October 21, 2008
“We were so encouraged to see more than 100 people in attendance,” said Larry Burg after visiting the three-year-old Pissy (pronounced PC) church plant, which began with a core group of seven people. “They have had 34 conversions this year and 22 baptisms.”
The church hosts a Compassion International ministry for about 175 neighborhood children, and members of the church have been hired by the organization to follow up with the sponsored children, making sure they receive food, shelter, education, and health care, as well as Christian training.
The popular program has received a good response, even from families of the traditional religion, who are happy to sign their kids up because of the benefits. “The church needs to build a wall around the property in order to better supervise the children, said Burg. “The leader of the church told me that this young group of believers has sacrificially raised hundreds of dollars for this project, which will cost about $6,000.”
If you are interested in helping the Pissy church build the wall, make a gift to the C&MA, marking “Burg work/Pissy” on the check memo line.
October 14, 2008
Northwestern District celebrated another church-planting launch this month. North Star Church in Hibbing, Minnesota launched on October 5, 2008—things went really well! They had 75 in attendance with two adult salvations and two adult rededications. Church-planting Pastor Tim Maki is preaching through 1 John, and his series is called the The God Journey.
“Life is a Journey in which we walk together. This is how we were made. Not to be isolated and alone, but together—experiencing the journey. As the North Star is that constant that has been used for centuries as a guide, Jesus Christ is our spiritual North Star, that constant, that leads us and is with us on the Journey. While following Jesus Christ, we at North Star Church are becoming a spiritual family that will walk together through life. We call this The God Journey and we welcome you to join us.”
Their hope was for 100 people, but as one of their 21-year olds said, “Ya, but we prayed back in April for 70-75 for our critical mass number and God did it.” Their worship team has really come together in the last month, and their Children’s Celebration and Nursery are top notch. Thanks for praying. All glory goes to God!
Northwestern district also celebrated their newest “developed” transition out of church-plant status on September 14, 2008. Under the leadership of Pastor Keith Pugalisi, 36 charter members (pictured above) of New Song Alliance Church took this step. Following the official meeting, more than 130 people congregated for worship and celebration’among the crowd was former Alliance missionary and Crown College faculty, Bill Conley. New Song was birthed by Rev. Randy Junker and the Grand Rapids Alliance Church as part of their vision to be more effective in reaching the 20-somethings of this northern Minnesota community—truly the fruit of a generous “churches planting churches” philosophy.
During a special Children’s Day service at an Alliance church plant in Brazil, several children raised their hands to accept Jesus as Savior. The outreach featured a puppet show, children’s songs, and a story about Amy Carmichael, the late missionary to India who opened an orphanage.
“Our church is a church plant so we don’t have lots of people yet,” said C&MA missionary Diane Renick. “We usually have about 10 children each Sunday, and for this event 23 children came. Several came from the neighborhood where we had handed out 350 invitations.” One mother who came with her son said she loved the service and would return next week.
October 10, 2008
Earlier this week, Berlin International Church (BIC) facilities were robbed during a puzzling daytime theft. A church assistant was working on BIC’s laptop computer on the fourth floor where the congregation meets. The doors were locked, and she left the computer to go to another area for a few minutes. “When she returned, the laptop was missing, along with her wallet and all her money,” said missionary Jerry Kragt. “This robbery is of special concern, since we don’t know how someone gained access to the building. We are thankful to God that [our colleague] was not hurt, as she was completely alone when this happened.” Police are investigating.
“The theft of the laptop is a great loss because all of BIC’s worship songs for projection were installed on it,” said Kragt. “Pray for the Lord’s protection over our facilities here in Berlin. Since December when there were signs of a forced entry, we have been taking extra care to make sure everything is locked and bolted.” In July, one of BIC’s key children’s ministry leaders was praying in an adjoining room and returned to find his wallet stolen from his jacket hanging on a chair. “These incidents are discouraging for those who are committing themselves to serving in the church. Pray that God would graciously protect BIC’s facilities from further thefts and encourage those who have suffered losses while doing the Lord’s work.”
October 8, 2008
Victor, a church planter with the Evangelical and Christian Missionary Union (ECMU), The Alliance’s primary partner in Russia, initiated an outreach to the people of South Ossetia, an area between Russia and Georgia that was at the forefront of a recent violent conflict. Alliance worker Steve Lovell had worked with Victor to help establish the ECMU ministry in Anapa, Russia, near Krasnodar where Lovell serves. “One of the ways I helped him,” said Lovell, “was to hold an English club once a month.”
