The Global Advocate - July/Aug 2022

July/August 2022

Vol. 187, No. 4

ADVOCATE The

G L O B A L

a publication of the Churches of God, General Conference

Why We

GATHER I N

T H I S

I S S U E

2

Why Do We Gather? by Lance Finley

4

Finding Your Missional Work by Trent Grable

7

Discovering How to Serve Your Community by Ben Tobias

10 Reimagining Why We Gather by Kathy Foor 14 Memories of Charusheela Singha by Travis Helm

Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3b).

THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE (ISSN 0009-630X) is published bi-monthly by the Churches of God, General Conference.

Vol. 187, No. 4 Established June 5, 1835 as THE GOSPEL PUBLISHER, re-established on May 1, 1846 as THE CHURCH ADVOCATE, and re-established on October 1, 2019 as THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE.

Why do We Gather?

by Lance Finley, CGGC Executive Director

Rachel Foreman, Managing Editor The Global Advocate, official publication of the Churches of God, General Conference, exists to encourage members of the CGGC to maximize their collective potential for Kingdom impact.

Correspondence: Address correspondence to The Editor, The Global Advocate, Churches of God Publications, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839, or email to RachelF@cggc.org.

Periodical rate paid at Minster, Ohio.

Postmaster: Send address changes to THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839. © 2022, Churches of God, General Conference 2 July/August 2022

Why does your local congregation gather? Over the past two years there has been a lot of discussion around the importance of Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” It’s pretty clear that we need to gather and that it’s vital to our discipleship to Jesus. We need each other if we’re going to follow Jesus and live out the many “one another” commands that are found through out the New Testament.

With that being said, it’s still a good question to ask: Why does your local congregation gather? Is it worship? Is it fellowship? Is it discipleship? Is it teaching? Is it evangelism? It’s probably safe to assume that a lot of us might answer, “It’s all of those things and more.” Perhaps others would point to love one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, or consider one another better than yourselves.

Through the disruption of the past two years, coach celebrating those metrics and yet never placing all of us have had to reimagine our gatherings: how ateamonthefieldforFridaynight’sgame.Asgood we meet, where we meet, and what special precauthe practices may have been or as much as attendance tions or considerations do we consider as we gather mighthavegrownovertheyear,theteamsti together? Over the past several decades we’ve witaccomplishingthemissionofwinningfootbal nessed shifts in our culture that have also impacted Itdoesn’tmatterthattheteamhadperfe our approach to gathering. There was an era when forpracticeallweekifthey’renotputtin you could hold outreach services or evangelistic thefieldforthegameonFridaynight services with some confidence that thereWhen would Jesus begave the Great Commission, he was a good number of unreached folks who would give givingusprettyclearinstructionsonwha a hearing to the proclamation of the Good News. a “win” in his book. Is your congregation mak There was a time when blue laws helped insure that disciples? Are lost people being sought an most people would be available to attend Sunday Arepeoplemovingfromdarknesstolight?Ar morning worship without the confl icts ofrepenting work or and believing, growing in their ability to other responsibilities or activities. bothhearfromtheLordandrespondinobedi One of the unintended consequences of the church +im?Areyouwitnessingtherealityof*od’skin growth movement was the tendency to make the cominginyourcommunitythroughtherealit Sunday morning experience the all-encompassing transformationofpeoples’lives? church event: worship, evangelism, discipleship along Ithink+ebrews-ouersalotaboutwhy with fellowship and teaching. Get it all in an hour on we gather and what should be accomplished by our Sunday morning. gatherings.Arebrothersandsistersbeings Often there is a great emphasis placed upon church loveandgooddeedsinawaythattouchesth attendance and yet I wonder if that results in some surfolksinyourcommunity?Aretheybeingencour prising unintended consequences. I grew up in a world tokeeponpursuingthemissionof*odatall where I understood it was important to be at church.

Wecangatheringfaithfullyandstill - miss Even today, after two long years of struggling through sion If our gatherings are not resulting in a global pandemic, one of the messages I hear the most ofJesusbeingmade,thenwe’relikeafootbal in church circles is “get people back in church”. I unthat practices faithfully but never act derstand the concern, we can’t live the Christian live gameonFridaynight. alone and we really do need each other. At the same If our gatherings aren’t resulting - in t time, if we’re to take the Great Commission to heart, ment of ambassadors of the kingdom of *od w it’s more than just showing up at the gathering once aremakingdisciplesofJesus,thenit’stim a week. We know Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go somechangessothatwegetbackonmission and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in gatherings aren’t sending out disciples o the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy are able to love their neighbors or do goo Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have the*loryof*od,thenitdoesn’tmatterhow commanded you. And surely I am with you always, weareinourgathering,we’vestillmissed to the very end of the age.” ofthemission+egaveus.

I played high school football. As I understood it, ’on’t give up gathering We need each oth one of the chief goals of playing football was to win to stay on mission. Some of us need to tak football games. Imagine if the coach began to count honest evaluation about what the gathering is how many players showed up for the Monday morning really accomplishing. What would it take fo team meeting in order to prepare for Friday night’s congregation to accomplish the mission o game.“Wehadforty-fiveplayersshowupfor - Mon disciples of Jesus? What will you have t day’smeetingwhichwasfivemorethanlastweek, practically ”or toseekandsavethelostinyo “We had perfect attendance at practice on Wednesday How do you continue to encourage one another night,”or“Wehavemoreplayerscomingoutforfilm an spur one another on in the mission of m night than at any other time in our history.” Imagine a disciplesofJesus&hrist?

The Global Advocate 3

Exploring Your Missional Work

by Trent Grable, Director of Strategy & Leadership Development

“

The mission of God is the origin of every expression of ecclesiology, every understanding of how the church is structured and why it exists. Mission is the sweeping force that runs through everything we are and all that we do.

