Category: Prayer & Updates

Thanks for praying for Lorraine Wilson, wife of GCI pastor Warren Wilson. She had been battling thyroid cancer (click here to read the earlier prayer request). Results from a recent full-body scan indicate that she is now cancer free!

The GCI pastor in Fargo, North Dakota, Richard Siedschlag and his wife Erma, arrived home Sunday night after several days at the GCI worship celebration in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, to find that their 52 year old son, Danny, had passed away in their home. They found him in his bed and at present the cause and time of death are uncertain. Foul play is not suspected, but an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause. Prayers for the family would be greatly appreciated. Cards may be sent to:

Richard & Erma Siedschlag

3487 110 Ave N

Moorhead, MN, 56560

We were saddened to learn of the death of Ted Herlofson at age 79 on September 11. Ted was a long-time GCI employee and elder. He began that employment in the art department of the Ambassador College Press in 1969. He then transferred to the church executive office in 1973 and entered the field ministry in 1979. He served churches in Visalia, California; Denver, Colorado; and Coeur D’Alene, Idaho until he retired in 1996. Ted is survived by his wife Opal (Speers) Herlofson.

Cards may be sent to:

Opal Herlofson and Family
Route 1, Box 55
Birch Tree, MO 65438-9613

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Liberia, Africa. The Ebola epidemic there is now affecting our members as food and medicine become scarce and expensive. GCI pastor Browne, who serves in Liberia, wrote recently that, “life is deteriorating on a daily basis in Monrovia,” Liberia’s capital. “Ebola is on the rampage here, but hunger is killing the most people. My daughter died at the hospital as the result of complications from a miscarriage.”

Pastor Browne requested financial assistance to purchase food, medicines and other supplies to care for our members in Liberia during this time of crisis. Kalengule Kaoma, GCI mission developer in Africa forwarded the request to our Glendora home offic and the GCI Disaster Relief Committee responded quickly by forwarding about US$5,000.00 financial assistance from the GCI Disaster Relief Fund to Kalengule so he can help pastor Browne meet the current needs. If your congregation would like to help replenish the GCI Disaster Relief Fund so that we are ready to assist with this and other emergency needs as they arise, donations may be sent to:

GCI Disaster Relief Fund
Grace Communion International
P.O Box 5005
Glendora, California 91740

Note: The GCI Disaster Relief Fund was established to help provide members in disaster areas with emergency needs such as food, water, medicine, clothing, temporary housing, home and/or church hall repairs, temporary local pastoral salary expenses and other emergency needs. Monies received into the Fund that are not immediately needed, will remain in the Fund and be allocated for future disasters.

This update on John Halford’s continuing battle with cancer is from his daughter, Becki Halford Brown.

My dad continues the battle, but instead of growing stronger, it seems as though his strength is diminishing. He uses a walker to get from the bedroom to the living room now and his speech is slurred. He has grown several lumps around his torso, which yesterday were confirmed as new tumors. This week we will go for a biopsy to see if they are benign or if this is new cancer growth. We desperately need some good news, renewed hope and continued prayers.

Cards may be sent to:

John & Pat Halford
5836 South State Road 129
Versailles, IN 47042

We were saddened to learn that Joan Backhus, wife of GCI pastor Gerald (Jerry) Backhus, died on September 10 at 10:00 PM. The couple would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 13.

Please pray for Jerry, their couple’s children Craig and Kym, their extended family, and for their church family at Living Hope Family Fellowship in Hillsdale, New Jersey.

Cards may be sent to:

Gerald P Backhus

501 Russell Ave
Wyckoff, NJ 07481-1708

We were saddened to learn of the death of Bernie Schnippert on September 10. Please pray for his wife Arlene and their daughters Crystal and Coral and the rest of the family during this difficult time.

In a brief note to close friends Arlene wrote “I wanted to let you all know that Bern passed away about 7:00 pm this evening. He was asleep and it was very peaceful. His months and years of suffering are now over and he can be at peace.” A small private memorial service is being planned.

Due to ongoing health struggles, Bernie retired from GCI employment on June 27. He had served for many years as GCI’s legal counsel. To read about his distinguished career in an earlier Weekly Update article, click here.

Bernie and his service to GCI will long be remembered and missed.

Cards of encouragement to the family may be sent to:

Arlene Schnippert

64651 Jan Dr.
Bend, OR 97701

Prayer is requested for Deb Paz’s aunt, Elaine Vernon. She is beginning another battle with cancer, this time in her brain. Please pray for healing, strength and peace. Elaine will be receiving a treatment on September 23, which involves pinpointing and eradicating the cancer.

We were saddened to learn that GCI elder John Connors died of pancreatic cancel on September 10th. John served as an assistant pastor in the Boston, Massachusetts congregation.

John is survived by his wife Robin and their children Jennifer, Jackie and John.

Cards may be sent to:

Robin Connors
232 Pearl Street
Newton, MA 02458-1345

Please pray for Thérèse Cayer, wife of GCI-Canada elder Denis Cayer. The couple serves the Trois Rivieres and Quebec City congregations.

Thérèse saw her doctor recently and she was diagnosed with cancer in the membrane covering her left lung and adjoining structures. The cancer is inoperable and incurable. The only thing that can be done to extend her life is to undergo chemotherapy. She will be having further tests to see if the cancer has spread and she’ll have a drain tube installed to empty liquid from her lung. She is not having any pain, though she understands that she is facing a mighty battle. She has chosen to let God lead, and desires to continue for now on the preaching teams in both congregations.

Cards may be sent to:

Thérèse and Denis Cayer

19450 Boulevard Becancour

Becancour, QC G9H 1B4

CANADA