Latest News from Thailand

Continue praying for the people of Thailand. Today authorities in Bangkok were preparing critical flood prevention measures just hours ahead of an expected surge in the rising water throughout the city. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has warned that nearly all the 50 districts of Bangkok are under a general threat of being inundated when a high tide and excess runoff from up the Chao Phraya River reaches Bangkok over the next 24 hours. Meteorologists estimate that the water level on the Chao Phraya River will peak on 29 October. The unusually high tide is expected to seriously test the already strained flood walls and canals in the central downtown districts of Thailand. A smaller high tide has already flooded the Chinatown area within the Samphanthawong district. Other areas, such as the southern Bang Phli district where Suvarnabhumi Airport (VTBS/BKK) is located, are not considered to be under imminent threat of being overrun by the excess flow of flood water.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is still open and operational, although some flight disruptions have already occurred due to an influx of thousands of travelers attempting to get flights out of Bangkok. Flood canals and holding basins on the airport grounds are reportedly under great stress, and Japanese transportation officials who have been called in to monitor the operations at the airport are concerned that the flooding will breach the perimeter walls. Although it is not likely that the surge in floods on 29 October will directly threaten the airport, operations may still be shut down in the coming days if the main runways and apron areas become flooded.

Government officials are still advising all Bangkok residents to leave the city as a precaution if they have the ability to safely and effectively evacuate before the expected surge. Furthermore, for the first time on 28 October authorities imposed a mandatory evacuation for residents in some districts in the northern areas of Bangkok. Police officers in small boats have been going house to house to order any residents inside to leave. The city is currently under a government-declared holiday until 31 October that was implemented to allow residents the opportunity to evacuate and move to higher ground.

Massive traffic jams are blocking main highways leading south out of Bangkok as to millions of residents are trying to leave the city by car. Trains out of the city are operating sporadically, and there are unconfirmed reports that the nationwide rail network may be shut down because transportation officials are unable to safely manage trains carrying millions of residents fleeing the flooding. While many foreign travelers and expatriates have already chosen to leave the city over the past week, hotels in Bangkok have been packing sandbags around the buildings to protect guests in preparation for the rising water. Water levels raging anywhere from 3 ft/1 m and up to 10 ft/3 m could deluge some areas of the city.

Our missionaries Brook, Sara & Hailey Sarver are safe in another part of Thailand. They have left their home after moving their belongings to the 2nd floor. It may be a few weeks before they are able to return home. Pray for them and their witness to Thai people during this challenging time.

Only 1% of churches are engaged in praying for the world!

We want to help change that!

In celebration of the one-year anniversary of Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th edition), Biblica Publishers is providing many FREE resources to strengthen the prayer ministry in every local church.

You can go to www.operationworld.org/churches to access these free resources designed to help your church become more engaged in global vision and prayer.

Jesus said, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Is YOUR church a house of prayer for all nations???

Become a catalyst to ignite a prayer movement throughout the CGGC...beginning in your church.


FREE resources for a 60 Day Prayer Experience will include:

• videos for download featuring 60 different countries including Haiti, India, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Thailand, USA and many more provided by Prayercast.com
• e-books on prayer including "Awaken the Watchmen: 24/7 Prayer Guidelines and Models," "Loving the Church, Blessing the Nations: A Call to Corporate Prayer," "Cat and Dog Prayer: The Problem with Prayer," "Encountering the World of Islam: Praying for the Muslim World," and more
• a copy of the Operation World for any church
• sermon helps in downloadable Word or PDF files
• PDF downloads on various prayer topics which can be used for distribution in your local church
• bulletin inserts, email templates, web banners, and more

BIG Day in India--83 baptisms!!

Last Sunday, September 25, a new church in the northern Malda district of West Bengal, India celebrated the dedication of a new church with the baptism of 83 new believers! Despite heavy rains during the early part of the day, curious crowds from neighboring villages gathered to see and hear the gospel.

Our India Field Director Samir Singha describes it as "almost like a web movement" with new believers informing their relatives who told others...who told others...

