Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you for your faithful and devoted service to your congregations in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Your calling is a sacred one, and I thank God every day that he has raised up such caring and loving leaders for the members of our fellowship. As we move into the extra-busy summer months, I want you to know how much all of us at headquarters appreciate your labor of love, without which there would be no Grace Communion International.
United Kingdom
Gordon Wilson reports that nearly 80 campers have confirmed, and plans are progressing well for this year’s SEP in the UK July 25-August 7. More staff and camper openings are available, and those interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Email admin@sepuk.org for more information or visit www.sepuk.org.
Photo Caption: The London Life Club met February 27.
Update from Bangladesh
John Biswas and Roger Lipross, of the Bengali Evangelical Association, reported on two projects that the Red Deer, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia, congregations funded last year in Bangladesh. Funds were provided to repair damage done to Canada House, and also for the purchase of needed medical supplies for the clinic that serves the community. Canada House was built with mission dollars provided by Canadian churches in the mid 1990s. It has served many purposes, and among other things, now provides housing to community nurses being trained to provide basic medical care to the many rural villages essentially lacking in almost any form of health care. Many thanks to these congregations, and David Sheridan and Roy Page for their generous support of this very worthy mission!
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Canada
Pastor Alan Redmond reported that in a recent fundraiser Hands of Hope ministry, sponsored by our Winnipeg congregation, raised $8600 for its outreach services. Some 400 people attended the fundraiser to hear the nearly 100-member Spirit’s Call Choir. The congregation provided refreshments after the show.
Harvest Christian Fellowship, the congregation in Abbotsford, raised $1295 in support of a young lady in the congregation who is preparing for a mission trip to Africa.
Colombia
Hector Barrero reports that Bogota members Jose and Mary Romero were ordained deacons during the church service on Pentecost Sunday, May 23. “Jose and Mary have been a great blessing to the congregation over the years,” Hector said. After the service, the 170 people attending enjoyed lunch together. Hector added, “The service is video projected to a group on the first floor of the church hall because the second and main floor are not large enough to hold the actual attendance.”
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Church-Next Training in Ohio
Church-Next Training was conducted April 8-10 in Tipp City, Ohio. Twenty-one ministry leaders attended this event to learn about starting new churches and renewing existing churches. CMM team members Lorenzo Arroyo and Randy Bloom facilitated the training. Workshop sessions included: Theological Reflections for Church Planting, Characteristics of Church Planters, Identifying a Focus Group, Clarifying God’s Vision for a New Church, Developing a Church Planting Team and The Pastor’s Personal and Family Life.
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Prayer Requests and Updates
Doug and Betty Johanssen
At 21 weeks into her pregnancy, our daughter Dana’s water broke. That is too early for any reasonable chance of saving the baby if it were to be born now. However, over the last few days, Dana has stabilized somewhat. Things are still critical as far as the baby is concerned. She is still losing fluid because of the tear in the amniotic sack, but the baby is a good weight, the heartbeat is strong and the baby is developing normally as far as they can tell from the ultrasound. They were not able to determine the sex yesterday because of the position of the baby and lack of fluid. There is very little fluid remaining and what the baby makes, drains out because of the tear in the sack.
Dennis Lawrence
Montreal, Quebec (English) Pastor Dennis Lawrence, who has been diagnosed with Diffuse large B Cell lymphoma, underwent surgery last week for a perforated bowel, apparently caused by a combination of the cancer and the chemotherapy. Dennis is in ICU and will be for several more days. If all goes well for next few days, his wife Lynn said, “things will turn in a positive direction, but until that time there are a variety of things that can go wrong that will endanger his life. Chemo has been indefinitely postponed… I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the enormous support we are receiving… Thanks to all for your continuing prayers!”
Stephen Guice
GCI Board Member Frank Guice and his wife Cora sent this update on their son Steven’s progress after his accident on May 14, 2010:
Steven was released from the Medical Center of Aurora on Saturday, May 22. Cora and Stephanie had arrived there and were able to assist his transition to an extended stay hotel in Aurora, Colorado, where other company employees are housed. He is still in a lot of pain (on a scale of 0 to 10, he says it’s a 3 when he’s sitting still, but jumps to a 10, whenever he moves) and he will be dealing with pain for some time to come. He had his first rehabilitation therapy today (Wednesday, May 26) and he hopes to return to work in two months or so. His employer told him it would be no sooner than that. Steven appreciates the concern so many have expressed for his well-being and we do as well, especially the prayers to God for him.
Reconciliation Ministries
From Curtis May:
Thanks for your prayers about the Chicago MDT Seminar. It went very well! The most important aspect of the well-organized event was the healing that took place. Willard High and Sam Butler did a great job leading the last session on Ally Building and Overcoming Internalized Racism. And the Pentecost worship services put the icing on the cake. The congregation’s band and choir were superb. The event was a tribute to the local church and its leadership.
Jamaica
A state of emergency has been declared in two Kingston districts by His Excellency the Governor General of Jamaica on advice of the Government of Jamaica. The current situation has arisen following the Government of Jamaica’s agreement to pursue the arrest of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke in response to an extradition request from the USA. Yesterday, Sunday, two policemen were killed and six others injured – four of whom have been hospitalized. Two police stations were attacked, at least one of which was destroyed by fire. The situation is very dangerous and has potentially serious legal and political ramifications. Anyone wishing to follow the ongoing developments can do so through:
The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper – www.jamaica-gleaner.com
The Jamaica Observer newspaper – www.jamaicaobserver.com
Power FM, streamed on-line – www.go-jamaica.com/power/ (this can be difficult to access as so many are trying).
Please pray for a swift resolution and the restoration of law and order, as well as minimal of the loss of life and wisdom for the political directorate and law enforcement authorities.
Trinidad
Trinidad & Tobago go to the polls today to elect a government. Trinidad has seen a significant upswing in violent crime in the last few years. This election is crucial to determining the country’s forward path.
Please pray for a peaceful election and transition of government, and that the new government will be wise and benevolent.
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
