); (812) 789-3071 (Cell) Dr. Noel & Betty Scott – P.O Box 297, Lowry City, MO 64763 H-417644-7521   C-417-343-3141 Rev.Brian Spangler - 10043 Mantle Road NE, East Rochester, OH 44625; (419) 563-4014 Rev. & Mrs. Wallace Thornton - Evangelist and Singers with travel trailer; 128 Grundy Road, Somerset, KY 42501-4901; (606) 2712250 or (606) 219-5261 Rev. & Mrs. William Tillis - Box 189, Penns Creek, PA 17862; (570) 837-5859

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Pilgrim Holiness Missions Rev. Kenneth Sickler, Missionary Secretary   Pull the ropes; ring the bell. It’s time for the monthly missionary meeting! And what a special service it has been – for Self Denial month!!   A glance around God’s house is convincing enough that some have been excited about Self-Denial month. Thank Rev. Ken Sickler you all for promoting this annual focus on giving in a sacrificial way to Conference Foreign Missions.

Faithful on the Front Lines • Soldiers of the Lord on the front lines must be committed to their Commander-in-Chief. This commitment means willing to do anything, anywhere, at any cost. • Faithfulness of the front lines means faithful to the message of the Cross: the simple message of Calvary – Jesus Christ and Him crucified. • The last evidence of faithfulness on the front lines is receiving the reward – the Crown of Righteousness. –  2 Timothy 4:7, 8.

THE CROWN    Consider William F Sherman’s words in the third verse of the hymn,“Sound the Battle Cry”: O Thou God of all, hear us when we call, Help us one and all by Thy Grace; When the battle’s done, and the victory’s won, May we wear the crown before Thy face.    Fanny Crosby’s fourth verse of the theme song, “To the Work,” includes this thought. To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord, And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward. When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be, And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”    The Apostle Paul testified that he had “fought a good fight.” He had given it his best. He continued with “I have finished the course.” He had found God’s grace to be sufficient to the very end of life. He concluded with “I have kept the faith.” This could apply in several ways.

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1. In reference to the Grecian Olympic Games, he said he had played by the rules. 2. In a business sense, he seems to say that he had kept the terms of the contract. 3. He had kept his faith – his trust and confidence in Christ. He had not allowed anything to separate him from the love of Christ.    At the end of life, he turns from the verdict of man to the verdict of God. It seems that he has begun to hear the music of heaven, the great cloud of witnesses and the very words of Jesus saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matt. 25:21.    The following two illustrations have been taken from Battlefields and Blessings, Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II by Larkin Spivey. The Nun    “Lt. Jim Penton’s tank destroyer unit moved into Vire at dusk. His men dug in among the ruins of the French village as German artillery fire continued to fall all through the night. As the sun came up, they surveyed the damage done to their vehicles and equipment. They also noticed Continued on page 10

FOREIGN MISSIONS PLEDGES & OFFERINGS Please Note:   Your Foreign Missions offerings should go through your local church whenever possible. This allows your Church Treasurer to combine your monthly offerings on your year-end receipt for tax deductible giving.    If you are a Pilgrim Holiness Missions supporter without a local Pilgrim Holiness Church connection, please send Foreign Missions offerings and pledges to: Conference Treasurer Charles Whitney P.O. Box 483 Altamont, NY 12009-0483 For Foreign Missions questions, call: Rev. Ken Sickler, 518-762-3393

The Pilgrim News — December, 2016

Church News Cincinnati, OH – Five NY Pilgrim ministers attended Aldersgate Forum held on the campus of God’s Bible School. These pastors hearts and minds were once again challenged for the Kingdom. (President’s Note: Aldersgate Forum is “a place where it makes you face yourself and think.”) Brushton, NY – Revival services with John and Betty Case in November were cut short by an early season snow storm. Windsor, NY – Progress continues to be made as the property is ready to be put on the market. Endicott, NY – Progress is also being made as “The Manor” (second parsonage) property at Endicott has been seen by an appraiser. This property has been vacant for several years. It has now been put on the tax roll. The Council recently had to approve the payment of over $3,000 in taxes. (President’s Note: Remember, this is the property that the 95th Annual Conference approved for renovations to be rented or put on the market (Conference Minutes, page 21, #47). We are hoping to be able to sell this property “as is.” Discussion has already taken place in this regard. Please pray that God’s will be done.) Albany, NY – The approved addition to the Conference parsonage is being delayed by the local planning and zoning board red tape. A survey of the Campground was required in order to proceed with this addition.  Pray that all will be ready for the hearing planned for the middle of November. Pray that God’s will be done. Albany, NY – We rejoice that money was raised this year at Victory Grove Camp to make the Boel Memorial (evangelist quarters) an all-season building. Rev. Timothy Montgomery and a work crew from the Central zone are installing a furnace and additional insulation. President’s Travels – President Peabody conducted graveside services for Rev. Beatress Dodge and preached a family funeral in Gouverneur, NY. He recently visited and preached at the Venus and Strattanville, PA churches. Haverhill, MA – God continues to help Bro. Withe and the Haverhill congregation. Bro. Withe sends an update of how God is continuing to help as the Holy Spirit leads: “Thank you for your prayers. God is continuing to work in amazing ways. Last Sunday a man came to service who we had been praying for years. Five years ago Eric was walking

