SPOTLIGHT ON SHUT-INS

Our shut-ins are people who are no longer able to attend services, but are still
part of our church family. Although they are not in attendance, they have been an integral part of the growth of First Assembly. This month, we are spotlighting two of our
shut-ins. There are many more; turn to page 4 to find out how to help encourage one
of them.

Paul Miles was born in

Peru, Pennsylvania. He was
raised on farm, leaving at the
age of twenty-one to enlist in
the army. In the army, his
M.O.S. was artillery. Throughout his military career, he has
seen several countries but he
ended up stationed in Ft.
Leonard Wood. This is where
Paul was introduced to Erma
Bates. They were married in September of 1964. They had
one child together; Paul Leonard Miles was born on December 13, 1966. The whole family was lost until 1971. Jesus
stepped into their lives when saving Paul, Sr. from a bad vehicle accident. The doctors didnt give Paul much hope. After several months, GOD had other plans. The family grew
closer to GOD. The family saw GOD do miracle after miracle,
and Paul became the head of the house spiritually.
Paul worked at BCI truss plant for 18 years. So Paul
had gone from being a vegetable to leading a productive and
spiritual life. Paul and Erma raised four children in Rolla,
resulting in ten grandchildren and several greatgrandchildren. Paul and Erma moved to Jerome in 1983.
They lived a peaceful life on the river until 2004 when Erma
passed away. Thats when you know youve led a Christ-like

I was born and raised

in Steelville, MO, and attended the Assembly of God
church there. My maternal
grandmother moved quite
often. During a move to Fort
Sumner in New Mexico, her
grandson met Neil and they
became best friends. When
Grandma came back to Missouri, she brought Neil with
the family, where he stayed for a short time. Thats when I
first met Neil. He was 19 and I was a very shy 15-year-old. My
cousin and his wife asked Neil and I if we wanted to go somewhere with them. Neil got into the back seat of the car, but I
was so shy, I hopped into the front seat with my cousin and
his wife! Shortly after, Neil hitch-hiked back to Fort Sumner
because he wasnt able to find work in the area. Neil was
drafted into the U.S. Army. Neil loved my mom and dad, so
while he was serving his country during World War II, he began writing letters to them. He then asked if I would write to
him. I did nearly every day. Neil would respond on nights that
he had guard duty by pecking out a letter with one finger
on an old typewriter. While in the Army Neil received training
as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. Neil was discharged from the Army following the war in 1945 and re-

(Miles continued on page 6)

(Prentice continued on page 4)

How Do You Help

Someone Who Is

GRIEVING?

What is grief? Grief is the normal and natural reaction

to loss of any kind, according to John W. James and Russell
Friedman of The Grief Recovery Institute . The loss may be
the death of someone close, but it also could be a loss through
divorce, infertility, moving, health or
financial reverses, loss of a dream
and a host of others. Often, with a
genuine desire to help someone deal
with the pain, we may make intellectual comments that miss the mark,
that hurt instead of helping. Healing
must be administered heart to heart,
through the emotions. Arent you
glad that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted? The Lord is close to the
brokenhearted and saves those who
are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
He heals the brokenhearted and
binds up their wounds (Psalm
146:3).
James and Russell discuss
several myths about dealing with grief in The Grief Recovery
Handbook. Here are some things they tell us NOT to say or imply: 1) Dont feel bad. Someone who has experienced a loss
has every right to feel bad. Telling them not to feel bad is ridiculous. 2) Replace the loss. This may be worded as You can
always have another pet . . . house . . . boyfriend . . . child . . .
spouse. Even if this is intellectually true, this does not resolve
the pain of losing the person or possession that was very dear.
3) Grieve alone. We may be uncomfortable with the strong
emotions expressed by the griever and wish they would grieve
in private. There may be times when they need to be alone;
however, in this time of crisis in their lives, they should not be
left isolated. They must have the liberty to express their strong,
angry or sad emotions. 4) Just give it time. James and Russell emphasize that Time itself does not heal; it is what you do
within time that will help you complete the pain caused by
loss. 5) Be strong for others. The griever has legitimate

