20 August 2010

Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus! We returned home from Venezuela on Tuesday evening. I had hoped to send an "Update" from there but internet connections were not always consistent.

Our 5-person team included Pastor George & Martha Yerger, Kelli Miller, and Heather Caldwell (the latter two young ladies spoke Spanish--which was a great help!) The Caleb & Christina Acosta family had arrived ahead of time to make final arrangements. Our team felt we were blessed far beyond whatever blessing we brought to the people there. (This was their first visit--my third.) What impressed us the most? The Venezuelan enthusiasm for worship and outreach, the loving-family- atmosphere in their churches, and their gracious hospitality towards us have to be at the top of the list!

Our first church in Venezuela--Iglesia de Dios Sanidad Divina--in Maracay (country's 4th largest city) has only 20+ people which just about fills their building. Liarxis & Mara Alcala pastor the Maracay church. But they started an outreach in a city about an hour away--San Juan de los Morros--which now has 60+ people flowing beyond a carport into the driveway. (Who says you have to be a large church to daughter another congregation???) We thought we were going to a "cell group" meeting! Instead the worship that night included the dedication of two children and a young woman received Christ---with no preaching but just vibrant worship by a loving group of people. There's not enough chairs for everyone, but people come and stand during the meeting. One family in the congregation has offered nearby property to build a church facility. There is absolutely no other church in that neighborhood.

Plans had been made for a weekend camp/retreat outside of San Juan at a "finca" (ranch/estate) on the side of a mountain. The finca had two older ranch-style houses with large verandas. Most of the worship, teaching and fellowship activities from Friday night through Sunday noon were planned for the lower one since it was larger. The youth and some adults were sleeping in tents or on hammocks. But heavy downpours of rain during the week and weekend created sloppy conditions on the ground. Vehicles got stuck. A fallen tree blocked traffic on an access road Saturday morning. As a result, the schedule was abbreviated, and we left Saturday night. At least 80 people were there for the opening worship on Friday night. Despite the weather, it was a great response! And the attitude of the people was outstanding.

On Sunday night, we were back in San Juan and worshipped at Dios Admirable Church which meets upstairs on the roof of a house. I always enjoy being with Pastors Juan & Dora Herrera
whose leadership has been responsible for daughtering at least 5 churches. The first two hours of worship was a joyful celebration of music, singing, scripture and prayer before the guest preacher gave his sermon. On Monday, we drove to the countryside to the smaller community of Cante Gallo where the congregation (pastored by Enricho & Concepsion Diaz) also worships in a carport. This is the only evangelical church in this community with scores of homes.

The last evening (Monday) was a special treat. We were invited to a barbeque at the home of a San Juan judge who is a Christian. She owns the finca where the group met during the weekend and didn't charge for its use. She has a servant's heart and is a mighty prayer warrior. We had a wonderful meal with her, the Acostas and the Alcalas. Before the evening concluded, we had a special time of worship as she requested to wash my feet and Caleb's feet. She then prayed individually for each person in our group. What a moving experience that was for all of us! By the way, I asked if she was a member of a church that washed feet. Her church doesn't, but Christ's servant act in John 13 had made an impression on her, and washing feet is one way that she seeks to remind herself of His attitude. Christina also washed the judge's feet in appreciation for her hospitality and love for the Lord.

Thanks for your prayers for our team. Tomorrow (Saturday) is an important organizational meeting for Caleb and the pastors of the churches. At this point, it appears we have nine (9) churches who are committed to the Churches of God. I'll know more next week. The Acostas return to the States on Monday.

In other news...the Andy & Theresa Snyder family returned from Haiti earlier this week as their internship concluded. At this time, they are scheduled to meet with the CCM Commission on October 4. Continue to pray for them as we all seek the Lord's direction.

Have a great weekend!!

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries
www.cggc.org

11 August 2010

Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

Last week, after returning from being in Haiti, I wrote: "I was blessed by getting to know the work team from Pennsylvania and Ohio..." I inadvertently left out Maryland. My friend Phil Keyser from Edgewood Church of God in Frederick, MD was also on the team. CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries is grateful for the ERC Missions Commission for promoting and enlisting this work team that was such a great blessing in Haiti.

