Pillars Gone - David F. Hernandez, Cesaria (Lita) Alvarez (Video Link added 3/5/08)

We've lost two great pillars: Brother David F. Hernandez(70) and Sister Cesaria Lita Alvarez(93).

Brother Hernandez embodied the work of the Apostolic Assembly.

David Hernandez...founded Family Life Center Apostolic Church in 1972... focused his ministry on reaching men who struggled with substance abuse and problems with crime and violence. He established the church in 1972 hoping to create a safe, community environment and to win people to God...

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday at Quiet Cannon banquet hall in Montebello and at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at Family Life Center Apostolic Church in Whittier.
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_8330334


Sister Alvarez' has given 73 years of service and ministry to our Lord and Savior under the Apostolic Assembly. Born in 1915, the Lord called her home early this morning at 2:45am (2/25/2008). According to those close to the family, she passed near the time of her daily prayer: 3am.

Sister Alvarez was instrumental to the Apostolic Assembly in founding both the Dorcas (Women's Auxillary) and Flor Azul (Foreign Missionary Fund). Millions of dollars have been raised by both of these groups for the purpose of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ locally and internationally. Sister Alvarez was also a song writer, poet and author.

http://itpstream.com/litaalvarez/

Our deepest condolences to the Hernandez and Alvarez families. Our prayers are with you!

An Open Letter to Bishop President Daniel Sanchez

1/9/2008

Honorable Bishop President Daniel Sanchez,

I greet you in the name of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. I pray God's blessing and wisdom upon you and your family.

The purpose of my letter is to address the matter of the removal of Former Bishop Abel Torres.
As you are aware the movements of the General Board are posted on this site daily. Prior to your visit to Texas, the agenda of your travels was published on this site. The outcome of your meeting with Brother Torres was immediately published on this site. The outcome of your visit with the Pastors of their respective district was again immediately published on this site.

Although many disagree with the purpose of this website, it has become a gathering place for those who LOVE this heritage of the Apostolic Assembly. The amount of visitors to this site is astonishing. Those who take time to post are passionate about their feelings. Some are well articulated and some are crass and rude. But nonetheless they are passionate! No one, not one, wants to leave this beloved organization. That, My Dear Bishop President, is LOVE.

Many view this lawsuit as addressing a plague affecting this organization. Many view this lawsuit as the affliction itself. Which ever side the constituents of this Assembly are on, we seem to agree on one thing: Brother Abel Torres was wrongfully removed.

Bishop President Sanchez, respectfully I submit to you a personal story.

I once held a secret clearance for a government agency for a line of work I was in. Prior to my employment with this agency I underwent a very stringent and lengthy background test which included psychological tests, physical test, criminal checks, 30 year background checks, social affiliations, credit checks, drug tests and mental aptitude tests. This process took several months. By the grace of God, and God fearing parents who instructed me on the value of my testimony, I gained clearance and proceeded to work diligently for a number of years in this environment.

Several opportunities arose which required a move to the private sector. Upon leaving the government agency, my superior officer told me, "We are losing a valuable asset, if you are not happy with your new duties do not hesitate to come back. We will only have to review from the time of this termination to the time of your reinstatement request. You are already cleared and on record from this date backward". This meant if I chose to return, I would not have to undergo all the previous test again. I would only be accountable for the time I left this agency and the time I requested to return. My clearance up unto that point was granted.

Respectfully I bring these items to you attention.
1. Brother Torres was voted in by an overwhelming margin as Bishop of his respective district. The local pastors were and are aware of his involvement this lawsuit but still held fast in their hearts and spirit they wanted him to lead their district. This was because of his integrity, character and record.

2. Brother Abel Torres, under the existing CID, was approved to charge the office of District Bishop. The opportunity arose to disqualify Brother Torres from the District election for reasons of insubordination or rebellion but the election committee felt he was qualified nonetheless. Brother Torres gracefully accepted this position and communicated his desire to continue God's work through the office of Bishop and bring resolve to the aforementioned matter.

3. During Brother Torres' short administration as Bishop, he worked with humility, integrity and the fear of God. He did not use his position to bring reproach to the General Board or the Apostolic Assembly. He did not use his position as leverage on behalf of the plaintiff's of the lawsuit. Rather he worked to bring the parties together as a peacemaker.

