​A four-year-old little boy was at the doctor's office with his mother in the waiting room when he spotted a pregnant lady on the other side of the room. Having nothing better to do, he walked over to her and inquisitively asked, "Why is your stomach so big?"

She replied, "I'm having a baby."

With big eyes, he replied, "Is the baby in your stomach?"

She said, "He sure is."

Then the little boy, with a puzzled look on his face, asked yet another question: "Is it a good baby?"

She said, "Oh, yes. It's a real good baby." At this point the woman was thinking the little boy was incredibly cute and looked forward to what he had to say next.

And, much to her surprise, with an even more surprised and shocked look than before, he asked, "Then why did you eat him?"

26th Anniversary Logo Designed by Arlette Revells, Owner & CEO of Great Works Creations, Inc., in Athens, GeorgiaArticles of Interest in Today's Hugh's News
1.Lighten Up with Laughter
2.Articles of Interest in Today's Hugh's News 
3.March 2023 Holmes Bible College Newsletter
4.Little Known Facts About Potatoes
5.Decoding the Nashville Shooter's Tragic Message
6.The Ministry of the IPHC in Israel
7.President Ron White was awarded Emmanuel's highest honor, the Medallion Award
8.Holy Spirit Sparks Youthful Revival in Hispanic AG Churches
9.The Key to True, Lasting Stability in Life
10.Interview with Rick Womack -- Next Step Leadership
11.Clothed in His Righteousness
12.Emmanuel College President's Prayer Group
13.Will You Receive the Benediction?​

Visit our Website
Words from the President

A Newsletter is not normally for preaching. However, I am a preacher!
Holmes Bible College’s chief textbook is the Word of God! It must be proclaimed.

Our desire is for every student to intimately know the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the desire of the faculty and staff for all of us to minister for Him out of relationship and being.

In order to do so, each student must learn to do three things:

1. Pray – I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” They must pray regularly, pray for the requests given, do “flash prayers” as they see a need, and pray as the Spirit urges.
2. Praise – I Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always.” They should praise Him for answered prayers, for Who He is, for His guidance, for loved ones, for His handiwork, for His creation, and so it expands.
3. Practice His Presence – Matthew 28:20b “...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Through the ministry of the Spirit let each one feel His presence, know what He would do, see through His eyes, hear through His ears, and respond as He would respond.

May the Lord fill us with His presence. May those around each of us see Him through us. Amen.

Sincerely,

D. Chris Thompson, President
+++++
 
 Activities of the Past Founder's Week
February 22-24, 2023

Dr. Terry Tramel and Dr. Dan Woods were mightily used by the Lord.
The attendance was excellent. Lives were changed.

Dr. Dan Woods
Dr. Terry Tramel
Alumni Banquet
Thank you Pastor Bill Rose, Alumni President, and team for a marvelous Dinner Theater.
Thank you, Dr. Don Woodward and team, for an inspiring drama, “Portraits of Grace” – the Women of Holmes Bible College.
+++++
Please go to the Holmes Bible College Facebook page and view the drama. (shared on February 25, 2023 from Holmes Memorial Church Facebook page)

Alumnus of the Year

​D. Chris Thompson
Holmes Bible College
President

​Seize the Day! Seize God! 
Colossians 3:23-24

​Holmes Bible College | 4901 Old Buncombe Road, PO Box 14188, Greenville, SC 29610-4188

National Tater Day -- March 30

• Potato's roots trace back to Peru where the incas natives were the first to grow the crop.
• Despite its appearance, potato is made up of 80% water and only 20% of solid.
• Potato varieties have grown over the centuries, and there are around 100 of the edible kind.
• You may have potatoes boiled, baked, or fried, but it can also be use in brewing drinks, fixing stuff, and even as medicine.
• Potato is rich in nutrients that enable it to supply all the food elements necessary for the nutrition of the human body.
• Potato is second to milk as the most consumed food in the United States.
• The world saw the largest potato ever grown in 2010 when farmer Peter Glazebrook showed the 8lb 4oz wonder from the Hallam back garden in Nottinghamshire.
• Another one for the record, potato is the first-ever vegetable grown in space when it was taken with the space shuttle Columbia in 1995.
  
