The Patriarch’s All Saints’ Day Message

Since the foundation of the ICCEC was laid in the early days, the Church in North America, under the direction of the Bishops, has taken up an offering for the development of the ICCEC around the world. As a result of this offering, churches have been established or planted in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Asia. As the offering developed, the funds were distributed to various territories. The one exception has been in Africa, where we have vibrant churches, missions, and ministries in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, and Sudan. Therefore, the North American Church has decided to give all its mission resources to Africa.

There is something unique about our giving to our brothers and sisters.

We have decided to divide our work in Africa into four territories. Each territory is governed by a General Secretary who convenes all the Bishops of the various Diocese in that territory. These Bishops gather regularly to support each other and determine, by consensus, the direction of the territory. The four General Secretaries also gather together to determine, by consensus, the direction of the Church in Africa. It is amazing that, with so few resources, the Church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the discernment of the Bishops, has grown not only in the number of persons but in ordinations, buildings, orphanages, health care, emergency responses, and even a seminary.

At the invitation of the Bishops of Africa, I traveled to East Africa at least once a year. My heart soars when I am there and see first-hand what has been accomplished by the Holy Spirit through these men of God. Unfortunately, because of the Pandemic, I have been unable to travel to Africa for two years. But soon, I will be going to Kenya, and other places, where I will sit with all the Bishops of Africa, and together we will install the first indigenous Archbishop of Kenya for the ICCEC.

What is unique about the offering we will take up on All Saints Sunday is what I have chosen to call “micro-businesses.” The money given to each of the territories, with the consensus of the Bishops, is used to start a profit-making business. The profits are used to build up the business, start another business, and financially support the ministry’s work. With these profits, the Bishops built a seminary, built cathedrals, built churches, and supported the Bishops in their Church planting efforts. It is incredible what God has done through the people in America in partnership with the people of Africa.

I have done fundraising for lots of charitable organizations. I don’t like doing it. The Development Fund is not fundraising. I believe that when we give, it will be given to us. The Development Fund giving is a spiritual partnership that benefits all involved in the growth of the Kingdom, which is ultimately about the salvation of souls. I believe the Church in North America is being blessed by the giving to the Development Fund.

I am excited about giving to the work in Africa. I am excited because I know the joy that will be in the hearts of our people in Africa. I know that 100% of the funds will be used for ministry, and the Bishops will be accountable for every penny. They will not use a single dime for their personal benefit or administrative costs. It will all go to the micro-businesses, and the profits will be used for the work of the ministry.

This year, I think we can all give generously in thanksgiving for God’s provision and protection through the Pandemic. Good seeds planted will grow things of great worth. Will you join Cathy and me in giving to this great project?

May Jesus our King be worshipped and adored from sea to sea, and may the voices of His people be heard in the heavens.

Under His mercy,
Archbishop Bates
ICCEC Patriarch

Click below to watch a special video about the 2022 All Saints’ Mission Offering:

For more information on the missions and development in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, click this LINK.  To sign up to receive Sursum Corda, the official newsletter of the CEC, click this LINK.

Collecting the All Saints’ Mission Offering this Sunday

Every year on the Sunday closest to All Saints’ Day, the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America takes of a special offering to help our brothers and sisters in the developing world.  Please read this letter from Abp. Craig Bates, the Patriarch of the ICCEC, and prayerfully consider giving to support this offering this Sunday.

To the Bishops, Clergy and People of God in the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America,

The year 2020 has been an interesting year and it is not yet over. We are still in a pandemic. We are not sure of the future regarding that pandemic. Is there going to be a vaccine by the end of the year or early next year? Are we going to have a second wave? Are we to believe, as some have suggested, that the darkest days are ahead of us, or that we are on the verge of a breakthrough in treatment and prevention?

We are also experiencing economic recovery, though I hear that is slowing down. Some businesses are still shut down. Many are facing the loss of income and it has put them in hard times. It seems that congress has stalled, and they are caught up in partisan politics and plays for power rather than finding ways to assist so many hurting people.

We are in an election cycle that has become more divisive than I can remember. I know of people who have lost long-standing friendships over politics. I know people who are afraid to express their opinions for fear of retaliation. I am uncertain what is going to happen no matter who wins the election. Could we be in for a more divisive atmosphere?

Someone said to me that they normally don’t stay up on New Year’s Eve, but this year they will make sure they are wide awake at midnight. Not so much to welcome in the New Year but to make sure 2020 leaves.

The life of the Church has gone on during all of this and will continue to go on after it is all over and we face the next thing. The life of the Church and her mission is not determined by the course of world events or circumstances, but it is determined by the Holy Spirit. Our mission is still focused on the King and the Kingdom. In this pandemic and this election cycle, the Word continues to be preached and the sacraments are being administered. While we are forced to embrace the virtual world, we have discovered so many means of not surviving but increasing our outreach and our ability to preach the Good News.

I remember hearing a sermon on giving when I was a young pastor. It was a sermon that changed my perspective on giving to the Lord and His work. It led me to believe that life is meant to be a life of giving and not taking. In other words, the quality of life is determined not by what we get out of life, but what we put into life from our time, our talents, and our treasures.
The preacher was talking about what to do in time of lacking finances and resources. The sermon was given in the late seventies when the nation was in the midst of run-away inflation, interest rates were at 18%, unemployment was extremely high, and we were lacking oil and gas. The shortages forced many Americans to stand in gas lines (if there was gas). I remember as a pastor having meeting after meeting about how we were going to heat the Church and if we were going to meet our small budget at the end of the year.

When I saw this teaching called “attack your lack” on a cassette tape (remember those) I immediately picked it up and listened to it. The central point of the message is that lack is not an obstacle but an opportunity to move by faith. He said it made no sense but the victory over lack is to give more away. If you are in need then you need to give at the point of your need. He said we are called to put our treasure where we want our heart to go and our heart should be going more and more into the direction of trusting God.

I know many are facing lack in the CEC. But God has a plan, and it is giving of our time, talent, and treasure into the work of the Kingdom. God’s resources are unlimited, and He is ready to provide for us and it might be miraculously. I have found this teaching to be true over the 40 years I have served as a pastor and have tried to follow Jesus. So the Mission offering gives me and you a means of releasing our faith into the work of God in East Africa.

So much has been accomplished through your generosity. We have schools, a seminary, churches, orphanages, water projects, and a host of other ministries. One hundred percent of the offering gathered on Mission Sunday goes to developing projects that generate money to increase the work of the Lord. There is a short video on CEC-NA or can be made available to you to watch and show you people. I hope every Cathedral shows the video and you can join them and watch it yourself.

We need to attack our lack. It is time to trust more and more in God’s provision for us, because He is trustworthy, and His promises are true. It is not a time to worry. It is time to step up and step out with the message of Jesus. As we release our faith in Christ, we will find that even in our desperation He will hear and answer our prayer. We will give generously and then expect God to release blessings in abundance because He is a generous God.

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates,
Patriarch