IN THIS ISSUE: Brazil Conference Leaders Meet p. 3 An Update from the Dillingers p. 5 God at Work in India p. 6

Transcription

1 IN THIS ISSUE: Brazil Conference Leaders Meet p. 3 An Update from the Dillingers p. 5 God at Work in India p. 6

2 It s About Family Ben Tobias, CCM Director Feet-washing is one of those beautiful practices that makes the Churches of God, General Conference fairly unique. Following Jesus example and teaching in John 13:1-17, the CGGC around the world practices this as an expression of our love and servant-like humility toward each other. Although specific methods tend to vary from place to place, the typical pattern is for one person to kneel before another, washing and drying each foot, and then getting up and embracing them. Brazil has added a wonderful variation to the CGGC practice. After the feet of everyone in the circle of men or women have been washed, individuals voluntarily take the basin and then wash the feet of another person to whom they want to show special attention. At the most recent gathering of the Good News Bible Conference (as the CGGC is known in Brazil), I had the privilege of witnessing many of these voluntary acts. One of these experiences I remember most was of a young teenager washing the feet of an elderly man, who began to weep as the youth washed and dried each foot. Later that day this man said, I have never before experienced anything like that! The reason I share these things is because Jesus has a special role for His Church to be His hands and feet in an increasingly hostile world. CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries is a microcosm of the global Church. Each field (including the CGGC-USA) struggles with finances, disunity, hurt feelings and discouragement. Daily we are reminded that we are weak and broken vessels. But here is the good news: Jesus does not send perfect people out to take over and conquer the world in His name, but rather He sends imperfect people out to serve and love the world in His name. What better way to remember this than to follow His example and wash each other s feet in love! ))) Front cover: : A weaving project by a Santali woman in Bangladesh. The Missionary Signal (ISSN ) Rachel Foreman, Editor Published bimonthly by the Commission on Cross-Cultural Ministries, 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH Send all subscription requests to: THE MISSIONARY SIGNAL, 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 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

3 Brazil Conference Leaders Meet in Campinas by Travis Helm Pastors and leaders of the Good News Bible Churches in Brazil gathered for their annual conference sessions in March at the Jambeiro Park Church in Campinas. It was a time of wonderful fellowship, meaningful worship, and encouraging messages for the Brazilian delegates. The conference theme was based on Isaiah 59:1, The Lord s Hand is Not Shortened. CCM staff Ben Tobias and Travis Helm were joined by Pastor Lawrence Metzler from the Chambersburg First Church of God (ERC) to represent USA churches. Missionary field leaders Gordon and Annie Avey live in Campinas and provided translation for the North American guests. The Conference was led by Pastor Ernesto Nunes of Palmas who serves as President of the churches. Pastor Lawrence Metzler (left) missionary Gordon Avey (center), and Pastor Mauro Freitas (right) who gives a tour of the Jambeiro church construction project. During their annual meeting, the pastors (right) shared their ministry praises and struggles and then prayed for one another 3

4 Vibrant worship includes lots of singing from the congregation and choirs, youth musical dramas, and inspired preaching. The Lord s Supper and feetwashing on the final day are a highlight of the conference. Gordon Avey (left) translates for Ben Tobias (right) who provides a missions update during Sunday School. The Brazil conference delegates are always eager to learn more about the work of the Churches of God around the world. I found the Brazilian leaders and members to have a genuine love for the people in their communities and seek to reach out to them with the gospel. Following the meeting in Campinas, Ben and I went to Bahia State where we visited two churches in Santo Antonio de Jesus. The four churches we visited in Sao Paulo and Bahia States are going through various stages of growing pains. They struggle with similar issues that we do here, and it is important for us to stand with them in prayer just as they pray for us. They are our brothers and sisters in the Lord. ))) 4

5 An Update from the Dillingers by Devin Dillinger In July 2014 just one week after our wedding Tabitha and I moved to northwest New Mexico to work alongside Pastor John Thumma and the Hooghan Nizhoni Church of God. We were appointed Special Assignment Missionaries with the goal of starting and developing the Youth and Children s ministries at the Hooghan Nizhoni Church. Since that time, a Sunday School class for children younger than sixth grade has been created and is growing. We have also developed the Youth Group ministry for those in the 7th through 12th grades. In May 2015, the Gamerco Church of God asked me to become their new Youth Pastor. I was excited for the opportunity and accepted that position, while still maintaining my original responsibilities at the Hooghan Nizhoni Church. The more time we spent at the Gamerco Church, the more Tabitha and I developed relationships with the church members. With lots of transition and the beginnings of revival at the church last year, additional needs became apparent. In order to assist Pastor John through these transitions, the Gamerco Church then asked me to serve as their Associate Pastor. My primary tasks in this position are to continue doing the Youth ministry, oversee all Christian Education, and preach for Pastor Thumma when he is away. With Pastor John as the Lead Pastor at both the Hooghan Nizhoni and Gamerco churches, I now oversee Youth and Children s ministries at both churches. I am also responsible for communicating with churches interested in coming out on short-term missions trips. I coordinate and work alongside of them in their planning. Originally when Tabitha and I committed to serve in the Southwest, we were both planning to have other employment to support ourselves for this ministry. For that reason, the CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries Commission granted us that Special Assignment status. While Tabitha was able to find a good position at a nearby Native American hospital, I soon realized there was so many ministry needs that it would be difficult to respond to those while also working outside the church. The Lord provided for us in many ways, and then the Holy Spirit opened the door with an offer from the Gamerco Church to step into this new role with them. In response to this opportunity and confirmation of call, the CCM Commission changed our status in March 2016 to become CCM missionary candidates (pending the enlistment of sufficient financial and prayer partners). Our new support account is CC 2735 Devin & Tabitha Dillinger. This new opportunity will allow me to focus on the Youth and Children s ministries at the Hooghan Nizhoni and Gamerco churches. It will also provide more time to develop relationships with members of each community as a step towards becoming more outreached-focused churches. My greatest calling is to develop disciples and leaders among the Navajo youth so that both churches will have a stronger future. ))) 5

