Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Pastor Neil Earle of our Glendora, California, congregation was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Duarte, California, City Council on April 13 along with other volunteer adults and high school students for their work with
Duarte cable access television.
Neil has hosted a current events/Christian apologetics show called “A Second Look” for the past nine years. His show can now be seen on the Internet at www.dctvduarte.com. Curtis May and Mike Feazell are among the many guests who have appeared on Neil’s program.
In the picture, Neil is third from left on the back row, posing with the Duarte City Council and the other volunteer cable TV staff. The teens are part of a Regional Occupational Program. Working in a hands-on environment is a superb motivator for them. One of the teens, Stephanie Ynez, now does lighting for the Dr. Phil Show.
Neil said, “All of this only costs us the price of two large pizzas for the teens each month.”
Mexico
Our Mexican pastors and leaders training conference was held April 2-4 in Guadalajara. Some 30 pastors and leaders gathered for workshops and small group leadership training from GCI-USA ministry developer Lorenzo Arroyo and pastor Manuel Ochoa of Hawthorne, California. Under the leadership of mission developer Hector Barrero, Mexico has experienced a resurgence in mission focus and evangelistic outreach.
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You’re Included video series
You’re Included was recently highlighted on two Christian theology blog sites. Here are links:
http://theologicalscribbles.blogspot.com/2010/04/seriously-good-theological-videos.html
http://cruciality.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/alan-torrance-on-the-incarnation-grace-and-godly-living/
Christian Pen, Jamaica
A few years ago the pastoral team of the GCI congregation in Christian Pen, Jamaica, conducted a funeral service for a person who was not a member of a church fellowship. The relative who made the request was herself not a member of a church and had explained how hard it was for the family to find a church that was willing to conduct the funeral. All the relatives were thankful for the love, concern and sympathy shown by our pastoral team and told others that they had found a church willing to bury people with dignity, even if they were not practicing Christians.
Since that first funeral, the word has spread, and the church now has a unique ministry of conducting funeral services for persons who are not members of any church as well as persons who are members of other denominations. As a result, the church reaches between four and six hundred persons with Christ’s gospel of hope almost every month. The pastoral team is able to share the truth that God loves even the worst of sinners.
The church has conducted a funeral service attended by the Prime Minister, one of his cabinet ministers and the Member of Parliament for the area. Three weeks ago, the church conducted a state funeral for a slain police officer. In attendance were the Acting Commissioner of Police, the two most influential mayors on the island, several rank and file members of the police force and other dignitaries.
Please pray that God will continue to bless this special ministry of love.
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Montreal French
Roger Labelle reported that over the Easter weekend the Montreal French congregation held a special outreach service inviting people in the neighborhood to attend. The day went very well, with 11 new children attending, and a total of 24 visitors. Roger said that it was lots of work, but definitely worthwhile.
Prayer Requests and Updates
Pastor Steve Posiak of our Salmon Arm, British Columbia, congregation informed us of the sad news that Karen Leach, wife of elder Darcy Leach, has died after a long battle with cancer. Cards can be sent to:
Darcy Leach
2431 Tamarack Terr. RR 2
Sorrento, B.C. V0E 2W2
Canada
Please continue to remember Pastor Dennis Lawrence and his wife, Lynn, of our Montreal English congregation as they wait for test results for the exploratory laparoscopic surgery Dennis had last Thursday. Dennis was diagnosed earlier with a large abdominal mass that is potentially cancerous. Cards may be sent to:
Dennis & Lynn Lawrence
211 De L’ile Blvd
Pincourt PQ J7V 3R6
Canada
The Walton family is saddened to announce that Laura Walton, 58, wife of elder Merv Walton of our east Pasadena congregation, passed away April 20 after battling cancer for the last four months. Laura’s family was with her at the end, and she died in peace. Cards may be sent to:
Mervin Walton
PO Box 323
Pasadena, CA 91102-0323
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena.
Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena
3230 East Del Mar Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
Africa
Missions Director Kalengule Kaoma and his wife, Nsama, send their deepest thanks for everyone’s prayers for Nsama. They report that her condition has greatly improved. Kalengule wrote: “Nsama recently saw her doctor, who was very impressed with the progress. She is no longer on 24-hour bed rest. She takes two hours of bed rest during the day and takes an early night rest from 7 p.m. She is able to take five-minute walks around the house and is very much tempted to do more. She remembers that she has to be patient with herself. Each day brings us new hope, anticipation, and reason to be grateful and rejoice.”
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
