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Mission Newsletters Reflect God's Work Worldwide
CHICAGO, IL (January 20, 2006) - God is doing many exciting things throughout
the world through projects and ministries of the Evangelical Covenant
Church, as reflected in newsletter updates received by the Department of
World Mission.
Following are edited excerpts of those update reports, listed by country
and those serving:
Japan - Gary and Pauline Carlson
A much larger crowd than expected showed up at the Nakahara Church's
annual bazaar, providing an opportunity to meet many members of the
community. A dinner and candlelight service was held at the Hiratsuka
Covenant Church on Christmas Eve. It is the emperor's birthday, which is
a national holiday, "so it is a good date for inviting people to attend
a Christmas event."
Mexico - Jo Ellen Reaves
Leaders of a local Covenant women's group were discussing how they could
encourage the women in a small mountain town of Mixistlan de la Reforma,
who make embroidered tote bags and blouses, to sell those items through
their micro-enterprise. "They had tears in their eyes as I handed over
the money that I had received for some of their items while I was
visiting in the United States."
Russia - Leonid and Leanna Regheta
In meeting with Russian pastors and Christian leaders, "we've heard over
and over about the need for the church in Russia to find new and fresh
approaches to the ministry. It seems like many if not all realize the
issues and challenges Christians here have to deal with – issues that
now are very different from those they faced ten and even five years
ago. We already are noticing a lot of soul searching going on as to
finding a place for the Christian church in the new world of
ever-changing Russia."
Spain - Robert and Nancy Reed
Attending an international ALPHA conference in London, England, proved
inspiring as people from many different denominations and cultures came
together. Attending the conference were charismatics, the archbishop of
the Russian Orthodox Church, a black Pentecostal pastor of one of the
fastest growing churches in London, many Catholic priests – two of whom
heard about the event from a Salvation Army pastor – the director of
evangelism for the World Council of Churches, Anglicans, and many
others. Several youth recently received Christ, including one who had
described himself as an atheist. He now is becoming one of the helpers
in the youth groups.
Thailand – Doug and Carolyn Johnson
Educating the Isaan people in Northeast Thailand about scripture proved
to be as difficult as one church leader told the Johnsons it would be
during their first term, largely because "Isaan people are just not
readers." The villagers used to learn about scripture only during their
local worship service – if there is one. "One member of a village church
is usually trained to lead the Bible study discussion in worship," the
Johnsons advise. Even most of these elders used to read their Bibles
only when leading worship or preparing to do so. However, by meeting
with small groups and encouraging an entire church last year to read the
Bible following a 365-day plan, that has been changing. Now nearly all
the Christian villagers are reading their Bibles. "Some have gotten as
far as Moses; others are up to the New Testament. In one family, a woman
and her two children came to Christ and were baptized after reading the
Bible together."
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