Phil Baldwin, pastor of our GCI house church congregation in Christchurch, New Zealand, sent the following report about the devastating earthquake there:
Our scattered members in Christchurch are all safe following the catastrophic midday earthquake on 22 February. While one member’s home is largely inaccessible due to rock falls from the cliff face behind it, the others have had power and water restored to their houses, a real blessing in a city where one-third of the homes are still without running water or sewage service.
Many streets in the suburbs of Christchurch have these mounds of liquefaction that have been shoveled together by volunteers.
This relatively shallow 6.3 magnitude earthquake, the second to rock the city in less than six months, happened close to central Christchurch at 12.51 pm on a Tuesday when the city’s buildings and streets were full of people and traffic. Half the brick buildings in Christchurch’s central business district have been irreparably damaged. The death toll stands at 154, with another 50 or more still missing.Stories and video abound of tragic loss, near misses, harrowing escapes, and a community of people who have pulled together to help with the recovery. The Kiwi mindset of “just getting on with it” has meant that police, armed forces, ambulance, fire brigades, and an army of citizen volunteers (including thousands of university students) have cordoned off the teetering buildings in the city’s core, provided security, fed and housed displaced residents, as well as shoveled up an estimated 100,000 tons of liquefaction (wet sand and silt forced up to the surface through even the tiniest cracks in pavement).
Volunteers sort food and supplies for delivery to an earthquake support center in Christchurch.
Support and personnel have poured in from across New Zealand and around the world. Remarkably, there has been minimal looting, and next to no public violence.
Christchurch Cathedral’s Dean, Peter Beck, praised the kindness people had shown each other throughout the disaster. He said, “People are reaching out to one another, talking to one another, giving each other food… that’s what it’s all about. You often see in these worst of times the best in human beings.”
New church plant
Left to right: Serena, Dishon, Afrika and Cairo Mills.
Dishon and Afrika Mills are in the early stages of planting a new church in Randolph, Massachusetts. Dishon and Afrika were part of the WCG in their youth, and when they came across our emphasis on Trinitarian theology, they were moved to re-connect with us. They attended Church-Next Training, and after discussions with DPL Larry Wooldridge, they developed a preliminary plan for planting a new church.
In concert with CMM and CAD, the Mills are now moving ahead with their plans, starting a small group, networking with unchurched people, developing a “launch team” of ministry leaders and establishing financial accounting processes. Please remember them in prayer.
Southwest regional conference
This year’s round of district conferences began in Ontario, California, with 145 attending.
Kalengule Kaoma sent this update about his recent visit.
I spent some time with executive leaders of the two groups we have been working with for affiliation in Tanzania. We constituted a caretaker national team made up of members from both groups to start the process of registering GCI in Tanzania.
While in Tanzania I delivered 21 bicycles purchased by Rod Dean’s congregation in Australia to assist field ministers with their transportation needs. Many of these pastors in Ukerewe, Kisorya, Bunda, Tarime in Mara region and border areas of Tanzania and Kenya cover large circuits on foot. Some walk for 14 hours through forest to minister to Christians in their congregations. Rose Ochola, who pastors a congregation in a border town in Kenya and coordinates Pastors’ Food Basket, told me: “To complete my rounds, I spend two days on the way at a time. This bicycle will be handy.”
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In addition to bicycle support, members from Rod Dean’s church will put a roof on the Kisorya church building and provide widows and orphans in border towns of Kenya near Tanzania with some food support for at least two months.
Canada
From Gary Moore:
The picture to the right is of the elders from Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Toronto, and Alvaro Palacio from the east congregation, with Eric Warren. The elders all prayed for Eric, as he took on the mantle as the new pastor of the congregation. This was done at Eric’s first service as their pastor, two weeks ago. From left to right the elders are: Trevor Brown, Perc Burrows, Ian Bell, Eric Warren, John McGuigan, George Lee, John Martin and Alvaro Palacio.
Please pray for Eric and Amy as they transition into a new pastorate, and a new city.
Prayer Requests and Updates
John Biswas
John Biswas let us know that he is now recovered from his recent illness and very grateful for the many prayers on his behalf. He added, “I was very much lifted up by the numerous get well cards, near and far.”
David Fiedler
The news on my eye is not good; I’m back to where I was after the third surgery last July. After the oil removal about 12 days ago, all was well for the first few days. But on the fifth day, my retina detached again (for the fifth time). I’m extremely disappointed as I felt I was so close to getting on to the next step of getting a new lens. When the oil was removed it was replaced with a saline solution. It gradually dissipates and is supposed to be replaced by my own vitreous fluid. Unfortunately, my eye didn’t produce nearly enough, and within five days my eye pressure was down to zero, which precipitated my last detachment. I had surgery again to reattach the retina, and oil was again placed in the eye. I am considering leaving the oil in long-term this time. However, some doctors say they don’t want to leave it in permanently because of possible ill effects to the eye. Others say it can be left in. I may have no choice but to leave it in, as it seems my retina has the best chance of holding in place with the oil. If that is the route I go, then I probably won’t be able to use the eyes together, but at least I’ll have an auxiliary eye in case something ever happens to my good eye. Thank you all so much for your faithful prayers on my behalf. Linda and I have been so moved by all the love and support you have shown!
Cards may be sent to: 20389 Strawline Rd. Bend, OR 97702
Lynne Pahl
Please join us in prayer for Lynne Pahl, co-pastor of the Wausau, WI church, whose husband, Terry Pahl passed away February 25. Terry choked on a piece of steak lodged in his throat while at a dinner party on February 22. The Heimlich maneuver and CPR were performed and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance, but he had been without oxygen too long and never regained consciousness. On February 25 the respirator was removed and Terry died within two hours. Just after her husband died, Lynne received notification that her job was being terminated in July.
Cards may be sent to: Lynne Pahl T1354 County Road WW Wausau, WI 54403
Bernie Schnippert
Bernie wrote: “On Tuesday, March 8, I have the third procedure to kill the third-largest tumor in my liver resulting from my carcinoid cancer. Recovery from my second treatment, about four weeks ago, has been slow because they used drug-eluting beads instead of radioactive beads for technical reasons. I still have much fatigue from that procedure. This time they will use the radioactive beads, and my hope is that recovery is faster. It is frustrating to recover from one therapy and then be knocked down by the next one, as is inevitable since the procedures are highly invasive to the liver. I will be traveling to Portland on Monday, having the procedure Tuesday, and then traveling home on Wednesday. Please remember Arlene and me in your prayers that all will go well. I will update you on the success of the procedure and the health outcome as appropriate. It is unknown whether this is the last one for now, or if the doctors will do a fourth procedure, which they have opined back and forth about. Thank you for all your encouraging prayers and cards. They are much appreciated.
Cards may be sent to: 64651 Jan Dr. Bend, OR 97701
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
A serious earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, on February 22. Although it was of lesser magnitude than an earthquake there five months ago, it has caused much more damage because it struck closer to the surface and closer to the city center. The shaking caused soils to destabilize, and that caused even some modern buildings to collapse. Damage is estimated at $15 billion, and the death toll is nearing 100. Communication links are down, and we have so far been unable to find out how our members in Christchurch have fared. I am sure that your prayers will be appreciated, not only by our members, but also by the many families who have suffered financial and personal loss, and by the fatigued rescue workers.
Steven and Carol Schantz shared some good news about their son, Ben. He released his newest album last week. His professional name is Benjamin Warren and his new album is entitled Vintage Stock. His goal was to bring new life to some of his earliest melodies, some of which he wrote in his pre-teens. Every song has its own story. He contracted with other artists in the production, one of whom was Mike Brassell of Orlando (brother of our pastor, Tim Brassell). Join me in our collective extension of congratulations! www.benjaminwarren.com
Angola
Our ministry leader in Portugal, José Ribeiro, reports that we now have a website for our church in Angola: www.gci-angola.org. The site contains photos of the members and contact information for the six main congregations in the three provinces of Angola where we have church meetings. The website is being hosted by the Portuguese church, but the development was the effort of Angolan members Alexandre and Kamiaka Kitambala.
