In 2013-2014we celebrate one hundred years of the restoration of water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We find examples of this practice throughout church history, but key events in the early twentieth century led to the greatest revival of this message since the third century.

The Jesus Name message was renewed in the modern Pentecostal movement, which originated with a Bible school in Topeka, Kansas, in January 1901 led by Charles Parham and with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, from 1906 to 1908 led by William Seymour. Based on the examples in Acts, some early Pentecostals began to baptize in Jesus name, including Parham (1901), some in Los Angeles during the Azusa Street Revival (1907), and Andrew Urshan, a Persian immigrant in Chicago (1910).

The practice did not yet have strong doctrinal significance, however. Two notable events led to the development of the Jesus Name message as a distinct movement: the Worldwide Camp Meeting in Arroyo Seco in April 1913 and the rebaptisms of Frank Ewart and Glenn Cook in April 1914.

The Worldwide Apostolic Faith Camp Meeting was organized by R.J. Scott and George Studd and held at Arroyo Seco near Los Angeles, on a campground used by the Azusa Street Mission. The month-long meeting began on April 15, 1913, and perhaps two thousand people attended.

The main speaker was Maria Woodworth-Etter, a well-known Pentecostal evangelist. Expectations were high, and 364 people received the Holy Spirit. Many miraculous healings occurred as Woodworth-Etter prayed in the name of Jesus. At a baptismal service Robert McAlister, a Canadian minister, explained that single immersion was the proper mode for baptism, not triple immersion. As proof he cited the baptismal accounts in Acts. The apostles baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; they never baptized using the words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as triple immersion requires.

McAlisters observation planted a seed in the minds of several people. A man named John Schaepe was so inspired that he spent the night in prayer. Early the next morning he began running through the camp shouting that he had received a revelation of the power of the name of Jesus. Quite a few campers were greatly stirred as Schaepe fervently explained his newfound understanding.

Another man who was deeply impressed was Frank Ewart, originally from Australia, where he had been a Baptist bush missionary. In 1903 he immigrated to Canada, in 1908 he received the Holy Spirit in Portland, Oregon, and in 1912 he became pastor of a Pentecostal mission in Los Angeles founded by William Durham. Ewart had been studying the name and oneness of God for some time, so McAlisters comments were especially intriguing to him. Ewart invited him to his home, where they discussed the theological implications of using the name of Jesus in water baptism. They concluded that when the apostles baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, they properly fulfilled Christs command to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

After the camp, Ewart began working in Los Angeles with McAlister and Glenn Cook, a noted evangelist who had been the full-time business manager of the Azusa Street Mission. These men continued to study the name of Jesus and the doctrine of God. After several months McAlister returned to Canada and shared their thinking with ministers there, particularly Franklin Small. At some point they also included in their discussions G.T. Haywood, a ministerial friend and a prominent African American pastor in Indianapolis.

In November 1913 at a convention in Winnipeg, McAlister preached the first sermon on the name of Jesus in water baptism. Small had charge of the baptismal service and baptized thirty new converts in the name of Jesus Christ. These were the first Jesus Name baptisms to result from the Arroyo Seco meeting.

Back in Los Angeles, Ewart and Cook concluded that, following the apostolic pattern, water baptism should always take place with the invocation of the name of Jesus. They also concluded that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not three distinct persons but three manifestations of the one God, and Jesus is the revelation of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The reason why there is such power when believers preach, pray, and baptize in Jesus name is that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus.

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FLORIDABLANCA -- Fr. Jess G. Manabat of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish here is regarded as the "builder priest" of Pampanga.

Devout Roman Catholics disclosed that Manabat had built a church, parish hall and convent at the Mawaque Resettlement Center (MRC) in Mabalacat City when he was assigned in the area for about four years beginning 1998.

"Father Jess is the builder priest of Pampanga. He builds the houses of God and improves the church's facilities as soon he takes over a parish," said long-time MRC residents who witnessed how Manabat had started from scratch and then worked for the construction of all the necessary facilities in the parish dominated by victims of Mt. Pinatubos eruption.