4. On December 28, Brother Torres was removed from the Office of Bishop. Brother Torres gracefully accepted the General Board's removal of his title. He did not use this action to bring reproach to the General Board or the Apostolic Assembly.

My beloved Bishop President, I submit to you 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

4.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5.It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Although comments on this website fall short of reflecting of this scripture, I would suggest that Brother Torres does not. His actions are that of love - (13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love).

I addressed the disclosure or awareness of the movements of the General Board and actions during the dates leading and up to the removal of Brother Torres from Bishop to also bring to light that we are also aware that Brother Torres did no wrong doing whatsoever during his term as Bishop. I would suggest to you that had their been impropriety on Brother Torres' behalf, it would have been well documented on this website and should be held responsible for those

actions if true.

Since Brother Torres was accepted as Bishop during the district election, and there was no impropriety on his part during his administration and reason for removal, we are asking that Brother Torres be re-instated as Bishop of his respective district.

He was granted clearance by the local pastors of his district, he was granted clearance by the election committee and General Board. And he did nothing during his administration to remove said clearance up until the time he was stripped of his position and until present.

The local pastors and leaders again called upon his reinstatement the same day by their actions in re voting and calling upon him to be their Bishop. This should be taken as a vote of confidence on his behalf.

My beloved Bishop President. there are many matters in our Assembly that need to be addressed and corrected. We know that they cannot be changed over night. However, we do not need to keep adding to that list.

I know it is a great burden that is on the shoulders of you and your administration, I pray that God grants you the strength and wisdom to keep the flame burning.

I ask that you please reinstate Bishop Abel Torres as Bishop. It is the right thing to do.

With Respect and Love,

Apostolic Voice

apostolicvoice@gmail.com

2007 General Convention Editorial

Hermanos,

Would you so kind in welcoming Brother Josh Bayne to the podium as he provides an analysis of the 2007 General Convention at the Gaylord Resort in Fort Worth Texas. Brother Bayne was asked by us to provide some insight as to what he witnessed at the convention. In my discussion with him, I realized that he may be the most unbiased person to provide this type of on the scene reporting.
I really hate to have to say, please be respectful as he is a guest blogger on this site, but I feel I must. Let's show him what warm hearts we in the AAFCJ have. I always find in interesting how we are percieved outside looking in.

*****************************************

I must admit, I was a little keener to the unusual atmosphere of this years General Convention of the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Jesus Christ. I had already done some reading and research concerning the Election Scandal of the General Convention of the previous year. During my research I found myself with a pretty objective attitude due to my lack of relationship with the Apostolic Assembly or its General Board. But as I walked through the doors of the Gaylord Texan, in Grapevine Texas, I was immediately confronted with an amazing sense of tension.

There were 2 types of people I met in Grapevine. The first was the person who was there for information and justice. This person really didn’t seem too interested in the convention itself, but rather in the business meetings and the way the assembly of believers would react to the accusations towards the General Board.

The second type of person was the vacationer. Although they were greatly blessed by the messages by people like Bro. Romo, and Bro. Aguilar, they were more there for a time away at a great resort. As a matter of fact, a good friend of mine who pastors in California said they only went to one service, as they really wanted to spend time with their family in such a “beautiful resort”.

There were plenty of rumors flying around the convention from the start. Rumors about Bishop Sanchez having a nervous breakdown. Rumors about a host of pastors who would be announcing their departure from the Apostolic Assembly and starting a new organization, or going independent. Rumors that the lawyers for the plaintiffs in the case brought against the Assembly and its General Board were present and accounted for. Although some of these rumors turned out to be true, the fact that rumors of this size had been started in the first place struck me as unusual.