Bangladesh
Rod Matthews wrote:
In late November last year, Dr. John Biswas, Director of Bengali Evangelical Association (BEA), the mission arm of Grace Communion International in Bangladesh, made one of his regular trips to Bangladesh from his base in California to meet with leaders, gospel workers, trainers and supporters involved in the outreach activities of BEA in the south of the country. I had the privilege of accompanying him, along with several other friends of BEA from the USA.
We met in Dhaka and drove the 275 km (170 miles) to the mission base in Sathsimulia, a small village not far from the provincial city of Barisal. The trip takes more than six hours of tortuous driving along both good and bad roads. It includes a 45-minute crossing of the mighty Padma River in a vehicle ferry packed with buses, trucks, cars and vans, which themselves are all packed with people.
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The primary event planned in Sathsimulia was the official opening and dedication of our new three-story concrete building. Most of southern Bangladesh is a vast delta of flat and rich land, great for growing rice and jute, but subject to flooding from tropical rains, cyclones and sea surges. This building, constructed on built-up land, is designed to be cyclone-resistant and can withstand flooding. It has a large meeting room for services and lectures, teaching and storerooms, and visitors’ accommodation on the top floor. It is the centerpiece of the BEA mission campus that has been developed there over the years.
The building is called the Herman L. Hoeh Center, as a memorial in rural Bangladesh to a compassionate and generous man who was devoted to understanding people from other cultures, especially in Asia. I had the privilege of conducting the official opening of the Center, and then Dr. Biswas and I spoke at the dedication ceremony.
BEA conducts a wide range of activities from this base, all geared to demonstrating the love of God to the surrounding communities in a country that is 90 percent Muslim. They train nurses’ aides for local clinics, operate a bakery to provide nutritious bread to the community while providing local employment, administer a program of donating goats to needy families (for milk and breeding), train gospel workers, and run schools for disadvantaged local children. The next goal is to commence computer classes to offer skills training to young people to better prepare them for the modern world. It’s impressive! There are hundreds of new disciples of Jesus Christ in villages throughout the region.
After our visit to Sathsimulia, we drove several hours west to the village of Torki to meet with the local congregation there. Over 150 people gathered in their church hall, set amongst the palm trees in a nicely kept environment, and we joined them in worship with song and prayer. John Biswas talked to them (in their native language of Bengali) and I gave a short message translated for them by John’s brother, Jacob, who is a retired schoolteacher now serving with the BEA team in Sathsimulia.
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Here (left) you can see the distribution of Bengali Bibles purchased with funds donated by the Wollongong congregation in Australia. It was inspiring, but how I wish we all could speak the same language!
We are planning a national conference in Dhaka later this year to offer some of the gospel workers and leaders from the villages an opportunity for further development and the rare opportunity to mix with overseas guests. This will strengthen our denominational connections and for many local and overseas visitors, it will be their first visit to the national capital, Dhaka. Guests are welcome.
New Pastor Orientation
Over the President’s Day weekend (Friday through Monday), 25 pastors and ministry leaders from across the U.S. and the Caribbean came to our Glendora offices for training sessions and discussions with Drs. Joseph Tkach, Dan Rogers and Mike Feazell, as well as other Glendora staff members.
Prayer Requests and Updates
David Fiedler
In my latest eye surgery (the fifth), the doctor removed the oil from my eye and replaced it with a saline solution, which the body will gradually replace with the natural fluid. She said there was a 30 percent chance that the retina would detach again during this procedure. I’m so grateful to our Lord and to all of you for your prayers because my retina held in place! I also received an injection of steroids in the back of the eye to reduce any swelling from the multiple surgeries and aid future vision prospects. There is no assurance that will help, however. The lens was not replaced as I had hoped it would be at this time. The doctor said I should wait about three more months for that. She also said a lens implant would again have the risk of another detachment. So at this time, I am considering trying a contact lens instead of an implant (probably in a couple months when my eye settles down from this surgery). If that works well enough, I may go with that permanently. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll be forced to go with an implant, because without a lens my vision in that eye is extremely blurred to the point when I have both eyes open my brain only sees out of the good eye. I thank God daily for my good eye and no longer take it for granted! I thank him too for all of you and your prayers and loving concern.
Please remember the family of elder Estil Stewart, who died February 21. Estil was a beloved member of our Pikeville, Kentucky, pastoral team. Cards can be sent to Mrs. Stewart at:
Mrs. Ruth Stewart 2118 Left Fork of Long Fork Road Virgie, KY 41572
and to their son at:
Mike Stewart 109 Petty’s Fork Road Vergie, KY 41572
From Emmanuel Okai, our National Ministry Leader in Ghana:
On February 13, as I was driving to the GCI congregation at the Liberian Refugee camp at Buduburam (30 km west of Accra), I received a phone call from Christopher, one of the leaders of our congregation there. He said there was trouble at the camp. As he spoke to me, I could hear gunshots in the background. Although many police were there, the place was unsafe, so we cancelled church and returned to Accra. There was tension and confusion at the camp all day, before people who fled into the nearby bushes could return home.
Officially, the police claim that one young woman died; but residents mention several deaths.
The disturbance was the result of a power tussle between two factions who wanted to lead the refugee community. An unelected group who did not have the support of the UNHCR wanted to “install and inaugurate” their own leader. The police asked them to stop what could have brought confusion and conflict into the refugee community. This group was adamant, and they resisted police instructions. It was the police’s effort to arrest the leaders of this “rebel” group that resulted in the firing of warning shots, firing of tear gas and the resultant death of at least one person at the camp.
As of Friday, no further disturbances have been experienced. There is tension in the refugee community. None of our members was affected in any way. Our church building and the property were not affected, thanks to God. What has been adversely affected is our planned first anniversary celebration that had been scheduled for next week. The tension in the community is not conducive to any kind of celebration, and we will put that activity on hold. I am in regular touch with the members there. Your prayers are solicited.
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Please join me in extending hearty congratulations to Pastor Rick Shallenberger who completed his Master of Arts in Religious Studies with High Distinction from Trinity University in Indiana.
And there’s more good news. Gary and Wendy Moore shared with us that Gary’s daughter, Rachel, became engaged to James Litchfield of Hunter’s Point (a suburb of Sydney), Australia! Gary added that Rachel just returned from a trip to Australia, and will now be applying for the needed paperwork for the appropriate entry papers. Rachel and James met while working on a cruise ship. They are planning on a fall wedding in Hawaii.
Photo to left engaged couple: Rachel Moore and James Litchfield.
Ministry coach training available
Church Administration and Development offers training for men and women who want to serve as ministry coaches. Advanced training is offered for those who desire to become certified coaches. Regional pastor Ken Williams is the first candidate to complete the advanced program and is now a certified GCI ministry coach. Several others are currently pursuing coach certification. To learn more about coach training and coach certification, and to schedule a coach training event, contact Randy Bloom at Randy.Bloom@gci.org.
Sri Lanka
Rod Matthews writes: The author of the book of Ecclesiastes observed that life naturally brings times to expand and times when it is appropriate to contract. At this time, it is happening simultaneously in the activities of our fellowship in Sri Lanka.
Mohan Jayasekera
In the last couple of years, the church has developed an exciting new relationship with the Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS). Their publishing division printed the Sinhala edition of our 10-lesson discipleship course (left) which is called ‘Discipleship 101’ on the GCI website. Lokendra Abhayaratne, the former Anglican archdeacon of the city of Galle, and a cousin of Sri Lankan pastoral director, Mohan Jayasekera, arranged the translation into the national language of Sri Lanka. The growing relationship with CTS has been reflected in the invitation they gave Mohan last year to conduct a series of lectures on Trinitarian theology for students and faculty over a weekend. In addition, Mohan was invited to be part of the planning committee for the inaugural preaching seminars to be conducted in Colombo later this month by Langham Partnership International, an international ministry founded by eminent author and theologian, Dr. John Stott.
