Orissa Kui Church in India 2014 Annual Conference

Greetings. I am glad to share a  few pictures taken during the Orissa Kui church annual conference, you can see the people sitting during the worship services, their singing, cooking, eating  and also some of the senior ministers etc. Hope you enjoy them.

Thank you  for upholding us in your prayers.

Regards, Fellow Servant,

Bro. Ananda Rao

Mount Ayr Branch Retreat at Jericho Hills

The Mount Ayr, Iowa Restoration branch had a Sprit filled retreat this weekend at Jericho Hills, a church campground in Lucas, Iowa. Seventy Ron Smith attended and led the campfire on Saturday night. The theme was "Ambassadors for Christ."  We had classes on our call to be ambassadors for Christ, led by High Priest Alan Smith, and on making our homes into embassies, led by Karen Bates.  

Seventy Minister in Baptist Church

Sunday morning February 9, 2014

Brother Randy Vick had shared with the brethren during our weekend retreat of a prompting of the Spirit that took place in Kansas City during the fall of 2013.  This experience lead him to a Baptist Church located near Gregory and 71 Hwy.  Contacts were made with the pastor of this congregation and after several months a scheduled  visit to this assembly arranged for Sunday the 9th/.

Brothers Vick, Mbanaso and Jim McKay arrived near the conclusion of the mornings Sunday school class.  Brother Randy was asked to close that portion of their services with a word of prayer as the congregation gathered near the front of the sanctuary while holding hands.  After a brief break the preaching hour began with the three of us invited to the rostrum.  Brother Jim was asked to offer a word of prayer near the beginning of this part of the worship.  There were in attendance 50 plus member of the body on a very cold, wintery day.  Reverend Troy then invited each of us to speak.  Brother Randy shared with those in attendance the experience that lead to our visit that morning.  Brother Hensley then spoke followed by brother Jim.  Each of us found the blessing of the Spirit in the time we occupied.  As the service neared it completion a young man approached the rostrum specifically asking for Brother Jim to pray for him.  After a brief discussion with Reverend Troy, Brother Jim made some remarks to the congregation about the ordinance as outlined in James the fifth chapter.  Brother Jim anointed with Brother Randy confirming and Brother Hensley also assisting.  It was a new experience for all of us and not necessarily understanding just where the Lord is leading or desiring, but we can all testify of the presence of the Spirit that attended our ministries and the warmth of love that greeted us by Reverend Troy and his congregation.   

We trust that opportunities such as this will follow the Lord's servants wherever they labor and encourage the children of men to press into the Kingdom.

We humbly submit this brief report, your servants in Christ

Brothers Randy, Hensley and Jim 

Seventy Retreat

February 7-9, 2014

The Restoration Seventy gathered in Independence Missouri to spend a weekend in fellowship, instruction and worship.  Four of our brethren from foreign lands were able to join us for the entire weekend, enriching our activities as well as our love for each other.  Each day was begun and ended in worship with classes of instruction presented in between.  Fellowship permeated from beginning to close and travel to and from our homes each day. We were especially blessed to have Brother Fred Greene join us for our Saturday morning sacrament service then to sit under his ministry as he shared his hope and vision for the Seventy as well as the upcoming conference as we seek to unify the saints and grow the work of the Kingdom. Sunday morning after worship and a period of instruction the brethren will travel to share with some of the branches as well as one of the local branches of the Restoration Church and a group of us will worship with a congregation of committed followers of Christ in the inner city of Kansas City.

We would like to express our gratitude and thankfulness to the Restoration Church for the use of their building.  They have not only provided a permanent office for the Seventy, a sound studio for the development of important materials to enhance our work, but they have offered their facility for our gatherings.  God bless these brothers and sister who see the hope of the coming Kingdom and the need to become unified. 

