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Global Reach Updates - Nov/Dec '22
Kenya
The VOGM churches working in partnership with CGGC are growing steadily after the COVID scare. Pastor Robert Maina, who is pastor of Sagana church, had the opportunity to visit Ithanga VOGM, which is the newest church with 200 members and many young people. Most of these young people are receiving our scholarship fund for higher education. They are able to buy a church plot and build a hall of iron sheets. We are looking ahead to starting a retreat center in what was the St. Magdalene dispensary plot. This is so our churches and other Christians in the area can have a place for prayer and quietness. Pastors continue to study for their Bible training every year, and we are thankful for those who have come as teachers and instructors through the years and for Sisters Nancy and Lisa leading the teams. We are also thankful to those who have provided the literature and theological books.
Bangladesh
Our Bangladesh Mission is making much effort to utilize the generous gifts given by donors for the purpose of building basic church structures for some of our remote fellowships that have been without a building for many years. It is such a blessing in so many ways for these congregations to have a structure in which to worship. Pictured below are some of the newest church structures and some in the process of being built. Thank you to so many who have given for this purpose.
India
Dr. John Costa visited our India Mission at the end of September. He and Brother Samir encouraged the pastors in the various regions of ministry through teaching, praying, and a time of worship. Dr. John also held some medical and eye camps as he helps to establish and train staff in our India Mission to continue with medical camps. He is pictured with some Mission school students where he performed some basic eye exams for some students that have eye issues. Dr. John also shared some teaching on prayer to our staff at the Uluberia campus. He is pictured below with them. Samir was able to give the students at the Mission school some loving and nurturing instruction as he enjoys spending time with them. It is very nice that Dr. John and Samir are able to occasionally meet each other in their respective countries to fellowship and carry out various forms of ministry. They learn from each other while encouraging each other at the same time.
Brazil
The church of Dom Macedo in Bahia began meeting this summer in their new building. Last year it was under construction. There is still more work to be done, but they were able to have Father's Day services there this past summer. This was also a location where we distributed food and other relief items through the use of the COVID Emergency funds sent by CGGC. Below is a picture of the structure while it was under construction and also a picture of it completed and having services there. The 2023 conference will be held in Santo Antonio de Jesus on March 24, 25, and 26.
Thailand
Through the outreach ministries of the church that the Crabtrees are a part of here, people have not only been hearing about God but have been deciding to turn to Him for the rest of their life and follow Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength! They were blessed to hear the testimonies and witness the baptisms of four individuals who have recently made this commitment. It was a wonderful celebration of new life in Christ!
Argentina
The first ACTS team visited Argentina this year and had seven members. We are thankful for their servanthood in Argentina. They were received well and were a blessing to the mission’s ministry in Argentina with Pastor Maria Grigioni and the three church plants. It was a time of learning and a time to witness the work happening there. We learned some new things about their culture, such as eating dinner at midnight and that everything closes down between noon and 4 pm. The visit was helpful as we blessed and anointed new leadership in the churches and church Conference during an evening service. We also visited the newest church plant in Mull and did some painting on the outside of the church. During the last days there, we hosted a community event that provided clothing, toys, balloons, and face painting for the kids and toothpaste and toothbrushes to the adults and children, as well as praying over families, going over the salvation color bracelet, and having a craft table available to the little ones. It was truly a blessing for all of us to be part of and witness.
Venezuela
Pastor Mara, who is also a Director of the Venezuela Conference, reports, “The Churches of God in Venezuela accepted an invitation from Government authorities to visit centers for the elderly in San Juan de los Morros. They presented the word of God, and many of the elderly accepted the Lord as their Savior and received prayer for healing. They return once a week to pray at the request of those who run the center. We are told that when the church goes, the elderly feel better and seem to be more joyful. We know that this is the work of the Holy Spirit of God. The Churches of God carried out a Bible vacation plan in low-income sectors, benefiting all the children of these communities by providing crafts, pastry courses, and games while also being taught biblical principles of the Word of God.”
US Southwest
What a busy summer for Jacob and Haley Day! They had VBS at Gamerco with around 50 people in attendance, where they learned about the Trinity and God’s purpose for us. They had lots of different teams, and some incredible work and discipleship were done in the Southwest. They were blessed to be able to visit their family in Michigan before Triennial Conference, where they got to witness Jake’s brother getting engaged. Other exciting ministries the Days are involved with include a young adult conference. After several months of planning, the very first Gallup Rooted Young Adult Conference happened on August 20. Gallup Rooted is a movement for young adults in and around Gallup, NM, to be rooted in Christ and to spread His love throughout our community. There were about 20 people in attendance, ages 18-35, with five churches represented. The day was spent worshipping, digging into the Word in small groups, and completing a service project. People graciously donated items and they were able to pack 50 drawstring bags with self-care necessities and food for homeless people. They split into groups and went out into the city of Gallup to distribute the bags and pray with people. They look forward to more of these conferences.
