12
A Rifle or a Shotgun?Ben Tobias, Associate CCM Director
The Missionary Signal(ISSN 0194-7214) Rachel Foreman, Editor
Published bimonthly by the Commission on Cross-Cultural Ministries, 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839.Send all subscription requests to: THE MISSIONARY SIGNAL, 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839.Second Class Postage Paid at Findlay, Ohio and Additional Entry Offices,POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Missionary Signal, P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839
No, I’m not talking about weapons. This is about a church’s approach towards missions involvement, whether to focus on one particular mission field
or ministry, or to adopt a broad engagement with numerous fields.
Each approach has strengths and shortfalls. The rifle approach (i.e. that of focusing on one field) provides clarity and the opportunity to develop a deep connection with a particular ministry. For example, a number of CGGC churches are involved with the Haiti Sister Church program, and they might invest all their missions giving in blessing their Haitian sister church as well as sending ministry teams that will strengthen the relationship. Interestingly, it appears that younger churches are adopting the rifle approach. It’s weakness, however, is that church members often don’t receive much if any education about global mission in general or hear about needs and opportunities in fields other than the chosen one.
That’s the strength of the shotgun approach: churches which adopt this method provide a great deal of information about numerous fields to their members, as well as opportunities to give. For example, some churches practice the policy of contributing to each CCM field and/or missionary every month. It might not be a large amount, but the idea is to embrace a global perspective. However, the weakness of this approach is the lack of intense focus on one particular field (which, of course, is what the “rifle” provides.)
So what’s the best course of action for a church that wants to get involved with Cross-Cultural Ministries? May I suggest a compromise? Begin with a scriptural foundation for God’s mission which is both local and global, then learn about the many opportunities that are available through CCM. Seek the Lord’s direction on one area in which to focus, and develop that while at the same time providing news and updates about other fields (e.g. using The Missionary Signal and Facebook). In short, focus attention on one field while staying in touch with other opportunities. God may very well expand your horizons as you show yourself faithful. )))
Front cover: : Pastors Liarxi & Mara Alcala and some members of their Esperanza Viva Church worship choreography team in San Juan de los Morros, Venezuela.
3
Greetings from Travis HelmI was raised in
a Christian home in Shippensburg, PA. I have been a member of Greenvillage Church of God for more than 30 years. Before that, I was saved at Greenvillage Church during a week of evangelistic services when I was around 11 years old (that was 37 years ago). As I went through high school and college, I half-heartedly followed the Lord with an up-and-down walk. I left Pennsylvania after graduating college following jobs around different parts of the northeast USA.
Eventually the Lord drew me back to Shippensburg and the stability of my home church. This is when I met my wife, Lisa. Her heart for missions became contagious with me. One Sunday in 2004, Don Dennison spoke at Greenvillage about missions and being involved with kingdom work. We both knew the Lord wanted us more involved with His work in global missions. This eventually led to us serving at a large mission organization for a number of years. I can see how God’s hand used that time to train me up for returning to my roots in the Churches of God.
In my travels to the mission fields of Asia I have seen first-hand the destitution of lost and dying people who have never before heard about our Savior. I believe sincere, sacrificial giving of our time (dedicated to prayer) and resources is something the entire body of Christ is called to do in order to fulfill The Great Commission. I am most passionate about encouraging/challenging the body of Christ to get involved (praying, sending or going) while it is still harvest time.
I praise and thank God for calling me to serve with CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries in helping reach the lost and make disciples of all nations. I am looking forward to serving until the Lord returns for His bride. )))
Note: Travis begins his new role as CCM Assistant Director effective July 1. His new email will be [email protected]. He and Lisa are the parents of Grace and Faith.
4
Brazil Leaders Celebrate in BahiaThe 16th annual conference of Igreja Biblica Boas Novas (or Biblical
Good News Churches) in Brazil was held March 13-15, 2015 at the 1st Church in Santo Antonio de Jesus, Bahia. The theme chosen for the gathering was “Wake Up Church! Making a Difference in Our Generation” based on Ephesians 5:14-17. The new 2nd Church also hosted a Thursday night celebration at their downtown location as a preview to the weekend event.
Delegates from Campinas in Sao Paulo State flew into nearby Salvador while representatives from Palmas (Tocantins State) drove 17 hours by car to get there. This was the first meeting in Bahia in four years. CCM Director Don Dennison represented the CGGC/USA and provides the following highlights:
The Conference kick-off was held at the new 2nd Church in downtown Santo Antonio (left)
5
Ministry includes spiritual warfare. The wording on this ladies’ ensemble “camo” outfits reminds everyone, “O poder da Ireja que ora” (the power of the church that prays!) (left)
Worship services included various adult,
youth, and children’s choreography teams.