Keep praying for the Kenya ACTS team led by Pastor Ben Tobias. They return to the States on Friday. All the 2010 ACTS teams were a great hit! The response and enthusiasm was great. Some exciting new opportunities are in store for next year. Info will be posted at  http://www.cggc.org/ActsTeams.htm

In response to the Haiti earthquake relief effort, two ultrasound machines were donated to the Pierre Payen hospital. Those have been a great blessing to USA medical teams which continuously served at the hospital in the early weeks and who now are scheduled one week a month (note: a medical team is there right now!) But, in talking with hospital personnel in Haiti last week, without someone being trained to operate the machines on a regular basis, this valuable service is under-used and an additional stream of income for our hospital is lost (other medical facilities in the area want to utilize this service, too!) The request has come for a skilled technician who has used ultrasound machines to spend some time in Haiti to help train one or more medical personnel at Pierre Payen to operate the equipment. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact me (missions@cggc.org) for more information.

A vocational training center at Freyneau church facilities in Saint-Marc, Haiti opened earlier this year. This ministry is named the Lois Habecker Educational Complex at Frecyneau in memory of Project Help missionary Lois Habecker from Lancaster, PA who served in Haiti for 25 years. The center currently has 20 students taking nursing classes which can lead to either an LPN or RN certification. Classes meet five nights a week from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Practicals will be done at our Pierre Payen medical facility.

In May and June, more than 600 children were ministered to through Vacation Bible School ministries in various locations in West Bengal, India, in addition to the Uluberia site. At least 11 baptisms have occurred in a couple districts. Persecution in the Barajharia region is currently hindering the ministry. Local people are in fear to listen to the gospel. Please pray for boldness in preaching and responding to the Good News. In spite of persection in the area, seven baptisms were reported June 30th in Orissa. Pray that those who oppose the gospel will be silenced. New ministry locations are being developed in the Malda district. Congregations are outgrowing their small places of worship. Pray for needs to be met (CC 2720 India Churches & Evangelism). Give thanks for the movement of God's Spirit in these areas.

Today I'm traveling with four other persons to Venezuela where we will provide training and encouragement to churches and pastors. Pastors Caleb & Christian Acosta arrived last week to prepare for our arrival. Our group includes Pastor George & Martha Yerger (CGGC Missions Advancement Volunteers for Eastern and Allegheny Regions); Kelli Miller from Chambersburg First Church of God (ERC); and Heather Caldwell from Olive Branch Church of God (MRC). Since I was last there a year ago, I am eager to see firsthand how the ministry is progressing. Thanks for your prayers on our behalf. I will have my laptop with me, so I hope to provide some progress reports during the trip if internet services are available.

The Lord continues to bless this ministry through the generosity of His people. Through July (first seven months of 2010), cooperative giving (from church tithes to their region and CGGC) is only .5% off of last year's pace...less than $4,000. Meanwhile designative giving is UP 3.8% from last year. That's over $21,000 ahead of last year's pace. Cooperative giving is divided among all our CGGC departments, including Cross-Cultural Ministries. Designated giving goes 100% for the specific ministry identified by the donor.

Thanks for all the ways your faithfulness reflects His!

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries
www.cggc.org

Saturday, 7 August 2010

Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

Just got home from Haiti yesterday morning. There is too much to share now but, in the midst of tragedy and the early stages of removing the rubble and rebuilding, God is blessing in many ways. Earlier this week, I visited Bon Repos on the edge of Port-au-Prince. While the school building was indeed flattened on January 12, the separate worship facility (which was still under construction at the time of the quake) sustained minor damage. It needs repairs and a roof. The congregation is doing well. The challenge is that restrictions have been placed on rebuilding in the Bon Repos area without adequate engineering and supervision. Pray for Project Help Manager Steve Mossburg as he addresses these issues and the need.

He and I also took a long hike up the mountains to the Borne church facility which was also damaged by the quake. The side walls are cracked in some places, but we think they can be repaired. The end walls sustained more damage. They must be removed and replaced. The building will also be enlarged in the process to accommodate a growing congregation. A work team with at least a couple experienced block layers is needed as soon as possible to head up this project. The team will have to stay at the site several nights. If you or somone you know might be interested, please contact us at missions@cggc.org or 419/424-1961.

While staying at Borel, I was blessed by getting to know the work team from Pennsylvania and Ohio (led by Pastor Dale & Pamela Miller). This skilled team represented six different congregations and accomplished some significant tasks on the compound. 

