IPC Tabernacle Dallas, Inc.
Volume 1, Issue 4
December 2009
Editor’s Note
Someone once told me that
he did not like the idea of
New Year’s – especially
when people start thinking of
it as the end of something
and the beginning of
another. To him, 364 days
from every today is a year.
Normally, what happens to
most of us (or at least to me)
on New Year’s is that we’ve
planned out our resolutions
by December 31st and pray
that we keep it longer than
the next few days. And
when (sadly, for most of us,
not if) we break our
resolutions, we wait until the
next December 31st to make
our next set of resolutions.
From this guy’s point of
view, every day is a day for
evaluating ourselves, and if
we happen to break our New
Year’s resolution, we should
re-resolve it the next day. I
know, I know – the idea is
not so revolutionary, but it is
one that we often fail to
appreciate.
I hope that regardless of the
details of, our resolution
today and everyday would
be to make the most of each
set of 24 hours that God
grants us.
Sheby
True Church Growth by Rev. K.P. Mathew
The principle of apostolic
church growth is the
understanding that Jesus said,
“I will build my Church and the
gates of Hades will not
overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18).
The church is founded on the person Jesus
Christ, the head of the Church. (1st
Corinthians 3:11, Ephesians 1:18-23).
Acts of the Apostles, the only historical book
in the New Testament, deals with the
quantitative and qualitative dimension of
Church growth. Christ has a unique growth
plan and purpose for each local church. A
popular preacher, who claims that he is an
anointed minister for the last days,
commented, “A group where there are less
than five hundred people as attendees
cannot be accepted as a church.” He
underestimates the qualitative aspect of the
church.
A church can be alive and growing, even if
the number of members is not increasing. If
those in the church are growing in the grace
and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and are
submitting to His will for their lives, both
individually and corporately, the church is
Is Mission Your Passion
Mission is a very familiar word to
Pentecostal communities these
days. Mission had been the “core“
vision of the early church and it
was part of life for them. But as
centuries passed, unfortunately mission has
become the “part time” ministry for our
churches. The church itself was able to
make its root to various communities in the
experiencing true growth. At the same time, a
church can be adding to its rolls weekly, have
huge gatherings, and still be spiritually
stagnant.
Growth of any kind follows a typical pattern.
Evangelists are those who plant the seed.
Pastors, teachers, and others who exercise
their spiritual gifts for the growth of a church
water the seed. God gives the increase (1st
Corinthians 3:7). All those who are involved in
the work of the church will be rewarded
according to their labor (1st Corinthians 3:8).
It is important for every member in the
congregation to know what his or her spiritual
gift is for building up the church. Every church
is equipped for the advancement of the gospel.
The Church should become a witnessing, as
well as a worshipping community.
The description of a living and growing church
is found in Acts 2:42-47. Here the believers
devoted themselves to apostolic teaching,
fellowship, breaking of the bread, and prayer.
They were serving one another. The Lord
added to their number daily. When these things
(Continued on page 4)
by Bro. James George
1st century because of the missions that was
carried out by the committed men and women
– the missionaries. Our Lord Jesus himself is
the one who entrusted the mission on us
(Mathew 28:19,20). Jesus himself was on a
mission, to represent the Father in heaven on
this wicked world, and in Mathew 28, we see
the same Jesus is giving his disciples a
(Continued on page 3)
 Around Us The findings were based on an Vietnam: Alleged Murderer of Christians
investigation of 198 countries and Strikes Again
territories, which represent 99.5 % of the While Christians in Europe and North
Most news stories of 2009 reported
world's population, from 2006 to 2008. America are not facing physical abuse,
destruction, loss, despair, scandals,
sickness and death. The year has been Top Persecutions Headlines they are certainly facing spiritual and
hard on everyone, especially Christians. Bangladesh: Muslim Pilgrims in moral confusion.
Persecution took to new heights. Most Bangladesh Beat Bible Student American Faith Is a Religious
countries have some form of religious China: Chinese Pastor Sentenced to 15 Labyrinth
restrictions targeting Christians. Here is a Years in Prison "The labyrinth can be whatever you want
recap of 2009. China: Five More Christian Leaders it to be," said John Neely, the minister of
Evangelist Oral Roberts Dies at 91 Sentenced in China music at Westminster Presbyterian.
Thousands attended a public memorial Congo: Rebel Army Torches Crowded Even as the church labyrinth branches,
service for well-known evangelist and Church with Protestants, Catholics, and even
university founder Oral Roberts, who died Egypt: Violence Ongoing in Egypt as non-Christian occupying different paths of
Tuesday, Dec. 15. The services were Christians Plead for Help the same mazelike design, a new Pew
held at the Mabee Center on the campus Ethiopia: Convert Languishing in Jail in Forum on Religion and Public Life study
of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. Ethiopia for Handing Out Bibles shows that Americans engage in multiple
Roberts died of complications from Gaza: Church Official and Wife Beaten religious practices that mix elements of
pneumonia, according to a spokesman. and Robbed in Gaza assorted traditions.
India: Extremists Beat and Harrass According to the study, worshipers say
Recent Typhoons and Tsunamis Christians that they attend services of one faith or
Devastate Developing Countries Indonesia: Islamists Bully Villagers into denomination, but many also combine
Typhoons and tsunamis sent relief Revoking Church Permit elements of Christianity with Eastern or
groups scrambling in different directions Iran: 30 Christians Arrested as Protest New Age beliefs. Many people found
as disasters hit the Philippines and Crackdowns Continue astrology, reincarnation and the existence
American Samoa last week. Massive Israel: Church Showered with Stones in of spiritual energy in physical objects all
flooding in both countries has displaced Northern Israel compatible with their Christian beliefs.
millions, forcing native governments to Kenya: Kenyan Pastor Beaten at
rely on ministries and relief groups to help Somaliland Border UK Church Says It May Close Over
their people. Relief groups have divided Lao: Police Destroy Church Building in Noise Ordinance
their efforts - and joined forces with some Lao Village In an extraordinary decision, All Nations'
unexpected partners - to aid the nearly 4 Malaysia: Seizure of 15,000 Bibles in Church in Kennington, South London,
million people affected by the crises. Malaysia Stuns Christians was served with a noise abatement
Morocco: Five Foreign Christians notice by Lambeth council in September
Two-Thirds of World's People Live
Deported from Morocco after complaints from a couple of local
under Religious Restrictions
Pakistan: Pakistani Muslims Allegedly residents about the level of noise coming
About one-third of the countries in the
Poison, and Kill Christian Employees from the church.
world have high restrictions on religion,
exposing almost 70 % of the globe's Somalia: Islamic Extremists Execute While 2009 may seem like the Devil has
population to limitations on their faith, Young Convert in Somalia his stronghold on many parts, the Holy
new research shows. Overall, one-third Somalia: Islamic Extremists in Somalia Spirit has been working just as hard. It is
of the countries were found to have high Trap, Kill Church Leader reported that there has been more
or very high restrictions on religion as a Sri- Lanka: Rash of Attacks on baptisms, more conversion, and more
result of government rules or hostile Christians Reported in Sri Lanka people standing up for their belief in
acts by individuals and groups. In some Sri-Lanka: Sri Lankan Parliament to Vote Jesus Christ. The stories of persecution
countries, such as China and Vietnam, on Anti-Conversion Laws are usually followed by stories of
government restrictions on religion were Turkey: More than Half in Turkey redemption or stories of the wrath of God
high, as well as moderate or low social Oppose Non-Muslim Meetings in that area of the world. The news media
hostilities. In contrast, nations such as Uganda: Muslims Attack Worship may be depressing, but our calling is
Bangladesh and Nigeria had moderate Service in Uganda much higher.
level of government restrictions but Uzbekistan: Police Raid Home, Arresting
ranked high in social hostilities. Christians

