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Michael and Cath Wells
do mission in Rwanda

GAHINI, Rwanda—Short-term mission can be exciting and challenging, but don’t go into it unprepared.

Michael “Swelly” Wells, an Australian, and his English wife, Cath, arrived in Rwanda in August for a four-month mission experience. Theirs was mainly social mission, using Cath’s skills as an occupational therapist and Michael’s as an accident and emergency nurse.

The surgical team from left: Gunther, surgeon, and Ruth and Michael, theater nurses.

Their placement was done through the Church Missionary Society in the United Kingdom, which gave them a one-week training and preparation program before leaving for Africa. 

“This fulfilled a long-term goal,” said Michael. “As a Christian I have always wanted to give of myself in some meaningful way such as this. I knew that both Cath and I had skills that could make a contribution in difficult areas.”

They were assigned to Gahini, about two hours northeast of Kigali, the capital. This has been the scene of much fighting and deprivation during the various wars that have plagued the African Great Lakes region.

Children in the handicap center.

Michael worked as a surgical and emergency nurse in Gahini Hospital, while Cath did occupational therapy at a center for the physically disabled.

“It affected my relationship with Jesus,” noted Michael. “I developed a sense of relying on him every day, which is not always the case in an easier society.”

Michael and Cath recommend the idea of short-term mission. Organizations and churches can help with ideas and preparation. First, however, one needs a desire to serve. Then, of course, useful skills are relevant, as well as the ability to integrate into a new and often strange community. Financial independence is important as well as having the available personal time, and a sense of realism as to what can be accomplished.

“Mission is also on our doorstep as well as abroad,” Michael stressed. “This experience has made me want to do something in my own country.” James R. Henderson.

DALLAS, Texas—Spiritual Enrichment Program (SEP) camp directors from around the United States met in Dallas Nov. 12 to 14 on how to improve the regional camp model. 

The purpose of the meeting was to debrief SEP 2004 and identify common concerns and develop recommendations for how to address them. In the summer of 2004, seven regional camps hosted 919 campers and were staffed by 370 staff members. In addition, 77 young people were baptized. 

Three task forces were created, one on camper behavior chaired by Jeff Broadnax, SEP Connecticut director; one on how to better use our web presence chaired by Sarah Miles, SEP Colorado assistant director; and a task force on identifying finance-related concerns chaired by Jay Richie, SEP Ohio senior camp assistant director. 

One of the common themes is a greater percentage of campers who have no affiliation with the Worldwide Church of God. While this is an exciting development, it requires camp leaders to make sure that policies are appropriate to those who know little about the church’s camp ministry history. 

As plans begin to be established for 2005 and beyond, some exciting new camp concepts are being considered. For example Marty Davey said that SEP Florida in 2005 will partially occur on a Caribbean cruise. And Lee Berger, pastor of the Waco and Austin, Texas, congregations, is considering ways to start a missions-focused SEP in Texas by 2006. Jeb Egbert.

Beloit members serve
homeless at Christmas service

BELOIT, Wisconsin—The Beloit congregation presented a Christmas service Dec. 19 to several hundred homeless people at Rockford Rescue Mission.

As the music started, frowns were turned into smiles and lifeless eyes began to sparkle as the Holy Spirit filled the room with love, joy, peace and hope. Racial and ethnic barriers fell as this inner city group of strangers became friends for the night.

Twenty minutes of joyous music of praise for our Lord’s birth was followed by a Spirit-filled message by Pastor John Bailey that brought many to tears. The message was that Jesus came into a broken world to give hope to those who have suffered trauma.

The Beloit congregation is less than 25 percent of its former size, yet the Holy Spirit is working through the few to serve the many.

God has called this congregation to share the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through outreach programs. In the early spring of 2004, Juanita Buschert, a Madison, Wisconsin, member, began to see the need to provide outreach healing ministry to many of the young Hispanic families who rent apartments from her and her husband, Jim.

They started a bilingual Bible study, and by May a house church began with just a handful of people. During November and December the average attendance had peaked at just less than 30.

In addition, a new weekly Bible study began Jan. 7 at the Elm Drive Senior Community in Ed-gerton, Wisconsin, the result of an outreach Christmas program Dec. 12. “We go where the people need the healing ministry of Jesus,” Pastor Bailey said. Tom Blake.

