The Indiana e-Christian

On Thursday, May 21, ABC’s Nightline aired a report by Dan Harris, a reporter for ABC, on the practice of child exorcisms in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After consultation with church leaders in the Congo, Sandra Gourdet, Africa Executive for the Division of Overseas Ministry, issued the following statement.

ABC Nightline recently aired a special program on child exorcisms in churches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although this is a serious matter in the Congo and a few other African nations, I wish to state unequivocally that this is not a practice found in any of the churches with whom we have a relationship. Neither the Community of the Disciples of Christ nor the Church of Christ in Congo is involved in this horrendous behavior and abuse of children.

Most of this abuse is happening in the capital city of Kinshasa and the lives of many children are threatened. It is not happening in mainline churches, but rather in what one calls 'Revival Churches' or 'Churches of the Holy Spirit.' One of the renowned organizations is 'Spiritual Combat' that has gained an international following. Pastors of these organizations have generally not received much education and have not been trained theologically. They claim that their authority comes from the Holy Spirit and proclaim themselves pastors, doctors, apostles and other.

Children are accused of being a source of evil in some families – some thought to be possessed by evil and others thought to be the source of family misery or loss of employment. Given the already fragile socio-economic and political state of affairs in the country, this situation has worsened the plight of children and increased the number of street children in main cities of the country, especially Kinshasa.

Many families have been torn apart by this phenomenon. In some cases where the father has divorced and remarried, the step mother feels threatened. If she joins one of these 'churches,' the husband is often faced with the choice of choosing between the wife and the child. Children are often forced to admit that they are sorcerers. They do not feel safe at home and many prefer to live on the streets of Kinshasa.

The government is ineffective as it deals with this issue, the issue of violent rape and sexual assault on women, looting of natural resources in the country, stability in war ravaged part of the country and many other problems.

Mainline churches are working to make a difference. The Community of Disciples of Christ churches in Kinshasa are offering some counseling to children who have been abused. The Church of Christ in Congo through its Department of Women and Family is assisting children with finding a safe haven and counseling.

Read Harris’s report on the USA Today website.

On Wednesday evenings in June, members of Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis will gather for a special study on relationships. The study will give a Biblical perspective on Steve Harvey’s book, Act Like a Lady; Think Like a Man. The Wednesday evening sessions will begin at 7:00 and end at 9:00, and the study is open to all who wish to attend.

View the video invitation from Light of the World’s Senior Pastor and Resident Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin, Jr..

A newly formed congregation, Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, will be worshiping on Sunday mornings in the chapel of Northwood Christian Church.  Some eighty congregants gathered for their first service on Mother’s Day and enjoyed the use of the Chapel Garden for their fellowship time. 

Northwood will continue its 8:30 a.m. services in the chapel prior to the Orthodox services at 10:00 a.m.  Pastor Ted Nottingham states that “this sharing of the facilities with brothers and sisters of the Eastern Orthodox tradition is a manifestation of the ecumenical commitment and vision of Christian unity so central to our Disciples identity.”

Pastor Henzy and First Lady Nicole Green of Emmaus Christian Church

Emmaus Christian Church will hold its second annual marriage retreat, “The Love Dare,” on May 29-30 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Carmel, Ind. The weekend is designed to be a special time of refreshing for couples.

The Love Dare will cover topics addressing relationship parasites and unconditional love. Participants will also examine the difference between the world’s design for marriage and God’s original intention.

The cost for the retreat is $50 per couple. Registration includes dinner and retreat materials. Couples are encouraged to enjoy time away and stay at the host hotel. The hotel cost is $101.00 per night, which includes the extensive breakfast buffet.

For registration and other information, please contact Emmaus Christian Church at (317) 388-1466.

Spring Membership Class from Poseyville Christian in the gazebo at Jacob’s Village

The Spring Membership Class at Poseyville Christian Church went on a field trip to Jacob’s Village which is located on the Vanderburgh-Posey County line just off State Road 66. The wooded acreage is a dream-come-true home for adults with functional disabilities. The students visited to learn more about Jacob’s Village and to learn how they can help with projects to benefit the residents.