Happy New Year!

Page 2
 Leading a Life Without Compromise by Bro. Johnson Parel

We live in a world that
constantly demands us to com-
promise on our
standards of spiritual living. With
the help of the vast media coverage and
internet, we are pounded with stuff that
creates an environment for a believer to
give up on his spiritual commitment.
However God didn’t promise us a perfect
world. Philippians 2:15 says that we are
called to shine as light in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generation.
Christians tend to have the most ex-
cuses. We blame our circumstances and
others for our mistakes. Daniel is one of
the personalities in the Bible that has
influenced many throughout the
generations to lead a blessed spiritual
life even in the midst of the most
adverse circumstances. Daniel didn’t
compromise on his priorities, holiness,
prayer life, or worship.
Don’t compromise on your priorities.
(Daniel 5:17)
Daniel faced the temptation of wealth,
like we often face in our walk in this
world. But Daniel stood true to his
priorities and denied to compromise on
his priorities. Bible say’s in Luke 12:34,
“where your treasure is, there your
heart will be. When temptations for
financial growth and fame come at the
cost of our spiritual life, let’s stand our
ground and overcome the temptation
to compromise. Let’s straighten out
our priorities.
Don’t compromise on your holiness.
(Daniel 1:8)
Daniel was committed to live without
compromising his holiness. Daniel
had resolved in his mind not to defile
himself with the royal food and wine.
Daniel was a man of character.
Character is defined according to
‘what you do when no one is
watching’. If anyone could have made
(Continued on page 4)