I feel like everything I had witnessed so far I did so with a large amount of objectivity. I had refrained from casting stones at people. I had been very respectful of the call of God on the men’s lives who were leading this organization. But then something happened, I witnessed the offering portions of the convention, both of the Youth and General services. There wasn’t a single service I attended in which a large amount of time and effort was taken receiving the offering. Each time an offering was taken it was done so in a way that the person giving the offering was glorified for the amount they gave not the sacrifice in which was made by their giving. It truly was a sad situation. I know I may catch some heat for making this next statement, but here goes…

When will people learn that the way they treat their finances has just as much to do with them going to heaven as does being baptized in the name of Jesus? When will people learn that Jesus cares just as much about your check book as he does your witnessing abilities? The Bible has commanded us to be good stewards with the blessings, both monetary and non-monetary, he has given us. This commandment also is for the elders of the church. As a matter of fact, the offerings aren’t for the Pastors, preachers, and teachers. The tithe is, but not the offering. The offering is to carry on the work of the Lord, while the tithe is there to support the ministry and their families. I am completely confounded as to why so many Oneness Apostolic’s (UPC, PAW, IAFCJ, ALJC, AAFJC, etc.) can’t get this through their heads.

Consider this a prophetic word: When the Apostolic Church of the 21st Century turns from their money loving ways there will be an amazing Revival in the church, as well as an Abundant Harvest of new souls.

This is ultimately what I walked away with: Yes, there is probably some truth to the accusations of the plaintiffs, and yes there is probably some truth to the accusations by the defendants. But what is most true about the entire scandal is, this has everything to do with money and nothing to do with the souls of believers and the lost. Many members of the Apostolic Assembly have lost sight of what is really important.

Let me tell you what is NOT important (Here comes the heat again). Being Apostolic is not important. Walking around with your nose tilted in the air because you have taken on the title of Apostolic is so far from important it almost laughable. Jesus didn’t call you to be Apostolic.
Now for what IS important: Being a Christian. Being a Soul Winner. Being sure of your salvation. Being a Prayer Warrior. Being Sold out. Being ready for the rapture. Guess what hermanos y hermanas; None of this has anything to do with being Apostolic.

I dare you to call a Baptist church in your local town and ask them what they think of Apostolic’s. Once they get beyond the doctrinal differences they will start talking about “self-righteous attitudes”. They will tell you “they seem to be caught in the 19th Century”. “They seem to use coercion in getting new believers to come to Christ”. “Heavy Handed”, “Legalistic”, “They have Dictators as Pastors”, “They look like they fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.”. I have personally heard these comments from denominational pastors, preachers, and members (Even the last one).

Apostolics, its time to let go of “our” title, and put on the title that Christ gave us; “Beloved”.
As for the General Board and this years General Convention and Youth Conference, it was alright. Nothing to special. Lots of talk and no action. Lots of hype, but no follow through. How long will it be that a man or woman of God will finally say enough is enough and do something? The Apostolic church of yesterday is dying, the Apostolic church of Today is ill, and the Apostolic church of tomorrow won’t know what hit them.

Bro. Josh Bayne is a licensed minister and Professional Audio Engineer. He and his wife (Rebecca Brito-Bayne) have a 4 month old son named J. Michael. Josh and Rebecca are founders of MyMinistryFinder.com which links Apostolic and other denominational ministers to churches in need of their help. Consider it a monster.com for churches.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

The time has arrived! I agree with the person that said why boycott this convention as it may turn out to be one of the most interesting in our lifetime. Take pictures, video and audio files of interesting items you may encounter.

However, my gut feeling tells me that this legal action is of no benefit to the Apostolic Assembly as a whole.

1. This action could drag on until 2010 when the next election is to take place thus nullifying this filing.

2. If the plaintiffs win, it really hasn't changed the way the AA does business. There still is no oversight to the General Board, the same group of men that have been running the show for the past twenty years are trying to position themselves for the next twenty years, save Bro. Torres.
Which group of good 'ol boys do we want in office?, which really doesn't matter due the fact that I would venture to suggest that every election has been rigged since the inception of the Apostolic Assembly.

3. If the existing General Board wins, it is a legal mandate that they can continue business as usual. This without a doubt will lead organizational split because of (a.) those on the plaintiffs side will be excommunicated, maybe not formally but ministerially and socially and (b.) pride.

It is a very interesting situation we are experiencing. We need an oversight committee with truly independent, unbiased representatives that have no social, financial ties or political ladders to climb. All people with any previous position should not be on this committee. The General Board is responsible to this committee. It could be respected leaders from other business', educational and religious institutions and not AA members. Some may ask why do we need this? And I would be quick to remind you of the situation we are in. We need this more than ever! I don't care who is on the General Board, they need to be accountable for their actions to some one. And they are not choosing to be accountable to the constituency. That goes for the people on both sides of the lawsuit.

