Category: Prayer & Updates

This update concerning GCI district and church pastor Arnold Clauson is from his wife Trish.

It has been determined that Arnold has prostate cancer, which has metastasized to the left hip that was causing him so much pain and to other bones. Thankfully, it has not spread to any vital organs.

Arnold is receiving advanced, non-traditional therapy with an Integrative Health Clinic in the Dallas area. This treatment has shown good results in Europe and a few clinics in the US. Because Arnold has never taken medications, he has responded “too well” to the cancer treatment, which have overwhelmed his kidneys, shutting them down. This is an obstacle since he needs his kidneys to continue to rid himself of the dead cancer cells. He is receiving dialysis as we pray that his kidneys will return to normal function.

Arnold is now in his 13th day in the hospital. So much has been done to him during that time that it is miraculous that he has survived. He continues to struggle with pain.

God is sovereign and we know that this situation did not take him by surprise. In fact, the day we learned that it “might” be cancer, God already had orchestrated a path by which we were given the name of the Integrative Clinic. We also know that God is good and knows what he is doing. . .even if we do not. We are in constant prayer for his will to be done, and for his guidance in everything that is happening. We cherish the prayers of our brothers and sisters in the ministry. Thank you. . .we love you.

Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Circle

Denison, Texas 75020

We asked last week for prayer for GCI district and church pastor Arnold Clauson (click here to see the previous request). Arnold had surgery today (October 16), necessitated by kidney failure. Trish Clauson tells us that the surgery was successful. Your prayers concerning his recovery are needed and appreciated.

This prayer request is from GCI Philippines director Eugene Guzon.

On October 15, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol Island in the Visayas Region of the Philippines. The quake, which caused the death of over 100 people as of the date of this update also destroyed homes, major landmarks, bridges and highways. The quake affected other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao—some that had been devastated by a cyclone not long ago.

According to GCI pastor Romy Pusta, it appears that none of our members experienced loss of life. However, Romy’s own home was damaged and his family has had to relocate.

Due to the extensive damage in Bohol, the festival we had planned there probably will be canceled. It doesn’t seem right that we would be rejoicing while others are suffering. We hope to be able to assist people in need. Please keep us in your prayers.

Prayer is requested for Arnold Clauson who serves as a district pastor in the middle south region and pastors three churches in the Dallas, Texas area.

Arnold is battling serious health issues that severely restrict his mobility and cause considerable pain. Your prayers for Arnold’s healing and also for comfort for his wife Trish are needed and appreciated.

Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Cir

Denison, TX 75020-2697

Many who worked at the WCG/GCI denominational headquarters when it was located in Pasadena, California will remember Al and Marie Allworth. Al was a long-time faithful elder who worked in the TV department as an engineer. He was a quiet, unassuming man with a wide range of interests. He was well informed about those interests and could make and fix anything. Al’s wife, Marie, was always a cheerful and enthusiastic servant of the congregations where the couple attended. If food preparation was involved, Marie would be there. After Al retired, the Allworth’s moved to Gold Beach, Oregon, where they continued to serve the church.

Al died twelve years ago and now Marie is struggling for her life. We ask for your prayers for Marie and her family. Here is a prayer request from Marie’s daughter Cheryl Cooper:

Twelve years ago we lost our father Al Allworth to pancreatic cancer. Now our mother Marie Allworth has breast cancer. She also has middle-stage Alzheimer’s disease and lives in a memory care facility in Vancouver, Washington. We have chosen to let nature take its course and let God’s will for our mother be done. She is 81 and has lived a long and happy life. We, the doctors and the facility where she lives are going to do all we can to make her comfortable. We would appreciate your prayers for her and for us.

Cards to the Allworth family may be sent to:

Cheryl Cooper

59899 Jaden Drive

St Helens, OR 97051

This prayer update is from GCI Philippines director Eugene Guzon.

Prayer is requested concerning the situation in Zamboanga City, on the Southwest tip of the Philippine island of Mindanao, about a one and a half hour flight south of Manila. There is an ongoing armed struggle there between government forces and a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). It has resulted in about 100 casualties including 12 government soldiers, 3 policemen and about 86 MNLF rebels. Many, including civilians, were wounded. As of this report, the conflict continues.

So far, GCI members living in the area are safe, although our pastor Ted Natividad and his family had to relocate. Another church leader lives four kilometers from the fighting. They told me that once the situation stabilizes, they plan to move to a safer place—they can hear sounds of mortar and machine-gun fire. Other members in the area are in the same predicament. About 100,000 people have moved to relocation centers because MNLF rebels have burned about 500 homes in the area.

Sadly, there are other areas in the world where this sort of violence is common. Mother Teresa said that the world does not have peace “because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” We know that it is God who brings real, lasting peace. As it says in Psalm 46:9-10, [God] makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”

We request prayer for the people of Zamboanga City. Please pray for a rapid end to the conflict and that we as a church are able to assist those needing help.

GCI Denver, Colorado area pastors report that no GCI members were harmed in the recent terrible flooding in Eastern Colorado, though some were threatened by rising water.

At least four rivers in the area flooded due to torrential rain storms. As a result, six, or perhaps more people lost their lives (some still are missing), about 100 miles of roadway (including highways) will need to be rebuilt; about 30 bridges must be replaced and another 40 to 50 will need major repairs. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Please pray for those affected and for those helping in the recovery.

Last week, prayer was requested for Cathy Deddo following the death of her mother. Here is a note of thanks from Cathy:

I am grateful to all those of the GCI family who have written me and have prayed for me and my family at this time of loss and grief at the passing of my mother. Thank you for including me as a member of this wonderful family. I have felt so supported and encouraged by all the loving words from everyone. Thank-you again.

Please pray for Cliff and Mary Snyder, leaders of the GCI Generations Ministries M25:40 Missions organization.

Cliff and Mary, who live in Colorado, have conducted several mission trips to Ethiopia over the past six years. Mary left this week on a trip to Ethiopia where she will minister at orphanages in partnership with various pastors and missionaries. She also will be connecting with the young people that M25:40 is helping obtain a college education.

Cliff and Mary hope to invite others to join them on a mission trip to Ethiopia next year. While on the current trip, Mary will be making arrangements. If you are interested in the 2014 Ethiopian mission trip, email Mary at msnyder72003@yahoo.com.

Mary and Cliff ask for your prayers concerning Mary’s current trip and preparations for the 2014 trip.

We are saddened to learn of the recent death of Cathy Deddo’s mother Mary Allin. Cathy is the wife of Gary Deddo who serves as Joseph Tkach’s special assistant.

Mary, who lived in Falls Church, Virginia, is survived by her husband, George Allin, Jr. and by six children, including Cathy.

Members of the family were with Mary near the time of her death. Cathy reports that “signs of God’s grace were plenteous.”

Cards for Gary, Cathy and her family may be sent to:

Grace Communion International

Attn: Gary Deddo

PO Box 5005

Glendora, CA 91740