Category: Prayer & Updates

We are saddened to learn of the death of Arthur Alvarez, who worked in security on the Ambassador College campus in Pasadena, California from 1993 until 2004. Art was born in 1932, and he was 81 years old when he died.

In his last years working on campus, he sometimes would wear a small cross pin on his shirt collar—the kind military chaplains wear. He was a paratrooper in the military and veterans would recognize what it stood for. When asked if he was a chaplain, he would say “no,” but if they wanted to talk about God, he was always ready. Art was a devoted Christian who was a joy to be around.

Art’s funeral was held on September 3 in Los Angeles.

We are saddened to learn of the death of Gloria Ortiguero, wife of GCI-Philippines pastor Jerry Ortiguero. Jerry wrote this note:

Gloria is now free from the pain that wracked her body for months. The cancer had spread from her breast to her spine and brain. She died at a hospital in Baguio [Philippines] on August 20. Gloria turned 73 on July 3. Her last birthday was celebrated with our daughter from Dubai. My children want me to go back to Dubai and continue my apostolic mission there to my ten grandchildren. Life must go on—death is not the end but the pathway to life eternal.

GCI-Philippines director Eugene Guzon commented:

Gloria has been a tremendous inspiration to all of us as a mother and a wife and partner in ministry with Jerry. She has constantly demonstrated grace, dedication, enthusiasm and unconditional love. She will be greatly missed. We appreciate your prayers for Jerry and the rest of the family in this difficult time of loss.

Please pray for retired GCI pastor Maceo Hampton. Last Friday, August 23, Maceo, who serves the church in Livonia, Michigan, suffered a heart attack. A cardiac catheterization revealed that his coronary artery was blocked 90%. A medical stint was successfully inserted and he is now recovering at home. Other arteries were blocked 30% and 50%, but are being treated with medication. Maceo’s prognosis is good and the doctor is positive of a full recovery. Lifestyle changes have been recommended.

Maceo and his wife Phoebe are deeply grateful for all the prayers offered up to our merciful God. Please pray for complete recovery, renewed strength and return of his appetite.

Cards may be sent to:

Maceo and Phoebe Hampton

30225 Summit Drive #107

Farmington Hills, MI 48334-2446

This update is from Jason’s grandfather, GCI pastor Martin Manuel. Click here for a previous prayer request concerning Jason.

Jason remains in Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he has been for four months. His respiration has not recovered enough to enable him to be free of oxygen support. His doctors attribute the problem to a paralyzed diaphragm (from heart surgery), a damaged left lung (from Legionnaires disease) and smaller-than-normal pulmonary vessels. They suggest no medical treatments but anticipate that in time his lungs will become stronger.

In the meantime, he has begun to show symptoms of type one diabetes requiring insulin treatment and they are concerned about his kidney function. Also, he is on strong medication for various conditions including the recent heart transplant.

This has been a long episode for Jason and his parents, Colin and Janet Richards, who split their time between daily (and nightly) hospital attendance and care for their other two children at home. Jason and his family are strengthened by God’s gracious help through many prayers, which they continue to request. Thanks for your loving support.

On behalf of the family, we would like to express our love and appreciation to those who reached out to all of us in so many kind and thoughtful ways following the death of our mother Alvah Pyle. Your words of remembrance of a life well lived, your prayers for the family as we grieved our loss, the flowers and the lovely cards were all a reminder of the lives she had touched.

What a blessing it is to be a part of the body of Christ that is living out his commission to “love one another.” It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the day when we will join her and all our loved ones to be with the Lord forever.

– Norva (Pyle) and Ron Kelly

– Kaye (Pyle) and Jim Kissee

GCI district pastor David Weber reports that GCI pastor John Kehn in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, underwent surgery this week to have some tumors removed from his neck. Though benign the tumors were pushing up against vital areas in his neck. We are thanking God that the surgery was successful. Please pray for John’s complete and rapid recovery.

Cards may be sent to:

John and Linda Kehn

1150 R Street

Gering, NE 69341-2431

Please pray for Troy White, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Troy is hospitalized with a MERSA staph infection. Though his wife can visit him, his boys cannot.

Cards may be sent to:

Troy White

6131 Brigthstar Valley Road

Mint Hill, NC 28227-7693

We are saddened to learn of the death of Alvah Pyle, widow of Norvel Pyle who preceded his wife in death. Alvah would have turned 100 years old later this year.

Alvah and Norvel were long-time residents of the Big Sandy, Texas area. Their children include GCI members Norva Kelly (wife of GCI Advisory Council of Elders member and retired GCI employee Ron Kelly) and Kay Kissee (wife of GCI pastor Jim Kissee). All of the Pyle children attended Ambassador College. In addition to Norva and Kay, another daughter and three brothers and their spouses served in WCG ministry some years ago.

Our prayers are with the Pyle family (pictured here, many years ago).

A memorial service will be on August 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Croley Funeral Home, 401 Center St., Gladewater, Texas (903-845-2155). The burial will be on August 8 at 9:00 a.m. at the Gladewater cemetery.

Cards may be sent to:

Ron and Norva Kelly

841 Swiss Trails Road

Duarte, CA 91010-7057

Jim and Kay Kissee

601 North 36^th Street

Nixa, MO 65714-7558

 

Prayer is requested for Ray Epperson who for many years worked in the Ambassador Auditorium and as the WCG travel coordinator. Sadly, Ray has been diagnosed with an aggressive and inoperable form of pancreatic cancer. Cards may be sent to:

Raymond Epperson

395 Dancing Fern Road

Sequatchie, TN 37374

Edna Barr sent us this prayer request concerning her husband, retired GCI district and church pastor Allan Barr.

Allan recently visited a urologist regarding a growing lump, which may be testicular cancer. The urologist prescribed a CT scan and surgical removal of the tumor, which will be followed by a biopsy to determine if it is malignant. The surgery will be on July 25 with a follow-up visit a week later to discuss possible treatment. We are thankful for the answered prayers that made the first appointment possible, since for weeks they said that the first available appointment was August 2. We also give thanks for the prayers of church members. We’re expecting that things will go according to God’s plan.