September - October -November 2010
Appointed - Ireland
One hundred twenty six times in the Bible the word "appointed" is used to denote the setting in place of individuals, groups of people, and set times for things to take place.
In 2 Chronicles 31, King Hezekiah appointed Priests & Levites to minister to the people--burning their offerings and giving continual thanks & praise to the Lord. In Luke 10, Jesus commissioned and appointed 70 and sent them out two by two into every city to prepare the people's hearts before he would come. In 2 Timothy 1, the Apostle Paul explains he was appointed a preacher, apostle & teacher to sinners.
In 1 Thessalonians 5, we’re told God doesn’t appoint us to wrath, hatred or anger…but he does appoint us to salvation through Christ. In Psalms 104:19, the Lord appoints the moon & sun for the seasons. The Word lets us know in Hebrews 9:27 that men are appointed once to die, and that the Lord(Acts 17:31) has appointed a day that he will judge the world in righteousness. It's safe to say everyone is appointed for some things!
I like the definition of "appoint" that I found within the dictionary. It means “to select or designate, to fill an office or position, to fix or set by authority or mutual agreement, to furnish.” The adjective "appointed" is even more powerful! It means “decided, set, chosen, established, determined, settled, fixed, arranged, assigned, designated, allotted, commissioned, selected, elected, installed, delegated, nominated, equipped, provided, supplied, furnished, fitted out.” What a blessing it is to be appointed by our master and maker Jesus Christ!
We were recently appointed missionaries to the country of Ireland at the UPCI General Conference in Houston, Tx. We consider it a great privilege to be called to Europe and appointed to Ireland, and we thank those involved in the decision making process and all those that support us presently and have supported us in the past. We are thankful to be part of a great missionary family all over the world and body of Christ that is never ceasing to reach the lost! This will always be a special year for us. We found out we were being interviewed on my birthday, and we were appointed on Fanny’s birthday.
Upon entering the U.S. the Lord blessed us with a 2006 van that only had 9,600 miles on it, that we purchased for a 2006 price. We are currently evangelizing and have already traveled 9,000 miles ministering in Ohio, Texas, Indiana & New York. We give God all glory for 30 that have received the Holy Ghost & 6 baptized with many receiving breakthroughs. I guess this will be our last newsletter for this year and before beginning our official deputation; it’s been a great year of reaping souls... And a very challenging and trying year too. Time to regroup for 2011...Going to magnify the number next year!
Our official deputation begins the first week of January 2011, and because of this our travels will most likely have us here in the U.S. for a year and a half. We would greatly appreciate your prayers & financial support during this time.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
God has appointed everyone……….what appointment are you fulfilling for the cause of his Kingdom?
Rev Joe, Fanny & Jaylon Cooney
Missionaries to Ireland - Evangelists to the World
Friday, December 24, 2010
From the Tolstads (Uganda Update)
Dear Partners and Friends,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
We greet you from Kampala, Uganda where the temperature never changes. Being so close to the Equator (@20 miles) and over 4,000 feet high, we have a very nice year-round warm temperature. Christmas is an important time for Ugandans as they travel back to their home villages and spend several weeks visiting, reuniting with family and their clans. Christmas Day is an important time to go to Church and Celebrate the Birth of Jesus the Savior. We trust you are able to spend time with family and loved ones to Celebrate this special time.
We are making preparations for our General Conference in January. We are honored to have Bro David Bernard with us as special guest and speaker. We are looking forward to a great time of teaching and preaching that strengthens the Church of Uganda.
This month of December has been busy, as we had our Quarterly General Board meeting to plan and organize for the General Conference. It was exciting to see what all God is doing in Uganda.
