Alliance News

U.S. Alliance Prepares Transition out of Brazil

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:44:43 GMT

After a U.S. missions presence of nearly 50 years, The Christian and Missionary Alliance of the United States will transition its mission personnel out of Brazil within the next five years. The original transition date established by a 2007 strategic field review was 2025, but the new date is 2013.

The decision was influenced by missiological factors and financial considerations. In many ways, Brazil can be seen as a reached country with churches that can evangelize on their own. "Today, the C&MA national church in Brazil consists of 23 churches (including newer projects), 18 ordained pastors, and about 20 others who are credentialed," said Alliance missionary Steve Renicks. "Our membership numbers around 3,000 baptized believers. The past 25 years have seen some solid churches established, a seminary built up, and Brazilian missionaries sent out and supported by the national church. We are deeply grateful to the Lord for these results."

Limited finances, including the declining buying power of the dollar, also "were major determinants in the decision," said Renicks. "The Great Commission Fund simply does not have sufficient income today to resource all of our overseas work, and something has to be cut back."

"U.S. Alliance leaders have been seeking God's direction in aligning expenditures with revenues," said Bob Fetherlin, vice president for International Ministries. "This has involved some pruning with the desire for greater fruitfulness in the future. While these steps have been painful, there is a spirit of hope and expectation in this process. Brazil is just one of many areas in the big picture of the work of The Christian and Missionary Alliance of the United States impacted by all of this."

In light of the mission team's transition, Renicks and his wife, Diane, have decided to terminate their ministry in Brazil as of December 2008. "It is not easy to leave after nearly 30 years of ministry here," said Renicks, "but we leave thanking the Lord for His faithfulness and leaving behind churches planted, many converts, and pastors and missionaries who will continue to preach the gospel in Brazil and in other parts of the world."

Hundreds Turn to Jesus at Bongolo

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:58:26 GMT

A week does not go by at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, West Africa, that at least 20 people find their way to Jesus. The hospital, which until recently was called Bongolo Evangelical Hospital, not only provides compassionate medical care but also shares the good news of Jesus with hundreds of patients who come from the farthest points of the country.

Recently, the hospital’s head chaplain, Pastor Pascal, reported that since the previous Friday, 47 patients accepted Christ. In the two weeks prior, 37 and 66 people received Jesus.

“Often as I walk by their office,” said Dr. David Thompson, “I hear the chaplains praying with a patient, delivering someone from an evil spirit, comforting patients who have just learned they are HIV positive, or rejoicing with someone who just found Christ. The total number of patients who have prayed to receive Jesus since January is an amazing 1,236!”

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Alliance Church Offers Refuge to Fire Evacuees

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:14:04 GMT

Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted in the town of Paradise, California, and evacuees have returned home as the immediate threat of fire has diminished. This was the second time in a month that Paradise Alliance Church was used as shelter for evacuees from Paradise and surrounding communities. “We saw blue sky today,” said church member Karen Horton. “The immediate threat to Paradise is over.”

Many church members, including Pastor Larry Shelton, were evacuated last week when fires sparked by lightning put their homes in peril. “Several church families that live outside Paradise in neighboring towns lost their homes,” says Horton.

The fires have burned about 53,000 acres and are now 70 percent contained. Only five fires are now burning actively, down from 14 active fires Friday. Horton, who has volunteered along with many other church members to help evacuees seeking shelter at the church, said, “I’ve lived here 30 years and never have seen anything like this. The community has really pulled together to help one another.”

Paradise Fire Takes On New Life

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:39:42 GMT

“Ash is falling from the sky,” said Pastor Larry Shelton of Paradise (California) Alliance Church Tuesday morning. “I just picked up a partly charred leaf that fell from the sky.”

Shelton and his church members thought that the fire danger was over a few weeks ago after the town evacuated nearly 10,000 residents and lost more than 70 homes. Several church members lost their homes as well. The Alliance church became a refuge, and church members not affected by the fire helped their neighbors who were.

At the time, the fires were reported to be contained. But today, Paradise is in the midst of another emergency situation. “The fire has taken on new life and is threatening our town again,” Shelton reports. “At 10 a.m., the sun is blood red. Street lights are coming on, and it’s very hard to breathe. Our town manager requested that we use the church as an evacuation center again. Pray for our town and the overextended fire fighters.”

Bible Club Reaches Unchurched Children

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:01:49 GMT

Alliance missionary Esther Schaeffer, along with a team of colleagues and volunteers, recently launched four weeks of Bible clubs at four area churches in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, hoping to reach the city’s children for Christ. The program’s success was evident the following Sunday when 89 youngsters showed up for Sunday school at the St. Etienne Church, where usually only 10 children attend.

