Before the tour ends at Smoky Mountain Kidfest in May, there will be three other opportunities for families, and kids groups to experience God in a weekend experience created just for them. Frontier will be the opening Kidfest experience for Season 2013. Held on April 12-14 at the Westin Hotel in Irving, Texas, Frontier Kidfest will attract children’s ministry leaders from churches in Texas, New Mexico, South Central Hispanic Region and the Heartland Region who will take their groups for a weekend encounter with the Holy Spirit. There will be four church services programmed for kids and geared to their liking, and will be an opportunity for children and families to enjoy uninhibited worship and praise in an environment with hundreds of their peers as they together proclaim their intent to follow Jesus.

“Teaching kids to know Jesus and tell others about Him is the focus of all that is done in the children’s ministry of Church of God Youth and Discipleship!” said Tony Lane, coordinator of children’s ministries for the Church of God. “International Youth and Discipleship understands the need to target those between the age of 4 and 14 and is doing everything possible to reach those within the 4/14 window. Ministry to children has been a priority in the department for many years.”

According to Lane, Kidfest has been a ministry of Youth and Discipleship since 2002. Since its beginning in Texas, Kidfest has expanded to five locations in the United States, as well as international. This year, the theme is, “Believe! Anything Is Possible,” encouraging the kids to understand that with God they can do all things.

Midwest Kidfest will be held April 19-21 at the Great Wolfe Lodge, just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Each registrant will receive a three day indoor water park pass with their registration. Carolina Kidfest will be held April 26-28 at the Charlotte (NC) Renaissance Suites Hotel, where space is abundant for both the sessions and the hotel.

The Kidfest weekend experiences will climax with a big weekend for families and kids at the Smoky Mountain Kidfest which will be held May 3-5 at the Gatlinburg (TN) Convention Center, the previous site of Winterfest. At this location, each group is able secure their own lodging and lodging recommendations are available on the www.mykidfest.com website.

The guest speaker line-up includes a variety of people who love ministry to kids. They include The Lads, 4 Trinity, Tommy Toombs, Tim and Amanda Cowles, Compel, Chagy, BAM, Fritzy the one man circus, John Tasch and Justyn Smith.

“Winterfest has been happening for 31 years; Kidfest has been happening for 12 years. Don’t wait until they’re old enough for Winterfest when you can take them to Kidfest now and reach them before they have to be rescued,” Lane stated. “Families are encouraged to register together, if their church is not able to take a group.”

For a brochure or for more information, call 423-478-7229, or go to www.mykidfest.com.

Help us build a school for these precious children!  Help us furnish the school with desks and chairs!  Take Action… Be the Change!

Download 4/14 Window Booklet

Golden Opportunity Brochure

Download Flyer

RESPONSE TO THE 4/14 WINDOW MOVEMENT

WHEREAS, the Bible boldly states that children are the gift of God and that God desires all children to come to Him; and,

WHEREAS, the Bible decrees that children should grow up in an atmosphere of family care, wise counsel, tender discipline, and unconditional love; and,

WHEREAS, the reality of our day is that this has often not been the case, as children have been tragically neglected and therefore marginalized; and,

WHEREAS, the church has a responsibility to equip, train, and encourage the family to play its proper role in the rearing of children, but has often been ineffective in bringing this goal to reality; and,

WHEREAS, the glaring weakness in the handling and caring for children as a global community has contributed to millions of children becoming hopeless victims of our neglect;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, we have come together as the Church of God to ask God to forgive us for our failure to do what we could and should do for children as His gifts from above; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we commit ourselves and our institutions to improve and increase our efforts for the equipping, care, and mobilization of the children and their families in the 4/14 Window for the holistic transformation of the world; and,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT, we become involved in a bold initiative, engaging and seeking to equip a new generation to transform the world by working through the power of Jesus Christ in His transformational mission to raise up a new generation from the 4/14 Window to transform the world.

*Resolution passed at the 2012 General Assembly

India: “Take Action / Be The Change!”

What Can Change?
There are 44 million vulnerable children living in India. Many live on the streets. Some are enslaved in brothels.  Most are poor, hungry, and exploited.  Hope is hard to come by.

Change is Born
Twenty years ago, God gave a vision and a burden to a pastor in India named Jyothi Reddi. Now the “Children’s Home” is one of the largest in the Church of God and is feeding, clothing, housing, and educating 479 boys and girls!

Change is Waiting
The greatest need now is a building for their school.  If they don’t get more space and room for their school, the government will soon close them down.