Thanks to those keeping track of the dates of the dates for the lawsuit. Keep us updated.

One more note, I thought it was interesting the plaintiffs noted in their lawsuit that they do not know if they have been financially impacted. It was left as a question mark. By the way, are the plaintiffs going to release who, if any one, has contributed to the their legal "defense" fund (by the way they are not on the defense which why I think their term is humorous, it should be something like: 2006 General Elections Fairness Legal Fund or Apostolic Assembly Legal Fund to Ensure Fair Elections) and how those funds have used.

I am also going to stop the comments under the AAFCJ Election Discussion Update Post. The election discussion can continue under this post.


Felicidades,

Apostolic Voice
Blogmaster

p.s.

I updated the Shout Out city list, we are up to 326 cities.

New Rules ****Update 11/8/2007****

Over the past couple of days we've been working on a solution that would allow greater adminstrative control in controlling comments on this blog. We feel quite a bit of the comments are childish and belong on someone else's blog. The purpose of us being here is to discuss the current state of the AAFCJ and its continued growth. With that being said, in 48 hours (11/10/2008) we are going to require those that wish to voice their opinion and add pertinant discussion in this matter become registered users to this blog. We feel this will do a couple of things.

1. Allow us to control the frivolous comments in this site by removing those users that continue to waste bandwidth by commenting on their affection for the opposite sex and have no relevance to this discussion.

2. Create an identity (although that identity can still remain anonymous if you so desire) which will hold that identity responsible for its comments. For example, Mike A, will be forever Mike A because he has registered his identity and no one will be able to attribute a comment to him unless it really is him as with other registered users. To register please create an email account using GMail at www.gmail.com or your prefered mail provider.

We are doing this because your voice really matters and we want it to ensure its influence is not diminished.

Please not that we have been contacted by leaders on both sides of this issue and both sides have positively reacted to the voicing of your opinions. (Don't ask who they are because we won't disclose that information.)

The rules below still apply.

Apostolic Voice
11/08/2007

*************************************************************************

Due to the amount of comments traffic and various other activities here, we are asking all participants to help us with the following:

Please post your comments in the appropriate sections.

* Bankrupt - Use this section if you wish to discuss accountability issues with the assembly leaders, ie., scams, scandals, swindles and various other questionable activities.

*AAFCJ Election Discussion Update - Keep this section clear for election related issues, not other scams scandals and so on. Remember Election related issues only.

*Shout Outs - Use this section for communicating activities, sending hello's or you affinity for each other, such as Sis. Nohemi Gonzales and/or Sergio Villanueva for example. Feel free to post your myspace pages in this section.

Thank you for your participation and helping with these guidelines. If you see some comments in the wrong section, politely remind them to continue the conversation in the appropriate section of your blog. This help with a smooth continuity of discussion and avoid clutter.

Thus Saith the Blogmaster!

Bankrupt

The subtitle might as well read "The Intellectual and Moral Bankruptcy of the Apostolic Assembly"

Who knew that a blog such as this would expose supposed wrong doing by so many men and women, young and old on both sides or on no side of the current AA situation.

In our age of instantaneous information available to all, accountability will be demanded. The old, smelly, stale carpet in our house has been removed and replaced with transparent glass thereby removing the opportunity for hidden agendas, intentions and actions to swept under the rug. On this new surface we will be able to see all the fingerprints, smears, smudges, mud and dirt. That is a good thing because they kinds of items can be easily cleaned, addressed as soon as they appear.

It almost hurts to read all the things hurled out about brothers I've held in high regard. It seems that as soon as a name comes it is like they are the object of a pie throwing contest in a county fair, including the dead including the recently deceased.

At the most very basic level the fault of the AA has that we have been taught not to question authority in any manner. The AA body has been taught to almost deify the man behind the pulpit or sitting in the big chair on the platform. We've been taught to roll out the red carpet, kiss their ring finger and believe that this person holds absolute authority. The ignorance of our forefathers treated leaders as though they where the high priests. As far as I know there is only one high priest.

As the newer generation moves into their own, we must realize they've been taught through higher learning institutions how to think critically: Question authority.

"Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action". http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/definingCT.shtml

Unfortunately, our under-educated pastors and ministers are still of the mentality that we must believe and act according to what the man behind the pulpits dictates. Why? Because if he is behind the pulpit it must be the truth. There really is no logic in this type of thinking, even though this is the mentality that rules the ignorant masses. Fortunately hermanos, we are no longer part of that ignorant mass.

And our leaders played us because of our ignorance, we've been lied to, cheated, talked about mis-treated (anyone recognize this song). We've had dogma shoved down our throats with no biblical validity but "if you don't do what the pastor says, you are disobedient and rebellious".

Pastors/ministers/bishops/leaders, do me favor and stop preaching about the way I look on the outside. You are filled with sin, filth and deceit on the inside. Don't worry about sisters wearing pants, they are not going to hell because of it. There is absolutely no biblical validity to this! God does not love a pant wearer any less then a non-pant wearer. Don't preach to me about wearing jewelry, there to is no biblical validity to this either. I can use the same argument about watches and broaches, it is just stupid! The veil...let's not even go there.

We are saved by God's Grace not by what you think I should look like. It's funny how you think you can make God love someone more because of the way YOU want them to look.

In reality what you are doing is exactly what you've been doing - living a double standard and causing those in your congregations to live with double standards.

I teach my children to behave the same way when they are with me and when they are not with me. I teach them not to hide from me, I teach them that, I, as there father am not perfect and will make mistakes. And when I do make mistakes I will need their help and support. I teach them that they will make mistakes and they do not need to hide those mistakes from me because I will be there for them and not for the purpose of knocking them down. I teach my children that you are going to make mistakes, be selfish in your decision making and guidance (I do this because of your past history of looking out for your best interest and not mine) and not accurately apply God's word. I teach them it is their responsibility to take what you spoken and verify its validity with God's word - ...study to show thyself approved.

When you get behind the pulpit this coming Sunday, please remember, I am probably more educated than you, I probably make more money than you. I've spent countless hours studying God's word, studying for my degrees and analyzing financial and legal documents for real world business decisions. In my career I am compensated by helping other individuals and corporations make short and long term business projections. The bottom line is, I can see a grift coming from a mile away. (If you notice sometimes I wear my boots on Sunday.)

Spare me the dogma, God saved us by his grace, fortunately not your ignorance. It is because of your past decisions we have come to an intellectual and moral bankruptcy in our beloved organization.

We must reorganize and refocus our efforts in teaching God's grace, not Apostolic Assembly dogma.

Dios les pague

ApostolicVoice
Blogmaster

AAFCJ Election Discussion Update

The comment section for the original Election Irregularities blog has reached an overwhelming amount of of opinions (1,015+). As we approach the coming General Convention in November, it is important that this medium for the discussions regarding the Elections and Lawsuit continue, therefore tonight at 12am we will be stopping the comments from the original blog and will ask that you continue the discussion under this current blog.


Those comments will not be deleted but saved for all to review and add their opinion in this updated section. (They can be viewed here: http://apostolicnews.blogspot.com/2007/09/apostolic-assembly-2006-election.html)


We would also like to add that you may feel free to send in pictures, videos and comments of your local, district and national services. They will be posted here. You can email them to apostolicvoice@gmail.com

Your voice is being heard. Now, keep your eyes and ears open.

Dios Les Bendiga,
Apostolic Voice
Blogmaster

ps.
I don't know about you all but I am in serious prayer for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Is it wrong to fast tomorrow for their victory over the Colorado Rockies?

SHOUT OUT!*****UPDATE 11/18/07*****

**UPDATE 11/18/07**

The Blogmaster would like to send a SHOUT OUT! to all those representing the following cities(visitors to this site), in order of most active:

West Hollywood
Montclair
Midland
Tempe
Laguna Hills
Los Angeles
Chicago
Dallas
Loma Linda
Maywood
Santa Fe Springs
Glendale
San Lorenzo
West Covina
Fresno
Austin
New York
Mcallen
Spokane
San Diego
Chino
Odessa
Rowland Heights
Monterey Park
Selah
Houston
Pompano Beach
Ontario
Irving
National City
Carrollton
La Jolla
Harlingen
Montebello
Victorville
Alameda
Pomona
Pittsburgh
Sunnyvale
San Leandro
Modesto
March Afb
East Meadow
Corona
Albuquerque
Huntington Park
Hurst
Bluffton
Humble
(not set)
Empire
San Jose
Abilene
Phoenix
Tualatin
Santa Maria
Alviso
Belmont
Silver Spring
East Irvine
Tolleson
Norcross
Pasadena
Carmichael
Seattle
Laurel
Wildomar
Farmersville
Portland
Gilbert
Dyess Afb
Las Vegas
La Habra
Stafford
Grand Terrace
Tijuana
Cerritos
La Puente
Addison
Duluth
Garden Grove
San Juan
Richardson
Oakland
Rancho Cucamonga
San Marcos
Ogden
Sanger
Oxnard
Lemon Grove
Placentia
Tracy
Upland
Santo Domingo
Hesperia
Hughson
Lakewood
Walnut
Thousand Oaks
Phelan
Alhambra
Miami
Riverside
Tucson
North Miami Beach
Denver
San Ramon
Whittier
Cathedral City
Milpitas
Indio
Torrance
Fontana
Perris
La Mirada
Norman
Sun City
Jamestown
Tucker
Glendale
La Palma
Beverly Hills
Haltom City
Indian Wells
Santa Clara
Dublin
Alamo
Yuma
El Paso
Bell Gardens
Takoma Park
Boston
Encinitas
Bloomington
Santa Ana
Buena Park
Scottdale
San Francisco
Ceres
Herndon
Pico Rivera
Sacramento
Windsor
Artesia
Kaysville
Gardendale
Bellevue
Rialto
Englewood
Manteca
Fullerton
La Paz
Hacienda Heights
Downey
Bellflower
South El Monte
Opa Locka
Vista
Kerman
San Jacinto
Brea
Mountain View
Anaheim
South Orange
Foothill Ranch
Diamond Bar
Orange
Rancho Santa Fe
High Point
Kingston
River Forest
Pleasant Garden
New Braunfels
Valley Village
Pensacola
Pharr
Bakersfield
Los Alamitos
Panorama City
Columbia
Hilton Head Island
Milwaukee
Villa Park
Hayward
Merced
Santa Barbara
Inglewood
Newbury Park
Weslaco
Davenport
South Pasadena
Union City
Fremont
San Bernardino
Menifee
Catonsville
Oklahoma City
Colton
Lake Elsinore
Hialeah
Covina
Temecula
Baldwin Park
El Centro
Moreno Valley
Elmwood Park
North Hollywood
Mesa
Paradise Valley
Meridian
Bloomington
Canyon Country
Nogales
Carson
Palm Desert
San Antonio
El Mirage
Tahoka
Davenport
Culver City
Lathrop
St Louis
Boise
Beaumont
Nashville
Tampa
Lubbock
Vestal
Eugene
Sioux Falls
Atlanta
Honolulu
Devon
Marina
Midway City
Morrisville
Salida
Rancho Mirage
Nipomo
Roswell
Oak Park
Bensenville
Palatka
Tacoma
Mount Laurel
Racine
Monterrey
Newark
Long Beach
Irvine
Ripon
Lynwood
Wood Dale
Studio City
Cypress
Brisbane
Compton
San Luis Rey
Mission
Loomis
Gardena
Lilburn
Ashburn
Guadalajara
Barcelona
Poway
Fishers
Linden
San Marcos
Hawthorne
Westlake
Norwalk
Mentone
Commerce
Lafayette
Tustin
La Mesa
Ensenada
Hill Afb
Mcclellan
Bell
Irvington
Baltimore
Norco
Riverbank
Astoria
Redford
Arvada
Springfield
Temple City
Canyon
Hawthorne
Hillside
Rex
Yakima
Bedford
Bronx
Lawndale
Rosemead
Woods Cross
Monrovia
Eden Prairie
Laredo
Orlando
City of Industry
Bremerton
Millington
Ottawa
North Richland Hills
Stockbridge
Mira Loma
Garland
Del Mar
Grand Prairie
Pleasanton
Vancouver
Tok
Sunol
Costa Mesa
Kirtland Afb
Marina Del Rey
El Monte
Coppell
Corrales
Shreveport
Harwood Heights

There are 326 cities represented here.

Felicidades,

Apostolic Voice

Blogmaster

Can you hear me now? Good!