The Andy & Theresa Snyder family have done well during their internship. They have about 9 more days in Haiti before returning home. Pray for discernment as they and us evaluate their experience and determine the next steps in their journey. They will meet with the CCM Commission in early October.

Heather Elyse from Olive Branch Church of God (MRC) has created a new Project Help website http://www.projecthelp-haiti.org/

The Haiti Conference has a church planting program with a goal of starting one new church per month! The Conference now has 34 churches and stations. We thank God for their passion for outreach. I visited 3 newer stations of the Borel church while I was there.

Pray for our very first Kenya ACTS Team led by Pastor Ben Tobias. The 8-person team arrived in Embu on the 4th and return on the 13th. They will be participating in a variety of ministries. Pray that God will protect them and work through their lives to bless others.

Pastors Caleb & Christina Acosta arrived in Venezuela earlier this week. I and four other persons from Pennsylvania and Indiana will be joining them on Wednesday night for a week. We will be participating in leadership training sessions in various sites and encourging the pastors and congregations. More details will follow.

Thanks for your faithful prayers and financial support as we continue one mission with God.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

26 July 2010   7:45pm


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

I was on a video Skype call with Hasse Persson in Gothenburg, Sweden this afternoon. Thanks for your prayers as he continues to battle cancer. The good news is that the doctors are amazed how well he has responded to chemotherapy, and surgery is now being planned for September. His cancer was considered quite advanced when first diagnosed.

Pray for his family during this time. May the Lord glorify Himself as He works through Hasse's life. May He use this to draw others to Himself.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

26 July 2010   


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

Please pray for retired missionary Geneva McNutt who has not felt well for some time. She's had numerous medical tests but no specific cause has been identified. More tests are planned. Geneva and her husband, Carroll, were pioneer missionary pastors in developing our Southwest churches in New Mexico (Gamerco and Hooghan Nizhoni) and Arizona (Tsaile). They currently live in Columbia City, IN.

I arrive in Haiti on Thursday morning this week to review the progress of ministries since the January 12 earthquake. Project Help missionary Steve Mossburg and I will visit the Bon Repos area before we leave Port-au-Prince. I return to the States late Thursday, August 5th. Weather.com reports that temps in Saint-Marc will be 102 degrees today. Thanks for your prayers.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

21 July 2010   


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

The Gamerco Church of God on the north side of Gallup, NM has accepted John Thumma as their pastor. He will now provide pastoral leadership for both the Gamerco congregation and the Hooghan Nizhoni congregation, located less than 30 minutes northwest of Gallup. At the request of the Gamerco leadership team, the CCM Commission had recommended the Thummas for the position. A recent vote by the congregation confirmed that appointment.

John and Toni have been serving the Hooghan Nizhoni congregation since September 2006. In January 2010, he began preaching at Gamerco also, following the 6-months interim ministry of Terry & Carolyn Shumaker. The Gamerco church has shifted their worship time earlier on Sunday to 10 a.m. to accommodate the dual church schedule. Please pray for the Thummas as they serve both ministries. Their email address is jbthumma@wildblue.net.

Dr. Michael Walker from Harrisburg, PA was the guest speaker for last week's Southwest Camp picnic held at Wheatfields Lake. The event was sponsored by the Tsaile Community Church, Gamerco Church and Hooghan Nizhoni Church.

A team from College First Church (GLC) is serving this week in Buffalo, NY where they are holding a community outreach event for the Yotvata Church (pastored by Walter & Marie Thermidor) and helping affiliate missionaries Steve & Amy Hosler with day camps for children at Hope Club of Niagara.

REMINDER:  August 1 is the deadline for registering for the upcoming India & Bangladesh Eyewitness Tour scheduled for November 9-23. The approximate cost is $2,390. A $250 deposit is required. Several people have expressed interest and already received special communications about it. If you want details, please email me at missions@cggc.org

Sweden missionary Doug Molgaard (CC 2756) was at Enola (ERC) last night, will be at Saxton (ERC) tonight and at Templeton (ARC) this Sunday morning.

Brazil missionary Gordon Avey (CC 2731) will be at Indian Head (ARC) tonight and at Germantown (ERC) this Sunday morning.

