Kimani Ndungu

NAIROBI, Kenya—"It is heartrending to see men and women crying in church as they pray for God to give them food and shelter," said Kimani Ndungu, a minister in Nairobi, about the WCG refugee congregation there (November WN, page 3).

"This past week was so bad," Mr. Ndungu said, "that church attendance was about 50 percent because members were out begging for food from centers where it was rumored they had free food. Some members later came to church, and we discovered that some had not succeeded in getting any food."

Many families are sleeping hungry on a regular basis, despite the assistance the WCG provides locally.

Mr. Ndungu noted that they have not had any new cases of WCG members being arrested for illegal stay in the country. However, the situation is still sensitive because the government says the crackdown will continue.

The other problem is shelter. At least five families have received eviction notices from landlords. Reasons cited include fear of the government, fear that they are unable to pay rent, and fear that they may steal from other neighbors.

Refugees are attacked by Kenyans who wrongly assume they have a lot of money.

One Congolese member was attacked with a machete as he went to get a can of water. He unknowingly trespassed through his attacker’s compound, which was not marked, and he was attacked by the owner from behind. He needed several stitches to close his scalp wound. He has recovered now, but he is still traumatized.

"Frankly, I don’t know what to do about all these things," Mr. Ndungu said. "I find myself awake in the middle of the night several times a week praying that God would show us a way forward. May God help us."

Doug and Marg Lewis

Derek and Punque Jiru

Moses Pitakaka

RANONGGA, Solomon Islands—WCG members in the Solomon Islands are "getting on with life" despite the difficulties that plague the country, according to Doug and Marg Lewis, who visited the South Pacific island nation Oct. 2 to 14.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis serve in ordained ministry in the Mooroolbark Christian Fellowship in Victoria, Australia.

"The Solomon Islands are suffering from ethnic struggles," Mr. Lewis said. "The economy is in tatters and there is still sporadic fighting—despite a peace treaty signed one year ago."

Derek Jiru, long the spiritual leader for our largest group, in Qiloe village on the remote island of Ranongga, was ordained an elder to formally pastor that group. The group has 27 baptized members, and their church services are usually attended by 50 to 60 people, including a good number of children.

The remainder of our Solomons members consist of a small group in Honiara, led by Henry Kuper, and a number of individuals and families scattered throughout the various islands.

Sir Moses Pitakaka, who has served as deacon, was ordained an elder to pastor these scattered members and to represent the WCG throughout the country.

"During his term as governor-general, Sir Moses formed close working relationships with a number of denominational leaders of other churches," Mr. Lewis said. "As a result he is well positioned to help us take our place among the various parts of the body of Christ in the Solomon Islands."

SOLOMONS MUSIC—Music group wearing
T-shirts donated by the Mooroolbark, Victoria,
Australia, Ladies Club.

BALTIMORE, Maryland—Members of Christ New Life Community Fellowship, the Baltimore WCG congregation, participated in the Oct. 7 opening of The New Aunt Hattie’s Place, a nonprofit residential child care facility for young boys with special needs (www.aunt hattiesplace.org).

Aunt Hattie (Hattie Washington) offers loving and faith-filled Christian guidance and care to young people who were otherwise lost and abandoned by society.

Baltimore’s Voices of Praise opened the event by singing two hymns: "How Great Thou Art" and "Bless This Home." Elder Buzz Marvel was one of many religious leaders to bathe the renovated house in prayer, as the speakers and guests moved from room to room to seek God’s blessings and providence. Daniel Borchers.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 30 senators and 100 representatives met for a National Day of Reconciliation, Dec. 4, in the Capitol Rotunda, where they sang, read the Bible and prayed. Staff members and reporters were not allowed to attend.

Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pennsylvania) said: "We need to recognize that the source of our blessing is not our superior wisdom, our superior resources, or our superior form of government. The source of our blessings is God. As we recognize his sovereignty, his blessing on the country, and our lack of appreciation for that, hopefully it will help us humble ourselves and turn to him."

House Majority Whip Tom DeLay defined the event’s intent: "This is about the nation that has pushed God out of its institutions, homes and communities, coming back to God and showing God that we are a nation that honors and reveres him."

Curtis May, director of the WCG Office of Reconciliation Ministries (ORM), said before the event: "Please join with us in ORM as we pray in advance of this event and also as it takes place that God’s will be done."

Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kansas) said that it was a different atmosphere, with no cameras, no reporters, no staff—just us, with our chaplains, Lloyd John Ogilvie for the Senate, and Daniel Coughlin for the House.

Tom Melear

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico—"The Lord is doing exciting things in our Albuquerque congregation," said Pastor Tom Melear.

