Christian Education is an integral and invaluable

aspect of the mandate and mission of the Christian

church. The history of the Christian church is

grounded upon the teachings of Jesus and the

apostles as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20. "Go

ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am

with you always, even unto the end of the world."

The early church made Bible teaching part of its core

ministries. “And they continued steadfastly in the

apostles’ doctrine [teaching] and fellowship, in the

breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). “And

daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not

cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ”

(Acts 5:42). According to the Ephesians passage, “It

was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be

prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be

pastors, and teachers, to prepare God’s people for

works of service, so that the body of Christ may be

built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in

attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of

Christ”(Ephesians 4:11-13).

Paul carried on an active teaching ministry. “For a

whole year they assembled with the church and

taught a great many people” (Acts 11:26). “And he

continued there a year and six months, teaching the

word of God among them” (Acts 18:11).

Teaching is one of the spiritual gifts given to people

in the church (Romans 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28). One of the

qualifications of a pastor is that he must be “able to

teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Paul instructed Timothy to take

what others had taught him and “commit these to

faithful men who will be able to teach others also”

(2 Tim. 2:2). The New Testament clearly portrays the

important role of Christian Education in a local

church.

Christian Education may also be said to be a Christ centered, Bible-based process by which the church develops in community, and believers are led to spiritual maturity to engage in the mission and ministry of Christ in the church and in the world. Christian Education is grounded in God’s revelation to us as contained in the Bible. It is a process of bringing individuals from a place of initial belief in the Lordship of Jesus to accepting His rule and reign in every area of their lives. The process continues to take these individuals (who may be regarded as disciples) along a path of growth towards Christian maturity where they themselves begin a path of spiritual reproduction. With the mandate to teach, the Department of Christian Education will be responsible for organizing and administering the educational ministries and activities within the member congregations of the House of God, which is the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, Pillar & Ground of the Truth, Inc. Since the Christian Education Ministry co-labors with other ministries within the church and community with the purpose of giving individuals the opportunity to learn and demonstrate the fullness of Christian love and attributes toward others, the following are areas of ministry covered by the Christian Education Department: the Sunday School, Holy Young People’s Bible Class, Youth Congress and School of Ministry. The Christian Education Department will offer workshops, seminars, conferences, and conventions to help develop effective skills in Christian Education and those striving for a closer walk with the Lord.

The 57th National Foreign Mission Convention was spiritually explosive! The “dunamis” (power) of God permeated the services at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tupelo, Mississippi. The Theme was: “A Heart for the Harvest.” The President of the National Foreign Mission Convention, Elder Dr. Frances Bultron, presented a program that was not only entertaining, intellectually stimulating, financially strong, but rich in anointing. The Host Bishops were: Bishop Dr. G. T. Howell, Bishop Levora Davis, Mid-South Diocese; Bishop Henry Jeans, Global Pacific Diocese; and Bishop James Robinson, Great Expectations Diocese.

Monday, 7:30 P.M., May 15, 2017 The National Foreign Mission Department opened its 57th Convention with a Pre-Musical at Davis Temple Church of the Living God. Elder Melvin Pinson of Tupelo, Mississippi, was the Master of Ceremonies. The Roll Call included the College Hill Male Choir, Faith Tabernacle Youth Praise, Mid-South Diocese Choir, Smith Temple Praise Team, Tupelo High School Choir, Josh Smiles (who sang in the dark because the lights in the area went out), Dallas Brown, and others.

Tuesday, 10:00 A.M., May 16, 2017 Each morning of the convention opened with prayer at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday Morning Manna: Spiritual Gems were presented by Elder Alice Moore, Foreign Mission President, Central New York Diocese; and Elder Dorothy Taylor, Foreign Mission President, Rhode Island Massachusetts Diocese. The Ministry of the Word came from Rev. Janet Parks, State Home Mission President, Mid-South Diocese.

Tuesday, 2:00 P.M., May 16, 2017

At this session, the Ministry of the Word came from Elder Mildred Chills, Foreign Mission President, Global Pacific Diocese. We received an official welcome to Tupelo, Mississippi by The Honorable Jason Shelton, Mayor of Tupelo, Mississippi.

