April 29, 2009
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP) held its 50th General Assembly April 22-26, 2009, in Mactan Island, Cebu. The theme was “Living in God’s Holiness.” Dr. Gary Benedict, president of the U.S C&MA, was the devotional speaker. Other speakers included Dr. Ben De Jesus, former president of the Alliance World Fellowship; Dr. Rodrigo Tano; former president of CAMACOP and the Alliance Biblical Seminary; Dr. Joe Dalino, former president of CAMACOP, and Dr. Joy Tira, representing the Canada C&MA and Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization.
Slow Beginnings
The first Alliance missionaries arrived in the Philippines in 1902. Progress was slow; after 20 years, there were less than 500 baptized believers and three churches. Pioneer missionary Robert A. Jaffray was sent to the Philippines to determine if the field should be closed. When he arrived, Jaffray didn’t see struggling churches without growth; he saw what God could do.
“I believe that the Philippine field can be the largest field of The Alliance,” Jaffray said. He also said that the churches would never grow without a school to train pastors. To that end, the Ebenezer Bible Institute was started as a center for training Filipino Christian leaders.
A Vibrant Fellowship
Today, CAMACOP is a vibrant, autonomous, missionary-sending church. It is one of the largest evangelical groups in the country with more than 2,400 churches and 392,000-plus inclusive members. At the recent General Assembly, registered delegates totaled 1,154. Rev. Reniel Joel Nebab was reelected to a second term as president/bishop of CAMACOP. A ground-breaking moment included CAMACOP’s approval of the ordination of women.
What You Can Do
Praise God for the growth of CAMACOP. Pray that these churches will continue to be beacons of light to a world that needs Jesus.
April 27, 2009
Following two world wars that ravaged the continent during the first half of the 20th century, Europeans seemingly suffered a severe erosion of faith. While for hundreds of years Protestants and Catholics marked this part of the world with religious fervor, it appeared that this “post-war” continent had become “post-Christian” as well.
During these years The Alliance focused largely on continents that seemed to be more open to the good news. Yet God was working in Europe in His own way.
In the aftermath of World War II, Dutch Christians sent missionaries to serve with The Alliance on the African continent and in Indonesia. Because of this partnership, Alliance churches were established in the Netherlands in the 1950s.
In 1962, The Alliance began work in France as a ministry to refugees fleeing war-torn Southeast Asia. Yet the need among the French themselves soon became apparent, and outreach began there as well.
Gradually, efforts were expanded to Spain, Great Britain, and Germany. In more recent years The Alliance moved into Eastern Europe and partners with existing evangelical churches in Russia and the Balkans.
Our workers and church leaders have adopted a relational approach to reach Europe’s post-Christian, postmodern population. Today, a number of innovative outreaches in the region include marriage enrichment seminars, ESL classes, coffeehouse ministries, small groups, and musical programs. This model also extends to our current work in the Middle East.
One of the first countries to which The Alliance sent overseas missionaries was in the Middle East in 1890. And in 1994 portions of the Middle East were added to the Europe/Middle East administrative region of the C&MA.
The sacrifices of those early missionaries in the last century are today bearing much fruit across the aptly named Fertile Crescent. Innovative endeavors in the Middle East focus on relational outreach and now include community centers where activities and services to the community include sporting and arts events, small groups, job-skills training, and English classes.
As relationships develop through these opportunities, the Light shines from Alliance workers. It is at this point that the Source of peace and joy can be shared.
Since our humble beginnings in the Middle East and our tentative steps into Europe some 50 years later, 154 Alliance national churches are now established across the vast E/ME region. These fellowships have an inclusive membership of nearly 20,000 believers.
April 22, 2009
By David Thompson, MD, serving in Gabon
Editor’s note: David Thompson is a missionary surgeon who has served at Bongolo Hospital for the past 31 years. His wife, Becki, an RN, directs the nursing school. Following are excerpts from the couple’s inspiring April 2009 newsletter.
Psalm 27:14 (NLT) says, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Have you ever waited for God? That’s what Becki and I have been doing for much of our missionary careers-waiting for him to help us: not in discouragement, but in anticipation!
We’re also waiting for Jesus our King to return and take His rightful place as the undisputed ruler of this world. But until we finish the job He has called us to complete, He will wait for us.
The High Price of Impatience
Last Sunday night, a beautiful 19-year-old girl lost her chance to have children. She did not wait until she had a husband who would love her and love her child. When she missed her period, she paid some woman to push a stick into her uterus to kill her baby.
The problem was that her pregnancy was not where it was supposed to be, but in her fallopian tube. The stick perforated her uterus and unleashed a terrible infection. Three days later she came to Bongolo Hospital, and when we took her to surgery and opened her abdomen, we found a gangrenous uterus.
Following surgery and removal of her uterus, the young woman’s heart was broken, her mother was furious, and the two women exchanged harsh words.
