The holiday season is a reminder to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We asked RDC employees what they're thankful for.  Here's what they had to say:

• I am most thankful for a wonderful and loving husband, 3 great kids that have been a joy to me since they were born, 3 of the most beautiful and brilliant grandchildren I could ever have possibly been given to enjoy and love and a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law that I love very much.  There is nothing more valuable or important in this life than family and I am so very thankful that God has chosen to bless me with a family like mine!  I am so very proud of them all! - Becky Chasteen, Director, HR/OPM Management
  
• I am thankful for my church, Divine Life. - Jessica Parker, EVUSA
  
• This Thanksgiving season above and beyond being thankful for my Lord, my family, my friends, my church, I am thankful for shoes.  In October I went to Nicaragua on a missions trip to translate for a Doctor.  After meeting a family's medical needs the mother asked for a pair of shoes for her daughter.  She said that the ones her daughter had on were borrowed so she could come to the clinic.  I always take for granted my black shoes, blue shoes, brown shoes, my tennis shoes, my high heels.  But what about being thankful for just one pair of sandals that will probably only be worn on special occasions or when someone else needs to borrow them? - Esther Nix, Stewardship Ministries
  
• Considering the events of this past year, I am especially thankful for good friends who know how to pray us through difficult circumstances. Our lives can be turned upside down and inside out in an instant. These times of trial make us more keenly aware of God's love and the care and support of others. -Shirley G. Spencer, Editor, IPHC Experience
  
• Rabon and I are thankful for the privilege of being here at this time in our lives. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working alongside everyone who makes up the staff, as well as the ministry leaders at the RDC. Special people; special gifts; special memories! - Jewelle E. Stewart, Executive Director, Women’s Ministries
  
• I am thankful for God’s guidance and provision. He has supplied my family’s every need from day one and I thank God for that. He looks over everything from our finances to our spiritual well being. Without God and my family there is no hope for tomorrow.- Mandi Patterson, World Missions Ministries
  
• I am thank for a personal relationship with an Eternal God who embraces the whole world with His love.- Terry Fowler, iWIN Director
  
• I can’t be grateful enough for his saving grace – his loving kindness – and his never-ending provision.- Angela Culp, GSO I am thankful for a wonderful husband, our two children, their spouses, and a granddaughter who still thinks I’m cool (of course she’s not even two yet!). I am extremely grateful to God for sparing my mother’s life at least twice over these past few months. I am also blessed to be surrounded by a devoted team of conference Girls’ Ministries leaders and tons of excited local leaders–all of whom have a passion to wins girls to Jesus Christ and to imprint their lives for eternity. - Irvina Parker, Girls' Ministries
  
• I'm thankful for the ability to love and be loved. - Mayra Watkins, People to People Ministries
  
• I'm thankful that I can always CHOOSE to be thankful!  No matter what season or circumstance I'm in, He is Lord!  I'm also thankful for awesome praise and worship music - lifting His name up lifts me up too. - Debbie Brewer, World Missions Ministries I am thankful for the way God has guided my life. Even when I didn’t want to follow His voice & His path, He always placed the right people in my life to counsel me and give me wisdom. I have an amazing husband, family, friends, job, church, etc. and it’s all because of God’s guidance. - April Arthur, HR/Operations Management

OKLAHOMA CITY – The International Pentecostal Holiness Church has named Mr. Charles Henry Johnson the 2008 National Children’s Pastor of the Year.  Johnson has served as the children’s pastor of  Springs of Praise World Outreach Center in Crystal Springs, MS for 33 years.

Johnson has taught three generations of families in children’s church.  During his 33 years as a children’s pastor, he has never received or asked for a salary.  

“It is an amazing feat to have filled this position for so many years and still be able to maintain a fresh new approach to the children’s ministry,” said Rev. Darrel Blankenship, senior pastor of Springs of Praise. “This man certainly deserves any accolades that our denomination could give him.”

Johnson moved to the Crystal Springs area in 1975 and soon began working in children’s ministry.  He provides training opportunities for children’s church volunteers throughout the year, including a trip to Willie George Ministries in Tulsa, Okla.

Johnson is also trained in puppetry and is a self- taught illusionist.  He incorporates magic tricks and puppets into his weekly lessons.

“What stands out to me is that his passion never fades,” said Sylvia Langford, who attends Springs of Praise.  “Sunday after Sunday, month after month, year after year he continues to be passionate about teaching our children the word of God.” 

The church honored Johnson with “Charles Johnson Day” on Oct. 26.  Ms. Elaine Wood, the IPHC national children’s director, presented Johnson with a $1000 check and an award.  The church also gave Johnson a $1000 matching check to thank him for his many years of selfless service.

Link: http://gso.iphc.org/bishop.html

General Board of Administration Adopts
Resolution Regarding Same-Sex Marriage

The General Board of Administration (GBA) of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, convening November 3-5, 2008, in Greensboro, North Carolina, went on record opposing same-sex marriage. In response to the prevailing social climate in the United States and around the world, the Board unanimously adopted the following statement

After prayerful search of the Bible and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church Manual (2005-2009), it is the decision of this Board and is hereby resolved that, as a matter of ecclesiastical rule and polity, ministers, licensed and ordained by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, shall not preside at or perform any marriage ceremony of persons of the same sex (meaning a marriage ceremony that has the intent and purpose of uniting a man to another man or a woman to another woman) or any ceremony related thereto. Furthermore, no same-sex marriage ceremony, or any ceremony related thereto, shall be allowed to take place on any property owned, held in trust, leased, or otherwise possessed by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, its Conferences, or local churches.

Presiding Bishop James D. Leggett assured the Board that the statement had been drafted in consultation with legal counsel.  A PDF version of the resolution may be downloaded here.

Link: http://oklahomatellers.blogspot.com/2008/09/nw-okc-tellabration-slated.html

Contact: Marilyn Hudson
Director of Library Services
Southwestern Christian University
405.789.7661 ext. 3451
marilyn.hudson@swcu.edu

Southwestern Christian University will host “Tellabration: A Night of Wonder-Filled Stories” at 7 p.m. Nov. 22. The event will take place in Minchew Auditorium, located at 7210 NW 39th Expressway in Bethany.  

Tellabration is an internationally celebrated emphasis on storytelling held each November. SCU is partnering with Territory Tellers, the state storytelling organization, to host Oklahoma City's only Tellabration.

Proceeds from the event will support a student mission trip to Africa in January.

“Southwestern is truly excited to be hosting this unique event that will be a delight to everyone who attends,” said Marilyn Hudson, director of library services at SCU. “It will also be such a support to students involved in the school’s mission program.”  

“Tellabration” will feature local storytellers Kathryn Thurman, Molly Lemmons, Chester Weems, and Marilyn Hudson.

All are welcome to attend.  The cost is $5 per person or $3 with a current student ID from any area school. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Marilyn Hudson at 405.789.7661 ext. 3451 or marilyn.hudson@swcu.edu. For a list of other storytelling events in the state, visit the Territory Tellers website.

Ten years ago, Bobby Goodman wanted nothing to do with church.  But that changed when he heard about Christian Heritage Church's annual Biker Sunday event. Today, Bobby is a leader in his church and helps coordinate several events including Biker Sunday.  

During the event, he shared his testimony with me.  Watch below as he shares how God used Biker Sunday to transform his life. 

Christian Heritage Church is pastored by Rev. Gary Burd, who also directs Mission M25, an IPHC outreach to non-traditional people groups in the U.S.