We rejoice in and for the work of the Latter Days and the privilege that we have been given to labor for our Lord and wait upon the children of men that the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ might be proclaimed unto the ends of the earth.  We would invite all to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him, preparing ourselves and each other for those things that are coming upon the inhabitants of the earth.  A day of trouble, but a day of rejoicing and fulfillment.  We lift a warning voice, prepare ye, prepare ye for the Bride Groom cometh.

Your Servants in Christ Jesus, The Restoration Seventy

Testimony of Jimmy Rosales

I Jimmy Rosales (of Rancangua Chile) would like to share my testimony.  The Lord showed me in a dream the bad things that were going to happen to me if I did not search Him out and did not leave all the bad and begin to preach in His name.  In this same dream I knelt down and asked him for forgiveness for all my sins.  When I awoke I felt a great necessity to begin to preach in His name, just like I felt in my dream.  During this same morning and even at work that desire continued to grow. I told myself, "today I am going to start to do the work of the Lord." That same day after getting home from work I got my family together. I shared with them that the Lord had called me. In that moment we began to pray and asked God that He would help and support our faith that we would separate ourselves from everything bad and he would put us on our path that the Holy Ghost would guide us. Amen and Amen. 

YO JIMMY ROSALES LES DEJO MI TESTIMONIO : EL SEÑOR ME MOSTRO EN UN SUEÑO LAS COSAS MALAS QUE ME IBAN A SUCEDER SI YO NO LO BUSCAVA, QUE TENIA QUE DEJAR TODO LO MALO Y EMPEZAR A PREDICAR EN SU NOMBRE. ESTANDO EN EL MISMO SUEÑO ME ARRODILLE Y LE PEDI PERDON POR TODOS MIS PECADOS AL DESPERTAR SENTI UNA NECESIDAD MUY GRANDE DE EMPEZAR A PREDICAR EN SU NOMBRE TAL COMO LO SENTI EN EL SUEÑO. EN EL TRANSCURSO DE ESA MISMA MAÑANA CAMINO AL TRABAJO ESA NECESIDAD IBA AUMENTANDO. Y ME DIJE, HOY MISMO EMPIEZO A HACER LA OBRA DEL SEÑOR. ESE MISMO DIA DESPUES DE LLEGAR DEL TRABAJO REUNI A MI FAMILIA. Y LES CONTE Y LES DIJE QUE EL SEÑOR ME HABIA LLAMADO. EN ESE MOMENTO NOS PUSIMOS A ORAR Y LE PEDIMOS A NUESTRO PADRE QUE NOS AYUDARA A AUMENTAR NUESTRA FE QUE NOS ALEJARA TODO LO MALO QUE SE PONGA EN NUESTRO CAMINO Y QUE EL ESPIRITU SANTO NOS GUIE. AMEN Y AMEN.

Restoration Seventy Retreat in Independence

The men of the Restoration Seventy are gathering the weekend of February 7-9 in Independence, Missouri for a retreat. This gathering will include worship, classes and discussions groups. They will concentrate their study on the covenant nature of the gospel, developing a vision for the missionary work and reviewing the Lord's instruction to the first group of Seventy in Luke 10.

Patriarch Fred Greene has been invited to lead a discussion on Saturday morning on the visioning process and will help the Seventy develop vision plans to present at the April General Conference. We are expecting Seventy from India, Belize, Mexico, Nigeria and the United States to attend.

The weather in Independence is cold and snowy, but we are looking forward to warm fellowship together and with the Lord Jesus Christ during the retreat.

Gary Whiting

Ron Smith to go to East Africa

I will begins a trip to East Africa in the morning (Monday, December 30). I am flying to Rwanda to begin the trip.  Current plans are to go to Uganda for a few days.  Doug Smith and Chris Capps will be joining me next week, and  we will visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  Please pray for us.

