Meet the Alphin family
Candace Nicole, age 9...
Candace was filled with the Holy Ghost at age 4 during a Children's Crusade held at the LifeFlight Conference, Calvary Apostolic Church, Columbus, Ohio, under the ministry of Sis. Vickie Oliver. Her grandfather, Rev. Jack W. Sword, baptized her in Jesus' Name just one week later. At age 5, she declared that she was “going to be a missionary when she grew up”, and this has not changed! Little did Candace know that Dad and Mom would feel the call to missions themselves (our family is in the process of obtaining AIM appointment).
She has great role models in her great-uncle and aunt, Rodger and Margaret White, missionaries to Malaysia/Indonesia. She has also made friends with many of the missionaries who visit our church – aside from Uncle Rodger and Aunt “Tiny”, she has two special favorites: Rev. David and Mrs. Kelley Dibble, missionaries to the Philippines, and Rev. Randy and Mrs. Sherry Briggs, missionaries to Kristiansand, Norway.
Candace has plans to work for the Lord, and we are excited to see her grow in her relationship with Him. We believe that her “vivacious, has-no-fear, never met a stranger” personality will be a plus in the ministry she feels called to perform for Him!
…and Miranda Rene', age 12.
Miranda
was filled with the Holy Ghost at the age of 6 during a Sunday
morning "Kid's Praise Crusade" under the ministry of Sis. Vickie Oliver, and was baptized
in Jesus' Name that same evening by her grandfather,
Rev. Jack W. Sword. She recently participated in a goal-setting program
sponsored by the Tiger Woods Foundation and received a $1,000
scholarship that is enabling her to pursue her interest – piano!
Miranda’s desire is to have the ability to play for church services –
both by note and by ear – by the age of 16. We have no doubt that she
will be able to attain this goal (her piano teacher, Sis. Joanna Moore,
is awesome…what would we do without you, Joanna!) We are rooting for
her, and believe that she will attain her goal!
Miranda’s sweet, loving (and “sometimes” teasing) personality is a true asset; she lights up every room she enters! She is already helping Dad and Mom with leading prayer during our weekly Kid’s Prayer Room at church – she is a leader-in-training, and we are proud of her!
Miranda and Candace
attend a wonderful apostolic school located in Hilliard, Ohio (a suburb
of Columbus). Champions Christian Academy is a ministry of Champions in
Christ Church (formerly called New Life Apostolic Church), pastored by
Rev. Eric and Mrs. Bonnie
Smith. Candace has the ‘happy opportunity’ to have mom as a teacher at the school…well, this is
a good thing on “most” days! Glenda teaches the 3rd
– 5th graders at Champions (CCA uses the self-paced
Alpha-Omega curriculum), in addition to taking care of the “Office
Administrator” duties for the school. She brings a enjoyable spirit to
the classroom, often joining in the students’ fun (being a children’s
minister truly does have its advantages – you really can be an
adult, act like a kid, and still get away with it)!
Glenda is the daughter of Rev. Jack W. and Mrs. Nancy Sword of Columbus, Ohio, and was raised in the United Pentecostal Church (she was baptized in Jesus' Name at age 10 and received the Holy Ghost at age 12 under the ministry of Rev. Billy Cole). Her fondest memories are of the days when Rev. James K. Stewart was the pastor of Calvary Apostolic Church where her family attended for many years. Glenda went to Apostolic Bible Institute in 1984 and graduated in 1987. She relocated to Jonesboro, Arkansas a few years after her graduation to spend some time with her college roommate, where she met her husband, Mark Alphin.
Mark grew up as a part of the U.P.C.I. in Jonesboro, Arkansas (he was baptized in Jesus' Name at age 12 and received the Holy Ghost at age 14). His father, although not a minister, is well-respected and has served in many capacities within his local church, including long-time board member. While in Jonesboro, Mark was privileged to have several great men as pastors, including Rev. Jerry Dean, Rev. Bill Thomas, Rev. James R. Glass, and Rev. Stephen Judd.
Mark works very hard every day providing for the family, in addition to working on his current goal: obtaining license with the U.P.C.I. He is involved in correspondence studies with Kent Christian College in the V.I.E.W. program. Secularly, he is a “Sales Engineer II“, working for LDMI Telecommunications (formerly Long Distance of Michigan, Inc.).
“Warriors in Training” has continued to be a big part of their lives over the last four years as they have endeavored to teach the young ones of P.A. how to have a constant and sure relationship with their Lord. They are also in the process of building and training their “team”, including young people who are former “Warriors” themselves (Lanna Smith and Alyssa Palmer, we love you).
Mark and Glenda have completed their second set of discipleship lessons entitled “Growing with God 2”. This book includes lessons on the Godhead (yes, on a child’s level), unity, and relationships with God and others, among many more. The two books combined will provide curriculum for a full year (and then some)! God has truly blessed the Alphins with an ability to teach doctrinal truths in such a way that a child will understand (and have fun while learning). It is their heartfelt desire that you will catch a burden for the children whom you know, for everyone deserves to know how to have a fulfilling relationship with Him!
Recommendations for "Growing with God"
Foreword from "Growing with God"
Preface from "Growing with God"
Lesson List from "Growing with God"
"Growing with God" Chapter One: Why is a Junior Bible Study so Important?
Who is using "Growing with God"? How can I use it?
Preview upcoming lesson list for "Growing with God 2"
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