Jesus, the Great Physician
But later, both women came to Jesus. Their tears stopped, and within a few days they forgave each other. This morning they sat next to each other on the bed holding hands and smiling!
Because Jesus waits for the brokenhearted and the sick, many seek and find Him. Since the beginning of this year at Bongolo Hospital:
- 270 people have found Jesus
- Many more have been healed, and
- Nearly 50 have been delivered from evil spirits.
How Long Must the Lost Wait?
Last month 30 overseas Alliance workers were cut from the Alliance payroll because of a lack of funds. America’s failing economy has precipitated a shortfall in giving to the Great Commission Fund that is impacting the world.
I can think of six or seven countries in Africa where less than 1 out of every 20 to 30,000 persons has heard the gospel, and where openly telling another person about Jesus Christ is against the law. When will their day come to hear? How long must they wait? Who will tell them? Who will spend the money to send them messengers?
God’s Promise to “Waiters”
I (Dave) am part of a Task Force from the Africa Region whose objective is to wait on God until He shows us how to reach the least-reached nations on the continent with the good news. Is this sheer fantasy?
Are we losing our minds to think that a tiny band of God’s people who already have too much to do and no money could dream of breaching the high walls that have defied the Church for centuries? Shouldn’t we wait until the economic crisis is over?
God’s reply is found in Isaiah 64:4 (NLT): ”For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him.”
Learn More
Check out “The Rule of Faith” [pdf] a preview of Dr. Thompson’s newest book, “The Truest Mercy,” in the April 2009 issue of alife.
Watch “Against All Odds,” a 2007 video in which Thompson talks about the ravages of AIDS and how The Alliance is offering hope to the hurting.
What You Can Do
Praise God for the teenager and her mom who gave their hearts to the Lord recently. Praise Him as well for the hundreds who have found Jesus, the many who have received healing, and the scores who have been delivered from evil spirits at Bongolo Hospital since the beginning of 2009!
Ask God to release His strategy to our Alliance team in Africa for sharing the good news in the continent’s least-reached nations. Petition the Lord for a release of funding and new workers to extend His Kingdom across Africa and the world.
April 21, 2009
A fire demolished a wall and part of the ceiling at Dalat International School in Malaysia, causing water and soot damage that essentially destroyed the classrooms. During his rounds the morning of April 18, a security guard noticed smoke coming from the roof. The fire department responded quickly, and all students and faculty are safe. However, all textbooks, computers, furnishings, student work, and personal effects in the classrooms were ruined.
Investigators believe that an outlet shorted and sparked the fire, possibly the result of a rodent chewing on the wires inside the wall. Insurance adjusters have begun work on determining an estimate for replacing the damaged contents and structure, and a contractor has submitted a quote for rebuilding the classrooms. “It will take approximately four weeks complete the work so that the classrooms can be used again,” said Karl Steinkamp, the school’s director, in a letter to parents.
Steinkamp expressed gratitude for God’s protection and commended Dalat staff members for their professional and Christlike response to the crisis. He also thanked students and parents who gave up free time to help in the clean-up effort. “Dalat is a community, and it showed today in a way that makes me proud,” he wrote. “Please keep those most directly affected by [the fire] in your prayers in the coming weeks.”
What You Can Do
Praise God that the entire building was not destroyed and that the learning resource/special services and guidance areas were left untouched. Also, praise the Lord for sparing the student dormitories. Thank Him that this happened when no students or staff members were put in harm’s way.
Pray for God’s mighty provision in replacing lost and damaged items as well as His comfort and peace.
April 16, 2009
A year ago, churches around the world joined together to participate in the fourth annual International Day of Prayer for the Isaan people of northeast Thailand. C&MA missionaries who serve among this unreached group challenged the Alliance family with the thought “What if His people prayed?”
Because You Prayed
“We are excited to report that many lives have been transformed because you prayed!” says Kathy Sappia, who serves with TEAM Isaan, an Alliance church-planting initiative in northeast Thailand. At least 62 people have received Jesus through the efforts of Alliance missionaries who minister in three Isaan prisons. Several churches are meeting in the prisons, and inmates who received Christ have been sharing Him in their home villages upon their release.
“We hope you will join us for the fifth annual observance of the International Day of Prayer for the Isaan people on April 19, 2009,” says Kathy. For more information, visit www.isaan.org.
Despite the worldwide economic downturn, church giving recently has doubled-and even tripled-in some Khmer Evangelical churches in Cambodia (The Khmer Evangelical Church is the C&MA national church in that country).
”In light of the present financial crisis, the church families here were strongly convicted by the message of giving that has been preached in the churches,” says Alliance missionary Soeuth Lao, who serves in the border city of Poipet. “Although the actual number appears small (according to the local standard of living), the amount of giving received has been tripled in Santepheap Church and doubled in the Poipet Church.”
