Category: General

As Apostolics we are very familiar with the expression of worship and praise by declaring thanks (Hebrews 13:15), by clapping our hands and shouting (Psalm 47:1), by musical instruments and dancing (Psalm 150:4), by singing praise songs (Psalm 9:11), by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19-20), by making a joyful noise (Psalm 98:4), by lifting our hands (Psalm 134:2), by being still (Psalm 4:3-5), 46:10), and by being loud (Psalm 33:3, 95:1-6). These beautiful acts of worship and praise elevate us into God’s presence, giving us power to overcome obstacles, walk in the miraculous and live a joyful life.

Dedication is the basis of commitment, without it we are not able to give God anything else. Committing our thoughts and emotions unto obedience to Christ shows our respect for Him. To obey Him willingly involves our intellect, emotions and will (Romans 12:1-2). Our body is to be dedicated as a living sacrifice to God. We are to avoid being conformed to the world, but must strive to be transformed by the Word. Only then can we discover God’s perfect will for our life.

Worship refers to the supreme honor given either in thought or deed to a person or thing. It is reverence, a deep respect, admiration and honor given to God. The Bible teaches us that God alone is worthy of worship (Revelation 4:11).

Worship is not just for Sunday morning church. We should daily live a life of obedience to and worship of God. The single most important act of worship for any Christian is to totally present ourselves to God as an obedient servant. Jesus’ dedication to God involved His body and mind, “Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” Our minds coordinate the actions to be executed by the body while the body carries out the will of God. Once the mind and body are completely devoted to God, we become instruments of righteousness by which His will is done in earth as it is in heaven. He chooses to use us to perform His Will.

Praise is an outward expression of faith. When we praise Him, we are telling Him that we believe He is there to protect, comfort and to do battle on our behalf. God wants us to be so dependent on Him that no matter what the circumstances we face, regardless of how dark the night, we know that God is working out all things for our good. He wants us to be confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

What is your default reaction when things don’t go your way, when the trials and tribulations of life surround you? Do you respond by worshipping God and thanking Him for the storm that draws you closer to Him or do you react by getting angry and/or withdrawing from God, sulking in the hurt and pain? Paul and Silas were arrested for casting a spirit of divination out of a girl. The local authorities beat them and threw them in jail. Beside the trauma of being beaten, they were chained in stocks and their arms and legs were essentially immobile which caused cramping and loss of circulation. It was truly a depressing atmosphere. Despite the throbbing pain and depressing circumstances, Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing praises to God. Suddenly there was an earthquake and it shook the prison. The doors opened wide freeing Paul, Silas and all the prisoners. Praise and worship are the keys to the miraculous. In times of suffering, we sometimes forget this powerful principle that Paul and Silas understood. God inhabits the praises of His People not the complaints.

Choose worship and praise. When a storm develops in our life, it is our responsibility to go out before the battle, to sing praises to God — to shout the victory! No negativity and grumbling allowed. When we worship and praise God, He will elevate us to new heights and give us greater revelation. The degree to which we worship God reflects the degree of His worth to us. Each morning when we wake, we should ask God what he would like for us to do during the day. Ask Him who can we speak life to; give hope to today. Plan your day by telling God, “As I prepare for this day, I appoint it to be used for Your glory. Everything that happens will be used for your purposes. Even the problems that happen will be appointed to be used for Your glory.” Not my will today God, but Your will be done.

Diane Beall,  ASR National Ladies Chaplain

Wednesday July 31st – Opening Service
Pastor Mark McCool – Pastor FAC Knoxville, TN

Pastor Mark & Sis. Jamie McCool – Pastor McCool was born in Knoxville in 1958. He grew up working for and loving the saints of First Apostolic Church. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in elementary art education. He married Sis. Jamie McCool in 1981, and together they served as associate pastors and teachers in Apostolic Christian School. Sis. Jamie McCool also has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in child and family development. They have two children Ashley and Anthony who are both very involved in the ministry of First Apostolic Church. Ashley and Anthony are both graduates of the University of Tennessee. In 2001, Bro. Mark was named Pastor of First Apostolic Church. Together they are leading First Apostolic Church forward.