Scheduling is now being done for Brazil missionaries Mike & Natinha Poe (CC 2750) for this fall. Several open dates remain. If you are interested in scheduling them, please email Kara kmn@cggc.org

A couple from the Liberty Community Church (ERC) are arriving in Haiti today to be with the Snyders at Borel. Project Help missionary Steve Mossburg returns to Haiti this Friday, the 23rd. Pastor Dale & Pamela Miller are leading a team to Haiti next week from Eastern & Great Lakes churches. They arrive on Tuesday, the 27th. Pray for these teams serving in Haiti.

Last week, several of us were in Mount Olive, NC to meet with representatives of the Original Free Will Baptist denomination, Mount Olive College and North Carolina agricultural organizations to continue planning for an agri-business development to be based at Borel in Haiti. Five of us represented the CGGC:  missionary Steve Mossburg; CCM Commission member Pastor Kendall Hughes from Leadwood, MO (WRC); Pastor Ed Mikkelsen from Indian Head, PA (ARC); Dr. Charles Norris from The University of Findlay and The Catalyst Church (GLC); and myself. Both Kendall and Ed have extensive background in agri-business. Chuck teaches chemistry and specializes in environmental, safety and health management issues. Both Mount Olive College and The University of Findlay have identified potential student internship opportunities serving with Project Help at the Borel site. All of us continue to be excited about these partnerships which God has brought together on behalf of the people of Haiti. Please keep this in your prayers as plans continue to develop.

Thanks again for your faithful support through prayer and finances as we continue on mission with Him!

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

9 July 2010   


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

Beginning August 1, Pastors Caleb & Christina Acosta will serve full-time as Directors of Latino Ministries for CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries. The Acostas live in Lancaster, PA, and both are licensed pastors in the Eastern Region Conference.

In the last seven years, Caleb & Christina planted churches in Columbia, PA; Middletown, PA; New Holland, PA; Maracay, Venezuela; and were instrumental in the recent launch of a CGGC church in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. They have been especially effective in identifying and mentoring leadership for these congregations. At the General Conference sessions two weeks ago, they were recognized for "their apostolic leadership in planting Spanish-speaking churches."

In their new role, they will facilitate the multiplication of CGGC churches among Latino populations in the U.S. and Latin American countries. They especially want to assist Anglo congregations and regions which have a desire to reach out to Spanish-speaking peoples in their communities.

The Acostas can be contacted via email at Amerizuela@comcast.net. Their designated funding account is CC2764 Pastors Caleb & Christina Acosta Support. Contributions can be sent to:  CGGC, P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839

More details about their ministry will be forthcoming. Please pray for Caleb, Christina, and their four children as they transition from their "marketplace" jobs this month into their new role.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

7 July 2010   


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

Funeral arrangements for Evelyn May Thumma, 93-year-old mother of Pastor John Thumma, have been announced. Viewing will be 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-8:30pm tomorrow (Thursday, July 8) at the Orlando Funeral Home in Erie, PA. Her body will then be transported to the Myers Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg, PA where viewing will be on Saturday, July 10 from 9:00-11:00am followed by a brief service and then internment at a nearby cemetery.

I just spoke with John a few minutes ago. He and Toni are driving across the midwest and will arrive in Erie later today. Pray for them as well as other members of the family, including granddaughter Kathryn Griffith (wife of Pastor Andrew Griffith of Brisbin, PA) who was a former member of our CGGC staff. Especially pray for John's brothers, Ira and Tom, and his sister, Betty, that God will minister to them as they remember with gratitude a life well lived.

In other news, many of our missionaries are in transition:

Give thanks that Brook & Sara Sarver (CC2762) have successfully completed their first year of Thai language studies and are moving tomorrow from Lopburi to the northside of Bangkok. Pray for them as they settle in and begin serving with an existing church in preparation for church planting.

The Jim & Kasie Brinson (CC2763) family are back home in southern Indiana taking a few weeks vacation from Sweden. Pray for them as they get recharged with family and prepare to return to Gothenburg for a busy fall.

Doug Molgaard (CC2756) is on his way to speak at Kimberly, WV tonight and will be at McMechen, WV this weekend. Anna-Karin returned to her work in Sweden this week. Doug and their daughters (who are vacationing with family in Pennsylvania this summer) will rejoin her in Gothenburg in early August.

Gordon & Annie Avey (CC2731)are currently with their family in the Los Angeles, CA area. Gordon returns to Ohio at the end of this week and will be sharing about the Brazil ministry at College First this Sunday morning and then at Wharton on Sunday night.