These new believers are from the Santal tribe. They are daily laborers who cultivate the land. Most came from an animist religious background. They will need spiritual nurture and discipleship.

Malda has become a very responsive field. The typical field evangelist in that area is earning less than $15 US per month...and yet is seeing an abundant harvest for his efforts. Compare that to the money spent here with so few results!

Your support for CC 2720 India Churches & Evangelism is making a difference and will assist this life-changing ministry.

CGGC, P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 454839

"HERE AM I" Weekend

Isaiah said, “Here Am I” (6:8).
For those who are not yet ready to add….”SEND ME!”

Your CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries announces a

“Here Am I”

informational weekend
for persons who want to know more about the process of becoming a missionary.
October 14-15, 2011  

Doubling Gap Center, Newville, PA

The schedule begins on Friday, 7 p.m. and concludes by Saturday 2 p.m.
Participants will discover answers to such questions as…

• What is the current state of Christianity in the world?
• What is happening in CGGC missions?
• What are the opportunities where missionaries are needed?
• How do I know if I'm called to be a missionary?
• Am I "qualified" to serve?
• Where can my mix of spiritual gifts, skills, and personality be utilized?
• How can I best prepare for missionary service?
• What if I don't want to commit to a lifetime of serving overseas?
• What are the unique challenges facing missionaries in today's world?
• What are the next steps I need to take?

This is a special weekend for persons who (1) have already expressed some interest in
missions service or (2) who simply want to know more about what God is doing in the
world (and how He might choose to work through them in another cultural setting).

The registration cost for the weekend is only $25 for individuals or $40 for couples to
cover some books and resources for participants. CCM will provide Friday night lodging
(if living outside the immediate area), snacks and Saturday lunch.

Attending a “Here Am I” weekend does not obligate anyone. Persons may not be ready
to say, "Here am I--send me!" (as Isaiah did). That's okay. We just want to assist them
in making a more informed decision—either now or later.

Facilitators for this weekend will include CCM Director Don Dennison and former overseas missionaries Ben Tobias (Indonesia) and Joyce Hornbaker (Haiti).

Please mail completed registration form with $25 fee for individuals, $40 fee for couples
by October 1st to: CGGC, Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839

UnveilinGLORY Seminar Sessions Begin This Week!

Do you think more like a CAT or a DOG?? 

That--along with many other questions--will be answered beginning on September 14 when Don Dennison presents the UnveilinGLORY seminar at College First Church of God in Findlay, OH. The seminar continues on consecutive Wednesday nights through October 12. Each session begins promptly at 6:30pm in Room 200.

This is a fast-paced seminar full of humor and Scripture that will drastically challenge your life's priorities. You'll discover:

• Satan's strategy to shift our focus away from God's glory
• Eight symptoms that we think more like "cats"rather than "dogs"
• How to read the Bible as ONE book with ONE introduction, ONE story, and ONE conclusion
• The "missing half" of your Bible
• How to live with passion for God's glory in a fresh new way.

Each session will conclude with a Q & A time about the content. Plan to join us THIS Wednesday at College First Church, 1100 N. Main St, Findlay, OH.

Ken & Betty McIntyre Begin Haiti Internship

Ken & Betty McIntyre from the Leadwood Church of God (Missouri) arrive in Haiti tomorrow (the 7th) to begin a 3-month missionary internship in preparation for longer term service. They will be living at Borel and assisting visiting teams as volunteer Hospitality Services Coordinators.

Both Ken and Betty have retired from careers in public education. They have previously served on short-term teams to Haiti, Kenya, and the Southwest. They participated in the very first "Here Am I" weekend a few years ago and began to realize God's call to serve more long-term. Since then, they have served in the Western and Midwest Regions as Missions Advancement Volunteers for CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries. This summer they completed three weeks of intensive study at Mission Training International in Colorado in preparation for their Haiti assignment.

We welcome the McIntyres to the Project Help staff! Please pray for them as they arrive, set-up their living space this week, and began to adjust to their new surroundings.

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!!