During meetings executive committee and board of administration of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, October 19-21, 2005, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Reverend Charles T. Crabtree, assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri, was named to a three-year term as chairman of that organization. Reverend Jerry Wayne Macklin, general board member of the Church of God in Christ, Prelate of the Northern California Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and senior pastor of Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ, Hayward, California, was named co-chairman. Crabtree and Macklin follow the chairmanship of Bishop James Leggett, general superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and co-chairmanship of Bishop George McKinney, founder and pastor of St. Stephens Church of God in Christ and Jurisdictional Prelate of the Southern California Second Ecclesiastical Church of God in Christ. The PCCNA provides a framework for fellowship, dialogue, and cooperation between the various Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations, churches, and ministries in North America that agree with the purposes and goals of the organization.

Commenting on the PCCNA, Crabtree notes that in years past, the PCCNA (formerly Pentecostal Fellowship of North America) organized large, national conferences annually. ìThe emphasis now is on a smaller, more focused effort to find ways to encourage our churches to get together and impact their communities,î Crabtree states. ìWe desire to see our churches share together in ministries that will reach their communities in ongoing ways rather than focus on one event each year.î Citing the ministry of the Early Church in Acts 2, Crabtree notes that they ìcontinued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.î He notes further that Acts 4 shows the Church reaching out in compassion ministries as well; ìthey had all things in commonÖ.Neither was there any among them that lacked.î

Crabtree also desires a heightened focus on Pentecost Sunday among Pentecostal churches, and to see Pentecost fleshed out in practical ways throughout the year. Additionally, continued emphasis will be given to identifying emerging leaders in the Pentecostal church and developing networks among them.

In addition to filling the offices of chairman and co-chairman, the PCCNA executive committee appointed Bishop Randy Howard, Global Outreach Director of the Church of God of Prophecy as treasurer. Bishop Lamar Vest, former general overseer, Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, and chairperson, American Bible Society, will continue as secretary of the PCCNA. Members at large include Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr., executive director of Evangelism USA, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Reverend Daniel de Leon, president, AMEN (Associacion Evangelica de Ministerios Nacionales), and pastor of Templo Calvario, Santa Ana, California; Reverend Jeff Farmer, president, Open Bible Churches; Reverend Arthur Gray, director of urban and multicultural ministries, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and district superintendent, Los Angeles South Coast District Churches; Dr. William Morrow, general superintendent, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada; Bishop Clyde Hughes, general overseer, International Pentecostal Church of Christ; and Bishop Elijah Williams, United Holy Church of America, Gahanna, Ohio.

Events of the Colorado Springs meeting began Wednesday evening with a round-table discussion on ìThe Church of the New Millennium.î Led by Dr. William Morrow, general superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and member-at-large on the PCCNA board of administration, delegates discussed a number of questions related to the role of denominations, churches, Pentecost, and leadership. Morrow urged leaders to consider the churchís connection with culture. ìHow will history remember us?î he asked. Leaders at the round tables deliberated on the questions posed and recorded responses that will be disseminated among the PCCNA board for further reflection and evaluation.

Beginning on Thursday morning, Pentecostal leaders gave special focus to the theme, ìConnecting with Our Wounded World.î Consideration was given to recent events and natural calamities that have ravaged our world and affected many lives at home and abroad and the churchís response. Throughout the day, delegates heard from Doug Stringer, founder and director of Turning Point Ministries International, an evangelistic and discipleship ministry with outreaches to the church and secular world. Formerly a physical fitness instructor and owner of an exercise business, Stringer totally yielded his life to the lordship of Jesus Christ in 1981. Beginning his ministry in his exercise studio and apartment, Stringer handed out business cards that said, ìSomebody Cares, call 24 hours a day.î He began providing a refuge for the homeless and hurting by meeting their physical needs. Former drug dealer and addicts, male and female prostitutes, runaways, hitchhikers, even a professional dancer along with members of his dance company, were led to a personal relationship with Christ.

In his address to the Pentecostal leaders, Stringer urged the churches represented to cross denominational and ethnic/racial lines and partner together to reach the lost and hurting in their communities. ìAt the end of the day the more we work together, the more we will advance the Kingdom,î he stated. ìIf we are going to impact the soul of the community, we must be the heart of the community,î he stated further. ìThe Church is empowered to convey the presence of God in the community.î

According to Stringer, key issues enabling churches to work together are respecting one anotherís differences, showing honor toward each other, and maintaining a posture of humility. ìWe can respect and cooperate without being in complete agreement on every issue,î he stated. ìOf supreme importance is that we see the task before as much larger than we can accomplish alone. Every church has unique strengths and giftings to do things in the community,î he added. Stringer urged that churches look at what is going on in the community, determine what kinds of needs they can help meetówhether physical, material, or spiritualóand then make themselves available.

During an interlude in Fridayís business meeting, the PCCNA board of administration heard from Dr. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Addressing the issue of connecting with our wounded world, Haggard highlighted the expansive small group ministries of New Life Church, ministries that are the outgrowth of the Holy Spiritís operation in the life of the church. ìPraying in the Spirit triggers the gifts of the Spirit,î Haggard declared. ìWhen we worship in the Spirit, creation happensócreative ideas flood in. When you have thousands of people praying in the Spirit and receiving His creativity, they must be released to minister.î

Currently, New Life Church has some 1,300 small group ministries in operation, covering a wide spectrum of topics, themes, and interests. Many of these groups are reaching out to the needs within the community and church, relieving pressure from the pastoral staff. ìThe greatest resource in our churches is the people,î Haggard noted. ìThe problem is that we [leaders] try to motivate people to do the things we want them to do. Instead, they need to be released to do what they are led to do by the Holy Spirit. Our churches are filled with ministers who know how to reach different groups.î

With regard to the ministry of the local church, Haggard stated that the church should not be platform-driven, but relationship-driven. ìChurches do not grow because of the worship or the sermon,î he stated, ìthey grow because of relationships. And pastors shouldnít be under the pressure of having to move people toward conversion; that should happen relationally.î

Following reports on the Azusa Street Centennial celebration slated for April and activities of the International Pentecostal Press Association, the business session concluded with the delegation acknowledging the effective leadership of PCCNA chairman James Leggett and co-chairman George McKinney. Prayer was offered also for Charles Crabtree and Jerry Macklin as they assume leadership of the PCCNA executive committee and board of administration.

Reporting from Colorado Springs, Colorado

John Maempa
President, Board of Directors, International Pentecostal Press Association