Subsequently, the discipleship course has been translated into Tamil, the second language of Sri Lanka, and this edition will be printed by CTS within several weeks. The church’s booklet entitled “The God Revealed in Jesus Christ” was read by the head of the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka, and he was so impressed that he requested 300 English language copies so they could be sent to Anglican pastors across in the country. This booklet has also been translated into Sinhala for a wider distribution.
In December, the Board of the Church in Sri Lanka met to review the operations of the church-owned school, the Worldwide Educational Institute (WEI), and confirmed the painful decision to suspend operations for the immediate future. Over the last few years, it has become increasingly difficult to recruit an adequate number of students to make the operation financially viable. WEI has focussed on improving the quality of spoken and written English of older high school aged students desiring to pass university entrance exams or qualify for better jobs, while striving to inculcate Christian values and business ethics in its courses. But in recent years, many other competing institutions have started up in Colombo offering English classes; and the traffic congestion in Colombo has made it a burden for students to travel from homes beyond the immediate suburban area where WEI is located.
In addition, WEI is located in an area of Colombo that has experienced significant growth in housing without a parallel development of adequate drainage infrastructure, and extremely heavy rains have caused the building to be flooded twice in the last two years. On both occasions our insurance coverage has funded repairs to the building but the disruption to classes and inconvenience to students having too often to negotiate potholes and mud has pointed strongly to the need to relocate.
The Board decided to suspend operations in the short term, sell the building and then assess what service WEI might offer in the current environment to serve the mission of the church in Sri Lanka – and where this would be best located. It was a sad moment farewelling the dedicated faculty and staff with prayers that they might find alternative employment and be blessed in spite of the closure of WEI. They have our lasting gratitude for their special contribution to the lives and the learning of so many young people over the past years.
WEI was originally founded in 1986 with the name of the Waterfield Institute by the Ambassador Foundation (AF) in the town of Nuwara Eliya. But when AF funding ceased and operational costs in Nuwara Eliya became prohibitive, WEI relocated to the church-owned building in Colombo in 1999. We estimate that nearly 3,000 students have graduated from a range of courses offered by WEI over the years. Many have obtained excellent positions and acquitted themselves so well that their employers seek WEI graduates when they want new employees. WEI has also been employed by Sri Lankan Airlines to upgrade the English competency of their staff. As a practical expression of the love of God, WEI has well served Sri Lankan youth over the last 25 years, and we look forward to God’s lead as we approach a new era for our fellowship in Sri Lanka.
GCI Singapore Brethren Supports Mangyans
Pastor Andy Ducay writes: My wife and I were able to attend the two worship services in Singapore scheduled for the month of January 2011, so we had the chance of fellowshipping with our Singaporean family after the services. After the worship service on January 15, the proposed project for the Mangyans of Mindoro, the Philippines, was brought up with Pastor Wong (Senior Pastor of GCI Singapore), and he was amenable of bringing it to the attention of the members here. So on January 22, I was given the opportunity to present the proposed project for the Mangyans, and the Singaporean members attentively listened as I shared with them what it is.
After the presentation, one of the members, who was visibly touched by the plight of the Mangyans, handed me an envelope containing cash as his personal contribution for this cause. Many other members expressed their desire to support the project and conveyed they will discuss later on what support they could extend. With this development we could look forward to tangible support to this cause from our church in Singapore.
Thirty Mangyans have been baptized by GCI pastors and more are upcoming. May this project bear good fruit for the sake of the plight of this marginalized tribal group in Mindoro, who only have the bare necessities for subsistence. Please include this humanitarian endeavour in your prayers.
Prayer request
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
The Greek-speaking Christians had a word for the Lord’s Supper. They called it Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving.” And no wonder, because the greatest gift of all is the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus has washed away all our sins and become one with us in such a way that he will never let us go. He has raised us with him in his resurrection and included us in the fellowship he has with the Father.
None of us deserves God’s favor, of course, but God loves us anyway. And because he loves us, he does not leave us in our sins. He not only forgives all our sins, but he also lives in us by the Holy Spirit and transforms us into people who do love him and love others. It’s something to remember as we face another week.
Elder, John and Beverly Ferlatte, of Smiths Falls ON, Canada are new grandparents! John wrote: “Bev and I are very happy to let you know that our son Jonathan and his wife Nikki are the proud parents of Alexandra Acadia Ferlatte born February 5 at 7:36 pm in the Civic Hospital in Ottawa. The pictures were taken by our daughter Elizabeth, who was visiting from Toronto.”
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Journey With the Master
Anthony Mullins of GCI Generations Ministries conducted a Journey With the Master intensive January 28-29 at Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania. GCI member Carrie Smith, resident director at the university, organized the event through the office of the campus chaplain. Several Waynesburg University freshmen participated. None have had prior contact with GCI. The opening night began with the question, “Who is Jesus?” and led to the conclusion that one’s unique identity is found in relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Anthony administered several assessments to help each participant better understand their uniqueness. One of the participants wrote concerning the event: “All I can say is thank you for everything. Journey With the Master was a great experience!”
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Ghana
78 campers from across the West African sub-region and 46 GCI Ghana staff members enjoyed the 2010 Youth Educational Program (YEP) at the GCI Ghana facility near Accra December 19 through January 2.
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Programs included Christian living, Bible study, fireside chat, computer training, soccer, badminton, volleyball, softball, swimming, hiking, camp improvement (maintenance), obstacle course, and music appreciation.
Local and overseas benefactors, as well as camp alumni, provided help with funding and equipment. Twenty-seven needy campers (16 boys and 11 girls) received sponsorship from the Jon Whitney Foundation of the United States to participate.
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Eleven campers decided to walk with Christ and were baptized by Pastor Francis Ablordeppey and Pastor Jonathan Hammond. Pastor Ablordeppey is camp director.
Awards were presented to outstanding campers in several categories at a celebration banquet on January 1. The overall best camper awards were presented to Brian Mac Ocrah of the Kumasi church and Sandra Duah of Accra. Staff members were also presented with awards for their selfless service to the campers. The function was led by the Chairman of the Ecclesiastical Council and Head Pastor of the churches in Ghana, Pastor Emmanuel Okai.
Camper final comments included expressing their appreciation for making new friends and relating to people from far and near, learning biblical concepts, learning to play new sports, and accomplishing feats they never thought they could, such as swimming, hiking to the top of a hill and going through the rigors of the obstacle course.
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Grand Junction, Colorado, Perichoresis Conference
Dr. Baxter Kruger and Dr. Mike Feazell will be in Grand Junction, Colorado, Friday evening, May 13, and all day Saturday, May 14, to teach and share insights about our inclusion in Jesus’ relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit. To reserve a spot, please call Grand Junction Pastor David Eddy at 970-210-5560 or email him at ajautosales1@gmail.com. Attendance is limited to the first 70 people who sign up.
Estonia Summer Camp
From Carl Fredrik Aas:
The application form for the August 2011 summer school project in Kallaste Estonia is attached. Several people have already informed me that they would like to come, but we still need six more young adults.
