International Camp Meeting 2007

Sunday, June 10, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“We try to live in the real world, so we turned off the TV.” – Bro. Stephen Hargrave

Bro. Allen Bontrager reminded the saints to keep on praying as we return to our homes. We need to keep getting a hold of God to be what we need to be.

The Television was the subject of Bro. Stephen Hargrave’s message in the morning service. A Christian is very careful with his soul. He ensures that the life he left, remains the life that is left. Television is not reality. There is a reason actors are called actors. They are non-realists and professional fakers. They are promotores of hypocrisy. The same people that criticize you for withholding the TV from your children will turn around and “rate” a movie R. Why not let everyone watch everything? We have a proprietary rating system – N=NONE. What is wrong with young people today, you ask? It is the TV – they are being fed a steady diet of immorality and sin. People punish their children for acting out what they see on the TV. It is not fair to the children; they are only living out the false doctrine you are teaching them. The reality of it all is that you are miserable and need to be saved, but you don’t know it because you are watching TV!

In the final, afternoon service, Bro. Ray Tinsman preached on the Two Gatherings. You are either eating at the marriage supper of the lamb or are being eaten by the fowls of the air. God is using His church to conduct both gatherings. People prefer to be neutral – neither here nor there. You have to be part of one or the other. If someone becomes lukewarm, God beckons the birds to come and dine. We don’t need sports during the meetings to keep the people interested. We have something far better to feast on.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“You cannot afford to be lost – the cost is too high.” – Bro. Gary Boevers

Pray for the fire – that was the exhortation from Bro. Helmut Schmidt in the prayer meeting. We must pray for the fire to come down. God has many blessings for us, as long as we do not stand in our way. Our hearts must be prepared to receive the fire that He has promised to send.

In the morning service, Bro. Johnny Friesen preached on the Handwriting on the Wall. Amongst all the false doctrine around, there is light. There are still people walking in the truth. People look at the church with their physical eyes and come with preconceived ideas. You’ve given all else a chance, won’t you give the church a chance? Put your ideas aside and try the spirit. We need a supernatural experience that goes beyond human comprehension. God’s moving has to be discerned with spiritual eyes. Do you doubt the reality of truth? Your doubts can be erased your life can be set in order.

This evening, the singers sang a moving song about the amazing love of Jesus. It is so amazing that He loves you and I, considering how unworthy we are. Later, Bro. Gary Boevers preached on Being a Castaway. We have to realize that we might not make it. It is our responsibility to press through – not the preachers’. If you think the devil is not interested in you, you are badly mistaken. Beware of unholy alliances, Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives because of an unholy alliance. The church has a responsibility to keep the good and cast the bad way. It is not about gathering a crowd. We need a greater fear of God in this time. The world does not have a fear of God anymore. Not an abnormal fear, but a healthy respect and fear of God. Whatever it takes – we need to make it. The choice is yours: go to an eternal hell or deal with yourself while there is yet time.

Friday, June 8, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“Salvation will not fit you, it will make you fit.” – Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga

Bro. Patrick O’Shea exhorted us in the prayer meeting to stir ourselves when we pray. We need to be stirred up when we pray for blessings.

The ordinances of feetwashing and the Lord’s Supper were observed in the morning service. It was a wonderful time of bonding and fellowship with the saints as we remembered the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus so that we might be saved.

Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga preached a profound message this evening on the Common Salvation. Salvation is like being in a prison for years, when one day you hear footsteps, a key in the lock, and you are free! Salvation is all about deliverance and nothing about the old life. This world is accustomed to choices. People want their religion customized to suit their tastes. But salvation is still the common solution that leads to common conclusions. This common salvation cannot be made to order – it is “one-size-fits-all”. We need the same consecration and holiness as the apostles to make it to heaven. If there are long spells of drought in your heart, you do not have true salvation. Where Jesus is, things just happen.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“Man at its best is a failure.” – Bro. John Strizu

Sis. Elizabeth O’Shea reminded the saints in the prayer meeting to persevere in calling on the Lord for our blessings. Like blind Bartimeus, we need to call out until we get an answer.

