Greetings from Geneva

The Pentecostals of Geneva
Pulling in the Nets!

I cannot believe it has been a couple months since our last letter! 
It was crazy, and all I can do to squeeze out
an occasional tweet which shows up
on our website, http://www.pentecostalsofgeneva.ch/.

Since our last letter we have been working hard with several saints and three AIMers, Sister Cortney Rangel and Sister Britney Gordon through June and July and Sister Amber Hackenbruch, who joined us in June. We had an amazing time with the AYCers from all over the US to descend upon Vaduz, Liechtenstein, and Lausanne and Geneva in Switzerland. In Vaduz, there were a couple of powerful services. In Lausanne, we held a half-day tent concert with testimonies and prayed for several people there on the street to support a church plant we are doing. This is a first in Switzerland, a daughter work as a second church in the country! In Geneva, we went out on the streets in several groups to sing, minister and hand out flyers and; helped local charitable organizations, as well as did a little sightseeing. On a couple of evenings, being denied a permit for a tent to evangelize, we took to the streets in a “Pillar of Fire” with about a group of 100 to sing, hand out flyers, give testimonies and preach in prominent places in the city.  All in all, we had 25 visitors in Geneva, 3 received the Holy Ghost and 4 are now in Bible Studies!  This has been a region-changing impetus for us!! Thank you for your support enabling this!! We thank the Manns, the Kellys, the Pucketts and Brother Stirnemann for helping to lead this huge group through these nations! Awesome!!

Right now, Sister Jutta and I are running the Apostolic Ministry Training Center’s 4th year, this time an intensive 10-day session, along with 8 ministers from all over the US and 3 from Europe who are committed to support our purpose of new ministers to support  the vision of 100 churches in 10 years.  We have been hard at work during the day and evangelizing and having services at night!!  What an impact this will have on the 13 students we have who represent all nations of our region!!! 

Prayer Requests and Financial Needs
Follow up with visitors and those touched by the AYC trip!!
AIM workers and their activities supporting Geneva and Lausanne!
Further contact with organizations to minister to lost and needy!
Breakthrough with Geneva bureaucracy for permits, etc!
A consistent meeting place in Lausanne for the new church there!

Mitch and Jutta Sayers
Meeting at the Warwick Hotel
Rue de Lausanne 14
1201 Geneva, Switzerland

News from Belgium

 For our special service in the city of Aalst, we were very honored to have with us Brother and Sister Myers from Florida. We had a wonderful weekend the 23rd and 24th of June. That weekend was power packed with 8 that received the Holy Ghost and two that were baptized in Jesus Name. Sunday the 24th, we had an ordination service with two ministers that we ordained. Others received local and general license.

The Apostolic Bible & Training School 

The Apostolic Bible & Training School was birthed out of a desire to train men and women to become true servants in the harvest field of God. The mission of the Bible school is three-fold:

*First of all, we aim to establish and develop a sound knowledge of the Word of God in order for students to be able to handle the word of truth with precision (2 Tim. 2:15) and to be always ready to give an answer to everyone who asks them to explain the hope we have (1 Pe. 3:15). 

*Secondly, ABTS aims to provide students with a practical, hands-on training to enhance their ability to fulfill God’s calling on their lives. Through diversified training sessions, practical classes and the opportunity to participate in the “Assist Program,” ABTS is building God's Kingdom today by preparing ministers for the harvest field NOW!

*Thirdly, ABTS will open its doors to everyone who is hungry to learn more about God's Word or who wants to receive ministry training. All who are thirsty are welcome!

Right now we have over 19 students enrolled for a 2 semester program (1.5 years). It is our goal to send the graduates of ABTS out in the harvest field to help start churches and spread the gospel in the nation of Belgium.

Through the ABTS, ministers of this present generation will pass on their flame of passion for God's work in Belgium to the next generation of ministers. Through this united effort, we will build Gods Kingdom together!