Thursday August 1st – Motorcycles for Missionaries Service
Rev Darry Crossley  – UPCI Regional Director for South America – Retired

Rev Darry & Sis Kathy Crossley – Darry and Kathy Crossley’s missions involvement began in Argentina in July 1974 under the Overseas Ministries program. Their initial responsibility was to help set up the Bible school program in Buenos Aires. They taught in the Bible school, set up national financial books, pastored in San Justo, and held revivals and seminars. They returned to the States in October 1975 to receive full missionary appointment. Through the years Brother Crossley held every office on the national board and pastored the Central Church. Brother Crossley was elected as president of the UPC of Argentina in 1982. He was kept very busy administrating and coordinating the national work, teaching in seminars and in the Bible school and spent about missionary profile half of his weekends ministering in the interior of the country. In September 2002, the Foreign Missions Board appointed Brother Crossley the regional director for South America. He now oversees the churches, missionaries, and national leaders in the ten nations of the South America Region. He also serves as the President of the UPCI of Bolivia and as President of the UPC of Uruguay

Friday August 2nd  – Evangelistic service
Rev Kenneth Carpenter – ALJC General Supertantant  & Senior Pastor of FAC Maryville, TN

Rev Kenneth Ray Carpenter & Sis Penny Carpenter became senior pastor of First Apostolic Church of Maryville in June 1984, and continues to pursue the vision and dreams God placed in his heart to reach the community of Blount County.

His ministry began at age 17 when he preached his first sermon, and shortly thereafter he began evangelizing throughout the United States.  As a troubled 16-year-old teenager, he was enrolled at Apostolic Christian School in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was there that Bishop Billy and Betty McCool and the First Apostolic Church of Knoxville took a chance on him. February of that school year, he was baptized in Jesus name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

He has been a minister with the Assembles of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC) for well over 30 years. He is a regular conference and camp meeting speaker and is well-known for his leadership in missions giving. Pastor Carpenter was elected General Superintendent of the ALJC in 2013. His compelling burden and vision for the ALJC is to see prayer networked throughout the organization. It is his heartfelt desire to see all churches, regardless of size, have the tools they need to propel them into a greater revival and reap a harvest of souls.

Pastor Carpenter is passionate about God, family, and church. He treasures being a husband, father, grandfather and pastor. In 1982, while preaching as an evangelist at FAC Maryville, he met the love of his life, Penny Bennett. In July 1984, one month after becoming pastor of FAC Maryville, he and Penny were married and she joined him in pastoring. From the beginning Penny assumed the role as lead administrator for both First Apostolic Church and Apostolic Christian Academy. She also spends a great amount of time teaching bible studies and helping disciple individuals with their walk with God.

Azusa StreetRiders Ministry would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new members for the month of July

Robert Poleto
Myrtle Beach, SC
Christian Life Center
Rev Stacy Davis

Robert & Ginger Beck
Stockton, CA
Christian Life Center
Rev James Kinney

Neva Brasfirel
Denison, TX
Truth Church
Rev Darren Gilbert

Jon & Serrena Weber
Ft Wayne, IN
Calvary Lighthouse
Rev Richard Maron

Terry Metheny
Plymouth, IN
Community Lfe Center
Rev Phil Chandler

 

Greeting in Jesus name from Costa Rica. We miss seeing everyone this year at the National Rally. Our friends in ASR are so supportive and caring that it is always a time of encouragement when we are together. We are starting our 8^th week in Costa Rica and have been busy. We completed 4 weeks of Spanish immersion classes which is a start but we have a long way to go to be fluent in Spanish. God has provided a vehicle at a very reasonable price so we are able to get around. We were able to sell our house in July so we praise God that we are not maintaining two households.