Is Mission Your Passion by Bro. James George (Continued from page 1)

mission – to represent Jesus in this world on the altar to full fill His mission. Jesus Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
and to preach the gospel and make said that if one can’t deny himself, he It’s a new commitment that we have in
disciples. The mission for us is the same couldn’t be His disciple. To be disciples Christ. But as we grow in our spiritual
today. and fulfill our mission, we must be life, that commitment should also grow
Our primary mission in this world is to willing to sacrifice many “comforts” of to a new realm where we do our part to
take the gospel to all the nations and our life. Are we ready to offer our mate- finish the task - our mission. We are all
communities and to lead people to the rial blessings, money, etc. on the altar committed to many things. In our school
saving knowledge of Christ. Mission also of missions? Are we ready to sacrifice days we are committed to study, we
has a broader meaning that we often fail our time and use our talents to be part graduate from college and start our
to understand. When Jesus sent his of a mission? Many times people fail to professional life, we are all committed
disciples as missionaries, that live here with an eternal perspective. to our job… as we become mature
commission was not only for evangelism, People with an eternal perspective are Christians, we are all committed to our
but also was for helping the people to stars when it comes to missions, and local church…as we enter into married
meet all their “needs” both physically and they are willing to go an extra mile and life, we are committed to our families
spiritually with a compassionate heart. offer what they have on the altar for and it goes on. It’s good and we must
Every believer whose spiritual eyes are missions. Apostle Paul was the greatest be committed to all these areas of our
opened and enlightened can see the in the 1st century church in this regard. life, but above all, we should be com-
need for charity, as people are suffering He could consider the “gains” of this mitted to the mission that the Lord has
around us. As one more year passes by, world as trash and run for an unseen given us. Jesus said, “ Seek ye first the
how much was our investment and eternal inheritance and fulfill the kingdom …”
involvement in this noble mission? mission that was given to him at the What’s our priority today? To become a
gate of the city of Damascus. man or woman with a passion for the
If you have a passion for mission, it’s well Unfortunately these days, we are
and good. But to put that passion into missions, we have to rearrange our
running in the opposite direction, eager priorities. Well, we all might have
practice, there is couple of things that we to “gain” everything that we can in this
need to have in our life. Here are two of messed up our priorities of our
world, forgetting the call on us for a commitments in 2009. But it’s okay. It’s
them. divine mission. never too late to get it right. Let’s make
Sacrifice: Commitment: mission our passion and commitment.
No one can fulfill the mission without a We are all saved when we accepted
sacrificial attitude. Jesus sacrificed his life
Volume 1, Issue 4 Page 3
True Church Growth by Rev. K.P. Mathew (Continued from page 1)
are in present, the church will experi-
ence spiritual growth, even if there is
not a numerical increase.
A careful analysis is needed to
understand the major hindrances for
the growth of a Church.
It is the duty of the pastor in charge to
bring members to the church:
It is true that a pastor must have a
burden for the perishing souls but his
priority is feeding and guarding the
flock. The whole church is involved in
the ministry of gaining souls for the
kingdom of God. Those employed in
different areas can better know the
seekers of truth and love than a pastor
who, is restricted very much to the
church. Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:19-20
is to be taken seriously by all the
believers in the church.
Conflict and gossip:
A divided church cannot have the
confidence to witness in a community.
Members of the congregation must get
along and have one purpose and goal.
Visitors or outsiders must receive
comfort and hope when they come to
the church. If a person is proud of his or
her church, he or she would be moti-
vated to invite others. An article in the
Washington Times stated, “People are
searching for a spiritual community
radically different from their working
environment.”
Lack of spiritual edification:
Sometimes people count only material
things as blessings. The priority is set
more for personal gratification than for
spiritual blessings, which include love,
compassion, forgiveness, sweetness in
fellowship, desire to meditate scriptures,
prayer oriented life, and mutual
submission. The church at Laodecia
was a lukewarm church, blinded by the
worldliness that prevented it from
experiencing the spiritual blessings.
Christ stands outside and knocks on the
door to enter this church.
Lack of vision:
Where there is no vision, people perish.
Every single believer must be obedient
to the heavenly vision. When Peter
followed Jesus at a distance, he was a
failure and ended up denying Jesus
three times. Only after he restored his
walk with Jesus did he become a
commissioned worker for Christ,
responsible for the growth of the
Church. Thomas kept aloof from other
disciples and failed to meet the
resurrected Jesus. Only after his
restoration did he become a powerful
witness for the church in India.
The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome
all hurdles in fulfilling the Great
Commission of Christ and work for the
growth of the Church. Let us stand
united for the divine power.