The increase in giving is especially significant considering the extreme poverty in Cambodia. “Cambodia is set to be the country hardest hit this year by the global economic crisis in the Asia Pacific region,” the World Bank stated on April 7, 2009.*
“We are encouraged by the tremendous response of God’s people and will continue to trust our Him to meet all our needs,” says Soeuth.
What You Can Do
Praise God for the sacrificial giving of His people in Cambodia. Pray that He will supply their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
*reported in the Phnom Penh Post
April 13, 2009
Alliance missionaries are safe after a state of emergency was declared in Bangkok and surrounding provinces following anti-government protests. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva narrowly escaped injury when his car was attacked. A government building was set ablaze, and hundreds of protestors took to the streets.
According to Times Online, Thai soldiers in full combat kit used tear gas and fired automatic weapons to clear the red-shirted protesters from a major intersection near the Victory Monument in central Bangkok. At least 70 people were hurt.
The protesters support the ousted former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. They are demanding the dissolution of the current government and new elections.
Pray that God will protect the Thai church during this political unrest and for wisdom for His people in these uncertain times.
April 7, 2009
Editor’s note: The following testimony of healing comes from Dan Kidd, a member of Glenview Alliance Church in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. Dan, 46, had a stroke five years ago that took away his speech function. But all that changed recently when God miraculously intervened with His divine touch.
Five years ago, I suffered a stroke and lost my ability to speak, forcing me to communicate with a dry-erase board. Sunday, March 29, marked almost five years of praying for God’s divine healing in my life. As the youth worship band sang “How Great is Our God,” I struggled to think through the words in my head. Suddenly, I felt a “presence” or wave flow through me. I starting mouthing the words, then verbalizing them, and sound was coming out of my mouth. The first words I audibly sang were “How Great is Our God.” I began crying and walked outside, knowing my speech was returning at that very moment.
Some family and friends followed me out and asked what was wrong. I told them on my dry erase board that something just happened during the service, and my speech was coming back. I asked them to sing something-I wanted to see if I could follow along. With each song they sang, my words became clearer. I knew at that moment God had healed me.
We went back inside the church, and during the closing song, I walked up to the front and asked the pastor if I could say something from the pulpit. I said, “Hi, this is Dan. I am back.” I shared with everyone what had just happened and thanked them for praying for me for so long. As I told them that this is truly a miracle, I held up my dry erase board and said, “One more thing.” Then I broke the board in half.
Since then, I have been to three doctors, including a neurosurgeon, all of whom said that my healing is a true miracle. They have never seen anything like this before.
Many times I cried to the Lord, vowing that if He ever returned my speech, I would tell everyone and give Him the glory. I thank all who prayed and never gave up on me, and I give praise to God for what He has done. How great is our God!
Read more stories of divine healing in the February 2009 issue of alife. Also, look for “God’s Healing Arsenal” by Paul King, to be published in the July issue of alife.
April 1, 2009
By Diane Rorabaugh, serving in Russia
I’d like to tell you about Sveta. I’ve been putting off writing about her, since I’m afraid that before long she’ll be saying goodbye.
Sveta has cancer. She suffers constant pain and is pretty much bedridden. Moreover, she lives with eight family members in a tiny house that is not insulated from the bitter Russian winter. The house has no indoor plumbing, and the family shares a community outhouse with neighbors. Water is retrieved from a pump on the street.
A Dose of Hope
Despite her dire circumstances, Sveta had a miraculous encounter recently that has given her some reason to hope.
When I visited my friend Natasha in January, we went to see Sveta. (Natasha and her husband lead our compassion ministry here to families and children in need.) We wanted to ask this mother of young children, who looks like she could be their grandmother, how we could help her.
Sveta had other plans for our visit.
A Painful Goodbye
All Sveta wanted to do was tell me about her recent experience when she was declared clinically dead during surgery. She recalled “going up through clouds and into the presence of Someone.”
She had never believed in God, but she knew immediately that Someone could be no one other than God. She said there was light “shining from His eyes.” When He took her by the hand, she felt peace.
At some point during her experience, she realized she would have to say goodbye and return to the world, to her family. She also remembered asking God’s forgiveness for her wish before surgery: she had been in so much pain that she had just wanted to die.
Hunger to Know More
Since then, Sveta has told her story to everyone who will listen. More than anything, she says, she wants to learn more about this God she met and to get to know Him.
After our visit, Natasha and I talked. We realized that God had spoken the same thing to both of our hearts: we were to show Sveta God’s love the best way we could, by caring for some of her needs.
So, the next day we went to the market and bought some blankets, warm socks, and a new robe. We walked a few blocks from the market to her house, carrying our treasures through a small footpath in the snow. We felt like Grandfather Frost, Russia’s Santa Claus, and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden.
