CHICAGO, IL (January 20, 2006) – God is doing many exciting things throughout the world through projects and ministries of the Evangelical Covenant Church, as reflected in newsletter updates received by the Department of World Mission.<\/p>\n
Following are edited excerpts of those update reports, listed by country and those serving:<\/p>\n
Japan<\/strong> – Gary and Pauline Carlson<\/p>\n A much larger crowd than expected showed up at the Nakahara Church’s annual bazaar, providing an opportunity to meet many members of the community. A dinner and candlelight service was held at the Hiratsuka Covenant Church on Christmas Eve. It is the emperor’s birthday, which is a national holiday, “so it is a good date for inviting people to attend a Christmas event.”<\/p>\n Mexico<\/strong> – Jo Ellen Reaves<\/p>\n Leaders of a local Covenant women’s group were discussing how they could encourage the women in a small mountain town of Mixistlan de la Reforma, who make embroidered tote bags and blouses, to sell those items through their micro-enterprise. “They had tears in their eyes as I handed over the money that I had received for some of their items while I was visiting in the United States.”<\/p>\n Russia<\/strong> – Leonid and Leanna Regheta<\/p>\n In meeting with Russian pastors and Christian leaders, “we’ve heard over and over about the need for the church in Russia to find new and fresh approaches to the ministry. It seems like many if not all realize the issues and challenges Christians here have to deal with \u2013 issues that now are very different from those they faced ten and even five years ago. We already are noticing a lot of soul searching going on as to finding a place for the Christian church in the new world of ever-changing Russia.”<\/p>\n Spain<\/strong> – Robert and Nancy Reed<\/p>\n Attending an international ALPHA conference in London, England, proved inspiring as people from many different denominations and cultures came together. Attending the conference were charismatics, the archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, a black Pentecostal pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in London, many Catholic priests \u2013 two of whom heard about the event from a Salvation Army pastor \u2013 the director of evangelism for the World Council of Churches, Anglicans, and many others. Several youth recently received Christ, including one who had described himself as an atheist. He now is becoming one of the helpers in the youth groups.<\/p>\n