6 God at Work in India by Rikkz Premnath Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Andrea and I thank the Lord for your prayers and financial support during our five months mission work in India. In many ways, our experience was both sweet and sour, but the Lord sustained us. We left for India on September 17, 2015 and arrived in Kochin, India on September 19, 2015 early morning. We spent almost a month down south with my mother and brother before we headed to the Churches of God Mission in Uluberia, West Bengal. During our travel to India, Andrea became ill on our flight from Chicago to Qatar. She showed early symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn s disease. She put up with her symptoms and did not worry about it, thinking that it had something to do with the food. After we reached the Mission Compound in Uluberia, her symptoms grew worse to the point where it limited her ability to travel. About three weeks after arriving in Uluberia, we were ready to pursue treatment for Andrea. With guidance from Pastor Samir and Charusheela Singha, we traveled to Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. What we experienced through the trial of this sickness was the faithfulness and presence of Christ. As part of our internship, there were a few things that Pastor Samir had planned for us. One of my goals was to do a soccer camp with the project children. During our three weeks in Uluberia before we headed to Vellore, I began to notice how the kids had a lack of discipline. During my last nine years in the USA, I learned that the best way to help a child develop discipline was to use the things they love to do. Most of the project kids came from poor family backgrounds. Their family circumstances force them to work in the same field as their father to help support their family. Education is the last thing that is fun for these kids. So I suggested to Pastor Samir that we use soccer as a tool to discipline and challenge these kids to become motivated about life in the right way. In the process, we could introduce 6

7 the principles of our Lord Jesus to live their lives and to know the love that He has for them. Pastor Samir supported my efforts. The Lord also blessed us through the Movement Church in Findlay, OH to raise the money that we needed to purchase the equipment such as soccer balls, jerseys, cones, and more. Andrea and I worked together with the kids and had a blast with them four days a week. While the soccer camp was something that I personally loved to do, I also enjoyed visiting the village churches located in the remote parts of West Bengal. Pastor Samir gave me the responsibility of meeting with a group of believers in a small town called Mecheda, about 45 minutes west of Uluberia. I was given the responsibility to teach them the Bible on Fridays. During the last three months, I joined with Mr. Anup Dey, one of the Mission evangelists, on every Friday. The CGGC s mission work in India is spread across five districts in West Bengal. We had the opportunity to visit some of these fields. One of the areas where God is moving rapidly is in the northern Malda district close to the Bangladesh border. It is almost half a day s journey via train. I was encouraged by the faith of the believers in these places but I also saw the need for better training for the evangelists serving in all these areas. We can feed the kids, educate them, clothe them, teach them life principles, and even evangelize and baptize them, but we must not overlook the third part of Jesus commission, which is teach them to obey all that I have commanded you! If this does not happen, then they will be living on milk for the rest of their life. For this to change, the evangelists need to be better trained to sincerely love and teach the Bible. Finally, during our time in India we also had the opportunity to serve the students at the historic Calcutta Bible College. Pastor Samir was a professor of this institution for a long time prior to becoming the Director of the Churches of God Mission. One day while working in Kolkata, he planned to take me to visit the Dean of the Bible College. As we talked, Dean Ezra William requested if I would teach English to help some of the students who are struggling with the language. He seemed 11

