Christmas Opportune Time To Become A Key Bearer
By Ron Kopczick | September 2, 2010
As the Christmas season draws closer, so does the conclusion of Key Bearers’ 15th year of ministry. By the time 2010 wraps up, more than $2 million will have been donated to Key Bearers during its existence, providing well over 9 million copies of the Pentecostal Evangel and the Spanish-quarterly Evangelio Pentecostal to America’s incarcerated since 1996.
This year the Evangel has already received the 7,500th salvation report from an inmate since tracking began in late 2003. That figure is a great indicator of how the Key Bearers program is changing the lives of the men and women serving time in correctional facilities throughout the United States.
Besides those behind bars who come to the Lord through the gospel witness provided by the Evangel, thousands more are encouraged and discipled every week in their walk with Christ. A single copy of the Evangel is typically read by at least five inmates.
At least 10,000 copies of the weekly Evangel are sent to more than 500 prisons and jails. Key Bearers’ success relies on those individuals and churches who support the ministry. Every dollar donated to the program underwrites the printing and mailing of four copies of the Evangel, as no Key Bearers funding is used by the publication for administrative or promotional purposes.
For those who have never supported Key Bearers, or once did, Christmas offers a great opportunity to join, or rejoin, a ministry that shares the real meaning of the holiday with those who need Jesus in their lives. To become a Key Bearer, just visit www.pe.ag.org and choose the Prison Ministry link at the top of the homepage. There is more information about Key Bearers and the option to donate by clicking on “fill out the form.”
Those making an online donation to Key Bearers may receive a free six-month print subscription to the magazine by writing, “I would like to receive the Evangel for six months at no cost” in the comments box on the donation page. It’s the Evangel’s way of saying thanks for helping reach those who need to receive “good tidings of great joy” this upcoming Christmas season.
Topics: Pentecostal Evangel, Evangelio Pentecostal, prison ministry, Christmas, evangelism, Key Bearers, Uncategorized | Comments Off
India Fellowship of North America
By Ken Horn | August 31, 2010
For several years I have been a part of the Assemblies of God Ethnicity Commission. Here is a profile of one of the leaders who is a part of this. This profile was provided by the fellowship.
Rev. K.P. Titus
President, India Fellowship of North America
General Presbyter of the General Council
Reverend Titus was born in August of 1941. At the age of fourteen, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior, took water baptism at age nineteen, and thereafter, the Lord filled him with His Holy Spirit. After graduating from high school, it was God’s will for Rev. Titus to follow his father’s footsteps into the ministry. For that purpose, he studied in several Bible colleges and seminaries in India and abroad, where he received a number of theological degrees.
In 1960, Rev. Titus began preaching the Gospel and laboring in many parts of Kerala and North India. In 1969, God opened a way for him to come to the United States of America. As a symbol of his gratitude toward God, Rev. Titus sponsored and brought many people as visitors and immigrants to the United States from 1970 onwards. In 1973, Rev. Titus founded New York Bible Assembly of God and, with the Lord’s strength, has been serving there as the Senior Pastor ever since. The year prior, in 1972, he married Remani. Together, they have three children, a daughter-in-law, and one granddaughter.
Throughout his years in the ministry, Rev. Titus has devoted his time and talent to serving in various roles in the Keralite community. He presided as the National Convener for the 23rd Pentecostal Conference of North American Keralites in 2005. In the early 1990s, Rev. Titus and a few other pastors gathered together to pray for and to organize the Eastern region of the Assemblies of God. In 1993, they created a fellowship called Assemblies of God India Fellowship of North America, of which Rev. Titus had presided as the regional and national President for many years. God has blessed the fellowship with many member churches nationwide. In recent years, AGIFNA has held regional and national conferences in various locations throughout the continental United States.
In 2007, the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, MO recognized this fellowship. Rev. Titus was named President of the fellowship and continues to serve in this capacity. With this title, he has the privilege of attending all of the General Council meetings. Additionally, he is a General Presbyter of the General Council and a voting member of the General Presbytery.
In March 2010, Pastor Titus and his daughter were involved in a major car accident wherein he sustained a serious, but not life-threatening, injury to his neck. God spared the lives of Pastor Titus and his daughter and for this they are thankful for God’s providence in their lives. They also deeply appreciate and thank everyone who prayed for them during the healing process.