needs and feelings which need to be acknowledged. They must

deal with their own grief, not just help others deal with theirs. 6)
Keep busy. This may temporarily cover the pain, but it does
not help healing to come. 7) I know how you feel. No, you
dont! Every relationship is unique.
Even if you both lost your mother, you
dont know how they feel because
your relationship with your mother
was different than their relationship
with their mother.
So how can you help those in
grief? What are some safe things to
say and do? First of all, be there for
him or her, and be slow to speak.
When you do speak, try these: I am
so sorry for your loss. You must be
very sad. I cant imagine how this
must hurt. If you want to talk, I am
here to listen. Acknowledge peoples feelings, emotions and broken
heart. Dont share platitudes; remember that intellectual comments will not bring healing to the
emotions. If the loss has been through death, share good
memories of the deceased with the griever.
Practically speaking, what else can you do for someone
who has experienced a heart-wrenching loss and may not be
able to focus on regular life responsibilities right now? Bring
food or give gift cards for food and gas. Purchase thank you
notes and stamps. Offer childcare or transportation help.
Keep up with the dishes and housework. Offer to fix things
around their house or fix their car if needed. Be sensitive to
other needs. Arent you glad that Jesus came to heal our broken hearts? Lets be the voice and hands of Jesus to the brokenhearted.
Reference: John W. James and Russell Friedman, The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other
Losses including Health, Career, and Faith

GLOBAL UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES FIRST GRADUATION IN CUBA

The word historic doesn't even begin to describe it.
And even now, three weeks after returning from Cuba, I find
it hard to express what it was like to personally witness the
very first graduation of Global University-Cuba.
Five years ago, this was just a dream in the hearts of
Cuba AG leaders like Hector Hunter. But because people
like you stepped up to help establish Global University-Cuba,
we were brought to this momentous occasion.
At first the Cuba project seemed impossible. Then
impossible became difficult as we delivered all the four-year
degree study materials into Cuba on Kindles, while also
working to enroll 3,000 Cuban students and scholarship
them in their first year of study at $1,000 each.
Now, difficult is done! Because of your faithful ministry of prayer and giving, we can say the first 412 Global University-Cuba students have their accredited degrees.
But our task is not yet complete. Please continue to
support this school of Global University as we work to get
2,600 more Cuban ministers through to their graduation day
in the near future. Each one needs a $1,000 scholarship per
year, for four years.
You can provide a full years scholarship through your

giving this calendar year, or give a one-time gift as the Lord

enables us. Gifts of $84 per month will add up to $1,000 in
12 months. Smaller gifts will be combined and used to
scholarship one more Cuban student.
It was incredible to watch each student receive his or
her diploma, and to shake their hands. I will remember their
smiles the rest of my life. Now they are back in their homes
with renewed passion and empowerment to proclaim Jesus in
Cuba!
Gary L. Seevers Jr., Ph.D
President, Global University-Cuba

HERITAGE BOYS IN CONCERT FEBRUARY 8

The Heritage Boys are

a group of men who share the
gospel of Jesus Christ
through music. Our purpose
is, first and foremost, to glorify Jesus Christ through the
way we live our lives. Secondly, we hope to share the joy of
Christ through the messages
in the songs or by testimony.
We strongly believe that the Lord has brought us together for
this purpose and we strive to fulfill this purpose to the best of
our ability. We present our music with a Capella, classic and
modern southern gospel arrangements of time-honored hymns,
old-time classics and more recent favorites. Most of the time we
use original sound tracks to ensure high quality accompaniment and not distract from the message of the song. It is not

uncommon for us to use just a piano accompaniment to do several favorites like they used to do when southern gospel got its
start. Either way, the focus is the message of the song. The Heritage Boys will be at First Assembly on February 8 during the
evening service.

XO MARRIAGE CONFERENCE SIMULCAST

Help couples discover Gods plan for marriage at the 2015 XO
Marriage Conference simulcast. Two live seminars will be simulcast at First Assembly of God-Rolla on Friday, February 13,
from 7:00 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 14, from 9:00
11:30 a.m. Featuring teaching from Jimmy & Karen Evans and
Josh & Katie Hamilton, special musical guests, and a celebrity
panel, this event will equip, inspire, and bless the marriages in
your community.
Go to https://marriagetoday.com/
simulcasts for more information or contact Dan & Cindy Smith
at 573-368-7258.

