Coded messages

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In our modern age of smart bombs and unmanned drones, it may seem hard to believe that not so long ago one of the most effective unmanned flying machines used in warfare was the humble pigeon.

The homing, or carrier pigeon, is able to find its way home over hundreds and even thousands of miles. Approximately 250,000 of them were used in World War II as a low-tech but highly effective way to carry messages. Because the enemy would deploy air-to-air anti-pigeon hawks to bring them down, these messages were often written in secret code.

Last November, one of these coded messages was discovered in a canister attached to the leg of a dead pigeon that had become stuck in a chimney. There are few secrets remaining from that war, but this is one of them. The message, which has 27 five-letter code groups, is said to be impossible to crack without its codebook. It may never be deciphered, but here it is (see picture at right) if you want to try.

There is something fascinating and challenging about coded messages, isn’t there? Some people seem to think the Bible is just as mysterious as that pigeon’s message, containing coded information that must somehow be unraveled so the real truth may be known.

Perhaps you remember a book that was published some years ago, The Bible Code. The author claimed that there were secret messages hidden in the original text of the Hebrew Bible. By looking at the sequence of Hebrew letters—for example, every 50th one—the secret information could be deciphered. That information, encoded into the text thousands of years ago, revealed specific details about contemporary events.

If you think this sounds a bit far-fetched, you’re right. It just doesn’t work. The Bible Code failed to predict some important developments and history has shown it to be quite wrong in many others. Also, computer analysis has shown that you can actually do this with almost any book. One critic, presumably with tongue firmly in cheek, showed how Herman Melville anticipated the assassination of Martin Luther King in the text of Moby Dick.

To study the Bible in this way is a waste of time. It is not what it is for. The Bible is certainly profound and repays in-depth study. Ever since it was written, scholars have poured over Holy Scripture in search of a better understanding of God’s character and will. Studies of the Hebrew Scriptures by Jewish scholars before the time of Jesus left them with unanswered questions. This is what Paul was referring to when he wrote to the church at Colosse that the word of God was to some extent a “mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations” (Colossians 1:26a). However, as Paul notes, it is no longer a secret and we are called to proclaim the word: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness” (v 25).

That fullness is the core message of the gospel, which, through Paul, “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ (vv. 27-28).

Paul’s point is that the Sender has given us the code to the mystery. We don’t have to be expert code-breakers and we don’t have to be stumped. We can shout the message from the highest hill. We don’t have to spend hours struggling to work it out because the mystery has been revealed. God has come to us through his incarnate Son, Jesus Christ with unbounded grace for all. God is the Sender and we are the recipients. Jesus, himself, is the deciphered message of God to us.

The essential starting point of correct Bible interpretation is to read and interpret it through the lens of the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus told the biblical scholars of his day, “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40 ESV).

Sadly, for many, that is still the case. They spend their lives trying to decipher what the Bible “really says,” coming up with a never-ending stream of bizarre and inaccurate ideas. You’d think they’d learn, wouldn’t you?

But the hope of unlocking “secret knowledge” lures them on—like, I suppose, those people who are still trying to decipher the message strapped to the leg of that long-dead carrier pigeon. Though the pigeon’s message may never be decoded, we most certainly do not have to be confounded by the message of the Bible. Jesus not only decodes it, he is the code and the message.

Your brother in Christ,

Joseph Tkach

PS: We will publish Weekly Update on July 24 and then skip July 31. The triennial GCI Denominational Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida during the week spanning July 29-August 4. I hope to see many Update readers there.

Joel Irusta

Joel Irusta, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Greensboro, North Carolina, tells of a family history that many only dream about. “My paternal grandparents were Basque immigrants from the old country. As far as we know, my dad was the first person on his side of the family to be born outside of Spain. Early on in the US, the Basque people were treated harshly; but through hard work they gained the respect of others and today are accepted. Growing up with exposure to this different culture and language, along with a strong work ethic, continues to influence who I am. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that everyone didn’t have grandparents who spoke and lived differently. My maternal grandparents owned a cattle ranch that was literally out ‘in the middle of nowhere’ in the foothills of Idaho. On that ranch we (my siblings and cousins) rode horses, helped brand cattle, gardened, fished and played and played. We hiked the hills for hours at a time. Camping and fishing were regular parts of our summers.”

