Category: Prayer & Updates

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of GCI pastor Andrew Teng who formerly pastored the Quezon City, Philippines church. Here are messages about this beloved pastor from people who knew him well over the years:

• From Bermie Dizon (GCI-USA Pastor)

We were all so blessed to have pastor Andrew Teng in our lives. He lived a life that brought glory to God’s name. He was a great friend, brother, pastor, dad, husband…a precious child of God. We will miss you Andrew. We pray blessings and comfort to your loved ones, your wife Gladys and your daughters Phoebe Teng and Fair Teng.

• From Bidz Dela Cruz (GCI-USA member)

Following his retirement Pastor Teng moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he and is wife Gladys lived with their daughter Fair. When Andrew encountered a problem with his vision, the family decided to bring him back to the Philippines for treatment. A few weeks ago, his doctors discovered that Andrew had liver cancer, but it was too late to treat it. Pastor Teng passed away beside his loving family in his homeland a few days ago. He is survived by his two daughters Fair and Phoebe, and his wife Gladys who also is battling cancer.

• From Rex S. Pena (GCI-Philippines Area Superintendent)

I first met Andrew when I was 11 years old. He gave the Bible study for the Y.O.U. group back in 1977. I remember thinking how tall he was. Through the years, I heard many of his sermons. When I returned to the Philippines from Ambassador College, we worked together in our youth camps. Back in 1995, there were five of us who climbed Mt. Makulot to do an inspection for the SEP mountaineering activity. He served almost every year at camp under my watch. We then briefly served together in our Quezon City church—he was senior pastor and I was the associate pastor. I was there when he gave his final sermon before moving to the U.S.

Please pray for Debbie Young, wife of Charles Young who pastors one of GCI’s congregations in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Debbie was recently taken to the hospital experiencing shortness of breath and other symptoms. It was determined that she had experienced a mild heart attack. Fortunately there does not seem to be any damage to the heart. Debbie also is suffering with polymyalgia rheumatica, which causes a great deal of pain. She has recently been tested and is awaiting the results and treatment recommendations.

Cards may be sent to:

Charles and Debbie Young
6290 Ponderosa Ct
College Park, GA 30349-4038

Thanks for your prayers for GCI Pastor William Condley (click here for the earlier prayer request). William’s son David sent this update:

Dad’s surgery went well, though he continues to be on a ventilator and sedated. He is having heart rhythm problems that may require a pacemaker if things don’t improve. Overall he is doing well, just waiting on his lungs to catch hold. Mom is doing well, and we are switching out taking care of her.

Please continue to pray for both William and his wife Ednita. Cards may be sent to:

William and Ednita Condley
153 S. Main Street
Atkins, AR 72823-8235

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of long-time GCI pastor Roger Abels.

Roger passed away at age 66 on May 16. He was born on June 6, 1949 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of the late Glenn and Alice Abels. Roger retired after 42 years as a GCI pastor, having served in Philadelphia, Chicago, Louisville, Kalamazoo, and (for 25 years) Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Roger is survived by his wife Donna of Fort Wayne, his daughters Jessica (Travis) McClure and Courtney (Mark) Harmon of Fort Wayne, his son Travis Abels of Portland, six grandchildren, a brother and a sister. Roger was preceded in death by a son, Brandon Abels, and by a sister.

Funeral services will be on Friday, May 20 at 1:00pm at Hockemeyer and Miller Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior; GCI Pastor Jim Valekis will officiate. Calling will also be on Thursday, May 19 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the funeral home.

Here are excerpts from tributes posted on Facebook by Roger’s children:

• From Roger’s daughter, Courtney Abels Harmon

Dad passed away yesterday in the most peaceful way any of us could chose—after the words “amen” and while being embraced by his family. Thank you for your prayers. God answered them though some of the answers weren’t what we wanted. There is no doubt that Dad is with Jesus. That was what he wanted the most!

• From Roger’s daughter, Jessica Abels McClure

Daddy, as much as you “loved life,” you never lived for earthly rewards because you understood this was simply your temporary home. You lived your life with an unshakable assurance of what comes next. May you experience the unimaginable joy of being with our Heavenly Father, as you so much looked forward to doing. Thank you for dedicating your life to teaching not only your family, but hundreds of others the grace and peace that comes with knowing our Lord and Savior.

• From Roger’s son, Travis Abels

Thank you Dad for taking us on camping trips, and showing us how to pick out a good walking stick. For being so easy to laugh, and filling our house with its echo, for so many years. Thank you for kissing mom every day, and yelling “emergency, emergency!” when you needed an immediate hug. For your strong arms, that cherished hard work, planting gardens, and playing basketball with your kids. For your adventurous spirit. Your tenacity. Your wisdom. Your tenderness. For all the late nights you stayed up with me making popcorn, and sneaking ice cream from the outside fridge.