We surprised Sveta with the presents. She cried and kissed us. We put the new robe and pair of socks on her and covered her with one of the blankets. Whenever we were within her reach, she kissed our hands and the tops of our heads.
It was so humbling to receive such thanks for such a small effort on our part.
Taking Hope
Sveta can’t leave her house to attend church and find out more about God. So Natasha continues to visit her, answers her questions as best she can, and gives her books to read about the Someone she met.
I plan to visit Sveta this month. I’ll probably take her more gifts—items to make her life more bearable—to show her God’s love in a tangible way.
What I’d really like to take her is more hope in the God whom she got a glimpse of during her near-death experience. Hope in the Someone Who took her hand and gave her a peace that she’d never before known.
A New Body
I want her to know a hope that tells her that, even though her life on earth has been one of suffering and much disappointment, she will be healed one day. She will have a new, perfect body without pain. She will have a life she never dreamed was possible.
When she leaves again, it will be hard for her friends and family to say goodbye. Yet Sveta will get to see face-to-face the God who took her by the hand and said, “Let’s get to know each other.” She’ll know then that she’ll never again have to say goodbye.
Learn More
Watch a video of Diane describing other families’ lives changed through compassion ministries our Alliance workers in Russia support.
Check out additional Alliance outreach efforts in Russia.
What You Can Do
Pray for Sveta and her family to find complete hope in Jesus.
Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you help to sustain dedicated field workers like those who minister among the Isaan people.
Editor’s note: At Quest Community Church in Lexington, Kentucky, you will see that room is being made for more. From the auditorium and building in Lexington to the new campus in Frankfort, exciting changes are taking place—and ADF is part of it all. Below is one of hundreds of testimonies of a life dramatically changed through the ministry of Quest.
I grew up feeling alone and isolated. At the age of ten, I found some magazines that sparked an addiction that began to rule my life—even at that early age. I went to church, but because of a rumor that was started when I was 12, I was asked to leave. So I decided to be done with God. By high school, to mask the loneliness I felt, I got into a string of relationships and my addictions worsened. My sense of isolation became even more overwhelming, and I turned to alcohol.
I got married in college but my husband didn’t fill the emptiness I felt inside, so I divorced him. As my pain continued, I tried to force people to like me by being overtly sexual. I soon began manipulating them to get what I wanted.
A Dark Journey
By the time I was 20, I entered the world of adult entertainment. I met another man, who was married, and began an affair with him. He eventually left his wife, and we were married. By this time, my addictions had grown to alcohol, pornography, and cocaine. Because of the emptiness in my heart that neither the addictions nor my husband could fill, I turned to other men and began to have a series of affairs. I became pregnant twice and had two abortions so my husband wouldn’t find out.
By the age of 24, I had destroyed my marriage and asked my husband for a divorce. I fled to Mexico City and continued to feed my addictions. All the things I thought would give me comfort didn’t, and I spiraled out of control. After being in Mexico for a year, I found myself early one morning on the side of the road after having been raped and thrown out of a car.
Hope Renewed
That week a friend of mine called and arranged for me to attend a twelve-step program, and I got sober from drugs and alcohol. I’ve been clean for the past 12 ½ years.
With my new sobriety, I tried to become the perfect person, but I believed that God couldn’t love someone like me—that I had gone too far. I had this ache in my heart and didn’t understand what was missing. I thought a change of location could help me, so in 2002 I moved back to Kentucky. A friend asked me to go to church with him, and I thought that was the craziest idea I had ever heard. Finally, he was able to convince me to go because the pastor’s message was going to be about the movie, The Lord of the Rings. I thought, “I want to see how they do this,” so I went.
New Life in Christ
I was surprised. I was used to this idea of hellfire and brimstone, hymns and condemnation, and that if I started going to church I would have to stop wearing makeup and start wearing dresses with little flower prints on them. Instead, I saw people around me that loved each other and cared about getting to know me. As I looked around Quest Community Church, I realized that these people had something I didn’t. They all had a peace and a joy that I had never known.
I asked lots of questions about who this Jesus was, and whether He could really love me despite what I had done. As it turns out, He does. On April 27, 2003, after six months of questioning, I finally got a picture of grace. All I needed to do was to receive Him and His forgiveness and ask Him to lead my life. He made me pure again, and He didn’t stop there. He made me a brand new person. He is restoring and redeeming parts of my life that I had no idea could be healed.
Evil Redeemed
A couple of years into my new life with Jesus, I knew there needed to be a place where other women could find healing from relational and sexual addictions. So I was given the privilege of beginning a ministry at Quest called No Stones. We started our first group at the beginning of 2006. Since then, it has grown to six groups, and nearly 100 women have been released from bondage. I never dreamed that God could redeem my past in such a way that it would help other women find freedom, but He’s really doing it, and I stand amazed!
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