The outreach to South Ossetia was the brainchild of Victor and his congregation in Anapa, where some of the refugees had fled from the conflict after their homes were damaged or destroyed. “Many of them ended up in Anapa because there are many resorts there with room to house them,” said Lovell. “Victor and the members of his church met some of the physical needs and provided encouragement and counseling when appropriate. They had many opportunities to share the gospel.”
Wanting to impact more people with the love of Christ, Victor traveled more than 600 miles into South Ossetia with his wife, as well as a pastor and an evangelist with the ECMU. The group brought school supplies to the families of the refugees that they had met in Anapa and invited them to an independent church; the ECMU is exploring the possibility of partnering with this existing church to plant other churches. “Many of them came,” Lovell said. “Victor also explored the possibility of helping the young church with further church plants.”
October 7, 2008
Thieves broke into the home of John and Hoiling Chan, C&MA national church partners in Berlin, Germany, the night of October 5. “They took some money, documents, a television, and most importantly their two computers,” said Alliance missionary Calvin Lai. Even the Chans’ updated backup hard drive was taken.
“The police were notified, but we think it may not be easy to retrieve the stolen items,” said Lai. “Please pray that John and Hoiling may have peace in their hearts and find a way to get back their lost data in their computers. Also, pray that Satan’s scheme will not succeed in disrupting their studies and their ministry with a short-term team from New York this week.”
September 19, 2008
When neighbors on Dogwood Court in Winchester, California, decided to come to the opening of Chorus (Alliance) Church, they hardly knew each other. “And they had no idea that God would lead one of them on journey that would involve physical sacrifice,” reflects John Cappelen, Chorus pastor of Connections.
Herb and Susan LaMadrid were a part of that initial group of neighbors that made Chorus their home church. The LaMadrids decided to reach out in love to all the families on Dogwood Court, including Chuck and Peggy Donnelly. The Donnellys responded to an invitation to join a small home group. Chuck suffered from polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder that he was convinced would end his life early. “I just kind of accepted it,” Donnelly said. “This was something God gave me, and I accepted it.” The only thing that would save Donnelly’s life was a kidney transplant.
Although Donnelly had not discussed his medical problems with the group, his wife encouraged him to share a prayer request for a kidney donor with their fellow believers, who unanimously agreed that each would be tested to see if one of them was a match. “When test results showed that Herb was a match,” said Cappelen, “he decided that since he had two good kidneys, he would give Chuck one.”
The Donnellys had been attending Chorus for about two years. The four-year-old church with nearly 300 members is part of a greater Alliance multiplication effort in Temecula Valley. “[The church] just spoke the truth,” Donnelly said. “The love and compassion the congregation has toward each other—I have never felt that.” LaMadrid’s willingness to give Donnelly a kidney took that compassion to a personal level.
“I didn’t look at this as something that would make me a better person or more angelic,” said LaMadrid. “It was something I was called to do. It’s a bond we’ll have for years to come.”
Donnelly returned to Chorus a week after his operation. “I feel like Herb is a part of me,” he said, “When I woke up [from the surgery], I had this need to hear his voice and know that he’s okay.”
“We had people all over the country praying for us,” said Peggy, who also was baptized after her husband’s recovery. “We give all the glory to God, because it is the power of prayer that made this come to pass.”
“Herb’s sacrifice was an inspiration to the entire body at Chorus,” says Cappelen. “It is evidence that if we let God use us in our neighborhoods, we can reach a whole street— and if a street, then the city, the state, the country, and the world. It is the life-giving story of transformation.”
September 17, 2008
A concert produced by members of Word of Grace (WOG) Family Christian Fellowship (C&MA), featuring top Filipino entertainers, will be held September 19 at the 4,000-seat Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, Illinois. Part of the proceeds will be used to support the Great Commission Fund as well as a medical mission planned for the Philippines by WOG in partnership with its daughter churches in that country.
The WOG Youth Drama Ministry will open the concert, dubbed “Duel of the Divas, with an evangelistic skit. Flyers with the gospel message and information about the church will be distributed during the event. The youth will operate a display booth in the lobby and conduct one-on-one evangelism. Also, a prayer booth will be available for guests to fill out prayer request forms or be prayed for at that time if they desire.