”

—Rob Wegner

Missional Moves: 15 Tectonic Shifts that Transform Churches, Communities, and the World 4 July/August 2022

W

hile the spiritual and Christ-like foundational training of our work tends to be well codified, the individual callings of our members often take different, more exploratory developmental paths. Often, we can look at the missions, callings, and expressions across the church to find our own individual expression, but each missional expression is unique, and requires the body member to lean into their own walk, their own calling.

At its most fundamental level, the church exists to fulfill the mission God gave to his people, to be living representations of the redemptive, dead-raising work of God. At times, however, the procedures and practices of the church have become the focus of our activities. We mistake rituals for mission and habits for commission. We use the word “church” to describe a building, sometimes inadvertently confining the whole of our calling into the limits of our walls. It has become harder to focus on our mission when so much of what we do, measure, and train for is just a part of that mission. We have been disproportionally equipped for worship services (and other types of gatherings) over and above discipleship and evangelism.

Worship gatherings, for example, often become a mission in themselves. We must remind ourselves, however, that we do not forsake gatherings because it is within the meetings of our saints that the mission, and our equipping for the mission, is refined. We do not gather to merely gather, we gather so that we may be developed, equipped, and then sent, so that the mission may be fulfilled. The saints have work to do.

How then do we prepare the saints for their work? First, there are foundational elements of preparation that apply to all saints in all their various capacities. This general equipping has been a focus of the church for many years; helping the body develop into the image and likeness of Christ. Second, there are unique attributes and needs for each member of the body - unique to them, unique to their mission field, and unique to their calling. Each job in an organization, or player on a sports team, requires core competencies to perform and thrive in that venue, but also requires

specific leverage they can apply as contribution to their venture and to the success of their mission.

Likewise, the church thrives when all members both 1) express Christ-like characteristics and 2) actively contribute to their specific missional expression. The church with only teachers is as effective, and as inviting, as an organization with only accountants.

One of the guiding values of the CGGC is Total Participation, “because we are all qualified and commissioned to make disciples.” While we prescribe the mission, there is no prescription for how that must or should be done. Because, ultimately, processes and operations are merely the engines through which the mission is delivered.

For instance, if my mission is to ‘feed my family well’ then there is no set process on how to accomplish this. Feeding my family either tacos or stir-fry would accomplish the mission. Even if my family has a preference towards one or the other, so long as the meal is good, and the family eats, then we need not question the process. The style of food is almost inconsequential, precisely because both could have done the job, and done it well. They are not kitchen enemies, and we do not have to hate tacos to adore stir-fry. They are two equally tasty ways to fulfill our mission.

As we think about total participation of the church, we limit our missional reach by convoluting mission and process. They are interconnected, absolutely, but not the same. The “mission” is what our “goal” is, the “process” is how we go about our “mission”. The mission is rigid. The process is flexible. We must refrain from making the process the mission, and the mission the process.

Otherwise, we alienate and disengage an eager range of missional saints who see their mission, their calling, or their leverage outside the bounds of current operations. A more inclusive, and potentially healthier, way to view their expressions is the missional impact of their work, not the alignment with any particular process. Doing so allows us to build congregations of multiple missional expressions, united in our redemptive mission, but able to leverage all spiritually lead members of the body to do good work.

The Global Advocate 5

As we disciple and coach our emerging leaders through their own expressions, here are some ways we can think about their exploration: Missional Scope: An exploring disciple maker doesn’t need full control over every aspect of your congregation to explore. There will always be areas of the community that are less refined or less critical for established missions.

Find these areas of lessoned impact where mistakes matter less that allow people to lean into, experiment with, and explore their gifts. Then, once the calling shows fruit, the disciple maker can be moved into a more impactful mission field, or, indeed, you may find that they have crafted their own.

Missional Calling: A hard concept for many, good-natured disciple makers to understand is this: your mission is not necessarily other folk’s mission. Your calling for medical missions or the neighborhood hungry won’t mean as much to those called to business as missions. Their passion and calling elsewhere does not invalidate your calling, nor should your calling invalidate theirs. Finding space for every member to be edified and validated in their missional expression helps all members play their God given roles and allows for cross-pollination of good works. If someone feels called toward a mission not your own, find ways (and maybe even fresh mentors) to encourage and guide that expression.

Missional Action: Different mission fields require different methods of engagement. If your developing disciple maker thinks they know a good way to engage (and their wisdom, logic, and spirt leadings are sound) allow them latitude to make those calls. Again, they don’t have to decide what the entire congregation has to do within a particular mission field, but allowing them appropriate levels of authority (and likewise accountability) within their own missional space allows them to make that particular missional expression their own.

Missional Auditing: At the end of the day, there will be lots of folks who claim to be called to mission fields that we just don’t see. This is where congregational eldership and wisdom come in. Accountability and governance of various missional expressions of the congregation are good ways to make sure that Christlikness is being developed in leadership, missional expressions are bearing fruit, and congregational resources are being appropriately allocated. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the outcome of healthy missional expressions while allowing decision makers to find their unique callings to make their mission a reality. Elders should be the first supporters for emerging decision makers who are ready to lean into their callings.

6 July/August 2022

Discovering How to Serve Your Community

by Ben Tobias, Director of Global Reach

If

you’re in a church of less than 50 attenders, have you ever looked at larger churches with at least a little envy? It’s not uncommon to feel limited by size and location, especially if your church doesn’t have many young people (if any). The temptation is to hunker down and miss “the good ol' days.”

Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t seem particularly bothered by church size or location. The Holy Spirit works with open, obedient hearts and empowers God’s people to do more than they thought possible. We’ve asked two visionary pastors to share their stories of how God is working through their congregations: Pastor Ken Thomas and the Aukerman Church of God in Ohio, and Pastor Charles Rice and the Bethel Church of God in Kansas.

From Pastor Thomas: The Aukerman Church of God is a small rural congregation near West Salem, Ohio composed of mostly older individuals and families which presents some limitations for community involvement. However, that has not prevented us from being as active as possible both locally and globally.

Locally, there are two food pantries in the area. One is primarily for West Salem area residents where food and personal careitemsaredistributedthefirstFridayofeachmonth.Ourcongregationhelpswithfinancia aspecialeuortmadestartinglateSeptember/earlyOctobercollectingcannedgoodsandnon care items for the distributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each holiday season we collect and deliver several hundred pounds of supplies to this organization.

The Global Advocate 7

The second food pantry is a more recent start-up and The congregation helps financially with th distributes a large range of fresh produce (in season), frotime Christian Education programs at two local school zen food, canned goods, etc. to individuals from several districts. The programs continue to grow numerically and local counties the third Saturday of each month. During the students are growing spiritually. distribution times the individuals have an opportunity to How did we discern what God was doing? We looked receive prayer, if they desire, from local pastors who are around—we being the members of this congregation. on hand. Our congregation helps financially andMany I have of the programs were in place before I was called prayed with some of the recipients. to this pastorate. Others were added as our members made During the holiday season our congregation also colneeds known. Sometimes the local community alerts us lects hats, gloves, mittens and socks for our “mitten tree” at of situations such as when a family lost their home and the side of the sanctuary. These items are then delivered to possessions in a fire. We joined in gathering d local organizations such as the nearby Christian Children’s of clothing and other necessities to help get them back Home of Ohio or the Salvation Army Center in Wooster on their feet. where two of our members are Bell Ringers for the SalvaOur small missionary society meets monthly. We start tion Army during the holiday season. with prayer for the congregation and the needs of the local Inthesummerweouerassistancetothegrandchildren andglobalcommunity.Wehelpwithfinancialsuppo of our members who wish to attend Camp Otyokwah some Church of God missionaries as well as two ladies with partial and whole scholarships. We have also paid serving in rural Kentucky and a missionary in New Zealand for neighboring young people who desire to attend camp. who have ties with our church.

One case stands out. This girl had never been away from The results of all these activities are mainly seen in home and was reluctant to be so far from home. After attitudes. While we have not experienced direct growth some discussion, we arranged for her to attend the local in numbers, we remember the church is not just our conBrethrencampliterallyacrossthefieldfrom gregation, ourchurch. but the greater assembly of all the followers of She reported she had a terrific time and madeJesus it through Christ. To that end, we have seen community people the entire week. being more open to the Gospel message. Within our con-

Bethel Volunteers Collecting Food

8 July/August 2022

gregation there is a greater appreciation of our blessings as individuals and as a church body.

I would encourage all churches to look and listen to the local area where you are. What do you see? Is there something needed that you don’t see? Are there individuals or families who need a helping hand? Everyone benefits when we show the love of Christ and share the Gospel message whether it is in deeds or words.

From Pastor Rice: The Bethel congregation is pleased with the many opportunities that God provides to impact our world. Our approach fairly mimics the "Amazing Law of Influence" which King Duncan outlines in his book by that same name.

The idea is: "One life touches another and, potentially, both lives are changed. One life touches another and, potentially, the whole world is changed."

This is not a new concept. Jesus started with twelve and the ministry grew from there. So has it been with Bethel.

Eleven years ago, Bethel had only nine regular members meeting without purpose or plan. Ten years ago, God sent us a couple who had a food ministry in their home. That food ministry has grown and expanded to cover roughly a thirty-mile radius; last year feeding over 19,000 individuals.

One of the things that we were led to understand was that it did no good to prepare folks for works of ministry if you never turn them loose to minister. Besides the food Associate Pastor Cora Stokes of Bethel distribution, Bethel has ministry teams that do several diuerent men with diuerent levels of skill a services for area nursing homes each month. In 2021, we levels of belief and understanding. Each of the twelve had were able to provide pulpit supply for the local Methodist a diuerent ministry. Way too often, we see exampl congregation while they looked for a full-time pastor. attempts to force ministry. Cookie cutter ministry usually A fascinating aspect in all the ministry that Bethel has ends up being unproductive and often produces unhappy been blessed with was the revelation that our window was andfor unfulfilled people. What works in one area w too narrow to allow suvcient light. We would pray necessarily work in another. workerstobesenttotheharvest,butwantedtobethe final It was a wonderful revelation for the Bethel congrearbiters of just who those workers were to be. We simply gation when the realization came that the Servant, Jesus, needed a bigger window, not to let light in, but to let it out. died for all mankind, not just the members of the Bethel God was sending us workers all along, but because they congregation. In His servant nature, we become His repweren't "members" of the Bethel congregation, we failed resentatives to the world around us and He said, "Go into to see that through us God was touching lives. all the world."