The summer school project has turned out to be a win-win situation. The youth of Kallaste as well as the young adults who come as teachers each year enjoy a unique experience they will always remember. If you are interested, please fill and return out the attached application form as soon as possible. Application For Summer Camp Estonia 2011 – Details for summer camp Estonia
Prayer Requests and Updates
Kayte Wolverton
From Monte Wolverton:
Kayte has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian/peritoneal cancer, stage 4. She has had two chemo treatments so far and is scheduled to have two more before her surgery. She will have exploratory abdominal surgery on March 28. The surgeon has said he won’t know exactly what will have to be done until he gets into the abdominal cavity. The chemo was done first in hopes of killing or shrinking as much of the cancer as possible, then the surgery will physically remove any cancer that is operable. After Kayte recovers from the surgery, she will start another round of chemo to kill any remaining cancer and hopefully achieve complete remission. She is responding well to the treatment so far and her cancer “numbers” are falling. But, the battle will be a long one, as the doctor has said she might have to be on chemo for as long as a year to achieve complete remission. Statistically speaking, remission from this type of cancer averages around five years, and then it might come back. Prayers for complete healing would be deeply appreciated.
Cards may be sent to: 18907 NE Cole Witter Rd. Battle Ground, WA 98604
From Larry Hinkle:
We would appreciate your prayers for my grandson Coty. My wife and I are in Charlotte, North Carolina with him and his mom and dad, Christi and Richard, at a children’s hospital where he is in intensive care. Coty is a disabled child (now 16 years old), and has had a pretty rough life. He is in critical condition with respiratory distress syndrome which began as an onset of pneumonia. He has been under complete sedation for some ten days. His respiratory problems have affected his heart/blood pressure and his kidneys, resulting in the need for continuous renal dialysis. In addition to all this, he is suffering from an adeno virus as well as a strain of the flu.
Thankfully, he has made some improvement the last couple of days, and is being gradually weaned off of some medications and treatments, but he is still a long way from recovery. It is great to know that so many are praying for him. He is truly in the Lord’s loving and caring hands.
Cards may be sent to: 10141 NW 23rd St Coral Springs, FL 33065-4845
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Let’s remember in prayer the people of Egypt during this momentous crisis in their country, as well as all those who will ultimately be affected by it. As we face crises in our lives and turmoil in the world we can take comfort in Jesus’ words, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).
That is God’s will for us. It means we don’t have to fear. We don’t have to worry. We can accept the gift of God. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Through all trials and fears, may God bless our work in Christ of spreading that good news.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chugait and Fong Garmolgomut, from Chiang Mai, Thailand, have informed us that one of the students from their Ambassador Bilingual School (ABS) has gained first place in a national English Language spelling contest. This has further enhanced the reputation of the school, which, although not an overtly Christian mission school, is dedicated to teaching English in an atmosphere of Christian values. The formula is proving to be very successful, and many more people are showing interest (see the article in the February/March Christian Odyssey).
The school is planning to double the size of its library, which is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Herman L. Hoeh. They have urgent need of material, such as story books teaching right values, books with pictures, posters, and textbooks for grades K-12. The books don’t need to be new, but should have some useful life left. The books do not necessarily have to have a Bible theme, although those are welcome as well.
If you have some books that you think could be useful, please contact John Halford at john.halford@gci.org or call 812 667 4767 to tell him what you have. John will discuss with you what to do next.
New Q&A feature on the Surprising God Blog
The Surprising God Blog has recently been updated to include several pages that answer frequently asked questions about certain passages of Scripture when read in the light of Trinitarian, incarnational theology. If you have questions not addressed in those pages, you may submit them to the blog as we continue to build this Q&A resource.
FUN N FALL is a community-wide activity that our young adults started about four years ago. Last year we had more than 300 attend, which is about one fourth of the town. Besides the activities, food and fun, plenty of relationships are developed and several churches participate with us. It has even included Bible story readings for kids and adults. At least 30 businesses contributed this past year. It has been offered as an alternative to Halloween each year on the Saturday before Halloween. The city and schools and fire and police departments are all supportive.
Members Rick and Lois Peterson, named Man and Woman of the Year 2010, are pictured in the Christmas parade slide show on the city’s home page at www.bigsandytx.net. Our float won the parade’s first-place trophy. At the end of the parade we had a community-wide prayer over the city.
Now the city has decided to make the Fun N Fall link permanent! The new page, as you can see, has not only pictures of the event, but also an explanation of the event and information about the church.
These and other events the church is doing locally have begun to produce fruit. Several new young adults and their children have started to attend, be baptized and invited their friends to our Wednesday evening and Sunday services.
Brazil
Hector Barerro reports:
Wanderlei is a Canadian English teacher who lives in Coroata, Maranhao, which is a five-hour flight plus a four-hour drive from Sao Paulo in the northeast of Brazil. He understands our doctrines and has asked for training on how to start a church group. While he and his wife Iara and daughter Isabel were visiting his family in Sao Paulo, Pauline and I went there to spend two days with them. They are planning to move to Sao Paulo this February, and are undecided about whether to stay there or move on to Canada. Naturally, we are praying that they decide to stay in Sao Paulo.
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From Sao Paulo, we visited our Ezeiza, Argentina, congregation along with Charles and Carmen Fleming. It was an opportunity to motivate the congregation, strengthen relationships and spend time with Pastor Julio. We have another congregation of about 20 people who need to be visited in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, a 30-minute flight from Buenos Aires. I hope to visit that group with Julio by the end of the year if budget permits.
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Philippines
From National and Missions Director Eugene Guzon:
Volunteer doctors from Medical Surgical Mission Texas perform major surgery for two poor communities of the City of San Fernando and Bacolor, Pampanga.
Maricel Bautista, 34 years old of San Fernando, may have thought that her goiter condition was hopeless. But things changed for the better this week when she was blessed with the chance to undergo a major surgery and treated for free by our surgeon friends from the USA. As she was being discharged from the hospital a couple of days ago, she could not help but say, “Salamat po sa Lord.” [Thanks to the Lord] These words of gratitude were expressed in different ways throughout the week as God expressed his love and provision through the four-day medical, surgical, dental, and spiritual mission in two outlying poor communities in Pampanga province.
Maricel is one of the over 100 surgery beneficiaries and 8,300 patients treated by close to 100 doctors and surgeons and nurses from the United States from January 17-20, 2011. It is amazing to see how God moved through 300 volunteers – doctors, nurses, student nurses, city health workers, army men who provided shuttles, security and dental care, including 30 GCI volunteers who distributed meals and about 100 Bibles and around 500 daily bread devotionals, helped with documentation, purchased medicines, set up tents and provided prayer support and counseling. Each helping hand and compassionate heart made the mission another testimony of God’s grace, teamwork and love at work.
We thank the members for their part in projects like this, which have created new inroads for the church to connect with the community and also to strengthen our ties. We would also like to express our special gratitude to Pastor Audie Santibanez and the members in the Pampanga church for their service, ministry and labor of love during the medical mission.
We are already exploring with city leaders on areas of partnership for holistic ministry in the near future. We also have received many thankful text messages especially from the city and the beneficiaries saying that this made a big difference in their lives.
Coach training
From CAD USA:
Ted Johnston conducted a ministry coach training seminar in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Saturday, January 29. Participants included 25 pastors and ministry leaders from GCI congregations in the upper Mid-West.
A primary goal of Church Administration and Development is to encourage the use of coaching as a tool to equip and multiply pastors, church planters and other congregational leaders. CAD assigns GCI certified coaches to coach first-time employed senior pastors and church planters. Ten of the seminar participants will proceed with advanced training to receive certification.
Several GCI-USA pastors are currently being coached, including Leonard Banks, the senior pastor of Abundant Grace Church in Rochester, New York. Leonard reports that coaching has many benefits, but two stand out: being held accountable and being given motivation. Leonard commented: “After my coach asks what I will do to change, implement, or move forward, I know there is a set time for me to do what I say. There are times when I have plans and ideas but do not have the initiative to push them through. Coaching is that push for me.”
Leonard’s coach, Ken Williams of CAD, said: “Coaching can help people take steps toward fulfilling the work God has given them. The coach serves people by asking good questions, listening for understanding, and walking with them as they make progress. When coaching is at its best, the coach hears a person’s dreams and helps them focus to make those dreams come true.”