Tuesday, 7:30 P.M., May 16, 2017 During the 7:30 P.M. session, the Ministry of the Word came from Bishop Kelvin Ransey, Pastor of Spirit of Excellence Church, Oxford, MS. The Word went forth with healing and deliverance in its wings! Many were blessed in that service! On May 22, 2017 at 4:15 P.M., three days after the National Foreign Mission Convention, Deacon George Ward, who was in this service, shared this testimony:

“To My Facebook Friends: I know that I am taking a big risk putting my personal business out on social media that I'm about to share. It's called "transparency ". Those of you who know me and love me will understand and perhaps celebrate with me. Few of you, some of you, and perhaps none of you know my story of the health challenges I've dealt with these past 12 years. Back in 2006, much to my surprise, I was hospitalized with kidney failure, collapsed lungs, congestive heart failure, and a strange staff infection with a fever temperature of 107 degrees. I was in Intensive Care for 38 days on life support. Upon being released from the hospital, I was told that the possibility of a total recovery wouldn't happen. I was told that I would definitely need dialysis for the days I had remaining to live and a kidney transplant. Both of my kidneys were functioning at a rate of less than 20% each. I refused medical advice and long-term care. I chose to take the medications for kidneys, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other symptomatic diagnoses. TODAY, I went to my

physician for my annual evaluation. God be praised, both kidneys are functioning at 100%; NO High Blood; NO Sugar diabetes, NO Cancer, NO heart malfunctions, PERFECT LAB Results with everything being within range for an African American Male; PERFECT Vision and I received a clean bill of health. The other good news is that the Physician released me from taking four of the medications that I've been on since 2006. Who did this? GOD did it. Please celebrate with me. Vitamin D deficiency was the only detected problem with over the counter vitamin D recommended. GOD Be PRAISED and THANK YOU JESUS.”

Wednesday, 10:00 A.M., May 17, 2017

During the business meeting at the National Foreign Mission Convention, we heard mission updates from Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa; Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa; Jamaica, West Indies; Trinidad, West Indies; and Haiti, West Indies.

After the reports, Rev. Dr. Geraldine Crystal, National Director of Christian Education, presented the mission curriculum she developed for missionaries who have a desire to work with the Foreign Mission Department. The entire missions training program will consist of the following: The Call to Missions, Missiology, Evangelism and Discipleship, Theology, Preaching and Teaching, Pastoral Ministry, Church Leadership and Administration, Messianic Prophecy, and Apologetics. Participants will receive a certificate of completion after the successful completion of each course. This quality training will complement the experience of the seasoned missionaries and church leaders and assist novice missionaries in their missionary work. If there is anyone interested in this missions training, please contact the National Foreign Mission President, Elder Dr. Frances Bultron.

Wednesday, 2:00 P.M., May 17, 2017

At this session, the Ministry of the Word came from Elder Jerome Hubbard, State Elder, Mid-Atlantic Diocese, Pastor Christ Temple, Neptune, NJ. This anointed man of God delivered the Word with power and authority.

Wednesday, 5:00 P.M., May 17, 2017

The National Foreign Mission Convention enjoyed the hospitality of Davis Temple Church of the Living God, 1008 East Main Street, Tupelo, MS.

Wednesday, 7:30 P.M., May 17, 2017 During the 7:30 P.M. session, a dynamic, demonstrative word came from Bishop Naomi Barber, Presiding Prelate, Rhode Island/Mass. & National Foreign Mission Liaison Bishop. The Word of God was “electric.” It was very emotional and mentally stimulating.

Standing from left to right: Bishop Naomi Barber, Bishop Ivy Hopkins, Rev. Dr. Geraldine Crystal, and Bishop Bertha Jones

Thursday, 9:00 A.M., May 18, 2017

The Thursday session at the National Foreign Mission Convention opened with a Fellowship Breakfast. The Fellowship Breakfast members are: Elder Jerome Wilson, Deacon Curtis Hopkins, Deacon John Barber, Deacon Willie Hughes, Minister John Bembry, Deacon Ricky Parker, and Minister Jerel Jones. The Ministry of the Word came from Minister Willie Hill, Jr. of Ripley, MS, who is under the pastorate of Bishop Henry Jeans, Global Pacific Diocese.

Thursday, 2:00 P.M., May 18, 2017

Chief Apostle Theodore N. Brown ministered to the Foreign Mission Convention at the 2:00 P.M. session. His thought was “The Compassion and the Concern of the Missionary Jesus.” Apostle Brown brought out three points about Jesus, the Missionary: 1) His mission; 2) His compassion; and 3) His vision. His vision was of a great harvest. He posed the question: “How deep is your love for God? How far are you willing to go for missions?”