Dr. Richard Mirpuri, founder and spiritual director of Word of Grace International Ministries, will address the audience via video at the start of the event to thank those attending and to inform them that a portion of the proceeds will go toward the church’s missions programs. “We are asking our friends and partners in ministry to include the success of the concert in your prayers,” he said. “Also, please be in prayer for the medical mission and evangelistic outreach planned for the Philippines in 2009.”
Mike and Estrellita Duquilla, who produced the concert, are active members and leaders of WOG, located in Chicago. Mike is president of the C&MA Men’s Ministry while Estrellita, the church’s missions coordinator, is vice president of Alliance Women. Their children also are involved in ministry. Their eldest son, DM, is training for the Chicago Marathon in October and will represent Word of Grace. “Any amount he is able to raise while [participating] will be given to the Great Commission Fund of the C&MA,” said Mirpuri.
September 15, 2008
Hurricane Ike may have devastated the Texas landscape but not Alliance family members who rode out the storm. The following is a report from Mark Searing, Southwestern district superintendent.
I was able to speak with most of the pastors in the Houston area and in Louisiana. The following reports are initial reports and may change as people are able to venture out to survey the damage more closely. I will update this throughout the day as I get reports.
Curtis Pace in Centerville, Louisiana, reports the levees broke overnight and flooding is occurring. They received quite a large storm surge there on Friday night in advance of the storm. Even so, his home and the church are undamaged.
Elder Fred Stark from Sulphur, Louisiana, reports flooding in low lying areas. He also left a message stating that several families had stayed at the church Friday night, since it is on higher ground and everything seems to be well there.
Jim Black in Baytown reports his home has shingles missing and some superficial damage but nothing major. He has not been able to get to the church yet but will report in when he does.
Charles Smith and David Seckinger, Houston Multiplications Center and Parkway Fellowship, report slight damage to shingles but no major damage to their homes. They do not have electricity. Charles has not been able to get to Parkway yet but will let us know when he does.
Laurie Chernosky, wife of the Central Spanish District pastor in Pasadena, Texas, reports that all is well with them but they have not been able to get to the church.
Pastor Di, Vietnamese First Alliance Church in Houston, reports he is fine as well as his congregation. He has not been able to get to the church yet.
We have not yet been in touch with Pastor Liang of Trinity Fellowship but I will continue to attempt to reach him. We will update all information as it is received.
Our Office Manager’s brother lives in Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula. He was able to get out before the storm surge hit but many people were caught and had to stay. There were reports late last night of people in their homes (on stilts) with waist high water in the second floor. This indicates water in excess of 20 feet deep. Pray for this community as the potential devastation is great.
Chaplain Paul Northcutt and his emergency service van/ATV and supply trailer will be headed into the recovery zone after the wind has died down. He was a great help to our Louisiana congregations and others as needed. He is our emergency go-to-guy in these kinds of situations.
If emergency housing is needed away from the zone of the hurricane, please know that there are Alliance Churches willing to help. Pastor Ken Cluck in San Antonio (ABC) and Rev. Ben Andrus from Hope Fellowship in Longview have extended that invitation, and others are waiting for our call to jump into action.
I received e-mails and phone calls all day Friday from people around the country saying that they are praying for us. I want to thank The C&MA family for their prayer support and would ask that they pray for encouragement and joy in the midst of tribulation. Let’s pray for our faith to be centered in Him and be wise to obey the authorities over us as we deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and its winds and rain. Nothing is too big for Him to take us through!
September 12, 2008
Since 1997, Alliance workers in Mongolia have ministered Christ’s love to hurting people through practical acts of compassion. Today, seven churches are flourishing in a land that had been untouched by the gospel for 700 years.
In July, 110 young people attended the first-ever CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates) Mongolia International Youth Camp. During the event, 10 participants made decisions to follow Jesus, and 90 youth committed to “running the race” for God’s glory. A seven-member Youth Council was selected from among the youth leaders for the purpose of encouraging and equipping youth leaders and planning future events for the CAMA churches in Mongolia.
As of this writing, Alliance missionary Bernie Anderson and his colleagues have been working to renovate a building to be used as a student ministry center in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Dubbed the Grain of Wheat Student Center, its close proximity to several major universities will enable our workers to reach thousands of young people with the gospel.
“I cannot share all of the amazing things God is doing in these far corners of the earth,” said Alliance missionary Jeremy Fields. “There is purposeful excitement [among our team] for what we believe God can do in our communities this coming year.”
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