Please continue to pray for our locals churches in Belgium. God is still on the move and we want to follow His spirit where He leads. We are thankful for what He has done, the work He is doing and what He will accomplish through us as His servants. Your prayers and support are not in vain. He remains the God of Belgium. Thank you

Victory Report from the Landaws

Gary and Kristi Landaw
Puerto Rico & Trinidad and Tobago

VICTORY

During special services over 20 received the Holy Ghost in Trinidad and Tobago.

Recently special services were held in the town of Scarborough, Tobago.  We are believing to have a church their soon!  Keep praying with us for this area.

VICTORY

After looking for many months, we now have a good location for the church we are planting in the San Juan area of Puerto Rico. We thank the Ironwood United Pentecostal Church for helping us out with the finances for this rental property.  There are nearly 2 million people in the San Juan metro area. Please pray for us as we reach out to this needy area.

We are so thankful for your faithfulness in praying for us as well as your monthly support. There is in urgency in our spirit to win the lost in these islands. May Jesus bless you for your kindness to let us be ambassadors of truth .  

Finland Update

The Mark Alphin Family
News update & prayer focus - June 2012

After attending home group for about  nine months, one of our young ladies is going home following the end of her exchange student program. She received the Holy Spirit, but decided to wait on baptism. Please help us pray for her - we are trusting God to lead her path and hope to see her again in the future!

First Bilingual Bible Study
 - Result: Baptism

In May, we told you about a young lady, living in Sweden, who was helping her mother learn about the Lord via Skype. Following our meeting them in March, we began teaching Ewi (a Finnish-Estonian speaker) with the help of a Finnish friend. On June 9, Mark baptized her in the precious name of Jesus Christ. God has great plans for her life, and we will continue to help her develop a deeper relationship with Him.

First-Time Visitor in Home Group
 - Result: Refilled!

After twenty years of being away from God, another has 'come home.' Nearly all overcome with tears, our home group watched as a precious man repented and was refilled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. His son has been talking to him about attending home group, and he finally said "Yes." God never misses an opportunity to change a life when one opens their heart to Him. Thank you, Jesus! We look forward to helping him reestablish his walk with God. Thank you for praying with us - the Lord is moving in Finland!

A Finn does not believe
something until he tests it.
(Finnish proverb)

Focused Prayer Requests

God's ability to freely move during home meetings and Bible Studies - we now have two weekly meetings. We focus on Evangelism every Sunday; Bible Study is held on Wednesday evenings. We want the Lord to be able to have full access to move as He wills. Additionally, personal Bible studies are scheduled at other times. Pray for discernment, sensitivity in the Spirit.

Meeting with Trinitarian ministers in July - we are planning to meet with several theologians who wish to interview us for an article; it will be submitted to a magazine here in Finland. Pray for an 'open door' to fully share the Truths contained in scripture.

Travel in July - our family will travel to Oslo, Norway, for the Nordic Conference during the week of July 9. We will be ministering in song prior to Mark's time of ministry on that Friday morning. Later in the month, Miranda will be traveling to the USA, as she will be attending MK (Missionary Kid) retreat. Candace will be attending a Youth Camp in Lithuania during the last week of July. Pray for safety, spiritual rejuvenation, and rest, as we get a respite from the constant spiritual pressure that we experience on a daily basis in Finland.

Looking Ahead...

On August 16-20, we will be hosting the EME Regional Prayer team in Helsinki. Missionary Jerolyn Kelley is head of the Regional Team, and we have been working closely with her on these plans since the fall of 2011. We expect God to do great things! An update on this will be sent to Finland's Intercessor Team prior to the event; this will enable you to be a part of what is happening in Finland, should you so choose. Stay tuned for further details! EME Regional Prayer website

A DEEP, HEARTFELT THANK YOU
to the Pastors and churches who have helped to make it financially possible for:

•     our family to attend the Nordic Conference in Norway (funds are still needed to cover expenses)
•     Miranda's attendance at MK Retreat
•     Candace's attendance at Lithuania Youth Camp

Your offerings have blessed us beyond measure, and we sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness towards our family. The month of July will be full of fun! 

As we watch God continue to do miracles in the lives of our friends, we often think of - and pray for - the ones who make our ministry to Finland possible. Thank you for the financial support, and the prayers, that are provided for our family every month. Words can't adequately express our thankfulness.