The Brazilian church values the partnership with CGGC churches in
the USA (right)
Worshippers of all ages gathered for the evening celebrations of praise and thanksgiving for God’s blessings (left and below)
6
Pastor Roque Alves of 2nd Church in Santo Antono de Jesus received his ordination
certificate on Saturday night (right). The Alves were charter members of 1st Church. God has
provided growth to both churches through the process of birthing this new body of
believers. On Sunday night, 1st Church deacon Leosantos Alves and 2nd Church elder Suel
Pedro were also ordained in recognition of their long
term service.
The annual feetwashing service held on Sunday morning has become one of the most memorable highlights of the conference (left).
Pastor Ernesto Nunes of the Santo Amaro Church in
Palmas (Tocantins) is officially commissioned as the new
President of the Igreja Biblica Boas Novas (right). He succeeds
Gordon Avey in this role and becomes the first Brazilian
President of the Conference.
Pastor Samuel of 1st Church and missionary Pastor Gordon Avey present a “Certificate of Excellence” to Dr. Don Dennison for his 20 years of support for the Brazil ministry during his service as CCM Director (left).
11
2015 Prayer FocusPray for the UNITED STATES in July. The 4th of July is our Independence Day. The “culture war” rages in the USA around a host of social issues, including homosexual marriage, abortion, injustice, poverty, and immigration. At the same time, we face an
ongoing decline of church attendance in nearly every State. Pray for revival in our land! And pray that we as Christ’s representatives will discern how to wisely and lovingly respond to those with whom we disagree, both within and outside the Christian community.
Pray for INDIA in August. The 15th of August is Independence Day. India is the fastest growing field in CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries, with 40 churches in 2015, up from only 2 in 2003! Pray for Director Samir Singha as he continues to guide the evangelistic and educational ministries of the Church of God Mission in India. Pray for a bold witness in the presence of the overwhelming Hindu majority, and that many Hindus will come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. )))
In March, the top 25 churches in total designated giving to CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries were announced. Here are the top 25 churches in PER CAPITA designated giving (2014 designated giving divided by 2014 average worship attendance). One of the indications from this list is that churches of all sizes can have a significant impact on global outreach! We truly appreciate all who give...and recognize these who set an example. Wooster First Church in Ohio led the way with a per capita of $269.89 per worship attender. The 25 churches were:
1. *Wooster First (Great Lakes)2. *High View (Eastern)3. *Newberrytown (Eastern)4. *Leadwood First (Western)5. Cherry Grove (Eastern)6. Henton (Midwest)7. Eagle (Great Lakes)8. Melrose (Midwest)9. Union Chapel (Great Lakes)10. Mt. Pleasant (Midwest)11. *Germantown (Eastern)12. Columbia (Eastern)13. Kimberly (Allegheny)
* These 9 churches on the per capita list were also among the top 25 in total giving to CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries.
14. Pathway Community (Great Lakes)15. Fort Scott First (Western)16. Alice (Midwest)17. Valley View (Eastern)18. Mercersburg First (Eastern)19. *Shippensburg First (Eastern)20. New Providence (Eastern)21. *Indian Head (Allegheny)22. Lancaster First (Eastern)23. *Eberly’s Mill (Eastern)24. *Doubling Gap (Eastern)25. Desloge First (Western)
Top 25 Churches in Per Capita Giving
12
USA Team Visits Mexico ChurchReport contributed by Caleb Acosta
CGGC Latino Ministries confirms that we now have three churches in central Mexico (not counting an outreach from San Diego into Tijuana). Three Pennsylvania pastors—Caleb Acosta (Columbia), Ricardo Perez (Middletown), and Jose Aquino (Reading)—visited those three ministry sites in central Mexico March 27-April 3.
The leaders and members of the church in the Federal District (Mexico City area) have provided a form indicating their full agreement with the Churches of God, General Conference. The team anointed Pastors Isaias and Gabriela Medina at Toluca which is considered a church plant of the CGGC. This couple is reaching out through weekly bible studies and preparing people in ministry. The Dathu church also are committed as full members of the CGGC in Mexico.
These new ministries are not without their challenges.1. There are unmarried couples in ministry such as the Dathu church. They go
by common law marriage up in the mountains. This issue even affected the pastor. However, he and his wife along with other members agreed to get officially married. Pastor Israel agreed to provide us with documentation of their legal marriage. They will then have a multi-wedding in the coming months.
