Africa in Revival

 ~ May 2012 ~

Burkina Faso
Ken Cantrell family

Two children received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Burundi
Richard Smoak family

Property was purchased for construction of a Bible school.

Congo (Brazzaville)
Regional Missionary, the Gistophe family

Three were baptized in Jesus' name, and six received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Equatorial Guinea
Regional Missionary, Peter Mua family

Two received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, three were delivered from demonic spirits, and two were healed by the power of God.

There is also an increase in church attendance.

Gabon
Area Coordinator, Randy Adams - reported by Pastor Désiré

Ten were baptized in Jesus' name, and seven received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Ghana
Nick Sisco & Colleen Carter families

A fireman who was born a Roman Catholic and later became a Baptist was hungry for more truth. He was taught a personal Bible study by a missionary, was filled with the Holy Spirit in the office, and later baptized in Jesus' name.

At one local church, four received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and one was healed of a stomach ulcer.

A Bible school student testified of two being healed after long term illnesses.

Another Bible school student held an all-night prayer meeting. One girl who was an outcast from her family for over two years was finally allowed back in her home after specific prayer was made on her behalf.

Kenya
Jim Crumpacker & Patrick Groves families - reported by Outreach Director Pastor Richard Shiunwa

Throughout the country a total of 182 were baptized in Jesus' name, 134 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and 109 reported healing. There were also 180 Bible studies taught.

There are two new preaching points.

Liberia
Albert Stewart family

At a sectional conference, seven were baptized in Jesus' name and ten received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

During regular services, fifty-five were baptized in Jesus' name and fifty-six received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Madagascar
Chris Richardson family

At a Regional Conference, there were crowds of over 1,200 and 290 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Reports from various local churches across the islands total 168 filled with the Holy Spirit and 110 baptized in Jesus' name.

At a new church plant, twenty-two were baptized in Jesus' name and eight received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Twenty-eight Pastoral School students are out doing their four-month work program (pastoring and evangelizing). One student reports twenty-one baptized in Jesus' name and twenty-seven filled with the Holy Spirit. One crippled woman was baptized in Jesus' name and received her physical healing in the water.

One pastor testified of a Trinitarian pastor and several of his saints being convinced of truth. They have been baptized in Jesus' name and several of them filled with the Holy Spirit.

Malawi
AIMers, Chris Gibbs family

At one church, three received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

At another church far out in the bush, the Lord moved mightily and several received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many were also healed. One man received healing in his feet.

Nigeria
Gerry McLean family

At a recent Oneness Seminar, twelve were baptized in Jesus' name and five received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Five ministers from independent churches have applied for a ministerial license with the UPCI.

Tanzania
Richard Smoak family

Seven regions report a total of over 2,000 personal Bible studies taught for the "Pass the Word" evangelism program.

In one city church, the Holy Spirit fell during the Sunday service while the choir was singing and worship erupted throughout the congregation. Over sixty were rejoicing in tongues, and three received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After service, two were baptized in Jesus' name.

The missionaries and several Bible school instructors went to a local church for a special service for baptizing new believers. Seventy-one were buried in much water in Jesus' name. On the same day, a regional evangelist visited another local church where seventeen were filled with the Holy Spirit and nine were baptized in Jesus' name.

At a local church in the southern part of the country, eight were baptized in Jesus' name.

Togo
Randy Adams & Mike Benson families

At revival services, there was a man attending who struggled with his love for alcohol. The first night he just wanted service to be over so he could drink. But during the altar time, the Lord began to deal with him and true repentance erupted from his heart. That night and the next day, he kept his phone turned off so none of his old friends could reach him. On the second night, he received total and complete deliverance from alcohol.

During this same revival, there were testimonies of the Lord healing arthritis, injured legs, and supplying needs for His children in miraculous ways.

Zambia
Gary Abernathy family

During the Western Regional Women in Spirit and Health meeting, seven ladies received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and two were delivered from demonic oppression.

A child sick with a high fever was prayed for and the next day was clapping and singing for God.

A lady who could barely walk from severe abdominal pain was instantly healed after prayer.

Greater Things: Report from the Cooneys

The Cooney Family

March-April 2012

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do….”  John 14:12

 Sunday School/New Life Class

Some transitions that have taken place of late at the COA.  The Sunday School has a new Superintendent and is meeting earlier to give them more time in focused teaching & worship with the children.  The New Life Class has begun each Sunday during our normal Adult Sunday School time frame, to ground our new converts and newer people to the church.   

Capital Campaign update

God is continuing to bless our Building Fund. A combination of giving from the Church of Acts in Vienna and what Bro Robinette has raised while on deputation has brought the total for the year to over 60,000 euros raised so far and in the bank!

We are believing to reach the goal of 100,000 euros by the end of this year!

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was great; we had many visitors, 3 choirs sang (African, Filipino & Youth), and at the conclusion of service, we had 1 baptism!

London -  Life Tabernacle 40th Anniversary

We had the privilege to attend the 40th Anniversary of Life Tabernacle Church in March.  This church is known all around the world for fantastic ministry.  From working there the last few years, Life Tabernacle has a very special place in our hearts.  We enjoyed being with Bishop & Sis Francis, the family of God, and all the special guests and ministry that made up this celebration. We look forward to what the next 40 years holds for this great church, if the Lord tarries! 

