OUR PASTOR RETURNS FROM SPRING HOLY DAYS VISIT TO NIGERIA Fred Kellers, our pastor, and Bruce Gore file the following reports on their latest trip to Nigeria during Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread: Hello All, Yes, the news from Nigeria is great. The church is growing and it appears that more growth is on the way. I baptized three young ladies, all in their twenties. This makes 27 baptized in the last two and a half years. Fifteen of those baptized, over half, are new, having never been in any Church of God previous to receiving the Good News or other of our material. We are bursting out of our little hall in Lagos, but we will try to stay there one more year in order to save on rental costs. A group in Abuja, the capital, that was associated with our previous affiliation, is receiving our material and wants to maintain a closer association with us. They are receiving the Good News and our other material and distributing it to their members. I gave the sermon at their services on the Sabbath after UB and they were very receptive and appreciative. There were over 40 in attendance. We expect to work more closely with them in the future. Bruce Gore was in Nigeria with me but we went separate ways to serve more people. Here is his report: The Benin City church had invited some GN subscribers for the 1st Day of U B. We had 4-5 of these visitors show up for services bringing our total for services to 25. Most of the brethren have very little income. Only 2 of the men here own their own cars which they use a lot to help others get to services. Some of the American brethren had sent money to purchase meals for them on the 1st & Last Days of UB. They deeply appreciated this act of concern for them. Friday, Fred and I made the trip to switch locations for the last part of the Days of UB. After attending Sabbath services in Lagos, we got up early on Sunday to make the trip to Ibadan visiting a GN subscriber in the hospital. He was working as a security guard for a business when demonstrating students came thru the area and one cut off his arm with a machete. On Monday morning, we had a breakfast meeting with 6 or 7 members representing the group, Church of God, (Sabbatarians). I would guess there are probably 25-30 in this group who want a closer association with UCG. There some areas where their format for Sabbath observance and Sabbath meetings differ from ours. I spent over 2 hours with them going over these issues at their request plus many other questions. They are an attentive, humble people. I felt a kindred spirit in being with them. We invited them to attend our Lecture meeting that immediately followed. We had 14 new people attend. I spoke for about 45 minutes on the subjects of a world that is spiritually blinded and how God is calling a few now to assist Christ in teaching the world His truth at His return. I spent another hour answering a variety of questions from the group. There was a lot of interest on their part. They all took a number of pieces of our literature with them when the left. I was invited by their leader to stop by the meeting hall of the C of G, Sabbatarians on the way out of town where I was asked to address some of the group and pray for them. This we did. We returned to Lagos. On the last day of UB, they had invited interested GN subscribers for an Open House meeting there. The group of over 60 enjoyed a noon meal courtesy of a couple of American congregations. Once again we had over a dozen visitors and spent a couple of hours answering their questions. The visitors included a group from a handicapped sports team from Lagos who will travel to New York the last part of April. I was encouraged to see the depth of interest from so many of the newer people that I met in these meetings. Sunday, April 7th, we participated in their sermonette class followed by a meeting discussing site selection for the Feast of Tabernacles. They are so short on funds it is very difficult for them to afford a location that in any way represents what life in the World Tomorrow will be like. My observations of the work of God's Church in Nigeria are that there is tremendous potential for growth-- a growth that in time should make it possible for the area to be self-sufficient. They desperately need their own minister in the area. I appreciated the opportunity to serve them on this trip and will remember them in my prayers in months, years to come. Bruce Gore This is Fred again. I found a much better feast site. You may recall that we have been using a very dilapidated location in Lagos. Last year we lost electricity and water the second day and had none for the rest of the feast. The new location is three times nicer but costs three times as much. It has its own water supply and generator in case the utilities fail. It is very clean and well kept. Cost is a big problem. Nigerians typically earn between $60 and $70 a month. It is difficult for them to tithe and save second tithe, but we will only help those that step out in faith and are faithful in tithing. Any that will go hungry or without adequate clothing because of tithing we will help to eat and be clothed. The deacons in Nigeria will continue to look for another location while I look for ways to get enough money to help those who are faithful but don't earn enough to attend the feast. God will provide. So, things are progressing well overall. The growth and the zealous attitude of these wonderful people is inspiring. I hope this is encouraging to you. Fred Click here to see full length photo of African garments. See the card the African brethren sent to all of us in the Nashville church area. UPDATED April 26, 2002 I have some pictures from our trip to Nigeria. There are pictures of the three girls I baptized. They are mostly with their families. The girl in blue is Faith Aluyi with her parents. The girl in a red blouse is Rebecca Oguntayo with her parents. The girl wearing white and holding a colorful towel in front of herself is Lola Ibirogba and is shown in a photo with her mother, sister and brothers and a photo with her mother and me. The best picture is of Bruce in the airport waiting to leave. He doesn't always look like that, just when he's been away from Phyllis too long. Fred Kellers

AMBASSADOR REUNION IN NASHVILLE JUNE 22-23

All former students, employees and faculty members of Ambassador College and Ambassador University are invited to attend a reunion in Nashville, TN June 22-23, 2002. A dinner/dance is planned for Saturday night and a picnic on Sunday. Gary Antion, former instructor and administrator, will give the sermon Saturday afternoon and will address attendees Saturday night. For more details and to RSVP, please contact Phillip or Elaine McCollum at (615) 595-0565, or e-mail at acreunion2002@comcast.net

NINE BAPTIZED SINCE MARCH 3!

Murfreesboro, TN March 3: Pictured above (from left to right) Rebecca Faith Bean, Andrea Babcock, Tucker Davis and Robin Elizabeth Cunningham. These smiling folks were all baptized last Sunday in Murfreesboro. The services were conducted by our pastor, Fred Kellers who was assisted by our two local elders, Bill Vernich and Stan Martin. Also in March four more people were baptized. They are: Mark & Neveland smith, Stephanie Neely and Ken Zenauskas. Sorry, but no pictures are available at present.

Eric Breedlove, pictured at left, is the latest to be baptized. The baptism took place at the home of his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Breedlove. Our loving congratulations to all!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, CLASS OF 2001!

ERIC SCOTT BREEDLOVE, son of Ray and Lori Breedlove, graduates from Antioch High School on May 21. Eric is President of the student body this year. He is active on the school golf team and bowling team. He plans to attend college at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. REBECCA FAITH BEAN, daughter of Ralph and Cheryl Bean, will graduate from Lebanon High School May 24. Her school activities: Future Farmers of America, Future Homemakers of America, League Of Vocal Enthusiasts, Students Taking A Right Stand and the School Chorus. She will attend college at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. Click here to read the poem Cheryl Bean wrote in honor of her daughter's graduation. WALTER C. GOLDEN, JR. son of Pat Jones, is graduating from Cherokee High School in Woodstock, Georgia. He is currently in sales and intends to pursue a career in computers. Click here for more photos

163 people were in attendance at the Ward Agriculture and Community Center in Lebanon, Tennessee. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather along with plenty of fellowship. Stan Martin gave an inspiring sermon,"Comparing The Unleavened Way of Life With the Leavened Way of Life". Coleman Walker gave the offertory.More Photos

Jessica Isbell, age 12, recently had some of her art published in the School News section of the Nashville Tennessean. Her illustration of a blues musician is a part of her school's study of the history of Blues as a music form.Click here to see a full size copy of her drawing.

HOME PAGE      HOW TO FIND US      SERVICES