The outstanding part, and the lesson for us all, is that We often think in terms of "worldwide" ministries God can use anyone who is willing and will often use those but fail to realize that our world begins at the end of our who aren't so willing. Most of the ministry that God is doing noses. The common error is in the notion that ministry is through the Bethel congregation is accomplished through someone else’s job. The parable of the Good Samaritan servants with an average age of 70 years. is revealing in those two very religious individuals who Ministry through Bethel is never about "growing" numissed the opportunity to serve someone in need along the merically. We've seen some tremendous spiritual growth, because their focus was elsewhere. butthedesireisalwaysforthosewefindonourownway Jericho Perhaps we should all think deeply about the implicaroad. How can we help those in need? God continually suptions in Exodus 9:1 (NKJV), "Let my people go that they plies everything we need to get the job done. The attitude may serve me," as opposed to the idea of keeping folks so at Bethel is, "Here I am, Lord, use me." busy "doing church" that they have no time left to become One lesson learned, years ago, was that you can't the "Church." force ministry. The Bible tells us that Jesus chose twelve The Global Advocate 9

Reimagining

Why We Gather

by Kathy Foor, Director of Women's Ministries

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

W

hen we look around and still see so many empty seats in our church services and events, it is easy to realize that it is indeed time to reimagine why we gather. Getting together doesn’t seem to be as much a priority as it once was for some, and while it is easy to be critical of those who have wandered away from the flock, those who are still uncomfortable going out and being with people, and those who just find it safer to watch church from the live stream than to be physically present with the body of Christ, that is not going to bring people back.

The truth is, it is more convenient to watch our events from home. It is also safer to watch from home.

And, while I am grateful myself for the times when I have had to quarantine that I could still attend services or conferences online from home, is it really the same?

Is it really what the writer of Hebrews intended when he penned the verses above?

Hebrews tells us that our gathering is important so that we can spur one another on and so that we can encourage one another. While we can get some great teaching online, or listen to some great worship 10 July/August 2022

music, this format makes it very easy for us to feel like we are gathering when that is not really what is going on at all. It is easy to watch online without really participating, but Kingdom life was never meant to be a spectator sport.

We were created for community. From beginning to end the Bible is about relationships, and whether we agree or not, whether we like it or not, God’s Kingdom is not a kingdom of isolated souls, but a family that needs one another. Perhaps that is why in this last season the enemy fought so hard to prevent us from gathering. He understands that we are stronger together. We function better together. Like you cannot have a symphony without every instrument represented, the kingdom of God doesn’t work well if people are missing.

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” Romans 12:4-5.

We belong to one another. We need one another.

We are incomplete without everyone participating. A

body that is missing parts can function and adapt to some degree, but a healthy body with all its members can accomplish much more, and more effectively, than one that is not complete. All of our gifts are needed in order to win the lost to Jesus.

John records Jesus’ words, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” John 17:22-23.

We must be together to be in unity, and our unity is vital for the salvation of others.

I find it interesting to note the final phrase in the Hebrews passage above, “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Whatever you believe about the end times, most Christians I speak with are convinced that we are indeed living in the last days.

That means our gathering takes on greater significance than ever before. If we believe what Jesus told us about His return, then we will be certain those we love—or those we don’t even know—get a chance to know our Redeemer personally. If it really is the

last days, what should we be doing differently? What matters more in light of eternity?

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” Acts 2:46-47.

God can do things among us when we are together that will fill us with awe and wonder, and people’s lives can be changed for all eternity.

I invite and challenge you to take advantage of opportunities to gather with other believers. Ask God to guide those decisions, so that you will be in the right place at the right time. You may need to hear someone else’s story, or they might need to hear yours. You may need to hear a word of comfort or encouragement, or someone might need to hear your words of encouragement. You might need to be refreshed, or you might be an instrument to refresh another. Your gift might be the very thing needed to bring someone to Jesus. Don’t hold back. Don’t let the enemy keep you apart from the body. We are still better together!

----------------------------------------------------------------The Flourish Conference 2022 was a great opportunity to gather and encourage one another. Dr. Karen McGibbon, our keynote speaker, inspired us with hope from the Word of God and stories of the Lord’s faithfulness in difficult seasons. Our breakout speakers blessed us with their testimonies and life lessons that have helped them through difficult times. Emmaus Road led us in Christ-centered worship that filled us to the brim with the presence of the Lord. We enjoyed great food, fellowship, and fun together! As we plan Flourish 2023, we hope you will join us, and look forward to seeing you there!

The Global Advocate 11

4 Thank the Lord for the freedom we have in the US to worship Him without fear.

Pray for those who do not have that freedom.

(Independence Day)

11 Trust the Lord to provide for Pastor German and his family as they continue to serve in Nicaragua.

18 Call upon the Lord for the health and safety of staff at Pierre Payen Hospital in Haiti.

25 Pray for the General Conference sessions taking place in Findlay through July 27. May the Lord bless the CGGC!

10 Jesus said “My house will be called a house of prayer for the nations” (Mark 11:17).

Trust for a revival of prayer in the Church.

17 Lift up in prayer the people of Bangladesh that they would come to know the love of Christ!

24 Intercede for healthcare professionals worldwide. Pray that the Holy Spirit works in and through their lives for God’s glory.

Monday

3 Pray that the ministry in Mexico would be edified and strengthened.

31 Ask the Lord to bring an outpouring of encouragement and spiritual growth to the Kenya church plants and their pastors.

Sunday

26 Lift up the Pastors at the churches in the Dominican Republic. Pray for encouragement and revitalization during these difficult times.

19 Pray for Wes & Mindy McKnight* serving the Democratic Republic of Congo; for resolution to the increasing militia violence in that region.

12 Happy Birthday to Don Dennison who serves as Intentional Interim Pastor in Defiance, OH.

5 Give thanks for Jacob & Haley Day and pray for their leadership at Gamerco Church of God.

Tuesday

27 Intercede on behalf of the Global Reach Commission as they meet in Findlay with missionaries and mission champions.

20 Happy Birthday to Darlene Mattox, Pensions Administrative Assistant at the CGGC office! Thank God for her work.

13 Be in prayer for GR Assistant Director Travis Helm for clarity and focus as he makes decisions for Global Reach and its missionaries.

6 Lift up students at Winebrenner Theological Seminary as they follow God’s path for their lives.

Wednesday

Thursday

28 Be in prayer for Brazil during these uncertain times.

Ask for God’s peace and comfort for our pastors and churches.