Manabat said he had initially lived at the MRCs hospital because there was no shelter for me and not even a chapel for the thousands of residents. He said what he had immediately done was to remind people that the lack of a church or chapel should not stop them from holding Holy Masses. He added that he had turned one of the rooms at the hospital into a chapel. Manabat said they held Holy Mass on Sundays at the streets.

We continue the mass at the streets even when the rains are strong. Expressing faith and devotion to God should not be stopped by the lack of an ideal place and rains, he added.

Manabat said he had asked families at the MRC to donate at least P20 each for the construction of the church and other facilities. Many of them gave more than P20 each. They were determined to have their own church, he added. Manabat said the church, parish hall and convent at the MRC were all completed over a period of fours year. He added: I was starting to enjoy the collective fruits of labor when I got a new assignment as a parish priest in another place.

A very challenging experience but a rewarding one, said Manabat in describing his stint as parish priest of the MRCs Christ the Prince of Peace Parish. He said he was down by dengue while living at the MRC hospital. He added that he almost died and his doctor had to use 15 bags of blood to save him.

In recent interview at the Sacred Heart of Jesus convent-church at the Palmayo Resettlement here, Manabat said he is attracting parishioners with liturgical arts. "I make the Church and its facilities very attractive to the people so they will attend mass and other religious activities more often than usual. Then I implant in their hearts and minds the importance of working together to keep the Church beautiful and sacred. More importantly, we have to remember that the real church is the people of God. The People of God is the Body of Christ, which is the Church."

Manabat said he was an elementary student when he felt "the artist in me," particularly on designing rooms and buildings. "I ended up as a priest and not an architect or interior designer," he added in a jest.

Manabat, a native of Macabebe town, studied at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary at the City of San Fernando, Pampanga and he was one of the 30 students of the 1984 batch. He said they were asked to transfer rooms yearly at the seminary. He added that his classmates had raced to win the rights to occupy the room he just vacated. I design and fix my room well. I do the same thing on a larger scale when I am assigned as a parish priest.

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Priest builds houses of God to renew faith

A man is accused of stealing copper from a construction site at a church, according to police.

Palm Beach police said Leon Primus, 48, took copper from a construction site he was working at on Dec. 26 at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, 141 South County Road.

He was arrested Tuesday.

According to an arrest report, a church employee saw Primus at the construction site by himself on Dec. 26. She became suspicious because she knew the construction workers had taken time off over the holidays. Police said the woman recognized Primus as one of the construction workers who had installed gutters earlier in the week.

When Primus saw her, he played it off like he was on the clock.

"Looks like we are the only ones working today," he told her, according to the report.

Officers found out Primus had sold about $4,000 worth of copper later that day, netting about $160.

He is charged with burglary, grand theft, dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $26,000 bail.

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Man accused of stealing copper from church construction site

Herman Laturnau is stepping down as CEO at Fred C. Church Inc.

Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

A Sun Staff Report

LOWELL -- Fred C. Church Insurance will enter its 150th year in business under new leadership.

Herman Laturnau, who has served as chief executive officer at agency since 2002, has announced his retirement.

Laturnau, who has been with the company since 1985, will remain a corporate officer and chairman of the board of directors until his retirement is official at the end of 2015. But as of Thursday, he will transition most of his current responsibilities to two promoted executives.

Executive vice president Chris Duble takes over as CEO, while another executive vice president, Mike Reilly, assumes the role of president.

"It has been my pleasure to work at Fred C. Church for nearly 30 years, and an honor to serve as president since 2002," said Laturnau, a Londonderry, N.H., resident, in a statement. "I am confident in Mike and Chris and their abilities to advance this company far beyond what it is today. They are savvy, forward-thinking, and most importantly, dedicated to exemplary customer service."

Laturnau added that one thing that will not change is Fred C. Church's commitment to remaining independent.

"Our independence allows us to provide the same sophisticated services as national insurance brokerages, but with better responsiveness, flexibility and personalization," he said.

