Caribbean Mission Director Charles Fleming received this email on Saturday from our pastor in Haiti, Joseph Franklin:
We thank everyone for directing prayers from all over the planet toward us in this time of distress. We just received an encouraging message from a former Ambassador College student who visited with us back in 1983. It is wonderful to be so bound together in the love of God.
We had a quiet night last night and this morning. We are able to get online, and even though it is difficult, we are able to communicate with the Jean Renel family in Les Cayes, with Serges Jacques in Saint Marc and with Daniel Leconte in Port-de-Paix. They are all okay. Later on I will send a complete update with photos.
Now we are 13, sleeping under a tent in our front yard. Besides Georgette, Billy and me, we have one family of four from the church and another six of our relatives. From time to time the house receives a light shock, so we just go in quickly for urgent needs and hurry back outside.
No service is available as yet. I still need to get one generator to recharge my six batteries. These cost 1000HTG, the equivalent of 25USD. This is our only availability to have light and keep our computer running. Every few hours another aftershock comes to do more damage to what is still left of houses and buildings. It is highly recommended not to walk around the streets because of hundreds of corpses are decaying under the debris.
It will take some time to gather enough details for a complete update. Thank you for joining me in praise to our Lord Almighty who has kept us alive a little longer for his purpose. In Jesus’ mission on earth, the cross precedes the crown.
Papike Lebelo
Africa
Please join me in thanking God for providing more leadership in Africa. Papike Lebelo, shown here leading worship at church, was ordained an elder at a church service at Sizwe hospital in South Africa.
2010 International Pastors Conference Registration Discount Deadline Reminder
At 9:00 am on Friday, January 29, registration will be opened to our elders and members. At that time the pastors discount for hotel nights will end, and the pastors registration fee will no longer be waived. You should register before 9:00 am (Pacific Time) on Friday to receive these discounts.
Register before 9:00 am on Friday, January 29, and the denomination will still cover your registration fee and provide you with a $10/night discount for the hotel (for Wednesday through Saturday nights). To register, just click on this link, www.2010.gci.org and it will take you to the conference website. You will then need to click on the “Register” button.
Minnesota
From Pastor Doug Johannsen:
Sixty-five people of all ages from Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota enjoyed Snowblast 2010 at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Stewartville, MN. The event began Saturday, January 16, and ended Monday morning, January 18. The theme this year centered on freedom, making choices, and the consequences of those freedoms and choices.
Activities included snow tubing, snowshoeing, making pottery on a pottery wheel, arts and crafts, making peanut brittle, photography, practicing worship leading, playing cards, board games, as well as indoor arena horse rides and a nighttime sleigh ride, courtesy of two draft horses named Bill and Barney. Recent heavy snowfall made the scenery a winter wonderland.
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Prayer Requests and Updates
Reconciliation Ministries director Curtis May asked for prayer for his interview this Thursday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time on the “God at Work” program broadcast by Moody Radio in Cleveland. Curtis will be interviewed on the topic “What God is Doing in Reconciliation.” He asked that we pray that God would be glorified through the interview.
Patama Banks, wife of Pastor Leonard Banks of our Rochester, NY, congregation, underwent surgery this week at the Strong Memorial Hospital emergency room following an early morning heart attack. Leonard wrote:
Thank you all for your prayers and phone calls. The power of prayer is awesome. All the catheters were removed last night and the heart is pumping by itself.
Cards can be sent to: 40 Fountain St. Rochester, NY 14620-1902
Pastor Steve Posiak of our Salmon Arm, British Columbia, congregation asked for prayer for Karen Leach, wife of elder Darcy Leach, who is in the hospital awaiting a blood transfusion due to an extremely low red cell blood count. Karen has been battling cancer for some time, and the cancer is now in her bones, liver and breast.
Darcy’s father, Roy Leach, is in the same hospital with a broken shoulder. Roy is also battling cancer of the prostate, which has spread to his bones.
Cards may be sent to: Karen Leach 2431 Tamarack Terr. RR 2 Sorrento, B.C. V0E 2W2 Canada
Last week’s update included a picture of Pat and Cliff Rabe (misspelled as Rage), but the text was not included. Here is the correct copy:
Funeral services were held January 6, at Bergvallei, Muldersdrift, for Pastor Cliff Rabe (78) of our Johannesburg Central congregation. Cliff passed away on Thursday after a short illness. He was diagnosed to be suffering from acute leukemia.
Pat and Cliff Rabe
Cliff will be missed by his wife of 48 years, Pat, his children Avril, John, Michael, Giselle, Paul and Jenny, and his grandchildren Dwane, Keri, Jessica, Rochelle, Jonathan, Katelyn and Megan.
