David K. Bernard

Myanmar report: 210 churches in 37 language groups, 19 churches destroyed by recent fighting, 10 pastors at seminar lost homes, UPC church member was elected as Vice President of nation several years ago, but since the military coup he’s been under house arrest.

Last week: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), Travel Tues PM to Thurs AM, longest leg 17.5 hours. Fri & Sat: taught ministers’ seminar & preached PM. Sun: preached, 38 received Holy Ghost. Mon-Tues AM, return trip, 37 hours + 1 hour on arrival waiting for VP Vance’s plane to leave.

I read Ward Farnsworth, “Farnsworth’s Classical English Rhetoric”; interesting, somewhat technical analysis of literary techniques, examples from classic sources such as Churchill, Lincoln, Dickens, KJV. I also read 2 novels by P.G. Wodehouse.

This week on Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, I share guidance on how to effectively pray with spiritual seekers. This episode is for anyone who wants to help others genuinely respond to God. Listen/Watch now. 📷 bit.ly/AL21Ep256 📷 youtu.be/cUdxx_UroQY

Mon PM: preached Austin Metro Sectional Conference at New Life Austin, Presbyter Rodney Shaw. Great participation, revival spirit, fellowship. Many ministers from New Life network. Churches are being planted, obtaining buildings, experiencing growth.

My thought on Smith, “Why Religion Went Obsolete”: Pentecostals aren’t immune, but we can continue to grow by emphasizing personal testimony, power of Spirit, healing, deliverance, meeting physical, social, familial, mental, spiritual needs. Then we can lead people to truth.

I read Christian Smith, “Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America” (2025). Significant study. Reason: deep cultural changes starting in 1990s, including mass consumerism, media, education system, pluralism, changing views of family & sexual morality.

Thur-Sat: Western District Men’s Conference, Visalia, CA, 34 received Holy Ghost, including man the pastor had worked with for 30 years. Sun: Arroyo Grande, CA, Pastor Stephen Hill. Sun PM: flew to Austin, plane delayed 3.5 hours mostly due to unruly passenger; arrived 3:30 AM.

I read Christa McKirland, “A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church”; helpful, sometimes technical; authority in church should be by action, teaching, example, not command; sometimes goes too far, such as questioning idea of senior pastor or team leader

Is it wrong for Christians to sue someone who injured them? On this week's episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, I discuss what the Bible says about believers and the judicial system. Watch or listen: 📷 youtu.be/7tmeKI728oU 📷 bit.ly/AL21Ep255

Mon-Tues: in Austin, worked half days. Tues PM: flew to STL, family dinner of 9. Wed: in office, STL, preached HQ chapel, recorded 13 podcasts (3 hours). Thurs-Fri: Western District Men’s Conference, Visalia, CA.

Last week, after General Board meeting ending Thurs. Fri-Sun, Mentorship Conference, College Park (Atlanta), GA, Pastor Nathaniel Terry. Fri: preached PM. Sat: panel discussion. Sun: preached for church, 2 baptized, 2 renewed in Spirit.

Is God the Father also the Son? In this week’s episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, I explain what Oneness Pentecostals believe about the Father and the Son and how Scripture shows the Father was in Christ. 📷 youtu.be/qdhmBMxXXd8 📷 bit.ly/AL21Ep254

When we open our heart in faith, God bestows the gift of the Holy Spirit.

When we believe and obey the command to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, God washes away our sins.

The doctrine of faith doesn’t negate the new birth but explains how we receive it. When we respond to the gospel in faith, God turns us from sin in repentance.

Faith is an ongoing relationship with God, a new way of life, characterized by faith from beginning to end.

Can we derive doctrine from Bible stories? Nearly 60% of Scripture is narrative, despite Western preference for systematic outlines. In this podcast episode, I explore how biblical authors communicate truth through story. 📷 bit.ly/AL21Ep253 📷 youtu.be/2N-AdbDDGzA

Faith is more than a point in time. The righteous “live” by faith. God’s righteousness is revealed “from faith to faith” (Rom 1:17), “faith from first to last” (NIV), “from start to finish by faith” (NLT).

Mon-Thurs: St Louis. Meeting of Ministerial Retirement Fund, Executive Board, General Board.