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Laturnau to step down as CEO at Fred C. Church

Pics: Meryick D'Silva Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Dec 31: The newly-built Infant Mary Church at Bajjodi in Mangaluru will be inaugurated by the provincial superior of the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province Fr Charles Serrao on Friday January 2.

The holy Eucharist will be celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru, who will also bless the new church at 9 am.

A felicitation function will be held after the holy mass followed by lunch.

Fr Joe Tauro, the superior of St Joseph's Monastery, Carmel Hill, Fr Antony Serrao, parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Bendore and Fr Melvin D'Cunha, presently the priest in charge of Infant Mary Church, Oscar Fernandes, MP, J R Lobo, MLA, Ivan D'Souza, MLC, FRr Pius James D'Souza, Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Lancy Mascarenhas, contractor, George, Engineer, Lawrence Cutinha, Architect and other dignitaries will be present with clergymen and devotees during the inauguration.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday December 31, Fr Melvin D'Cunha, presently the priest in charge of Infant Mary Church said that the new independent parish has six wards with 327 families and he also added that cost of construction of the new church was Rs 3.5 crore.

"Infant Mary Chruch, Bajjodi which has been part of the Bendore parish so far will beecome a new parish after the inauguration of the church. The Carmelite fathers from Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill always helped them in their spiritual needs as Bendore Chruch was very far for them to visit. Later the Carmelites were entrusted to build a new church when the need arose," he added

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Mangaluru: New Bajjodi Church all set for inauguration

TAMPA A month before reports of his charity's treatment of homeless people sparked controversy, New Beginnings of Tampa founder Tom Atchison was fighting to save his church in federal bankruptcy court.

Atchison's New Life Pentecostal Church owed more than $900,000 to a Texas bank. On Oct. 23, the bank's lawyer urged a judge to allow an auction of the church property.

But the church's lawyer said Atchison had a plan to pay down the debt. New Beginnings had just won a big grant, attorney David Steen told the judge. New Life church could use that money to pay the bank.

One problem: The $64,000 grant from Hillsborough County was supposed to pay for emergency shelter for homeless people. It could not be put toward the church's debt, a county spokeswoman said.

Atchison was asking a federal judge to allow him to misuse public grant money to save his church.

While the judge ultimately rejected the plan, it was in keeping with questionable ways Atchison has long run New Beginnings, one of Tampa's largest homeless charities.

For example:

New Beginnings for years made money from construction jobs performed by homeless work crews led by a recovering crack cocaine addict and alcoholic who is not licensed to lead contracting jobs in Florida. The man pleaded no contest to unlicensed contracting this year after a woman complained about a botched roofing job by New Beginnings.

Records show that Atchison listed Tampa City Council Chairman Charlie Miranda on New Beginnings' board of directors for several years. Miranda said his name was used without his permission and he's never been involved with New Beginnings.

The director of a local nonprofit for teenagers in foster care said she declined to refer homeless 18-year-olds to New Beginnings due to concerns Atchison wanted to "warehouse" them with violent criminals and drug addicts.

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For years, Tampa homeless charity raised and spent money dubiously

CUMRU TWP., Pa. -

One of the most memorable stories of 2014 was a church collapse in Cumru Township.

The sanctuary of CrossWay Church on Chateau Drive collapsed around 11 a.m. on Sept. 25.

"Just boom. I did not know what had happened," said Dean Linsky, the church's senior pastor.

The ceiling buckled, causing irreparable damage. Crews then tore down the front-leaning wall. The pile of debris grew, but the staff's faith never altered.

"Wow! God really averted for us a catastrophe, but I think we look forward with a certain sense of hopefulness," said Linsky.

Now, nearly three months later, there is a concrete slab left. Crews cleared the pile of debris, winterized the building and started drawing up sketches of what a new sanctuary could look like.

In the meantime, the church has had to relocate to the Inn at Reading in Wyomissing for services, something pastors said has been an adjustment for the congregation and sometimes difficult for the children and volunteers.