Rev. Titus gives all glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ for all the mercies He has bestowed upon him in the past, for the blessing He is showering upon him at present, and for the promises He has made to him for the future. He urges the next generation to study the Word, preach the Word, plant churches, and to be humble and faithful. For this, God will give to each their just reward.
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Two Funerals
By Scott Harrup | August 28, 2010
Thoughts on leaving a legacy. Read more at Out There.
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New Visitors/Welcome Editions Proving Popular
By Ron Kopczick | August 27, 2010
In the weeks following their respective releases, the latest Pentecostal Evangel Visitors Edition and the Spanish-language Evangelio Pentecostal Welcome Edition are in demand
by Assemblies of God churches across the United States. Congregations had waited several years for updated versions of these issues which introduce readers to the beliefs and ministries of the AG.
The latest guest editions of the Evangel present iValue, the multimedia venture of the Fellowship that emphasizes its four core beliefs: Salvation, Divine Healing, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Hope. A church can use either or both issues in a variety of ways:
- Handout to guests attending worship services
- Enclose in visitor packets or mailers
- Distribute during neighborhood or community canvassing
- Include as curriculum for new member or doctrine classes
Bulk copies of the Evangel Visitors Edition (#69-7024) and/or the Spanish Welcome Edition (#69-7054) can be ordered by calling Gospel Publishing House at 1
-800-641-4310. The cost is 25 cents per copy when a minimum purchase of 50 is made. Quantities of 49 or less are 50 cents per copy.
Free customized imprinting on the back of every magazine (up to 10 lines of text with 36 characters and spaces per line) is available when 400 or more total copies are requested while supplies last. Orders qualifying for the complimentary imprinting can be processed directly over the telephone with a GPH Customer Relations specialist.
Topics: Gospel Publishing House, Visitors Edition, Evangelio Pentecostal, Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Evangel, church, Spanish, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Christian?
By Scott Harrup | August 26, 2010
Just who is and who is not a Christian can generate debate in America’s multicultural environment. Read more at Out There.
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Second 2010 Kids Edition Highlights Autumn
By Ron Kopczick | August 20, 2010
There is a simple, yet effective, method for reaching the boys and girls of your community this fall — the Oct. 31 Pentecostal Evangel Kids Edition. For nine consecutive years the Evangel has p
ublished a Kids Edition to help congregations minister to elementary-age children inside and outside the church.
This year, for the first time, a Kids Edition was released in the spring (see cover at left). Although the normal press run was increased by 10 percent to meet anticipated demand for the May 16 issue, it completely sold out.
In the Oct. 31 Kids Edition entitled “Danger Zone!”, Petey shows youngsters through activities and stories how to stay safe and what God’s Word says about the danger of sin. There are numerous places or ways to use the issue as an evangelism and outreach tool during the fall months:
- Children’s services or special events
- Parades, fairs or festivals
- Local newspapers as a supplement
- Literature racks at area businesses
- Door-to-door distribution
- Welcome packets or follow-up mailings to visitors
- Handouts to trick-or-treaters
The Kids Edition is scheduled to be off the press in late September. A Spanish version (Evangelio Pentecostal) of the Kids Edition is expected to be available by mid-October. This marks the seventh year a Spanish edition has been published for boys and girls.
A single copy of either Kids Edition is 75 cents, which decreases to 50 cents per magazine for requests of 2 to 49 issues. A purchase of at least 50 Kids Evangels is only 25 cents per copy. While supplies last, bulk orders of 400 or more total copies are eligible for free customized imprinting on the back of every magazine.
Gospel Publishing House Customer Relations is currently taking advance orders for both Kids Editions. Purchases can be made by calling 1-800-641-4310 within the U.S. or 011-01-417-831-8000 from anywhere else in the world. Please mention item #69-7044 for the English edition or #69-7055 for the Spanish version.
Orders may be placed by phone from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Central Time), Monday through Friday, excluding most U.S. legal holidays. Details regarding free imprinting on large orders are available from GPH.
