Congratulations and welcome to Jason Frantz, our new part-time pastoral intern in Cincinnati West, Ohio, and to Hillary Irusta, our new part time pastoral intern in Greensboro, North Carolina! May God bless you in his service!
New book
A sermon by Dr. Mike Feazell was featured in Inspirations: Volume One, a new book published by Christian Archives. Christian Archives was co-founded by Dallen Wendt, son of long-time Pasadena employees Jim and Jeanette Wendt.
“The collectible book contains more than 20 inspirational sermons, each hand-picked from submissions from pastors and religious leaders world-wide…
“‘We decided to expand the reach of Christian Archives by publishing a collectible book of inspirational messages that can further serve the needs of the Christian community,” [said] Dallen Wendt, co-founder of Christian Archives. “Each message addresses issues that confront Christians on a daily basis and, we hope, provides encouragement to deal with those issues.’”
Australian Floods
Australian National Director John McLean sent this report about the Australian flood disaster:
Parts of Australia have just experienced the worst floods in a century. Seventy-five per cent of the state of Queensland was underwater, an area bigger than the size of France and Germany combined. In a 72-hour period, more than seven billion tons of water fell on the southeast of the state alone, roughly the equivalent of all the water in 15 Sydney Harbors. The state capital of Brisbane, the third largest city in the country, came to a standstill as rising waters inundated the suburbs and central business district.
Many amazing stories abound. An eight-meter wall of water rushed down a valley outside the city, hurling cars, trees, and homes in its path, foaming over bridges and railway lines, leaving death and devastation in its wake. One country town, 700 meters above sea level, experienced an “inland tsunami,” with a massive rush of floodwater from the huge downpour of rain. Many cities, farms and communities were submerged across the state. At least 18 people are dead, and more are missing, with grave fears for their safety.
Our heartfelt thanks to the members of our international family around the world who have contacted us, inquiring after the wellbeing of our members and assuring us of their prayers and concern for all affected by this crisis. While several of our church members have frightening stories of close calls (just missing being washed away in their car), flooded dwellings and workplaces, temporary isolation caused by the floodwaters and impassable roads, and flooded farms and destroyed crops, there has been no loss of life, and considering the scale of the disaster, we are very thankful to God for this. Our national office is in an area not affected by the floods.
For the many people evacuated, the reality of returning home has meant returning to mud everywhere in their homes – covering the kitchen, filling the cupboards, ruining all the furniture and electrical goods, destroying the family photographs. And then there’s the smell – a nauseating, swampy stench that lasts for years, unless the walls and flooring are replaced.
In the midst of the grief, loss and heartache, there are also many encouraging stories. Last weekend, on what has been called “Salvation Saturday” and “Salvation Sunday,” 50,000 volunteers arrived to help clean up in Brisbane. Strangers helped people they had never met; neighbors who had never spoken helped each other clean out their houses. Many of our members joined the volunteers, now affectionately known as the “Mud Army,” helping clean up, remove rubbish, and feed other volunteer helpers.
Times of disaster can bring out the best in many people. Those returning to what’s left of their dwellings need to deal with very real grief, sorrow and anger. Most of them, though, when interviewed standing in the wreckage, smile, cry, smile again, and talk about how life goes on.
In addition to the willingness to help others in need, the constant theme being expressed by those most directly affected has been one of valuing the things that are really important in life – relationships, family, friendships – and the relative unimportance and impermanence of possessions. As one man wrote, “Materially we are briefly impoverished. Spiritually we are enriched – now and forever. In exchange for some trinkets and trash devoured by floodwaters, we have found treasures we had forgotten existed.”
The “treasures” he referred to are relational – friendship, kindness, service, a helping hand. The estimated cost of the flood in Queensland is around $15 billion. As the cleanup continues here, four other states are now experiencing floods of major proportions. Food supplies are severely threatened. The recovery will take a long time, both for individuals, communities and the country. Thanks again for your prayers and expressions of concern as our nation picks up the pieces and goes forward.
Mozambique
Domingos, his wife & one of his three children
Last September, South Africa National Director Tim Maguire visited the group in Mozambique that wants to affiliate with GCI. Their leader, Domingos, had recently died from complications of Malaria. Tim wrote:
Newly established Board in Mozambique.
I had had some urgent requests from the group looking to affiliate with us, saying they felt they had been left orphans since Domingos’ passing and that they need guidance and direction on the way forward. As communicating with them is extremely difficult due to lack of technology and a language barrier (none of them speak English), I felt it prudent to visit them as soon as possible. We crossed into Mozambique and arrived mid-morning on Sunday to a warm welcome at Domingos’ home from the leaders of the group. Before getting into discussions, we visited Domingos’ grave, which was a sobering experience.
Even though we had an interpreter, communication was a slow and tiring process, but the outcome was that Pastor Mariano Binzi was commissioned as the new leader in Mozambique with a board commissioned to assist him. Furthermore, we will pay for three of the leaders to attend English classes and for one of them to attend a class in computer literacy. This will make our association and communication much easier as we move forward.
Prayer Requests and Updates
Pastor Thomas Masela
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pastor Thomas Masela of our Umtata church. Pastor Masela is survived by wife Constance, sons, daughters and grandchildren. He was 78 years old and served as pastor in Umtata for more than 20 years.
Cards of condolence can be sent to: Constance Masela 70 John Beer Drive Northcrest Umtata 5100 South Africa
Andrew McArther
Andrew McArthur, co-pastors of our Hillsdale, New Jersey congregation is suffering from brain cancer. Please remember him and his family at this very difficult time.
Cards may be sent to: PO Box 22 Garfield, NJ 07026-0022
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.
New book
Parts of Australia have just experienced the worst floods in a century. Seventy-five per cent of the state of Queensland was underwater, an area bigger than the size of France and Germany combined. In a 72-hour period, more than seven billion tons of water fell on the southeast of the state alone, roughly the equivalent of all the water in 15 Sydney Harbors. The state capital of Brisbane, the third largest city in the country, came to a standstill as rising waters inundated the suburbs and central business district.
For the many people evacuated, the reality of returning home has meant returning to mud everywhere in their homes – covering the kitchen, filling the cupboards, ruining all the furniture and electrical goods, destroying the family photographs. And then there’s the smell – a nauseating, swampy stench that lasts for years, unless the walls and flooring are replaced.
In addition to the willingness to help others in need, the constant theme being expressed by those most directly affected has been one of valuing the things that are really important in life – relationships, family, friendships – and the relative unimportance and impermanence of possessions. As one man wrote, “Materially we are briefly impoverished. Spiritually we are enriched – now and forever. In exchange for some trinkets and trash devoured by floodwaters, we have found treasures we had forgotten existed.”