When the children were asked if they knew the name of the first man God created, many named the founder of another religion. “What an awesome opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus with unchurched children,” Schaeffer said. “We’re off to an exciting start.”

Alliance Pastor Dies

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:24:15 GMT

Pastor Harley Heckman passed away on June 1, 2008. Harley and his wife, Ferne, were farmers in Nebraska when they experienced the new life of Christ. Ferne came to know the Lord first and then prayed Harley into God's Kingdom.

A few years later, Harley responded to the Lord's call to ministry and traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota, with his wife and two sons, Darrel and Dale. There he entered the St. Paul Bible Institute and upon graduation was called to serve the Alliance Chapel at Tyler, Minnesota. At that time, another son, Myron, was born.

After four years at Tyler, Harley moved on to Orange City, Iowa, to serve the Gospel Church, affiliated with the C&MA, followed by ministry at the First Alliance Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the next 19 years. These were years of great blessings and fruitfulness as the Lord granted new areas of ministry. During the last years of their ministry in Milwaukee, Harley and Ferne became "empty nesters." At the age of 61 after many conversations with the Lord, they responded to a call from the Hazel Park Alliance Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. They served there for six years before concluding full-time ministry and moved back to Milwaukee.

Shortly thereafter, Rev. Bill Ronzheimer asked Harley to serve as minister of visitation at Alliance Bible Church in Mequon, Wisconsin. Harley and Ferne remembered those last years of service as an enjoyable and fruitful way to serve the Lord.

Upon his retirement in November 1994, Harley was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus. After nearly 56 years of marriage, Ferne went to be with the Lord in September 1997. She had been a wonderful help in the work of the Lord.

Through all of life, the joys and sorrows, the victories and defeats, God has proven Himself faithful. Isaiah 41:10 has meant so much to Harley and Ferne: "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (NKJV).

Alliance Missionaries Safe after Riot

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:11:42 GMT

A state of emergency remains in effect in Mongolia after violence erupted earlier this week in Ulaanbaatar, the nation's capital, leaving five people dead. Thousands took to the streets to protest alleged fraud after the recent general election. All is well with Alliance personnel serving in Mongolia. "Our workers were not affected by the turmoil, and things are almost back to normal," said an Alliance spokesperson for the Mongolia team.

Gulf Coast Ministries Growing

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:48:25 GMT

Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Alliance ministries that began with relief efforts are flourishing. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Pastor Randy Knighten oversees several outreaches through the ministry center that was established immediately after the hurricane. An after-school program assists a dozen children, grades 3 through 8, with school work. “The successful program just completed its first year,” says Knighten. A food pantry ministry, a job skills class, and three years of Vacation Bible School have impacted a community of displaced people after the storm forced their relocation to Baton Rouge.

In Wavleland, Mississippi, Mark Young has assumed leadership of Christian Life Center (CLC) and its ongoing relief efforts to help the community rebuild homes and lives. Volunteers continue to pour in, most recently 75 young people representing four youth groups that “painted, cleaned, dug, prayed and represented Christ well as His ambassadors,” says Young.

Although the church plant is still in the early stages of development, the youth ministry is taking off. “Many who were completely uninterested in God a few months ago now have opened their hearts to Him,” Young says. “One young woman who has been a part of our community for the past 10 months recently made a commitment to follow Christ and has been instrumental in bringing many kids to hear the gospel.”

As the church grows and temporary workers transition in and out, Young is praying that some of them will sense God’s call to permanent ministry in Waveland. “Workers are needed to minister to the people who come to CLC seeking help and hope,” he says.

Balkan Youth Turn to God

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:04:02 GMT

Nearly 1,000 young people participated in a recent Balkan-wide youth conference, where an Alliance ministry team led worship. The purpose of the conference was to encourage Balkan youth to turn their hearts toward God. "It was exciting to see the churches of the Balkans working together to inspire the next generation of believers," said Petula Meyers, an Alliance worker who serves in the region. "Pray that the next generation will have hearts fully devoted to the work of His Kingdom in the Balkans."

International Worker Dies

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:38:02 GMT

Greg (last name withheld because of his work in a Creative-Access country) passed into the presence of the Lord at 4 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2008, after battling cancer for a year.

Greg was born on March 3, 1959, in Barberton, Ohio, the youngest of five children, to Charles and Jeannine. He grew up in Manchester, a small suburb of Akron, Ohio. The family attended the Manchester Trinity Chapel, and Greg gave his heart to the Lord at age 13.

