Report on "Hydrate '08"

“When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Isaiah 41:17-18

The earth is crying out, but I have wonderful news... our God is answering! The Word tells us that we were formed from the dust of the earth. Genesis 2:7. It also reminds us that we are earthen vessels. 2 Corinthians 4:7. Singing about the compassion of the Almighty God, the psalmist David, gives us all hope by joyfully declaring, “For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14. When I say the earth is crying out, I’m referring to dry, broken humanity. One of the ways He is answering, is through a youth/young adult tour called “Hydrate ’08.” During prayer at the end of last year, I asked the Lord what was His desire for 2008. In my spirit, I heard God speak one word… “Hydrate!” As I wrestle with this word, I sought out the Scriptures for deeper meaning. Of course the rest is history. Through the Word and Spirit of God a ministry/tour was born with the sole purpose of bringing “Living Water” to a dry and thirsty land. With four events still remaining, we have seen 148 salvations and are believing God for many more. In addition, people have been filled with the Holy Spirit, churches have broken attendance bearers, people have been added to the church, and youth are taking their rightful place in the Kingdom of God. This month I would like to share with you reports from the last two events. First an outdoor crusade in Hamilton, AL then, the High School event at McAdory High School in Bessemer, AL.

Hamilton, AL: On August 9th, 2008 Hamilton, AL was forever changed. One thing we keep hearing as we travel across this state, is that a tour of this nature has never been attempted in these areas. As we arrived on location, we noticed that the stage was set up right beside a prison. After noticing the prisoners, we knew God was going to do a great work and we asked the guards if the prisoners could stay outside to enjoy the event. As the event was nearing, my wife and I began to make our way backstage, when we almost ran into a 17 year old girl pushing a baby stroller attempting to leave. We asked her where she was going and fighting back the tears, she simply said, “I cannot stay. People will look at me funny and judge me. I’m 17 with a baby.” My wife and I embraced her telling her that she would not be judged, because none of us are perfect and she came to the right place. After convincing her to stay, her mother, with tear flowing down her cheeks, whispered, “thank you” behind her daughter’s back. The entire night more and more people showed up. We lost count at about 280 because many drove up in their car and rolled down their windows having what I call, “drive-in church.” That night we had three altar calls. The first, calling sinners to repentance. Ten people responded. One woman got out of her car, walked to the front of the stage, confessed her sins, received Jesus, then walked back to her car and lead her entire family to the Lord. Pastor Terry Gann walked to one car and to his surprise both women were crying. He asked them if the Lord had touched them, both replied, “Yes! Jesus has saved me!” This was a mother and her teen-age daughter. Then, we gave a call for the people, not just to receive this water, but to share this water with all. Our prayer was, “pour into us, so we can pour it out and share it with the world.” Lastly, Pastor Short-Tee (one of our artists) came up to me saying, “Let’s give the prisoners a opportunity.” We did just that. We turned our speakers, faces, and hearts to the prisoners, who had been outside listening the whole time, and lead 20 inmates to the Lord! We had 280 in attendance, not including the inmates and those in the cars, with over 30 salvations. To God be all the glory!

McAdory High School– Bessemer, AL: That’s right! It’s not a typo. On August 23rd, 2008 we turned McAdory High into a Holy Ghost party and a soul winning station! One of the main focuses concerning these evangelistic events is to get in as many high schools as possible. So far, we’ve been in three high schools with several more pending. Just coming into this event, we had great excitement and momentum. For a month and a half we covered the area with posters and flyers, then rallied churches together. With the leadership and help of Carisha Pardue, we were able to give away over $3,000 dollars worth of prizes to the students/community. We wanted to make a statement... Christians are not about getting but giving. We had between 325-350 people in attendance. Most were students from the school. As we led people in confession and prayer, 75 hands raised, 75 mouths confessed, and 75 hearts received redemption through Christ Jesus! That’s 75 salvations in one night at a high school in America! One mother came up to me after the event and she told me her family had been praying all summer, that the blood of Jesus would cover this school, because this was her son’s first year. With tears streaming down her face, she looked dead into my eyes and said, “You guys are the answer to our prayers.” The earth is crying out for spiritual hydration and the Lord is answering. Will He answer their cries through you? Tim Beck

Fall Pastors' Intensive

Fall Pastors' Intensive
Training Seminar
September 19-20, 2008
Camp Boothe

Raising L.E.A.D.E.R.S.
Guest Instructor:
Dr. H. E. (Bubba) Cardin

You may have heard, or possibly even asked these questions. Are we going to have service after service with no end or purpose? Why do I have to do it all? Why is it when we have fun things, the house is full, but with serious things, it empties? Why do people visit, but not stay? Why do my people complain about how they are being fed (or not being fed at all)? Growth comes from two things: 1) Qualified Leadership, and 2) Vision/Purpose. This class will offer a grid that will help address these issues.

