Prayer is requested for GCI-Liberia National Director Robert Browne II. He was admitted to JFK Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, where he was found to be developing heart failure. His body blood volume had fallen to a dangerously low level, and he required five pints of blood.
Month: October 2016
Papua New Guinea
This report on recent developments in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is from John McLean who serves as National Director and Mission Developer for GCI-Australia.
Australia looks after the pastoral care and development of GCI’s congregation at Mt. Wilhelm in the remote highlands of PNG. Mark Latham and Rod Dean (pastor of our congregation in Sydney, Australia) recently completed a trip there to assist with development of congregational leaders and to help out with local community development, including working with the many children in the community.
“The Child in the Midst” was the theme of the talks Mark and Rod presented at the “study center” set up at Mt. Wilhelm. Instead of the expected 18-22 children in attendance, there were 66! Mt. Wilhelm is a church with an exciting future. The young people there have ambitions to become doctors, nurses, primary and high school teachers, office managers, lawyers, business persons, even ministers.
Mark visited the local high school to give classes and offer words of encouragement to the 122 year-12 students. The lack of support these young people receive concerning their future is disheartening. This made the contrast with the opportunities at our study center more stark. Mark also visited the local technical college to see what opportunities were there for young people.
Other activities on the trip included resourcing the local ministry and teaching on such subjects as worship, computer skills, public speaking, the GenMin “Celebrate the Grip” curriculum, the way God has worked with women in very different circumstances, the importance of Shalom, using the image of “the little child in the midst,” and women’s and men’s ministry. The team also held counselling sessions to learn about the needs of the community.
On the way to and from Mt. Wilhelm the team purchased supplies for the congregation, the study center and an area orphanage. Rod stated, “We are very grateful for the on-going support for these trips that make such purchases possible.”
Mt. Wilhelm is an isolated and challenging destination, and the work done there over the years has been outstanding. A huge thank you goes to Mark and Rod for their dedication, commitment to and loving care for our brothers and sisters in PNG. Please continue to pray for our members there.
Death of Marilyn Canup
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Marilyn Canup, a graduate and employee of Ambassador College, and a long-time member of GCI’s congregation in Big Sandy, Texas.
Marilyn was born on March 1, 1941 to Arta and Susie Russell, and grew up in Angelina County, Texas. She attended Ambassador College in California where she graduated in 1963. When Ambassador opened its Big Sandy campus, she journeyed back to Texas to work as the college’s first campus librarian. She loved bookkeeping and worked in that field for many years. After retiring, she continued that passion, serving as treasurer for the GCI congregation in Big Sandy (New Beginnings Fellowship). She also served in the congregation’s ministries to young adults and Silver Ambassadors.
Marilyn served the Big Sandy community as a member and officer of the Big Sandy Ministerial Alliance, treasurer of the Agape House Ministries (overseen by the Alliance), and as a volunteer at the Big Sandy City Hall. Marilyn was chosen as Big Sandy Woman of the Year in 2014.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dwayne Canup; their children Leron Canup (Amy) and Shana Curd (Paul); five grandchildren; her sister Judith Omasta (wife of GCI elder Larry Omasta); and her brother-in-law, GCI pastor Tom Pickett. Marilyn was preceded in death by her sister Adrienne Pickett (Tom’s wife); nephew Andrew Pickett (Tom and Adrienne’s son); and her brother Thad Russell.
A celebration of life/memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on October 7 at McWhorter Funeral Home in Gilmer, Texas. A potluck meal will follow at New Beginnings Fellowship Church in Big Sandy.
Cards may be sent to:
Dwayne Canup
PO Box 777
Big Sandy, TX 75755