21 Ask God for new opportunities for our Mission Advancement Volunteers: Jeff & Julie Burns and Ken & Betty McIntyre.

14 Happy Birthday Everett Teller! Thank God for him and his ministry at Tsaile Church.

7 Happy Birthday to CGGC Director of Communication Jacob Clagg!

Global Advocate Prayer Calendar

July 2022

29 Lift up in prayer all the regional directors and ask for encouragement as they seek to honor God.

22 Unite in prayer for Chile and have faith that they will be able to soon become the next official mission field of Global Reach.

15 Pray that the people of India see the love of Christ in our brothers and sisters. Give thanks for the multiplication of ministry!

8 Join together in prayer for your local church and community. Ask God to provide for the needs of everyone.

1 Pray for Bryan & Katie Crabtree as they spend time at home in Ohio following their first year in Thailand as missionary interns!

Friday

30 Thank God for the faithfulness of Pastor Dave & Kenda Kapaku in Maui, HI. Ask the Lord to continue adding to His church those who are being saved.

23 Seek the will of the Lord for Rod & Mila Ayers and for their hearts to submit to the Holy Spirit’s direction.

16 Remember in prayer law enforcement who protects this nation.

Pray for their safety in all situations they encounter.

9 Call upon the Lord that he would provide encouragement to Caleb & Christina Acosta as they serve as directors of Latino Ministries.

2 Intercede for Samir and Madhumita Singha as they mourn the passing of Charusheela.

Saturday

2 Ask the Lord to provide Matt Ginter and Josiah Parkhurst with wisdom to help students who seek a relationship with God. 9 Happy Birthday to Rachel Foreman, managing editor at the CGGC office! Ask for God’s continued blessings on her life.

1 Keep John & Toni Thumma in your prayers as they serve in New Mexico. Pray they will continue to develop relationships within the community.

8 Uphold Rod & Mila Ayers as they oversee Haiti’s Sister Church and School ministry.

15 Call upon the Lord as students, teachers and staff return to school this fall. Pray for growth, health, safety, and a successful school year!

22 Pray for global mobilization to take root among all ministry fields of the CGGC, both in the USA and internationally!

29 Intercede for Dr. John Costa as he reached out to villages near Khanjanpur, Bangladesh in order to provide medical treatment.

7 Ask for wisdom for Joseph Mwaura as he directs Voice of the Gospel Ministries in Kenya.

Pray for unity among leaders and pastors as they work together.

14 Resolve to grow in obedience to God’s will to make disciples of all nations (Matt.

28:19). Consider how you (and your friends) will reach globally!

21 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

28 Uplift your Pastor and church leadership in prayer.

Ask for God’s wisdom as they seek to live a life that pleases Him.

30 Lift up Pastor Maria Grigioni, International Field Leader of Argentina, as she reaches out to new communities.

23 Keep praying for Caleb & Christina Acosta as they oversee ministry in the USA, Mexico, the Dom. Republic, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Argentina.

16 Pray for the recruiting and development of future leaders at Winebrenner Theological Seminary for our churches with a mission mindset.

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

31 Happy Anniversary Dave & Kenda Kapaku! Pray for boldness in preaching the Gospel at Kahana Door of Faith church in Hawaii.

24 Join together in prayer for the pastors who serve our work in Mexico. Pray for spiritual growth and encouragement for the churches.

17 Remember to pray for your neighbors who don’t know the Lord, and ask God to provide opportunities to befriend them and show Jesus’ love.

10 Pray for Dominican Republic directors, Fremio & Evelin Jimenez, that they would have wisdom to serve well.

3 Pray against the forces of evil in the world and in our own lives. Seek God’s protection for all His Church!

Wednesday

Thursday

25 As Everett & Mary Teller pastor the Tsaile Church of God, be in prayer that more souls are being saved each day.

18 Have faith that the Global Reach Virtual Summit will run smoothly tonight and that missionaries will be able to share updates with many!

11 Thank God for retired missionaries Mike & Dawn VanDervort and their legacy in Haiti. Pray for peace and stability in that land!

4 Intercede for the people of Venezuela in these uncertain times. Pray for the Lord’s healing for His people!

Global Advocate Prayer Calendar

August 2022

26 Uplift in prayer GR Assistant Director Travis Helm for wisdom and clarity as he works and communicates with Global Reach missionaries.

19 Pray for Bryan & Katie Crabtree as they begin a new school year in Thailand and continue to build friendships with neighbors.

12 Happy Anniversary to retired missionaries Gordon and Annie Avey! Praise God for their many years of service in Brazil!

5 Continue to ask God’s blessings on Samir Singha and the India Mission as they provide educational opportunities to children in India.

Friday

27 Go to God in prayer for the people of Nicaragua. Pray for peace and comfort and an understanding of the love Christ has for them.

20 Happy Birthday John Thumma! Praise God for his work and faithfulness. Pray for continued knowledge of the Word of God.

13 With India being in monsoon season, pray for those affected by oppressive heat, humidity, and the threat of malaria and other diseases.