If you are interested in receiving coach training, you may contact your district pastoral leader or Ted.Johnston@gci.org. We will let you know when a coach training seminar is coming to your region.
Ministry Equipper
In this month’s Ministry Equipper, Dan Rogers reminds pastors:
Black History Month: February is a time to celebrate African-American culture and important contributions of African-American citizens, past and present. For resources and ideas, go to http://alturl.com/ph2iu.
National Marriage Week: February 7-14 has been designated as a time for churches to focus on strengthening marriages. To learn more, go to http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/. For teaching and preaching resources, go to http://genmin.gci.org/resources.htm (look under family and marriage).
Prayer Requests and Updates
Update from Dennis and Lorraine Pelley:
For the first day in many weeks, Lorraine had no episodes. On Friday we visited another Movement Disorder Specialist and she confirmed that Lorraine has no neurological disease. Saturday and Sunday were free of any episodes, and Lorraine was encouraged to be able to go back to church for the first time since Christmas Eve. Lorraine realizes that she probably has six months of physical rehabilitation ahead, since she has been bedridden for the last ten months, but with the help of their daughter Karen’s physical therapy, she will do the rehab. We are so thankful for the prayers and loving concern that you have shown and praise God for you all.
Please join us in prayer for John Biswas, director of the Bengali Evangelistic Association. John wrote:
After returning from the Bangladesh mission field, I have gone through a lot of health problems, such as colds, pain, high fever, etc. Since mid-December, I have been suffering with illness and was taken to the emergency room a couple of times. I was hospitalized January 18-24 for what doctors think might be a kidney infection. I am now discharged from the hospital but not fully recovered. I continue to see the doctors so they can determine what is wrong with my health. Please pray for my full recovery.
Cards may be sent to: 10690 Elm St Loma Linda, CA 92354-2411
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
By now most New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned as we humans fall predictably back into our old habits and routines. But in our frustration, we can rejoice about one thing: God’s faithfulness to save us and transform us into the image of Christ will never fail. Wherever we fall down, Jesus has succeeded in our place and on our behalf. That’s why we put our trust in him. For us alone, 2011 might be another year of failure and frustration, but for us and Jesus together, it will be a year of joy, blessing and spiritual rest. Praise be to God for his indescribable gift!
Memphis, Tennessee
Frederick Moore, director of our Memphis, Tennessee, congregation’s Souled Out camp, sent this report (photos by Jasmine Broadnax).
This year’s Souled Out camp was held over the New Year’s Day weekend. Many staff members were young adults from the local GCI congregation, with others from Connecticut and Louisiana. To see these young adults step into their calling to lead in the body of Christ was heart-warming.
Forty campers came from nearby and as far away as the Gulf Coast. Nearby campers included seven young men enjoying their first Christian camping experience. One proclaimed excitedly that although he had attended church all his life, this was the first time the messages reached him at a personal level. He’s planning to bring other local teens with him next year.
Jeffrey Broadnax, GCI pastor in Columbus, Ohio, was the Souled Out camp chaplain this year. The theme of his chapel messages was “Souled Out 180 Degrees.” Pastor Broadnax explained God’s unconditional love for all, and our opportunity to live into that by receiving it with an open heart. Great joy is ours when we are “souled out” for the triune God.
Camp activities included basketball, step dance lessons and arts and crafts. A banquet on New Year’s Day was followed by a black attire dance with Christian and popular music led by Anthony Rice, GCI pastor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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GCI Worship Blog
Mike Hale, moderator of GCI’s Trinitarian Worship blog ( http://trinitarianworship.blogspot.com/), reports that the blog has been steadily gaining viewership. There were 1,526 pageviews in December 2010, which was the highest monthly total since the blog was launched in 2009. Half the readers are from within the US, with the other half scattered across the globe. Pastors, worship leaders and all worshipers are invited to take a look at these widely read posts:
Mike says “In one sense, readership is still small, but it is encouraging to see growth, with one more method of coming alongside one another in our journey with Jesus, and helping people share in his ongoing ministry.”
Minnesota Snowblast
From Doug Johannsen:
We held our annual winter Snowblast event January 15-17 at Ironwood Springs Christian ranch, located in southeastern Minnesota just west of Rochester. The weekend event attracted 79 people of all ages with an additional 20 who came just for the Sunday morning worship service. We view this event as a way of reconnecting those who attend the Northern Light summer camp, refreshing existing relationships between church areas as well as identifying and developing potential youth leaders and staff. Although the majority who attend are from GCI congregations, a few friends and family associated with other denominations also participate.
Chapel, dorm chats, snow tubing, Christian living, arts & crafts, making pottery on a pottery wheel, movies and games take up the bulk of the time, with plenty of free time for informal chatting. We even take the time to make a few batches of peanut brittle. By cooling it rapidly outdoors on a snow drift, the brittle is exceptionally “brittle.”
A praise band that recently formed in the Champlin, Minnesota, congregation came, so we had live music instead of CDs.
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Bahamas Mission Trip
Twenty-seven inspired but tired mission volunteers returned December 31 from a five-day Cruise-Mission-Camp in partnership with the Red Cross. The adventure included camping in Ft. Lauderdale, a five-hour cruise from Florida to the Bahamas, and community outreach and Christian mission work in Freeport, Bahamas. For further details see http://www.gci.org/news/11/cruising
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More photos from the mission work and activities:
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Prayer Requests and Updates
From David Fiedler
Thanks to all for your continued prayers and loving concern. After four surgeries, my retina has finally held in place. The last surgery was in August. The doctor has wanted to wait this long for everything to heal and any scarring to settle down. So on February 8 I have a checkup and expect to have surgery the next day to remove the oil from my eye, put in a new lens and peel off some scar tissue from the retina. I trust recovery will be shorter this time as no lasering will be required. There still is a question as to what degree of vision I’ll have after this procedure. Please pray that my full vision will return.
Cards may be sent to: 20389 Strawline Road Bend, OR 97702-2627
From Lorenzo Arroyo
I had external radiation therapy on a daily basis (except weekends) from October 21 through December 22. With that much radiation it left me fatigued and anemic. It felt like the inside of my midsection and back were toast. Still, after my last treatment the doctor said I did so well she does not want to see me for another three months. I thought if she calls this doing well, then, what about others who don’t do so well! The doctor said I would be doing much better after the first month of recovery. Praise the Lord! I am doing much better. The pains and toasted feeling gradually diminished. I have gained strength and stamina. While I’m not 100 percent yet, I should by the end of February.
Cards may be sent to: 4035 Mount Day Ct. Antioch, CA 94531-8279
John Biswas
Bengali Evangelistic Association Director John Biswas has been hospitalized for what doctors think might be a kidney infection. He needs our prayers for a full recovery.
Cards can be sent to: P.O.Box 776 Bryn Mawr, CA. 92318.
Lorraine Pelley
From Dennis and Lorraine: “The results of the recent MRI reveal that Lorraine has disc disease or arthritis from the middle to the bottom of the thoracic spine area. This area is compressed, and the irritation of her spinal cord has caused her to have daily spasm episodes for the last four months. Next she will see a neurosurgeon to determine what treatment may be recommended. Thank you for your continued prayers and loving concern.”
Cards may be sent to: 8056 Old Exchange Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4807
From Bernie Schnippert
I travel to Portland on January 30 for a procedure to treat (i.e. kill) another tumor or tumors in my liver on Monday, the 31st. Unlike last time, which used radioactive beads, this time, for technical reasons, chemically impregnated beads will be used. Although the expectation is still that the tumor(s) will die, a bit more “good liver” is usually sacrificed in this procedure, leading to greater, but temporary, side effects, especially nausea and pain. Consequently I will be hospitalized in Portland for at least one day after the treatment. I have improved greatly since the first treatment, and now, with the help of the treatment, drugs, and your supportive prayers, have much but not all of my energy back, and have a good appetite, little to no nausea, and have gained weight. Inasmuch as these were the focal points of my prayer request, I am grateful to all of you. Please remember me on Monday. I or my wife will update you after the procedure.