8 interested in me sharing with the students my personal method of learning. I was completely outside of my element, but it was a wonderful experience for me. In the process, I had the opportunity to hear some great conversion stories and the powerful and mighty way the Lord is moving all over India. I have a lot more that I would like to share, so if there are churches wanting to hear more about our God encounters in India, I would love to come and share. By now many of you are also asking the question: when are you guys planning to go back? We do not know when or how soon we will be going back, but what I can say is: this experience was a life changing one for both Andrea and me. We request you to keep praying for Pastor Samir and his family, the mission staff, all the evangelists and their families, and the believers as well as the lost all over India. Andrea and I are greatly thankful to the Cross-Cultural Ministries Commission for their willingness to send us as interns to experience the work the Lord is doing in India through the Churches of God Mission. ))) 2016 Prayer Focus: Sing to the Lord a NEW Song! Government Thank God for Christian government officials at every level (heads of state, national and local). Pray for their influence to be multiplied and for their spiritual protection as they deal with financial and powerbased temptations. Pray for elections in your country and abroad, and that God s people will prayerfully vote in ways that will glorify His name and further His kingdom. Pray AGAINST corruption at every level, and for all officials to take seriously God s expectation of integrity in all things. Graphic Arts This is what most people think of when they hear the word art! Thank God for the artistic skill He gives to so many, as they portray beauty and inspire others with their vision. Pray for Christians to apply these artistic skills in the academy and the marketplace, and for a greater desire to focus on beauty rather than profit. Pray AGAINST the many forms of pornography and darkness that degrade God-given beauty and destroy lives around the world. ))) 12

9 New Commission Members Added In March, the CGGC Administrative Council approved two new members to join the CCM Commission. They are Pastor Tony Cargle (from Casey White Oak Church of God, Casey, IL) and Mrs. Lynda Bohager (from Hanover First Church of God, Hanover, PA). Pastor Tony (pictured left with wife, Theresa) previously served on the Commission in the late 1990 s. He brings spiritual gifts of administration and teaching to the Commission and (in his words) sees missions NOT as a part of our church ministry but our ENTIRE church ministry, just realized through different avenues. Lynda (right) chairs the Hanover church s Missions Commission and has used her gifts of evangelism and teaching as a chaplain, mission team leader and in many other leadership ministry roles. These new members are replacing Kara Norris who served one three-year term, and Joyce Hornbaker who is completing two terms. We have appreciated their love for the church and their heart for missions. Their insights on key issues have been deeply appreciated by all members of the Commission. The Commission meets three times a year (usually in Findlay, OH) and at various times via teleconference in order to advise the CCM Directors, interview missionary candidates, and approve official CCM decisions. For more information about the Commission, please contact CCM Director Ben Tobias at ccm@cggc.org or at ))) With Appreciation CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries wishes to acknowledge recent Missions Tribute gifts: In Memory of: For: E. Fidelia Gilbert Bangladesh Medical Ministries Don Peter (3) Gordon & Annie Avey Support Don Peter (3) Doug & Anna-Karin Molgaard Support Dave & Sue Speelman (2) Bangladesh Medical Ministries Paul Tatum (17) Project Help Partnering Fund Kristina Wallace Project Help Partnering Fund In Honor of: For: Victor & Donna Binkley Frecyneau PT School Adriana Cuba Latino Outreach Edwin Cuba Latino Outreach Pastor Doug & Judy Nolt Kenya Aquaponics Rolando Poveda Latino Outreach 13

10 Quarterly Dashboard So how are things going so far in 2016 for our missionaries and mission projects? The dashboard below provides charts indicating year-to-date giving levels. Please keep in mind that funds at 100% or more are NOT complete for the year ongoing support is needed for all missionaries and ministries. 14

11 M i s s i o n s M i n u t e s The CCM Commission recently approved two missionary interns. Both of them are 2016 University of Findlay graduates. Emma Geis (left) will be serving in Lima, Peru with the Life and Truth Christian Church (pastored by Andrew and Liliana Fowler). Her two-month internship will focus on helping to host mission teams and working in a variety of ministries at the church. Emma s support number is CC (For more information about the Fowlers ministry, visit their website at Sara Postic (right) will be serving with Project Help-Haiti as teacher for the Hosler children for the coming school year (September 2016-May 2017). Her major was Early Childhood Education. Sara s support number is CC Funding for both Emma and Sara can be sent to CGGC, Box 926, Findlay, OH Be sure to use the specific designated support code (CC x) for each intern. Delegates to the upcoming General Conference sessions meeting in Chambersburg, PA are invited to a special Missions Banquet on July 25. CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries is funding the cost of the Monday night meal. Some CCM missionaries and other guests will be on hand to share how God is at work around the world. We hope you ll plan to attend! Ministry Opening Still Available: Project Help-Haiti Guesthouse managers (Pierre Payen). Applications are still needed for this ministry position. Go to for more information and the online application. ))) 15

12 COMMISSION ON CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRIES Churches of God, General Conference 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926 Findlay, OH Phone (419) Fax (419) Periodical Rate Postage Paid at Minster, OH Permit No Global Tools for missions education What does the Bible say about God s mission and our response to it? What are the common characteristics of missions-active churches? What can we learn from missions-active CGGC churches? These and other questions are answered in Don Dennison s book His People on Mission: Mobilizing Churches for Cross-Cultural Outreach. This resources includes helpful discussion questions for missions teams and ministry leaders. Order your copy today from publications@cggc.org for $10.95 plus shipping or call