• Potato might be a vegetable, but it beats orange in having more vitamin C, banana with more potassium, and apple with more fiber content.
• King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette popularized potatoes in France after they received a boquet of potato flowers and the latter wearing them on her hair.

[Source: Activity Directory, Toni, St. Mary's Highland Hills Village in Watkinsville, Georgia]

Decoding the Nashville School Shooter’s Tragic Message

Author: J. Lee Grady

“I’m planning to die today.”

That’s how 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale began a private Instagram message to her friend Averianna Patton on Monday morning of this week.

“THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!!” Hale continued. “You’ll probably hear about me on the news after I die. This is my last goodbye. I love you. See you again in another life.”
​
When Patton replied, begging her friend to get help, Hale wrote a few more words: “I don’t want to live. I’m so sorry. I’m not trying to upset you or get attention. I just need to die.”
A few minutes after Hale sent that grim message, she drove to Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, where she had attended classes as a child. Wearing a red baseball cap flipped backwards, and carrying three guns, Hale shot through the glass doors of the school’s entrance, walked slowly through hallways and killed six people, including three nine-year-old students and the head of the school, Katherine Koonce, age 60.

Police shot and killed Hale to stop her from claiming more victims. Nashville’s police chief, John Drake, said Hale was “prepared to do more harm than was actually done.” He also said Hale had written a detailed manifesto about how she wanted to attack the Christian community. She left the document on the scene before she died.

After the incident—which was the 12th mass shooting on a school campus in 2023—politicians including President Biden called for stricter gun control laws. But most of us know there is something much deeper going on here than easy access to guns. Why would a young woman walk into a Christian school and arbitrarily kill young children, along with a teacher, a janitor and the school’s director?

There are three important factors we should consider if we want this senseless violence to stop.

1. We have a serious mental health crisis in this country. Sources close to Hale’s family said she was autistic, although she was considered highly functioning. Recently she began using he/him pronouns, and she went by the name Aiden, saying that she was transgender.
There is a huge movement in our country today to normalize and even encourage transgenderism. Young people who feel some level of gender confusion today are pushed to take puberty-blocking drugs and seek expensive surgeries (including double mastectomies, hysterectomies and castration) so they can try to look like the gender they identify with. And educators and psychologists warn parents that if they don’t “affirm” their child’s preferred gender identity, they might harm themselves.

None of this was happening a few years ago, yet today it’s an epidemic. (It’s also making boatloads of money for pharmaceutical companies and doctors.) The notion that a person can defy biology and change their gender is being fueled by what author Abigail Shrier calls “social contagion.” She warns in her book “Irreversible Damage” that if we continue to allow political correctness to dictate gender policy, an entire generation of Americans could be permanently marred.

2. Dark spiritual forces are working behind the scenes. Some skeptics doubt the existence of Satan or demons, as if hell or evil spirits are just superstitions. But more people today are becoming convinced that the devil is real. Why would a young, artistically talented woman like Audrey Hale concoct a master plan to shoot up a Christian school? I can promise you an idea like that didn’t originate with her.

The fingerprints of Satan are all over the Nashville school shooting. Already we’ve seen increased incidents of violence and vandalism aimed at churches because Christians oppose abortion or sexual immorality. And the federal government hasn’t always intervened to protect churches from such attacks. Increasingly, Christians are viewed as the enemy because we believe in God’s moral law.

3. A national spiritual awakening is our only hope. We can put Band-Aids on this problem, but our culture will continue to spiral downward unless we acknowledge our desperate need. We pay an awful price when a nation rejects God. Paul wrote that when people refuse to acknowledge the Creator, they become so depraved they are “filled with all unrighteousness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving and unmerciful” (Rom. 1:29-31).