Be the Change!
For over 50 years, YWEA has brought hope, change, and life around the world.  With your help we will help provide a school building, desks, and chairs for the children!   We will also help provide food, clothes, love, and care to orphans who need it most.  What can you do?  Be the Change!

Visit www.myywea.com

Urban Ministries/Leadership
Development Coordinator
B. Randall Parris
Assistant: Jeni Mauldin
jmauldin@churchofgod.org
(423) 478.7883

During the 2012 Kidfest season thus far, Youth and Discipleship has seen hundreds of boys and girls saved, sanctified, and filled with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The Emerald Coast Kidfest is unique in that it affords groups and families to enjoy the beach when not in the exciting services.  This event also is a great weekend experience for families to enjoy together.

Those who have not registered but who still desire to attend may do so by going to www.mykidfest.com for a registration form.  By acknowledging this announcement, the earlybird registration rate will be honored until October 10.  This will save your group $10.00 per person!  More information is also available by calling 423.478.7229.

Get your tickets for the parks with a discount to those participating in the Church of God General Assembly. The options for the Disney theme parks and Universal Orlando theme parks are as follows.

Walt Disney Parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

- 1 Day or Multi Day – Regular or Park Hopper
- Afternoon Tickets (after 2pm or after 4pm)

Universal Orlando Parks – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure:
– 1 Day or Multi Day – Regular or Park Hopper

Park tickets will be good for the week prior, the week of, and the week following the General Assembly.

Download the form here.

The history of the Pentecostal church is an incredible one.  Starting in the 1920s and then enduring hardship and persecution under the communist rule, they have remained faithful.  Some of the churches where the team ministered have been in existence for many years.  The Philadelphia Church had their construction stopped in the late 70s.  However, Pastor George Galis and Pastor Johnny Buia wrote a letter to President Carter, knowing that he would be meeting with Nicolae Ceaușescu, the Communist leader who would be visiting the U.S.  President Carter showed Ceausescu the letter and the building construction was continued and dedicated in 1979.  Billy Graham once preached there.  On this trip, Tony Lane had the honor to preach to this wonderful congregation of faithful followers.

On Monday, the team visited Calarasi, in the southern part of Romania.  They visited a ministry called Outstretched Hands of Romania, which ministers to the poor children and families, many of whom are Turks and Gypsies.  After a walk among their homes in a small village, the team visited an orphanage there in the same town.

After the years of communistic rule, it was shown that the Church would remain steadfast and is today seeing great growth!  Within the Romanian Parliament, there are Pentecostals who have been elected to serve.Mircean Lubanovici, of Portland Oregon was elected to represent all Romanians living outside of Romania.  He hosted the team to a traditional Romanian meal and then arranged a complete tour of the Palace of the People which houses the Romanian Parliment.  To see the influence of Christians in government is amazing!  One morning, the team members were included in a prayer meeting at the Parliament for Christian politicians in government.  For the team to have this occasion of sitting at the tables with these officials was a sign that God is with this country. Team members had the opportunity to address the topic of assuming an attitude of servanthood in politics.

Following the prayer meeting, the team toured the massive building constructed initially by Ceausescu. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Palace is the world’s largest civilian administrative building, most expensive administrative building, and heaviest building. The building houses the Romanian Parliament.  Gheorghe David, the third highest ranking Senator in the Romanian Senate, is also a pentecostal .  He hosted the team in his office and addressed questions and shared what God is helping them to do.

Following the tour and visit to the Parliament building, the team prepared for a youth service that evening in one of the churches.  Hundreds of youth attend Bethel Pentecostal Church in Bucharest.  Their  worship was incredible and it is quite evident that the younger generation truly desires a touch of God in their lives.  At the closing of the service, Tony Lane invited them to move forward if they would commit to praying for areas of Romania where the Pentecostal witness is weak.  Without hesitation, they accepted the invitation and with tears flowing freely and hands raised, they committed to prayer and service.

Times have been difficult for Romania.  They have seen great hardship.  However, God is pouring out His Spirit around the world and it is certainly true for Romania!  Missionaries are needed to help prepare the next generation of leaders to take the Pentecostal Church into the changing season.  Youth and Discipleship considers it a great honor to have had the privilege of seeing and experiencing firsthand God’s Spirit as He moves in a land formerly ruled by a communist dictator. Thank God for freedom and liberation!

The leadership of the seminary and the regional overseer of the churches has asked that a team return next year from Youth and Discipleship so that the training can continue and also include more pastors and church leaders.  Those interested in a future trip to Romania, or one of the other International Training Event trips, including the Philippines in February 2012, should contact Tony Lane at 423.478.7229, or write tlane@churchofgod.org.

