New District Office Complex Dedication We rejoice in the Lord today for an outstanding turnout for the dedication

of the new district office complex. We were honored to the Former Super-

intendent Robert and Ann Slaton to join us for this milestone occasion.

Thank you to everyone who have contributed to this project. Many are

continuing to be faithful in fulfilling their commitments on the Capital

Fund Campaign, for which we are grateful. The cost of the new district

office was $1,118,064.30. As commitments are honored the remainder of

the cost of the project will be significantly reduced. As of the completion

of the project we have an indebtedness of $456,531.70. As the Lord

speaks to your heart, your contributions toward the payoff of this note

would be greatly appreciated. To view more photos of the dedication, you

can visit the district’s website at wtaog.org.

To God be the glory!

From the Heart of the Superintendent Glenn R. Beaver

Glenn & Betty Beaver Superintendent

TIDINGS VOLUME LXXI NUMBER 5 MAY, 2017

District Secretary/Treasurer

“When old prophets lie, young prophets die.” Stephen’s com-munication was God-breathed. His remarks were not a tirade intended to give the council a piece of his mind. Though his remarks were pointed and strong, they were filled with unc-tion! The late Leonard Ravenhill states in his classic book Why Revival Tarries, “Preaching is a spiritual business. A sermon born in the head reaches the head; a sermon born in the heart reaches the heart . . . Unction is not a gentle dove beating her wings against the bars outside of the preacher’s soul; rather, must she be pursued and won. Unction cannot be learned, only earned - by prayer. Unction is God’s knighthood for the soldier-preacher who has wrestled in prayer and gained the victory. Victory is not won in the pulpit by firing intellec-tual bullets or wisecracks, but in the prayer closet; it is won or lost before the preacher’s foot enters the pulpit. Unction is like dynamite.”

Stephen’s message was informative. Gospel preaching should produce information that will enlighten, edify, encourage, convict, correct and rebuke. Once while evangelist Billy Graham was flying into Dallas to address the student body of a large seminary, a storm moved in. Visibility at the airport became so low that his plane couldn’t land. So it had to circle over the city for several hours - long beyond the time of his scheduled appearance. But no one on the ground knew that his plane couldn’t land. “It occurred to me while I was up there circling around,” he later told a group, “that as preachers, we spend most of our time circling around in a fog, while people are wondering where in the world we are.” During World War II, the United States raised money for defense by selling war bonds. In some remote parts of the country, where newspa-pers, radios and public schools had not yet penetrated, people were a little slow to learn about the heroic leadership of Win-ston Churchill, the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and the determined response of Franklin Roosevelt. So when a bond salesperson approached a farmer who was out in the barnyard slopping his hogs, the salesperson was frustrated at the lack of interest in his patriotic mission. “Wouldn’t you like to help out by buying some war bonds?” he asked. “Reckon not,” replied the farmer. “Wouldn’t you like to join the de-fense effort with Mr. Roosevelt?” “Nope, reckon not.” “Aren’t you upset over what they did to Pearl Harbor?” “Reckon not.” “Don’t you want to be on the side of Church-ill?” “Nope.” “So you don't want any bonds?” “Nope.” Frus-trated, the salesperson moved on just as the farmer’s wife came over and asked who the stranger had been. “Some fellow had a story about a guy named Roosevelt who got a woman named Pearl Harbor in trouble over on the side of Church Hill and wanted me to go to his bond.” Our preaching should be informative and understandable. Someone has said, “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.”

Stephen’s message was impacting. The speaker’s words stirred them so deeply that they were moved to violent action, something often seen in Scripture. Jesus’ words moved His audiences to either love or loathe Him. Every where Paul went his preaching created revival or riots. Jonah’s warning at Ni-neveh moved the king to call the people and their animals to a fast that stayed God’s judgment. It is not enough for the preacher to merely be a good speaker, our message must be ingrained, inspired, informative and impact those who hear us. These are a few of the components that make up The Art of Preaching.

The Art of Preaching: The Preparation and The Presentation (Acts 6 & 7) No greater honor can be bestowed upon a person than the privilege of expound-ing the Word of God under the enable-ment of the Holy Spirit. While the aver-age person speaks four to five hundred words a minute, with gusts up to six hundred, what goes on in the minister’s study preceding the preaching and teaching often determines the effective-ness of the speaker and the receptivity of the audience. What has been called “the art of preaching,” requires plan-ning, practice, passion, power, purpose and precise presentation, with the inten-

Billy & Bettye Nickell

tion of moving the audience to action. What happens in the hours before the minister speaks, as well as while he or she speaks, will often determine if the audience is at a church ser-vice or in one. Speaking to an audience of young ministers, an elder statesman said, “Preachers, put fire in your sermons, or vise versa.”