May the Lord mightily bless you in every way.

Mark and Glenda Alphin
Miranda and Candace

 

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

Recent Baptisms at Heavenview

We celebrate with these children who have given their lives to a loving Heavenly Father who has GREAT PLANS for them.

Matthew 19:14 - But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."

Africa Network of Prayer

A new page of interest for those who may be interested in keeping up with the Revival of AFRICA. Please follow the link, go to the FaceBook page and be sure to select the LIKE Button. There will be postings 2 or 3 times weekly that will be informative and include fun facts of AFRICA.

Vision for Africa Ministries




Calendar Events for July 2012

28 June-01 July   CAMEROON     National Ladies Conference
01 July          LIBERIA      Nationalization Service
01 July          NIGERIA     Delta State headquarter's church dedication
01-31 July     TANZANIA     Regional Conferences throughout Tanzania
06 July          TANZANIA     Completion of E. L. Freeman Bible Institute - Moshi campus GATS Certificate Course 1
06-08 July     ZIMBABWE     National General Conference, Bulawayo
07 July          BURKINA FASO     Kids Crusade in Wemtenga
07-08 July     CONGO (DRC)     Ladies' Conference at Kawama
07-08 July     BURUNDI       Rweza, Bujumbura church special 10 years celebrations
09-11 July     CONGO (DRC)     Ladies' Leaders Seminar at Kawama
11-13 July     SOUTH AFRICA  Because of the Times - Southern Africa Conference in Johannesburg.  There will be those coming from many nations in the Africa Region and delegation from the USA.
11-13 July     LIBERIA     Annual Ministerial Seminar
11-14 July     GHANA     Ministers Wives Conference
12-13 July     CONGO (DRC)     Ladies' Leaders Seminar at Likasi
12-15 July     TANZANIA      Iringa Minster's Wives seminar and special prayer conference
14 July          CAMEROON       National Board Meeting
14 July          CONGO (DRC)    Youth Conference at Lubumbashi
14 July          BURKINA FASO     Kids Crusade in Yamtenga
14 July          LIBERIA     Dedication of "Cleveland Becton Memorial UPC", Kuntown, Liberia
14-15 July     CONGO (DRC)     Ladies' Conference at Likasi
15 July          LIBERIA     Anniversary Program, Apostolic New Faith UPC.
15-23 July     TANZANIA     Apostolic Youth Corp team evangelism ministry: Youth Team of 20 coming from the USA.
16-22 July     GHANA      Youth Week
19-20 July     NIGERIA    Akwa Ibom State Oneness Seminar
19-20 July     CONGO (DRC)    Ladies' Leaders Seminar at Lubumbashi
19-21 July     LIBERIA     National Sunday School Workshop/Visitation, Section VI.
20-22 July     BURKINA FASO    Evangelistic Crusade in Bobo
21 July          CONGO (DRC)    Ladies' Conference at Lubumbashi
28 July          BURKINA FASO    Church Dedication in Kaya
28-29 July     TANZANIA     Missionary Smoak to Dar es Salaam for ministers meeting, services, and to check on Dar church construction.
29 July           LIBERIA      Section I Fellowship, Beajah UPC
29 July           LIBERIA      Section III Ministerial Meeting

AFRICA REGION & BEYOND

 04 July  AFRICA REGION  Pray for Africa's Children
                   (See Article Below)           
 14 July  GLOBALLY    Pray for the French-speaking
          nations of the Africa Region & around the world.

BOTSWANA
Seven people received the Holy Ghost during June at UPC of Gabarone. One was  baptized, and four others received the Holy Ghost during the regional youth seminar at Moshupa UPC.

MADAGASCAR
West Region Conference - 305 filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Northern Region Conference - 165 received the Holy Ghost.  In a district conference in the Southern Region (District E3), there were 6 people baptized and 8 filled.  MIRACULOUS HEALING: Just received a report from the Presbyter of the Western Region that there was a person who had been sick and unable to talk for 3 years. Even though they had been going to another church, they weren't healed. When they came to the UPC in Analavory and heard the full Gospel, they were convinced of the truth in the message and were healed and filled with the Holy Spirit SPEAKING in other tongues! Glory be to Jesus!