Cards may be sent to: 64651 Jan Dr Bend, OR 97701-8824
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Congratulations and welcome to Jason Frantz, our new part-time pastoral intern in Cincinnati West, Ohio, and to Hillary Irusta, our new part time pastoral intern in Greensboro, North Carolina! May God bless you in his service!
New book
A sermon by Dr. Mike Feazell was featured in Inspirations: Volume One, a new book published by Christian Archives. Christian Archives was co-founded by Dallen Wendt, son of long-time Pasadena employees Jim and Jeanette Wendt.
“The collectible book contains more than 20 inspirational sermons, each hand-picked from submissions from pastors and religious leaders world-wide…
“‘We decided to expand the reach of Christian Archives by publishing a collectible book of inspirational messages that can further serve the needs of the Christian community,” [said] Dallen Wendt, co-founder of Christian Archives. “Each message addresses issues that confront Christians on a daily basis and, we hope, provides encouragement to deal with those issues.’”
Australian Floods
Australian National Director John McLean sent this report about the Australian flood disaster:
Parts of Australia have just experienced the worst floods in a century. Seventy-five per cent of the state of Queensland was underwater, an area bigger than the size of France and Germany combined. In a 72-hour period, more than seven billion tons of water fell on the southeast of the state alone, roughly the equivalent of all the water in 15 Sydney Harbors. The state capital of Brisbane, the third largest city in the country, came to a standstill as rising waters inundated the suburbs and central business district.
Many amazing stories abound. An eight-meter wall of water rushed down a valley outside the city, hurling cars, trees, and homes in its path, foaming over bridges and railway lines, leaving death and devastation in its wake. One country town, 700 meters above sea level, experienced an “inland tsunami,” with a massive rush of floodwater from the huge downpour of rain. Many cities, farms and communities were submerged across the state. At least 18 people are dead, and more are missing, with grave fears for their safety.
Our heartfelt thanks to the members of our international family around the world who have contacted us, inquiring after the wellbeing of our members and assuring us of their prayers and concern for all affected by this crisis. While several of our church members have frightening stories of close calls (just missing being washed away in their car), flooded dwellings and workplaces, temporary isolation caused by the floodwaters and impassable roads, and flooded farms and destroyed crops, there has been no loss of life, and considering the scale of the disaster, we are very thankful to God for this. Our national office is in an area not affected by the floods.
For the many people evacuated, the reality of returning home has meant returning to mud everywhere in their homes – covering the kitchen, filling the cupboards, ruining all the furniture and electrical goods, destroying the family photographs. And then there’s the smell – a nauseating, swampy stench that lasts for years, unless the walls and flooring are replaced.
In the midst of the grief, loss and heartache, there are also many encouraging stories. Last weekend, on what has been called “Salvation Saturday” and “Salvation Sunday,” 50,000 volunteers arrived to help clean up in Brisbane. Strangers helped people they had never met; neighbors who had never spoken helped each other clean out their houses. Many of our members joined the volunteers, now affectionately known as the “Mud Army,” helping clean up, remove rubbish, and feed other volunteer helpers.
Times of disaster can bring out the best in many people. Those returning to what’s left of their dwellings need to deal with very real grief, sorrow and anger. Most of them, though, when interviewed standing in the wreckage, smile, cry, smile again, and talk about how life goes on.
In addition to the willingness to help others in need, the constant theme being expressed by those most directly affected has been one of valuing the things that are really important in life – relationships, family, friendships – and the relative unimportance and impermanence of possessions. As one man wrote, “Materially we are briefly impoverished. Spiritually we are enriched – now and forever. In exchange for some trinkets and trash devoured by floodwaters, we have found treasures we had forgotten existed.”
The “treasures” he referred to are relational – friendship, kindness, service, a helping hand. The estimated cost of the flood in Queensland is around $15 billion. As the cleanup continues here, four other states are now experiencing floods of major proportions. Food supplies are severely threatened. The recovery will take a long time, both for individuals, communities and the country. Thanks again for your prayers and expressions of concern as our nation picks up the pieces and goes forward.
Mozambique
Domingos, his wife & one of his three children
Last September, South Africa National Director Tim Maguire visited the group in Mozambique that wants to affiliate with GCI. Their leader, Domingos, had recently died from complications of Malaria. Tim wrote:
Newly established Board in Mozambique.
I had had some urgent requests from the group looking to affiliate with us, saying they felt they had been left orphans since Domingos’ passing and that they need guidance and direction on the way forward. As communicating with them is extremely difficult due to lack of technology and a language barrier (none of them speak English), I felt it prudent to visit them as soon as possible. We crossed into Mozambique and arrived mid-morning on Sunday to a warm welcome at Domingos’ home from the leaders of the group. Before getting into discussions, we visited Domingos’ grave, which was a sobering experience.
Even though we had an interpreter, communication was a slow and tiring process, but the outcome was that Pastor Mariano Binzi was commissioned as the new leader in Mozambique with a board commissioned to assist him. Furthermore, we will pay for three of the leaders to attend English classes and for one of them to attend a class in computer literacy. This will make our association and communication much easier as we move forward.
Prayer Requests and Updates
Pastor Thomas Masela
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pastor Thomas Masela of our Umtata church. Pastor Masela is survived by wife Constance, sons, daughters and grandchildren. He was 78 years old and served as pastor in Umtata for more than 20 years.
Cards of condolence can be sent to: Constance Masela 70 John Beer Drive Northcrest Umtata 5100 South Africa
Andrew McArther
Andrew McArthur, co-pastors of our Hillsdale, New Jersey congregation is suffering from brain cancer. Please remember him and his family at this very difficult time.
Cards may be sent to: PO Box 22 Garfield, NJ 07026-0022
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Next month the 2011 GCI regional conference series opens in Ontario, California. This year’s conference, On Mission with God, will focus on how we are included in God’s work of reconciling humanity to himself through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I will present the opening message Friday evening at each conference. Mike Feazell and Dan Rogers will also speak during our general sessions as they detail the mission of the church. In addition, Dr. Steve Elliott, President of Church Assistance Ministry and longtime pastoral trainer and coach with the Evangelical Free Church of America, will join us at each conference for a general session and a breakout session. This year’s breakout discussions will follow three primary tracks. Conference attendees will be able to follow entire tracks or pick and choose from the various topics.
Registration is now open for the Southwest and Northwest sites and conference details for California are on our web site: <http://2011ca.gci.org/>. Conference dates are listed in the table below. We look forward to seeing you at the conference in your region.
Feb 25-27 Ontario, CA
Mar 25-27 Vancouver, WA
Apr 8-10 Chicago, IL
May 20-22 Parsippany, NJ
Jun 24-26 Lexington, KY
Jul 22-24 Dallas, TX
Aug 5-7 Orlando, FL
Sep 23-25 Denver, CO
We look forward to meeting with our pastors and members across the country during the conferences this year.
GenMin Facebook Group Page
You might have already noticed the new GenMin page on Facebook. The idea behind the site is to bring together GenMin folks – directors, volunteer staff, campers, Journey With the Master attendees, youth ministry leaders in local churches, pastors, grandparents and anyone who would have an interest in GenMin. The site is mainly devoted to video content that teaches, inspires, informs and encourages. If you haven’t already, please join the community by clicking here. Help us get the word out by inviting all those in your local network to join this online community.