Cliff was baptized in August 1969 and ordained an elder in 1989. He served faithfully in many church areas within southern Africa, including Johannesburg Central, Krugersdorp, Klerksdorp, Botwsana, Bloemfontein, Kimberly, Lesotho, and QwaQwa. He loved the word of God and God’s creation. Cliff will be fondly remembered for his colorful sermons.
Grant Millar conducted the funeral service.
Cards may be sent to: PO Box 4093 Helikon Park 1771 South Africa
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.
Thank you and your congregations for your prayers and support for Haiti. Caribbean Mission Director Charles Fleming sent this update on Friday:
Joseph & Georgette Franklin
I spoke with Mr. Franklin, our Haitian pastor, a few minutes ago. He, his wife and adult son, Billy, are all fine. Mr. Franklin said he did not sleep for two days as they were staying outside for fear of aftershocks, but last night he finally got some sleep. Their home suffered minor damage. He operates a bakery, and his oven, which was in a shed in the backyard, fell into a creek that runs by the house. He has not been able to communicate with all the church members, but he believes they are safe. One church family is staying at the Franklin home.
The church building and school have suffered some damage, but not major structural damage.
The ever-resourceful Mr. Franklin has a backup power system that uses truck batteries. Join us in praying that keeps going, as it will likely be his source of power for a while. It is also what he uses to recharge his cell phone, which is our link to him.
Thanks to all who have already contributed to the Disaster Relief Fund.
Congregations and individual members who would like to help may donate to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. The Fund was established to help with costs of emergency member needs in the wake of such disasters. These costs include such items as food, water, clothing, and temporary housing, as well as temporary local pastoral salary expenses and other emergency local church expenses. The Fund is coordinated by regional leaders and local pastors in the affected areas. Since Grace Communion International is a non-profit organization, donations to the Disaster Relief Fund are tax-deductible in the United States. If more donations are received into this fund than can be used effectively at the time, the excess is to be held ready to assist with future disaster needs.
Donations can be made online at our website at www.wcg.org/DisasterDonation.asp or for those who would prefer to mail a check, the address is:
Disaster Relief Fund Grace Communion International PO Box 5005 Glendora, CA 91740
From left to right: Bob Klynsmith, Gordon Green, Trevor Weber, Emmanuel Clifford, Maria Clifford, Sandra de Greeff, Shaun de Greeff.
South Africa
Emmanuel Clifford and Shaun de Greeff were ordained as elders December 6 at a combined church service in Cape Town. On the same day, Papike Lebelo was ordained at a church service at Sizwe hospital.
July international conference in Orlando
Pastor registration is now open for our international conference in July, and pastors have begun signing up for this special event www.2010.gci.org. The conference promises to be a wonderful time of reconnecting with friends and colleagues from around the world.
If your congregation wants to help sponsor one of our pastors from an underprivileged area, please contact Church Administration and Development as soon as possible. We will open registration to our general membership at the end of January and at that time space may start to become tight. If you have any questions on how you could join with other congregations to sponsor a pastor, please e-mail Charles Albrecht (charles.albrecht@gci.org).
Eric, his wife Kareena, their children and Richard (left)
Toronto, Canada
Eric Wilding was ordained an elder at a church service in a Toronto East church service. Eric’s father, Richard, delivered the day’s sermon. Below is a picture of Eric, his wife Kareena, their children and Richard (left).
Prayer Requests and Updates
Mission Director Gary Moore asked that we keep Bill Rabey in prayer during his upcoming trip. Gary wrote:
Pastor Bill Rabey is heading to Africa this Saturday night for about a month. He will be in Kampala, Uganda, helping to renovate a home for an orphanage. The orphanage is run by an organization called Cup for Africa. He got to know this ministry through the Ottawa congregation’s 10-year relationship with Jericho Road Christian Ministry, which takes care of recovering addicts in homes across Ottawa.
Bill Rabey used to provide quarterly Bible studies for group homes that this ministry supports, and now Fraser Henderson is doing a Bible study for this group on a weekly basis. Bill will take a three-hour bus ride February 5 from Kampala to our GCI church in Tororo, Uganda, where he will speak both Saturday and Sunday. He will then take a 7-hour bus ride to meet with Kimani, who is our regional pastor for East Africa. The following Tuesday, Bill will fly and then take about an hour’s bus ride to the refugee camp in Kakuma to meet with our church there.