"After six months of meetings to discern God’s will for our congregation through establishing our core values, mission and vision, we decided to move our worship time as a means of evangelism. We chose Sunday mornings as the best time nonchurched people would attend our services."

That meant finding a new hall, as they would need to leave the sanctuary they shared with a Christian Reformed church and had a wonderful relationship with the pastor and congregation.

A schoolteacher who is a member secured a new mini-gym for services. Mr. Melear reminded the congregation that some of the biggest churches in America today started in school gyms or auditoriums.

"Since beginning our worship on Sundays, our attendance has picked up," Mr. Melear said. "Kids are our best evangelists. It seems like every week one of our young members invites a friend to the service."

KLANG, Malaysia—The Klang church had an open house Sunday afternoon, Sept. 9, for 20 Living Today readers. Nearly 400 were invited.

A display of WCG publications was set up, and refreshments were provided. Board games and puzzles were available for children. The meeting hall was rearranged so visitors could sit around informally in small groups to talk or read. The booklets were in demand, with some taking extra copies for their friends. A few of the visitors expressed interest in attending future activities. Wong Mein Kong.

BONN, Germany—Nikolay Nikolov, a WCG partner in the gospel from Bulgaria, visited the Bonn church Nov. 3. Santiago Lange, WCG national leader in Germany, was also in attendance.

"During Nikolay’s stay in Bonn we discussed our joint gospel project in Bulgaria," according to Alois Mair, business manager.

The German church gave Mr. Nikolov money to buy paper for the Bulgarian magazine Holy Truth, which has a circulation of 4,000 copies (six issues per year). In late summer, Mr. Nikolov and his team printed and distributed 5,000 copies of a Bulgarian translation of the booklet Which Old Testament Laws Apply to Christians Today? Mr. Nikolov mentioned that this booklet written by Mike Morrison was well received.

The German church gave Mr. Nikolov 160 used eyeglasses that were collected in Munich because of the initiative of two members of the Munich congregation, Emma Brem and Jutta Gutherz. Mr. Nikolov will give these eyeglasses to a doctor, who will distribute them to people in need.

The church also gave Mr. Nikolov money to help selected needy people. He gave the church a list of 40 needy people with information on specific needs. The problems are many: poverty, unemployment, sickness, physical and psychological problems and bad housing. The church provided money to buy flour and basic food items for them.

Lynn Hebert

DALLAS, Texas—The apostle Paul was thankful at all times, even while in prison or going through other grueling trials, Pastor Lynn Hebert reminded the Dallas Central church at the Nov. 18 service.

The pastor admonished members to follow Paul’s example. "Be short on complaints and long on praise. Be thankful for what we have," he said.

Mr. Hebert said many people go to bed hungry. After the sermon, some of the congregation’s Prayer Partners said a prayer of thanksgiving, expressing thanks for many things, such as our firefighters, police and military; the pastor and his family; the church and its leaders; the international churches; the children, the future leaders of our church; families; and for answered prayer.

Also during that service, it was announced that David and Lori Simms have finalized the adoption of Shannon and Samantha, their foster daughters. The couple have been married 25 years and had remained childless. Two Dallas television stations reported the adoptions. Frank Lewandowski.

Chris Beam

HOUSTON, Texas—Chris Beam, pastor of Hope Community Church, set aside Sunday, Oct. 21, to celebrate a Hispanic Cultural Day.

This entailed having a combination Spanish and English service and a Spanish potluck fellowship meal.

John and Becky Flores coordinated the worship service and fellowship meal. Included were praise music, corporate prayer, inspirational readings, a Spanish historical reading, testimony, colorful costumes, decor and fellowship meal seating arrangements.

Joey Verdun provided the music lyrics for singing in Spanish and English. The lead worship singer, Melody Harper, had a comfortable knowledge of Spanish to lead the singing of songs in Spanish. Vianey Navarro, one of the young people, assisted her in doing backup singing in Spanish. Dana Bain provided instrumental accompaniment.

Intercessory prayer was provided by Patricia Mariani in Spanish, translated into English by her daughter, Vianey Navarro.

Juan Galvan performed a Spanish historical reading. The service continued with inspirational readings by Lydia and Joe Flores, Becky Glover, Vianey Navarro, Jasmin Quijada and Nora Rodriguez.

Benito Rodriguez gave a testimony. Gilberto and Elida Quijada read The Lord’s Prayer. Gilberto Quijada and his daughter, Jasmin, gave the closing prayer.

The congregation invited its neighbors, The Assemblies of God congregation, to the Spanish potluck. John R. Flores.

