What's Been Happening?Church-Next Training in California
CNT participants came from across the U.S., the Philippines and Columbia. They included Eugene Guzon, National Director for the Philippines and Hector Barrero, National Director for Central and South America. Marcelle Dotson, church planter for the United Methodist Church, attended CNT and said, "Anyone who wants to start a church would find this beneficial and practical. The Trinitarian approach was well infused throughout all the sessions and it helped me ask the right questions in terms of what God is doing and how I can more effectively participate with him in starting a new church in Wilkes-Barre, PA". Best Practices ConferenceDr. Dan Rogers, Superintendent of US Ministers, attended the Best Practices Conference on August 24-25, sponsored by Lifeway Research in Nashville, TN. Leaders from a variety of denominations were in attendance. Presentations by Ed Stetzer, Thom Rainer, Ron Silva and others focused on church planting best practices. All in attendance were in agreement that churches in North America must see the mission more clearly, be more "outward" in thinking and practice, and have a process for starting new churches.
Mini-mission trip to MexicoFor the fourth year, GCI’s Crossing Borders camp ministry made a winter "mini-mission" trip into Mexico, Dec. 11-13, 2009. Since we conduct a week-long camp ministry program to Mexico during the summer, this weekend winter trip allows us to keep in contact with our Mexican friends and touch them again with the love of Jesus. Twenty-one missionaries from Texas, Colorado and the Washington, D.C., area participated in the trip—several for their first cross-border outreach experience. Attendee ages ranged from pre-teen to those in their golden years, and everyone contributed their unique talents as we served God’s children across the border. One great blessing this year was that our border crossings went very smoothly and quickly. Last year it took us five hours to travel the final two miles to get across the border; this year we spent scarcely 15 minutes to cross. Our first stop was at a church in one of the "pallet cities" on the outskirts of Nuevo Laredo. Pastor Pedro and his wife, Lourdes, hosted us as we took time to visit with the children and parents, play games, lead in a sing-a-long of Christmas music, and distribute shoeboxes full of useful and fun gifts to the children. Ladies from the Fort Worth, Texas area had knitted and crocheted lovely blankets, which we gave to the mothers, bringing tears to the eyes of both the givers and the receivers. We took a walking tour of the village, seeing hundreds of tiny ramshackle homes built from wooden pallets, old pieces of tin and tarps. But even in this tough poverty, the Spirit of God is active, and we were able to join with Jesus as he brought joy and hope to these people. Next we traveled a few miles to a second church pastored by Pastor Pedro, and we visited with the people and distributed shoebox gifts. For many of these children, these small gifts may be the only new items of any kind they’ll get during the year. The church building was very small and made of mismatched pieces of rough used lumber, but there is a thriving and growing group of believers that meets there. It reminds us to be thankful for whatever resources God has given us to enjoy. Our final stop was at a children’s home for abused and abandoned children. We cooked dinner for the group, watched spiritual dramas, treated them to some craft projects, sang songs, distributed shoebox gifts, and spent a lot of time laughing with, hugging and holding these lovable children. We have visited this home many times over the years, but each visit brings new joy along with the prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus." Crossing Borders is a camp/mission ministry of Grace Communion International. Our motto is "Crossing national, cultural and personal borders with the Good News of Jesus Christ." Whether for our week-long summer camp or our mini-mission winter trip, we invite you and your friends to come participate in a life-transforming experience. We welcome anyone from youth to seniors, and we love to see families share this experience together. Our next trip is June 20-26, 2010. For more details, go to www.cbmission.org or call 903-746-4463. Lee Berger ACCM launches first class in Spanish
Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM) presented its first class in the Spanish language with an intensive course in Spiritual Formation just before the GCI Regional Conference in Orlando Nov. 4-5 (see photo above). The class was taught by Florida Pastor Larry Hinkle, Latin American Missions Developer Hector Barrero, and Hector’s wife Paulina. Most of the translation work for the online materials, as well as the class workbook for the intensive, were done by our GCI translator in El Salvador, David Agreda. Kerry Gubb, ACCM Registrar, set up the online materials. ACCM Director John McLean was delighted that ACCM is now able to help serve the Spanish-speaking ministry. He added, "We are very happy to have someone with Larry’s experience and expertise teach the class, and he has done a great job getting our first Spanish-language class off the ground." Nine students attended from the US, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and Argentina. They will now have six months to complete the remaining coursework from materials made available online. Scholarships for students were provided by the Sydney, Australia, congregation. Participants said the class was a great success, and that "the Lord’s presence was clearly evident." Sonia Orozco, our pastor in Barranquilla, Colombia, expressed her hope that many other leaders and members will take the class and learn more about God’s love for humanity. Plans are under way to develop a Spanish-language version of each of the courses in the ACCM Diploma program. This major undertaking will take time, but we feel blessed to have been able to "jump start" the program with this successful initiative in Orlando. The cost for taking an ACCM online class is $150 for credit or $100 for audit. Although this is inexpensive in comparison to other quality online courses in the US, for most of our members living in Latin America it is quite expensive. For anyone interested in helping to financially sponsor future courses for those unable to afford this ministry training, please contact Larry Hinkle at larry.hinkle@wcg.org or 954-346-7706. For further information regarding classes in the ACCM program see www.ambascol.org. Grace Communion Seminary classes for 2010