Thursday, 5:00 P.M., May 18, 2017

Bishop Clarence Parks, Outstretched Hands International Ministries of Christ, opened his church to provide a scrumptious meal to the out of town guests at the National Foreign Mission Convention.

Thursday, 7:30 P.M., May 18, 2017

After a successful $100 march for the support of missions, songs of praise and worship went forth. The National Foreign Mission Vice President, Rev. Kimetha Morris, delivered the Word. Her topic was “We must break barriers so that our hearts will be available to God. The greatest ability is availability. Ability without availability is a liability.”

Friday, 11:00 A.M., May 19, 2017

One of the highlights of the National Foreign Mission Convention is our Presidential Luncheon. During this luncheon, there is the Ministry of the Word and presentation of Awards. The Ministry of the Word came from Bishop Kathy Hughes, Presiding Prelate of Central New York, Pastor of Deliverance First, CLG, Utica, New York & Interim National Foreign Mission Secretary. This mission-minded, community-minded, anointed woman of God delivered the Word with power. These are the recipients of the following awards: President’s Award Elder Dr. Brunilda Hopkins, York, PA Velma J. Owen Memorial Award Missionary Ruby Cummings, Toledo, OH

(Awards Continued)

Mother Carrie Ford Memorial Award Missionary Dorothy Taylor, Springfield, MA Pearl Grant Memorial Award Bishop Kathy Hughes, Utica, NY

Presidential Luncheon in Tupelo, MS. Seated at the far left, Rev. Kimetha Morris, National Foreign Mission Vice President; and the far right, Elder Dr. Frances Bultron, National Foreign Mission President.

Friday, 7:30 P.M., May 19, 2017

Donned in colors of red and black, the 57th National Foreign Mission Convention of 2017 began with the Grand Processional of National Officers, Pastors, & Bishops. During this session, Youth Missionary Service Awards were presented to persons 25 years old and younger to recognize and encourage Foreign Mission service on the local, diocese, national, and international levels They are members in good standing, have a good Christian character, involved in hands-on projects such as fundraisers to send

clothing, food, and other necessities to missions abroad, evangelizing and sharing with others about mission work, dedicated and supportive of missionary work, and recommended by their pastors. The recipients were: Mid-South Diocese: Bishop Dr. G. T. Howell

Lindsey Davis Kelsey Holland Cortavious Ivy

Mid-Atlantic Diocese: Bishop C. L. Harvey

Jay Kayla Huff C. J. Mays

un Hubbard, Jr. Giselle Hubbard Pennsylvania United Diocese: Bishop Ivy A. Hopkins

Marina I. Hopkins Central New York Diocese: Bishop Kathy Hughes

Judah Crowder Ward Diocese: Bishop Dr. Barbara Ward Farmer

Destiny Thomas In this session, the Bishop W. J. Marshall Award was presented to Bishop Dr. G. T. Howell, Presiding Prelate, Mid-South Diocese, Aberdeen, Mississippi.

Elder Dr. Frances Bultron National Foreign Mission President

The Ministry of the Word came forth with power from the National Foreign Mission President, Elder Dr. Frances Bultron. She expounded upon the

theme: “Heart for the Harvest.” Her sub topic was “If you love, share God’s love.” She talked about walking together in unity. Elder Dr. Bultron asked the assembly of God’s people to lock arms and walk up and down the aisles—WALKING TOGETHER IN UNITY to get the job done!!!

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7 PROVEN METHODS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE “SOUL WINNER.”

By Dr. David Jeremiah, Turning Points

Jesus told His disciples, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The Christians in the New Testament went everywhere, preaching the Word (Acts 8:4). How, then, can you and I be effective witnesses for Him? 1. Ask God to give you an evangelistic burden for others. Ask Him to help you see the world as He sees it, and to lay upon your heart a handful of people for whom you can earnestly pray. Then pray over those

