God’s Holy Spirit is at work among the cities and towns of our yearly meeting, including some new points of ministry. It has been some time since you heard an update on all the active new church planting projects. I want to begin with our newest mission points.
Caldwell, Texas. A growing central Texas community located between College Station and Waco is our newest mission point. This opportunity came to us from Booker Friends pastors Steve and Linda Patterson. After a discussion with Linda’s cousins, George & Beverly Miller, former members of Bayshore Friends in Bacliff Texas, I heard their vision and burden to reach their neighbors for Jesus Christ. They live in this growing community of around 5,000 people and they believe the Friends message and tradition is a valuable way to reach out to their neighbors. Please pray for this new mission point.
St. Paul, Minnesota Friends Church. Through referrals from EFM missionaries, John and Sangi VanLal, who have served in Nepal for many years, two refugee churches have begun. The newest church includes five to six families meeting in a house church led by Pastor Kumar and wife Jossuda Tamang, and their two teenage sons, Amrit and Samuel. A Partner Church Advisory Team (PAT) has been established. Riverbend Friends of Tecumseh, Michigan from Eastern Region YM, Hay Springs Friends in Nebraska, From Rocky Mountain YM, Bear Creek Friends in Des Moines from Iowa YM, and Northbranch and All Nations Friends from our YM make up the team. While ministering in Nepal, Pastor Kumar Tamang was a good friend and disciple of Pastor DB Tamang who is now ministering in Ft Worth, Texas. Even though they share a last name, they are not related. Our Home Missions Board recently approved funds to purchase Nepali and NIV Bibles for this new ministry. Please pray for Pastor Kumar and the St Paul team.
The Ft Worth, Texas Nepali ministry called Living Friends Church continues to expand in three huge apartment complexes where many refugees have settled. Pastor DB Tamang, and his wife Sangita, along with their teenage children Neemah and Silas, have started several bible studies. He is also preaching each Sunday in the community of Haltom in north Ft Worth where his mother and brother live. He currently uses their large garage for a meeting location, but they are at full capacity there. Pray for the Partner Church Advisory Team (PAT) as we discern a larger location for meetings. PAT chairman is David Moses, and wife Andrea (Byrne) Moses. Steve Patterson, David Byrne and myself complete the team. More PAT churches are needed to work with this exciting new ministry. Thanks to Western Area for responding to the need for Nepali Bibles!
Friends of Lawrence, Kansas. Another team couple, Joey and Lanie Spiegle have relocated from Miami, Oklahoma to join pastors Jeremiah and Wendy Williams in this work. They are intentional in building multiple relationships with those they meet in their workplace, apartment complex and the neighborhood community of the Lawrence Friends Church. Jeremiah is working hard to refurbish and remodel the church facility. This ministry is supported by representatives from Spring Grove, Tonganoxie, Crossroads, Rose Hill, Northridge, and Haviland Friends Churches. Continue to pray for God’s direction as they reach out to people in Lawrence.
Iglesia Evangelica Amigos de Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with Pastor Isai and Sucely Ramos and family. The Aldana family from Guatemala (Sucely’s parents and brother) have acquired U.S. Residency status and joined the ministry team in Oklahoma City. Pastor Isai is bi-vocational, and in addition to discipling his church family, works at Hobby Lobby and reaches out to the Hispanic community in numerous innovative ways. After ministering in this community for several years, the passionate prayer request from Pastor Isai is that the Holy Spirit might break through Satan’s stronghold in the hearts of people in the community who are not open to the Gospel message. Pray also for Sucely’s health and the ongoing issues of insurance coverage for their family.
All Nations Church (Sudanese Community) in Omaha, Nebraska. A new team has formed to support the ministry efforts of pastors Lazarus and Veronica John. Team members are Rob Talbot from Quakerdale Ministries in Iowa YM, Pastor Cliff Heckman from Bear Creek Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, Rebecca Achai-Denver, Aislynn Rookwood and Martha Mut from All Nations Church in Omaha. Lazarus’ ministry is to both the local Sudanese community as well as those who remain in South Sudan. This team is focused on spiritual leadership to help provide support for local medical and legal needs, housing, and employment. They minister to youth through sports teams, while coordinating interns from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Another service they provide is using their handicap-accessible van for urgent transportation needs in the community.
Iglesia Amigos de San Antonio, Texas, with Pastor Emilio Sanchez: This team is well-established with local leadership and oversight by the Partner Church Advisory Team (PAT), led by Bob Mardock and David Byrne. Bible studies are active now to feed the souls of seekers. They pray often for local growth, and for their families still in Guatemala, Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries. God’s spirit is evident in all ministries of Iglesia Amigos. Continue to pray from Pastor Emilio and the team there.
Oasis Church of Dodge City, Kansas is led by Pastor Gerald Mendenhall and his wife Deloras. With leadership and support from the Partner Church Advisory Team (PAT), Keith and Barbara Whitney, Craig and Treva Custer, Chuck Townsend, Wayne Powell and Dave Reimer, great strides are made weekly as worship attendance grows dramatically with many new believers. Jesus Torres, who spoke at EFC-MAYM sessions a few years ago, was recently released from federal prison and is now part of this Dodge City ministry. Celebrate Recovery is another vital substructure.
Thanks for your prayers.
– Randy Littlefield, Director of Multiplication Ministries
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