Topics: Spanish, Pentecostal Evangel, Gospel Publishing House, Evangelio Pentecostal, children, church, Bible, evangelism, family, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Southeastern University’s 2010 National Leadership Forum
By Ken Horn | August 17, 2010
I want to share an amazing opportunity that I believe will have a tremendous impact on your life! Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, will be broadcasting its 2010 National Leadership Forum on September 9-10 as an online webcast with several of the top speakers from the church and business world sharing their insights on servant leadership. Featured speakers include Brian Houston, Joyce Meyer, Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Craig Groeschel, Erwin McManus, Marcus Buckingham, Patrick Lencioni, Jim Blanchard and Mark Floyd.
Ken Blanchard, the number-one author on the subject of leadership, will serve as the moderator of this special two-day webcast. There is absolutely no cost to watch this great leadership conference. Additionally, there will be resource materials that you will be able to download at no cost. You can view a short video preview of the webcast at www.forumwebcast.com.
Southeastern University is “dedicated to the proposition that servant leaders are world changers.” It is that desire to train and develop servant leaders that has led to this unique opportunity. Southeastern University is making this outstanding leadership conference available as a service to those who were unable to attend the 2010 Forum in person.
This will be an excellent opportunity for training and encouragement in servant leadership. I want to encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity. There is no cost to take part in this two-day event; however, you must register at the Forum webcast site linked above. Once you register, you will receive additional details regarding this great event.
For two days in September, be change in your world!
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Final Chances to Win “Love is a Verb” and “Closer”
By Ron Kopczick | August 13, 2010
And then there were two. Just two more opportunities that is to win one of the featured titles that have been offered through the online Pentecostal Evangel Weekly Drawing since late May.
Visitors to the Evangel website have until 11:59 p.m. (CDT) tomorrow, Aug. 14, to enter this week’s drawing for one of the two remaining copies of Love is a Verb: Stories of What Happens When Love Comes Alive. Compiled by Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, Love is a Verb offers 40 uplifting true stories from everyday people that inspires the reader to put love into action. A six-month print subscription to the Evangel is included with the Bethany House release that will be formally awarded on Aug. 19.
Beginning at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 15, Evangel readers can participate in the Weekly Drawing for a chance at the next-to-last copy of Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together. Written by HomeWord ministry founders Jim and Cathy Burns, Closer is a collection of 52 devotionals that will help a couple strengthen their relationship through faith conversations — quiet talks vital for emotional and spiritual intimacy. The deadline to win Closer, along with an Evangel six-month print subscription, is 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21. The winner shall be announced Aug. 26.
Since its February 2006 premiere on the Evangel website, the Weekly Drawing has awarded hundred of books and Evangel subscriptions to more than 230 winners representing 44 of the United States and four other nations. Entries for the drawing have been received from all 50 states and three U.S. territories, eight Canadian provinces, and 38 additional countries. Just recently, Malawi became the 40th nation overall to be represented in the Weekly Drawing.
To enter the contest, select the Weekly Drawing link at the top of the www.pe.ag.org homepage. Please remember only one entry is allowed per person or e-mail address each week, Sunday through following Saturday. Multiple entries in a given week by one party will result in qualification.
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Moo
By Scott Harrup | August 9, 2010
A few thoughts on road trips, rural America, and Pentecostal Evangels past and present. Read more at Out There.
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Complimentary Evangels Available For Autumn
By Ron Kopczick | August 6, 2010
Pastors who would like to provide their congregations with the Pentecostal Evangel at no cost for the entire fall quarter of September, October, and November, may still do so if they respond by next Friday, Aug. 13. The Evangel is offering up to 25 complimentary copies per week for the autumn months to all interested churches, even those already subscribing to the publication.
T
he “Test Drive” program allows any congregation the opportunity to gauge the number of Evangels it actually needs without any financial risk. And there is no obligation to continue the trial subscription or increase for the winter quarter, as a church may cancel or adjust the bundle quantity by indicating its intention on the renewal invoice received from Gospel Publishing House.
A wide range of themes in the fall Evangels will offer something for readers of all ages. Plus the World Missions Edition returns from its three-month summer hiatus and will again be published for the first Sunday of every month. Among the issues offered:
- Sept. 5 — Missions in Peninsular Asia
- Sept. 12 — Assemblies of God Colleges & Universities (see cover above)
- Sept. 19 — Personal Ministry in the Community
- Oct. 17 — What is a Pentecostal?
