Gone with the wind!

IDES funds new roof for Mexico church

Thanks to a $15,000 grant from International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES), the Nueva Vida Church in Pachuca, Mexico, will soon be able to replace an essential piece of its new building: the roof.

A bad storm in central Mexico on March 19 – with heavy rain, hail the size of Coke cans and strong winds – collapsed the roof of the church served by CMF missionaries Greg and Vicki Syverson. The national church leaders had to work quickly to salvage their equipment and assess the damage of the roof, sound equipment, and carpeting.

“The church rallied together for the clean-up,” said David Giles, CMF’s Director of Church Catalyst Ministries. “They continued to meet in a smaller room connected to the new facility. Although the building was destroyed, the church is alive and well and continues to minister effectively. It didn’t miss a beat.”

Celebration

They certainly didn’t! As they wait for the necessary permits to begin construction of the new roof, the church celebrated its sixth anniversary.

“We met under a tent inside the auditorium,” reported the Syversons. “We had about 250 in attendance. It was a great celebration!”

The IDES ministry, located in Noblesville, IN, has partnered with CMF many times to provide funds for emergency needs.

“IDES has been an incredible ministry partner for emergency situations,” said David. “This is the focus of their ministry, so they are prepared when disasters occur. If we were to make a funding appeal it would take some time to get the word out and receive donations. The people in the communities that CMF serves have been so blessed in emergency situations by the ministry of IDES because resources were available almost immediately at the time of need.”

Thanks, IDES, for your help and generosity once again!

God provides for Tanzania church planters

More than 70 families trained in 11 years 

Richard and Hirumanatha attended the most-recent CMF church planter training course in Arusha, Tanzania, but when they completed it, they had no idea how God would provide a way for them to move to their new ministry area.

William and Jesika have lost five children in various stages of pregnancy, and came to the church-planter course pregnant for the sixth time.

These are just two of the “sweet stories of God’s provision” that CMF missionaries Steve and Doretha Limiero shared recently about some of the national church planter families with whom they serve among unreached people groups in Tanzania.

“As you support us, you are also supporting them,” said Doretha.

Richard and Hirumanatha

Richard and Hirumanatha waited on God for three months, and then Richard was offered a job right in the area that they were hoping and praying to move for ministry, reports Doretha.

“This job brings them a small, sustainable income, and opens the door of ministry in a previously closed area,” she added.

William and Jesika

Meanwhile, William and Jesika remained at the training center following their training course and the CMF team helped Jesika get the medical care she needed to continue her pregnancy.

“William worked for CMF, and Jesika had regular check-ups,” said Doretha. “Recently Jesika had a c-section and now they are holding a beautiful baby girl, Grace, in their arms. They will soon be moving on into ministry as a family of three rather than two!”

More than 70 Tanzanian families like these have been trained as church planters over the past 11 years at the training center outside Arusha, reports CMF missionary Gary Woods.

“We have two trainings per year; each course is 12 weeks long,” he added. “We had nine families in the last course, and these families were two of those.”

Surely we saw the hand of God ministering to His people!

Huge attendance breaks records at CCC women’s conference

Nearly 900 women from all across Maasailand and Turkana attended the largest-ever Community Christian Church (CCC) Women’s Conference in late April.

The event was held at Endoinyo Erinka, a small village near the Maasai Mara in southwest Kenya, and planned and organized entirely by the CCC Women’s Ministry leaders.

“Surely we saw the hand of God ministering to His people during the conference in a mighty way,” reported Evarline Olochoki, the National CCC Women’s Ministry chair. “Thirty accepted Christ, many were healed and set free from demonic powers, divorced couples came back together and barren women were prayed over to have children by next year.”

During the conference a special class was held for the widows, and gifts of clothing, blankets, shoes and other items were presented to the widows and orphans.  

Local government leaders also attended the gathering in support of the work being done by the Community Christian Church in Kenya.