Part of the tour included a walk on the Nature Trail which leads to a beautiful resting/meditation area in the woods where much wildlife is safely secluded in a preserve. After touring both the men’s and women’s very attractive homes, the group went to the shed for a demonstration of the aluminum can crusher.

This was a highlight because many of the cans come from the cans saved by the members of Poseyville Christian. Alex Coulter, a high school member of the congregation, has recycle boxes stationed in the church building where members deposit their used aluminum cans. Alex then delivers the many bags of cans to Jacob’s Village where they are crushed. The aluminum is sold and the residents use the money for special outings such as eating at a restaurant or going to a ball game.

One Sunday last December, the Jacob’s Village residents were guests of the congregation for worship followed by a church pitch-in dinner. One of the residents, with the help of a volunteer tutor, is learning to read. He stood at the pulpit during worship and read, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Although he read somewhat haltingly and slowly, there hardly a dry eye remained in the sanctuary when he finished.

Poseyville Christian and the residents of Jacob’s Village look forward to more interaction and visits back and forth in the future.

Rev. Doris Beckerman serves as pastor to Poseyville Christian Church.

Central Christian Church in Connersville received $10,000 from a FEMA grant that the church will be using to help keep people in their homes during the year.

The church had already responded to needs in its community, which has struggled economically for several years. During his interim ministry with the church, Dick Moore provided a portion of his own salary to be given to people who called for help. Fred and Georgia Lucas, members of the congregation, fielded calls and helped people.

After the arrival of Alan Terlep as senior minister, the board voted in January to provide $1,500 for this program.

Three months later, the church has helped dozens of people with rent, utilities, and other basic needs, and the gifts of congregation members have covered the full cost of the program so far. In addition to providing financial assistance, the church has followed up with recipients to make sure that they are able to find more long-term stability.

They have also been able to offer spiritual and emotional support. As a result, Central Christian is establishing long-term relationships and seeing some of the people they have helped in church.

The church applied for $9,000 after discovering that FEMA had a program to provide money for such emergency needs. Sandy Peters, the church’s newest member, put together the application.

When the funding committee received the report and saw the congregation’s commitment to provide long-term support for people to stem off the need for emergency help on an extended basis, FEMA decided to give the church more money than requested.

Central Christian is now recruiting a team of people to provide assistance, follow up, and address any spiritual and physical needs.

Pastor Alan Terlep notes that these emergency funding programs exist in every county. Churches interested in launching a similar program can call Central Christian Church for more information.

On June 6, 2009, Primera Iglesia Cristiana in Hobart will reach another historical milestone as the church celebrates its 50th Anniversary. During the weekend-long celebration, to be held June 5-7, 2009, the church will reflect on "50 Years of Victory…Envisioning the Future."

In light of this theme, the planned events will reflect on the victories of the past 50 years while looking ahead to a blessed and prosperous future, confident that they will continue to witness God’s mighty hand at work.

The celebration will open on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with "YES: Celebrating Our Youth." During this time of worship and celebration, Teen Challenge will minister to the youth of the church and the community.

A Celebration Festival on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. will feature games, food and music. In the evening starting at 6:30 p.m., Primera Iglesia will artist Ricardo Rodriguez in concert at the church.

In worship at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, the congregation will remember its founders and celebrate its members in a culmination of the weekend’s celebration. Rev. Dr. Humberto Pimentel, National Hispanic Pastor will bring the message in worship that morning.

Primera Iglesia Cristiana invites everyone to join them in this time of celebration.

Juaquin Rodriguez serves as pastor to Primera Iglesia Cristiana.

The Disciples of Christ Historical Society in Nashville, Tenn., suffered severe water damage during the last weekend of April.  Flooding at the 50-year old archive building was believed to be caused by a faulty valve in the heating and air conditioning system.

Despite the flooding, none of the material housed at the center was damaged beyond repair.

A full report is available at DisciplesWorld.com.