Greg attended Toccoa Falls College and traveled extensively throughout the eastern United States with a team called "Great Commission," which he led during his senior year. Most summers during college, Greg worked with youth. He was the head counselor at Westminster Camp in Conyers, Georgia; worked with the youth of Northwest Alliance Church in Tucson, Arizona; and served as the pastoral intern at his home church. He graduated in 1981 with a bachelor's of arts.

Greg received his master's of arts at Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, South Carolina. He met Stephanie at CIU and discovered that she, too shared the same passion and vision for the lost. They married in Ames, Iowa, in October 1983. After graduating in 1984, they did their home service in San Antonio, Texas; Tecumseh, Oklahoma; and Canal Fulton, Ohio.

Greg and Stephanie and three children departed on January 9, 1989, for their overseas assignment in Asia. Their first term was spent in language study and cultural adjustment as well as beginning church planting among their target group. They were blessed with the addition of another daughter during this term. They had completed three terms of service when Greg was diagnosed with cancer and came home in May 2007.

Greg is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and five children: Sophia (22) and her husband, Anna (21), Micah (20), Remona (18), and Lydia (13); his parents, Charles and Jeannine; his sisters, Wanda and Denise; and his brothers, Charles and Jeffery.

The graveside service and burial was held on June 14 at Manchester Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Greg's life took place on June 15 at the Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship. Douglas L. Dill officiated. James Malone represented International Ministries.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Global Partners for Development, PO Box 942480, Atlanta, GA 31141 for the work of or support of Greg and Stephanie.

Another Day of Trouble in Guinea

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:39:47 GMT

By Alliance missionaries

The morning was quiet, almost as if the neighborhood was deserted. Even the roosters didn't crow. It didn't surprise us. Yesterday was another day of trouble in the capital, and it seemed that everyone remained inside, out of sight and out of harm's way. A few weeks ago the military revolted; now it is the police, joined by customs officials.

Two days ago, they went on strike. Some of them broke into one of the main police stations, stole the weapons, and took several high officials hostage. Word was they were looking for the minister of security. Yesterday, shootings and small skirmishes took place between the military and police. One incident occurred at about 5 p.m., not a half-mile from our house; the staccato of rifle fire spoke of how serious a turn things were taking.

It seems that the country is slowly coming apart at the seams. Tomorrow, the long-threatened teachers' strike is set to start. And how will things fall out? That, only the Lord knows. So we sit, watch, and pray. Thank you for your prayers.

Anti-Smoking Event Draws People to Jesus

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:05:23 GMT

An outdoor outreach by an Alliance church in Russia drew many onlookers as believers celebrated the power of Jesus to free people from addictions. The event took place on May 31, designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "World No Tobacco Day." While the WHO urged governments that day to impose a ban on all tobacco adverting, the C&MA outreach featured the testimonies of Christians who had been freed from nicotine addictions. In addition, "two praise bands performed songs proclaiming the One who frees people from their sins," said Alliance missionaries Steve and Wendy Lovell. "Several Christians mingled with the passersby, explaining the four spiritual laws. Those who wished to do so could exchange their cigarette for a lollipop."

The bands' concert stage was next to an open-air market, so many people passed by, "initially with displaced looks," said the Lovells. Later, the same faces appeared in the crowd of onlookers, this time bobbing their heads to the music and commenting supportively, "Now this is true propaganda!" People who filled out comment cards indicated the need for similar programs not just once a year but on a regular basis.

Anti-Smoking Event Draws People to Jesus

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:59:34 GMT

Alliance Churches Spared from Recent Floods

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:45:47 GMT

Floods have devastated communities in the C&MA’s MidAmerica District this spring. More than 20,000 residents evacuated Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a series of storms that left 15 people dead. Randy Burg, district superintendent, reports, though, that "not one of our churches sustained flood damage, and the damage to Alliance families seems to be minimal." Those families that have been affected are receiving assistance from the church body, and believers are helping in outreach efforts to people outside the church. "It is always good when God's people find ways to minister to one another and to those in the community around them," said Burg. "We want to thank all of the churches that have offered to help with the cleanup. Your prayer support also is appreciated."

Guinea Descends into Chaos

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:20:37 GMT

Alliance missionaries report that the situation in Guinea, West Africa, remains unstable after soldiers negotiated a settlement with the president following a recent uprising. "The army mutiny is not over," said field director Ken Blackwell. "Some demands have been met, but the main camp is still controlled by the mutineers until all demands are met."

Police have been shooting into the air and have made demands similar to those of the army. Also, workers are threatening to strike, and banditry has occurred on highways in broad daylight, which hasn't happened previously. "Please continue praying for Guinea and our team there," said Chris Braun, regional director for Africa.