Kidfest Ecuador (or Festiniños as we called it) was everything we could have dreamed of and MORE! God shook our little campground and moved in life-changing ways among the teachers and the children.

We hosted a group of 45 people from Living Waters Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California as we collaborated with the Church of God in Ecuador to host the first ever Kidfest event. The team from California offered intensive teacher training in Children’s ministry as well as a weekend camp for the kids.

We began the event with around 100 teachers. These are Ecuadorians who are currently teaching in Sunday school or have a desire to work with kids in their churches. The event was kicked off as National Overseer, Richar Mendoza, shared his passion for children’s ministry to become a priority in Ecuadorian churches. Then, the teachers spent an intense day learning creative methods they can use in their ministry. On the final day, we had a commissioning service where each teacher was confirmed in their calling and sent forth to do the work of the Kingdom.

Then the fun REALLY began as 300 kids arrived for a weekend of camp! For most of these kids, this was their first time to ever attend any type of camp like this. One hundred of these kids were from the local social ministries (ministries that reach out to street kids). This was a life-shaping weekend for sure.

There were lots of time for fun and games, but the most amazing part was what happened during the worship services. In the very first service, I could tell the teachers were getting frustrated because the kids were VERY restless and not listening well. Imagine, a room crammed to capacity with kids who are NOT used to this type of service. But as the altar time began, the Spirit of God moved in a mighty way and there was a sweet hush as the kids really plugged in. Many children came forward to pray with the team, but afterwards they began to huddle in little groups praying for each other! They were weeping as God touched them! The Ecuadorian adults were amazed, as they had never seen God move among children in this way.

Throughout the weekend, God continued to move like this in our services. Children were speaking in tongues and worshipping God in pure joy. One man, who heard about the service from a counselor, showed up 5 hours early for service so that he could be there (at this KIDS service) to receive the Holy Spirit.  A little girl who lives in an abusive situation, prayed with the team and later told her counselor that she knows now that God is with her and loves her. Another child felt called to become a preacher. REVIVAL was sparked among the children of Ecuador during Festiniños.

The teachers are HUNGRY for more training, and we are going to help provide that. The pastors are beginning to understand the importance of children’s ministry and are working to establish that in their churches. The churches are DESPERATE for that type of worship. God is going to do some miraculous things!

We want to thank those from Living Waters who sacrificed to make this event happen. Also, thank you to our many friends and family members who gave to help sponsor the children from the social ministries. And as always, thank you to everyone who continually supports our family, allowing us to be a vessel for God’s blessings.

Here is our video recap:

For more information about the ministry in Ecuador, go to www.lovegodserveothers.com.

For information about Kidfest events, including the upcoming Emerald Coast Kidfest being held at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida in October, go to www.mykidfest.com

Teen Talent was conducted on the Lee University campus in Cleveland, Tennessee on August 2-6, 2011. Approximately 3,500-4,000 participants, chaperones, parents, and friends took part. Evening events included a block party, rally and “wipe-out” competition. “Nearly 2,000 individual students sang, played, acted, taught, quizzed, produced, wrote, or created amazing art!. All to the Glory of God!

NYC City Vision Expedition
In mid-July, a terrific group of 154 young people from across the USA, representing eight different local churches, shared in service, ministry, and evangelism in New York City for an entire week. Students fed the homeless, shared in drama, children’s and youth ministry, service and outreach events, local Vacation Bible School and worship services.

Youth Camp

• Total Campers – 19,627
• Total Counselors/Workers – 7,816
• # of Camps – 114
• Saved – 2,794
• Restored – 6,516
• Sanctified – 3,334
• Holy Ghost – 3,903
• Water Baptism – 620
• Added to the Church – 90

Eagles-DC-’11 Leadership Initiative
54 carefully selected participants were exposed to the rich history and grandeur of our Nation’s capital, as they developed their strengths for leadership and effective witness. The Class of 2012 will join in Washington, D.C. next summer. Help us identify and launch the “Eagles” from your church!

YWEA 50th YEAR CELEBRATION
For an incredible 50 years, YWEA has been making a lasting difference around the world! YWEA 2011 will “Lift the Cross” in Ethiopia. We anticipate offerings to total approximately $650,000.00! Thanks for caring about the people of Ethiopia!

Poza Rica Mexico Summer 2011
There were 47 students and adults on the team traveling to Poza Rica, Mexico this past July.  2011 is the 13th summer that has included trips to Casa Hogar Alfa y Omega orphanage for missions and ministry experiences.

Girl’s Ministries
The new Joy Belles curriculum, Year One Faith: Blossoming, was released May 2011
www.girlsministries.org