Thank you for telling me “A poor man’s cloud is just as beautiful as rich man’s cloud,” and giving me my first beer after a long day of work in the yard. For your diamond-blue eyes, that so lovingly watched us, and your gentle smile, when we looked back at you. For showing us that it was okay to cry, and reminding us to never let the sun go down on our anger. Thank you, Pops, for being my favorite storyteller, and painting worlds with your words. For using those words to lead, to heal, to inspire laughter and understanding. For being a courageous example of what faith can do, and showing us what a good man looked like. For spreading your light so far and wide.

Please be in prayer for Roger’s wife Donna, for their children, the rest of the family and close friends. Cards may be sent to:

Donna Abels
1827 Ransom Dr.
Ft Wayne, IN 46845

Prayer is requested for Pastor William Condley (Russellville, Arkansas congregation), who is scheduled to have heart by-pass surgery on May 12. He and his wife Ednita (who is battling cancer) recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.

Cards may be sent to:

William and Ednita Condley
153 S. Main Street
Atkins, AR 72823-8235

Please pray for retired GCI pastor Bob Persky, who lives with his wife Kay near Dallas, Texas. Bob was diagnosed recently as having multiple myeloma. He has been undergoing chemotherapy. He also is experiencing renal failure and is on dialysis, hoping to help his kidneys resume normal function.

The family reports that Bob is not in a lot of pain, and is in good spirits and hopeful. However, the chemotherapy is causing him to be very fatigued. Please pray that his health turns in a positive direction so that the doctors feel comfortable letting him return home where he will continue to care for Kay, who is in ill health herself.

Cards may be sent to:

Bob and Kay Persky
129 Star Point Lane
Weatherford, TX 76088-6409

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Larry Pate, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Tacoma, Washington.

Larry passed away peacefully on the morning of April 28. He had been fighting a long health battle. His wife Donna reported that Larry spent the day before he died with friends and family enjoying pizza and root beer.

Cards may be sent to:

Donna Pate C/O New Hope
31411 6th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA. 98003

We were saddened to learn that GCI Pastor Arlen Bryant died on April 26 in his home in Cookeville, Tennessee, following a long battle with brain cancer.

Arlen was born on November 17, 1944 in Cookeville, to Walter and Catherine Bryant. He loved history, studied at Tennessee Technological University and taught school for 31 years. Arlen loved to travel. His grandchildren recently helped him develop a new hobby, raising chickens. He collected license plates and enjoyed researching his family genealogy.

Arlen became a member of WCG in 1971 and was ordained an elder in 1985. In January 2000, Arlen was appointed to serve as the bivocational pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship (GCI’s congregation in Cookeville).

Arlen was preceded in death by his parents and a brother. He is survived by Jean, his wife of 49 years; a daughter, Cathy (Steve) Jones; a son, Lewis (Annette) Bryant; five grandchildren; and one sister—all residents of Cookeville.

Cards may be sent to:

Jean Bryant
2054 Benton Young Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Adrienne Pickett, wife of Tom Pickett, Pastor of GCI’s congregation in Fort Worth, Texas.

Adrienne passed away on April 21. She was 71 years old. Her funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on April 29 at Capstone Church, 4823 W. Loop 820, Fort Worth, Texas. Visitation will be at 6 to 8 p.m. on April 28 at Winscott Road Funeral Home, 1001 Winscott Road, Benbrook, Texas.

Adrienne is survived by her husband, Thomas J. Pickett (pictured with Adrienne at right); their two sons, Thomas David and Andrew; their six grandchildren, Courtney (pictured below), Christopher, Jewelyn, Chloe, Drew and Quinn; and Adrienne’s four sisters: Marilyn Canup, Judith Omasta, Elizabeth Coston and Jacquelyn Russell.

To leave a message in a guestbook, click here. Cards to the family may be mailed to:

Tom Pickett
1206 Sproles Drive
Benbrook, TX 76039

In March, we requested prayer for Pastor Dishon Mills who was anticipating oral surgery. The surgery is now complete and Dishon sends this praise report:

We serve an awesome, wonder-working God! The only word that adequately describes my surgery is miraculous. My doctor said my tooth came out with minimal effort. This is atypical. Once he removed the tooth, he was able to clearly see my nerve, which he said was very unusual in cases like mine. He had no trouble avoiding severing it as he removed the cyst. As far as outcomes, my procedure was as good as it gets. No fractured jaw and no severed nerve.

I am managing my pain well enough and the swelling is not bad. Although my nerve was not severed, it was traumatized by the surgery. The left side of my mouth is numb, but I get a little more feeling back each day. I’m taking it slow. I have to eat like a baby for a week and then I’ll be able to eat like a toddler. I will also have to be careful with my jaw as my bone grows back. All-in-all, I’m doing well.

Thank you for your love and prayers. God willing. I should be back in action next weekend. To God be the glory!