San Juan Celebrations!

Gualfal neighborhood group

God is doing some amazing things in Venezuela!

Christina Acosta, Dora & Juan Herrera and their daughter

I was there with Latino Directors Caleb & Christina Acosta August 16-23. Travis Bodden from New Beginnings Church of God (Decatur, IL) was with us most of the time. He was "spying out the land" in preparation for the first work team due to arrive on October 17th. The group will assist with building projects at two San Juan churches. One is in the 12th of October neighborhood. That congregation, pastored by Liarxis & Mara Alcala, celebrated its 1st anniversary during our visit. It meets in a carport and attracts more than 70 persons. Land has been purchased nearby to begin construction of a pavilion-type structure which will accommodate more people. The 2nd church is the Admirable God Evangelical Church pastored by Juan & Dora Herrera. Having outgrown their previous facility, they are in a building project in a new neighborhood. The walls and roof are up but lots of finish work still needs to be done. The New Beginnings team will assist with both projects.

On the 18th, I preached in the Gualfal neighborhood of San Juan. Here one of five outreach groups of the 12th of October congregation meets in a carport. The group is pastored by Carlos & Tairy Fernandez.

San Sebastian Church

We went to San Sebastian church on the 19th where I was asked to provide an overview of our CGGC missions work.

Santa Rosa congregation

On Saturday, the 20th, we brought greetings in the Santa Rosa neighborhood church which is also rapidly outgrowing its facility (that formerly was a bar).

Drug Rehab Center at Cante Gallo

Later we drove out to Cante Gallo to visit a drug rehab center which the church in that community helps to staff. It was encouraging to see how the congregation is ministering and giving hope to the residents.

We were back at the 12th of October neighborhood church on Saturday night for their 1st anniversary celebration. Despite heavy rains early in the evening, the enthusiasm of the people spilled out into the street with music and praise! These people know how to celebrate!!

Travis and I had the pleasure of participating in baptisms on Sunday morning. Thirteen candidates gave testimony to their new life in Christ and were baptized in an outdoor setting. 

Then Sunday night, we joined with over 250 worshippers at the Admirable God Evangelical Church. What a thrill it was for me to preach there in their new facility.

 





The Churches of God, General Conference organization in Venezuela was officially registered with the government there earlier this year. Organic church planting has really “taken off” in Venezuela. We now have at least 12 churches there. Pastoral couples Juan & Dora Herrera and Liarxis & Mara Alcala are spearheading that multiplication effort with Caleb & Christina Acosta mentoring and encouraging these key leaders. I thank the Lord for what He is doing through these gifted leaders!!

Baptisms in Brazil

Our Good News Church in Santo Antonio de Jesus, Bahia celebrated baptisms this past Sunday Aug. 28th. 

Pastor Samuel is baptizing here.

  


We rejoice in how the Lord continues to add to His church those who are being saved!!

Our 1st California Work Team to Haiti

The first Haiti work team from our California churches just returned home this week. The team consisted of (L to R): Michael Hopper (Manteca), Pastor John Burns (Wheatland), Ryan Cooney (Manteca), Jesus Gaspar (Fallbrook), and Matthew Hulsey (Wheatland). Note: It's always a good idea to have Jesus on your missions work team!! 

Their project was to build the supporting rafters and complete the roof to an addition on one of the stone houses on the Borel compound. (Ken & Betty McIntyre from Missouri will arrive in early September and live in that house.) Despite the threat of tropical storm Emily and intense heat and humidity, the team worked diligently to complete the project. In addition, they visited church sites at Borel, Chandelle, Savane Tapion, Elim, Frecyneau, and Verettes. They also visited our medical facilities at Pierre Payen. Their interaction with Haitians and missionaries was a special blessing to the team. Pray for the group as they face the challenge of trying to communicate what they saw and experienced with their families and churches back home.

During a visit to Pierre Payen, the team saw the new composting toilet designed by missionary Peter Craig (Clean Water for Haiti Charities Organization-Canada) and funded by a grant from Kind World Foundation, thanks to CGGC contacts in Pennsylvania. The toilet will be used by patients in our maternity ward at the Pierre Payen Clinic.