Our only way to escape this spiritual disaster is to seek an emergency spiritual solution. We must storm heaven with our prayers. Pray that our nation will turn to the Lord. Pray that hard hearts will soften. Pray that closed minds will open to the truth of God’s Word. Pray especially for the many people like Audrey Hale, who right now are so depressed, confused and hopeless that they feel tempted to do the devil’s work. May the Lord have mercy on us, and deliver us from evil.
​
Bring Charisma magazine home with a subscription today!

J. Lee Grady was editor of Charisma for 11 years and now serves as senior contributing editor. He directs the Mordecai Project (themordecaiproject.org), an international ministry that protects women and girls from gender-based violence. His latest books are “Follow Me” and “Let’s Go Deeper” (Charisma House).

​The IPHC is Involved in Ministry to Israel

The Bible says this about blessing Israel in the Book of Genesis:
​
Genesis 12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 

2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. 
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you." 
NIV
​
Author: Bob Cave

IPHC has been involved in taking the “Good News” to Israel since the late 1990s when the late Rick Hurst founded our Coffee House Ministry at the Old City’s Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem, on the Christ Church site just inside the Gate. This is the oldest Protestant Church and community in the Middle East. Intifada was declared in the early 2000s and we eventually closed up shop. But, another opportunity became available several years later when we partnered, then merged with Living Israel, who’s main goal was evangelism, discipleship and Church planting. The primary focus has been among the 1.5 million Russian speaking Jews that have returned to Israel from ex-soviet union countries. Even more focused, we are rescuers of the drug and alcoholic addicted and our rescues mostly start with our Coffee House/Feeding center in the heart of Tel Aviv’s skid row. This is where the castaways of Israeli society end up at the end of their rope(of life). If they agree to rehabilitation we take them to our detox center, than one of our half way houses, and then 6 months in Bible school.

What a difference a year makes when they graduate, most have given their hearts to the Lord and been baptized in the Jordan River. We’re talking hundreds!! These are amazing first generation Christians. We now have about 35 thriving House Churches, of which at least 10 also double as drug Rehab Centers. Average attendance on Sabbath worship is 25-50 persons as they have families that have now joined them. Our total “membership” in IPHC Living Israel is close to 1500 persons. That’s a lot when the entire country would have about 15,000 Messianic Jews (Christ followers). Last year, 2022, a big miracle was the purchase of our first Church building. Israel is unbelievably expensive and yet IPHC donors contributed to make it possible to purchase a fully renovated building that can seat about 400 persons.........and it is FULLY PAID FOR!!

The ministry also includes providing extra aid to Holocaust Survivors of which there are about 165,000 that live in Israel. We have a weekly outreach to a number of them, and not forgetting our youth, we run camps, retreats and weekly youth clubs.

Here’s is how you can help and walk out Genesis 12:3 that says, “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse: and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

*Our goal is to plant 100 new Churches, we’re at 35 now. To plant a Church, (get it jump started) is about $8,000. Project # “IPHC Living Israel 26005P”

*Haifa Building Headquarters: We were renting an old Catholic Monastery for the last 17 years and they gave us notice it is all going to be redeveloped and we must move out. We are in a smaller version building and looking for property to buy. Currently we are paying $11,000 a month to duplicate what we had in the Monastery, which was residence for 30-50 student as rehabbers, our Bible school, detox center and chapel. Project number “Israel Building 26006P”

*Your US Church can connect with one of our house Churches in Israel to pray and have electronically fellowship (Via your phone or computer). Project: “Adopt a Church 26013P” Any amount will help!

*As I mentioned, our Coffee House/Feeding Center is the key entry point to our ministry for the hurting. It takes $4,000 a month to buy food, pay rent and feed the homeless. Project number: “Israel Coffee House 26014P”

*In Bethlehem we have a dynamic ministry with:
Church and Cultural Center/Daycare/Kindergarten that is 2 blocks from Manger Square. Pastor Khader needs some personal monthly help. “Israel Khader Khouri 26301P”

All Funds can flow though your local Church and will go through World Missions directly to Israel.

