Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Bermuda pastor Cecil Pulley reported that members experienced minimal damage and disruption from Hurricane Igor. All the members are safe, and no one suffered any structural damage to their homes. Cecil expressed the gratitude of the Bermuda church for everyone’s prayers.
Solomon Islands
Henry Kuper of Honiara, Solomon Islands, was ordained an elder July 25 by Doug Lewis, our Solomon Islands pastoral supervisor. Henry is one of our senior members in the Solomons, and is well known and esteemed in Honiara, largely because of his respected career in the police force. Henry comes from the remote island of Santa Ana in the southeast of the archipelago and with his wife, Elizabeth, has returned to live there in his retirement (right).
Missions director Rod Matthews wrote:
Henry was baptized in 1977 and ordained a deacon in 2001. As a result of his standing in the community and the church, his faith and spiritual leadership, managerial skills, and flexibility to travel when needed, he was appointed the national coordinator for the WCG/GCI in the Solomon Islands. He liaises with Doug Lewis and provides support for Derek Jiru, our pastor of the Qiloe congregation on the island of Ranongga in the Western Province area.
Henry was in Honiara for medical treatment for a kidney stone and some other conditions, and we are pleased to say that he is recovering well and growing in strength after the operation as he recuperates at home on Santa Ana.
Rod also reported that George Nake, a member on Ranongga, who had been diagnosed with leukemia, has now returned home to Qiloe much improved. George, his wife Amellin, their family and the whole congregation send their thanks for everyone’s concern and prayers.
Zimbabwe
African missions developer Kalengule Kaoma reported that Bulawayo was the site for this year’s annual family festival in Zimbabwe, held August 25-29. Only one congregation was not able to send its representatives to the convention.
Regional Pastor Takalani Musekwa and his family from South Africa attended as one of the guest speakers.
During the annual general meeting, which was held during the conference, members unanimously agreed to conform with the denominational name change from Worldwide Church of God to Grace Communion International.
On August 28, Messrs Vumisani Sithole and Serviours Mhaka were ordained as elders for the Harare Central congregation. Their wives, Rose and Elizabeth, respectively, joined their husbands on stage during the ordination ceremony, graced by some members of the National Ecclesiastical Council and guest speakers.
Prayer requests and updates
Verna Meyer
We grieve with Kansas City pastor Ray Meyer over the loss of his mother, Verna. Ray wrote:
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers for my mother, Verna Meyer, and for our family during this difficult time. After a lengthy struggle following colon surgery, she passed away on Sunday, September 12. Now Mom is at peace, and so are we. She is in a much better place in the bosom of the Lord. Mom was a wonderful Christian woman, and was a member of our church for many years – since 1966. We will miss her terribly, but are comforted by the wonderful truth of the resurrection and eternal life.
Cards may be sent to:
Ray and Carol Meyer
PO Box 28183
Kansas City, MO 64188-0183
Joanne Barrie
Our hearts go out to Pastor Lloyd Barrie and his family. Lloyd let us know that after battling cancer for nine months, his wife, Joanne, has now entered into hospice care at home, where she is resting comfortably. Lloyd said that Joanne will have all of her family around, including him, their son Matt, their daughters Rachel and Elise, and Joanne’s parents, and that they have done all they can to ensure that during Joanne’s last week or two she will be pain free and connected to those she loves.
Cards may be sent to:
768 North Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
Effie Pendergraft
We are sad to report that Effie Pendergraft, whose husband, Chad, had been in training for ministry in Joplin, Missouri, has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Effie has four active lesions, three on her spine and one on her brain. She is now unable to walk.
Pastor Jim Kissee wrote that Chad was doing well in the training program, but will now need to attend to Effie. The couple has two young girls, Page and Emma.
Cards may be sent to:
Chad and Effie Pendergraft
962 Country Crossing
Webb City, Mo 64870
Karen Sinner
Pastor Glen Weber of our Eagle Rock, California, congregation, sends his family’s thanks for everyone’s prayers for his sister, Karen Sinner. All the polyps were cancer free and the tumor on her colon is only pre-cancerous. They are waiting for a date for it to be removed.
Marcia Demarest
Please join us in praying for retired pastor Gary Demarest, whose wife, Marcia, died at 6:00 am Sunday, September 19, from heart failure after several months of illness.
Tyler, Texas, pastor Dave Orban said that Marcia and Gary had retired to Bullard, Texas, and during that time have served in the New Covenant Fellowship congregation in Tyler.
Marcia’s funeral is scheduled for 10:00 Friday at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home, 215 E. Front Street, Tyler, Texas. Visitation is Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to PATH, 402 W. Front Street, Tyler, Texas, 75702.
Cards may be sent to:
Gary Demarest
706 Oak Street
Bullard, TX 75757-7738
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