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee—As their final service project of the year, the Clarksville youths decided to ring bells for the Salvation Army. They manned both entrances at a Wal-Mart for five hours Dec. 20.

This little congregation strives to make a difference in the Clarksville community and the world. Sondra Peters.

BELL RINGERS---—Church youths ring bells
for Salvation Army. Darin Owen, Ben Owen,
Mariel Tomes, Will Peters, Kayla Williams,
Keribeth Williams, and James Donovan (in back).

 
Will Peters and Mariel Tomes start off the five-hour
shift in 22 degree weather. [Photos by Ed and Sondra Peters]

HOUSTON, Texas—The meaning and spirit of Christmas was deeply felt by the congregants and friends of Community Christian Fellowship (CCF), a WCG affiliate in Houston, during the Dec. 18 service.

After worship through prayer, the service consisted of a re-enactment of the birth of Jesus as portrayed in Luke 1 titled The Savior Is Born. Margaret Ryan wrote the script and directed the drama.

Narrator Laura Francis introduced each scene beginning with Mary (Julie Lobar) being visited by an angel (Pamela Hawkins). The next scene has Mary visiting Elizabeth (Samantha Jowers-Rojas).

Meanwhile, Joseph (Paul Vincent) ponders what to do about Mary’s pregnancy until the angel, in a dream, tells him to go ahead with the marriage.

Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem, where they cannot find a room to stay in. Finally, an inn keeper (Kirby Vincent) directs them to his stable, where the baby Jesus is born.

As shepherds (John Mayes, Bruce McNair and Sylvester Washington) watch their flocks, an angel brings them the news that the Savior is born. The shepherds then go to Bethlehem. During this scene the drama became an interactive play as each person in the audience lit a candle and joined in singing “Joy to the World,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night.”

Mary ponders the future of her baby as “Mary Did You Know” is played. Simeon (Walter Hawkins) gets to see the Savior, and Anna (Dede Madison) prophesies about Jesus in the next act.

King Herod (Sebastian Lofaro) is perplexed when he hears that wise men are looking for the king of the Jews. The priest (Kalissa Taylor) tries to appease him. The Magi (Sylvester Washington, Bruce McNair and John Mayes) visit Herod and then go to Bethlehem, where they worship the King of kings.

The service was capped off by a catered meal prepared by Rebecca and Debra Glover. Jesse Soto.

HOUSTON, Texas—Community Christian Fellowship (CCF) participated in Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that sends shoe boxes containing gifts to poor children around the world.

Sheri Bounds coordinated this drive.

Members were asked to contribute items to fill the boxes and to cover the shipping costs of $5 per box. Members were encouraged to enclose a note or a photo. If a return address was included in the box, the child receiving the gift may write back. The boxes were to be gift-wrapped at home and brought to services.

On Nov. 13 a packing party took place after the worship service. Pastor Mark Mounts and his family were much involved in the packing process.

At the end of the day, members had packed 67 gift-wrapped shoe boxes filled with school supplies, toys, hygiene items, candy and other small gifts for impoverished children around the world. Jesse Soto.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS-—Members of the New Hope Christian Fellowship choir sing Christmas carols in Old Town Pasadena  Dec. 11. [Photo by Daniel Leon]

MELBOURNE, Florida—Members in Orlando and Melbourne, Florida, provided a drumset to Travis Al-Gharaballi on Christmas Eve.

Travis Al-Gharaballi with new drum set [Photo by Steve Schantz]

Travis’ mother, Lisa, a member of the Melbourne congregation, is raising three teenagers as a single parent with a minimum wage job.  Their father is Arabic, and she left him in the Middle East 11 years ago when he tried to keep a harem and her as well. Although he is wealthy, she has received no support from him for the children.

The Melbourne congregation, pastored by Steve Schantz, has sort of adopted the family. Travis is in the Merritt Island Junior High band, but he does not have the resources even for the lesson book used by the school’s band director.

Mike Waller, a neighbor of the Schantz family, and the band director at Westshore Middle School in Melbourne, called music stores on the congregation’s behalf to secure a discount.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—The Las Vegas congregation will celebrate its 35th anniversary July 23 and 24.