There is much the modern day preacher/teacher can glean from the life and ministry of Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to serve as a deacon for the early church. His record shows that he was a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit and pow-er, who did great wonders and miracles among the people. We can easily ascertain from his story that he was learned in Scripture and led by the Holy Spirit, as seen in the one sermon he preached before being martyred for Christ in Acts 7:2-53. After disputing with those of the synagogue, being falsely ac-cused and brought before the council for indictment, Stephen was asked if the alleged charges were true. His response was a passionate and powerful word that takes up all but eight of the sixty verses of Acts 7. Here are a few observations from his final sermon.

Stephen’s message was ingrained. When given the opportunity to speak before the council he preached an oratorical master-piece, rehearsing historical facts of the Jews from the time of Abraham to the crucifixion of Jesus, without notes or a tele-prompter. Earlier when he disputed with those of the syna-gogue, Acts 6:7 says, “None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.” The biblical profile of this hero of faith reveals a man that was a learner and a student who had studied to show himself approved unto to God as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Like the psalmist of Psalm 119, Stephen could say, “Thy word have I hidden in my heart.” His was not a regurgitated Internet ser-mon delivered with faltering words, stiff outlines, and overused illustrations, but an anointed message ingrained within a heart that was ablaze for Christ. Dr. G. H. Gerberding, when com-menting on the study habits of ministers, asked some pointed questions, “Why should it be necessary to show the need and importance of study? Does not the divine Word demand it? (Acts 7:22; Hosea 4:6; Philippians 1:17; 1 Timothy 3:2). Are not ministers rightly supposed to be leaders of religious thought? Should they not be in advance of the people to whom they minister?”

Stephen’s message was inspired. The verse that immediately follows the preacher’s final statement in the text says, “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart.” A more modern translation says, “These words stung them to fury.” His presentation was not one that took them down deep, kept them down long, and brought them up dry. His preaching was a far cry from what comes from the ear-tickling, user-friendly, I’m okay/You’re okay pulpits today. It has been aptly stated,

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WEST TEXAS BIBLE INSTITUTE

Director of Church Ministries The Providential Hand of God

Sometimes we use words like chance, luck or fate to describe things that seem to happen without purpose or explanation. However, Christians understand that God is completely sovereign, which simply means that He is in control even when our lives seem to be spinning out of control. The term “The Providence of God” is not a term that we hear that often, but when properly understood can bring hope and peace into the believer’s life. The English word “providence” has two parts: “pro” and “video.” When put together it lit-erally means “to see before.” It refers to God’s gracious oversight of the universe. God cares about, and is in control of every detail of your life, whether big or small. Nothing ever happens by chance or catches God off guard. R.C. Sproul once commented, “God never rolls the dice.”

Joseph had a clear understanding of the providential hand of God. This is evident by his words recorded in Genesis 50:19-20, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Jo-seph did not excuse His brother’s sin. They were 100% responsible for their actions; however he chose to believe that God had a higher purpose. He understood that God was able to take the evil actions of sinful men and use them to accom-plish His plans. This knowledge allowed Joseph to be victorious regardless of how bad the situation was. Think about the following:

At just the right time, his brothers threw him into the cistern. At just the right time, the Midianites came along. At just the right time, He was sold to Potiphar. At just the right time, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him. At just the right time, he met the baker and cupbearer. At just the right time, the cupbearer remembered him. At just the right time, Pharaoh called for him. At just the right time, he was promoted to Prime Minister. At just the right time, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt.

No doubt we could add many other things to this list from Joseph’s plight. I’m sure there were times when Joseph wondered if God had forgotten and forsaken him. I’m sure when he was in prison there were times when he wondered if he would ever see the light of day. However, he remained faithful to God and at just the right time and the right way, God sent the right people into Joseph’s life and everything turned out the way God had ordained. You may not see God’s providential hand at work, but rest assured He is behind the scenes working everything out for your good (Romans 8:28).