He hopes to spend three days at the camp (the UN has its own accommodations for all visitors – a good security measure), and then head back to Nairobi for the weekend and speak in the churches there. He will fly back to Canada from Nairobi on Tuesday, February 16. Please support Bill in prayer during this month.
George Affeldt sent this update on the condition of his wife Jackie:
Jackie and I appreciate everyone’s concern and prayers. Jackie had to stay in the hospital until the dizziness went away. She came home Sunday, but they still don’t know what is causing the dizziness. They did find a small aneurism in her brain, but it is very small, and the doctor thinks that she may have had it from birth. He doesn’t believe it is causing the problem. She is scheduled to be checked every six months so they can keep an eye on it. Her chest pains are gone and they found no problem with her heart. We want to thank everyone for their prayers; it is very comforting to know that people care about you and are praying for you.
Love to you all, George & Jackie
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.
A few minutes ago, District Superintendent Larry Hinkle sent this update to Caribbean Mission Developer Charles Fleming regarding our Haitian Pastor, Joseph Franklin and our Haitian members.
I just received a call from Mr. Franklin. He said he wasn’t able to reach you, so called me. He says that he and his family are safe, except for a cousin who works in government ministry and is still under the debris of that collapsed building. He has another friend who works for the Board of Education who is also still under the debris. He spent three hours walking the streets of Port-au-Prince and said that it is every bit as bad as what we see on TV. He said the country is falling apart. One church family who lost their home is staying with him. Fortunately, the school received only slight damage–a separation wall fell down. He is working on a plan to help as many people as possible. In spite of it all he is in good spirits and is looking forward to coming to the International Conference in July.
Blessings. Larry
We are deeply thankful for God’s mercy and provision. Please continue praying for our members there and for entire region as the aftershocks continue and rescue efforts get into full swing.
Congregations and individual members who would like to help may donate to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. The Fund was established to help with costs of emergency member needs in the wake of such disasters. These costs include such items as food, water, clothing, and temporary housing, as well as temporary local pastoral salary expenses and other emergency local church expenses. The Fund is coordinated by regional leaders and local pastors in the affected areas. Since Grace Communion International is a non-profit organization, donations to the Disaster Relief Fund are tax-deductible in the United States. If more donations are received into this fund than can be used effectively at the time, the excess is to be held ready to assist with future disaster needs.
Donations can be made online at our website at www.wcg.org/DisasterDonation.asp or for those who would prefer to mail a check, the address is:
Disaster Relief Fund Grace Communion International PO Box 5005 Glendora, CA 91740
Alexander Julian Soto
Despite calamity and tragedy, the blessing of new life continues. Grandpa Terry and Grandma Nancy Akers joyfully announce the birth of Alexander Julian Soto on January 10. Mom Ashley and Dad Mayo are doing fine.
GenMin Camps
From Ted Johnston:
Frederick Moore’s report on Souled Out camp in Memphis concludes our GenMin camps for 2009. And thanks to all GenMin camp and event directors and leaders for your sacrificial service in helping kids know and journey with Jesus and our congregations grow as cross-generational, cross-cultural outposts of the Father’s kingdom.
Souled Out was a tremendous success. We went through “higher ground” and beyond the “mountaintop” to reach “new heights” as we “crossed borders” to reach the “gateway” of the Lord for whom we were Souled Out. Okay, so I’ve had my fun now.
Anyway, although the temperature was frigid outside (coldest temps in Memphis in 20 years), there was nothing but exuberant warmth inside. Twenty-six teen campers were served by 24 staffers for four days and three nights of fellowship and fun. Our guest chaplain, Jeff Broadnax, gave inspiring youth-friendly messages that led many of the youth to thoughtful introspection. I’ve read several of their Facebook statuses and the effect that this camp had on their hearts is readily apparent. Also on hand to give a message and add to the experience was Anthony Rice.
One teen asked for prayer as he became poignantly aware of the love that Jesus has expressed toward him. Besides chapel and other activities, one of the highlights was the ’80s style dance.
Before camp began, young adults and teens were able to partake in a Journey with the Master workshop conducted by Anthony Mullins. It helped set the stage as Jennifer Moore followed up with camp specific training. We’re already excitedly planning for next year (which is really later this year). That’s Dec. 30, 2010, through Jan. 2, 2011, when we will once again start the New Year Souled Out!
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Crossing Borders Mission Trip
From Lee Berger:
Twenty-one of us from Texas, Colorado and the Washington, D.C., area participated. Our first stop was at a church in a “pallet city” on the outskirts of Nuevo Laredo. We joined with a local pastor in visiting children and parents, playing games, leading a sing-a-long of Christmas music and distributing shoeboxes full of useful and fun gifts for the children. It brought tears to the eyes of both the givers and receivers when we gave the mothers some lovely blankets that had been knitted and crocheted by ladies from the Fort Worth, Texas, GCI congregation.