by the church and felt lead by God to come here. He came for two weeks, and then didn’t . . . until last Sunday. He had some hard things happen to him, and has continued to be on our minds over the years to pray for him. He lives down the street from the church and walks by often; so I’ve had many chances to talk to him and let him know that we are praying for him. Last fall, he helped me fix the siding on the parsonage and told me he felt God really talking to him. “I didn’t know it, but he has been led to start a ministry to the homeless around Haverhill. He goes out with his Bible and teaches and prays with them. Last Sunday, he was on his way to a church down the street; and every step past our church gate, he felt he was going the wrong way. This Sunday, he was back with another man he has been praying with. He actually invited five people and is really disappointed that a second man didn’t also come out of those five. “John and Lyndsay are still coming and I am going through the discipling study with both of them. “We serve an amazing God!” (President’s Note: The Kingdom of God continues to march forward. “His truth is marching on!”) United States – Please continue to remember our country in prayer. God is in control. Let us seek God, do what we can and leave the results in His hands! Venus, PA – President Peabody and family visited the Venus church. He preached in the Sunday morning service while Pastor Peck and his family were away. (President’s Note: It was a real joy to be with the Venus congregation. They are a great bunch of people who love God and love one another. These last 6 years God has truly used Bro. Peck to lead this congregation as they follow the Saviour together. The Pecks are doing a fine job.) Strattanville, PA – President Peabody and family visited. He preached the Sunday evening service. The Venus congregation dismissed their service to come. Attendance was good. (President’s Note: It was great to be with the Shawn Bell’s again and the Strattanville Congregation. God is truly helping them. Bro. Bell is doing a good job as pastor. Thank you Bells for your hospitality. The food, fellowship and place to stay was wonderful!) Continued on next page

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Schednectady, NY – God continues to help the Schenectady congregation as they minister to the children and adults.  Their recent Sunday School attendance was 66. We praise God as seeds are being sown and watered. Pastor  Jeremy Morford was recently “out of commission” for a couple weeks due to needed surgery. Fostoria, OH – Rev. Isaac Clark, pastor is recovering from recent surgery. Please keep him in prayer. Stone Ridge, NY – Zachary Clevenger, a ministerial student at PVBI has been filling in. Two Sundays in October and November. Please pray for God’s leadership and direction in the work at Stone Ridge. Cincinnati, OH – President Peabody and four other ministers (Merle Hock, Jeremy Morford, James Davis, and Joel Byer) attended the Aldersgate Forum at GBS. It was a good time of “spending time around THE WORD.” The theme this year was “The Subject of Hell and the Fate of the Unevangelized.” It was soul-stirring, heart-searching, and mind-challenging. If any are interested in the papers presented or the books reviewed, please contact Bro Peabody for a copy of the thumb drive that was given. Schenectady, NY – Funeral services for Sis. Ruth Fuller were held on October 24. May God bless her memory.  She being dead yet speaketh. She impacted many lives for Christ. Her influence lives on! Rockwood, NY – A new family has started attending. God is dealing with the heart of a young person. God is moving in the services. Archdale, NC – Souls have been getting saved.  Saints are excited about the new Kids Club Ministry on Thursday nights.  The attendance for Kids Club continues be 40-50 each week.  The Church is looking into the possibility of purchasing a bus to transport these new ones to church. Lisbon, OH – Please continue to pray for God’s will at Lisbon. God is helping. Funds have come in for a new furnace and a new roof for the church building. Bro. Jones reports that God is helping in the services. Souls are praying at the altar as they seek God. The Sunday morning attendance continues to hold steady (around 35) as new people are coming. There is a good spirit in the services. (President’s Note: Rev. Tom Jones is doing a good job filling the pulpit (for several years now). We need a full-time pastor for Lisbon. Pray that God’s man for this church will feel the call and burden for Lisbon.) Pierrepont Manor, NY – Joshua Wilson, a GBS student from Pierrepont, Manor served as a Conference sponsor

