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"Demonstrating Unity in the Power of the Spirit" 

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IN THIS ISSUE
  ElectionsPCCNA Leaders Speak Out on U.S. Elections
The 2016 Presidential election will set the course for the nation for the next four years. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is running against U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

From Assemblies of God USA Superintendent Dr. George Wood: Every Vote Counts

As we come to this election, our nation stands at a crossroads in many ways. Only a return to solid, biblical values can save America. We need leaders with integrity who will exhibit those values. I believe it is crucial that we do two things. First, we must pray. Pray for God's sovereign will to be accomplished in these elections and in our nation. Pray for our leaders to look to God for wisdom. Pray for a spiritual awakening in our nation that returns people to God. Read more

From the International Pentecostal Holiness Church General Overseer Bishop Doug Beacham: An Open Letter to the U.S. Presidential Candidates
I am writing on behalf of the Council of Bishops of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Our denomination dates from 1898 and we have congregations and members in forty-eight of the fifty states of our union, as well as in one hundred countries. Read more
MembersonMoveJulyMembers on the Move

Police and firefighters work near the scene of an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhoodin New York.
(Photo: Andres KudackiAP)
(AG) Delay Proves to be God's Hand of Protection in Terrorist Bomb Attack
When an IED made of a pressure cooker filled with shrapnel detonated Saturday on 23rd Street in Manhattan, it tossed the dumpster it was under nearly 60 yards and took out third-floor windows, but miraculously only 29 were injured and no one was killed. Read more

Church of God in Christ's Top Official Joins Distinguished Pentecostal World Leaders as Executive Committee Member
Charles E. Blake, Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), and pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ was voted to the prestigious Executive Council of the Pentecostal World Fellowship. Read more

Laws Cannot End Corruption
A decade after his passing, the celebrated doctor of law, Ignacio Burgoa Orihuela, continues to be one of Mexico's most studied and cited legal scholars and a man whose opinions are of superb reputation.

He once said, "In Mexico there has been corruption in all sectors of society. In government, in the police, in citizens, and in unions, etc." He also asserted, "Corruption is the source of the violence that we suffer in our cities."  Read more

(COG) Hall Elected President of Black Ministerial Alliance
Reverend Arlene O. Hall, an ordained minister in the Church of God, has been elected to the presidency of the Boston Black Ministerial Alliance. Read more

(COGIC) Bishop Macklin Speaks at CTAC Summit
Bishop Jerry W. Macklin spoke at the 2016 CTAC National Summit which is an event for visionaries in advanced illness care who are actively reshaping the way care is provided. Read more

PAOC Nationwide Night of Prayer for Men Set on Nov. 11
Richard Swiatek of Montreal and the Quebec District, in conjunction with Steve Sparling of the Eastern Ontario District, and Norm Bishop of the Western Ontario District, are inviting men of all eight PAOC districts to join them at designated locations in each province at 11:45 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016, for a full night of prayer. Read more.
RacialReconciliationNew Racial Reconciliation Commission
Pastor Aaron Campell of Rising Sun Outreach Ministries and PCCNA Memphis Chapter President

Pastor Aaron Campbell of Rising Sun Outreach Ministries and president of the PCCNA Memphis Chapter is starting a Racial Reconciliation Commission. This is a condensed version of a letter recently published by Pastor Campbell related to racism and prejudice. The commission will hold its first official meeting at the February 2017 PCCNA meeting in North Charleston, S.C.

Hello, my name is Aaron Campbell. I am the local president of an organization in Memphis called PCCNA, a racial reconciliation group (www.PCCNA.org). I am also the pastor of Rising Sun Outreach Ministries located in Memphis. I generally do not communicate on social media, but I felt it was time to speak out about issues concerning racism and prejudice. I am aware, as everyone is that racism still exists in some form or the other.

There are blacks who say that only whites can be racist. There are some whites that say our government has created reverse racism through social programs they have established, such as affirmative action. There are some who say you can only be a racist if you are in control or have authority over another people.

Dictionary sources define racism in several ways: 1) Poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race. 2) The belief that some races of people are superior to others. 3) A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others, or that a particular group is inferior to the others. 4) Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races 5) Discrimination or prejudices based on race.

As you can see, based on the definitions above, all races have the potential of expressing racism. Some will argue that these definitions do not express the totality of racism in America. As I stated earlier, racism still exists in its extreme form, in certain areas. However, let's be honest and acknowledge that all races are "PREJUDICE" to a certain extent.

I understand we have a long way to go but let's not forget how far we have come. It took the united effort of all races to elect a black president. It took the united effort of all races to tackle civil right issues in the sixties. It took the united effort of all races to tackle slavery through the "Underground Railroad". We need to keep the "Dream Alive" as expressed by Martin Luther King, and work together against the evil forces that produce racism and prejudices in America. We serve a God who is color-blind, and desires that we repent and become a people of "LOVE." Love covers a multitude of faults. The greatest weapon against the ills of society is the weapon of "LOVE." Considering that all races are guilty of some forms of racism and prejudices, let's work together to strive to make America a better place to live, if not for us, for our children and our children's children.
 PastorAppreciationMonthOctober: Pastor Appreciation Month
Pastor Appreciation Month is a special time that congregations set aside each year to honor their pastors and pastoral families for the hard work, sacrificial dedication and multiple blessings provided by these special people. It is typically scheduled in October, but can be held at any time that is convenient for the church and the community. It is also important to remember that appreciation, affirmation and prayer support of our spiritual leaders is appropriate throughout the entire year. Click here for gift ideas for your pastor. 
The Priority of Prayer
CryOut3At a Lausanne Conference a few years ago a preacher from Kenya was one of the plenary speakers. He told the story of a great revival that took place in Africa some 50 years prior. During that time of revival people would walk well-worn paths to prayer huts or to various locations of prayer out in the bush. As the revival progressed, if people would stop going to the places of prayer, they would be gently encouraged by others with the words, "Brother, I see that grass is growing on your path." When it comes to finding the place of prayer, and reestablishing the priority of prayer in our lives, may grass not grow on our paths.

In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul talks about our battle. He helps us understand that our real battle isn't problems among people who refuse to give to our churches. Our battle isn't the critic who ruins any given day in our lives. Our enemy is not flesh and blood; instead, our battle is "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil."
  Cont. on next column   

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   Acts 1:8 (NIV) 
 
Jeff Farmer, President

Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America 

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PCCNAMeeting20172017 PCCNA Meeting: REACH

REACH is the Holy Spirit's theme for our meeting this coming February.
  • REACH is about harvest and disciple-making: "We did bring the message about Christ to you...I hope as you become stronger in your faith, we will be able to reach many more of the people around you. That has always been our goal." (2 Cor. 10:14-15 CEV)
  • REACH is about achieving goals: "...I am focusing all my energies on this one thing...I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize." (Phil. 3:13-14 NLT)
  • REACH is about a helping hand: "When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking...Right away Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up..." (Matthew 14:30-31 CEV)
It is not an accident our word "PREACH" is mostly the word "REACH!" For meeting details, click here.
NextGenCommission2017 PCCNA Meeting Highlights
Dinner Cruise Announced! 
Join us on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Charleston Harbor. 
Dr. David Wells, General Superintendent of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada demonstrated how to put on a life jacket during the PCCNA 2015 dinner cruise in Vancouver.
(Photo Credit: Barbara Bach) 

Two Speakers Reaching Cities Will Address PCCNA
Pastor Luis Reyes, founder of New Church of Joy and Reach a Generation
Founder and Senior Pastor of The New Church Of Joy in Waukegan, IL, Pastor Louie pioneered a work that has put a priority on reaching the next generation for the past 20 years. Today he and his wife pastor a thriving church congregation and are training others to raise up the next generation. Under his leadership and vision, thousands of children, teenagers and adults have received Christ, mentorship and leadership training, as well as discipleship and worship training. He founded and is the Chancellor of the School of Ministry Bible College, he opened the Success Center,  an academic program for elementary children, and helps young adults that have grown up in his ministry fulfill the call of God. He continues to make a great impact in the lives of children, teenagers and adults.

Pastor Louis travels across the nation bringing a message of hope of the spirit of Elijah which is empowering men to reach the younger generation, for fathers to turn their hearts back to their children and taking their place as men of God. He is the author of "The Spirit and Power of Elijah," and "Reach A Generation." Pastor Louie and his wife Tricia have two amazing children, Madison and Matthew. 

____________________________
Pastor Brian Bolt, founder of CityReach Network
 Pastor Brian Bolt gave his life to Christ in the back of an ambulance after being shot in the head. His life was radically transformed when he became a part of a men's recovery home. There, he discovered his calling to become a pastor and church planter. After he attended Bible College in eastern Pennsylvania, he relocated to Pittsburgh, PA and started the first men's Hope Home and CityReach Church, where he presently serves as the lead pastor.

Pastor Brian founded CITYREACH NETWORK in 2010, which exists to plant and develop life-giving churches in strategic cities. So far, CITYREACH NETWORK has established over 50 churches with many more to be planted in the coming years.

Pastor Brian and his wife Natalie continue to lead their church and cast vision for CITYREACH NETWORK. 
MinistryMomentsMinistry Moments
Why We Must Recenter Everything Around Jesus
Glenn Burrs, Jr., President, The Foursquare Church 
Upon hearing of several major attacks in our world, including those in Istanbul, Turkey; Nice, France; Orlando, Fla.; and other cities, I can't help but wonder what drives these acts of violence.

Our world is filled with so much hate that flows from tormented individuals, misguided religious organizations, self-centered political agendas, twisted ideologies and even hell itself. That's why I'm so grateful for a God who chose love as the ultimate expression of His kingdom; it's why I worship and serve Him, and Him alone.  Read more
The Priority of Prayer (cont.)
CryOut3Sometimes the call to prayer becomes rhetoric to some of us. We say, "Yes, I know I ought to pray, but..." As a result, particularly among spiritual leaders, we become known more for our external activity rather than our internal life of prayer. However, putting the emphasis on the external to live in denial of what Paul clearly states in Ephesians about the locus of our real battle--spiritual realities in heavenly places. Giving priority to prayer relocates us where the real battle is.
 
 Samuel Chadwick stated, "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless study, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but the devil trembles when we pray." Giving priority to prayer reaffirms the center, the locus of the true spiritual battle.
 
God is calling people across our nation to the place of prayer to seek Him as never before in this day. Yet giving priority to prayer will cost us something--perhaps tangibles and most certainly time priorities. May we give emphasis to a relocated life so that, at a heightened level, we can truly abide in Christ and live more dependently on the power of the Holy Spirit. There we can transact battles in the spiritual realm where the real resistance to the Gospel lies.
- Dr. James Bradford, General Secretary, U.S. Assemblies of God 
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