Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tammy and I really enjoyed the wonderful words of prayer and encouragement in the many Christmas cards we received this year. I was also surprised that so many seem to have discovered my December birth date and sent delightful birthday cards. Each card reminded me how thankful I am for all of our elders and members and their families around the world. We are blessed to be serving God together in the joy and freedom of the gospel of peace. Whatever happens, the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is forever with us, making us one in Christ and giving us hope and courage to face every trial and obstacle on our journey to the day we will see him as he is. Never give up in doing your good work in Christ, because your work in Christ is never in vain.
Mike Feazell interviewed Rod Koop, national director of church multiplication ministries for Foursquare Church. This interview is now posted on our IT LOOKS LIKE THIS website. Go to http://gci-usa.blogspot.com/ and click on the “multiplying” tab. Other additions have been made to the website, which features the missional activity of our churches in the U.S. Check it out!
Computer Security (from the IT department)
Pastor Richard Kissel of our Smithsburg, Maryland, church provided some especially helpful computer security information. While the information is geared toward small business, many of the principles are solid advice for anyone running a computer. The information is now available on our Church Technology blog. It is worth taking the time to read, and might just save you from getting a virus infection or losing important information on your computer. Here is a link: http://churchtech.gci.org/2011/01/computer-security-fundamentals/
Crossing Borders
Elder Lee Berger of our Longview, Texas, congregation sent this report about the recent Crossing Borders weekend trip to Mexico.
Our recent weekend trip to Mexico was a wonderful opportunity for us to reconnect with the people we work with during our weeklong summer mission trip. We gave away many hand-made baby blankets and quilts, boxes and bags full of good used clothes, other miscellaneous items, and more than 400 shoeboxes crammed full of good stuff for kids. We played with the kids, sang Christmas carols in both languages, talked about the meaning of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, provided a meal (including many dozen home-made cookies made by my mom), and shared personal time with the kids and families in three locations in one long day. We pray that lives were affected in positive ways as we shared the love of the Father, Son and Spirit to God’s lovely children across the border.
We’re already planning our next weeklong summer trip to Mexico. Anyone from age 15 to 99 is invited to come along. Details can be found at www.cbmission.org or by calling director Lee Berger at 903-746-4463.
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Herman L. Hoeh Community Center Dedicated
Bengali Evangelistic Association Director John Biswas and South and Western Asia Missions Director Rod Matthews recently visited the villages in Bangladesh where our members and churches are located and reviewed the progress made at the various BEA projects. During the visit they officially dedicated the Herman L. Hoeh Community Center, which has already been in daily use for some time. Long time church member David Foote represented Pastor Rand Holm’s Port Heuneme and Chatsworth, California, churches, which donated the bulk of funds for the Center. Because of its reinforced cement construction the Center has already doubled as disaster shelter during cyclones and flooding.
The visit to the outlying church groups was a great encouragement for our gospel workers and members there. Our people in such areas feel isolated from other Christians, and such visits give them a spiritual boost that strengthens their resolve to carry on with the difficult gospel work in a Muslim nation.
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Melbourne, Australia
Matt Gudze, of our Mooroolbark congregation in Melbourne, Australia, was ordained as an elder in November, 2010.
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Left: Ordination of Matt Gudze Right: Senior Pastor Randall Bourchier, Matt and Sandra Gudze, John McLean after ordination service
Prayer Requests and Updates
Monte and Kayte Wolverton asked for prayer for Kayte as she faces cancer again. Kayte wrote:
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, 2010, while still in California, two days before I was scheduled for a hip replacement surgery. Because I needed time to heal from surgery, treatment was delayed until after we moved to Washington State in September. I finished my successful breast cancer treatment December 1. Then, the week before Christmas, I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. This round of chemo treatments will last approximately 12 weeks. Then any needed surgery will be done, and then another round of chemo, so the complete treatment will take several months. My oncologist has said my cancer is treatable, and our hope is that it will be curable.”
Cards may be sent to:
The Wolvertons
18907 NE Cole Witter Road
Battle Ground, WA 98604
Dennis and Lorraine Pelly request your continued prayers for Lorraine. Her endocrinologist has referred her to a neurologist who is a movement disorder specialist to determine the cause of her seizures. Lorraine wrote: “It’s been quite a journey and we don’t know what lies ahead, but we do know God is with me and that I’m blessed with friends like you praying for me.”
Cards may be sent to:
8056 Old Exchange Dr
Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4807
Retired Pastor Les McColm died peacefully on January 2, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Penny, and his two adult children, Tim and Sandy. Les was a good friend to all and an energetic pastor who served the church for many years. He was originally hired in 1960 in Portland, Oregon, and served there until he was transferred in 1961 to Pasadena, California, for classwork at Ambassador College. Over the years Pastor McColm served congregations in South Bend, Indiana; Springfield, Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri; Topeka, Kansas; and Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Long Beach and Fresno, California. He was born in 1926 and died at the age of 84. Funeral services will be held January 22.
Cards may be sent to:
Mrs. Penny Mccolm
1867 Mitchell Ave
Clovis, CA 93611-3130
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
