2012 – Page 32 – GCI Update

Charles Shelton

GCI London, KY pastor Charles Shelton requests our prayers. He was recently hospitalized with pneumonia and the doctors discovered cancer cells in the fluid in his chest cavity and abdomen. The cancer is not in any of his organs – and we praise God for that – but is in the fluid surrounding his organs. More good news is that there is no tumor so surgery does not appear to be necessary. An oncologist will help Charles determine the course of treatment, which will most likely include chemotherapy.

Charles’ wife Gracie and his son Charles (they call him Dale) are taking this news particularly hard, so please also pray for them. Let’s also pray for the leadership team of the London congregation who are stepping up to assist Charles in any way they can.

Deben Sam

We learned recently that Pastor Deben Sam, GCI ministry partner in Nepal, was severely beaten by a mob of local ethnic extremists. His wife Manju reports that the beating left Deben with many wounds, necessitating stitches.

The beating occurred while Deben was on his daily journey to preach the gospel in the streets. The mob attacked him, claiming that his ministry was causing cultural and religious pollution in the society.

Deben has experienced similar persecution in the past. About a month before this occurrence, he was robbed while doing his evangelistic work.

Please pray for Deben’s recovery and for his protection in the future. Also pray that God will provide what Deben needs to continue his work of evangelism, including operating a community health clinic.

Canada update

This update is from GCI Canada director Gary Moore.

I recently had a most enjoyable visit with the Thunder Bay and Winnipeg congregations. I found my time with them most uplifting. It was great to see Chris and Emma Linke again, and I enjoyed a meal with Alan and Carolyn Redmond and Maurice and Lorraine Yurkiw.

Recently, my wife Wendy attended the 10th anniversary of the replanting of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Abbotsford. About 165 attended a time of inspiring worship and fellowship. Here are some pictures:

Haiti update

The following update is from GCI’s pastor in Haiti, Joseph Franklin.

In the past six months, Haiti has been experiencing a high level of criminality and there is a threat of civil war. Some uniformed people calling themselves members of the old army, carrying heavy weapons, are massed in old barracks belonging to the former national army. People are upset and express it loudly. The authorities declare those bands illegal and instructed the police to disband them, but there seems to be conflict in the chain of command because the police refused the order. Our assurance is that Jesus is at work. This is what gives us the strength we need for keeping on mission. We are not on the front line, but Jesus is.

On a daily basis, the news reports killings by the dozens. Fear, mistrust and suspicion are the norm all over this country. We are watchful – that is the least we can do. However, we cannot close our eyes to a situation that becomes out of control day-by-day. We pray and ask our spiritual family around the world to join with us.

Recently, one of the teachers in our school left the office with his paycheck and went straight to the nearby bank to cash it. As he left there and walked two blocks to find a taxi, two young thugs stopped him and took away the money while people looked on. We are taking special precautions at the school to keep the 150 children in the school and their parents safe.

We are grateful for the assistance we have received for the school. We have received help from GCI churches in Martinique, the U.S. and Bermuda. This assistance has enabled us to restore the school building to the condition needed to serve our population much earlier than we could on our own.

Several of our scattered members were able to be with us this year for services on Maundy Thursday and Easter. Several slept in our church building during the week.

Fountain of Life Broadcast

This update is from Todd Crouch, who pastors Fountain of Life Church, the GCI congregation in Washington, PA.

I heard recently from RKP Radio in Washington, PA that our congregation’s Fountain of Life Broadcast program is reaching locally, nationally and internationally. We have listeners from as far away as India, the Philippines and the Czech Republic, in addition to stateside listeners in Ohio, Texas, Virginia and other states.

Most of our listeners catch the broadcast online, though it can be heard on local radio as well. I was told that this sort of widespread distribution, which has taken us one year to achieve, typically takes at least two.

Fountain of Life Broadcast can be heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 AM or online at www.rkpradio.com Tuesday and Thursday at 2:00 PM.

John Nelson

We recently requested prayer for John Nelson who is part of the team that pastors the Pikeville, KY congregation (click here for the original prayer request). Here is an update.

John’s wife Shirley took him to Lexington, KY to get the results of the tests on his brain tumor that was removed by surgery. During the visit, the doctor found a blood clot on John’s thigh and admitted him to the hospital where they started him on blood thinners. Subsequently he had heart problems and was rushed to the cardiac floor where he was stabilized. The doctor thinks a piece of the blood clot broke loose and travelled to the heart.

While in the hospital, John learned that his brain tumor was cancerous. This was shocking news, because following the surgery six weeks ago, they told him they didn’t think the tumor was cancer. They are doing further testing while John remains in the hospital. He continues on blood thinners. When things stabilize he will go home and begin cancer treatments (probably chemotherapy and radiation). These treatments will probably have to be received in Lexington. This will create a hardship since Shirley’s job is in Pikeville.

John and Shirley will be facing many difficult decisions. They seek God’s direction, and solicit your prayers for wisdom and healing.

Cards of encouragement may be sent to:

John & Shirley Nelson

165 Cecil Hills Drive

Pikeville, KY 41501

Why young Christians leave

A recent Barna survey identifies six reasons why young Christians leave the church. Read an informative summary article at http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/528-six-reasons-young-christian

Death of Jean Alice Hopwood

We are saddened to learn of the death of Jean Alice Hopwood, mother of Phil Hopwood who is a GCI pastor in Tasmania, Australia. Her funeral will be on April 5.

Cards may be sent to Phil at:

Phil Hopwood

19 Tulloch Court

Lindisfarne, Tasmania 7015

AUSTRALIA

Tabin immigration approved

This update is from Randy Bloom, director of GCI Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM).

Thanks for praying for the Tabins – our prayers have been answered! (click here for the request). U.S. Homeland Security and Immigration have given approval for the Tabins to immigrate to the U.S. to start a new GCI congregation within the Filipino community in Southern California.

Randy with Tabins — Angie Tabin (left), Sadie Tabin (right), Randy Bloom (center)

The Tabins have been planning for over two years to make this move. Angie will serve initially as an assistant pastor in New Hope Christian Fellowship, the GCI congregation in Eagle Rock, CA pastored by Glen Weber. She and Sadie will focus on starting the new church by reconnecting with the small groups they started on a previous visit.

The Tabins will bring with them their children Hebert Angelo (18) and Hazel Ann (12). Please pray that their move and other aspects of the transition to life in the U.S. go well and that their church planting efforts will bear much fruit to God’s glory.

CMM Summit

The following update is from GCI Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM) director Randy Bloom.

CMM conducted its third annual Church Multiplication Summit in Memphis, TN on March 30-31. The event brought together those who have been working to advance the planting of new GCI churches in the U.S. Others attended to learn how individuals, congregations and districts can support church planting. Here is a picture of the participants:

Summit presentations included:

Randy Bloom discussing church planting progress, identifying and resourcing potential church planters, and the role of district pastors in church planting networks
Dan Rogers urging national, district and congregational ministries to place high priority on advancing church planting
Church planters Mary Bacheller, Dishon Mills, Tom Kennebeck and Heber Ticas discussing their experiences and needs
Several district pastors sharing insights and resources related to developing district church multiplication networks

In addition to these presentations, Heber Ticas consulted with the other church planters in attendance. At the end of the Summit each participant defined their next steps forward in advancing church planting.

The next Summit is planned for March 8-9, 2013, in Memphis, TN. Anyone who would like to participate in GCI church planting is welcome to attend. For information, email Randy.Bloom@gci.org

Year: 2012