Dear Hugh, thanking you in advance to helping the advancement of the Gospel in Israel.

Much blessings......................

Bob Cave
Eurasia and Middle East Director

[Editor's Comment: As God has blessed me in the selling of my home, I want to bless Israel. I know and believe that God blesses those who bless Israel. I pray that you will give, too, as the Holy Spirit directs you.]

Last weekend during Homecoming Weekend, Emmanuel President, Dr. Ron White was awarded the Medallion Award, for his 31 years of service to the college. 

The Medallion Award is considered Emmanuel’s highest honor. Presented annually by the Board of Trustees, it is given to an individual who has gone “above and beyond” to advance the mission of the college, serve as an ambassador, and promote the college through his or her professional community to expand the college’s influence and outreach. 

President White first attended Emmanuel as a student from 1967-1969, while Emmanuel was a junior college. After receiving his associates degree from Emmanuel, he finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia in psychology. In later years he earned his master’s degree in counseling and his doctorate in higher education, also from UGA.
Dr. White’s career in higher education began when he returned to Emmanuel in 1980 as the Director of Financial Aid, and directed the Emmanuel Singers, a role he served in for 15 years. In 1984, he was named the Dean of Students, later becoming the Director of Enrollment Management in 1991. In September of 2014, he was named the ninth president of Emmanuel College. Prior to this position, he served Emmanuel for 22 years in various roles, including 18 years in at the senior leadership.

In his career at Emmanuel, some of his major accomplishments included:

• Creating the RA/RRD system in Housing
• Helping move Emmanuel to four-year status
• Designing and publishing the 75th commemorative yearbook
• Organizing the 100th Centennial Celebration in 2019
• Helping Emmanuel resolve a financial crisis
• Guiding Emmanuel through a world-wide Pandemic

Earlier this month, President White announced his intent to retire from the post, after nine years. 

David Roberson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, stated, “The Board of Trustees is grateful for the significant impact President White has had on Emmanuel College during his many years of service and especially during his tenure as President. As much as we would love for him continue as President, we understand and support him in his decision to retire.”

IPHC General Superintendent, Bishop Doug Beacham had this to say about the way President White has led their alma mater.

“From our earliest days as freshmen in 1967 to now, you have demonstrated godly character and servant leadership,” he said. “You have made all Emmanuel alumni proud in the way you have led in these difficult years.”
​
Without Dr. White’s leadership and guidance, Emmanuel would not be where it is today, if here at all. We are thankful for his dedication and service to the college. Congratulations, Dr. Ron White – the recipient of the 2023 Medallion Award!

Holy Spirit Sparks Youthful Revival in Hispanic AG Churches

Author: Dan Van Veen/AG

Evangelist Mario Murillo said in a recent interview with Charisma News that he believes "that the wave of revival in the Latin churches in America is going to end up being the most forceful spiritual awakening that we have. It will transcend anything else."
The Assemblies of God agrees. The AG recently took part in a Lifeway Research Hispanic Church survey as a part of what is believed to be one of the largest surveys of Protestant Hispanic congregations invited to participate in a single research study as two dozen denominations and church networks participated

Recently, the overall findings were released, revealing that Hispanic churches are a young and growing church community that has great promise for future growth. In addition, the statistics for the Assemblies of God responses were pulled separately—some of which compared favorably with the overall Protestant results, and some that differed significantly.

"The Assemblies of God is viewed as a leader among Hispanic Protestant churches in the U.S.," says Dennis Rivera, director of the Office of Hispanic and Ethnic Relations for the AG. "We have nearly 3,000 churches and have been involved in U.S. Hispanic ministry far longer than most Protestant denominations."

Matches
There are many similarities between the survey results found overall as compared to the results of the AG Hispanic churches that responded.