2. The need for Christian education: they are not very knowledgeable of God’s word.
3. Church structure and organization is lacking.
4. They need help in obtaining land or building for worship. Most churches are in homes, garages or outside.
We invite you to join us in prayer on behalf of these needs for our brethren in Mexico. The following photos help to visualize some of the ministries we found. Pastor Emigdio Sanchez of the
Federal District Iglesia (above)
Nueva Vida and the congregation at worship
13
The Federal District church outreached to
this Toluca community monthly but are doing
so weekly now.
Toothpaste donated by the Acosta family dentist in Lancaster, PA is distributed to Toluca residents
Children listen to a Bible study taught by Pastor Emigdio… and puppets!
Pastor Israel & Maribel Gonzales (on left in black shirts) of Dathu Church, Hidalgo Mexico
14
During its annual meeting in April, the Eastern Region Conference of the CGGC conferred Life Ordination on five Latino pastors who are faithfully serving in Pennsylvania. These five pastors (flanked here by Pastors Caleb (left) & Christina Acosta (right) are (L to R): Ricardo & Jeanette Perez (Bethesda, Middletown); Jose & Ana Aquino (Nueva Vida, Reading); and Eva Lezama (Sanidad Divina, Columbia). Congratulations to these servants of God for this
well-deserved recognition!
Due to new requirements for obtaining a visa and other complications, Alyssa Miller’s summer internship in Venezuela has been postponed until next year. Funding for her internship will remain in her account until that time.
The CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries Commission recently approved Jacob & Lauren Jones of Urban Light Community Church in Muncie, IN as our newest
“affiliate missionaries.” The Jones will be serving in Bogota, Colombia with Fundacion Comunidad Viva which works in church planting and transitional housing for orphaned youth. The “affiliate” status is one of association rather than governance. It is a way to recognize and encourage Churches of God members serving with other faith missions organizations. Churches are encouraged to pray for affiliate missionaries as well as financially support them as God leads you. A full list of CGGC affiliates are posted at www.cggc.org/ministries/cross-cultural-home-page/affiliate-missionaries.
M i s s i o n SM i n u t e S
15
New Missionary Candidates for Haiti
Chad & Dawn Agler of Albion, IN were recently approved as “missionary candidates” to join our Project Help Haiti staff in the role of Pierre Payen Guesthouse Managers. Chad is skilled in maintenance and has previous short-term missions experience in Thailand and Haiti. Dawn currently teaches English as a second language in the Fort Wayne, IN area and taught for one year in China. Previous short-term trips have taken her to Ecuador and Haiti. Their church home is Bear Lake Ministries.
The Aglers will serve a two-month internship in Haiti this fall (October-December) as a part
of their placement process. They welcome prayer and financial partnership (CC 2732) in this venture.
Steven & Amy Hosler have also been accepted as missionary candidates to serve in Haiti. Steve has degrees in international business and accounting and would serve as the Chief Financial Officer. He previously lived in Haiti when his parents, Mark & Sue Hosler, were Project Help missionaries.
Amy’s training has been in urban ministry and previously served in youth and children’s ministries in Chicago and Niagara Falls, NY. The Hoslers have also been a part of a Haitian church plant in Buffalo. Their three children are Charity (8), Daniel (6), and Joseph (4).
The Hoslers are also scheduled for a two-month internship in Haiti this fall (a similar schedule as the Aglers). Prayer and financial partnerships (CC 2744) are needed for the Hosler family as they take this next step in their journey with God. )))
A new 5-minute Bangladesh video is now available. The video focuses on evangelism and church planting efforts which have resulted in this becoming our largest overseas field--over 180 churches! The video is now available for download and use in local churches. Email [email protected] for download instructions. NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of this video which identifies ministry leaders and locations, this video must not be posted on any church or personal website. )))
CO
MM
ISSI
ON
ON
CR
OSS
-CU
LTU
RA
L M
INIS
TR
IES
Chu
rche
s of G
od, G
ener
al C
onfe
renc
e70
0 E.
Mel
rose
Ave
., P.
O. B
ox 9
26Fi
ndla
y, O
H 4
5839
Phon
e (4
19) 4
24-1
961
Fax
(419
) 424
-343
3w
ww.
cggc
.org
Perio
dica
l R
ate
Post
age
Paid
at
Find
lay,
OH
Perm
it N
o. 3
5366
0
Global Toolsfor missions education
Our natural tendency is to be self-absorbed, especially in how we pray. As
a result, our prayers are often a laundry list that revolves around our wants and needs.
As a result, “…you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3). But what would happen to us spiritually if our prayers became God-focused instead of self-centered? Cat & Dog Prayer will change the way we pray—in a way that God wants to answer! Order your copy for only $10 plus shipping from CGGC Publications at 419-424-1961 or [email protected].
