The National Association of Evangelicals recently announced that July 9 will be “Pray Together Sunday.” According to the NAE announcement, the event will provide “a simple opportunity for churches to join hundreds of other churches [in the U.S.]…asking God for spiritual renewal.” By participating your congregation will be “praying on behalf of our communities and nation.” For additional information and related resources, click here.
We were saddened to learn of the death of Marilyn Sue Zvorak, wife of GCI Elder Jack Zvorak. Marilyn passed away suddenly following church services on May 7 while fellowshipping with members of Pathway of Grace, GCI’s congregation in Mesquite, TX, where she and Jack served. Marilyn suffered a heart attack and apparently died instantly. She would have been 70 on June 1.
Marilyn became a believer in her early teens and remained faithful all her life. She met Jack while he was in the Air Force and the couple began attending WCG in 1977. The Zvoraks lived in the Kansas City, MO, area until September 2015, when they moved to Dallas to be closer to their daughter, Denise, and the grandchildren. “They need us,” she always said. She loved her Wednesday nights with the grandkids.
Marilyn’s love for the Lord was demonstrated in her service to others at Pathway of Grace. She served as a greeter, always welcoming guests with a smile. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and her congregation.
Funeral service for Marilyn will be on Thursday May 11 in Dallas, Texas. A memorial service is planned for May 21 in Kansas, MO.
Please remember Jack and the family in your prayers.
Cards may be sent to:
Jack Zvorak
4920 Brookhollow Drive
Sachse, TX 75048
Here is an update provided by Dana Silcox on the condition of her husband Andrew Silcox (for the original prayer request, click here).
Andrew is now awake after several days in an induced coma, during which he had surgery to deal with a very bad strep infection that was threatening to necessitate amputation of his foot. Dana and all the family send their thanks for your prayers and messages of support. The surgery was successful and the foot remains! As Dana said, truly, “God’s eye is on the sparrow—we are seeing daily miracles in Andrew’s life.”
With much recovery yet to come, God’s intervention is still needed. Dana requests continued prayer.
Thanks for praying for Ingrid Mandel (click here for the previous prayer request) Her husband, retired GCI pastor Willi Mandel, notified us that Ingrid was able to get the hip surgery that she badly needed. The doctor was able to fit her in before he left on vacation.
Ingrid and Willi are thankful for all the prayers that were requested and answered on their behalf. Please now pray for Ingrid’s successful and rapid recovery.
Cards may be sent to:
Ingrid Mandel
747 Tanner Drive
Kingston, ON K7M 9G7
CANADA
Please pray for retired GCI pastor, Andrew Silcox who is in a hospital in France near where he and his wife Dana live. Andrew is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit for severe blood poisoning. Due to his Type II Diabetes, and a recent surgery for a triple fracture on his foot, Andrew is in a dangerous condition. He is not conscious at present, being held on dialysis and monitoring so further surgery can take place if required. He is in the hands of one of the best surgeons in Europe who did the original surgery. The family would be deeply thankful for four things:
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of retired GCI Pastor Forrest Walker.
Forrest Eugene Walker was born in 1924 in Belltown, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and his first wife Peggy. Surviving are a sister, his wife Mary Lou, five children, thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Forrest graduated in 1948 from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He served in the Army during World War II, earning several medals: Bronze Star, Good Conduct, World War II Victory, American Campaign and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign (with 3 Bronze Stars). He also served in the Pennsylvania National Guard for 19 years, and was a member of the VFW. He was active in the Boy Scouts as a scout leader and advisory group member.
Forrest was employed as the Director of Coal Analysis for the US Department of Mines and for Geochemical Testing. He was a member of American Society for Testing & Materials and served on its committees. He received numerous awards for his work throughout his career. He introduced and developed the concept of standard samples for the ASTM standard of coal grindability. He also assisted in developing specifications for computerizing the first coal analysis laboratory in the U.S. and was co-author of several reports regarding Tipple and Delivered Samples, Sulfur in U.S. Coals and Analysis and Testing Coal and Coke.