I just returned late last night from a Seminar in Llyama. This is a new area with new pastors. Bro Kiria Erisama pastors in Llyama and is building a great church. He also has a Nursery/Primary School with over 150 Children in his school. He further cares for over forty Orphans who live at the school. Bro Kiria has a great desire to reach his area with this Gospel. We taught Apostolic Doctrine, Family Life/Bible Values and Prophecy for four days. In the Evening we went to the Trading Center and preached a Crusade. Over 51 people received the Holy Ghost. (I say "over" because, when we finished praying at the Crusade, it was so dark you couldn't see anyone or anything; all you could hear were people praying and worshiping!) On Saturday night as we were concluding our message, there was a near riot as a parade of several thousand people marched right through our Crusade. It was the Circumcision Initiation ritual for young boys, and they always march through their area with the Witch Doctors and Traditional Men. I thought we had lost the crowd, but on Sunday, two men from the Crusade Service on Saturday came to church, received the Holy Ghost and were baptized. On Sunday the church marched to the swamp where they dammed up a little creek in the rice paddies and baptized 23 folks. Three of the men and one Woman were Muslims. Not only were they baptized in the Name of Jesus, they changed their names from Muslim names to Christian Names to mark their conversion to Christ! (When people accept the Muslim Faith, they have to change their names to Muslim names; we tell folks when they become Disciples of Jesus they should take a Christian name to be a Witness to their family and friends, and they are now "Christians.")
Thank you all for your prayers and faithful giving in your "Faith Promise;" your faithful giving continues to spread the Gospel throughout Uganda. Thank you for your sacrifices and giving to our Projects. One young couple in Louisiana did not give Christmas gifts to each other, rather they bought a bicycle for a Pastor in Uganda with their Christmas Gift funds. This type of sacrifice is eternal as Bro. Erisama now is able to travel and preach the Gospel throughout his area. He is an Area Coordinator and over 13 Churches.
Phil & Twyla Tolstad
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
We greet you from Kampala, Uganda where the temperature never changes. Being so close to the Equator (@20 miles) and over 4,000 feet high, we have a very nice year-round warm temperature. Christmas is an important time for Ugandans as they travel back to their home villages and spend several weeks visiting, reuniting with family and their clans. Christmas Day is an important time to go to Church and Celebrate the Birth of Jesus the Savior. We trust you are able to spend time with family and loved ones to Celebrate this special time.
We are making preparations for our General Conference in January. We are honored to have Bro David Bernard with us as special guest and speaker. We are looking forward to a great time of teaching and preaching that strengthens the Church of Uganda.
This month of December has been busy, as we had our Quarterly General Board meeting to plan and organize for the General Conference. It was exciting to see what all God is doing in Uganda.
I just returned late last night from a Seminar in Llyama. This is a new area with new pastors. Bro Kiria Erisama pastors in Llyama and is building a great church. He also has a Nursery/Primary School with over 150 Children in his school. He further cares for over forty Orphans who live at the school. Bro Kiria has a great desire to reach his area with this Gospel. We taught Apostolic Doctrine, Family Life/Bible Values and Prophecy for four days. In the Evening we went to the Trading Center and preached a Crusade. Over 51 people received the Holy Ghost. (I say "over" because, when we finished praying at the Crusade, it was so dark you couldn't see anyone or anything; all you could hear were people praying and worshiping!) On Saturday night as we were concluding our message, there was a near riot as a parade of several thousand people marched right through our Crusade. It was the Circumcision Initiation ritual for young boys, and they always march through their area with the Witch Doctors and Traditional Men. I thought we had lost the crowd, but on Sunday, two men from the Crusade Service on Saturday came to church, received the Holy Ghost and were baptized. On Sunday the church marched to the swamp where they dammed up a little creek in the rice paddies and baptized 23 folks. Three of the men and one Woman were Muslims. Not only were they baptized in the Name of Jesus, they changed their names from Muslim names to Christian Names to mark their conversion to Christ! (When people accept the Muslim Faith, they have to change their names to Muslim names; we tell folks when they become Disciples of Jesus they should take a Christian name to be a Witness to their family and friends, and they are now "Christians.")
Thank you all for your prayers and faithful giving in your "Faith Promise;" your faithful giving continues to spread the Gospel throughout Uganda. Thank you for your sacrifices and giving to our Projects. One young couple in Louisiana did not give Christmas gifts to each other, rather they bought a bicycle for a Pastor in Uganda with their Christmas Gift funds. This type of sacrifice is eternal as Bro. Erisama now is able to travel and preach the Gospel throughout his area. He is an Area Coordinator and over 13 Churches.
Phil & Twyla Tolstad
Friday, December 17, 2010
Revival Reports from Africa
Cameroon
Terry Riddick & Rusty Riddick families
Seven full time and three correspondence students graduated from the UPC College of Theology. One graduate was a young converted Muslim lady. This is the first Muslim graduate from the school.