Joel grew up in Boise with an older brother and younger sister. “My dad was a self-employed auto mechanic and my mother didn’t work outside the home. It was a simple life with a lot of family gatherings and activities. My dad taught us that common sense and thinking about others first was the most important education. My mother loved her life as a wife and young mother and made our childhood fun.”

After graduating from college in the mid-70s with a B.S. in chemical engineering, Joel went to work for a large engineering/construction firm. During that time he saw a telecast by Herbert W. Armstrong about hell and was intrigued. “Hell was a subject that troubled me because I just couldn’t accept a God who would punish people forever. At the same time, my mother who also was listening to HWA wanted to send for some literature but was afraid that the church would pester her once they had her name and address. So I sent for the literature myself and told her I would ‘let them have it’ if they bothered me because they promised not to. Together, we studied and began attending church services and were baptized. My dad was vehemently opposed to the church and what we were doing but we kept going. Eventually my sister joined us. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Joel’s job transferred him to North Carolina (his current home) to work constructing a new R.J. Reynolds tobacco processing plant. “I worked there as data processing manager, lead programmer-analyst and computer trainer. I met my wife Karen in North Carolina, so we decided to stay and raise our family there. I went to work for a small consulting firm and ended up going out on my own in the IT field where I’ve been self-employed for over 20 years. I blame my dad for that longevity!”

Joel and Karen have been married now for 28 years and have two children. “Our daughter Hillary participated in GCI’s Pastoral Internship Program and is now my associate pastor in the Greensboro church. She is also a student at Wake Forest School of Divinity working towards an M.Div. degree. Our son Jared who is a graphic designer is married to his beautiful wife Remmie. They are an active part of our lives and a joy to see grow. Our 16-year-old niece Katie lives with us and keeps us hopping with all the normal teenage drama and excitement.”

Since first joining WCG/GCI, Joel has served in some way. “I worked with the widows and single adults, I taught YES and YOU lessons and served in other areas as was needed. I became a deacon and then an elder. When the doctrinal changes hit, and through a series of circumstances over which I had no control, I found myself the pastor of the Greensboro congregation! Many told me that they definitely saw God’s hand in making it happen. Feeling overwhelmed, I went to seminary and earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology with a concentration in Christian Ministry. That was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done! Serving as pastor has been a joy and pleasure—something I feel I was meant to do.”

Karen serves right alongside Joel. “My wife serves with me in her own pastoral service—we do most things together and make a great team. She serves as the church treasurer. She grew up in this congregation, so she knows well the people here. As an introvert, she does her best work in one-on-one relationships with the ladies in the church. She listens, encourages and nurtures many.”

Joel says being a pastor is sometimes like being a father. “It has moments of triumph and moments of defeat. I really enjoy being involved in the spiritual formation of disciples of Jesus. Being pastor puts me on the front-line of that formation. Each person is different, so it’s a joy to get to know them personally and join them in their journey of transformation. Teaching has always been a joyful experience for me—something I look forward to each week.”

When asked about a most memorable moment, Joel mentions his son’s marriage. “I had the wonderful opportunity last October to officiate at the wedding of my son and daughter-in-law. It was a beautiful outdoor fall wedding—one of the most perfect days ever. It was a joy to have my handsome son and his beautiful bride stand before me and commit their lives to each other.”

Joel shared what many may not realize. “I am a confirmed introvert and comfortable being so. Many in our extroverted culture think there is something wrong with us introverts. But we are just fine and doing quite well! God has gifted us as we are. Being an introvert allows me to observe and learn things about others that extroverts might miss. That knowledge helps me join others in their spiritual journey. I’m honored to do so. Being an introvert, I sense God’s presence in little ways and places. When I’m preparing a sermon and the Holy Spirit brings the pieces together, I’m in awe. When having a deep one-to-one conversation with someone, I sense God’s presence and again I’m in awe. When someone says just the right thing at the right time, I realize that it came from God.”