London - Latino Anniversary 

Great Anniversary celebration with Pastor Luis Jimenez and the Iglesia Apostolica Unida Intl UPC in Elephant & Castle-London! Ministers from the London & South District and first time guests attended this special event & celebration. Many blessed and slain in the spirit in the altars Saturday; on Sunday, 2 were baptized in Jesus Name!

Republic of Georgia Update

This Month: 

This month has been an exciting month here in Tbilisi. Kim, Daniel and I started our international church this month. Our first contact was a man from Nigeria named Abbey. We baptized him in Jesus name after he received the Holy Ghost. He then began to bring all of his friends.

Living World International Church's First House Church Meeting

In the last two weeks, we have met 45 people - 30 of which are currently attending our new church. Five have received the Holy Ghost, and two have been baptized. We are also baptizing more of them next week. God is doing amazing things.

Prayer Focus:

• Break the spirit of false doctrine. Jehovah witness in particular.
• Buss
• Training Center

Also This Month:

Emma and Laurissa received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues this week. We are so excited at what God is doing in our family.

Seeking His Kingdom with Kim Hatch (Japan)

More April News!

On April 15, 2012, we had Hanami Rehai ("viewing flowers service") in a Fussa-shi, Tokyo park amongst the sakura ("cherry blossoms"). As far as we know it, Haijima UPC is the only church in the world that has a Hanami Rehai. And it is lovely! Matter a fact, the person who installed the internet at my apartment said when invited to the service, "Oh! You are the big church who meets during Hanami in the park?" Haijima UPC is well-known in the community for this gathering, so we thank the Lord for helping us get the Word out.

Our combined English and Japanese service started with worship led by Bro Arai, Bro Lucas, Bro and Sis Yokoyama, Sis Lucas, and Bro Daniel.

Bro Lucas spoke on "Relationships" and how everything God asks of you has to do with your relationship with God and with your neighbors.

One of our sweet Japanese sisters, Sis Ikeda, invited her fellow Kindergarten teachers and 20 came as a result! Praise the Lord!

We had multiple visitors including the Coker family (Apostolic US Navy Chaplain) from Atsugi Naval Air Facility. Below is my new friend, Mio, who came with a couple of our saints from Yokosuka Naval Base. Her English is excellent! She has expressed an interest to come again to church, and we are believing that the Lord will draw her to the Truth.

Being Apostolic also means the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42 - "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers"). Here is just a sample of the international food brought and enjoyed as we fellowshipped in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ.

May News

May 4th through 6th is the 2012 Japan United Pentecostal Church General Conference hosted here in Tokyo. We are blessed to have our UPCI General Superintendent and his wife, David and Connie Bernard, speaking as well as the Asia Regional Director, Lynden & Kathy Shalm. As Superintendent of JUPC, Bro and Sis Lucas will be presiding along with other national leaders. We are excited for what the Lord will continue to do through His church!

Prayer Focus
May 4th, 5th, and 6th will be upon us shortly. If you would, please join me in praying 3 focused points for the Japan General Conference:

•     God's will to be done in all business and services
•     visitors to be born again or renewed in the Holy Ghost
•     continued vision to reach the people of Japan

                                                                                                  God bless,
                                                                                                   Kim Hatch

Hello from Korea

Greetings! ^^

As an opener, I will resort to that good ol' cliche: time flies! Tempus fugit.  It does, indeed, and I am writing my hello to you much later than I intended. In this moment, I pause to acknowledge the awesomeness of my God. I am so thankful for the times he wakes me up or keeps me up to talk a while with me. He is such a good God who supplies my needs, who uses people to be a blessing. I know that God has so much in store for me, for you, for Korea, and for this world. I am excited for the best that is yet to come. He has positioned and grown us for such a time as this.

Part of the Group at Deoksugung (Picture Source: Alex)

 So much has happened since I last wrote to you all. As you may have noticed if you are linked to me on facebook, more apostolic young people have come to South Korea and more are coming. We have another AIMer that is in the process of raising the necessary funds. Be in prayer for this new young lady that will arrive in Korea in God's perfect time. I am so grateful for these young men and young women of God, as they are a source of support and friendship. Especially with living in a city without a church, it is nice to have a group of people to message, call, facebook, etc. that share similar passion for Korea and understand what it is to be a foreigner here. I am so grateful for all the people that God has allowed to be in my life, my Gwangmyeong church family and the larger body of Christ. I am so incredibly blessed.

Current Assistant Pastor & Wife at a Sunday School Outing

 An update on the Gwangmyeong church: Our current assistant pastor is leaving to help in a new church, and his new replacement is a recent graduate of the Bible school here. I am going to miss the assistant pastor and his family. His wife just had a beautiful baby, and I look forward to seeing them and her at conferences and service visits. Just as with the Strouts, though we will miss seeing them regularly, I am excited for God's perfect plan and all that will so exceed all our expectations. Continue to pray for the churches in Korea. So many cities and towns are in need of churches. I look forward to the day when there is once again a church in Daejeon, South Korea.

Gratefully,
Heather