6 Pray for children around the world that they would come to know the love of their heavenly Father.

Saturday

Memories of Charusheela Singha On

by Travis Helm, Global Reach Assistant Director

April 16, 2022, we lost Charusheela Singha to cancer, but we have a treasure of wonderful memories of how she impacted many lives and souls for the Kingdom. I first met Charusheela in September of 2015 when they visited the USA for the CGGC Missionary retreat at Eastern Region Conference Camp YoliJwa in Pennsylvania. I visited them in India the following month to get to know the India Mission staff and spend time with the Singha family. It was a wonderful time seeing the various regions of ministry and what God was accomplishing through Samir, Charusheela and the Mission staff. As I got to know Charusheela over the years and visits to India, I would best describe her as a quiet and meek woman who deeply loved the Lord and wanted to please Him daily with a servant’s heart. She sacrificially lived out her life as a wife, mother, teacher, encourager, counselor, hostess, and many other roles as needed. The short few years I came to know Charusheela, I witnessed her always putting the needs of others first. Her faith was unassuming yet actively demonstrated in every aspect of her life. There was no time that was more evident than when she prayed. It

14 July/August 2022

became very obvious to me that she spent much time in conversation with her Savior through prayer. Her confidence and trust in God’s grace and mercy permeated the room when she began to pray among a group. One particular practice of Charusheela and Samir really stood out to my heart. As I traveled throughout India, I would often room with Samir at whatever guest house or hotel we stayed. Samir and Charusheela would connect via cell phone every evening including their daughter Madhumita. They would discuss events of that day, the everyday joys, and the trials. Then they would pray for each other, the Mission staff, friends in the USA and the lost. This would often be an hour or more each evening. This was a discipline they practiced regularly whether traveling or at home. It was a humbling experience for me to witness such testimony and commitment. I believe Charusheela was the primary gatekeeper in protecting that daily evening prayer time. That’s why I am asking those reading to remember to pray for encouragement for Samir and Madhumita as Charusheela’s absence leaves a huge void and loss for them. Although they rejoice that she is with the Lord and no longer in pain, they desperately miss her encouraging words, nurturing spirit, and comforting and assuring prayers. They lost a wife, mother, and best friend and are grieving that loss.

Many of you may have had the opportunity to meet the Singhas in 2018 has they made an extended stay in the USA and visited churches in every CGGC region. I have included numerous pictures on the following pages to provide memories of Charusheela, her family, ministry, and visits to the USA. Samir, Madhumita, and a couple other close friends of the Singhas have shared some thoughts, stories, and memories of Charusheela. May you be blessed as you read and experience them. Lord willing, Samir will be visiting the USA in July for the 2022 CGGC triennial conference. Samir shared the following verse which Charusheela embraced as she passed into eternity. “I fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7. May the Lord be praised!

15

My Dear Wife

By Samir Singha

Charusheela was born (27th March 1961) and brought up in a god-fearing Christian family of Free Methodist Church, in Yavatmal District of Maharashtra State, India. Her father was a librarian in a Government College, and mother was a nurse. Her father was also an ordained minister of the Free Methodist Church Conference. There were three children in the family: two brothers and a sister. She was second in number. At present, she has her elder brother only (with whom she stayed till her last). By language and culture, she was Marathi and Hindi.

Education: She was a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) graduate with Home Science, and she also completed her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) – a qualified school teacher. She studied the two-year program of Bachelor of Religious Education at the Union Biblical Seminary.

Spiritual Formation: Her spiritual formation was progressive. Her family was church-oriented and practicing Christians. She, during her late high school and early college life, came to know about the forgiveness of sin in Christ Jesus, and in a Christian meeting committed her life to serve the Lord but not knowing how it would be.

Marriage and Ministry Involvement: On 27th December 1988 she married Samir Singha, a teacher at the Calcutta Bible College, Baptist Denomination, from Orissa State. They were from different language and cultural backgrounds. Despite this, Charusheela, through her sacrificial life, adapted to this new situation and church background with Samir in Calcutta.

In Calcutta, Charusheela got a teacher’s job in a government added Christian School. But after one year, she resigned her job with a conviction to help her husband, Samir, in the ministry. Her life was much influenced by her father’s pastoral ministry; and she wanted to be in the ministry beside her husband.

To be in the ministry and to support the family needs, Charusheela was willing to do any job. At the Bible College, she worked as an office clerk and accountant; later she got the opportunity to teach English and Bible Geography. She encouraged

Samir to go for his master’s degree in theology studies.

In God’s provision, Samir got a scholarship to study in the Philippines, for a year. Since support was limited, she took a stitching/needle work job at the campus store to earn money; also, she gave English coaching to college students’ children. When Samir was in Serampur College for studies, there was a similar situation of shortage of funds; Charusheela took a job at the Xerox counter to support the family. In various ways Charusheela stood with Samir for the ministry development.

In 2003, when Charusheela and Samir moved to Uluberia with little Madhumita, Charusheela’s first desire was to start a Sunday school (at that time the local church had no Sunday school) for little children where Madhumita would learn the Bible. She learned Bengali Language to teach in Sunday school. For Madhumita’s education she prayed for an English Medium School; and the Lord opened the first English Medium School in Uluberia, Bharat Academy. As Charusheela came to Uluberia, her heart was burdened to see many children on the street, not going to school. She prayed as to how she could help the children in education, and the Lord gave the Child Development Centre. Along with the CDC, Charusheela prayerfully started an elementary school in the Mission campus, which is the Mission School. The purpose was to build the foundation for children learning.

The other programs initiated and organized by Charusheela are: VBS, Children Rally, Children Camp, Pastors Family Camp, Women Empowerment, and others. For the first fifteen years (2003 – 2019), Charusheela was not a paid employee of the Mission, yet her management skills, love and care were required by all the departments.

The Global Advocate 17

Charusheela’s Advice to Samir: • • • • • •

Prayer and Scripture Reading Knowing and Believing in Jesus Do good to others Do not send your student, Christian worker (minimum paid) empty handed.

Do not criticize others.

Always evaluate yourself

She was Samir’s main critique.

Charusheela is no more in this world. She is gone to be with the Lord on 16th April 2022 where there is no pain, no death, to a better place. She was a loving wife to Samir; a loving mother to Madhumita; and a best friend to both. May the name of the Lord be praised.

My Mother, Charusheela!