In the morning service, Bro. Aaron Braun preached on Repentance. In order to get saved you need to come to the realization that you need to repent and have true, Godly sorrow. Forsake your sins and sin no more. True deliverance is available for every one that truly repents. God is more ready to forgive than people are to repent.

The special singers encouraged the saints with the wonderful news of deliverance in English and Spanish. Afterwards, Bro. John Strizu preached on God’s Time vs. Man’s Ideas. People are gathering crowds, but there are serious problems in the crowd. They are attempting to philosophize and theologize, ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. In the midst of all of this, God is working and has not changed. He does not need new entertainment or contemporary worship. He still uses angels ascending and descending to deliver His truth to His people. Man can never figure out in his mind what God is doing. People criticized and questioned Noah right from when he pulled out the blueprint until the door was shut. Maybe they didn’t like how the kangaroo was hopping, but at least he was getting to the ark! How long does it take you to see that the Lord is working?

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“If you want this world – keep it!” – Bro. Peter Hildebrandt

Wednesday morning dawned refreshingly cool and sunny as the saints gathered for prayer meeting. Bro. Isaac Thiessen implored us to go beyond our comfort zone as we seek the Lord in prayer. Go a little farther, pray a little more. When you feel like your prayers are not going anywhere, pray on a little more. You will find special blessings and much joy as you go above and beyond comfort zone.

The city of Greenville graciously provided another permit for a street meeting today. Most of the saints present drove to Greenville for the street meeting held from 10:30 – 12:00. Hundreds if invitations, tracts, and booklets were distributed in the downtown area. Many songs were sung, which could be heard all along the main street via the sound system that had been set up. It was a beautiful day and many souls had the opportunity to hear and read the Gospel.

Many of the saints were on their feet tonight as the singers sang of the Lord’s great care for us. Bro. Peter Hildebrandt encouraged the saints with a message on We Are Going Somewhere. The ultimate motivating factor for all we do is the fact that we are going somewhere – Heaven! It is Biblical to be positive and thankful for what we have, but we have the tendency to be too positive about this world. Heaven is so great that words can only hint at the splendor. As Christians, we use what is available to us in this world – to a degree. But, these earthly things should not be woven into our spiritual fabric. For us, to die is gain! That is when true life begins.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“If you have given up because of difficulties, you were never in it for the right reasons!” – Bro. Patrick O’Shea

In the prayer meeting, we were exhorted by Bro. John Strizu to touch Jesus. Like the woman that pressed through the crowds and touched the hem of His garment, we need to make the effort to touch Him. When we touch Jesus, the glory will come down. Be assured, He is aware of your slightest touch.

A street meeting was planned for Greenville, but had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. Instead, a mass choir with a large audience was assembled to record a selection of the reformation-era Church of God songs for a new CD.

The evening service began with the children ministering to us in song, followed by the saved youth. The special singers sang of how we are living in the days of Elijah, Ezekiel, and seeing the fulfillment of prophecy. Bro. Patrick O’Shea preached on What Is Your Purpose? Are you determined to use Jesus for your means or will you allow Jesus to use you for His means? Will you use the church for your benefit or can the church use you for its benefit? Your motive will determine your eternal destiny. What a tragedy when someone has made a start, but then fails to reach the goal. Birds of prey are circling, waiting for your demise. Our God is not hard, but rather expects that each individual will live up to their full potential. He will hold you accountable to what you knew. The Lord is not unreasonable – He gave so much, while we can only give so little. What are you willing to do to be saved? Lose your life and save it.

Monday, June 4, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“If you like what you see – get married.” – Bro. Henry Hildebrandt

Bro. Matthew French exhorted the saints in the prayer meeting to realize the importance of seeking the Lord in prayer in the early hours, as Jesus did. We need to be the appropriate help to people around us, and, in order to do that, we must have the power from on high.