This ties in with Joel’s chief passion in life, which is to know Jesus and make him known. “He entered into my life as a child and has been with me every step of the way! In him life is a beautiful, messy experience that makes sense.”

Joel loves to call GCI his home. “That’s what I enjoy—that feeling of belonging and being home. The people I serve are beautiful and a delight to spend time with. Our journey together in GCI has been an exciting move of the Holy Spirit. I look forward to our continued journey—seeing our younger leaders leading us into the future.”

Williams’ grandson sings in France

Tyler Acton, grandson of retired GCI regional pastor Ken Williams and his wife Nancy, toured France in June with his high school choir. They performed in Paris, Versailles and Normandy (watch a short video of their performance below).

Ken reports that, “The time in Normandy was particularly moving for Tyler and the other singers. Seeing all the white crosses decorating so many graves, they shed tears while singing the National Anthem at the raising of the American flag. They worked a year and a half to make the trip possible. Nancy and I are very proud of Tyler.”

Watch on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDm7laFjqZI.

Chicago church 50th anniversary

In early July, Shepherd’s Community Church (South Holland, Illinois), along with Pastor Willard and Brenda High, hosted a celebration of the 50th anniversary of GCI’s Chicago Southside and Hammond, Indiana congregations. Over 400 people attended the 3-day-long Jubilee Celebration, traveling from throughout the US. Guests included Dr. Joseph Tkach, Ms. Helen Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Abels, Curtis and Jannice May, Mr. Frederick Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. James Tate and Mr. Albert Atlas.

The celebration began Friday evening with a Meet & Greet. Saturday festivities began with a worship service that included video greetings from the Schmedes and Perkins families, a presentation of the history of the Chicago Southside and Hammond churches and several musical selections by the Shepherd’s Adult Choir (pictured at left). The service concluded with remembrances and words of encouragement from some of the guests.

During the service, recognition was given to Jesse and Audrey Bellamy, Eugene and Juanita Dumas and Dolphus and Barbara Williamson. All had served the Chicago Southside church for most of its history. Assistant Pastor Barbara Williamson was recognized for her recent ordination—she is the congregation’s first female elder.

Over 320 people attended a dinner dance on Saturday evening. A highlight was the awarding of Mary Lee Bellamy Scholarships to four attendees for outstanding academics and community service. The Jubilee Celebration then ended on Sunday with a gospel/jazz brunch with music from the congregation’s worship band and vocal selections from guests.

Crossing Borders: all about relationship

This update is from Lee Berger, director of Crossing Borders, one of GCI Generations Ministries’ short-term mission groups.

This June, we conducted our 15^th Crossing Borders mission trip into Mexico. Ten GCI missionaries spent eight days sharing services and resources with our ministry partners in Mexico.

Praying with the homelesss — Praying with a homelesss man

Those we served in Mexico deeply appreciated the food, clothing and other physical resources we gave them. However, they told us over and over that, “if you came to see us and did not bring even one box of any physical thing, the most important thing is that you came.”

These people need to be noticed, listened to and to know that God loves them and to know that we are their friends and are glad to share life with them. It is all about relationship!

While in Mexico, we spent two days building a new home for a family; we fed and prayed for people who had been deported from the U.S.; we handed out hundreds of meals and clothing to the homeless and other needy people; we reconnected with a family we built a house for last summer; we held a worship service in a park; we distributed $1,000 worth of Bibles; and we cared for dozens of orphans and other children—playing with them, feeding them, taking them on outings, laughing with them and hugging them to the point that we all had tear-filled eyes when we said our goodbyes.

Mission praise songs — Singing praise songs in the park

A few weeks before the trip, we arranged with one of our Mexican pastor friends to help build a house for a needy family in Mexico. We sent money ahead to buy supplies and hire workers, but a week before we arrived the family’s baby girl—their only child—died from a birth defect. With all the emotional trauma and the funeral, we were not sure about the status of the house-building.