Leading a Life Without Compromise by Bro. Johnson Parel (Continued from page 3)
any excuse, it would have been Daniel. TV, Internet, and sports take up time from temptation of compromising on our
They were held hostage in a foreign prayer. It’s time for Christians to have a worship.
land and no one was going to see him strong prayer life, so that our fellowship
We have come to a very crucial moment
do it. Surely God would understand. It with God is strong. in the history of our world. The return of
takes courage and commitment to be a Don’t compromise on your Worship. Christ is very near and it’s hard time that
Christian. Let’s stop rationalizing sin
(Daniel 3:18) we are willing to go to any extent to take
and lead a life without compromise. Worship is a lifestyle and everything we do the Gospel to the dying world. The
Don’t compromise on your prayer on a daily basis should be a worship church needs to come out of sleep mode
life. (Daniel 6:11) offering to our God. Daniel refused to and be active in missions. Satan is very
Daniel valued prayer so much that compromise on his worship even in the prevalent in the world today. Sin is taking
even when facing death in the lions midst of facing death while ignoring the over our society at an alarming rate and
den, he did not stop praying. Prayer decree of the king. It’s very easy to make if the church doesn’t step up and act fast,
life for Daniel was regular, private, statements of allegiance towards God it will be too late. The church is lacking
and facing Jerusalem. It wasn’t while sitting on the comfortable chairs in genuine Christians like Daniel. Let us
something that he did when he got in our churches. We may never come to a make a commitment together not to
trouble or when he needed point where we will be threatened to be compromise on our spiritual standards
something from God or to even show killed by an angry mob or persecuted by and make an impact in this world for
others. We come across temptation the government for being a Christian. As Christ. Let’s change the world. God
to compromise on our prayer life Daniel, we should be willing to face Bless.
when life is going smoothly or when anything, even death to overcome the

Page 4

Prayer Requests
Please pray for the Vadakara region that
the work may be fruitful and that God’s
name will be glorified.
Continue to pray for our brothers and
sisters who have lost their jobs, that God
may open new ways for them.
Please keep our sick members in your
prayers that they may recover and have
fellowship with us soon.
Please pray for the members who are
in schools and colleges.
Please pray for the families that are
traveling during this time that God may
give them a safe journey

Member Spotlight Sophia says she can't cook. Her favorite books are The
Bible, books by Dr. Rebecca Brown, and The Story of
Sophia George Anne Frank. She says about her outlook on life: “My
world view would definitely be from a Christian aspect. I
couldn't see it as anything else.”

Art Class by Jobin James

One of the Wonders of the World by Jewel Johnson
This summer, God enabled my family
and me to go to Alaska. We went on a
cruise ship and saw many amazing
things God created. For instance, we
were at a place called "The Hubbard
Glacier". I could feel the cool breeze
hitting my face. The glaciers were very
interesting to look at. They were very
icy and white, and it was stunning to
see it fall into the deep ocean.
Whenever I looked down at the ocean,
there were many chunks of ice on the
ocean. I had so much fun looking at
the glaciers. Another thing that was
fascinating was the times the sun set
and rose. In the summer there was
few hours of night, and in the winters,
there was only a couple of hours of
daytime. Also, we saw many tall
mountains. There was ice on the top
of the mountains, and they had a lot
of trees. The mountains were very
beautiful to look at. After that, we went
to the Capital of Salmon, which is
Ketchikan. In Ketchikan, we went to
a salmon hatchery, and saw how
many people grew baby salmon. We
also spread the gospel, for example
we passed out tracks, and told others
about Jesus. And finally, we went to
the capital of Alaska, which is Juneau!
Then we saw Governor Sarah Palin's
mansion. It was very exciting! During
my vacation, I saw how God created
everything, and this was a
extraordinary experience!
A kindergarten teacher was observing
her classroom of children while they
drew. She would occasionally walk
around to see each child's artwork. As
she got to one little girl who was
working diligently, she asked what the
drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no
one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat or looking up from
her drawing, the little girl replied, "They
will in a minute."