Seventy George Mefferd and Elder Kent Pedersen go to Nauvoo

Seventy George Mefferd and Elder Kent Pedersen went to Nauvoo, Illinois, the weekend of July 12^th through the 14^th. Our purpose for witnessing of the Restoration there was to make known among the towns' people that the Restoration Cornerstone of Zion Branch is now meeting in the Nauvoo Visitor's Center and that the Restoration Story is presented on a regular basis. The Center was the point from which we passed out flyers to the people passing by. We gave tracts to those we met on the streets, and to the many we encountered in various stores, shops, and establishments as we moved about the town. Our visit in Nauvoo came during the time of the Mormon Pageant, which they hold every year.

During one of our walks around town, we met Steve, the proprietor of the Nauvoo Christian Visitor's Center. We had heard that he was the leader of an effort to draw away people from the Pageant and the LDS faith in Nauvoo. We purposely visited his store to share with him about the Bible he holds as truth, to discuss with him who we are, and to ask him to not categorize us with the LDS. He now knows whom we—the Restoration Branches—are and that we are not connected with the LDS. He was very pleasant to us, but was happy to see us leave.

George taught two classes on Saturday afternoon: The Apostasy and the Restoration, and The Book of Mormon Evidences. Not many came to the classes, but one LDS man, whom we had met at the Red Brick Store, stopped for the first class, and two LDS Elders came to the Evidences class. Kent preached on Sunday morning, sharing his testimony about who Jesus Christ is.

We feel that our weekend was a good beginning in an effort to make the Nauvoo Visitor's Center known, and to advertise its purpose and use. We made available in the Center, and gave out tracts on the Book of Mormon: Who Authored the Book of Mormon? Who was the Bearded White God who Appeared to the Ancient Indians? Language in the Book of Mormon, and Our Basic Restoration Beliefs.  We also handed out tri-folds on the Apostasy and the Restoration, The Three Kinds of Christian Churches, and Who Are Saints.

We feel our next effort in Nauvoo should be done soon. We need to get names and addresses of RLDS members who at one time attended the Branch there, and send in a group of those willing to go for witnessing to them. George has talked to Dave Drummond about doing that. We are impressed with the dedication and hard work of Sister Jammie Herring. She is the heart and soul of the Center for now.

God bless the efforts to witness Jesus Christ and the Great and Marvelous Work.

Seventy George Mefferd

Elder Kent Pedersen

 

 

Seventy Dave Drummond Camp Ministry & Lord's Counsel

Seventy Dave Drummond has been very busy this summer ministering at several camps.  He was camp pastor at Seventy Reunion, then preached, presided, and taught the adult class at both the Main Reunion and Independence District Reunion.  

While at the Maine Reunion Br. Drummond received counsel from the Lord; and, although it was primarily given to the Saints attending the Maine reunion, he understood it to also be for all the Saints, so it is shared herein.  Following is the counsel,

"To those of my people who have gathered here at this place.  Hear the voice of the Lord to you.

I am not well pleased with the condition of the church.  Many of my priesthood fail to lead with a purity of heart, as becoming my Holy Servants.  Many murmur of the things of the earth, and small perceived slights.  Judge not others who seek to serve, lest you be judged with the same judgment.  

You have covenanted with me to serve the people.  If you will love and serve, even as I have loved, you will receive of my power to restore many who have been lost to me, and many who have not received the fullness of my gospel, will hear and obey.  Great will be your joy.

To the people of my church.  I say look up and live.  The Kingdom is yours.  Faint not, neither fall to the wayside of discouragement.  Lo the time of the fulfillment of my word draws nigh.  Place your trust in me, not in the arm of flesh.  Keep my commandments and fear not.  My wrath will fall upon the wicked.  But remember my promise is sure to all that obey."

2000 Strong Youth for Christ, Book of Mormon Camp

Seventies Neil Simmons, Ron Smith and Rick Kohn were staff members at 2000 Strong Youth for Christ camp, held in Anna, TX, at the 400 acre YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp.  The 2013 camp theme was "Put on the armor or righteousness…shake off the chains by which ye are bound.” [2 Nephi 1:38, 39]

“2000 Strong Youth for Christ is a non-profit 501C3 organization dedicated to teaching the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to young people from all walks of life.  Everyone associated with 2000 Strong believes in the truth of the Book of Mormon and Holy Bible as witnesses of the divinity of Jesus Christ…” 

Camp Staff

The camp focuses on worship, scriptural study, fellowship, physical activities and just plain ordinary clean fun.