Colorado Springs and Arvada, Colorado
Our Colorado Springs and Arvada, Colorado, churches, pastored by Mark McCulley, distributed gift bags to a Colorado Springs women’s shelter, residents of assisted-living homes in Arvada, and to homeless families at a local Arvada facility. The homeless families included refugees from the Karen tribe in Burma. Some of the Karen teens sang Christmas carols to the church members, then joined in singing to the residents as the gift bags were distributed. Both congregations plan to expand their caring partnership with these facilities.
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Stoystown, Pennsylvania
At a special service on December 5, our Stoystown, Pennsylvania, church honored long-time pastor, Forrest Walker, and his wife, Mary Lou, for their more than 40 years of dedicated service to the members of the church.
The worship service was led by Sharon Metz, and Deanna Pfister led the service, during which the church praised God with many of the Walkers’ favorite songs. District Pastor John Dobritch gave the sermon.
After the regular church service, Pastor Dobritch presented Pastor Forrest and Mary Lou with a letter from GCI President Joseph Tkach, which expressed heartfelt appreciation for their years of service. It was a moving experience for the Walkers and the entire congregation.
The church also gave Pastor Walker a beautiful plaque, inscribed with a message of thanks for his faithful, fruitful, and fervent service to the New Hope Community Church. Flowers and a card were presented to Mary Lou along with a card from the children.
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After the presentations all the congregation was asked to come forward and lay hands on Pastor Bruce Metz and his wife Sharon as District Pastor Dobritch asked God’s blessing and direction for them to lead and guide the congregation as Bruce now becomes Senior Pastor of the Stoystown congregation.
West Harlem, New York
Our Manhattan Community Church reached out on December 18 to the community nearby their place of meeting with a Christmas service and lunch. More than 100 guests attended a special Christmas worship service with lots of music and a sermon from senior pastor Allan Barr. The service was followed by a Christmas-themed lunch. Throughout the day, members spent time in the community, distributing toys, serving coffee and doughnuts and offering prayer. They also read Christmas books (in English and Spanish) to neighborhood children. Each guest was given a welcome package (in English and Spanish), with a welcome letter from Pastor Barr and a summary of MCC’s core beliefs and ministries. All were invited to MCC’s worship service on Christmas Day.
The West Harlem community of New York City where MCC meets is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual neighborhood of over 100,000. More than 40 percent of its residents are Hispanic and more than a third are foreign born. Thus, the community provides many opportunities and challenges for outreach and evangelism. MCC has embraced its mission to participate in what Jesus is doing in the community by building genuine relationships. MCC realizes that Jesus is already, in the Spirit, working in the lives of those in the community; they see their calling as helping those people discover the story of God being actively carried out in their own story and together discovering the true heart of the Lord.
MCC has sponsored several community outreaches in the last few years. It has developed a “Gateway Ministry” to welcome and follow up with guests. The objective of Gateway is to help MCC live up to its motto as “A Place Called Home.” These outreaches have featured the distribution of food bags, school supplies and books. Under the leadership of Pastor Barr, MCC is making a conscious effort to make its outreach more relevant to the needs and rhythms of the West Harlem community while boldly proclaiming the gospel. In several collaborative brainstorming sessions, the congregation has taken what has been learned from past efforts and redefined its vision and action plan for community outreach. MCC plans more and varied outreach events in the coming year.
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Prayer Requests and Updates
Dennis Lawrence
Canadian National Director Gary Moore reported: “I had a call from Dennis Lawrence this week, and later talked to Lynn. Things are not as optimistic as we had all hoped, and we all need to rally behind the Lawrences in prayer…” Here is an update from Lynn:
At the beginning there were lots of options to try to help Dennis heal. We are down to only a few. The next few weeks will be critical both to establish whether the last chemo had the effect necessary, as well as to determine what other things are available to use. The doctor warned us that since the current options are so few, it was time to make sure our “affairs are in order.” This moved the situation from annoying and a little frustrating, to scary. I know you are joining together to pray that God will heal Dennis. We ask you to continue this. I will keep you up-to-date as things progress. He is in the Royal Victoria hospital and able to receive phone calls and visits.
Cards may be sent to: 211 De L’ile Blvd Pincourt, PQ J7V 3R6 CANADA
Gerald Schnarrenberger
Gerald Schnarrenber had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday. In case you haven’t had an update here is what Connie said today. Gerald requested a spinal for anesthesia. It turned out that the anesthesiologist is a pilot so he and Gerald carried on a conversation about flying during the surgery. His lower body was draped so Gerald couldn’t see what they were doing but the occasional sound of electric saw and hammer meeting metal was a bit of a turnoff to say the least. Connie said the surgery was a success and Gerald will be out of the hospital this Friday if all continues as planned.
Cards may be sent to: Kootenall County Medical Center 2003 Kootenai Health Way Coeur D Alene, ID 83814-6051 (208) 666-3000
Bernie Schnippert
You might recall from past updates that I had a cancer treatment therapy about three or four weeks ago during which time radiologists attempted to kill one of the larger cancer tumors in my liver with radioactive beads. I am pleased to report that the immediate aftereffects — nausea and even more weakness — were less severe than feared. Furthermore, the procedure was a technical success in that the procedure went as hoped. Now, after nearly a month of recovery, I am happy to report it appears the therapy is working well. Exactly how well it will work is not known, but I have regained my ability to eat (thanks for the prayers regarding the nausea), gained weight, and gained strength. I am not 100 percent back to normal yet — maybe more like 80 percent — and not sure whether I will get all my strength back with only one therapy or whether I must wait for the next one. The next therapy is scheduled for January 31. It is different in that the doctors will kill the tumor, this time in the left liver lobe, with “Drug Eluding Beads,” not radioactive beads. This is for technical reasons, mostly due to the location of the tumor. Side effects will be worse, they say, and I will be hospitalized at least overnight. However, the procedure should kill or greatly weaken the tumor. (I have dozens of tumors, we are dealing only with the largest ones).
In summary, due to some hard work with the doctors and your prayers, I have made significant progress and might be on the road to good day-to-day health (the cancer is not curable, though). I will update everyone after the next therapy. In the meanwhile, I continue to handle some legal matters, and defer others as I need to put my health first. If you need my help but cannot get it, always contact Evelyn Dailey on email or phone. She will help you get the help you need.
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Tammy and I really enjoyed the wonderful words of prayer and encouragement in the many Christmas cards we received this year. I was also surprised that so many seem to have discovered my December birth date and sent delightful birthday cards. Each card reminded me how thankful I am for all of our elders and members and their families around the world. We are blessed to be serving God together in the joy and freedom of the gospel of peace. Whatever happens, the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is forever with us, making us one in Christ and giving us hope and courage to face every trial and obstacle on our journey to the day we will see him as he is. Never give up in doing your good work in Christ, because your work in Christ is never in vain.
Mike Feazell interviewed Rod Koop, national director of church multiplication ministries for Foursquare Church. This interview is now posted on our IT LOOKS LIKE THIS website. Go to http://gci-usa.blogspot.com/ and click on the “multiplying” tab. Other additions have been made to the website, which features the missional activity of our churches in the U.S. Check it out!
Computer Security (from the IT department)
Pastor Richard Kissel of our Smithsburg, Maryland, church provided some especially helpful computer security information. While the information is geared toward small business, many of the principles are solid advice for anyone running a computer. The information is now available on our Church Technology blog. It is worth taking the time to read, and might just save you from getting a virus infection or losing important information on your computer. Here is a link: http://churchtech.gci.org/2011/01/computer-security-fundamentals/
Crossing Borders
Elder Lee Berger of our Longview, Texas, congregation sent this report about the recent Crossing Borders weekend trip to Mexico.
Our recent weekend trip to Mexico was a wonderful opportunity for us to reconnect with the people we work with during our weeklong summer mission trip. We gave away many hand-made baby blankets and quilts, boxes and bags full of good used clothes, other miscellaneous items, and more than 400 shoeboxes crammed full of good stuff for kids. We played with the kids, sang Christmas carols in both languages, talked about the meaning of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, provided a meal (including many dozen home-made cookies made by my mom), and shared personal time with the kids and families in three locations in one long day. We pray that lives were affected in positive ways as we shared the love of the Father, Son and Spirit to God’s lovely children across the border.
