Category: Prayer & Updates

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of John M. Perry, father of GCI Pastor David Perry.

John M. Perry was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1924, the son of Oval Robins and Martha Adams Perry. John married June Orcutt in 1949 in Watseka, Illinois. They were married for nearly 66 years. John farmed for many years near Woodland and Donovan, Illinois. Later, he moved to Champaign, Illinois, where he worked in maintenance until he retired. John enjoyed music, traveling, garage sales and playing with his two furry Shih Tzu grand-dogs, Max and Kona.

John served faithfully for 40 years in various capacities in GCI’s Champaign congregation and recently attended First Baptist Church in Champaign. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and one sister. John is survived by his wife June; his son J. David (Jonnie) of Avon, Indiana; his daughter Peggy Ellen, of Champaign; and several nieces and nephews.

John’s funeral was held on August 7 in Champaign. His son, Pastor J. David Perry officiated.

Cards may be sent to:

David & Jonnie Perry
6935 Karyn Dr
Avon, IN 46123-8596

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Maurice Mallery, former WCG employee and father of Diane (Mallery) Kubik, wife of GCI elder Oleh Kubik. Here is a report from Oleh.

Maurice Mallery (pictured at right) grew up on the family farm in Windsor, New York where he became a successful potato farmer. Members of the WCG church in Manhattan (New York City) would come up on weekends to enjoy his farm. But due to some bad advice, Maurice lost the farm when he changed to organic farming without properly preparing the soil. He also lost his daughter Terry to appendicitis. Devastated, the family moved away to join the WCG construction crew in building festival sites in the Poconos (Pennsylvania); then Wisconsin Dells.

When that work ended, the family moved to Arizona, living first in a small trailer in the desert where Maurice worked laying water and sewer lines. Eventually they bought a small home, fixed it up, then sold it. They repeated that process several times, eventually buying a large RV and travelling the country. Though Maurice suffered many losses, he fought his way back.

Following a split in the church, he and his wife Carol traveled visiting various congregations of the group they joined. Eventually they settled in Florida. When Carol died, Maurice moved to New Jersey to be near family.

I fondly remember many great discussions with Maurice. Knowledgeable on multiple topics, he was always open minded and willing to learn. “It’s what you learn after you know everything that counts,” he would say. My life has been greatly enriched by this man.

Cards may be sent to:

Oleh and Diane Kubik
1150 Talan Dr
Endicott, NY 13760-7033

We were saddened this week to learn of the death of Gary Sefcak who had been employed by WCG in various capacities since 1952, including pastoring the congregation in San Bernardino, California. The note below is from Carn Catherwood.

My kind, always courageous brother-in-law, Gary Sefcak, passed away late in the afternoon on July 20, surrounded by his wife Karla, two children, his son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Gary was 81 years old when he entered the Lord’s presence where “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying and there shall be no more pain.” Gary had been a paraplegic since age 19, shackled by extreme physical limitations which he handled with much dignity. Now he no longer is dependent on crutches, motorized chairs and the assistance of loving friends and family. He can now run to embrace those who preceded him in death.

My heartfelt thanks to so many for their prayers for Gary and Karla, their daughter (Kim Hollis), their son (Tommy Sefcak), and Gary’s sister (my wife, Joyce Catherwood).

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalms 116:15).

Cards may be sent to:

Karla Sefcak
519 Conn’s Lane
Lancaster, KY 40444

As noted in a previous prayer request, Big Sandy, Texas, assistant pastor Paul Smith was in an automobile accident on May 28. Following the accident he became quite ill and was taken to the emergency room. He has been in hospital isolation for the past two weeks recovering from an aggressive infection. He has gradually improved with treatment, but it is not known when he will be released to return home. Continued prayers for Paul are much appreciated.

Cards can be mailed to:

Paul & Freia Smith
P.O. Box 295
Big Sandy, TX 75755

We received the following update from Allen Bullock (click here for the original prayer request).

Doris and I want to thank everyone for their prayers for my colon cancer operation. The operation went well and they think they got all the cancer. I’ve decided not to go the chemotherapy route but will use the nutritional route instead. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your prayers. The feeling of peace that has surrounded me has been so encouraging. Continued prayers for a full recovery would be appreciated.

Hans-Juergen Mittag, long-time elder in GCI’s Munich, Germany, congregation and former director of GCI’s German church board, was hospitalized last week. It appears that he is wrestling with serious heart problems. The doctors are trying to get rid of the water that has been collecting in his legs and there are abdominal issues that need further examination. Hans-Juergen has not been in the best of health for quite a while now and his wife Rosl requests your prayers.

Here is a prayer request from Dan Fricke, assistant pastor in Reno, Nevada, concerning his wife Marcia (Keith) Fricke.

I request prayer for my wife Marcia. A month ago she found a lump in her breast. It has been removed and was found to be cancerous along with three lymph nodes which were cancerous. Though primarily estrogen caused, it had 20% of HER2 cancer, which is an aggressive type of cancer. She will have a medical port implanted in her chest for nearly a year to help facilitate the six months of chemotherapy and then targeted medicine for the HER2. That will be followed by six weeks of radiation.

Marcia is now doing intense detoxification to help her body deal better with the chemotherapy. Though she knows the next year will be very challenging, as she also suffers with fibromyalgia, she is very positive and we both know that our heavenly Father will work his will in our lives. We prayed that he will be honored and that good will come from this. Already we have seen beautiful growth in a number of relations and encouragement to others in similar circumstances.

Cards may be sent to:

Marcia & Dan Fricke
4799 Herring Gull Way
Sparks, NV 89436-1655

In an earlier issue of Weekly Update we asked for prayer for GCI pastor Charles Taylor, who was badly burned in a home accident. Here is an update from Charles that came several days after being released from the hospital:

My family and I thank you all for your prayers, encouraging words, cards, texts, and blessings. By the grace of God I’m improving day by day. Therapy is hard, but great and helpful. Today I opened a bottle of Gatorade by myself with my recuperating hand and twisted a coconut off of a tree with two hands. I was overjoyed praising God!

Our love to you all!

Cards may be sent to Charles and his wife Keysha at:

Charles and Keysha Taylor
9650 Dunhill Drive
Miramar FL 33025

Prayer is requested for Paul Smith, a long-time assistant pastor in GCI’s congregation in Big Sandy, Texas. Paul was involved in an automobile accident on Thursday, May 28. He is sore following the accident.

Cards can be mailed to:

Paul & Freia Smith
P.O. Box 295
Big Sandy, TX 75755

Last week we reported that Linda Dick, wife of retired GCI pastor Ron Dick, was in hospice care, in the final phase of her long battle with many health problems. We were saddened to learn that Linda died last Saturday morning (May 23). Her battle is now over, and we send our condolences to Ron and the whole family. Please join us in praying for their comfort at this difficult time.

Cards may be sent to family members at these addresses:

Ron Dick
63 Loren Drive
Sarasota, FL 34238-5157

Rae Heaton
3441 Lansdowne Dr
Lexington, KY 40517

Julee Stanley
3445 Lansdowne Dr
Lexington, KY 40517