With a common platform of the Book of Mormon, the camp attracts youth from many of the restoration groups including: Community of Christ, Latter Day Saint, Restoration Branches, and, youth who may not yet be affiliated with any restoration movement or, are in spiritually divided households. 

Patriarch Fred Greene (Camp Pastor)

taught Book of Mormon classes to the Jr High group while Neil Simmons simultaneously taught six classes and shared many inspiring testimonies to the other age groups and staff. 

Neil’s classes were well attended by up to 43 participants per class.  Ron Smith, who traveled to camp with his granddaughter, provided musical ministry as he strummed his guitar at campfires and the talent show. 

Rick Kohn provided counseling to several youth and gave an interactive presentation on Saturday evening which included a time for testimony on the subject of the presentation entitled “Does God still speak to us today?”  He shared many of his personal examples with emphasis on the need to be “tuned to the right channel, in order to hear Him speak.”  Nearly 75 adults and youth heard the message given just before the talent show and photo slideshow of the week at camp.  Camp closed on Sunday morning following the inspirational dedication service presided over by Fred Greene.

Seventy Rick Kohn felt spirit led to participate in this camp, as part of his domestic missionary calling, following a 2008 meeting in Grapevine, TX with several of the organizations board members. 

He received confirmation to engage in this ministry while at the General Conference in April, 2013 during a conversation with Chris Taylor, the camp director.  The insight given is our need to nurture the youth and expand the availability of this camp experience to many more in the restoration.  Perhaps through regionalization at like facilities. 

In his closing remarks, Br Kohn told the group:  “The youth are the lifeblood of the church.  It is you who must take on this charge.  It is you who must shoulder the yoke.”   This statement followed the sharing of message * received by Br Kohn and his understanding of its broader applicability.  Br Kohn explained in part: “…we must build bridges between all of the fractions.  We must become unified.  We must set aside our doctrinal differences, stop quibbling and focus on Jesus Christ.  Then, we can move forward as the body of Christ.  Then, and only then, will we achieve Zion and the Kingdom.”

2013 Campers

* You (the Seventy) must cease being judgmental.  You must stand in their shoes.  Forgive and welcome with open arms, least you cannot be MY true servant(s.)  November 6, 2009; 4:45pm.

Seventy Micah Bates & Others to Kenya

Seventy Micah Bates, along with his brother Elder Jonah Bates and wife Morgan, left for Kenya on July 29th to minister for three weeks.  Please keep these young ministers in your prayers.

Some Lost Sheep Reclaimed

Seventy Richard Kohn continues his personal call to find the Lost Sheep. In May 2013, John Edwards returned to the fold and was ordained to the office of Elder by Seventies Bob Elrod and Richard Kohn.  The Lord was clearly present, bearing witness of the call and His pleasure in John's, and his family's, response. Brother Kohn was especially directed in a portion of the charge given prior to the ordination, and those present testified of the Lord's presence when it was shared.  This portion reads as follows,

"Elders are spiritual ministers, the pastors, the chief shepherd in all the ordinances and functions of the church.  Versus the Seventies who are traveling missionaries under the direct supervision of the Quorum of Twelve.  We are, in fact Elders set aside for this specific function. John, you have accepted this call to the office of Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ, Restoration Branches.  The Lord recognizes that you have struggled over these past years.  Your return to His service pleases Him.  He knows that you are now ready to assume the mantle He has called you to serve him under.  Wear it with dignity.  Wear it in humility and serve Him with reverence.  Help Him build the Kingdom."

For more information about John, please read Seventy Richard Kohn's article printed in the April 2013 Beacon.  Following are some pictures taken at the ordination service, where 21 people were present.