As it turned out, we were able to build the house. The father worked with us every day and we visited with the mother and other members of the family on several occasions. Not only were we able to help provide the family with their first home, we were blessed to spend time with them, praying with them, and offering comfort in their time of great loss.

Each mission trip is truly a blessing from the Father, Son and Spirit—an opportunity to share in their love for people. Whether close to home or “across the border,” it is all about relationship.

NAE update

Here are excerpts from a recent National Association of Evangelicals Update.

Supreme Court Rules on Marriage

On June 26, the Supreme Court issued two sharply divided decisions affecting marriage—deeming Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which provided that for federal laws “marriage” refers to the union of one man and one woman, unconstitutional, and ruling that California’s Proposition 8 defenders did not have legal standing. The NAE put together a brief summary of what the rulings mean. (learn more)

Contraception Rule Misses Mark

The Department of Health and Human Services issued final rules on contraceptive coverage in the Affordable Care Act. The NAE has closely followed the policy’s development and advocated for strong religious freedom protections for those who object on religious grounds to include contraception in their company health plans. NAE President Leith Anderson said, “The final rule still leaves many religious employers unprotected. The government should not compel any of its citizens to violate their consciences.” (read more)

Political Engagement Among Evangelicals in 10 Years

Evangelical engagement in U.S. politics has ebbed and flowed through the years, especially rising to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with the growing concern about protecting human life and strengthening families. Since then, the evangelical agenda has broadened and evangelical engagement in social justice issues has blossomed. But with disillusionment in the political process on the increase, what will become of evangelical engagement in the future? (read more)

Upgrade Anti-trafficking Office to Bureau Level

Past and current members of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, including NAE President Leith Anderson, wrote a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Senate and House leadership encouraging support for legislation that would upgrade the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to a State Department Bureau. (read the letter)

NAE Commends President Obama on Proposed Nuclear Policy

In mid-June, President Obama pledged to pursue new negotiations with Russia and other countries aimed at reducing the risks of nuclear proliferation, terrorism and war. The NAE applauds the proposals as important steps toward reducing these threats. (read more)

Event Spotlight: Pray4Reform Evangelical Day of Prayer & Action

Following Senate passage of bipartisan immigration reform legislation, attention now shifts to the House of Representatives. On July 24, evangelical leaders will gather in the nation’s capitol for a day of prayer and action on immigration reform, including a press conference, worship service and meetings with congressional representatives.

Death of Jim Turner

We are saddened to learn that retired GCI pastor James (“Jim”) Turner died unexpectedly on July 16. His funeral will be held on July 23 or 24.

Jim is survived by his three children, Kim, Jacquie and Michael and by his ex-wife, Diane.

Prior to his retirement, Jim served as a pastor and district superintendent for GCI in the Denver, Colorado area.

Cards may be sent to:

Kim Turner

4199 East 131st Drive

Thornton, Colorado 80241

Ambassador reunion planned

A reunion of alumni of Ambassador College, Pasadena is planned for 2015. Though a date has not been selected, reunion planners are seeking to contact the 3400 people who began attending Ambassador College in Pasadena between 1947 to 1974. If you are interested in learning more about the reunion, please email Cledice Decker (cledeck@att.net) and provide her with the following information:

Your name (your current name and the name you used while at college, if different)
Name of your spouse
The year you entered Ambassador College, Pasadena
The year you graduated (if you did)
Your email address or mailing address

Monte Wolverton engaged

We are pleased to announce that GCI elder and former long-time headquarters employee Monte Wolverton is engaged to marry Kaye Minor. The wedding is planned for August. Congratulations Monte and Kaye!

Technology questions

GCI’s IT department is offering a workshop at the upcoming Denominational Conference in Orlando titled “Technology Q & A.” Though questions will be taken at the workshop, we would like to receive technology-related questions in advance (ones related to computers, smart phones, social media, etc.). If you have any questions, feel free to email them to Bret Miller (at bret.miller@gci.org) anytime before the conference begins. Even if you can’t make it to the technology workshop, we will make the material, including answers to questions, available following the conference.