MOZAMBIQUE
We are giving praise for a plot of 2,600 square meters that we were able to purchase in the capital city of Maputo. The Missions of  Brazilian UPC is ready to support their missionary Vágner Moraes and family as they strive to plant and develop a strong church in that city. 

CAMEROON
In a recent revival in a local church 32 were baptized, 18 received the Holy Ghost, and four confirmed healings took place. We give God the Glory!

SOUTH AFRICA

The Youth on Missions Team from Florida, and other US States, were in South Africa for 10 days.  They were in three different areas: Klerksdorp, Johannesburg, & Durban.  South Africa's Youth joined in with their endeavors.  There were 96 who received the Holy Ghost during these special meetings. Thank you Bro. Mark Hattabaugh and all the YOMmers for being an inspiration to the Youth of South Africa!

ZAMBIA

Ladies Conference 2012 is now history. Sis. Pamela Smoak, Missionary  to Tanzania,  was  Guest  Speaker.  1,182 ladies were in attendance, and twelve received the Holy Ghost.  We were so blessed by Sis Smoak's ministry.  Many are still talking about how wonderful all the sessions were!  Even though it was the COLDEST Ladies Conference I've attended in Zambia...the fire from heaven fell and we are thankful for healing - both spiritually and physically! Also, in Lusaka Children's Crusade 2012, with an attendance of 542, twenty-three children received the Holy Ghost.                                                                                                      
-- Missionary Sharon Abernathy, reporting

  
PRAYER REQUEST:

BURKINA FASO
We ask for prayer covering over the new churches in Kaya, Korsimoro, and Ziniare.

Focusing on Africa's Children

"The family that prays together, stays together."  This is a familiar North American quote with a lot of truth!  There is a special bond that is formed when a family prays together.  We need godly parents who will say as Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24:15).

In Deuteronomy, parents are given several commandments.  These are not suggestions or "it-would-be-a-good-idea-if" guidelines. No, the children of Israel were commanded: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NIV).  Impress them on your children. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "train up" our children. As parents we have a responsibility to teach our children and to train them in the ways of truth and faith. And prayer is a big part of that training. Prayer is like the glue that holds all the teaching together.  Prayer prepares the heart to receive the seed of the Word. Prayer breaks up the hard ground.  Prayer is our communication with God. And when we pray together as a family, we are communicating with God as a family.

When your children are young, the prayers may be simple. They may want to pray about their sick pet or their sore finger. But do not underestimate the power of a child's faith. When they see the example in their parents and the godly adults around them, they will quickly latch on to the idea of prayer. And their faith is pure and limitless. God responds to faith ~ and it does not matter to Him whether it's the faith of a child or an adult!

As a family, you can pray for your own home and needs. But do not limit your prayers; teach your children to pray for others. Pray for the lost.  Pray for the sick. Some families keep prayer journals (remember to journal the praises and answered prayers, too!). Many families have time of daily devotions together, reading a passage of Scripture, then praying together. Some families have family devotions one night a week.  Encourage your children to take part in these special family times. Allow them to share the needs of their friends. Allow them to pray out loud, and to pray for one another. Remember we are training them up in the way they should go. We are impressing God's truth on their hearts!

It is also important to spend time in worship and thanksgiving. Teach your children that not all of our prayer is spent "asking" God for needs and blessing. But some time is spent in worship and thanksgiving. Confessing our sins. One example of a prayer 'guideline' that may help make it easy for children to remember is the A.C.T.S prayer:

•     A stands for 'adoration'       Spend time adoring God and praising Him for who He is.
•     C stands for 'confession'     Spend time confessing our sins.  Asking for His mercy.
•     T stands for 'thanksgiving'  Thank God for all His blessings on you and your family.
•     S stands for 'supplication'    Specific needs for you, your family, and friends.