names every day. Keep a prayer list, and pray for an opportunity of reaching these souls for Christ. 2. Live a consistent Christian life before these people. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). We must live obedient lives of integrity and authentic faith. We must love when others hate, and forgive others when others harbor grudges. We must have a growing, maturing Christian life that others recognize and respect. 3.Build bridges to others. When the Lord shows you those needing Christ, seek to build a relationship with them. Remember how Jesus went to the home of Zacchaeus where many sinners had gathered? While we must be careful not to place ourselves in an environment where we will be pulled down, we must be equally careful to cultivate friendships with those needing Christ. Perhaps Christ has placed you in your particular school or workplace just to reach those whom no one else can reach. 4.Learn the Gospel. Memorize the following verses and practice saying them in a mirror or to another Christian until you are comfortable sharing them with someone needing Christ: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9, 10, 13, 1 John 5:1, 13. 5. Watch for openings to share a word for Christ. Peter said: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in your” (1 Peter 3:15). 6. If the right opportunity doesn’t come naturally, create one. Sometimes we wait too long, looking for just the right time to invite someone to church or to share with them the message of the Gospel. There often comes a point when we must prayerfully introduce the subject and do our best to impress someone with their need for Christ. 7. Leave the results with God. We are responsible for sharing the Gospel, but only God can convert the soul. Having done your best, let Him do the rest. And if you ever feel you’ve botched the job, think of Edward Kimball. He was determined to win his Sunday school class to Christ, including a teenager named Dwight Moody who tended to fall asleep on Sundays. His heart pounding, Kimball entered the store where the young man worked. “I put my hand

on his shoulder, and as I leaned over I placed my foot upon a shoebox. I asked him to come to Christ.” It didn’t seem to go well, and Kimball left thinking he had botched the job. Moody, however, left the store that day a new person and eventually became the most prominent evangelist in America during his generation.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER: 3 CHARACTERISTICS By Gregory John Monroe

The story in Exodus 32 about Moses standing in the gap between God and Israel is a good example of what it takes to intercede for others in prayer. The Israelites, impatient and lacking in faith, incurred God's anger by constructing a golden calf to worship. This happened while Moses was away with God. Because of that, God determined to destroy them and begin a new chosen nation. At that point, Moses displays 3 traits of a praying intercessor: 1. Boldness. Moses questioned the reasoning and wisdom of God's proclamation to destroy Israel (vs. 11). Furthermore, He reminded God of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to multiply their descendants and give them a land (vs. 13). Of course, if God had made a nation out of Moses, the promise still would have been intact, for Moses was a descendant. But the point here is that Moses was bold to think that he was actually reminding God. The lesson is that it's okay to appeal to God by questioning that which we don't understand. It's okay to make our case by claiming and standing on His word. It actually puts us in alignment with His will. 2. Concern for others. This is clearly highlighted

when Moses makes an appeal to God's mercy, pleading with the Lord to forgive his people's sin. He even offers his life as a sacrifice to keep them from harm (vs. 32). He can't bear the thought of living without his people. This shows his love for them. The lesson is that intercessory prayer, to be effective, involves a strong, loving interest and empathy for those prayed for. To not have it, though, doesn't mean we shouldn't pray. God forbid! The prayer can still be effective if the desire is there to be compassionate, and we have cultivated the desire by daily asking the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with God's love. If sincere in that desire, God will honor, and through sanctification, grant the desire. So much so, that we too will be willing to lay down our lives for others. 3. Concern for God. Moses reasons with God that if He destroys Israel, the gentile pagans will question His purpose for delivering the people from their hands. Moses cared about God’s reputation. The lesson is that in praying to God for an outcome, we should pray from the motive that God will be glorified and honored for His actions. May the protection and advancement of His character always be of utmost concern in our prayers. Intercessory prayer is a great way to consider the interests of others as well as our own. It's a discipline that teaches and grows us into the giving characteristics of God's love.

TURNING THE WORLD'S VALUES UPSIDE DOWN: CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IS ALL ABOUT SERVING

By Max Aplin Reading the Gospels makes it clear that much of what Jesus taught was highly radical. Time and again He tore up the rule book of conventional wisdom and replaced it with something very different.

One area in which He did this was in His teaching about leadership. What the Lord had to say on this subject turned the world’s values on their head. The typical nature of leadership It can hardly be doubted that in every culture throughout history a large majority of people in leadership positions have used their status for their own advantage. In all walks of life, people tend to want to have power and authority so that they can get their way. It also means that they can delegate unpleasant tasks to others. So people typically use leadership to make their own lives easier at the expense of others. It is true that most leaders are not so selfish that they are only interested in themselves. There is usually some give and take. But on balance most leaders use their authority to gain more than they give. This is what happens today and it was surely what happened in the time of Jesus’ ministry. Christ’s teaching about leadership Jesus totally rejected this whole attitude, however. In Matthew 20:25-28 He states: ‘25 . . . You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and that their officials act like tyrants over them. 26 It must not be this way with you. Rather, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave, 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.’ In this passage Jesus doesn’t explicitly mention Christian leadership. But it must be at least part of what He is talking about. He is teaching that Christian leaders must act like the servants and slaves of those under their authority. In the similar passage in Luke 22:25-26 Jesus explicitly mentions leaders: ‘25 . . . The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them. And those who have authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But it must not be this way with you. Rather, the one who is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.’