In the AG, 38% of Hispanic congregants were under the age of 30 and an additional 37% were between the ages of 30 to 49. Overall, the numbers were 34% and 38%, respectively. Both sets of data indicate the Hispanic church in the U.S. is relatively young—in other words, not aging out.

"We're young and vibrant," confirms Rivera. "In fact, I believe that the Hispanic church, especially in the Assemblies of God, is growing far faster than official numbers indicate. I've wondered if the next Great Awakening hasn't already begun only we're not as aware because it's happening in the Hispanic and other ethnic immigrant churches and communities."

What some may see as surprising is that nearly half of the AG Hispanic ministers participating in the survey were born outside of the United States and 37% have graduate degrees and another 31% have bachelor's degrees.

"What we're finding is that more and more Hispanic pastors, as their church matures, are looking to advance their education, oftentimes because the young people in the church have advanced education," Rivera says. "I've been in communication with AG Theological Seminary, and they have confirmed that there has been an overwhelming response by Hispanic ministers to their new ministerial advancement courses."

The Hispanic Church, despite efforts to reach out to and welcome other ethnicities and cultures, remains solidly Hispanic. In the AG, 93% of the congregation are Hispanic, with 51% of members originating from Mexico. This compares closely to overall findings of 94% Hispanic and 46% from Mexico. The Caribbean was second with 22% in both AG and overall statistics.

Possibly not a surprise, but more of a confirmation, was that long work hours (57%) and family gatherings (birthdays, celebrations, etc.) (45%) were the top two reasons in the AG (and overall, 61% and 35%, respectively) that kept adults from participating more regularly in activities of the church.

"Family is generally a priority among Hispanics," Rivera says, "and relationships are far more important than schedules, which can then conflict somewhat with church activities as those activities need to be on some kind of a schedule."

Rivera also noted that the long work hours should not be overlooked. As many Hispanics work in the hotel, restaurant, and other service industries, he's found that church services held on Sunday afternoons or evenings are not uncommon because working weekend morning hours or late Saturday night hours are often mandatory.

And although congregations are by vast majority Hispanic (more than nine out of 10), 91% of AG responding pastors and 88% pastors overall have heard their congregations being welcoming to those from different cultures and backgrounds, which would seem to indicate those of different cultures and backgrounds are intentionally sought out and welcomed.

What's Ahead
In the media, it's frequently mentioned how many mainline churches are dying because their congregations are aging out—many with a majority of members 60 and older. However, that's far from the case for Hispanic Protestant churches according to this study.

As noted earlier, AG responders stated that an amazing 38% of congregants are under the age of 30 and 75% are under the age of 50. The numbers are similar in the overall responses.

"We have a young, growing, Spirit-filled Hispanic AG church that God has been quietly nurturing and blessing for decades," Rivera says. "I believe we're now seeing signs of that church maturing and preparing to explode in growth and influence as this next generation of Hispanic young people are empowered to take the gospel to the world."

To review all the questions and the overall results of the Lifeway Research survey, click here.

The Key to True, Lasting Stability in Life

Author: Joyce Meyer
​
Have you ever put your trust in someone who ended up disappointing you or hurting you? Maybe you put your trust in your money but then something happened and suddenly you didn’t have it anymore. Or maybe you’ve wasted years of your life trusting yourself.

There are many things people put their trust in that are not stable. But God loves us so much, and He wants us to understand that we can’t keep our trust in other things and simultaneously have a great relationship with Him. The truth is, God is the only One we can really trust all the time, in every situation.

I remember how I learned this lesson. Many years ago when my ministry was just beginning, there was a group of ladies helping me that I considered to be my best friends; I thought they would never hurt me. But eventually, I found out they were talking about me behind my back and telling lies about me. I was devastated and heartbroken. 

My world was shaken and I didn’t understand what was going on. The pain in my soul was so deep. But looking back, I understand now that God was getting ready to promote me to a new level of ministry, and I couldn’t take those people with me. I also learned that we set ourselves up for a lot of pain if we think there are people in our lives who will never hurt us. 
You know, we’re all human and we make mistakes. I don’t believe those women were intentionally mean; they were just imperfect people who made their own mistakes. 