Equatorial Guinea
Area Coordinator, Jim Poitras, & Regional Missionary, Peter Mua family
Six were baptized in Jesus' name, and four received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Five were healed of various sicknesses.
Gabon
Area Coordinator, Randy Adams - reported by Pastor Desire Rakotondratsimba
One family with several children obeyed the plan of Salvation. Two others were also baptized in Jesus' name.
Ghana
Jim Poitras, Colleen Carter, & Nick Sisco families
Throughout the country in regular church services, 178 received the gift of the Holy Spirit and 168 were baptized in Jesus' name.
In one region, the youth became active in evangelism and outreach and as a result thirty-two were baptized in Jesus' name and five received the Holy Spirit.
In two regions 7,000 tracts were distributed and as a result nineteen were baptized in Jesus' name and twenty-seven received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Three Bible school students from other organizations have embraced the truth and were baptized in Jesus' name.
A deacon has been preaching on the local radio station for three years now. The Chief and Elders in one town invited him to visit. As a result a church has been planted and thirty-nine have already been baptized in Jesus' name.
A pastor and congregation from another denomination expressed their interest in the Oneness Truth. So far twenty-eight members have been baptized in Jesus' name.
Kenya
Jim Crumpacker & Patrick Groves families
A total of 270 were baptized in Jesus' name, 108 received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and 190 testified of healing.
Nigeria
Gerry McLean family
Two Bible school student pastors baptized a total of twenty-nine in Jesus' name, and fifteen received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The evangelism director baptized seventeen in Jesus' name.
The missionary witnessed to two pastors about the Oneness of God and Jesus' name baptism, and he baptized both.
Seychelles
Randall Richardson family - reported by Brother Mamy Razanajatovo
Two were baptized in Jesus' name.
South Africa
Dan Davis family
Two were baptized in Jesus' name. Twenty completed the membership class and are now members of the church.
Togo
Randy Adams family - reported by AIMer Jaydie Johnson
A total of fourteen received the gift of the Holy Spirit, three were baptized in Jesus' name, and four reported healing in regular services.
Uganda
Phil Tolstad family
Throughout the country in regular church services, 273 were baptized in Jesus' name and 293 received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Nine new churches have been started. Among those baptized were three Trinitarian pastors.
During a Regional Conference, fifty-four received the gift of the Holy Spirit and twenty-six were baptized in Jesus' name, including four Trinitarian pastors. Among those who received the Holy Spirit was the Mayor of the section of town where the conference was held and also some visiting pastors.
A pastor was invited to preach on the radio. A group of churches in the south-western part of the country heard his message and called him to come and preach the message of Apostolic Doctrine and Baptism in Jesus' name. We pray that this opens a new area to the Gospel.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tolstad / Uganda December Update
Dear Friends and Partners,
Finished a four day General Board Meeting! It was long but very beneficial, as we were making plans for our General Conference in January and schedule for 2011. We have some great men who are committed to Revival and Truth.
In the last couple of months, we've had some great Regional Conferences and the reports from the Presbyters were very encouraging as the churches are continuing to grow and denominational pastors are coming to visit our Presbyters to see "Why are you growing." Giving the Presbyters time to witness to them of the Power of the Name of Jesus and the Apostolic Doctrine!
The Presbyters reported at the Board Meeting: Ten new churches added last month and two Presbyters are going to go preach at Trinity Churches this Sunday--one in the North and one in the West. They are expecting to baptize most of the people in the churches!
Presbyter Jacob reports two new churches in the Rwenzori (West) Region, 31 Baptized in Jesus Name and 27 have received the Holy Ghost this month. Pastor Jacob became very sick last month; he had a severe case of malaria, and his family were making preparations to take him to the hospital here in Kampala. God spoke to him and told him not to go but to trust Him. It caused the church to have overnight prayers; many pastors came to pray with him and then to go home and pray more. Revival broke out. Bro Jacob is doing well and attended the Board Meeting. Due to the church's praying, many miracles are being testified to: one church had over 15 receive the Holy Ghost in a prayer meeting.