This passage is crystal clear that Christian leaders need to serve those under their authority. Often those of us who have been Christians for many years can lose sight of some of the astonishing things that the Bible teaches. We can become numb to the radical nature of what is being said through over-familiarity with the words. But if we stop to think about Christ’s teaching in the passages I have quoted, it really is amazing. He is saying that Christian leaders must act in a way that is in some key respects the exact opposite of how society expects leaders to act. Note too how in Matthew 20:28, the Lord draws a comparison between Christian leadership through service with His own ultimate act of service. He was God incarnate, yet He chose to humble Himself and die on a cross for us. Although He was in a position of enormous authority over us, He chose to serve us sacrificially. So it makes sense that His followers in leadership positions should try to imitate His service, albeit very weakly. Pastors must serve their flocks It is essential, then, that church leaders act like the servants of those under their authority. They must give, give and give some more to the Christians in their churches. It must often be quite tempting for pastors not to behave in this way. But a good church leader should always be known for his service of the Christians he leads. He must not be afraid to get his hands dirty. Of course, no Christian has an infinite amount of time or energy. So pastors need to use their resources wisely. There are occasions when certain types of service should be delegated to others. Acts 6:1-6 provides us with an example of this from the very early days of the church. The apostles were spending a lot of time meeting the practical needs of Christians. So they put seven men of good reputation in charge of this work so that their own prayer and teaching ministries wouldn’t suffer. Christian leaders do need to carefully pick and choose what they do. But every leader without exception should be known as a servant of his flock. Servant leaders are not weaker leaders

It is important to understand clearly that when a Christian leader serves the person or people under his authority, this does not make him a weaker leader for doing so. He is still in charge. Where appropriate, he is still calling the shots. It is just that when he calls those shots, instead of making other people work for his advantage, where possible he makes himself work for their advantage. Actually, a servant leader will often want to give way to the views of others. So there is a sense in which Christian leaders should often draw back from telling people what to do. But even this is really a use of authority. And when an important matter in the will of God is under consideration, a servant leader will be as forthright and insistent as anyone about what should happen. Christian leaders should not be shrinking violets when things need to be said and done. But as a rule Christian leaders should spend and be spent in the service of those who are under their authority. This is what Christ did, and His example should be followed.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NATIONAL YOUTH & MUSIC CONFERENCE

JULY 24-29, 2017

GREAT WOLF LODGE NEW ENGLAND 150 Great Wolf Dr.

Fitchburg, MA

Reservations: 866-678-9653 ***

88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

OCTOBER 16-22, 2017

DOUBLETREE HOTEL AT SEA WORLD 10100 International Drive

Orlando, FL

Reservations: 407-352-1100

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ARE YOU REACHING THE MISSION FIELD OUTSIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR?

Order:

The Bridgebuilder Principle By Stephen L. Dunn

publications@cggc.org

HELPING CHURCHES REACH THEIR UNCHURCHED NEIGHBORS

The church needs to build redemptive relationships with the unchurched. To do this, the church needs to go out into the community for life transportation where people experience the truth and grace of Jesus Christ and are connected with the Body of Christ through which they themselves become disciples of Jesus Christ. "This book has grown from my passion, a passion implanted in me by Jesus Christ, to help the Church to once again become the salt and light that God intended it to be. It grew from my firm conviction that we must return to the first love, the first priority of reconciling people to God and making them His disciples. But to do this, the church must get back into the neighborhood." --Steve Dunn

Revival Prayer: A Needed Paradigm Shift in Today’s Church by Rev. Allen M. Baker III

Revival will not come without revival prayer and people will not seek God with such zeal unless they gain an intolerable burden. This book is a clarion call to revival prayer for the glory of God, the salvation of the nations, and the building up of the church of Jesus.

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH

THE CHURCH

If the church is functioning as it should: if it is identifying, developing and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit appropriately; if it has unconditional love for all; if it is providing people with a genuine experience of God; if it is engaging in meaningful worship and discipling all who God bring to them – then suddenly the church is supremely relevant, applicable and interesting to all! God is culturally relevant we don’t need to make Him so. NOTE: To submit items for the quarterly Newsletter, please e-mail Dr. Crystal @ crystge@comcast.net. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.