Encourage your children to pray alone, as well.  Teach them to pray throughout their day. We can model this to our children from the time they are young. If they see Mama praying and worshipping while she sweeps the floor, they learn to pray while they work. If they see Daddy giving thanks for the rain instead of complaining about the mud, they learn to give thanks in inconvenient circumstances.  If an accident happens or someone is suddenly ill, and the first thing Mom and Dad do is call out for Jesus, they learn that prayer is the first thing we do in an emergency!  Impress it on their hearts.  Talk about God when you sit at home and when you walk down the road. When you get up and when you lie down. In the morning and in the evening. In abundance and in despair. In joy and in sadness. In sickness and in health.


The family that prays together, stays together. As 3 John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." And what joy to walk in truth TOGETHER as a family. Believing together. Rejoicing together. Praying together.

Paula Richardson
Regional Coordinator for Reaching Africa's Children Ministries

** Join us in praying for Africa's children every month on the 4th day of the month at 14:00 hours.  This symbolizes the 4/14 Window -- the "window" of age when children develop their moral and spiritual foundations. 

We must Reach Africa's Children!

 

June News from Kim Hatch

Building the House of God!

Even though the rainy season has begun, we have been hard at work around the church cleaning, pulling weeds and vines, cutting up branches, and disposing of the waste. It is a mini-jungle out there!

Physical work days continued with the arrival of Bro and Sis McGhghy from Cincinnati, OH. After visiting Haijima UPC in February, Sis McGhghy saw a need and determined she could help the kingdom of God. Using their vacation time and their own funds, she and her husband came to be a blessing by helping with the building project June 16-23, and a blessing they were! Both spoke to Haijima UPC's international and Japanese services, encouraging us to be used for "God's pleasure."

Some of the tasks we accomplished were cleaning out the small rooms off the lobby, bundling up clothes and cardboard, cleaning fans, putting up ceiling tiles and ceiling wall trims in small rooms, painting the entire lobby texture, texture painting the entire sanctuary, and Bro Yokoyama's office is completely done including carpet... just needs the drapes to be hung!

Due to the construction, we had a combined English and Japanese service in Fussa Minami park on June 24th (the same place we had our Hanami Rehai). The presence of the Lord was so sweet, and we also shared some sweets to eat. :) If you are friends with me on facebook, check out the video I posted.

I just want to say how very blessed I am to hear the richness of the Word of God preached by Bro Lucas and the other ministerial leaders in the church. We can never take for granted the "foolishness of preaching."

Prayer Focus

Many of you understand the burden we have for the youth of the church. Please join us again in prayer for the youth:

    To put the Lord first in the busyness of school
    To trust the Lord in all things as they come of age to marry
    To be strong in the Lord, revived if necessary

God bless,

Kim Hatch

Cooney Update

ACRC – Istanbul, Turkey


It was exciting to hear the great reports from the Area Coordinators & Commission Leaders, and all the revival taking place throughout Europe & the Middle East! There are wonderful plans this year for a greater extension of revival in this region. I have the privilege to coordinate the Evangelism Commission. We are launching a new short term missions program called BLAZE-Mission Ventures this year, and teaming up with the Youth, Training and Missions Commissions in different areas to inspire and propel more labourers into the harvest fields of Europe. Check out www.eurosoulwinners.com for more information. The Middle East sub-regional conference took place at the end of the Commission meetings. In the midst of a total Islamic area (the hall we were in was surrounded by 5 huge mosque-loud speakers blaring all over the city for Muslim prayers 5 times each day). Saints and new converts came in from all over this region for a time of fellowship together. Rev Charles Robinette ministered the first evening, and 31 received the Holy Ghost for the first time!  The next couple days, Rev Mark Shutes and ministers from throughout the Middle Eastern region ministered, and at the conclusion of the weekend, 49 had been water baptized and 45 filled with the Holy Ghost!  This conference has made a tremendous IMPACT on this region! Thank you to the prayer teams and missionaries of Turkey that prepared the way for this historic event to take place! Special thank you to RD Mike Tuttle for his Vision for greater revival in this region, and Rev. and Mrs Rick Robinson for being great hosts!