Presbyter Monzira in West Nile reports three new churches. They baptized a Trinity pastor last week in Omoro Village, and he is going to go baptize the whole church in Jesus Name this week. They are holding a Youth Conference next week in Adjumani Town. A crusade is planned over the holidays in Koboko to plant a new church north of Arua.
Presbyter Christia reported a new church in Kamanjja. The pastor is a lady we baptized at the Ministers Conference in August. They are meeting under a tarp under a Mango Tree, and many people are attending.
Presbyter Dison rode his bicycle to a new church in Bududa where 20 where baptized and 13 received the Holy Ghost. We now have two churches in Bududa. A Trinitarian pastor was baptized in Kalilo and has brought his church into the truth. The presbyter is going, in two weeks, to baptize the church. In Amudat, a pastor who was baptized last month at the Conference baptized ten of his people and three received the Holy Ghost. In Nyamtaraduza ( a new church), 15 have received the Holy Ghost.
Presbyter Ogwal reports that last month over 91 people were baptized in his region--with over 60 receiving the Holy Ghost. New churches are in Apach, Pader, Otuke and Oyoung in the North Kyoga Region.
In Omoloto last month, the Trinitarian pastors had organized a protest against our pastor and even blocked the road to stop people from attending the church. Some of the men from the church went to the group and asked them, "Why are you stopping people from being healed." They said, "We don't like your doctrine," and the men replied, "God is going to answer the prayers of those that worship Him. Are people healed in your church? Are people delivered? NO? Well, they are here were we Worship Jesus as God!" They left and went home. In the last month, many of the people from the villages have come to visit and many are being healed and delivered. The church has grown with over 42 people have been baptized in Jesus Name! A total of four Trinitarian pastors have been baptized in Jesus Name this past month in his Region.
We want to thank Pastor Rufus Parker and some of his friends for donating five bicycles for our Pastors. The Pentecostals of Alexandria have donated fifteen bicycles! A bicycle allows a Pastor to travel and preach in different villages and trading centers. It gives him the ability to attend the Pastors Meetings and evangelize his area. Many times they will bring their Youth Pastor or their Wife to help them reach a new area for the Gospel. Pastor Jerry Dean's church in Bossier City sponsored a motorcycle for Presbyter Dison. Thank you, all!
We are working hard to complete five church buildings this month; we still need some help with them. Prices are getting high as supplies are dwindling due to the General Elections being held next year in February. Many companies are not importing supplies till after the results of the Election and the anticipated violence. We covet your prayers for a peaceful election so that we can continue to preach the Gospel.
Thank you for all your faithfulness in Prayers and Finance. Without your support, we cannot build a strong church in Uganda. It takes the power of God and also money to travel and hold seminars throughout Uganda.
United Apostolic Primary School Graduation: At the end of the year, there is a Parents/Student Assembly where the students sing, perform and have a "Parade" of their cultural dress. As UAPS is an International School, it represents 19 different countries and many different tribes from Uganda. With our primary and secondary schools here in Kampala, there are over 900 students and 80 staff and teachers. In the UACU, there are 13 schools throughout the country, as our churches reach out to educate and train young people and orphans.
Phil and Twyla Tolstad
Uganda
Finished a four day General Board Meeting! It was long but very beneficial, as we were making plans for our General Conference in January and schedule for 2011. We have some great men who are committed to Revival and Truth.
In the last couple of months, we've had some great Regional Conferences and the reports from the Presbyters were very encouraging as the churches are continuing to grow and denominational pastors are coming to visit our Presbyters to see "Why are you growing." Giving the Presbyters time to witness to them of the Power of the Name of Jesus and the Apostolic Doctrine!
The Presbyters reported at the Board Meeting: Ten new churches added last month and two Presbyters are going to go preach at Trinity Churches this Sunday--one in the North and one in the West. They are expecting to baptize most of the people in the churches!
Presbyter Jacob reports two new churches in the Rwenzori (West) Region, 31 Baptized in Jesus Name and 27 have received the Holy Ghost this month. Pastor Jacob became very sick last month; he had a severe case of malaria, and his family were making preparations to take him to the hospital here in Kampala. God spoke to him and told him not to go but to trust Him. It caused the church to have overnight prayers; many pastors came to pray with him and then to go home and pray more. Revival broke out. Bro Jacob is doing well and attended the Board Meeting. Due to the church's praying, many miracles are being testified to: one church had over 15 receive the Holy Ghost in a prayer meeting.
