4-23-08

Costa Rica is bordered on the north by Nicaragua and the south by Panama. This beautiful country covers 19,650 square miles and is divided into eighty-one counties. Nearly one-third of the country is protected in national reserves, and Costa Rica’s 3.9 million people are concentrated in the Central Highlands, where the city of San José rests. In this small land area, there are fifty-one distinct climates, which enables farmers to grow most anything. Heading out of San José to the southeast is the village of Las Vueltas.

Thirty-five leaders from across the Church of God movement met in Anderson, April 10–11, to continue the planning and development of the strategies for the implementation of the Five Strategic Goals, known as Ignite! Permeate! Free! Cultivate! and Refresh!  The two-day planning session led Dr. Ronald V. Duncan, general director of Church of God Ministries, included pastors, lay  leaders, area administrators, agency staff, and representatives from the Partners in Ministry.

“It is exciting to have brothers and sisters from across the movement engaged in meaningful work for the Lord regarding the Five Strategic Goals,” said Duncan. “I truly believe that what was accomplished here this week will significantly impact the body and lead to transformation of the culture. We fervently seek the Holy Spirit’s leading as we as individuals and as a movement attempt to live out being the body of Christ.”

On Monday, April 21, fourteen people from across the United States converged on Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, where we continued our trip on to San José, Costa Rica. This group of people met and bonded instantly. This, the first trip coordinated as part of the new Eye on the World Program at Church of God Ministries, is headed ultimately for the village of Las Vueltas in the heart of Costa Rica. Once there, the group will assist in the construction of the Church of God congregation’s new church building.

Vancouver, WA—First Church of God recently completed their first ever Financial Peace University class, and the results have been astounding, or maybe it is better described as “nothing less than a God thing,” according to Gary Cowles, associate pastor for adult education. Forty-three families who completed the course significantly improved their personal financial situation by putting into action the biblically based money management principles taught in the course.

Each person invested twenty-six hours in the class over a thirteen-week period. As a total, the class paid off $579,223 in debt and saved $173,934 in that time. The average financial improvement for this class was more than $17,500 per family! One family paid off $144,000 in debt and saved $12,000; another family paid off $133,000 and also saved $12,000.

Church of God Ministries, Inc., and Warner Press, Inc., have reached an agreement with David C. Cook Distribution Canada to sell Church of God curriculum, books, and hymnals in that country. Canadian congregations can now obtain these resources through Cook’s distribution center in Paris, Ontario.

 The agreement takes effect with the Summer 2008 quarter of “Bridges” curriculum material, which begins shipping at the end of April. Canadian churches can call Cook’s toll-free number (800-263-2664) to order. Within a few weeks, they can also order these products on Cook’s website (www.davidccook.ca).

Dr. Ronald V. Duncan, D. Min., D. D., general director of Church of God Ministries, is pleased to make available for all to read his paper titled “Congregationalism and the Church of God Reformation Movement: A Needed Conversation.” Duncan believes that one of his primary responsibilities as general director of Church of God Ministries is to initiate and facilitate needed conversations about the life of the church. Making the paper available for all to read and consider is one means to help facilitate such discussion. “I hope all will read and prayerfully consider the points discussed in the paper,” said Duncan. To download your copy, click here.

The rainy season has begun, and I am thankful. It makes things a little cooler and cuts down on the ever-present dust. But more important than the weather conditions is what the Lord is doing. Please allow me to testify to how the Lord’s hand is at work here in Uganda.
 
While I was at one of the health centers recently, I saw a newborn only three days old. He had been born at a government clinic a few miles away. He was bleeding from the umbilical cord (improperly tied), and the cord was badly infected. He had lost so much blood that he was near death. Knowing that he would not survive without blood transfusions, I took the mother and baby in my car to the hospital in the city. I honestly did not think he would survive the one-and-a-half-hour trip, but the Lord was with us and we reached the hospital.

It has been documented that leaders who have a coach to walk alongside them in ministry report significantly better results than those who do not. As part of this ongoing mission, fifteen individuals from across the country recently traveled to Pensacola, Florida, to complete their Church of God coaches training certification. The men and women of the class of 2007 now join twenty-four previously certified coaches as part of Church of God Ministries’ continued effort to transform culture by being the body of Christ.

When Jesus made his ultimate sacrifice, he laid down his life as an act of selfless love for millions of people yet unborn. The sacrifice has been made once for all, but the impact goes on and on. Jesus invites us to join him in reaching out to every person. You can help by providing the precious financial support to continue the ministries of the Church of God.