GCS, the online seminary affiliated with GCI, offers graduate level training and a masters degree in pastoral studies. The following classes are being offered this year: Spring 2010 (already under way)
Summer 2010
Fall 2010
For course descriptions, a description of the program, and registration procedures and fees, see http://gcs.ambassador.edu
"Gathering in the Harvest" in Myrtle Beach, SCAttendees came from as far as Africa, Canada, California, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York, as well as the nearby states of Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and North and South Carolina. We had great weather and great services daily. The attendance on opening night, October 8, was 160. We had 205 on October 9, 240 on the 10th, and 265 on the 11th. Speakers were Paul David Kurts, Charles Young, Dan Rogers, and Howard Blakeney. We ended the conference with an inspiring Communion message by Curtis May. We again did an outreach service and provided a meal at the homeless shelter, and eight people accepted the love and grace of Jesus, and passed from unbelievers to believers. We had another five folks accept his grace after the sermon on Sunday. A marriage seminar was given by Charles and Debbie Young; a financial seminar by CPA Ernest Leonard, a youth gang seminar by Deputy Ellison, and a racial reconciliation seminar by Curtis May. A breakfast for pastoral wives was hosted by Jannice May. There was also a formal dinner and family dance. Donations were given to GCI Next, the homeless shelter, and the Office of Reconciliation Ministries. Howard Blakeney Ice-cream social
Marge Lardas Birmingham women’s retreatThe Birmingham, AL, church held a women’s retreat Oct. 16-18 at the St. Bernard retreat center. About 50 women attended the event, which began with a lively night of board games. Everyone enjoyed getting acquainted. Saturday morning began with praise and worship, led by Barbara Dahlgren and Ann Hartmann, followed by speakers Tammy Tkach, Ginny Rice, Ruth Miller and Mary Jo Leaver. Ann Hartmann performed some songs she wrote and recorded. Sunday morning featured praise and worship, another session by Tammy Tkach and more wonderful songs by Ann Hartmann. Ruth Miller wrapped up the weekend. Everyone agreed they should do it again next year. Ruth Miller Thanksgiving meals in Ohio
The meals included all the traditional Thanksgiving trimmings and a gift certificate for a turkey or ham at the local grocery. After a shortened service, the congregation pitched in to put the meals together and deliver them to the community. In the process we were able to meet many of our community neighbors. The spirit of "missions" was high as most of the congregation was involved in the process. After delivering the meals, we returned for a pizza dinner and shared our experiences in meeting our neighbors. Our original goal was 100 meals, but we collected so much we were able to donate over $300 worth of food supplies to a soup kitchen the congregation serves every month. Next year we are talking about a goal of 200 meals. George Hart Tyler youth Christmas programOn Dec. 13, the New Covenant Fellowship congregation enjoyed a youth Christmas program. "Christmas Star" recital was performed by Kurt and Molly Swisher. The recital spoke about the birth of Jesus and the star that shone bright on the night of Jesus’ birth. The second recital included "The Christmas Story," narrated by Zachary Adair and Austin Farnsworth. As the story was told, Mary (Molly Swisher) and Joseph (Kurt Swisher) acted out the story. They were joined by a shepherd (Brandon Adair) and two angels (Madison Newsom, Laura Kay McClelland). After the story, the congregation was asked to sing a few Christmas songs with the children. A communion service followed. Janalee Swisher Reconciling Africans and African-Americans
The focus of our Oct. 29-31 reconciliation meeting in Cincinnati, OH, was to bring Africans and African Americans into a better understanding of each other and thus a better relationship. As pointed out by the presenters (college professors, bishops, pastors and other prominent leaders from Africa and America), we need to better understand our cultural differences and how they affect our relationships. We need to reject much of the media influence that helps perpetuate stereotypes that we believe about each other. We also emphasized the need to build a better bond with each other through personal contact, which includes worshipping together at times to emphasize the words of Jesus that there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. The event, which took place Thursday night, Friday night and all day Saturday, included prayers of repentance, forgiveness and affirmation, two communion services and a concluding homily. Scholars made powerful presentations on the history, culture, languages and worship styles of the two groups and how they have led to divisions, and we then explored ways to remove the walls and build bridges. One of the scholars, Dr. Funso Oluyitan, a Nigerian, is host of a local TV religious program. He plans to continue to support our efforts on his program. Curtis May 140 children blessed in San Fernando, CA
Pastor Heber Ticas
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Twenty
ministry leaders attended Church-Next Training (CNT) at the Pinecrest
Christian Conference Center, August 24-28, 2009. CNT is conducted by
Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM) to provide preliminary training for
starting new churches.
The Women’s Ministry of the Word of God Christian
Fellowship (Canfield, OH) held an ice-cream social fundraiser on Sept. 27.
Many varieties of pie and ice cream were donated. There was a large
attendance, and many generous donations were received. The ministry visits
nursing homes and serves community needs. The following women are members
of the ministry: Patricia Gailey (coordinator), Anna Provitt (vice
president), Isabel Huber (secretary), Randy Weaver (treasurer), Rosie
Aikens, Carrie Bailey, Marge Capil, Alice Cobb, Mary Cunningham, Jeanette
Daniels, Angie Davis, Charlotte Dietz, Mary Dobritch, Flora Koppler,
Sharon Kramer, Pat Gent, Jennifer Frye, Marge Lardas, and Arlene Shaffer.
We had 306 people in attendance with 140
children being blessed and prayed for. It was the second service of the
year for which the members invited local families to bring their children
so we could bless them. After the service we served hot dogs and
cheeseburgers and provided a play area with games and jumpers for the
kids.
Outreach to the homeless