- Oct, 31 — Annual Fall Kids Edition (featuring Petey, at right)
- Nov. 14 — Convoy of Hope
- Nov. 21 — Thanksgiving: Stories of God’s Grace
- Nov. 28 — Joni Eareckson Tada: Dealing With Suffering
To learn how a church can begin a free trial subscription or increase for the fall quarter, visit www.pe.ag.org and click the Customer Service link. From there go to Special Offers and choose the Free Trial Subscription option. You may also call 417-862-2781, ext. 4107, for more information or assistance.
Topics: Pentecostal Evangel, Assemblies of God, Gospel Publishing House, children, subscription, missions, World Missions Edition, church, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Ray of Hope
By Scott Harrup | August 2, 2010
Ray Bradbury’s thoughts on God and religion are as provocative as his writing. Read more at Out There.
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Chi Alpha Conference Spotlights Amazing Ministry
By Ken Horn | August 2, 2010
When some 600 campus missionaries and their families gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, I was privileged to be there. It was eye-opening for me. Read my report here.
There will also be a full issue of the Pentecostal Evangel focusing on Chi Alpha. It will be in churches Sunday, September 26.
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Joni
By Scott Harrup | July 30, 2010
Joni Eareckson Tada looks back on 43 years of service to God after a fateful dive into the Chesapeake Bay left her paralyzed. Read more at Out There.
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Diaries
By Scott Harrup | July 30, 2010
When was the last time you immersed yourself in the most amazing life journals of all? Read more at Out There.
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Spanish Evangel’s New “Welcome Edition” Available
By Ron Kopczick | July 29, 2010
Just weeks after the Pentecostal Evangel unveiled its first visitors issue in nearly a decade, a 24-page Spanish-language Welcome Edition has been released. Like its June 13 English counterpart, the Summer 2010 version of the quarterly Evangelio Pentecostal presents iValue, the multimedia venture of the Assemblies of God that emphasizes the Fellowship’s four core beliefs: Salvation, Divine Healing, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Hope.
“The Welcome Edition is a very practical tool for pastors and churches to give to newcomers and to new believers,” says Evangelio Pentecostal Coordinator Efraim Espinoza, who also serves as director for the Office of Hispanic Relations. “This is the third Welcome Edition we’ve done in Spanish.”
As with the English version, the Spanish ”Bienvenidos” edition can be used in a variety of ways:
- Handout to guests attending worship services
- Enclose in visitor packets or mailers
- Distribute during neighborhood or community canvassing
- Include as curriculum for new member or doctrines classes
In addition to Hispanic churches, the issue can be used by English-language congregations to share with Spanish-speaking visitors or neighbors. Bulk copies of
the Spanish Welcome Edition (#69-7054) can be ordered by calling Gospel Publishing House at 1-800-641-4310. The cost is 25 cents per copy when a minimum purchase of 50 is made. Quantities of 49 or less are 50 cents per copy. The same pricing applies to the June 13 English Visitors Edition (#69-7024).
Free customized imprinting on the back of every copy (up to 10 lines of text with 36 characters and spaces per line) is available when 400 or more copies are requested. Orders qualifying for the complimentary imprinting can be processed directly over the telephone with a GPH Customer Relations specialist.
Topics: Assemblies of God, Gospel Publishing House, Evangelio Pentecostal, Pentecostal Evangel, Spanish, evangelism, faith, church, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Special Subscriptions Honor Military, Senior Citizens
By Ron Kopczick | July 23, 2010
Just over a year ago the Pentecostal Evangel unveiled a subscription program to salute active and past members of the U.S. military. At approximately the same time, the publicatio
n reintroduced its senior citizen discount after a several-year hiatus. Hundreds of readers are taking advantage of the special pricing to have the Evangel mailed directly to them.
American service personnel and veterans are eligible for an Evangel military subscription that costs only $14.99 annually, or $28 for two years, mailed to any U.S. address. An Evangel subscription can offer encouragement and spiritual guidance every week to someone who may currently be in harm’s way or has previously experienced the trauma of war.
Military subscriptions can be purchased as either a gift or for oneself. The recipient’s current or former service branch is required when the order is placed by calling Gospel Publishing House Customer Relations at 1-800-641-4310 and specifying subscription code LM. A printable order form is available on the Evangel website, www.pe.ag.org. Click on “Subscribe to the Pentecostal Evangel” along the right side of the homepage, next select “Special Offers” near the top left, then choose “Military Subscription Program.”