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Church of the school’s “Power Off to Connect Up” challenge. Although the challenge was for a specific date, its timeliness never expires. In Joshua’s words, “Power off” calls all Christ followers to log out of social media and refrain from leisure screen time for 24 hours. “Connect up” anticipates “that believers will be renewed by quietly focusing on God and will become aware of any unhelpful media habits in their lives.” Joshua Wilson and other GBS students “are wanting to spread this especially with teens, but also with adults. [They] feel as though this is something that every believer in Christ who actively uses media could greatly benefit from since social media and leisure screen time is something we rarely go without. “Amongst the busyness and noise, we want there to be an emphasis on the fact that God is speaking. So this challenge to “Power Off to Connect Up” is a challenge for us as believers to quiet down and listen. (President’s Note: Although the original date has passed, WHAT A GREAT IDEA! LET’S ALL GET ON BOARD – keep this plan in practice intermittently, at least! Pastors, let your young people know especially . . . and challenge them to the deeper things of God!)

  Field News (Continued from page 10)

  Haiti –   The missionary committee met with Don Mobley on Monday November 7th to go over the field coordinator’s reports and making any necessary adjustments. Bro. Mobley plans to return to Haiti by mid-November.    The leadership team is planning the next quarterly pastors’ meeting to be held in December. The next visit from the Conference is scheduled for the early part of April 2017.    Please be praying for those who continue to be recovering from the hurricane damage. Cholera is raging through the villages, food is scare and pure water is almost nonexistent. While our churches have not been greatly affected, our people have been assisting however they can.

h

News Four Central Zone Churches have Baptism More than sixty people gathered to celebrate nine believer’s public commitment to God through baptism on Sunday afternoon, September 3, 2016. The Knapp’s,

Hock, Janessa Winchell, Leslie Alberio, DJ and Brandon Morford, Joshua Peabody, and Malvin Walker each were candidates. The short service began with singing. Rev. John Peabody preached a short message

Rev. John Peabody spoke

from Acts 8:30-40. All of the candidates stood together while Bro. Hock questioned them about their faith and prayed for them. They filed to the pool area where each one gave a short testimony and were baptized. Rev. Jeremy Morford, Rev. John Peabody, Rev. Merle Hock, Rev. Kenneth Sickler, and Rev. Jason Damin took turns People from E. Worcester, Northville, Rockwood, and Schenectady baptizing the participants. Afterwards, famwho live in Voorheesville, generously offered the use of ily and friends stayed for food and fellowship. their pool and lawn for the baptism. Four Central zone It was a churches were represented in the service: Rockwood, wonderful blessSchenectady, Northville, and East Worcester. ing to see each one of the candidates, from the children to the adults, making a public statement of faith. We are thankful that God has guided them thus far, and we pray that He will continue Candidates for Baptism to lead them on Rev. Sickler, Rev. Morford & son    Samantha Lamphere, Donald Clapper, Brittany in life.

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Pilgrim Holiness Missions    Continued from page 6

a convent to the rear of their position when the amazing sound of morning bells chimed, joining the wail of the German 88’s.They watched in amazement as a solitary nun began moving through the village feeding and watering the livestock, milking the cows, and collecting eggs. She worked serenely through the morning, even while the German artillery kept the soldiers huddled in their foxholes. Lt. Penton wrote: I know that our most argumentative and skeptical atheist was duly fascinated and expressed by that display of the power and force of that sister’s faith – and complete fearlessness… It was not the sudden stimulated and short-lived courage which drives a man to risk hot lead on a daring dash to aid a buddy. To me, it was far more than that. It was the picture of a mellowed and complete faith – it was serenity of mind and soul amidst man’s savagery of arm and spirit.”    This unnamed woman was faithful on the front line of battle.

Face to the Coal    “During the darkest days of the war, there was trouble in England’s coal mines. Workers were leaving the mines to enlist in the army. Many young men wanted to be fighting on the front lines, not digging coal out of the ground, and coal production was in jeopardy when the nation needed it most. Winston Churchill went to the mines to deliver a speech and to give the miners a vision of the future.    “He pictured for them what would take place when the Nazis were defeated and the war was over. He said there would be a great parade honoring all who sacrificed for victory. First, there would be the Royal Navy sailors who had battled Hitler at sea. Then would come the Royal Air Force pilots who had fought the Luftwaffe in the skies. Then would come the Royal Army soldiers who had fought at Dunkirk. Last of all would come a long line of sweat-stained, soot-streaked men in miner’s caps. Someone would cry from the crowd, “Where were you during the dark days of our struggle?” And from ten thousand throats would come the answer, “We were deep in the earth, with our faces to the coal.”    “Churchill’s vision was powerful. With tear-streaked faces, the miners went back to work with the firm belief that every piece of coal they brought out of the earth was vital to the survival of their nation. They knew that their

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work might be mundane and seem unglamorous, but that it was necessary to the larger cause.”    Our ‘front line’ station is where God has placed us in life. Our missionaries have been called to other lands. They depend on those on the front lines of the battle back home. Laboring faithfully together on the front lines will advance the Kingdom of Christ. Faithful to supporting roles: prayer, communication, administration, finance, is as much a “front line” engagement as any other responsibility.

