Archive for the Mission Minded Category

COG in Angola Nearly Registered!

The Church of God at Cabinda, AngolaJim and Dulci Doty, missionaries to Luanda, Angola, report that, “The Church of God in Angola is in the process of finalizing the documentation for registration of the church in Angola. It has been a difficult road but we are optimistic that registration can be obtained in the next few weeks.  We need to provide identification of all the members such as ID Cards, Birth Certificates, or Drivers Licenses and have them authenticated by a notary. We will process several thousand identification documents in the next week or so to be able to present them to the Ministry of Justice for registration of the church.

Of course there is some expense for the church to process the IDs with a notary which we expect to be about $700 to $1000 usd to complete the authentication which is actually a discount over the actual cost.  We appreciate your prayers and support.”

If you would like to help with the expenses for this important step for the church in Angola, you may contact:

Church of God Ministries
Project ID: 42.30991
Be sure to mark for “Angola COG Missions”

You may also contact CBF to make donations to this ministry. Let’s be sure to continue to support these missionaries and their mission in our prayers!

Cheryl Johnson Barton: Journey of Praise

cheryl-johnson-barton.jpgThe Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation.  All of Your works will thank you, Lord, and Your faithful followers will praise You. They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom; they will give examples of Your power. They will tell about Your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of Your reign. For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.  - Psalm 145:8-14

Excerpt from Steady Till Sunset by Cheryl Johnson Barton:

“Many times during my cancer journey I have recalled Habakkuk’s astounding words of praise…I, too, declare that I will rejoice in the Lord - no matter what a medical test reveals or a doctor tells me, no matter the length of the journey nor its eventual outcome, no matter what. One year into my cancer journey as I was walking from the hospital to the train station, the Lord reminded me once again that He is worthy of praise - no matter what.  It was a gentle reminder, but pointed nevertheless.  The news from the doctor hadn’t been good since the latest CT scan showed that the tumor growing in the vacuum where my left kidney had been was now even bigger.  It seemed the medicine was no longer effectively fighting the cancer that had recurred.  I’d have preferred different news.  But int he short five-minute walk to the train station, the Lord reminded me that He is yet God, yet in control, yet omniscient, yet omnipresent and still the same yesterday, today and forever.  He reminded me that He is still carrying me in His arms and most worthy of praise. I recalled my decision of years ago to praise Him in all circumstances and I determined once again to obey.”

Cheryl Johnson Barton, missionary and servant of God, went home to be with her Lord June 26, 2011. Cheryl was a missionary in Japan for 32 years and was currently serving as associate pastor for Tamagawa Church of God in Tokyo. She served the church through writing and editing 15 books of international testimonies and missions curriculum for kids and authored two devotional books and a history of Church of God missions.

Community Bible Fellowship honors her life and her extraordinary witness to the far reaching love of Jesus Christ.

A Mission Together

What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived— these things God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Our God has big ideas, intricate plans, and long term dreams – for us; and not just us, but all those that will come to know and love Him far into the future.  It is not a selfish vision and He is counting on us to get the message out there.  Some are called to travel the world, some are asked to stay, give and pray. But we are all expected to participate in His mission of love and prosperity.

News from the Church in Angola

The Church of God in Angola continues to grow and thrive with a new plant in Viana.  Jim and Dulci Doty, missionaries in that country, report that many are coming to worship and inviting others.  The Church there is especially a musical church with Women’s, Youth and Children’s chorale groups.  Join us in prayer for the people of Viana, Cabinda and all the Christians in Angola.

Read more about the work there in the The Informer Newsletter from Angola

The Work Continues in Cabinda Angola

The Church of God in Angola continues the registration process with the Ministry of Justice in Angola. Completing this process will give the Church of God (Anderson, IN) recognition as a legitimate organization within the country and can then officially invite missionaries to work with the church in Angola. Recognition is finalized when the Church of God (Anderson, IN) is published in the Diario de Republica, the official document of the government of Angola. This should occur within the next couple months. We are anxiously waiting for this door to open.

Jim and Dulci Doty, who have worked in this area for many years, say, “We really appreciate your prayers!”  Let’s continue to pray for this mission as one family of God.

cabinda01.jpgchildrendeviana02.JPGigrejadeviana01.JPG

Austin Samaritans Nicaragua Mission May 16-23, 2010

Austin Samaritans

The Austin Samaritans have posted the application for May’s trip to Nicaragua on their website. For those wanting to help gather supplies, they should have a list of requested items up in a week or two.

If you want to go or just to help, click the Austin Samaritan logo for how to get involved!

Work Teams Called for Haiti

By David Farlow
Working together in Haiti
With more than half a million dollars in donations received and the on-site assessments completed, Church of God Ministries (CGM) calls for individuals and congregations to sign up for work teams to go to Haiti as part of the relief and recovery operations. These teams will provide the labor force to work side by side with the Haitian people to complete the projects identified in phase two of the strategic response plan developed by the Disaster Relief Committee (DRC).

Opportunities for work teams begin in May. Each team will be made up of approximately twelve people who have basic construction skills and are capable of living in an austere environment for the seven-day duration of the trip. The cost per person is $200 a week, which includes all meals, housing, and in-country transportation. Individuals will be responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from Haiti.

Those interested in learning more or arranging for a work trip to Haiti should contact Church of God Ministries and ask for Ruben Schwieger, who is coordinating the scheduling of work teams. He can be reached by phone at 765-648-2207 or toll free at 800-848-2464, ext. 2207, or by e-mail at RSchwieger@chog.org.

Read about The Plan for Haiti

An Eye into Angola

Here’s a recent message from the Doty’s in Angola:

“As many of you know, we had been in much prayer about our return to Angola to work with the church here and are thankful that God has opened a door for both of us to return.  We have been fortunate to have a place to stay with some friends and we grateful that they have opened their home to us. Our need now is to acquire a car to enable us to commute and work at the church. We are dependent on others for transportation of the 20km to the church in Viana.”

Let join in prayer for Jim and Ducli so that they can acquire the transportation they need to continue their mission work in Angola.

Read more about what’s happening in the Church of God Angola Newsletter.

Join Us to the Middle of the World

Pastor Gil and his son Steve Davila were invited guests to participate in leadership training for Seminary students in Quito, Ecuador a few years ago.  During this trip, Pastor Gil was the speaker for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Church of God in Ecuador.  The congregations that gathered, represented the diverse regions of the country. Ecuador is one of the seventeen mega-diverse countries in the world, straddles the equator and is the size of Nevada.

In August 2010, Pastor Gil and CBH (Christians Broadcasting Hope) will lead an excursion/mission trip throughout this enchanted and interesting country.  Would you like to join them on this exciting trip? For information on cost and itinerary, contact Pastor Gil on our “Contact Us” page.

Steve Davila, Gilbert Davila, Carvin Adams and John LambertIn the shadow of the mountainsBeautiful CathedralsCity StreetsMemorials

Mission Work in Panama

A beautiful family

Pastor Davila worked with the local pastors in Panama during September of 2009, to minister to the indigenous Indian people. Traveling by plane, canoe, and on foot, the ministry team was able to worship with the people and support the local pastor.

Pastor Gil travels by canoeThe people get the plane “unstuck” for take offThe people in their indigenous clothing

Young people praise just like the Christian youth in the USAThe congregation