A CULTURE OF HONOR
by Rev. David Wells // PCCNA President
“We have choices to make in the current environment we are in. We must endeavor to ensure that our behaviors toward others reflect the value Jesus places on them.”
I stand in a room of leaders from across our continent. They are diverse in age, race, nationality, giftings, and personality. Women and men are all “leaning in” to one another with loving respect and a commitment to unity. A room where honor rules. So moving, so meaningful, so much like God intends for His people to experience.
In the kingdom of God, honor is not reserved for those who are perceived as “great”—the powerful or those with position and wealth. Honor is not merely for ceremonial purposes or to be shown to only exceptional people. Honor is the expected expression shown to those who lead, serve, or simply live their day-to-day lives with faithfulness and integrity. Those who demonstrate humility and servanthood as they live for the “Servant King” are those identified as being great in the kingdom.
Giving honor is an expected practice of those who follow Jesus, both within the life of the church and in broader cultural contexts. God’s Word includes instructions such as these:
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”[1]
And “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”[2]
As the PAOC’s position paper “A Biblical and Theological Study of Authority” states regarding honoring governing authorities,
“Jesus was careful to show respect for the authority of the government and to avoid any suspicion that He was seeking power for Himself. When His Jewish critics attempted to trip Him up with a taxation question, He answered, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s’ (Mt. 22:21) …Both Paul and Peter would later affirm this stance calling upon believers to submit themselves to the governing authorities because these have been established by God (Ro. 13:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 14). The only exception to this principle is when those in authority require believers to disobey God (Acts 4:18-20).”[3]
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MIRACLE INVASION
AMAZING TRUE STORIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S GIFTS
AT WORK TODAY
by Dean Merril
This inspirational and powerful book is a collection of 40 miracle stories submitted by PCCNA Member Denominations and authors.
These are amazing and impactful, narratives that represent authentic operations of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) in our day and on our North American continent.
Foreward by Jeff Farmer and endorsements from Drs. Jack Hayford and George Wood.
Don't miss the opportunity to purchase your personal copy by making a donation of $25 to PCCNA today! (*Donation includes the cost of shipping)
To order your copy, simply tap the "Donation" button below.
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PRAYER TOWER ON
AZUSA STREET DEDICATED
by Faith News // Church of God
Los Angeles, CA—Representatives from eight Pentecostal denominations joined in a celebration of the dedication of the Azusa Street Prayer Tower on April 14–15, 2023. PCCNA Treasurer, Dr. Sterling Brackett also attended the event on behalf of PCCNA. In his words, “The event was marked by a sweet presence of the Holy Spirit and the worship set the tone for the next ten years of evangelism around the world.” The Women in Ministry Commission was also represented by their chair Kay Horner, who shared, "The diversity of participants and those leading in the worship and prayer was a beautiful example of the PCCNA theme—demonstrating unity in the power of the Spirit!"
April 14, 2023, was the 117-year anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival, the iconic event regarded as a signature period in the modern Pentecostal movement. Many denominations trace their roots to April 14, 1906, including the Assembly of God and Church of God in Christ. For the Church of God, a revival in Cleveland, Tennessee, conducted by Evangelist G.B. Cashwell from Azusa Street solidified its stand for Pentecostalism.
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WOMEN IN MINISTRY
by Kay Horner // WIM Chairperson
In the Old Testament era, Deborah held the distinction of being both a prophet and a judge alongside only two others in Israel’s history before Christ—Moses and Samuel! Yet, she’s not an oddity or an exception. Her life gives us a glimpse into the future when Jesus, the Prophet, Priest, King, Judge, and Redeemer, entered the world’s stage. He enlisted men and women to join Him in proclaiming the gospel Truth that convicts sinners, discharges debtors, and liberates those desperate for a Savior. Deborah described herself in this way:
“In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted,
and the travelers took the byways. Life in the villages ceased, it ended in Israel,
until I, Deborah, arose, a mother Israel” (Judges 5:6–7).
Deborah and Barak’s song described the chaos in Israel because of their syncretism and recurring cycle of sin, crying out to God for deliverance, and eventual return to their former lifestyles. Highways were deserted because they were either patrolled by the Canaanite military or by thieves. Travelers took alternate routes to avoid dangers. Villages were abandoned because they had no protective walls to keep people from being pillaged and robbed. For 20 years, the Canaanites had oppressed God’s people with their superior military with swords, spears, shields, and Sisera’s 900 iron chariots while the Israelites weren’t allowed to possess any weapons.
No rescue was in sight "until Deborah arose as a mother in Israel."
The PCCNA Women in Ministry Commission believes God is challenging and equipping His daughters to arise as modern-day Deborahs, filled with courage and determination to believe and proclaim His Words of promise and destiny in our generation!
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RightNow Media has a massive gift for our PCCNA Members! RightNow Media, an official PCCNA sponsor, is the world's largest streaming library of discipleship content, 400 Christian publishers, tens of thousands of Bible studies, conferences, training sessions, kid’s cartoons, and much more! More than 20,000 churches, schools and ministries partner with RightNow Media. Thanks to RightNow Media, PCCNA members and Albuquerque annual conference attendees will receive FREE personal access to this incredible resource!
The RightNow Media App gives you instant access to thousands of Bible study videos, and kid's episodes as well as the ability to watch content offline. Access biblical video content anywhere, anytime for you and your family!
Your user account cannot be shared or given away to your church. It is a gift to you and your family to use for your marriage, finances, Bible Study, etc. However, because RightNow values the partnership with PCCNA, our members also qualify for a significant discount, so you can offer the same incredible benefits to the churches and pastors you're caring for. If this resource is a blessing to you and your family, then just imagine how valuable it could be to your local churches!
To get started, simply email Barb Gray at: [email protected] to confirm your PCCNA membership and receive user account information and instructions.
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GOSPEL FOCUS ON NATIVE AMERICANS
by Beth Hall Davis // AG News
A Native American, once addicted, in trouble, and incarcerated as a teen, is working to bring the gospel to indigenous people worldwide and especially in the Phoenix area.
While Durham’s father today is sober and serving the Lord, during Isaac’s youth his dad struggled with sobriety but periodically took his son to church with him. One day, the sermon challenged Isaac to ask God anything, which led to several weeks of spiritual searching. Though a short period in his life, he recalls the sincerity and desperation with which he sought God.
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PUSHING THE PLOW AS A MILLENNIAL OR GEN ZER
by Rev. Sam Rodriguez // NHCLC
People who love and serve God in the power of the Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ work to discover their God-given purposes and steward His gifts to them, in much the same way as Elisha pushed his plow. They embody this truth: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24 ESV).
Such pushers of the plow know that not only do they persevere for the mantle of promotion awaiting them but also to reveal God’s power in their lives. When we obediently and diligently serve without putting the focus on our own abilities, we let others glimpse the Lord working through us. We honor God by keeping our commitment to push our plows the same way we try to live our lives, for His glory. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV).
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Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America
P.O. Box 3986 | Cleveland, TN 37320-3986
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