Two Ways You Need to Trust God
Another thing I learned is that it’s one thing to trust God FOR something – such as changing something or someone in your life – but it’s another thing entirely to trust God THROUGH something. I’m talking about continuing to trust God when He’s not doing what you think He should do and everything around you is shaking…when you don’t understand why.

I can tell you from personal experience that when everything in your life is shaking, the only real answer is to trust God and keep on trusting Him. I know it’s difficult to do this when you don’t understand what’s going on and the situation is not fair. It’s hard when you feel like you’re doing what you should be doing and you’re not getting a right result. And it’s especially hard when you see someone who is not doing the right thing, yet they are seemingly getting a better result than you are.

But I want to say it again: When you get into trouble that you don’t understand, that’s when you have to choose to keep trusting God – no matter what you think or feel, and no matter what your circumstances look like.

Let Go of Everything That Can Be Shaken
Hebrews 12:26-27 (NIV) says, “…[God] has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” 

God wants to shake things in our lives until only the things that cannot be shaken remain. He wants to work with us until we let go of all the unstable things so we’re only hanging on to the rock of our salvation – Jesus Christ – who cannot be moved or shaken.

It’s difficult when something is stripped out of your life that you’re not ready to give up, like a relationship or a position at work. But if you will trust God when hard things come, you’ll find later on that situations you thought were terrible were actually good in the end. All things are possible with God, and He can take things that aren’t good and work them out for our good. (See Matthew 19:26 and Romans 8:28.)

The key is understanding that you are a partner with God as you walk out His purpose and plan for you. He doesn’t just automatically work things out for good; we choose to trust Him and do what He shows us to do, and He works on our behalf so we come out on top when all is said and done.

If you feel like everything in your world is shaking, there are probably things in your life that you don’t need or that aren’t good for you and God wants to remove them. If you will trust Him and let Him do what HE wants to do, He will give you something stable. He’ll give you more of Himself!

I want to encourage you to make a determined decision to trust God with every single part of your life. Pray: “God, I invite You to shake everything in my life that can be shaken so only the things of You will remain in me.” He loves you, and no matter what condition your life is in right now, with God’s help, you can trust Him. You can relax and be at peace, not anxious, worried or frustrated. Choose to believe God is taking care of your situation, and simply let go of it and let God be God.

***********
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-teaching resource Trust God and Do Good. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org. 

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 140 books, including BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND and LOVING PEOPLE WHO ARE HARD TO LOVE (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org
​
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.

​Copyright © 2023 Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.joycemeyer.org.

The numbers grab our attention. The stories concern us. What stories? Why do those numbers grab our attention and concern us? This episode talks about people, about pastors, about families, about churches. In Next Step Leadership, Chris and Tracy engage in a conversation about these issues. But they are not just discussing the facts and trends. They invited their friend Rick Womack to tell his story. Listen. Please listen to Rick’s story. Pastoring is an honor and it should be seen as such. But serving in ministry is not easy. It offers wonderful experiences while also bringing the reality of how people who love deeply are also hurt deeply. What can we learn from stories like Rick’s? How can we be here to offer listening ears, loving hearts, and practical therapy for ministers who are carrying a heavy weight? Dreams do not always go the way we wish. They might die. Hurts are deep. Counseling and friends are important. Rick talks about how God and His people can help us endure. Let’s believe God and His people can help us all find peace.

​Clothed in His Righteousness

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take" (Mark 15:24, NKJV).

When Jesus finally arrived at the place of execution around nine o’clock in the morning, if His treatment followed standard procedure in those days, He was stripped of all His clothes. Possibly He was allowed to retain a loincloth.