Forrest served the WCG/GCI for many years, beginning in the Pittsburgh, PA congregation where he was ordained an elder in the early 70s. When the major changes came in the mid-90s, Forrest was the only minister who stayed with the Pittsburgh congregation, so he filled in as the primary leader until a new lead pastor arrived. In early 1996, Forrest became the bivocational lead pastor of GCI’s congregation meeting in the Johnstown, PA, area. In about 2000, the congregation relocated to nearby Jenners and then to Stoystown in 2010. It was at about that time that Forrest retired, remaining in the congregation as Pastor Emeritus.
Throughout his years of service to the church, Forrest was actively involved in one of his greatest loves: youth ministry. He also was active in denominational events, attending district, regional and international conferences until he turned 85 years old! Whatever this title, he was a faithful and loyal member, attending every Sunday until his health prevented him doing so about three years ago. He was loved and will be missed by all.
Cards may be sent to:
Mary Lou Walker
1400 Coxes Creek Road
Somerset, PA 15501
Please pray for Ingrid Mandel, wife of retired GCI pastor Willi Mandel. She has been suffering severe pain for six months and is now awaiting an operation to replace her left hip. But it looks like the surgeon will not be available until May 24. Pain killers are not effective and Ingrid is unable to walk without great pain. Please pray that an opening for the operation comes more quickly, and that it is successful in bringing her relief.
Cards may be sent to:
Ingrid Mandel
747 Tanner Drive
Kingston, ON K7M 9G7
CANADA
As we reported last week, Tim Maguire (pictured at right), GCI’s National Director for South Africa, broke his leg while on his way with a mission team to drill water wells and share the gospel in Mozambique. The team had stopped to repair their drilling rig trailer when Tim’s leg was broken. The break was severe enough that Tim had to be flown to Johannesburg for surgery. The surgery has been successfully completed, and he is convalescing.
The rest of the mission team (including GCI-USA Pastor David Botha, who is involved on behalf of GenMin’s Grace Missions) remains in Mozambique to follow through on the well-drilling plan. Unfortunately, the team is having problems with vehicles breaking down—a huge challenge in this “underserviced” part of the world. Please keep them in your prayers. Here is a recent update from David concerning the team’s progress:
We had the wonderful opportunity to worship with the local church here in Chimoio [Mozambique] today [Sunday, April 9]. I love how the folks here in Africa take musical worship to the next level. With only one hand drum and a rubber mallet, they filled the world with music for at least an hour. I didn’t understand the words, but the Spirit drove me to tears. Tomorrow we try to get the vehicles fixed.
Prayer is requested for Bret Miller, GCI’s IT Manager. As he reports below, Bret is facing new treatment for multiple myeloma. Thanks for joining us in prayer for Bret and his wife Julie.
Recent tests show that the myeloma in my bone marrow has increased, so we’ve decided to start treatment to try to put the cancer into remission. The side effects are generally mild and I should be able to continue normal activity during the treatment, though “normal” will include twice weekly visits to the doctor. Assuming I’m responding well after two three-week cycles, I’ll be referred to City of Hope, where they’ll continue treatments until remission is achieved, followed by these three cycles of treatment (lasting a total of a couple of months):
Right now we’re awaiting approval for the tightly controlled drugs I need, and there are health insurance issues. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement during my ongoing battle with this. Julie and I both appreciate it.
Cards may be sent to:
Bret and Julie Miller
1328 Crofton Ct.
Upland, CA 91786
Tim Maguire, GCI’s National Director for South Africa, was in an accident while traveling in Mozambique to drill water wells. The drilling rig trailer fell on his leg and broke his fibula (lower leg) and also injured his thigh. His group traveled three hours to the nearest town to try and find a hospital and were told that fortunately it is a clean break and the doctor says he won’t have to return home for surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.
Update (4/6) from David Botha who is traveling with Tim: After X-rays showed a broken bone, it was decided that Tim would fly back to South Africa for further treatment.