Presbyter Monzira in West Nile reports three new churches. They baptized a Trinity pastor last week in Omoro Village, and he is going to go baptize the whole church in Jesus Name this week. They are holding a Youth Conference next week in Adjumani Town. A crusade is planned over the holidays in Koboko to plant a new church north of Arua.
Presbyter Christia reported a new church in Kamanjja. The pastor is a lady we baptized at the Ministers Conference in August. They are meeting under a tarp under a Mango Tree, and many people are attending.
Presbyter Dison rode his bicycle to a new church in Bududa where 20 where baptized and 13 received the Holy Ghost. We now have two churches in Bududa. A Trinitarian pastor was baptized in Kalilo and has brought his church into the truth. The presbyter is going, in two weeks, to baptize the church. In Amudat, a pastor who was baptized last month at the Conference baptized ten of his people and three received the Holy Ghost. In Nyamtaraduza ( a new church), 15 have received the Holy Ghost.
Presbyter Ogwal reports that last month over 91 people were baptized in his region--with over 60 receiving the Holy Ghost. New churches are in Apach, Pader, Otuke and Oyoung in the North Kyoga Region.
In Omoloto last month, the Trinitarian pastors had organized a protest against our pastor and even blocked the road to stop people from attending the church. Some of the men from the church went to the group and asked them, "Why are you stopping people from being healed." They said, "We don't like your doctrine," and the men replied, "God is going to answer the prayers of those that worship Him. Are people healed in your church? Are people delivered? NO? Well, they are here were we Worship Jesus as God!" They left and went home. In the last month, many of the people from the villages have come to visit and many are being healed and delivered. The church has grown with over 42 people have been baptized in Jesus Name! A total of four Trinitarian pastors have been baptized in Jesus Name this past month in his Region.
We want to thank Pastor Rufus Parker and some of his friends for donating five bicycles for our Pastors. The Pentecostals of Alexandria have donated fifteen bicycles! A bicycle allows a Pastor to travel and preach in different villages and trading centers. It gives him the ability to attend the Pastors Meetings and evangelize his area. Many times they will bring their Youth Pastor or their Wife to help them reach a new area for the Gospel. Pastor Jerry Dean's church in Bossier City sponsored a motorcycle for Presbyter Dison. Thank you, all!
We are working hard to complete five church buildings this month; we still need some help with them. Prices are getting high as supplies are dwindling due to the General Elections being held next year in February. Many companies are not importing supplies till after the results of the Election and the anticipated violence. We covet your prayers for a peaceful election so that we can continue to preach the Gospel.
Thank you for all your faithfulness in Prayers and Finance. Without your support, we cannot build a strong church in Uganda. It takes the power of God and also money to travel and hold seminars throughout Uganda.
United Apostolic Primary School Graduation: At the end of the year, there is a Parents/Student Assembly where the students sing, perform and have a "Parade" of their cultural dress. As UAPS is an International School, it represents 19 different countries and many different tribes from Uganda. With our primary and secondary schools here in Kampala, there are over 900 students and 80 staff and teachers. In the UACU, there are 13 schools throughout the country, as our churches reach out to educate and train young people and orphans.
Phil and Twyla Tolstad
Uganda
Friday, December 10, 2010
Merry Christmas from the Richardson Family
We wish you a Merrry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sunshine, rain, flowers blooming, green grass, mosquitos, mangos, letchis, turkeys, hot and humid days, traffic jams, skinny dark-skinned Santas, neon green Christmas trees, chocolate...Did we mention how hot it is? ...rice fields, barbecues, thunderstorms...these are just a few things we experience on our island during the holiday season.
We listen to songs like "I'm Dreaming of a Wh
ite Christmas," and it truly is a dream. The song "I'll Be Home for Christmas..If Only in My Dreams" is sung with great heartfelt sincerity. And yet, there is a great peace and contentment in our hearts because the reason for the season is JESUS and everybody oughta know who JESUS is. He was born so that He might die...and purchase salvation for ALL. So while our thouhts may linger over dreams of one home, we are happy and blessed in another home...all the while yearning for the ETERNAL HOME.The Richardson Family: Chris, Paula, Richae, & Jared
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