A dinner-dance will take place Saturday, July 23, from 6 to 10 p.m. The Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. with a potluck following. The location is New Horizons Academy, 6701 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada.

Please RSVP to Barbara Clark, 3700 Steward Sp 112, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89146; telephone 1-702-459-6040. For housing, contact Mary Dawson, 804 S. Mallard St., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89107; telephone 1-702-877-2084; or Gayle Johnson, 270 Duke of Wales Ct., Henderson, Nevada, 89015; telephone 1-702-566-1671. Tom Melear.

SAN JOSE, California—The San Jose church will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a worship service at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 26, and anniversary celebrations following. We are planning a dinner and dance that evening. We invite all former members and friends of the San Jose church to come and celebrate with us at 4250 Kirk Rd., San Jose. If you can’t attend, please send us a note with any of your memories so we can put an album together.

For more information, or to send us any memories, please contact Betty Shamus, 1332 Crestwood Dr., San Jose, California, 95118, e-mail: linedanz@comcast.net; telephone: 1-408-264-0603. If you are planning to come and are not a member of the San Jose congregation, please let Mrs. Shamus know as she is planning the food for the day. Larry Shamus.

24-7 Community Church
marks fifth anniversary

NEWARK, New Jersey—The 24-7 Community Church celebrated its fifth anniversary Dec. 12.

The congregation conducted its first worship service Dec. 26, 1999 under the leadership of the late Pastor Ronald Robinson. To mark this milestone, we set aside Friday, Dec. 10, for a dinner-dance and Sunday, Dec. 12, for our celebration service.

The dinner-dance took place at the Costa del Sol restaurant in Vauxhall, New Jersey, with 177 in attendance. Before dinner, Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, spoke about the ministry.

Sister Theresa Clarizio, a representative of New Community extended care facility in Newark (the nursing home we visit on a monthly basis), emphasized the importance of having a ministry of reconciliation. She then presented the 24-7 Community Church with a certificate of appreciation for five years of outreach services.

The Dec. 12 service took place at the Newark Gateway Hilton with 160 in attendance. The congregation was ushered into worship by our dance ministry, Sweet Incense, who performed with colorful flags and jubilation. The worship song was “The Presence of the Lord Is Here.” Later, the church’s choir   performed an encouraging song titled “While You Wait.”

The congregation’s history was read to remind the congregation and inform new members about how the congregation started as a small group that developed into a church of 18 members. Today, we average around 50 in our weekly attendance. The late Ron Robinson was acknowledged as a man of leadership and vision.

Fred Clark, director of World Impact, an urban ministry in Newark, spoke about 24-7’s history and encouraged us to move forward.

Jacqueline A. Young, principal of Sojourn High School, located in the Essex County Youth Detention Center, where we minister to youths, spoke about how society has given up on youths who are considered bad. She challenged the church to continue reaching out to help those youths.

A video of congratulations from Joseph Tkach, WCG president, was shown. Messages of congratulation were also received from Ted Johnston, Northeast superintendent, and Steve Botha, superintendent when the congregation started.

May’s wife, Jannice, encouraged us to continue to have faith. Then he spoke about the need for a ministry of reconciliation, especially in our society today. His message focused on the Samaritan woman in John 4.

Before the service ended, the 24-7 Community Church presented Pastor Franklin K. Howard and his wife, Leslie, with a plaque of appreciation for their dedicated service to the work of the ministry and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Franklin K. Howard.

WCG-Union
Women’s Ministry
Presents

 The 2005
International Women’s
Conference

 Sept. 9-11

Be all you can be in Jesus Christ

(By building the fruits of the Spirit)

 at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel

Parsippany, New Jersey

 Come experience a weekend of

• spectacular speakers

•  interactive workshops

•  spiritual and personal growth

•  plus food, fun and fellowship

 For further information contact

Sandra Delmonte
(732) 422-9816
or
by e-mail at gangan2@aol.com

Dean Wilson dies at 75

PORTLAND, Oregon—Dean Wilson, 75, who served in the WCG ministry from 1962 to 1995, died Jan. 11 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Wilson graduated from Ambassador College in 1962, served as regional director in Canada from 1962 to 1977 and in Australia from 1977 to 1980. He pastored a number of congregations after returning to the United States.

Survivors include his wife, Marolyn.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2005