January - April 2002

It is said that a Pope looked over the splendor of Rome and said "No longer can it be said that 'silver and gold have I none'. A nearby cardinal responded softly "Neither can it be said 'take up thy bed and walk'.

Our own denomination has been blessed by God and would appear to have a lot of resources. With 48,000 churches, 12 million members, 14,000 ordained ministers, 6,000 schools, over 500 health institutions and over one billion dollars in tithe per year, the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist church would appear to the human eye to have it all.

Indeed these statistics do show that to a certain extent God has blessed our work. However my own experience in the church tells me that today the church needs less pomp and more power. In God's eyes we have yet a great need.

" We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today." 5T 158

Sister White is clear in saying that the church needs the power of the Holy Spirit to do His work today.

Our local church has developed plans (some of which are rather bold in concept) which we cannot accomplish without the

power of the Holy Spirit. Here is a sample of what we are planning to do for 2002:

1. Hope for the Homeland evangelistic meetings beginning on Sept. 13, 2002
   
2. A celebration of  the founding of the Fort Wayne First SDA church (which took place 105 years ago) on October 19, 2002
   
3. A new church plant on the north side of Fort Wayne.
   
4. Phase 2 remodeling of the church, with special attention to the Better Living Center.