We then traveled to the local pastor’s second church, visiting the people and distributing shoebox gifts. For many of the children, these small gifts may be the only new items of any kind they’ll get during the year. Our final stop was at a children’s home for abused and abandoned children. We cooked dinner for the group, watched spiritual dramas, treated them to craft projects, sang songs, distributed shoebox gifts, and spent time laughing with, hugging and holding the lovable children. We have visited this home many times over the years, but each visit brings new joy along with the prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Crossing Borders is a camp/mission ministry of Generations Ministries of Grace Communion International. The camp motto is “Crossing national, cultural and personal borders with the Good News of Jesus Christ.” Whether for our week-long summer camp or our mini-mission winter trip, we invite you and your friends to participate in a life-transforming experience. We welcome anyone from youth to seniors, and we love to see families share this experience together. For more details, go to www.cbmission.org or call 903-746-4463.
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Church Next Training Schedule for 2010
Church-Next Training is Trinitarian-based and designed to introduce pastors and other ministry leaders to the key principles and processes for starting healthy new congregations in GCI.
This year Church-Next Training will be conducted in two sessions at two locations.
• Part 1 – April 8-10, 2010 (Tipp City, OH) • Part 2 – September 9-11, 2010 (Staten Island, NY)
Materials discussed in Part 1 will not be duplicated in Part 2. Both sessions combine to provide the entire training experience. The time between the two parts is to be used to apply lessons learned.
Church-Next Training is for pastors, ministry leaders and members working together for church health and renewal. It is also for young and emerging ministry leaders.
Church-Next Training includes:
• Trinitarian principles and practices for participating in Jesus’ mission to the world • Church planting values • Characteristics of church start leaders • Clarifying and communicating your vision for starting a new church • Identifying a focus group or community • Developing a church planting team • Developing culturally relevant ministries and worship services • Trinitarian-based evangelism, gathering people … and more
Pastor George Affeldt of our Sioux Falls, South Dakota, congregation asked for prayer for his wife, Jackie, who was taken to the emergency room last week with vomiting, dizziness and chest pains. George said that the vomiting has stopped but the other symptoms remain. The cause is still unknown and they are awaiting test results.
Cards may be sent to: George and Jackie Affeldt 508 N Marquette Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57110-5736
Pastor Dave and Hinke Gilbert of our Philadelphia and Allentown, Pennsylvania, congregations request prayer for their 19-year-old son, Nathan, who is still in the hospital after surgery for a ruptured appendix. Dave wrote:
Nate called early this morning and said he’s not been able to urinate since last night’s appendectomy. He really doesn’t want to have a catheter, so please pray the “plumbing” starts to work right away. The surgeon told us that his appendix had ruptured by the time he’d gotten “in there.” He said Nate will probably need to be hospitalized for at least five days so they can pump him full of antibiotics and monitor for infection. We appreciate every one of your prayers for him.
Nate is going to be 19 in July and is a senior at Palisades High School. He has been working at Grandview Hospital as an orderly for a couple of months now, and it was heartening to see that almost everybody who was working with knew him and seemed to appreciate him. The nurse in the recovery room mentioned how it was so nice to have an orderly come right away whenever she called for him. All were sympathetic and encouraging to him. As many of you know, Nate would like to become a doctor in the future. I’m sure his experience will help him develop even greater compassion for those he deals with in the future.
We know he is going to get exceptional care and we know your prayers and encouragement will greatly help at this time.
Cards can be sent to: Nathan Gilbert c/o Grandview Hospital 700 Lawn Avenue Sellersville, PA 18960.
Pastor Walter Deptula of our Lufkin, Texas, congregation sent this update on the health of our co-pastor Kenn Allbright:
I last reported that Kenn was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. This diagnosis turned out to be premature. After several weeks of more tests he has been finally diagnosed with Large Cell Lymphoma and is currently in the M.D. Anderson cancer center in Houston receiving chemotherapy and intensive physical therapy. He had lost some of the use of his legs but is slowly and steadily improving.
Kenn is very appreciative of our prayers, the cards and phone calls of encouagement he has received.
Cards can be sent to: Kenn Allbright 550 Club Dr. Suite 215 Montgomery TX 77316-3190
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.