No matter what side of the election story you as the Apostolic Assembly body are on, it seems that we agree on one thing. The CID is bad. One person wrote:

So why waist so much money having an electoral convention add to that the time waist by 600+ MoG(7 AM to 6 PM) , if the Qualifying commission allowed the disqualification of the majority vote nominee.

This speaks clearly of the type of pastoral leadership we have in the Assembly. For not 1 on of the 600+ spoke out against the CID in the years prior to the election including all the Bishops!
I know some Pastor's look for yes men in their churches, those that will follow blindly, but these Pastor's should be held accountable as well for allowing this to happen. Pastor's need not be yes men and follow blindly in order that they can move to the next level.

This smacks 4 of the 9 problems that plagues our organization that a previous brother or sister articulated so well:

1. Authoritarian Hierarchy.

2. Lack of Accountability.

6.Local congregations not a true priority.

9. Organization more important than Jesus or people.

Demand that the CID is removed!

I'll wear this button at he convention.

1. It is not going against and does not disrespect any Man of God.

2. It tells the Pastoral, Episcopal, and GB bodies that will not tolerate political tactics in the affairs of our desire to seeking God's plan in our organization!

3. It holds all that voted for it accountable to the entire Assembly constituency.

4. And It does so in a way that is respectful and in silent.

We could design different respectful signs referencing the CID and have them placed strategically throughout the conference. This will be more effective than any lawsuit.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.....?

We at Apostolic News do not take sides in this present 2006 General Election Irregularities issue, however there are some tough questions that need to be asked. After all "We Report, You Decide".

Question #1:
What is going to happen "if" the pro-lawsuit group proceeds with their lawsuit and "if" it is thrown out, rejected or those involved found not guilty?

Question #2:
Are they going to publicly apologize for dragging this entire Assembly through the gutter and opening the closets of what where some of the most admired men in our organization?

Question #3:
How will they be held accountable?

Question #4:
Will they be labeled as division makers as the bible dictates?

Question #5:
Should the Assembly seek punitive damages and reimbursement of legal fees?

Question #6:
Will we the people allow them to continue ministering in our churches?

Question #7:
What will happen if they decide to settle out of court (as we think those negotiations are going on now)?

Question #8:
Where they only doing this for political positioning?

Question #9:
If they do settle out of court how does the Assembly heal the strife and chaos caused by all this?

Question #10:
"If" the pro-lawsuit group walks away or the legal verdict is not in their favor, we should demand accountability on their behalf?

Questions #11:
Will they try to brush this entire debacle under the rug?

Questions #12:
Why does the man in this picture have a Ritz cracker pinned to the lapel of his jacket?

A Historical Perspective

Tonight while I was cleaning up the shenanigans of a few kids spraying graffiti on our Apostolic News blog, I came across this post that was emailed in. I do not take credit for it, I cannot verify its authenticity. I did not even edit for grammer. Please read "as is", stuffed in my inbox. A few old timers should chime in here and give us their perspective.

Author Anonymous

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THIS BOARD OF THE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY IN THE FAITH IN CHIRST JESUS CAME TO THIS CRISES.

IN THE YEAR OF 1925 the first convention was held in San Bernardino,California
General Pastor Francisco F. Llorente
Ancianos Pastor Antonio Castaneda Nava, Jose Martinez L. Martinez.
Secretario Convencionista, Bernardo Hernandez.

This continued for several years, cannot go into deep detail. See
"Historia de la Asamblea de la Fe en Cristo Jesus 1916-1966.

See and read whose names is all over the pages, who gets all the credit. How President Francisco Llorente was found be by the Elder
Antonio Nava to be "not really doing his job.(Brother Llorente)
Nava very shudrely "left to Mexico" to visit relatives and how a "Commission" conspired by Nava to "ask" Brother Llorente to "resign" because according to Nava Brother Llorente was not "evangelizing sufficently.

Brother Llorente, an anointed man of God, bi-lingual and very humble and a prayer warrior. Brother LLorente was a great leader and was at one time known to have worn "women shoes", because of the Great Depression crises.There was extreme poverty and lack of everything for everyone in the U.S.A.

Brother LLorente was notified by a messenger before hand that this "commission" was going to present to Brother Llorente the faults that this "commission"was going to present to Brother Llorente, as he was found guilty of non compliance to continuing evangelizing. This was cruel because he was not even tried.