News from the Field

  Brazil   Stephen and Kezia Mills are back in Manaus, Brazil. They begin their third term with our Conference as resident missionaries. During their deputation, they travelled 15,000 miles, spoke in forty services, received pledges for 142 shares for their support and raised $13,000.00. They had little time to catch their breath (as Kezia wrote) since Steve had a wedding within days of returning to Brazil. They do praise the Lord for a safe trip and success getting through customs. While all their bags were opened and inspected, they were not asked one question nor did they notice anything missing!    “We are happy to be back to our daily routines. Anybody who has lived out of a suitcase for 5 months might know what I am talking about. This is what our morning routine looks like; sitting on the porch with a cup of delicious Brazilian coffee, with our Bible and Chloe (our dachshund) in our lap. Stephen Mills in Morning

There are several prayer needs to take to the Throne of Grace. 1. The well at Rio Solimoes. Bro. Mills will assess the situation and report to the Council. 2. The building program at Monte Pascoal. The recent burglary has added anxiety and disheartened the people. 3. Bro. Mills needs wisdom and prudence for the many decisions waiting to be made. Continued on page 8

The Pilgrim News — December, 2016

 “Give them a tract!” the Voice jarred at my heart’s door!

 “But what do I say? How do I start?”

 “They need an opportunity to know Jesus. Give them that tract in your pocket!”   As I trailed around behind the Islamic couple in Sam’s Wholesale Club that day, I was stumped as to how I could make an initial approach. I wanted to, but I couldn’t come up with anything to say. They drifted out of sight and my heart went heavy – I had failed! No! There they are again – approaching the checkout counter! We would be next in line to them!   His fine-featured face radiated a warm smile as he neared the clerk in his all-white, lose-fitting Middle-Eastern garb. Two handsome, small boys sat in the cart surrounded by grocery items. His wife was covered in black from head to foot, including her face. Only glowing, radiant eyes are visible. The questions ran like noisy children through my mind: “Who are they? Where are they from? What are they doing in this mid-sized college town of State College in mid Pennsylvania?”   “Give them a tract!”   “But what DO I say? I can’t interrupt his conversation with the clerk!”   My pounding heart was torn – I wanted to, but my mind was blank! Then the noisy thoughts came shrieking by again: “They’re obviously Muslims! Are they terrorists?” Then the couple slipped out the door! Gone! Me? I had failed again! “Why can’t I think? Why am I so blank? Why am I having so hard a time?”   Little did I realize the preparation God was working in my heart. This was my first close encounter with someone of the Islamic faith. I found myself unprepared, prejudiced, and

paralyzed by fear. Yet, I knew God was challenging me to something totally outside my comfort zone. That day while living in central Pennsylvania, our family had simply planned a trip to Sam’s, but God had engineered an encounter that would prove to be a crossroads in our lives.   “There they are!” We spotted them across the parking lot, placing things in the trunk of their car. Again, that persistent Voice repeated, “Now is your chance to give them that tract.” This time something happened in my heart as I determined, “I will speak to these people!” I approached only to find the gentleman on his phone! At this point I realized the enemy was at work, endeavoring to keep me from this contact. Walking past him to keep from looking conspicuous, I watched him put his phone away and made a quick approach, greeting him. Suddenly, the words came. God opened the door for several minutes of conversation. We exchanged names, contact information and he graciously accepted the tract.   I wasn’t able to develop that contact to visible fruition, but something had taken place in my heart – I found a new yearning to bring a Muslim to Jesus. Any book or article that would further prepare me was now my reading diet. My family and I had no idea that God was preparing us for a ministry in Archdale, North Carolina where we would find thousands of followers of Islam.

  (Tract artwork used by permission, Chick Publications, Ontario, California 91761)

– 11 –

Twinkle, twinkle little star Guiding wise men from afar Do you tire of shining bright You look so different every night Twinkle, twinkle little star What if your light did not reach quite so far Don’t you wonder what others think You seem so odd, aren’t stars supposed to blink “Listen closely,” twinkles the little star “I’d rather be me, than planet Mars, I’ve been called to shine my light To welcome Jesus on Christmas night I will shine so bright and high I will be the beacon in the sky What do others think you ask I do not know I just do my task I’ve been created bright to shine I’ll do my best I will not whine I’ll shine and shine and shine some more Until the wise men come through the door

To point to Jesus is my goal Even if it makes me an exception to the rule I am willing to shine this bright Will you point to Jesus and be a light?” Twinkle, twinkle little star I will go both near and far I want to lead others to His light May Jesus help me to shine pure and bright!