Church of the Messiah

Tag: Patriarch Craig W. Bates

  • The Patriarch Sends His All Saint’s Offering Letter

    bishopEvery year on the Sunday closest to All Saints’ Day (November 1st), every church in the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church takes up an offering to support their primate’s office in various efforts.  In the North American Charismatic Episcopal Church, the House of Bishops decided that all of the money raised on All Saints’ Day would go to support international missionary work in Africa.  While a portion of the funds collected goes immediately to charitable relief, a large majority goes to the establishment of micro-businesses so that local churches can become self-sufficient.  The profits from these micro-businesses have aided local diocese in  water treatment for potable water, theological education of local clergy, and even construction of local places of worship.  You can see how recent All Saints’ Day collections have been distributed by clicking HERE and HERE.

    The Patriarch’s letter reads, in part,

    I have been in ministry long enough to have heard just about every excuse for not giving or not taking up an offering.  But those excuses are based on a faulty premise which is “when I get some extra money, I will give.”  Though that sounds good it is not in accordance with Biblical teaching.  Stewardship is not about giving in the future it is what we are doing with what we have right now.  It is in giving, that we receive.  In fact, it is more blessed to give than to receive.  And, if we give it will be given unto us.
    When we take up the Mission Offering we are opening ourselves up to participation in something so much bigger than our local concerns or even our personal concerns.  We are able to sow seed into the advancement of God’s Kingdom around the world.  We are impacting the lives of thousands.
    I know each of us wants to give.  Walk by faith.  Give from the heart.  Give in response to the Lord Holy Spirit asking us to give.  We can expect great things to happen.

     You can read his message in its entirety by clicking HERE.

    At Church of the Messiah, we will do our part and take up the All Saints’ Day Offering this year on November 6th, however you can begin donating right away.  You may put an offering in the basket on Sunday marked “All Saints’ Offering” or you may give using any of our electronic methods by clicking HERE and selection “All Saints’ Offering from the drop-down menu.

    Thank you for heeding the call and supporting this effort to reach out to our international brothers and sisters.  May God richly bless you.

  • The Patriarch to Speak at Church of the Messiah on October 6

    patriarch_smOn Sunday, October 6, Church of the Messiah will have will amazing opportunity to host the Patriarch of International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Archbishop Craig W. Bates.

    Archbishop Bates began his ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church where, in 1985, he was called to serve as the associate pastor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Malverne, New York.  Five years later, after the retirement of the senior pastor then-Fr. Bates was called to be the senior pastors–a position he has maintained ever since!  In 1994, Fr. Bates left the Episcopal Church and joined the fledgling Charismatic Episcopal Church.  The following year, St. Thomas Episcopal Church became a part of the CEC and changed their name to Church of the Intercessor.  On November 14, 1997, Craig Bates was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast.  Nine years later, on January 9, 2008, Bishop Bates was elected the second Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  While his official enthronement was not until the International Convocation that Summer in Orlando, Archbishop Bates’ election was effective immediately and the first church he visited after his election was Church of the Messiah.  There are many churches in the ICCEC who have never hosted the Patriarch.  Church of the Messiah is particularly blessed as this will be our second opportunity host the most senior bishop in our entire denomination.

    In addition to pastoring the same church for over 25 years and all of his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Bates holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Franconia College, a Master’s Degree  in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College and  a Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary.  Archbishop Bates is extremely active in the New York metropolitan area as a voice for church unity, an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration, and a staunch defender of the pre-born in the Pro-Life movement.  He has been married to his wife for over 40 years and together they have three grown children and six grand-children: Jocelyn, Callie, Charlotte, Aaron, Devon, and Hunter.  Of course, there is a local family connection as well.  Archbishop Bates’ middle daughter Katie married Fr. Scott Melanson’s middle son Alan in December of 2002.

    This is an incredible opportunity and blessing for Church of the Messiah and we are truly privileged to be able to host the Patriarch of our Communion a second time in six years.  Some churches have never had such an opportunity.  We are truly blessed.  For a preview of what you can expect from a teaching by Archbishop Bates, you may click HERE to go to “Bishop’s Best,” a collection of sermons from Church of the Intercessor.  Archbishop Bates will be preaching and celebrating at our regular 10:30am service on October 6 at the Sam R. Marks Chapel on the Campus of Jacksonville University.  For directions, click HERE or, for more information, contact the parish office directly at 904-721-4199.