Yet because Jesus was stripped “naked,” you and I can be clothed! The Bible tells us that all of our righteousness, including the very best things we ever do, are so permeated with sin and selfishness that they are like filthy rags in God’s sight (Isa. 64:6). But at the Cross, Jesus gave us His perfect, spotless robe of righteousness and took our filthy garments of sin in exchange (Phil. 3:9). On Judgment Day, you and I will be dressed in His righteousness before God because He wore the filthy garments of our sin. We will be clothed because He was stripped!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Copyright © 2023 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.

​Emmanuel College President's Prayer Group

Author: Ron White

"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives" (Colossians 3:16a, NLT).

Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to fill their lives with the riches of the Good News that Jesus brings to all - a different way of living, not like the world, but in His image of love, compassion, kindness, healing, joy, and service.

Thank you for praying. 

Ron White, Ed. D.

President
Emmanuel College
181 Spring Street
Franklin Springs, GA 30639
706-245-2803

​1 Peter 5:5-7

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble." 

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 
NKJV

​26th Anniversary Logo Designed by Arlette Revells, Owner & CEO of Great Works Creations, Inc., in Athens, Georgia
Articles of Interest in Today's Hugh's News
1.Lighten Up with Laughter
2.Articles of Interest in Today's Hugh's News
3.The IPHC is Involved in Ministry to Israel
4.Diaster Relief for Bakersfield, California
5.Drop Everything and Go See 'Jesus Revolution'
6.Spring Graduation at Emmanuel College, May 6
7.The Blood of Jesus
8..Emmanuel College President's Prayer Group
9.Will You Receive the Benediction?

The IPHC is Involved in Ministry to Israel

The Bible says this about blessing Israel in the Book of Genesis:
Genesis 12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 

2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. 
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you." 
NIV
​
Author: Bob Cave

IPHC has been involved in taking the “Good News” to Israel since the late 1990s when the late Rick Hurst founded our Coffee House Ministry at the Old City’s Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem, on the Christ Church site just inside the Gate. This is the oldest Protestant Church and community in the Middle East. Intifada was declared in the early 2000s and we eventually closed up shop. But, another opportunity became available several years later when we partnered, then merged with Living Israel, who’s main goal was evangelism, discipleship and Church planting. The primary focus has been among the 1.5 million Russian speaking Jews that have returned to Israel from ex-soviet union countries. Even more focused, we are rescuers of the drug and alcoholic addicted and our rescues mostly start with our Coffee House/Feeding center in the heart of Tel Aviv’s skid row. This is where the castaways of Israeli society end up at the end of their rope(of life). If they agree to rehabilitation we take them to our detox center, than one of our half way houses, and then 6 months in Bible school.

What a difference a year makes when they graduate, most have given their hearts to the Lord and been baptized in the Jordan River. We’re talking hundreds!! These are amazing first generation Christians. We now have about 35 thriving House Churches, of which at least 10 also double as drug Rehab Centers. Average attendance on Sabbath worship is 25-50 persons as they have families that have now joined them. Our total “membership” in IPHC Living Israel is close to 1500 persons. That’s a lot when the entire country would have about 15,000 Messianic Jews (Christ followers). Last year, 2022, a big miracle was the purchase of our first Church building. Israel is unbelievably expensive and yet IPHC donors contributed to make it possible to purchase a fully renovated building that can seat about 400 persons.........and it is FULLY PAID FOR!!

The ministry also includes providing extra aid to Holocaust Survivors of which there are about 165,000 that live in Israel. We have a weekly outreach to a number of them, and not forgetting our youth, we run camps, retreats and weekly youth clubs.

Here’s is how you can help and walk out Genesis 12:3 that says, “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse: and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

*Our goal is to plant 100 new Churches, we’re at 35 now. To plant a Church, (get it jump started) is about $8,000. Project # “IPHC Living Israel 26005P”

*Haifa Building Headquarters: We were renting an old Catholic Monastery for the last 17 years and they gave us notice it is all going to be redeveloped and we must move out. We are in a smaller version building and looking for property to buy. Currently we are paying $11,000 a month to duplicate what we had in the Monastery, which was residence for 30-50 student as rehabbers, our Bible school, detox center and chapel. Project number “Israel Building 26006P”

*Your US Church can connect with one of our house Churches in Israel to pray and have electronically fellowship (Via your phone or computer). Project: “Adopt a Church 26013P” Any amount will help!