We’re already planning our next weeklong summer trip to Mexico. Anyone from age 15 to 99 is invited to come along. Details can be found at www.cbmission.org or by calling director Lee Berger at 903-746-4463.
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Herman L. Hoeh Community Center Dedicated
Bengali Evangelistic Association Director John Biswas and South and Western Asia Missions Director Rod Matthews recently visited the villages in Bangladesh where our members and churches are located and reviewed the progress made at the various BEA projects. During the visit they officially dedicated the Herman L. Hoeh Community Center, which has already been in daily use for some time. Long time church member David Foote represented Pastor Rand Holm’s Port Heuneme and Chatsworth, California, churches, which donated the bulk of funds for the Center. Because of its reinforced cement construction the Center has already doubled as disaster shelter during cyclones and flooding.
The visit to the outlying church groups was a great encouragement for our gospel workers and members there. Our people in such areas feel isolated from other Christians, and such visits give them a spiritual boost that strengthens their resolve to carry on with the difficult gospel work in a Muslim nation.
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Melbourne, Australia Matt Gudze, of our Mooroolbark congregation in Melbourne, Australia, was ordained as an elder in November, 2010.
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Left: Ordination of Matt Gudze Right: Senior Pastor Randall Bourchier, Matt and Sandra Gudze, John McLean after ordination service
Prayer Requests and Updates
Monte and Kayte Wolverton asked for prayer for Kayte as she faces cancer again. Kayte wrote:
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, 2010, while still in California, two days before I was scheduled for a hip replacement surgery. Because I needed time to heal from surgery, treatment was delayed until after we moved to Washington State in September. I finished my successful breast cancer treatment December 1. Then, the week before Christmas, I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. This round of chemo treatments will last approximately 12 weeks. Then any needed surgery will be done, and then another round of chemo, so the complete treatment will take several months. My oncologist has said my cancer is treatable, and our hope is that it will be curable.”
Cards may be sent to: The Wolvertons 18907 NE Cole Witter Road Battle Ground, WA 98604
Dennis and Lorraine Pelly request your continued prayers for Lorraine. Her endocrinologist has referred her to a neurologist who is a movement disorder specialist to determine the cause of her seizures. Lorraine wrote: “It’s been quite a journey and we don’t know what lies ahead, but we do know God is with me and that I’m blessed with friends like you praying for me.”
Cards may be sent to: 8056 Old Exchange Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4807
Retired Pastor Les McColm died peacefully on January 2, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Penny, and his two adult children, Tim and Sandy. Les was a good friend to all and an energetic pastor who served the church for many years. He was originally hired in 1960 in Portland, Oregon, and served there until he was transferred in 1961 to Pasadena, California, for classwork at Ambassador College. Over the years Pastor McColm served congregations in South Bend, Indiana; Springfield, Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri; Topeka, Kansas; and Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Long Beach and Fresno, California. He was born in 1926 and died at the age of 84. Funeral services will be held January 22.
Cards may be sent to: Mrs. Penny Mccolm 1867 Mitchell Ave Clovis, CA 93611-3130
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
May God grant you a blessed and merry Christmas as you celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God!
Grace Communion International administrative offices will be closed December 24 – January 2. Due to our closure, there will be no email update next week, December 29. The next update will be on January 5.
Offices will officially reopen at 8:00 a.m. PST on Monday, January 3, 2011.
Mike Feazell recently came up with a Christian “pledge of allegiance.” I thought it was a pretty good summary of our mission together in the world. He wrote:
We pledge allegiance to our Savior, the Incarnate Son of God. And to his Church, which bears his name, One Body, in Christ, sharing his love and hope with all.
Summer 2011 mission trips
Bahamas
A mission trip to the Bahamas is planned for July 15-30, 2011. We will be helping the local GCI congregation to run a 2-week day camp for Bahamian and Haitian children. Many of the Haitians have left their country hoping to better their lives. They now live illegally in shantytowns on the outskirts of Nassau. To read more about this mission trip go to <http://gctrips.org/BAHAMASTRIP.aspx>.
If interested please contact Janet Morrison at gctrips@gci.org by December 31, 2010.
Zambia
A mission trip to Zambia and Malawi (in Africa) is planned for August 4-20, 2011. We will be running Vacation Bible Schools with six GCI congregations, including a refugee camp in Malawi where refugees have come from the war-torn zone of DRC Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia. For more details about this trip go to <http://gctrips.org/ZAMBIA.aspx>.
If interested please contact Janet Morrison at gctrips@gci.org by December 31, 2010.
Prayer requests and updates:
From Bernie Schnippert
In my last update I stated that I was having severe fatigue and nausea from my carcinoid cancer and was only slightly ambulatory, able to walk only very short distances basically within or around my house, and that I had a great deal of nausea. I also said that I was to have a procedure on December 17 whereby the doctors would inject radioactive beads, (called “Sir Spheres”) into one of the largest tumors in an effort to kill it. I am happy to say that in spite of some worrisome blood test results I was able to go through the procedure. From a technical perspective, it was quite successful in that they effectively injected the radioactive spheres, mostly into one large tumor in the right lobe of my liver. I am happy to report that I did not suffer a complete collapse of strength after the therapy like I feared may occur, and like had occurred after some tests before the therapy, but of course I am having a dip. They have told me that I “will feel worse before I feel better” after the procedure though, and, it is true that I am still as or even more fatigued, and even more nauseated. I am able to eat very little real food and get most of my calories from protein shakes, which, unfortunately, also do not sit well. The plan is for me to go back to hospital in four to six weeks so they can treat the main tumor or tumors in the left lobe of my liver. The hope, and my prayer, is that in the interim I not only recover from the sphere injection (i.e. from feeling worse before I feel better), but also that I begin to experience relief from the cancer symptoms — extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea — that led to the need for the therapies in the first place. Also, I need to be strong for the second injection since it is an injection of drug eluding beads, not radiation, and it creates greater short term side effects, like pain, fatigue, and nausea. In summary: The therapy went well, but I am in the process of recovery which can take weeks, and I hope I not only recover but regain much of my normal strength because one tumor is now killed. I have about four to six weeks before the next round of therapy, and need to be ready for it when it comes. Thank you very much for all your prayers and cards. They are very much appreciated.
Cards may be sent to: 64651 Jan Drive Bend, OR 97701-8824
Ehlen Family
The father of Jan Ehlen, wife of Hillsboro, Missouri pastor Bob Ehlen, passed away December 12. He lived a full life and the family appreciates our prayers.
Cards may be sent to: 12893 Morgans Meadow Rd de Soto, MO 63020-6410
Andrew McArthur
Please join us in prayer for Pastor Andrew McArthur of our Hillsdale, New Jersey, congregation, and his family. Andrew is in the Hackensack Medical Center suffering from symptoms of a tumor on his brain.
Cards can be sent to: Andrew McArthur PO Box 22 Garfield, NJ 07026-0022
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Our scattered members in Christchurch are all safe following the catastrophic midday earthquake on 22 February. While one member’s home is largely inaccessible due to rock falls from the cliff face behind it, the others have had power and water restored to their houses, a real blessing in a city where one-third of the homes are still without running water or sewage service.
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Please join us in prayer for Lynne Pahl, co-pastor of the Wausau, WI church, whose husband, Terry Pahl passed away February 25. Terry choked on a piece of steak lodged in his throat while at a dinner party on February 22. The Heimlich maneuver and CPR were performed and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance, but he had been without oxygen too long and never regained consciousness. On February 25 the respirator was removed and Terry died within two hours. Just after her husband died, Lynne received notification that her job was being terminated in July.