Alfred Maluleka

PRETORIA, South Africa—An unobtrusive, almost shy man in the Pretoria church named Alfred Maluleka performs a ministry on the train as he travels to and from work.

Mr. Maluleka was born in Mozambique and grew up in South Africa in a family that was troubled by demons. His father was an herbalist doctor, and his mother a dancer, but by the grace of God he was baptized in 1983. He is married and has four children.

About three years ago he felt that God had called him to do a specific ministry. Every day Mr. Maluleka travels from Hammanskraal, where he lives, to Pretoria, where he works as a boilermaker, a journey of about 45 minutes. He regards this as an opportunity to witness to hundreds of fellow travelers.

So every morning and evening, he boards a different train car and in his mother tongue asks permission to speak. He tells the passengers that he would like to witness to them about Jesus Christ his Savior. He gets mixed reactions. Some are eager to listen, and at other times he gets told in no uncertain terms to move on. Unperturbed, he just goes to the next carriage and approaches the people in the same way.

God has blessed his efforts, and numerous churches have invited him to speak to their congregations. Dolla Curtis.

Anthony Ruffa

NORWICH, Connecticut—Anthony Ruffa, a member of the Norwich church, was recognized for his work in the conceptualization, design, building and testing of the Instrumented Tow Cable (ITC).

Dr. Ruffa’s invention provides water column temperature measurements at much higher fidelity than the present technology. Plans are under way for fleet implementation. His work is considered revolutionary in the field of oceanography and holds great promise for multiple applications within the Navy.

Dr. Ruffa will be honored at the NAVSEA Engineering Leadership Conference in January. He and his wife, Gerri, have two children, Elizabeth and Joseph. Judith Gasparino.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—More than 85 people turned out Aug. 7 as the New Beginnings congregation used the National Night Out for an evangelistic outreach in the community.

The congregation was the overall winner in the community for turnout and participation. The New Beginnings Praise Band performed, and food and games were enjoyed.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT—Pictured are some of the people who turned out for the National Night Out in San Antonio. Many of these people have visited WCG services and one has become a member. [Photo by Larry Scott]

Don & Lana Johnson

ROANOKE, Alabama—The Roanoke Bible study, begun about four years ago, has grown to the point where it became an official congregation Oct. 21, thus separating from the Anniston congregation.

Bible study attendance is around 20 to 25 and is led by Faye Owens, a deaconess. Sunday morning worship service attendance is about 15 to 20 because of work schedules. Lee Owens and Randal Harrison aid Pastor Don Johnson by giving sermons on occasion. Kristy and Angel Owens are responsible for the newsletter as well as the church bulletin. Virginia Harrison is worship leader. Clemmine Knight has been an inspiration as well as matron to all. Don Johnson.

Jerry & Gloria Ortiguero

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines—Since 1997, Pastor Jerry D. Ortiguero has been actively involved in evangelistic campaigns and conducting community outreach Bible studies in Northern Luzon.

Mr. Ortiguero works with Alfredo R. Cacanando Sr., a member of the Manila church, who started a ministry of sharing the good news to the poor in his home province of La Union. He gives educational assistance to destitute families with deserving children, and provides medicine, hospitalization and funeral expenses. He even establishes community livelihood projects for them (like rag sewing, crocheting, papermaking and pressed dried-flowers decorating).

Three new churches have been planted from these evangelistic campaigns and outreach Bible studies with 237 baptized members. Soon, with the baptisms of 71 new people, the fourth church will be planted in Sto. Tomas in southern La Union.

Five outreach Bible studies are attended by 200 to 350 people. Nine small Bible study groups with 10 to 15 people are also conducted by servant-leaders.

"Jesus Christ mandated all Christians to make disciples," Mr. Ortiguero said. "We need to go out and tell the gospel to the unbelievers so they may have the opportunity to say yes to the lordship of Jesus Christ and be saved."

BAPTISM—Pictured are the 71 people baptized Nov. 4 from Sto. Tomas and Cadumanian, Rosario, La Union. [Photo by Belle Salisipan]

WESTWOOD, California—"You need reservations to get into Carlton Green’s four-star restaurant ... and he doesn’t take American Express. Or Visa. Or MasterCard, for that matter. Your medical insurance carrier will pick up the tab."

So begins a university article by Dennis McCarthy about Mr. Green, nutrition department director at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center. Mr. Green served as food service director at Ambassador University in Pasadena and Big Sandy. He won the prestigious Silver Plate Award from the International Food Service Manufacturers Association in the health care category.

"Carlton’s leadership has turned our nutritional department around," said Michael Karpf, UCLA Medical Center director. Mr. Green has stacks of letters on his desk from patients who praise the food service at the center.

Mr. Green and his wife, Judy, live in Sherman Oaks, California, and he serves as an elder in the Canoga Park church.

Dan Rogers

Mildred Ryan

ST. LOUIS, Missouri—The St. Louis church celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Westport Plaza Sheraton, Nov. 10 and 11. Five congregations were represented: St. Louis South and Lake St. Louis, pastored by James Lee; De Soto, pastored by Robert Ehlen; and St. Louis North and Alton, Illinois, pastored by Philip Perkins.

Saturday night, Nov. 10, the festivities started with dinner and dancing to the jazzy sounds of Oliver Johnson & the Nite Train Express. William Stough Sr. opened church services Sunday with a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing. After that, praise and worship services were followed by a special music presentation.

Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, was guest speaker. Mr. Rogers, who still claims St. Louis as his original home, spoke on "How the Holy Spirit Grows the Church." We were encouraged to know that God can use us individually and collectively to evangelize new members through the Holy Spirit, our love of Jesus and our love for his church.

The St. Louis church certainly has grown since its humble beginning 50 years ago. In early 1951, Mildred Roesler met with Herbert W. Armstrong and proposed starting a congregation in her St. Louis home. Mr. Armstrong agreed, and the St. Louis congregation was born Nov. 10, 1951. Mildred Ryan, Mrs. Roesler’s daughter, is one of three of the original 12 members still living. After the service, Mrs. Ryan answered questions about her photo archive display of the original members and other historical events.

Mrs. Ryan was asked to stand and was honored with applause for her 50 years in the church. When asked how she felt about being able to celebrate 50 years in the St. Louis church, Mrs. Ryan said: "The St. Louis church has endured because we were willing to make changes when changes came. If we stay focused on God and Jesus we know we will never be left alone." Susan Ehlen and Phil Perkins.

From left: Juanita Carpenter,
Stan Allison and Mitzi Rhodes.
[Photo by Vurn Runnel]

SAN FRANCISCO, California—The Bay Area churches celebrated their 40th anniversary Nov. 10 at the San Francisco church hall. Ron and Norva Kelly founded the original Bay Area church in Oakland Oct. 7, 1961. The Kellys were guests of honor, and Mr. Kelly was the keynote speaker at the anniversary celebration.

"We planned a Bay Area wide event since the Oakland church was the ‘mother church’ here," said Jim Roberts, pastor of the San Francisco and San Leandro churches. "We invited members from all Bay Area churches and also sent invitations out to many who have attended with us in the past. About 160 participated in at least some part of the anniversary celebration."

Events included brunch, a contemporary praise session, musical presentations and the worship service.

Carlton Smith, former Oakland pastor, attended. A number of other former ministers and members sent notes of goodwill that were featured in a commemorative brochure.

MIAMI, Florida—The Miami South church volunteers at The Agape Women’s Center in South Dade County. Agape is a rehabilitation center for women who have serious problems with substance abuse.

Pastor Ted Ralph conducts a weekly Bible study at the center on Thursday mornings. The women are invited to worship services once a month. The congregation also conducts a service at the center once a month with as many as 20 of the women in attendance.

Each Wednesday, Mr. Ralph and his wife, Lacy, visit women who have moved out of the center. Mr. Ralph has baptized two of the women.

"Our members have moved out of their comfort zones and have begun to focus outward beyond the four walls of our church sanctuary," Mr. Ralph said. "We are beginning to see the importance of reaching out to hurting people with the gospel of Jesus."

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—The Salt Lake City church and the Salt Lake Alliance Church sponsored a bridging event for family and friends Oct. 6 as the churches were hosts for a dessert-drama.

Both congregations worked together to provide desserts and pooled resources to bring in Chuck Neighbors, a Christian actor and artist. Mr. Neighbors presented a lighthearted drama, "The Sacred Diary of Adrian Pless."

Sunday, Oct. 7, the two churches had combined worship services. Members of both worship teams combined to provide praise and worship. Mr. Neighbors gave the message, which was a challenging Christian drama of Charles Sheldon’s book, In His Steps. It was a powerful presentation of what can happen in a Christian’s life if he or she will live the Christian life and answer the question: "What would Jesus do?" Jim Perry.

Glen Weber

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho—Pastor Glen Weber facilitated a prayer retreat Dec. 3 and 4 for Gatekeepers, a pastors prayer group for the churches of Kootenai County, Idaho. The two days were spent seeking the Lord’s direction for the North Idaho churches. The group meets weekly for prayer for the churches of the area and for the community.