COA Youth Revival 

The first weekend in May we had a Youth Revival themed “A Generation on Fire” with Rev. Goran Andreassen (Norway).  He did a fantastic job of hitting it right on the bull’s eye with our young people.  Many recommitted to the calling and purposes of God for their lives!


40 Days of Fire
 
began the week after Easter and concluded on Pentecost Sunday. Many notable miracles & conversions have taken place during this time, within and without the church! There is not enough space on this newsletter to list them all. We and the saints of COA are amazed and truly thankful for God’s hand of mercy and blessing upon our lives to do all the things He has during this season of prayer & fasting. The momentum created from this time will continue to carry over for the next few months and throughout the remainder of this year!

Tent Revival 

"We had a fantastic Tent Revival in Vienna, June 9-10! We thank the teams from England (Rev Miguel Diaz, LeeAnn Diaz, Elisabeth Everett, Niki Okala, Rev Jorge Ospina & Selina Frater) & the Rev Rodney Donohoo family from the U.S. that joined us for this ministry outreach weekend. We battled some rain that did affect us, but were able to make necessary adjustments along the way to continue making an impact! 

Saturday - In Prater (area beside BIG amusement park in downtown Vienna), our team ministered to a few thousand people that were walking by, stopping, listening, and even coming near to our tent.  We had quite a few visitors that stayed for hours with us on this day.  There was a great move of God in both services, praying for healing for our visitors, and at least 2 received the Holy Ghost under the tent.

Sunday - At COA the altar was filled with people worshiping, a powerful move of God in our first altar call, great ministry of the Word, and another life changing move of God at the end.  We baptized 4 people, and had one filled with the Holy Ghost coming up out of the water.  He (Rambo) just so happened to be one of our visitors that was with us from Tent Revival. COA will see much fruit from this endeavour over the next few weeks & months because of all the contacts we made and ministered to. Afterward, we went to our daughter work in Eisenstadt and had outdoor praise & worship, along with testimonies, and were able to reach people even in the rain.

We're very excited about what the Lord is doing in this younger generation and the level of faith that they are moving on.  Greater things are yet to come!


Moving On--U.S.

We’ve had a great year in Vienna! The COA was a great revival church before we arrived last August, and it is still a revival church with a fantastic future to look forward to. One major goal at the beginning of 2012 was to raise €100,000 before the end of this year for the building fund so Austria can own its own building. Between what the Charles Robinette family have raised on deputation & what the saints at the COA in Vienna have given, there is already €80,000 toward this endeavour…..and we’re only in June! We give God all glory for his blessings & provision to fulfill His Vision to reach a greater harvest of souls in the German-speaking nations! The COA has grown stronger this year, and we feel that strength as we prepare to depart.  We are going to badly miss the family of God at the COA, but know in our hearts that we’ll be back soon to see them. We begin our deputation at the end of July and are looking forward to meeting masses of new people and seeing what the Lord will do during our travels in the U.S.  We thank all those responsible for the opportunity we’ve had to minister in Europe this year, and most of all give God all glory for what has made an eternal difference in His kingdom!

Another praise report received on Sunday, June 10th was that Rev Rodney Donohoo & family were elected as new pastor of the church in Upper Sandusky, OH! We celebrate with them in this new endeavour! 

Fanny’s Visa Testimony! 

Travel is getting much more difficult in today’s world, with stringent security restrictions being placed for those living outside of the U.S.  After much preparation & gathering of information, we were able to secure an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna and Fanny was approved for a Visa to enter the U.S.!  This is the first major hurdle for our family to be together during deputation.  We still will need to deal with border control at our first landing location in the U.S. (Charlotte, NC), who will at that time stamp her Visa for a period of time.  Please continue to help us pray for this situation.  We know that what God has begun, He will bring to completion! A BIG THANK YOU to all those in the Global Missions Dept and our immigration lawyer that have been vital in making this happen!

Rev Joe, Fanny & Jaylon Cooney
Furlough Replacements: Church of Acts-Vienna, Austria
Missionaries to Ireland