Friday evening
Session 1: Raising L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Overview; Sharing your "Story"
(Testimony, Witness, Mission Statement, Time Line)

Session 2: Relationship (Tools to Consider, Evangelistic Prospect
Flow Chart)
Evangelism (Plans/Methods, What's Your Evangelism
Style? Lead Feet. Resources to Consider.)

Saturday morning
Session 3: Discipleship (Covering the Basics, Care for Babies, Not
Just Preachers & Teachers, Resources to Consider)

Session 4: Assimilation (Could the Church Have a Disease?)
Resources to Consider.
"Empowering" Ministries Emulating/Experiencing
Ministry, Spiritual Gifts Inventory), "L.E.A.D.E.R.S."
Questions for Leaders, The Problem May Be at the Top-
Leadership, Resources)

Leadership Wisdom

The Challenge of Leadership is to be-

Strong, but not rude.
Kind, but not weak.
Bold, but not a bully.
Thoughtful, but not lazy.
Humble, but not timid.
Proud, but not arrogant.
Humorous, but without folly.
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Prayer Awakening

"Our desire for God did not originate with us. We did not initiate the possibility of this relationship. The Trinity made it possible and kindled the desire within us....It is God who invites us to join in the the Trinitarian conversation already occurring. The triune God invites us to share in intimacy with God and summons us to enter the communion of self-giving love...

Prayer is joining an already-occurring conversation. The Spirit calls us to participate in the relationship of intimacy between Father and Son and to be caught up in the dance already begun. In prayer on the earth, we join the dance and begin to experience the movement and interplay of the Trinitarian Persons." --Clark H. Pinnock, Flame of Love

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5: 14, 15).

Alabama Gordon - Conwell Winter School

Alabama Gordon-Conwell
Winter School
January 8 - 11
Camp Boothe Campus

"Survey of the New Testament"
Elias Rodriquez, Professor
Brother Rodriquez also serves as Spanish Overseer
for the Church of God of Prophecy

Enrollment
Those who attended May ‘08 school do not need to complete another application. Just notify me if you plan to attend this school.
New students, please contact Office of Overseer for an application. Email: Alcogop@aol.com Or 205-425-1905.
This school is open for ministers or non-ministers, Church of God of Prophecy or other organizations.
I will cover cost of food and lodging for Alabama Church of God of Prophecy students.
Alabama Church of God of Prophecy ministers will receive a $100 credit on cost of course.

We need 50 English students.

All classes will be on DVD for reference in post-class work.

Rescue The Perishing

The above oil painting by Maurcio Palacio entitled “Who Cares?” was commissioned in 1993 by Last Days Ministries, which was founded by Keith Green. It was a depiction of a vision that William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army had one day.

Vision is a powerful thing. The Bible says that, “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Pr 29:18, KJV). It is interesting how God used vision or revelation throughout the Bible to speak to people and even communicate His heart to them. As Booth was traveling in his coach, he was looking out the window and saw the condition of people around him. He recounts that people were “living carelessly and in shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare.” He says, “As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all… millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles, ignorant – willfully ignorant in many cases – and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God.”

Here is the vision:

I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightning flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again. In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.

And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with its summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety. On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to ‘rescue the perishing.’

And I hardly know which gladdened me the most – the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.

As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different ‘sets’ or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea.

But what puzzled me most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. Anyway, it seemed the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. And what seemed equally strange and perplexing to me was that these people did not even seem to have any care – that is any agonizing care – about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes… many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children.

Now this astonishing unconcern could not have been the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge, because they lived right there in full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.

I have always said that the occupants of this platform were engaged in different pursuits and pastimes. Some of them were absorbed day and night in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes and the like.