Intended for someone at least 60 years of age, the Evangel senior citizen rate can also be requested as a personal or gift subscription by calling GPH at 1-800-641-4310. Code LS should be used when ordering. As with the military option, an order form is available for senior subscriptions at www.pe.ag.org by following the steps given above with the exception of selecting “Senior Discount” in place of “Military Subscription.”
A domestic senior citizen subscription is only $18.99 for one year or $30 for two. Seniors living outside the U.S. may receive the Evangel for just $42 annually. International customers can reach GPH at 011-01-417-831-8000 or use the printable form. Subscriptions can be ordered by phone from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Central Time), Monday through Friday, excluding most U.S. legal holidays.
The special military and senior citizen pricing is only good on new or renewable orders, as the discounts cannot be applied retroactively to any current subscriptions.
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Slurrr-mack!!
By Scott Harrup | July 20, 2010
The world’s most powerful muscle drives the tongue of the giant palm salamander. But the power of the human tongue is measured on a different scale. Read more at Out There.
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Opportunities to Win Bethany House Title Dwindling
By Ron Kopczick | July 16, 2010
A handful of opportunities remain to win a book from Bethany House Publishers through the Pentecostal Evangel Weekly Drawing.
Beginning at 12 a.m. (CDT) on Sunday, July 18, readers can enter to win one of three remaining copies of Love is a Verb: Stories of What Happens When Love Comes Alive. Compiled by The Five Love Languages author Gary Chapman, Love is a Verb offers 40 uplifting true stories from everyday people that inspires the reader to put love into action. A six-month print subscription to the Evangel is included with the Bethany House release that will be awarded July 29.
Available the following week of July 25-31 will be a second BHP title. Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together by HomeWord ministry founders Jim and Cathy Burns is a collection of 52 devotionals that helps couples draw closer through faith conversations — quiet talks vital for emotional and spiritual intimacy. Only two complimentary copies of Closer will be available after the
Aug. 5 drawing, which will also include an Evangel six-month print subscription.
During its 4 1/2-year run, the Weekly Drawing has produced 226 winners representing 44 states and four countries outside the U.S. An adjustment to the new entry form has been made so that international readers can once again take part in the Weekly Drawing.
Visitors to the Evangel website may still enter the July 22 drawing which will award a copy of Theology in a Nutshell by Ken Horn and a six-month PE print subscription. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, July 17. To enter, just select the Weekly Drawing link at the top of the www.pe.ag.org homepage. Please remember only one entry is allowed per person or e-mail address each week, Sunday through following Saturday.
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Test Drive the Pentecostal Evangel This Fall
By Ron Kopczick | July 9, 2010
It may seem like there is plenty of summer left, but if you’re a youngster dreading the start of a new school year, the next several weeks will seem to come and go rather quickly. Especially in those sections of the country where classes resume as early as the second week of August.
So with autumn approaching, along with the ringing of that initial school bell, now is the appropriate time to prepare for the months ahead. For a church that means having an ample sup
ply of the Pentecostal Evangel every week.
And thanks to the ”Test Drive” program, any interested congregation can receive complimentary copies of the Evangel for three full months, allowing the church to gauge the number of magazines it needs without any financial risk. The Evangel will provide up to 25 complimentary copies per week for the three-month fall quarter (September through November) to any church, even those with active subscriptions.
With a strong line-up of issues set for autumn, combined with the return of the monthly World Missions Edition from its summer hiatus, the Evangel is a great ministry tool for every church. Some of the notable topics include:
- Sept. 5 — Missions in Peninsular Asia.
- Sept. 19 — Personal ministry in the community.
- Oct. 17 — What is a Pentecostal?
- Oct. 31 — Keeping kids safe physically and spiritually.
- Nov. 14 — The work of Convoy of Hope.
- Nov. 21 — Thanksgiving: Life and death testimonies.
To learn how a church can begin a free trial subscription or increase for the fall quarter, visit the www.pe.ag.org and click the Customer Service link. From there go to Special Offers and choose the Free Trial Subscription option. You may also call 417-862-2781, ext. 4107, for information or assistance. There is no obligation to continue the complimentary subscription or increase for the winter quarter.
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Slow Reading
By Scott Harrup | July 9, 2010
A long-decried habit in education circles is getting some favorable press. Read more at Out There.
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