*As I mentioned, our Coffee House/Feeding Center is the key entry point to our ministry for the hurting. It takes $4,000 a month to buy food, pay rent and feed the homeless. Project number: “Israel Coffee House 26014P”

*In Bethlehem we have a dynamic ministry with:
Church and Cultural Center/Daycare/Kindergarten that is 2 blocks from Manger Square. Pastor Khader needs some personal monthly help. “Israel Khader Khouri 26301P”

All Funds can flow though your local Church and will go through World Missions directly to Israel.

Dear Hugh, thanking you in advance to helping the advancement of the Gospel in Israel.

Much blessings......................

Bob Cave
Eurasia and Middle East Director

[Editor's Comment: As God has blessed me in the selling of my home, I want to bless Israel. I know and believe that God blesses those who bless Israel. I pray that you will give, too, as the Holy Spirit directs you.]

Diaster Relief for Bakersfield, California​

Bishop Bill Terry

​Our Golden West Conference Superintendent Bill Terry has solicited assistance from DRUSA for flood ravaged victims in the Bakersfield, CA area.

Following protocol our Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham issued a disaster declaration. With that in hand, Disaster Relief USA sprang into action. DRUSA prayerfully requests IPHC churches to send financial support for this effort to OKC. The support may be made online at IPHC.org or mailed to DRUSA at PO Box 12609, OKC, OK 73157.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Rick Haug

DRUSA National Coordinator
405-833-3163


Rev. Rick Haug, DRUSA National Coordinator​
Diaster Relief for Bakersfield, California

Emmanuel College is thrilled to celebrate our Spring 2023 graduates on Saturday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. in the Shaw Athletic Center. Approximately 120 graduates will be receiving their degrees.
​
Leslie McFarlin, Vice President of Economic Development for North Georgia Technical College, will serve as this year’s commencement speaker.

A Franklin Springs native, she is the daughter of Garland and Jane Earnest (Emmanuel Academy 1959, Emmanuel College 1961).  McFarlin graduated Cum Laude from Emmanuel College’s School of Education in 2002. 

Mrs. McFarlin taught sixth-grade mathematics at Franklin County Middle School.  After earning a Master of Arts Degree from Piedmont University in 2007, McFarlin accepted a position at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC).  Ms. McFarlin has served NGTC as a faculty member, program coordinator, and Academic Dean.  She currently serves as Vice President for Economic Development.  

Mrs. McFarlin lives in Carnesville with her husband James.  They have three children, Dylan (Payton) McFarlin, Carolyn (Tyler) Gibson, and Alexander McDuffie. They recently welcomed their first grandchild, Turner Jane Gibson in February.
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The ceremony will be live-streamed HERE.

The Blood of Jesus

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"How much more . . . will the blood of Christ . . . cleanse our consciencess from acts that lead to death" (Hebrews 9:14, NIV).

Do you know people who arrogantly insist that if their good works outweigh their bad works, God is somehow obligated to accept them? As you look around, what “fruit” do you see others bringing to the place of sacrifice instead of humbly approaching God through the blood of His Son? The “fruit” of

religious activity,
good works,
morality,
or philanthropy?
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Many people do not want to come to the place of sacrifice, the Cross of Jesus Christ, because it intensifies the conviction of their own sin and judgment and is a reminder that heaven’s gate is closed to sinners. God warns that “a man is not justified by observing the law,” (Gal. 2:16, NIV) because “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” of sin (Heb. 9:22, NIV). So humble yourself, come to the Cross, and thank God for the blood of Jesus that is sufficient to forgive any and all sin.
Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

​Copyright © 2023 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.