We have been able to teach in Sunday School and Julie will start teaching English classes at the Pavas church in mid-August.   The people here are excited about learning English since it provides more opportunities for employment. God is opening doors for us to get involved.  The people here are true worshippers and are expecting and working toward a great revival in Costa Rica.

We have met a few bikers here and have handed out several of our ASR cards. One of the bikers has been in group rides with the Soldiers for Jesus, which is the only Christian motorcycle club in Costa Rica that we have found. We are living in the San Jose metro area which has a population of around 2.2 million people. The roads are similar to what you would find in the Smokey Mountains – very narrow, lots of curves, and steep climbs. A 1.5 mile drive to the grocery store can take 15-20 minutes each way. Motorcycles are everywhere and are very aggressive.   It gives a totally new meaning to lane splitting. The motorcycles are on your right, your left, and will cross in front of you to go from one side to the other depending on traffic. It will be an experience to ride here.

We are praying for ASR, the services and for the business meeting at the Nation Rally. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this transition. God is Great!

Bro & Sis McGhghy

Microsoft Word – 2019-Absentee-ballot-for-President.docx

 

Just a reminder that if you are not coming to Rally and you want to vote, absentee ballots must be in no later than July 15. Mail, email, message me if you want to cast your vote.

Thank you

Bro. Tom Thompson

ASR Secretary

Please use smile.amazon.com when shopping and select Azusa street riders as your charity. Thank you for your support.

Thank you all who came in support of us and supported M4M’s.  It was great honor to have all 4 board members in attendance as well as close to a hundred in service. I would like to thank my dear friend Bro Mike Markham for coming and delivering a great message from God to us. Altar service was amazing with refillings and literally sitting at the King’s table!  Our saturday ride was great 150 mile ride with outreach opportunity’s taken!

Invitations to Kings table.

  Board and associates.

Awesome presence!

God’s table being blessed.

Big Muskie bucket.

ASR Board

Outreach ride turnout.

Greetings from Sis. Laureen.

Greetings from Bro. Randy

 

Greetings from Bro Robert.

Kings table

Kings table being blessed

Asr board

 

Thank you all from the

Hocking Hills Chapter! God bless! It’s all for souls!

Bro Tim Calhoun
Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada
Abundant Life UPC
Pastor Rick Vincent

Bro Jeremy Hallauer
Martin, OH
First Apostolic Church
Toledo, Oh

Had such a great time of food n fellowship with the Cal-Tab Azusa street riders chapter. Looking forward to so much more with these great folks. Love my chapter here in Toledo Illinois.

Thank you Mike and Mandy Womack

On this side of the world, ASR Thailand has been busy organizing rides with other motorcycle enthusiasts. Our love for riding is also an instrument in reaching more souls for Christ. Two years ago, I started a riding club and now has grown to a good number. Some may just see it as a weekend hobby- but we have a deeper reason for meeting as many as we can. Souls. Precious souls!

Ride safe everyone!
Bro Steve Kabasen, ASR Thailand

Sawadee Khap (Good morning/afternoon/evening in Thai language)!

The Azusa Street Riders of Thailand have been very busy the past weeks meeting riders on various groups rides and meet-ups that we have organized. We are all based in Bangkok and we often organize weekend rides out of the city to various locations. Some of the riders we have met during these rides have expressed their interest in coming to church, and some have already been to church.

I started an informal riding club about over a year ago and for the past few months, we have seen many members joining. The group is composed mainly of Filipinos and some Thais. Both from our churches and non-church people. This is a ministry for me, while enjoying riding our bikes here in Thailand. A few unbelievers have expressed their observation comparing our group to others here in Bangkok. We don’t drink and our wives wear skirts all the time, even when riding. When they ask why so, we see it as an opportunity to share what we believe, about God, salvation, life. We have just started this motorcycle ministry, but it has been a way for us to meet many people- to invite them to church, to pray for them and to minister to them in many ways.