By Madhumita Susanna Singha

My mother, Charusheela, was not only my mother but my tutor and my best friend with whom I used to share and laugh together. She looked after my every need like food, clothes, studies, manners, and also my spiritual life. She saw my taste and prepared accordingly. She would make it a point that Papa should bring it from market, and she would cook or prepare for me. Often, she would give a surprise to me about food or clothes. From my childhood she was my teacher, and looked after my studies. She would sit with me till late night to complete lessons and assignments. I remember during my class 10 exams, she would read the lessons in a playful way while sitting or lying down or eating food. About clothes, she thought about me before I would feel the need for the occasion. She did not disappoint me. Her choices were always appropriate for me. She taught me manners and behaviors in relationship to others, though I fail measurably in this area.

My mother was my Bible teacher. My bedtime story was David and Goliath. I must listen and sleep. She taught me about Jesus Christ who died for my sins; and I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and took the waters of Baptism. She taught me to pray. My Mom, surely, I miss her; but she is in a better place. I could not do anything for her. I love my Mom. 18 July/August 2022

My Dear “Sister,” a True Woman of God

By Joyce Hornbaker

Not long ago while playing the game “Let’s Taco About It,” I pulled the card, “If you could go to any country where would you go?” I immediately told Gary, “I would go to India to see Charusheela one more time.”

Charusheela was one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. I first met her when my daughter, Beth, and I traveled to India and Bangladesh on an Eyewitness Trip in 2005. We had landed in Kolkata early in the morning and traveled to a guest house. We visited churches all day long and that night boarded a train to Malda. We arrived early in the morning, visited churches all day long, took a return train to Kolkata, and arrived at Uluberia just in time for church. After church and lunch, we traveled three hours to Jiriah for a service.

On the way back, we pulled over and Charusheela served us hot coffee, biscuits, and little sandwiches.

As we spent time together, it became apparent to me that she truly cared for each person. We were tired from traveling and her kind caring gestures fed our souls and our stomachs.

The next day was filled with visiting the nearby schools. We took turns teaching the Bible lesson. As she moved from class to class, from the town school to the school and Compassion Center on the campus, the children would encircle her and wanted to be near her. Her love for everyone exuded from her.

That evening our daughter Beth became very sick. Charusheela prayed over her and some of the evangelists that lived on the campus came and prayed too. I was praying also, but as Charusheela prayed, I felt as if she had a direct line. I had never heard anyone pray like that before. We needed to take Beth to a nearby infirmary and after some

medicines and an IV, they released her early the next morning. Samir made sure we had special biscuits for Beth to eat that would help her recover.

As we left India for Bangladesh, I found it difficult to leave Charusheela. She had impacted me mightily in the few days we were together. She was quiet, unassuming, and always so very kind. Her love for Christ was evident in her speech and in her actions.

Several years later I went on another Eyewitness Trip with my husband. We again stayed at Uluberia with Samir and Charusheela. On this trip, the men went to one area on Sunday and the ladies ministered on the campus. From Children’s Sunday School to a Ladies’ Gathering, Charusheela was the glue. Her dependence on God was evident in how she cared for, reached out, and loved others. She modeled His love well, and I was intrigued by that. It was not just that she knew the Lord, she oozed the Lord. When she wasn’t leading formal ministry opportunities, she was mentoring young women by having them in her home. They would work together to prepare a meal and, again, she just had a way to draw others in.

We saw how this couple was loved. We visited Kolkata Bible College where they had previously taught and watched as many came by to connect with them. When we traveled, we also stopped by former students’ homes and churches for tea and fellowship.

The Global Advocate 19

One morning she invited me into her kitchen to show me how she made the salads, chapatis, and other foods. As she was cutting up food, she shared with me that while we had been off the campus the day before, the monkeys had come. She was telling me that when the monkeys come, they are quite destructive. They break the tops of the papaya trees, break pots, and do other destruction. Then she said, one morning the monkeys came in my kitchen and destroyed things.

She said, “Samir and I were having our morning prayer time and we were only 45 minutes into our prayer time when the monkeys came.” I don’t really remember anything else that the monkeys did, I could only remember, “Samir and I were only 45 minutes into having our prayer time.”

I went to India and Bangladesh one last time in 2011 with my youngest daughter, Denae. We stayed once more on the campus with Samir and Charusheela. We again were so impressed by this couple. My sister had passed away about six weeks before our trip. We were grieving and Charusheela prayed. Hearing her pray to our Heavenly Father took me straight into His presence. This quiet, humble woman of God had blessed us with extreme kindness and care.

20 July/August 2022

We also had the privilege of having Samir, Charusheela, and Madhumita stay with us in our home on several occasions. It was a joy to hear them laugh as a family. They were able to relax and refresh before returning to India. On one of the occasions, they stayed with us, I took them to Camp Joy El to see where Gary worked. After touring the camp and seeing the facilities, we gathered in the dining hall where Charusheela asked if she could pray over the summer. There wasn’t a dry eye in our circle. We had been transcended into the presence of Our Holy God and once again I was completely undone by the words God gave her to share with us.

The last time we were together was at the last Triennial Conference, held in Findlay, Ohio. We enjoyed sweet times of fellowship with her, Samir, and Dr. John Costa. She was a gift and a delight, and we were so thankful for these times with them.

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be Charusheela’s sister in the Lord. It was a relationship I needed in my life. She was a teacher, an encourager, a mentor, and a friend. We messaged regularly on WhatsApp, and we were always blessed.

In the midst of her journey with cancer, she was continuing to praise Her Lord and had complete confidence He was in control, and He was faithful. After messaging, I often sat and wept over God’s goodness and the ways she continually reflected Him. Travis Helm asked if we would ever want to try to Zoom with Samir and Charusheela and of course we said absolutely. We Zoomed with them on April 2. I took pictures and videoed some of the things she was sharing.

