Author: GCI Media

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Sam Templeton, former pastor of GCI’s congregation in Cambridge, Ohio.

A long time member of GCI, Sam (pictured at right) was baptized in 1966 and first attended WCG in Wheeling, WV. Sam was a founding member of the WCG/GCI congregation in Cambridge, OH, where he served as a deacon, elder and lead pastor. Due to declining health, Sam retired from serving as lead pastor in 2005.

A US Navy veteran, Sam was employed as a deputy sheriff and a private investigator. He was widely known and highly regarded, and will be missed by many, including the GCI members in the area.

Sam is survived by his wife Dorothy, who lives in Woodsfield, Ohio.

Cards may be sent to:

Templeton family
111 Young Ave
Woodsfield, Oh. 43973

In the last issue of GCI Update, prayer was requested for Pedro Rufián, GCI pastor in Spain. Here is recent update from Pedro:

Thank you very much for the outpouring of love, concern, prayers, messages and phone calls. I just came back from a visit to the urologist. She told me that I have grade two prostate cancer, with some metastasis into my bones. I will have hormone treatments for 15 days, followed by chemotherapy. My family and I trust in our loving Father as our ultimate Healer and in his perfect will for our lives, so we have peace and confidence knowing our triune God is always with us to comfort and strengthen us. I will continue to appreciate your prayers for my family and me at this challenging time.

Cards may be sent to Pedro and his wife Brigida at:

Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Rufián
Real 26
E-28610 VILLAMANTA
SPAIN

Prayer is requested for Warren Wilson who pastors GCI’s congregation in Mineral Wells, West Virginia.

Warren had his gall bladder removed recently but had to return to the hospital due to complications, including a great deal of pain. Please pray that God will guide the doctors in diagnosing and treating Warren, and please pray for Warren’s wife Lorrain.

Cards may be sent to

Warren and Lorrain Wilson
220 Waverly Way
Clarksburg, WV 26301-4047

PS: Here is an update we received from Warren on Feb. 14: “I was just released from the hospital following an 11 day hospital stay for a bowel obstruction, which was cured by laprascopic surgery. I want to thank you all for your prayers and support.

Prayer is requested for Jodie Haist, wife of Brad Haist, pastor of GCI congregations in Flint and Saginaw, Michigan.

Jodie is scheduled to have a second back surgery on February 15. Brad says she is in great pain, and they are praying for relief. According to Brad, this surgery will involve rods, screws and more.

Please pray for Jodie and the surgical team.

Cards may be sent to:

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of retired WCG/GCI pastor, Carlton Smith. Carlton graduated from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA, in 1956, where, as a student, he participated in two U.S. baptizing tours. Carlton then pastored WCG congregations in Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington and California. Following retirement, he resided in Visalia, CA, then most recently in Solvang, CA.

Carlton is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly, his son Douglas Smith, his daugther Aletha Mann (wife of GCI Assistant Pastor Brad Mann), and his daughther Carlene Jones. Carlene wrote this in tribute to her father:

One of his greatest joys was serving the church for nearly forty years. We experienced so much through him and appreciated his favorite and often-quoted Bible verse, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). He has now achieved that glory and left us with a love for Christ and the pursuit of our Christian faith with deep reverence, sincerity and confidence that all things work for the good of those who believe. We joke that he made it from Mississippi to the resurrection, a tremendous journey in which we were privileged to share.

Cards may be sent to:

Beverly Smith
1651 Laurel Ave
Solvang, CA 93463

Prayer is requested for Pedro Rufián, GCI pastor in Spain. He entered the hospital on January 16 to be treated for urinary tract problems. Though some of the problems were resolved, and he was released from the hospital, he is now being treated for a prostate condition and further tests, including a biopsy, are forthcoming. In a note about his health, Pedro wrote this:

We trust in our all-powerful Healer and loving Father. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, I’m ready to accept his wise will for my life, but I would like to be healed to be able to continue serving my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. I will appreciate your prayers very much.

Cards may be sent to Pedro and his wife Brigida at:

Mr and Mrs. Pedro Rufian
Real 26
E-28610 VILLAMANTA
SPAIN