Many spent their time in amusing themselves with growing flowers on the side of the rock, others in painting pieces of cloth or in playing music, or in dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking; others were taken up with arguing about the poor drowning creatures that had already been rescued.

But the thing to me that seemed the most amazing was that those on the platform to whom He called, who heard His voice and felt that they ought to obey it - at least they said they did - those who confessed to love Him much were in full sympathy with Him in the task He had undertaken – who worshipped Him or who professed to do so - were so taken up with their trades and professions, their money saving and pleasures, their families and circles, their religions and arguments about it, and their preparation for going to the mainland, that they did not listen to the cry that came to them from this Wonderful Being who had Himself gone down into the sea. Anyway, if they heard it they did not heed it. They did not care. And so the multitude went on right before them struggling and shrieking and drowning in the darkness.

And then I saw something that seemed to me even more strange than anything that had gone on before in this strange vision. I saw that some of these people on the platform to whom this Wonderful Being had called, wanting them to come and help Him in His difficult task of saving these perishing creatures, were always praying and crying out to Him to come to them!

Some wanted Him to come and stay with them, and spend His time and strength in making them happier. Others wanted Him to come and take away various doubts and misgivings they had concerning the truth of some letters He had written them. Some wanted Him to come and make them feel more secure on the rock – so secure that they would be quite sure that they should never slip off again into the ocean. Numbers of others wanted Him to make them feel quite certain that they would really get off the rock and onto the mainland someday; because as a matter of fact, it was well known that some had walked so carelessly as to lose their footing, and had fallen back again into the stormy waters.

So these people used to meet and get up as high on the rock as they could, and looking towards the mainland (where they thought the Great Being was) they would cry out, "Come to us! Come and help us!" And all the while He was down (by His Spirit) among the poor struggling, drowning creatures in the angry deep, with His arms around them trying to drag them out, and looking up - oh! so longingly but all in vain – to those on the rock, crying to them with His voice all hoarse from calling, ‘Come to Me! Come, and help Me!’"

Booth then gave a stirring rebuke and challenge for the believers who have been rescued. He writes,

“And then I understood it all. It was plain enough. The sea was the ocean of life – the sea of real, actual human existence. That lightning was the gleaming of piercing truth coming from Jehovah’s Throne. That thunder was the distant echoing of the wrath of God. Those multitudes of people shrieking, struggling and agonizing in the stormy sea, was the thousands and thousands of poor harlots and harlot-makers, of drunkards and drunkard makers, of thieves, liars, blasphemers and ungodly people of every kindred, tongue and nation.

Oh what a black sea it was! And oh, what multitudes of rich and poor, ignorant and educated were there. They were all so unalike in their outward circumstances and conditions, yet all alike in one thing – all sinners before God – all held by, and holding onto, some iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves of some devilish lust, and ruled by the foul fiend from the bottomless pit!

‘All alike in one thing?’ No, all alike in two things – not only the same in their wickedness but, unless rescued, the same in their sinking, sinking… down, down, down… to the same terrible doom. That great sheltering rock represented Calvary, the place where Jesus had died for them. And the people on it were those who had been rescued. The way they used their energies, gifts and time represented the occupations and amusements of those who professed to be saved from sin and hell – followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The handful of fierce, determined ones, who were risking their own lives in saving the perishing were true soldiers of the cross of Jesus. That Mighty Being who was calling to them from the midst of the angry waters was the Son of God, "the same yesterday, today and forever" who is still struggling and interceding to save the dying multitudes about us from this terrible doom of damnation, and whose voice can be heard above the music, machinery, and noise of life, calling on the rescued to come and help Him save the world.

My friends in Christ, you are rescued from the waters, you are on the rock. He is in the dark sea calling on you to come to Him and help Him. Will you go? Look for yourselves. The surging sea of life, crowded with perishing multitudes rolls up to the very spot on which you stand. Leaving the vision, I now come to speak of the fact - a fact that is as real as the Bible, as real as the Christ who hung upon the cross, as real as the judgment day will be, and as real as the heaven and hell that will follow it. Look! Don’t be deceived by appearances - men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea! Look at them from the standpoint of the great White Throne, and what a sight you have! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is, through His Spirit, in the midst of this dying multitude, struggling to save them. And He is calling on you to jump into the sea - to go right away to His side and help Him in the holy strife. Will you jump? That is, will you go to His feet and place yourself absolutely at His disposal?