Mr. Weber, pastor of Living Grace Christian Fellowship, the WCG congregation for North Idaho, is one of the three Servant Leaders of the Gatekeepers team.

The Servant Leader team also planned a community church service for Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9. The service was called "In God We Trust—A Celebration of Freedom." It was designed to be a patriotic service to honor veterans and our people in the military along with the police, firefighters and other rescue personnel. However, the primary focus was on the freedom we have in the grace of Jesus Christ.

The color guard, with representatives from the military, fire and police, marched in accompanied by bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace." A group from one of the churches presented a moving drama focusing on those who die in war contrasted with the death of Jesus that redeems us. After a time of worship, Mr. Weber delivered a message on the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.

SAYRE, Oklahoma—Eleven churches joined with the Sayre Circle of Love Fellowship for a community communion service, Dec. 1.

The theme of the program was "Celebrate Jesus." Scenes of Jesus’ life from birth to the resurrection were portrayed by the Sayre church. Other churches participated by reading scriptures and singing.

"As I look out over this group, I’m reminded of Psalm 133:1," Pastor Ben West said. "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

The purpose of the program was to bring churches together in fellowship and to let the community know that the Circle of Love Fellowship is an active church in the community.

Seventy-eight people attended the event, including Don Lawson, district superintendent, and his wife, Sue. Ben and Shirley West.

STE. LUCE, Martinique—Two hundred forty members from Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Antigua, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and France met Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 to celebrate Christ.

The theme was "Intimacy and Security in Christ." Guest speakers were John Halford, European regional director, who attended with his wife, Pat, and Charles Fleming, regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Photo by Hubert Dintimille

Each morning began with small prayer group sessions to improve our intimacy with our Savior and Master through structured Bible studies and suggested prayer themes.

A concert took place with the participation of Evangelical and Seventh-day Adventist singers. Also, a show expressed dances and songs from traditional to contemporary.

Because it was a week of school holidays in the French West Indies, the young people had special sessions for them during services.

The event ended with a communion service. Jack Brunet.

Pikeville helps with crusade

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky—The Pikeville congregation participated in the interdenominational Mountain Crusade for Christ, Aug. 26 to 29, at the Pikeville High School football stadium. Rick Gage from Atlanta, Georgia, was the evangelist.

About 10,000 people attended the event, and about 450 people made first-time professions of faith.

The Sept. 4 Western Recorder reported: "Organizers are heralding the four-night event as a model of what can happen when more than 40 churches of various denominations cooperate on a common goal to impact their town."

The general chairman told Donnie Justice, Pikeville pastor, that although ours was one of the smallest churches involved, we were also one of the hardest-working churches involved in the crusade.

Mr. Justice was chairman of the ushering and parking committee. Mike Stewart was chairman of the attendance committee. Christine Stewart was co-chair and primary organizer of the banquet committee as well as co-chair of the attendance committee. Debby Bailey chaired the prayer committee.

Several other members helped with the event: Estil Stewart, Hubert Hall, Sandy and Dean Ward and Melvin and Rachelle Wilson. Debby Bailey.

West Palm Beach ministers to community children

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida—The West Palm Beach church moved to Sunday services Dec. 2.

They meet at the home of elder Roger Burrow and his wife, Martha, for the time being since their attendance is around 20 and they moved from a Sunday church building that did not offer a Sunday time slot.

"They are very happy," said Robert Persky, district superintendent. Their children’s program remains on Saturday, where they have as many as 60 children attend their outreach through JAY (Jesus And You) ministries. Three WCG members serve on the board of JAY Ministries, which is funded by a Presbyterian church. These children are being led to Jesus besides being trained to study, play together peacefully and become respectful and serving citizens of the community. Some of the most problematic children from the surrounding schools are now so changed in their hearts and attitudes that they are model students in school. Teachers visit the classes on Saturday to see what is changing the children.

When children don’t have clothes to attend school, the members (through JAY Ministries) buy clothes for them. Our members have donated many hundreds of hours and money to feed, clothe and teach the children proper manners, social behavior and Christian living principles, and they guide the children into a loving relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The children’s ministry takes place in a vacant lot with old tables and chairs set up in the grass. Money is being donated from many sources to build a building. JAY Ministries wants our congregation to use their new building for services and to provide church services to the surrounding neighborhood.

CABLE GUYS—Ronald Kelly (left), church controller, and Neil Earle, Glendora, California, pastor, share a light moment before recording a television interview for Duarte, California, Cable 12. Mr. Kelly spoke on his trips to Bible sites in the Mediterranean area. [Photo by Roger Lippross]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002