A combined Life Club meeting was held on October 24 at the Hilton Castle Hotel, Mbaise, Nigeria. Three Clubs took part: Mbaise, Port Harcourt, and Owerri. A normal Club programme was the format. Mr. Meschack Igbineweka was the Chairperson. Mrs. C.C. Kanu of Mbaise Life Club was awarded the Best Achievement Cup while Master Victor George and Mrs. Mercy George of Port Harcourt Life Club won the Best Contribution Cup and the Best Speaker Cup respectively. Members requested for similar meetings to be held more than once a year.
The Great Baddow Life Club met on December 5. The Club opened with Proverbs 25:11, which says our speech should be “fitly spoken.”Speakers were Len Maylin, Chiemeka Ozumba, David Plumley and Seb Woolford. The Chairperson, Jonathan Luxton, presented David Plumley with the Best Speaker Cup (which contained a Mars bar!).The Director, Tony Goudie, said that ”the Club is an opportunity to serve each other.”
The Luton Church held their second Life Club on December 5. Speakers were Daria Fowler, Duncan McLean, Julie Robas, and Margaret Woolston. The Club concluded with some encouraging words from Harry Sullivan, Tina Sullivan, and Angela Kiernander.
The dates for the U.K. SEP 2010 are July 24 to August 7. (More details from admin@sepuk.org.)
Marriage Enrichment as Outreach Ministry in Colombia
Thirteen couples out of 17 that took the class on how to better your marriage, graduated December 12 in a ceremony at our church hall in Bogota.
Nestor and Clara Goyeneche
Most of the couples gave their testimony on how the class helped them improve their marriages. All of them said they had been very happy with the class. We had six small groups led by trained leaders and their wives. These leaders, Paulina and I included, are planning to invite more couples for the four-month class.
One of the most impressive testimonies came from, who divorced 13 years ago after 18 years of marriage. Clara never stopped praying for her husband, and some months before the class, they had started dating again. A couple introduced them to Paulina and me, and we invited them to take the class. Nestor and Clara enjoyed each class every week so much that we were inspired to see their marriage flourish. They were married again in a ceremony December 11 with the presence of their four children, four grandchildren and other relatives. During the ceremony, Nestor asked all his relatives to forgive him for all the past suffering and distress that he had caused because he had been the reason of the divorce with Clara. But now that he had accepted Jesus, he wanted to start a new life with his family. It certainly was a very moving moment.
Herman Hoeh Community Center
Herman Hoeh Community Center
The Herman L. Hoeh community center in Bangladesh has been fully functional for over a year and is proving to be of great value to people in the surrounding villages. As the building is on the flat lands near the sea coast, it was intended to be both a place of refuge during a tsunami, and as a cyclone shelter. On a day-to-day basis, it acts as our free medical clinic and community center. It has already been well tested during recent cyclones and saved many lives. The center was named in memory of Dr. Hoeh because of his help and encouragement to both to the evangelistic efforts of BEA, and other developing countries and to John Biswas and others in the world mission field. As you can see from the photos, it has three levels and a flat roof, which is also used as a place of safety when needed. The cost of construction was partly covered by many small donations, but mainly by two of Pastor Rand Holm’s congregations, West Valley and Port Hueneme. We are presently raising funds for the needs of the clinic, which is the only medical facility for many miles serving a huge population in the many surrounding villages. People say this building is a fitting tribute to Herman Hoeh’s life’s work.
Looking for a summer camp?
Generations Ministries is pleased to announce that in 2010 there will be 17 camps and short-term mission trips in the United States. A list of GenMin 2010 camps and events is found at http://genmin.wcg.org/calendar.htm. The list includes links to the websites of individual camps and events.
Prayer Requests and Updates
We are saddened to report that after a battle with a rare form of sarcoma, Carol Norman, wife of elder and former Ambassador University professor Gil Norman, passed away at home in Medford, Oregon, surrounded by her family on December 22. Carol’s memorial service will be held Friday, January 8, at 3:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Mortuary and Memorial Park, 1395 Arnold Lane, Medford, OR 97501. For more information about the service, contact Memory Gardens at 541-773-7338. Following the memorial service, there will be a celebration of Carol’s life at Ashland Elks Lodge #944, 255 East Main Street, Ashland, Oregon 97520.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to The Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University (www.ohsucancer.com), The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), or The Look Good…Feel Better program (www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org). For those who would like to send flowers for the memorial service, please call Memory Gardens at the phone number above.
Cards can be sent to: Gil Norman, Rochelle Norman-Capo & Renee Norman-Martin 4601 South Pacific Hwy, Unit 53 Phoenix, OR 97535
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.
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