Sajan Joy and Ancy Joy were united in Holy Matrimony on December 23, 2009.
Praise Report Congratulations!

Year end fasting prayer will be from Monday, December 28 until Wednesday,
Announcements December 30, 2009.
Watch night service will start at 9 PM on December 31, 2009.

Just for a Laugh The day after Christmas, the pastor was looking at the Church nativity scene when he noticed that the
baby Jesus was missing. He went outside and saw a little boy pulling a new red wagon with Jesus inside. He walked up to the boy and
said, “Hi, there. Where did you get baby Jesus?” The boy answered honestly, “In the Church.” “Why did you take him?” The pastor asked.
“Well,” said the boy, “I prayed to Jesus and asked Him for a wagon for Christmas. I told him that if He gave me one, I’d take Him for a ride
in it.”

Please email or call us with any prayer requests or praise reports for the next publication of t-Zone. You may also contact us for
any contributions to the newsletter. To get the newsletter in e-format, please email Betsy your email address.

Volume 1, Issue 4 Page 5

 KIDZ KORNER
Gospel of John - Word Puzzle
T C S E L D M R I T L D C F J A W L Z E All the words listed below are in the puzzle - left, right,
P R O P H E T R E O U L O R Q A V W Q Z
up, down or diagonally.
L F K O L G K L J V O Z I G T Z Q C J M
H O L Y S P I R I T I A I E F T L G M C
F P I B V I X U H P H R R Z F O L G O V ARRIVAL LOCUSTS
S Y R R T J X E J S I A N A E P N N E A
BAPTIZED MESSENGER
Z A Y E X X S U L N R U T A H J F O F K
T S I T P A B E H T N H O J D E J J S Q CAMELS HAIR PREPARE
H G I M D A M Z Y F G U D D S R G G S M CLOTHES PROCLAIM
R K O H E A R S D N A E A S J U O O E I COMING PROPHET
Y E W A C S Z E I J Z N E X U S N J N A CONFESSED SON OF GOD
A S T I H R S M G I E D P V D A W Q R L GREATER TURN
R V G A P O O E T W W S P F E L D K E C HOLY SPIRIT WATER
R H R S E C R P N M G H U H A E L C D O ISAIAH WILDERNESS
I U Y I J R A E I G E G Y S Y M C S L R JERUSALEM WILD HONEY
V I A J L B G M L Y E N O H D L I W I P
A S T S U C O L P P U R N V U W M K W S JESUS WORTHY
L H C E V B P O N S R J F M B M A Q C C JOHN THE BAPTIST
K J P T W O R T H Y F R Y I Z L Q K K C JORDAN RIVER
U T G F A L B L T L S R L M W S E C Q R JUDEA

ABRAM [Drawings by Sherin Stanley]

IT’S ALMOST NEW IT’S TIME TO WE HAVEN’T EVEN KEPT

IT HAS RIGHT. SO MY RESOLUTION IS
YEARS. WHERE HAS MAKE NEW THE RESOLUTIONS WE
GONE TOO THAT I WILL GO TO CHURCH
THE YEAR GONE? FAST. RESOLUTIONS! MADE THIS YEAR. I
WHENEVER I WANT TO. THAT WAY
THINK WE SHOULD MEAN
I WILL NOT BE BREAKING MY
WHAT WE PROMISE.
PROMISE WHEN I DON’T GO TO
CHURCH SOME DAYS.

THAT’S A LOOPHOLE.

[Drawings by Shereen Raju]

ALL THESE CHARITIES

OHH!! 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7
I HATE END OF
WHY? IT’S SUCH A
THE YEAR AND ASKING FOR MONEY
BURDEN.
CHRISTMAS TIME. AND CONTRIBUTION
REQUESTS….

GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.

Published by IPC Tabernacle PYPA. For private circulation only. Do not copy without permission. Please contact us with any feedback, contributions, ideas, or concerns.
Betsy Thomas: t_betsy@yahoo.com; Sheby Alexander: shebyalexander@yahoo.com; Jason Mathew: jasonmathew89@gmail.com

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