Later, in the morning service, Bro. Henry Hildebrandt preached on Being Committed. Religion in our day, as a whole, does not require committment. Spiritual common-law relationships and polygamy are not only tolerated, they are encouraged. This is not the will of God! He wants you to look, check, and get married. He expects a committment from those who serve Him. We are preaching an unpopular truth. People that are not committed are of no real value to the Church of God. It is not good for you to be alone. You need the committment of marriage to the Church. If you committed yourself in marriage to a now-dead body, you are free to commit yourself to a living body. This union is “until death do us part.”

Bro. Stephen Hargrave preached on Having a Vision of God’s Church in the evening service. Abraham looked for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Without us the Old Testament is incomplete, as we are now living in the fullness of the gospel. You can’t have a reflection of the moon unless the sun is shining. God is raising up dead stones and lining them up with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is building a house. We are no longer looking for the best place, but rather THE place. Unless you are in line with the prophecies of the Old Testament, you have no reason to exist.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“You shouldn’t encourage people to starve in your Canaan if there is food in God’s Egypt.” – Bro. Randy Hargrave

Bro. Jacob Braun stressed the far-reaching effects of prayer to the assembly this morning. He encouraged us to pray for those we cannot reach and to pray with faith that God can touch their hearts. After prayer meeting, a variety of group photos were taken.

In the morning service the singers sang of walls coming down and Jesus being the answer to our problems. Afterwards, the Apple of the Lord’s Eye was the subject of Bro. Ray Tinsman’s message. The children of God, collectively, are the apple of the Lord’s eye. When you come to the apple of His eye, you have arrived. This is a place where grown men can cry, where the youth find happiness and true satisfaction, and where both spiritual and physical illness are healed. That is why we talk about Jesus and His love so much. He loved us so intensely that he brought us to the apple of His eye. If you feel the Lord is distant or you feel lonely – come to the apple of His eye.

The love of Jesus continued to be a cause for much rejoicing in the evening service. The singers sang about the new song in our hearts and then led the congregation in a moving rendition of Amazing Grace. Truly, it is so amazing that God should condescend to our hearts to redeem us from our sinful state. Bro. Randy Hargrave preached on the Characteristics of a Spiritual Earthquake. God is shaking the spiritual world in our time. He is separating light from darkness as in the days of Creation. He is restoring a place to be fed in your soul. The cry of our time is: Eat and Live! In the days of Joseph, God put the food where no one expected it to be – Egypt! Babylon is doing so bad because the light is doing so good. When you come to the light, your church-hopping days are over. If you leave the light, God will empty your pockets on the way out. God is masterminding this spiritual earthquake and there will be more destruction than ever before. Bablyon gets darker as the light gets brighter.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

West Milton, Ohio, USA

“We may not have all the dots connected, but at least we have more connected this year than last!” – Bro. Daniel Layne

Another camp meeting in West Milton, Ohio began on a sweltering Saturday morning with a stirring prayer meeting exhortation from Bro. Ray Tinsman on the fundamental importance of prayer. We were exhorted to pray relentlessly for unprecedented blessings.

In the morning service, Bro. Daniel Layne preached on Building the House. Are you willing to work for God and His house? We have homes and are taken care of, but does God have a home? He wants us to become heavy equipment for Him so He can build His house. Will you be a spirital bulldozer or earthmover? We need aggressive construction activity. God wants a home built quickly. He has chosen this time to once again build his Home among His people.

This evening, the congregation was rejoicing as the singers sang of being rescued from the dry, dusty desert of sin, complete deliverance, and the tremendous change in our lives since the blood of Jesus cleansed us. Bro. Daniel Layne preached a profound message on Relationship. The most vital and foundational aspect of our Christian life is our relationship with Jesus. It’s not about how hard you work for the Church, how much money you give, or how you dress, but rather how is your relationship? Does it move you? Is it the living, burning axis in your life? That is how relationships are defined. If you do not have this fervent, deep love for Jesus in your heart, all you do for Him is in vain. Only if your relationship is the cornerstone of your Christian experience do all these other things become relevant and rewarding. True love for God will automatically form and shape you and give you the true life.