Steve & Shirley Mossburg (CC2761) are back in the States for a few weeks. Steve returns to Haiti on July 23. Continue to pray for Andy & Theresa Snyder (CC2809.004) and their children in Borel, Haiti as they continue their internship through August 16th.

I travel to southern California this weekend to visit Hispanic churches and leaders. I'll be preaching at Fallbrook on Friday night, connect with the Thermal pastor on Saturday, and worship at the newer San Diego Mission on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for your generous support of CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries. Through June, designated giving was UP 8.2% (about $38,000) from this time last year...not counting the $350,000+ special funds for the Haiti Emergency effort!!!!!

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

5 July 2010   


Greetings on this special holiday Monday after the 4th!

I just received word that John Thumma's mother passed away. I believe she lived in the Cleveland area. No details are available at this time. John & Toni pastor the Hooghan Nizhoni Church between Gallup, NM and Window Rock, AZ. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries

29 June 2010   


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

I received this prayer request from Brook & Sara Sarver in Thailand a few minutes ago:

Just wanted to send you a quick update and to ask for your prayers.  The transition out of language school is upon us.  We've signed a rental agreement for a house in the north suburbs of Bangkok, begun purchasing a few furniture items and even started planning our packing strategy for when we do move on the 8th of July.  Continue to pray for us during this transition time.  We feel a bit overwhelmed.  It's nice to have a place to stay, but we literally have no furniture yet to put in that house, well, except for a mattress we just bought.  So, once we move, we'll begin the process of outfitting our new home which requires spending money...and we're not big fans of spending large sums of money!

As we move, pray for good relationships we hope to make with our neighbors and others in our neighborhood.  Pray also that we are able to quickly find language tutors who will continue to teach us Thai several times a week.

Today, pray also for Sara.  At 10 PM EST she'll sit down to start her 3-hour exam which is the final exam at the language school.  My exam will be exactly one week later on the 7th of July.  Pray for clarity of thought as we get tested on praying in Thai, giving our testimony in Thai, telling Bible stories, etc.  Pray for clarity of thought and speech amidst all of the other things going on our heads right now relating to our upcoming move, packing, etc.

Thanks so much for caring for us and being a part of our ministry.  We couldn't do it without you!

As they transition to Bangkok, we are concerned about their financial support balance which has not kept pace with expenses. Prayerfully consider if God is wanting you to partner with them in this ministry (CC 2762 Pastor Michael & Sara Sarver Support).

Also pray for the Southwest ACTS team led by Pastor Kendall & Donna Hughes. They arrived on site in New Mexico last Saturday and will be serving through this Saturday, July 3.

Remember the Andy & Theresa Snyder family currently in Haiti during their summer internship.

A few days ago, I received a preliminary report and some pictures from the recent kick-off rally for the Divine Healing Church of God in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Pastors Caleb & Christina Acosta led the rally and were joined by 6 persons from the Latino churches in Pennsylvania and 10 people from the Venezuelan churches. The event included two nights of services on an outdoor basketball court where 6 persons committed their lives to Christ. Praise God! Those persons came to Bible study and worship the following Sunday and gave their testimonies. Pray for them as they continue to be discipled. In addition to evangelistic services, arrangements had also been made for a medical team (which included a pediatrician, dentist and a general medical doctor) to meet with people during the day. More than 185 people received medical attention from this medical team. A day of children's activities also provided opportunity for God's word to be shared with many children in the area. Continue to pray for the outreach of our newest CGGC church in the Caribbean!!

Brazil missionary Gordon Avey still has a few openings on either a Sunday night or Wednesday night this summer. If you are interested in having Gordon to speak to your church or group in the Eastern or Allegheny regions, please contact Kara Norris kmn@cggc.org (or 419.424.1961) right away to discuss options.

Last week was a whirlwind for our staff with Midwest Region and triennial General Conference sessions held in Decatur, IL. Keynote speaker Ed Stetzer "hit a home run" every time he came to the microphone. I was especially blessed by seeing and meeting so many new church planters. It was also encouraging to see how delegates responded to missionaries Donna Binkley, Steve & Shirley Mossburg, Gordon & Annie Avey, Everett & Mary Teller, and Doug & Anna-Karin Molgaard. Thanks so much for making them feel so welcome and appreciated!!

Thanks so much for your faithful prayers and financial support for your global ministry.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries