Church Cornerstone Still Stands After Tornado Crushes Sanctuary: ‘The People Are the Church; Not the Building’
Residents in southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas are working to recover, thankful to have survived after a storm stretching from Dallas to northwest Arkansas spawned tornadoes Friday night, producing flash flooding, killing at least two people, injuring dozens, and leaving homes and buildings in ruins.
Preliminary damage reports indicate the deadly storms that moved through parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma produced at least an EF3 tornado in East Texas that was possibly even more powerful when it crossed into McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma and hit the town of Idabel, KTAL-TV reports.
According to the outlet, an EF3 tornado is classified with winds of 136-165 miles per hour, causing severe damage, including destruction to roofs and some walls torn from well-constructed houses; even trains could be overturned; most trees in forested areas uprooted, and heavy cars lifted and thrown.
Morris County, Texas, Judge Doug Reeder said in a social media post that one person died as a result of a tornado in the far northeastern Texas County, offering no other details.
In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) went to Idabel on Saturday to see the damage. Keli Cain, a spokesperson for the state’s Department of Emergency Management, said a 90-year-old man’s body was found at his home in the Pickens area of McCurtain County, about 36 miles north of Idabel.
The rural town of about 7,000 at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains saw extensive damage. “There are well over 100 homes and businesses damaged from minor damage to totally destroyed,” Cain said.
Storm Destroys New Church Building, but Surviving Cornerstone Points to Their ‘Chief Cornerstone’
Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel was preparing to complete a new building when the storm ripped apart their sanctuary and flattened the shell of the new structure next door, according to Pastor Don Myer.
The 250-member congregation was to vote after the Sunday service on whether to move ahead with the final work to complete the building, Myer said.
“But we didn’t get to that. Every vote counts and we had one vote trump us all,” Myer, 67, said. “We were right on the verge of that. That’s how close we were.”
Myer said the congregation is going to pray on what happened, see how much their insurance covers, and work to rebuild. On Saturday morning, a few members of the church took an American flag that had been blown over in the storm and stood it upright amid the wreckage of the original church building.
In a post to the church’s Facebook page Saturday,
“As many of you know, our church was hit by a devastating tornado last night. At this point, only the gym/Sunday School building remains. To say we have been blessed by the outpouring of prayer and support is an understatement! Churches across the state have touched base, the Frisco Baptist Association has been here with us, and so many have expressed their heartfelt prayers and condolences.
We also recognize the devastation that has hit our community as a whole. Many people lost their homes and businesses. Several of our church members were out and about today, cutting trees, serving food and finding shelter for others. We thank God for the opportunity to serve Him in spite of a demolished sanctuary. The people are the church; not the building.As we sorted through the rubble this morning, I noticed that our cornerstone still stands. The message on it reads, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE.” As we move forward from here, we trust that our church family is held fast by Christ, our Chief Cornerstone. We look forward to surrendering ourselves fully to God as He walks us through the coming weeks and months”
New Billy Graham Archive & Research Center Opens
The new Billy Graham Archive & Research Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, opens today, Nov. 7, on what would have been the late evangelist’s 104th birthday.
Within walking distance of the Billy Graham Library, the center is open by appointment to students and researchers who want to know more about evangelism by studying the ministry of Billy Graham.
The state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot building is climate-controlled with four vaults/archival-protected rooms, holding more than a million pieces of history since Billy Graham started his ministry in the late 1940s.
These materials include historical records related to the long-term development of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA); artifacts, photographs, film and audio from the Billy Graham era; and documentation of his 400-plus Crusades. Never-before-seen negatives are still being developed from pictures taken by Russ Busby, Billy Graham’s longtime photographer.
“It’s a treasure trove,” said Dr. David Bruce, executive vice president of the Billy Graham Archive & Research Center and Billy Graham Library. “For the first time in all these decades, we now have everything related to the historical background of Mr. Graham in one location.”
Along with items from the Graham home, the center contains hundreds of awards, gifts, and pieces of artwork given to Billy Graham, including various keys to the city.
“It’s a real reflection of where he went,” Bruce added. “It’s a clear understanding of the worldwide impact of Mr. Graham by simply looking at the things he collected over time that were given to him.”
Researchers who come to the center can peruse a vast array of historical documents to see how God used one man’s life to impact millions.
Bruce cautioned: “It’s not really just to study Mr. Graham, it’s to study what God did in his life.”
Want to know how to craft a sermon? How to give an evangelistic invitation or build an evangelistic strategy in your church? How to reach people groups?
The difference between Billy Graham’s manuscripts and actual sermons? The evangelist’s correspondence with world leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II?
All of that information and more can be found at the new archive center.
“The backbone of all this is that Billy Graham wanted to encourage the next generation of leadership—men and women in sharing the Gospel,” Bruce said.
When scheduling an appointment online, you can explain your reason behind coming to the center, such as writing a dissertation or organizing an evangelistic event, and staff will select certain items to help begin your study. You can access those files, as well as others, during your appointment.
In addition, researchers will have access to a systematic database that allows you to do a keyword search and pull up everything the evangelist ever said on that topic, along with photos, audio, and videos from all of his Crusade
Faith and Politics: Should Christians Speak Up?
Many pastors and churches steer clear of political issues that have a huge spiritual significance.
Cissie Graham Lynch is addressing the issue on the newest Fearless episode of her podcast series “The Elephant in the Room.”
“How do you tackle these [political] issues from the pulpit while keeping your eyes on the cross?” Cissie Graham Lynch asks Pastor Gary Hamrick.
“We have to address social issues through the lens of God’s Word,” Pastor Hamrick said, having spent the past 30 years preaching the Bible at Cornerstone Chapel in Virginia.
Lynch recognizes that politics is considered to be an ugly word by many people, Christians included. But with midterm elections on the horizon, Lynch shares about the importance of engaging in politics and standing up for your values.
Although Scripture addresses current political issues, Lynch believes many people in the church have become Biblically illiterate.
Pastor Hamrick agrees, pointing out that “if the pulpits are silent, then the pews will become ignorant.”
As someone who’s tackled controversial political issues from the pulpit, Pastor Hamrick encourages pastors and believers to get off the sidelines and fight for the soul of our nation. He personally chose to defend God’s Word alongside one of his congregation members, Tanner Cross, when he was persecuted for speaking up against cultural issues during a school board meeting.
By taking a stand, Christians can truly make a difference in the world. This election season, Lynch hopes listeners will not be silent, but will choose to defend unchanging truth in a culture that’s constantly shifting.
Cinco De Mayo has a deeper spiritual meaning than you might think.
Ilearned something new this week. You may already know this and perhaps I had at one time and just forgot but, did you know that Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army victory over the superior French forces on May 5, 1862, in the Battle of Puebla?
The Mexican forces were outnumbered, outgunned, and not as well trained, but were able to defeat the French army, which was considered one of the best in the world. An outnumbered Mexican army led by Ignacio Zaragoza, (who was a 33 yr. old Texan) defeated the invading French forces at the small town of Puebla de Los Angeles during the Franco-Mexico War. The retreat of the French troops represented a great victory for the people of Mexico, symbolizing the country’s ability to defend its sovereignty against a powerful foreign nation. It was a great moral victory for Mexico and gave them hope, determination, and encouragement to fight against the French and to eventually be victorious.
According to Wikipedia Cinco de Mayo was first celebrated in the US by Mexican miners in California and has been celebrated continuously since 1863 in the US emphasizing Mexican culture, music, and food.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not as much a celebration but more a day of remembrance, commemorating Mexico’s victory over the French during the Battle of Puebla.
While the typical Cinco de Mayo celebrations may focus on margaritas & tacos I believe there is a great spiritual lesson for us on this day. We too can make it a Day of Remembrance. We can remember how God can empower us to triumph when we feel outnumbered and less powerful than the problems we are facing in life.
Although Cinco de Mayo is not a religious holiday, we can remember to pray for those we know, our families, and perhaps ourselves who need God’s power in face of overwhelming odds.
I invite you to pray this with me today. I think it is a good way for us to begin our Cinco de Mayo celebration!
God of all nations, tongues, and tribes I come to you today on Cinco de Mayo to pray. I pray for my family, friends, loved ones, and even myself as we face times of struggle against forces that are much bigger than our own strength and power. We shall remember the account of David and Goliath and how David defeated the giant with a single stone and a slingshot. May we have David’s confidence and trust in you like when he said, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (I Samuel 17:32 NIV) In prayer now I pray for increased strength, encouragement, and faith to fight with the Sword of the Lord, the Word of God, and not give up in the battle because we fear we are not strong enough. Help us instead to proclaim with David, “You come against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty…This day the Lord will hand you over to me …and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel…for the battle is the Lord’s.” (I Samuel 17:45,46,47)
I thank you, God, that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). In my personal life, in the battles and struggles I and my family, and loved ones are facing, I declare and swing the Sword of the Lord proclaiming over my life, my family, and friends these promises from your Word.
Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
Mark 10:27 Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people, it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Matthew 17:20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
Isaiah 41:10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Glory to God! May the Sword of the Lord and the power of the Name of Jesus defeat every enemy and bring us victory in the battle. Father, I thank you that you are helping us today who need your protection, strength, and encouragement. Amen.
As you watch or join in the joyous celebrations of Cinco de Mayo remember the goodness of your God, and that His salvation and presence are with you in the face of all earthly troubles past, present, and future.
Billy Graham Chaplains Minister in Seoul After Deadly Stampede
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains are ministering in Seoul after more than 150 people were killed in a stampede during Halloween festivities Saturday night. The catastrophe made international headlines and is one of the deadliest accidents in South Korea’s recent history.
“This is such a horrible tragedy,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Our hearts are heavy to hear about what happened. … We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to comfort, pray with, and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by this horrific disaster.”
In recent years, the trendy, multicultural Itaewon neighborhood has become known for its massive Halloween celebration, drawing tens of thousands of young people, most in their 20s and 30s. On Saturday, partygoers flooded the narrow streets and alleyways, crushing hundreds of people who couldn’t escape the pressing crowd. According to reports, at least 130 people were also injured. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning through Nov. 5.
Two chaplains from Australia who are currently living in Seoul are offering a listening ear and prayer to shocked and grieving people in the Itaewon neighborhood, an area that’s normally one of the most colorful and vibrant in the city, but is now marked by striking silence. The vast majority of the dozens at a memorial site are young people clearly in distress, wiping silent tears and with heads bowed in grief.
One chaplain had a long conversation with a young, German tourist who was at the scene of the tragedy. As a nurse he tried desperately to save lives, only to fail. “I still hear them screaming,” he said. “I couldn’t do anything.”
Nearby, another young man was weeping uncontrollably. In conversation, the chaplain learned he was a student who lost three friends right in front of him. He could not speak of what he saw and heard. The chaplain offered tissues and stayed alongside for conversation and a prayer. The next morning, the young man texted, “Thanks to you, I slept well last night….”
In the coming days, the chaplains will continue to offer a ministry of presence to those in the Itaewon neighborhood.
Rhapsody of Realities Hits 7000 Language Translations.
Pastor Chris announces the translation of Rhapsody of Realities into 7000 languages of the world. It’s a goal for Jesus.
Rhapsody is available in over 7,000 languages. Join us to reach and penetrate the remaining 139 languages yet to be acquired, and put a smile on millions of faces as they receive the daily devotional in their language for the very first time!
Log on to www.healingstreams.tv /www.ceflix.org to relieve the moment from the Healing Streams.
SEEING AND HEARING
Seeing and hearing are the practical ways to receive more of God into your life.
From the prolific author comes another masterpiece. This new release is set to bring believers who will take time to study closer to the Father because Bishop Dag takes his time to teach not only the importance of seeing and hearing but also how to achieve it practically.
Do you want to become a wise son who gives himself to the art of seeing and hearing? this book is for you!ORDER A COPY TODAY: https://daghewardmillsbooks.org/…/seeing-and-hearing/#DagHewardMills#DHM#Books#NewRelease#SeeingandHearing
Bishop for Episcopal Ministry appointed to build on successful Lambeth Conference
A new post of Bishop for Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion has been created to build on the success of this year’s Lambeth Conference. The Right Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells, currently Bishop of Dorking in the Church of England’s Diocese of Guildford, has been appointed to the post and will begin her new role in January 2023.
The Lambeth Conference is a once-a-decade gathering to which all bishops in the Anglican Communion are invited. Around 650 bishops from around the world took part in this year’s event.
At the Lambeth Conference, bishops took part in worship, prayer and Bible studies, and discussions on a range of issues facing the church and the world, including mission and evangelism, discipleship, climate change and the environment, science and faith, safeguarding, and human dignity.
Lambeth Conference participants and organisers say that relationships across the Anglican Communion have been rejuvenated as a result of the gathering. One unplanned outcome of the Lambeth Conference is a boost to the Anglican Communion’s Companion Link programme – partnerships between individual dioceses with other dioceses in different parts of the world. More than 200 bishops at the conference expressed the desire to create new formal Companion Links as part of their commitment to “Walk Together”.
The new post, Bishop for Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion, was agreed by the Anglican Communion’s Standing Committee when it met in London last week. The post is designed to “foster a collaborative, engaged, enriched fellowship among the bishops of the Anglican Communion, inspiring ever greater companionship, learning and interchange between provinces,” the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Revd Anthony Poggo, said.
“This will build on the outcomes of Lambeth ’22, taking forward the Lambeth Conference Calls as well as the renewed relationships between bishops across varying provinces,” he added. “It will also help to equip bishops for ministry, supporting them not only in their particular contexts but also for engaging in the wider Communion.
“I am delighted that Bishop Jo will be joining us at the Anglican Communion Office, as we take forward the outcomes of the 2022 Lambeth Conference.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, said: “This year’s Lambeth Conference has been remarkable in renewing friendships, relationships and connections across the Anglican Communion. The appointment of Bishop Jo Bailey Wells to this new post of Bishop for Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion will take advantage of the renewed determination of bishops to unite in living out our call – in our many cultures – to be God’s Church for God’s World.
Bishop Jo Bailey Wells said: “Having first encountered the diversity and dynamism of the Anglican Communion as my vocation emerged in the Church of Uganda in the 1980s, I am awed by the sense of God’s invitation to this newly created role.
“I am full of joy to be working with Secretary General Bishop Anthony, having first met one another in South Sudan many years ago. I greatly look forward to journeying with bishop colleagues across the Communion as we work out how we witness together through the Calls, enhancing the friendships and fellowship forged at the recent Lambeth Conference.”
Bishop Jo Bailey Wells will leave her current post as Bishop of Dorking in the Diocese of Guildford to take up this new role. The Bishop of Guildford, the Right Revd Andrew Watson, said: “Bishop Jo has been an outstanding Bishop of Dorking, bringing a freshness and energy to the role, not least from her extensive experience of the worldwide Church. This has really put our own issues in perspective, and helped us not to take ourselves too seriously (a favourite theme).
“Her teaching and preaching gifts have brought real joy to the diocese, as have her wisdom and discernment and her passion for our church schools. She’s been a delightful colleague, and will be very much missed as she takes on this exciting new role. The Anglican Communion is blessed indeed!”
This year’s Lambeth Conference, delayed from its original 2020 setting because of the Covid-19 pandemic was designed in three phases.
Phase one – listening together – involved bishops taking part in small online discussion groups.
Phase two – walking together – was the physical in-person gathering of bishops in Canterbury in July and August.
Phase three – witnessing together – will see bishops and their dioceses taking the Lambeth Calls – a series of texts discussed by the bishops at the Lambeth Conference – forward for discussion and potential implementation in their dioceses in partnerships with Anglicans around the world.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will write shortly to the bishops of the Communion with an update on phase three. In her new role, Bishop Jo will play a significant part in phase three of the Lambeth Conference.
“I look forward to working closely with Bishop Jo to facilitate and enable ongoing conversation, study, and prayer amongst bishops, alongside supporting the dissemination of the Calls throughout the Communion,” the Secretary General, Bishop Anthony Poggo, said.
“I am also pleased that Bishop Jo will be looking at current programmes for Bishops’ formation and development and finding ways of learning from each other across the Anglican Communion,” he added. “She brings with her a great deal of experience, gifts, and talents, as well as a deep knowledge of the Anglican Communion, not least from her time at Duke University. I very much look forward to welcoming Bishop Jo to the Anglican Communion Office when she joins us in January.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby added: “I am delighted that Bishop Jo will be taking up this role as we move into phase three of the conference, and she will play a key role in that.
“I know Jo well through her time as my former chaplain. She is an inspirational and deeply committed disciple of Jesus Christ, and I know that she is well placed to take on this new ministry in service to the Anglican Communion.”
And Bangui Came to A Standstill!
The heart cry of Jesus Christ is harvesting the fields. Jesus did not leave His throne for nothing! Thank God He came and thank God for great harvests in Central African Republic.
And Bangui, in the Central African Republic came to a standstill as African Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills brought the message of Jesus to the city of Bangui! The whole city gathered to hear about the one who died to pay their debts.
And the Lord confirmed His word with miracles, signs and wonders for the city witnessed mighty miracles indeed! So Bangui will never be the same again because they can never forget the miracles they experienced!