Jesus Name Centennial

In 2013 we celebrate one hundred years of the restoration of water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. While this teaching is biblical and has been practiced throughout church history, it was renewed in the modern Pentecostal movement through the Worldwide Camp Meeting in Arroyo Seco near Los Angeles in April 1913, culminating in the rebaptisms of Frank Ewart and Glenn Cook in April 1914. Throughout 2013 our fellowship will celebrate 100 Years of the Jesus Name Message. We are also encouraging districts to plan special events in 2014 as we follow up with Celebrate the Name 2014. Some of these events will be planned in conjunction with other Apostolic organizations who participate in the annual Apostolic Fellowship Summit.

Thirty Days of Prayer

Let’s enter the new year with special prayer. The World Network of Prayer has developed a prayer guide for January 1-30, 2013, available at 30 Days of Prayer 2013. The first seven days also include an emphasis on fasting. When Apostolic people unite in the name of Jesus, our prayer is powerful and productive. I urge every pastor, saint, and church to link together for thirty days of focused prayer.

General Conference

The revised format of General Conference was a great success, and we are incorporating many constructive ideas from our recent survey of conference attendees. Our next General Conference will be held in St. Louis on October 1-4, 2013, beginning Tuesday night and ending Friday night. The ministers business session will take place on Wednesday and the closed ministers session on Thursday. The iChurch sessions will be expanded on Thursday and Friday. The theme of the conference is “In the Name.” To enhance the General Conference experience, we are endeavoring to bring more vendors to our exhibit area. To help us understand the needs of your church or area of ministry, please fill out a survey by clicking here.

Mission Possible

As a cooperative efforts of all divisions, in 2013 we will launch a savings plan to enable youth to participate in short-term missions trips and assignments. The Stewardship Department will develop an investment vehicle. Parents, grandparents, and youth will be able to save towards a Youth on Missions trip, a North American Missions trip, an Associates in Missions assignment, and other service opportunities.

Motel Demolition

The motel on our headquarters property is now in the process of demolition. In recent years, it had become unprofitable, a security risk, and a potential liability as well as needing substantial repairs in the future. The property will be used for parking and green space, and we will no longer pay property tax.

Recommendations from Consultant

This year we engaged in a review of all operations at World Evangelism Center (WEC), hiring Collaborative Strategies, Inc. as a consultant. CSI interviewed over 100 UPCI employees, executives, former executives, district officials, and pastors and analyzed our business processes. From this evaluation came six major recommendations, which we are implementing as described below.

1. Chief Administrative Officer

The Executive Board has appointed Billy Babb as chief administrative officer, effective January 1. The CAO will oversee and coordinate operations at WEC, reporting to the general superintendent and general secretary. Bro. Babb is currently the administrator of the Pentecostal Publishing House, which he restructured and which in 2011 returned to profitability for the first time in 10 years. Before coming to WEC, he was an executive in the telecommunications industry. His replacement at PPH will be Mark Blackburn. By reorganizing some of our work, we are able to make these personnel changes at no additional cost to WEC.

2. Centralized Accounting

Beginning January 1, we are centralizing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related functions under our Accounting Department. This change will enable us to be more efficient, implement standard policies and procedures, and fulfill recommendations of our outside auditor.

3. Information Technology

Beginning January 1, we will begin the implementation of a new solution for Information Technology. To maintain functionality we have urgently needed to upgrade our software for several years. Now we are in a position financially to move forward, and we are able to take advantage of new IT options to solve existing problems and enhance our effectiveness.

4. Family Ministries Council

We have established this council to coordinate the work of five divisions at WEC: Sunday School, Youth, Ladies, Men, and Education. It is chaired by the general secretary and will address four major needs: (a) interdivisional communication and coordination, (b) areas that overlap or fall between divisional mandates, (c) joint projects, and (d) ministry to families.

5. Communications Council

This council consists of the promotional representatives from the divisions, and it is chaired by the general secretary. It will address four major needs: (a) coordination of communications from WEC with the goal of developing a common “brand,” (b) public relations needs, (c) information on the UPCI website, and (d) a monthly email to our constituency to highlight the work of the various divisions.

6. Human Resources

We will address the needs in this area at a later time. Initially we will rely upon a consultant.