"Our volunteers have been awesome. They have been helpful. They have been patient. They have been gracious, but they, too, are entering rooms and not always knowing where they are going to be, and that can make it difficult for them to serve well," said Jonathan Cosgrove, the church's youth pastor.

The pastors are now hoping to have the architectural drawings complete by the end of January, start construction and have a brand new sanctuary by the end of summer.

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Memorable story of 2014: Church collapse in Cumru

Wooster, OH (PRWEB) December 29, 2014

Building God's Way (BGW), a nationwide church architect and builder network that provides a broad range of solutions to Christian ministries, announced that it has formed an exclusive partnership with Weaver Commercial Contractor (WCC) in the state of Ohio.

This partnership combines the construction expertise and excellent reputation of WCC throughout Ohio with the broad network of services offered to ministry-based organizations through the BGW program, including church design, funding, for-profit integration, leadership development, A/V technology and more.

BGW partners with top church and school builders around the country that have both a heart for Christian ministry and a reputation and track record for constructing top quality buildings at affordable prices.

Dan Cook, Founder of BGW, commented on the new partnership, "WCC aligns very well with our philosophy and our mission to focus on Biblical stewardship, relationships and outreach as we construct buildings that honor the Lord. We are excited to partner with them to reach more churches and Christian schools in the state of Ohio."

WCC is a highly sought-after, full-service commercial construction firm that specializes in design-build, site evaluation and planning, new construction, remodels, additions and budget consulting. Located in Wooster, OH, the company built its first church in 1972, and church and Christian school construction has been a priority for the company ever since.

Ron Wenger, President of WCC, also commented on the new partnership, "We are extremely excited as well as humbled by our opportunity to partner with a firm like BGW. We view this as not only an opportunity to establish a professional relationship, but also as an opportunity to come alongside BGW and impact lives in an eternal way."

BGW and WCC will kick off their new partnership with a seminar event on April 23rd at Malone University in Canton, OH. Churches throughout the Canton - Akron area and beyond will be invited to attend this Momentum Summit event to hear presentations by award-winning church architect Don Mahoney and pastor Eric Bahme, author of the Book "The MBE (Mission-Based Entrepreneur) Revolution". The speakers will share innovative new strategies for church design and church construction as well as capital fundraising, for-profit integration, and A/V technology.

About Building Gods Way - BGW has become a recognized leader in ministry design and construction through its extensive experience in working with hundreds of churches, Christian schools and colleges across the U.S. BGW's trademark programs based on Biblical stewardship and ministry on the construction job site have set them apart from other church builders and includes an unparalleled network of services, including church design, church building, leadership development, capital fundraising, for-profit integration, A/V technology and more. Visit http://www.bgwservices.com for more information.

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Building God's Way Announces Exclusive Partnership with Weaver Commercial Contractor in the State of Ohio

Christ Church Construction Promo 4

By: Loren Zimmer

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Christ Church Construction Promo 4 - Video

The luxury apartment is in the Grade II* listed former St George's Church in the centre of Manchester Features bespoke spiral stair case and private lift, but retains the church's original arches and decorative windows

By Khaleda Rahman for MailOnline

Published: 13:33 EST, 28 December 2014 | Updated: 13:41 EST, 28 December 2014

Spanning nine floors, a luxury flat in the clock tower of a Grade II* listed former church has gone on sale for 1million.

The recently converted four-bedroom homeis in what used to be St George's Church in the centre of Manchester.

As well as a bespoke spiral stair case and private lift, the remarkable conversion also boasts a Jacuzzi-style tub, gym and sauna - but it also retains the church's original arches and decorative windows.

And even without including its manicured gardens, the apartment covers 2500 sq ft.

A luxury flat in the clock tower of a Grade II* listed former church has gone on sale for 1million. Pictured, the bespoke spiral staircase descending into a living area

A fitted kitchen on the second floor includes a built-in coffee machine, left, as well as a washer/dryer, dishwasher and stainless steel oven

Danielle Kelly the estate agent handling the sale at Bridgfords said: 'It's an incredible place in a very sought after area.

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Nine-floor flat in clock tower of former church goes on sale for 1million