I wanted to have some things to tuck away.

and then Samir and Madhumita placed roses on the gravesite, they then lit candles. We had no words. After watching the service, I asked my husband, “Who does that? Who, when just saying goodbye to his wife would think to call someone in the US and invite them to be a part of this intimate time?”

We knew she had several big appointments the week of April 10th. It was that weekend that she began having severe difficulty with mobility due to a buildup of fluid. We messaged back and forth almost daily that week. Late on April 15th (USA time), we received a message from Samir that “Charusheela is gone to be with the Lord at 6:30 AM, 16 April 2022.

Praise be His name.”

We all need people in our lives that continually point us to the Lord through how they live, how they respond, how they think, how they speak, how they pray, and how they reflect their Lord and Savior.

There is a 10½-hour time difference between us, so on Saturday morning, our time, Samir called us on a Video Chat. We “watched” her service with her family. We were completely humbled to witness the beautiful service of our sweet friend.

The service was filled with Scripture. They placed a cross so others would know she was a Christ follower. They covered the grave with marigolds

I often felt led to pray Psalm 139 over this precious family, asking God to hold them close and to be their peace. Verse 9 was especially meaningful to me, “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Please continue to pray for the ministry in India, for Samir, Madhumita, and the work they have been called to do for His glory. May our Lord continue to be their hope, strength, and peace.

The Global Advocate 21

My Indian Mom

By Morgan Kelly

Charusheela Singha was like another mother to me. The first time I visited the Singhas was around 2011 when a planned trip to India started to turn sideways and I reached out for a place to stay. The second time was when I served as a missionary

intern in 2015. It was like going back home. I was treated as another member of the family and occasionally introduced as their white daughter.

That was always followed by chuckles, but it made my chest swell with pride.

Charusheela taught me how to make chapatis, how to wrap a sari, and how to embody discipleship-onthe-way with strength and humility. Charusheela was not a flashy person, she wasn’t loud. Even when she raised her voice it had a sing-song quality to it rather than a shout. She was a teacher and a missionary, a mother, and a minister. But 22 July/August 2022

Charusheela was also a superhero. She shared stories about miracles she had seen, curses she had overcome (a person put a curse on her and she became ill until Christ took it away), demons battled (again real not figurative), provision and obedience… overwhelming stuff for a young person from a sincere Christian background but a spiritually sterile culture. I remember being just gob smacked after one of her stories, lingering in the kitchen on our way to go do something, and asking her how she came to have such faith. She just kind of laughed at me and said that it doesn’t happen quickly, but accumulates over a lifetime of seeing God be faithful. She taught me that faith isn’t something that you have or something that you get, it’s something that you and God build together as you live your life and prove yourself faithful to God and God proves himself faithful to you. And it isn’t easy. All of the best stories have suffering on one side of them. Suffering notwithstanding, I hope to be a superhero like her one day. It would be easy to become puffed up by a superhero-like faith, but I can think of few as humble. Charusheela told me that when they first moved to the mission house in Uluberia, they had a nice couch. When she invited people into her home, they were uncomfortable sitting on this kind of furniture. She chose to forfeit this bit of luxury so that her guests would feel more at ease. She also shared with me about how she and Pastor Samir became engaged and got married.

(Of course, I asked! Everyone loves a love story.)

Theirs was an arranged marriage, as is the norm in India. Also common in India and much of the world is a dowry or bride gift. However, Charusheela, confident of her own worth, told her parents that she would not be accepting anything from them to bring into her marriage. She was enough. Even though it was a bold and controversial choice, Charusheela married into a new family sure of the conviction that she was the greatest gift her parents could give and that her husband could receive.

Charusheela, Pastor Samir, and Madhumita showed me that family is the greatest gift to give and the greatest to receive. Charusheela also taught me a lot about love. One of the most vivid lessons/stories she shared with me was regarding our work with the families served by the mission school. With compassion and sobriety, Charusheela reminded me that while we share the gospel with the children, they go home every day to parents who love them.

Parents who, in their sincere love for their children, will train them away from Christ and toward their own gods. It was a splash of cold water to the face of my missional theology, and I have carried it along with me since. Charusheela also challenged my compassion with a story of a family she had counseled. The family was withdrawing their young daughter from the school and betrothing her to an older man. Charusheela tried to counsel them that more education would give her a better life and a more favorable marriage match in the future. Their response, one of love and desperation, was wrenching. It was the best they could offer.

Would the mission take care of their child? Feed their child? Clothe and house their child? Find a marriage partner for their child in the future? They could no longer feed the child, they could no longer financially support the child, they could not hope to find a better match. They loved their child, and this was the best they could offer. This was their love.

With these stories/lessons, Charusheela showed me the pain of love in Christian mission. Our struggle, in every culture and language, is not against people but against spiritual forces of darkness in the heavenly realms. It is fought by love, for love, and with love. I saw Charusheela love like Jesus. I wish I could give my Indian mom one last hug to say thank you for letting me be part of her family and to introduce her to my kids. I will cherish the relationship we had, and I hope the stories she told me will sneak up on my memory as I continue to reflect on her testimony. I remember Charusheela sharing with me her prayer for her dad as he reached the end of his life: that his pain and suffering at the end would not ruin the testimony of Christ from the rest of his life. I can feel that same prayer echoing over the end of Charusheela’s life. May the testimonies of her life shine the goodness of Christ on anyone who would hear them.

The Global Advocate 23

Periodical Rate Postage Paid at Minster, OH Permit No. 110260 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926 Findlay, OH 45839 Phone (419) 424-1961 Fax (419) 424-3433 www.cggc.org