A young Christian once came to me, and told me that for some time she had been giving the Lord her profession and prayers and money, but now she wanted to give Him her life. She wanted to go right into the fight. In other words, she wanted to go to His assistance in the sea. As when a man from the shore, seeing another struggling in the water, takes off those outer garments that would hinder his efforts and leaps to the rescue, so will you who still linger on the bank, thinking and singing and praying about the poor perishing souls, lay aside your shame, your pride, your cares about other people’s opinions, your love of ease and all the selfish loves that have kept you back for so long, and rush to the rescue of this multitude of dying men and women.

Does the surging sea look dark and dangerous? Unquestionably it is so. There is no doubt that the leap for you, as for everyone who takes it, means difficulty and scorn and suffering. For you it may mean more than this. It may mean death. He who beckons you from the sea however, knows what it will mean - and knowing, He still calls to you and bids to you to come. You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises - very much of heaven on earth.

Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.

You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.”

Pastoral Changes

Elba
Pastor David Tadlock resigned due to his wife's health issues.
H. L. Buckner is duly appointed effective, September 1, 2008

West Blocton
Pastor Wilton Price resigned due to his age and desire to give more time to the Tanniehill Mission.
Kay (Ken) Pate is duly appointed effective, October 1, 2008

Hydrate Tour-McAdory High School

Hello great men and women of God!
Hydrate-McAdory is right in front of us, Saturday, August 23, 6:00PM. We have been working "around the clock" spreading the word. As I speak, posters are up in this area's stores, gas stations, and schools. Please prayer "we have done all we can do". Now we turn our eyes to Jesus! The rest of this week, please continue to spread the word. Email folks, call friends, tell those you come in contact with, we can not over promote!

Tim Beck
Hydrate '08

Charitable Contributions

Did you make a cash contribution to your favorite charity? Have you recently spent a weekend cleaning stuff out of your garage or basement that you then donated to a local charity?

Charitable contributions can be tax deductible, but you must have the proper records to support your deduction. Due to the Pension Protection act of 2006 the rules on recordkeeping for charitable contributions became a little more strict beginning in January 2007.

To deduct a charitable cash donation, regardless of the amount, you must have a bank record or a written communication from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. Acceptable bank records would include canceled checks or bank or credit union statements containing the name of the charity, the date and the amount of the contribution.

Under the previous rules, records such as personal bank registers, diaries or notes made around the time of the donation could often be used as evidence of cash donations. Personal records like this are no longer sufficient.

Here are some additional tips to help you deduct your charitable contributions on your 2008 federal tax return.

• Charitable contributions are deductible only if you itemize deductions using Form 1040.
• Contributions must be made to a qualified organization.
• Used clothing and household items such as furniture, linens and appliances must be in good used condition.
• Vehicle donations are subject to special rules.
• To deduct charitable contributions of items valued at $250 or more you must have a written acknowledgement from the qualified organization.
• To deduct charitable contributions of items valued at $500 or more you must complete a Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, and attached the form to your return.

More information is available on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. A good resource IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, found on the web site or by call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Remember that for the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use. gov. Don't be confused by internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.

Minister in Top Ten Jobs with High Prestige

Results of the annual Harris Poll that measures the public's perceptions of 23 different professions and occupations indicates that the profession of clergy ranks in the top 10 most prestigious occupations.

Of the 1,010 U.S. adults who were interviewed in July of this year, 40 percent said that the role of Priest/Minister/Clergy had "very great prestige." The top ten occupations ranked by perception of very high prestige were:

* Firefighter: 57%
* Scientist: 56%
* Doctor: 53%
* Nurse: 52%
* Teacher: 52%
* Military Officer: 46%
* Police Officer: 46%
* Farmer: 41%
* Minister/Clergy: 40%
* Engineer: 40%

Of the 23 professions that were ranked, Banker, Stockbroker and Real Estate Agent took the bottom three spots, with only six percent of respondents saying that Real Estate Agent was an occupation with "very great prestige." It's also interesting to note that, according to the Harris Poll in 1977, the occupation of Clergy was seen as having "very great prestige" by 41 percent of those who were questioned. That number rose to 46 percent in 1998 and dropped to 32 percent in 2004.