Knowing when the "committee" was coming to meet with Brother Llorente. Brother LLorent became very ill and had a cardiac arrest the "commission" or "committee" got there. The "committee" got there in time for the funeral services.

THEN BROTHER NAVA RETURNED> NEVER being presentin FUTURE WHEN CRISES AROSE. BUT RETURNED IN TO TIME TO "ASSUME" THE PRESIDENCY FOR 30 long years. Not allowing elections. It was when pressure was put by Brother Arturo Hermosillo and Brother Epifanio Cota Senior, and Brother Paublo Garcia Chavez, from Arizona, New Mexico that the elections were forced to be held.....
Brother Nava could not run again because he would not become a USA citizen because there was NO double citizenship then and he had alot of properties in Mexico> Encenada and Rocarito along the coast..WOW..

So the story goes on till now the same old same old.
No matter who was President of the Apostolic Assembly, Brother Nava always had the "LAST AND FINAL WORD"
That is when Brother Efrain Valverde and Brother Nava "Locked horns in the Convention in the 1970 at the San Diego Concourse.

In the late l960's Brother Nava unfortaunately had an automobile accident on a dark night going home from church on the rainy night on Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles, California.

The woman crossing the "legal" cross walk was killed at DOA at Los Angeles General Hospital.
This terrible accident "neutralized" Brother Nava "a little tiny bit" had to move to Union City where he had "removed" a pastor there and set his son in law there till this day....

This is why Brother Baldemar had a "HEY" DAY FOR 23 years in the Board...because Brother Nava had been "nutralized" in other words a "LAME DUCK" as in Politics.

He lived to be over 100 years...GET THE PICTURE....GET IT GOOD. IT WILL TAKE REBUKING, PRAYER, FASTING AND MORE REBUKING...IN THE NAME OF JESUS TO TAKE THIS GENERATION CURSE AWAY FORVER IN THE NAME OF JESUS./

BROTHER NAVA NEVER WAS TRIED IN COURT BECAUSE BROTHER LUIS HERRERA WORKED IN COURT AND helped out.....

Maybe you will know why this has irrupted...Its been a loooonnnngggg
time due. God save...Many Pastors left, Brother Martinez, Brother Lupe Lara, when Brother Nava took his congregation...
They all learned and learned good..

R-E-S-P-E-C-T....E-A-R-N-I-T-!

A couple of things.

I noticed that the powers that be over at apostolicassembly.info removed the links to this and other blogs.

I thought it humorous that they say they want to use the Internet as a medium inform the constituents of the Apostolic Assembly and bring to light what was wronged (take it to the church) but when the light shines on their wrongs all of a sudden they want to turn off the lights again!

I don't think they liked what they were hearing. What should we read into that?

My heart was heavy as I was reading the round of comments on Saturday. It seemed as the comments turned from light jabs to an all out street fight. I saw names of people I forgot I had forgotten. Catarino Huizar? If anybody could cry over the pulpit it was him. I liked him, I tend to look at people apart from their ministry. We didn't have Starbucks back in those days, but if we did I could have great conversations with him over a cup of coffee. (Please don't bombard with details, I know all the stories...some not by choice.)

We are in a new era, an era of instant communication. The world is smaller. News instantaneous. Opinions heard. The voice of the masses can influence direction. I seriously doubt this generation will sit back and be intimidated by all powerful Oz pulling the ropes and levers behind the curtains. Leaders should and will be held accountable. Our leaders, at every level, better shape up, you are under more powerful microscope.

I've always felt uncomfortable with pastors and ministers demanding their respect (RESPECT: esteem, the condition of being honored). Respect is earned. I'm tired of pastors and ministers declaring their anointing. We serve the same God, we have the same Holy Spirit. Yours is not greater. Gifts and and talents are different. Before I give you my respect I want to know you as a person. Scripture dictates that we test all spirits to differentiate the true from false prophets.

You are human, you WILL fail. I expect that, so don't walk around like you are infallible. Romans 3:23 "for all (A)have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD".

Teach your congregations what to do when you do fail. That is if you do have their best interest in mind. This will stop you from trying to cover up your mistakes. I guarantee you that when you do fall, your fellow believers will be there to help you out instead of throwing rocks and kicking you when your down or need their support.