SUPPORTING OUR SHUT-INS

A shut-ins world has become very smallno longer the
wide world of long walks, trips to the store, dinners out. Whether at home or in a home, the day becomes a routine, and the
separation from friends and activities becomes difficult to bear.
It just takes one person to minister to one shut-in. What
could you do to be an encouragement? A phone call, a letter, a
card, a visitall can brighten their day and make them feel still
a part of our congregation. Consider one of these suggestions:
Sunday Service Connection: Drop by with a bulletin and an
audio copy of the latest sermon. Offer to listen to the sermon with them.
(Prentice continued from page 1)

turned to Fort Sumner. However, this long distance dating

relationship wasnt working, so Neil returned to Missouri and
he and I were married 2 weeks later on 12/27/45. Though
our courtship was very short, our marriage endured for 51
years until Neil passed away. We lived in Steelville for about
6 months, but Neil could not find work there. One evening
when we were heading to a ball game, from the top of the hill
facing the field, Neil saw Major Thomas, a friend from the
Army who lived in Rolla. Major Thomas told Neil he was starting a contracting business in Rolla and asked if he would like
to join him. Neil jumped at the opportunity and we have lived
in Rolla ever since. Neil worked for various contractors
through the years and then worked as a small engine repairman after he retired.
Our son, Alan, was born in 1950 and later our son, Rick
(1956). Alan passed away while serving in the military during
the Vietnam War in 1969. Rick lives in Missouri and has two
sons. I am the proud grandma of two grandsons and one
great-grandson and a great-granddaughter, with another
great grandbaby on the way. All of my family lives in Missouri.
Im ashamed to say that after we were married, we did
not continue attending church. We occasionally visited a few
churches around town. On one occasion, we visited First Assembly of God where Brother & Sister Roberts were pastoring.
(Prentice continued on page 6)

Telephone Assurance: Call at regular intervals to check on

them. Ask about needs. Ask for specific prayer requests.
Reading: Visit with a copy of a favorite inspirational book, or
ask what their favorite is. Read a chapter together.
Send an encouraging card during the holidays, or just because.
Everyday Conversation: Talk to them about church happenings and people. Shut-ins miss the day-to-day life updates
of acquaintances, but still care about them. Talk about a
subject that interests them.

MENDING HEARTS MINISTRY

Mending Hearts is a grief-recovery and growth ministry
and support group for widows. The group meets weekly for
dinner, conversation and Bible Study.
By coming together, we
seek to:
Realize that we are not
alone and God has not forgotten us. Grief is different for
everyone and must be dealt
with but has no rules or time
limits. We help each other
through the journey of grief
with prayer, compassion and encouragement.
Rebuild our lives after loss, to once again live life abundantly. We share our struggles and victories as well as information and resources to adjust to a now-single life that
was built for two.
Recover joy, rather than getting stuck in grief, offering
hope and inspiration to others. We have new gifts to offer
from our greater understanding of loss. We have gained a
special talent of laughing and crying simultaneously. We
look for blessings in seemingly mundane days.
Mending Hearts meets Tuesdays at 5:30 at Alhesha
Lanes house, 901 E. 7th street. For more information, contact
Alhesha at 647-0605.

ONE SHUT-IN MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

Loneliness. Illness. could take them over to one of our shut-ins after SunLoss of Independence. day morning services. Its a simple act and doesnt
These are just some of the take very long, but gives our shut-in a friendly face to
issues facing our shut-ins. look forward to seeing each week. It also affords us
However, a short visit and the opportunity to visit, pray together, or assist in any
occasional phone calls can small way we can. Even simple things like taking the
sometimes remedy these trash out to the curb or putting an envelope in the
concerns for our shut-ins. mail can be difficult for our shut-ins. We never want to
miss the opportuniWe have
had the SHUT-INS: WHERE ARE THEY? ty to minister in
privilege
Although several of our shut-ins are in their homes, even these small
of visit- there are many living in group homes. Former First Assembly ways.
Other ways to
ing shut-ins since before we were attendees are living in the following places:
minister
include
married. We called it our M & M Presbyterian Manor
phone
calls
to
night: Monday night Ministry. Rolla Manor Care
check on the wellLyndon has always had a heart for Parkside Assisted Living
being of our elderly
working with the elderly and en- Rolla Apartments
friends when they
joys his little old ladies. We no Gingerbread House
are not feeling well
longer have our formal M & M Golden Living Center
or to offer rides to
nights, but we find pleasure in vis- Country Valley Home
appointments
or
iting shut-ins on a regular basis. Maries Manor
pick up a few neThey have years of experience and
cessities at the store. Again, simple acts are meaningwith that experience comes wisdom.
Those of you who have been greeters at the ful to those who were once such a big part of our
church know that we often ask for an extra bulletin church family and who greatly miss being able to fel(and formerly a Pentecostal Evangel) so that we lowship with the body of believers.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
CLASSES FOR SENIORS
There are two Christian Education classes at
9:15 (during first service).
The Adult I class is taught by Harold Kaufman,
Frank Ratliff, and Dale Edwards, They follow the Assemblies of Gods adult quarterly Sunday School curriculum. They meet in room 107.
The Adult II class, taught by Carl Wilkinson in
room 200, is currently studying the book of Revelation.