Tracy & Cara Lynn McWilliams

Ministers & Churches

Newly Credentialed: Roger Ewing, Jr, Certified

Transferred In: Hal Corbett (O) Oklahoma

Open Churches

*Dalhart, First AG *Panhandle, New Hope AG Contact: Kevin Anderson, Presbyter P.O. Box 511, Stratford, TX 79084 Phone: 806.922.2840 Lubbock, Church of the Harvest Contact: Adelle VanOstrand 5710 45th Street, Lubbock, TX 79414, 806.745.2830 Spearman, First AG Contact: John Rodgers 12400 CR 1, Perryton, TX 79070 Phone: 806.202.1244 *Spur, First AG Contact: Vance Mitchell 519 S. Ayrshire, Crosbyton, TX 79322 Phone: 806.781.9795

*District Affiliated Church

GLENN R. BEAVER, Superintendent grbeaver@sbcglobal.net

TOM LAKEY, Assistant Superintendent tlakey@lubbockag.org

BILLY D. NICKELL, Sec/Treasurer fantastic1316@gmail.com

SECTIONAL PRESBYTERS Kevin Anderson, Danny Williams Vance Mitchell, Nelson Gonzalez

Mike Hanks, Eddie Lee Web site: wtaog.org

TIDINGS EDITOR TRACY MCWILLIAMS

tracy.mcwilliams@sbcglobal.net 6502 126th Street, P.O. Box 64778

Lubbock, TX, 79464, Phone: 806.792.5835 Please notify editor of any

change of address. Third class postage paid at Lubbock, TX.

Published monthly.

West Texas AG District Officiary

2017

87th District Council June 12-15

Greater Things! Very truly I tell you,

whoever believes in me

will do the works I have been

doing, and they will do even

Greater Things

than these, because I am

going to the Father.

John 14:12 NIV

Glenn R. Beaver

West Texas

District Superintendent

Rod Loy

Senior Pastor

First AG, North Little Rock,

Hosted by First Assembly of God 100 West Wadley, Midland, Texas 79705

Becky & Joe Nenstiel Women’s Director

WOMEN OF PURPOSE

CONNECT BRUNCH

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14

10:00 AM

FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD

MIDLAND

~ GIFT FOR WOMEN’S COORDINATORS WHO ATTEND

~ COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZED

Please join us as we celebrate with our

missionary family who are present.

Connect Mission funds assist with the

purchase of appliances .

PLEASANT HILLS CHILDREN’S HOME

MISSION TRIP

August 14 - 17, 2017

PANTRY PILE ON

PRAYER WALK

PAINTING TILING

Visit us at wtwomen.com or 806.792.5835 for details

Guest Speakers

WEST TEXAS MEN’S MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT

Billy & Robin Snider Men’s Director

Billy & Robin Snider Men’s Director

Around West Texas

WEST TEXAS DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD 6502 126th Street P.O. Box 64778 Lubbock, TX 79464-4778

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID LUBBOCK, TX

PERMIT NO. 138

We express our sympathy to the family of Betty Abell. Betty is the mother of Mark Jones, who is the Lead Pastor at River of Life Family Church, Big Lake. Please pray for the family that the Holy Spirit will minister to them in a special way.

Prayer Requests: Nova Lena Reeves, (spouse of Gayle Reeves, Midland), treatment for leuke-

mia; Stacy Akins, (spouse of Damon Akins, Lead Pastors at First AG, Dumas), surgery; Mary Beggs (Senior Retired Ordained Minis-ter, Amarillo), recovering from a broken leg; Cliff & Karen Hough-ton, (Lead Pastors, Fairview, Amarillo), medical issues; Carl Sav-age, hip replacement; and Betty Beaver, (spouse of Glenn Beaver, District Superintendent), sinus infection with complications. Please remember these individuals in prayer as they recover from their ill-nesses.

Pleasant Hills Children’s Home in Fairfield, Texas is seeking a hap-pily married, strong Christian couple to serve as House Parents in a girls cottage of Jr High and High School ages. Must be able to effec-tively work as a team member. Must be of good mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Must be at least 23 years of age and no more than 2 birth children in care. Able to pass drug and background checks and references. Must have a calling to minister to trouble, abused, and needy young people. Must be well tempered, patient with teenagers, and detail oriented with paperwork. Three bedroom, 1 bath apartment, utilities, salaries, health, dental and vision insurances pro-vided. Matching retirement plan available. PHCH is a missionary ministry owned by the North, South and West Texas Assemblies of God Districts. Send resumes to: MarthACares4Kids@aol.com.