SPRING CONSTRUCTION MISSION TRIP TO MINDEN TEEN CHALLENGE

The Missions Committee is excited to announce this years spring construction mission trip to Minden, Louisiana. We
have sent two teams to work at this site so far, and are looking forward to sending a larger group in the spring. This Teen
Challenge center is housed in a former nursing home, and has several other buildings on the property that they hope to eventually put to use.
The Teen Challenge director is living in the center as the parsonage is being prepared for renovations. We will be
working on this building - wiring, insulating the exterior walls, and hanging the sheetrock. Please keep in mind that we
must be flexible regarding job assignments; the job list may be reprioritized at any time. There are several other smaller
projects throughout the campus needing workers of all skill levels. Experience in plumbing is needed.
We will leave from the church parking lot on Saturday, March 21, and return Saturday, March 28. You do not need to
have any construction experience to be a valuable member of the team. If you are interested, contact Kathi at [email protected] or Sam at [email protected].
(Prentice continued from page 4)

One Monday in 1956, Sister Roberts came out to the house

to talk with me. I so appreciated her visit since she, too, was
raising small children. After our conversation, I was so convicted of my need for Christ and to get back into church. The
following Sunday Neil and I went to church and we both were
under conviction and got saved. I felt that if I didnt get right
with God, that I was going to die! I have been a Christian
since. I am grateful we were able to raise our sons in church
where they could learn the truth of Gods Word and come to
know Him. Neil and I were active in the church. I helped out
in the nursery and did a lot of meal preparation for funerals,
Thanksgiving dinners, snacks for VBS, etc. Neil drove the
church bus for 30 years. I love my church and I love attending
church when I am able. I continue to believe that God is good
and that He is faithful.
Once our boys started school I began working outside
the home. I first worked at the UMR student union as a cashier, but didnt stay long due to the extensive standing caus(Miles continued from page 1)

life, when you lose your help mate but you know that GOD still
has a plan. A year later Paul had a stroke. Through prayer
and hard work, he recovered, and returned to Jerome. After a
few months, however, Paul moved to Rolla apartments.
Paul will be the first to tell you that life isn't easy! But
with prayer and Gods' help, you can overcome all things. Now
doctors say that Paul has Alzheimer's. But the testimonies I
get from other people is that they can't tell it. So I, Len Miles,
say praise GOD for dads who pray.

ing arthritis pain to flare up. I also worked in the cafeteria at

the junior high and high schools. I went to cosmetology
school and opened a beauty shop in my home for a while. After that I got a job in Central Supply at the hospital where I
stayed for 13 years until I retired. It was my favorite job.
Neil had been retired for 2 years when I finally retired.
He had the itch to travel and we had a trailer we towed for 10
years, enjoying many of Americas landmarks like Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the Royal Gorge,
Pikes Peak, Washington, D. C. (where we toured the White
House and the monuments), Georgia, and Florida. We also
took extensive vacations in Branson. Im grateful we had 10
years of traveling together following my retirement.
I want to encourage everyone to become a Christian
and to stay in church.

VALENTINES BANQUET
The Annual Valentines Day Banquet is right around the
corner! We wanted to remind you all of it so you can mark
it on your calendar. It will be held in The Roberts Family
Life Center at 5:30 on Saturday, February 14th. You will be
able to purchase tickets Sunday and Wednesday evenings.
The cost of the banquet is $30.00 per couple or $50.00
for two couples. This will be a great evening to take your
sweetheart out for Valentines Day and help the Youth
Group raise money for Fine Arts all at the same time.
Child care will be provided. Just let the student know
when you purchase your ticket. If you have any questions,
please ask Pastor Jason (pastorjason@rolla firstassembly.org).

PASTORS & STAFF

Chuck Whitmire
Lead Pastor

[email protected]

Karen Turner
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

Ray Cook
Associate Pastor

Mark Berry

[email protected]

Facility Manager

Brian Feller
Childrens Pastor

Pansy Bingham

[email protected]

Business Administrator
[email protected]

Jason Gibson

Abby Swearingen

[email protected]

Media Assistant
[email protected]

Youth Pastor

Sam Parker

After School Ministries &

Missions Director

[email protected]

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #116
ROLLA, MO

1608 N Oak St
Rolla MO 65401-2342

PAUL MILES, VIVIAN PRENTICE

Spotlight on two shut-ins

GRIEVING

How can you help?

SHUT-INS

Encouraging former attendees

SPRING MISSION TRIP

Teen Challenge Family Center