". . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" --Philippians 1:6
PRAISEPRAYER
Medical and Evangelism Teams Minister in Dominican Republic
Jun. 9, 2011
A unified team of Wesleyans and volunteers from other denominations joined together recently to serve residents in the Dominican Republic.
The team of 31 ministered in the Dominican Republic, May 16-24. Rick and Clara West, Global Partners missionaries, also joined the team, made up of U.S. residents, ages 20-86. Sixteen of the medical and evangelism team members came from the University of Illinois. Rob Zlock of Calvary Wesleyan Church in Harrington, Delaware, led the evangelism team, while Dr. Joseph Cacioppo of Blacksburg, Virginia, led the medical team.
Made up of Wesleyans and those from other denominations, the short-term missionaries also represented the nations. Ethnicities included those from Korea, China, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.
More than 800 men, women, and children in the Dominican Republic received physical assistance (including a doctor visit and free medications) and prayer during their visit to the clinic that week. Many of the women who visited the clinic received prayer, foot washing and lotion, and new sandals.
“It was an effort to show love and respect to them.” says Clara. “It was amazing to see many of the ladies from low income areas enter the room with their heads down and embarrassed, then see them leave with big smiles and heads held high.”
Children sang songs, colored pictures, and made crafts with the University of Illinois student group.
The District Board of Administration worked at planning the outreach. Pastors of churches in Bonao; Haina, Santo Domingo; Roca Mar, Santo Domingo; San Francisco; and Blanco Arriba prepared for the team’s arrival. Rick notes that “Pastor Isidro Almonte was with us every day and assisted in many ways.” Local doctors, nurses, firemen, and police also assisted in various ways.
“God brought an incredible unity, harmony, and oneness in purpose,” says Rick, district superintendent of the Dominican Republic. “He filled the generation gap and helped to solve the language problem by providing 8-10 translators each day who were dedicated to the Cause.”
Pictured: Dr. Joseph Cacioppo, center, speaks to a patient with the help of a translator.
Spain: Ministry Takes an Important Step Forward:
The Wesleyan Church of Spain took an important step forward during a three-day celebration in which the first and organizing district conference/ convention was held on April 23-25 in Elche. The ministry in Spain began in 2001 under the leadership of pioneer missionary Rev. Daniel Ortega from Argentina. The ministry joined The Wesleyan Church in 2006 with one congregation. The vision of church multiplication lead by Rev. Ortega has resulted in seven additional young congregations located in southeastern Spain. The total Sunday attendance in Spain is approximately 375 people.
During the three-day event, praises to the Lord rang out under the theme “New Wine in New Wineskins” (Matthew 9:16-17). Rick and Clara West, along with Rev. Luis Azofeifa, the president of JIBACAM, and his wife, Zulay, president of Wesleyan Women for the Ibero-American area, brought messages from the Word.
The spirit of revival is evident in the Church. Recently a young Muslim student from Africa gave his heart to the Lord and is a strong personal evangelist. The young congregation in city of Hellin converted a former tavern into to a tabernacle of worship. People are coming to the Lord in Spain, the mother country of Latin America. Pray for Rev. Daniel Ortega and the newly elected district board of administration as they plan the next steps of church planting, discipleship, and providing for the preparation of pastors.
Picture: Rev. Daniel Ortega addressing the convention, upper photo; Mrs. Estela Ortega and Clara West lmiddle photo; Rick West and the DBA the lower photo
Rev. Daniel Ortega, DS of TWC, Spain
Rick West presiding the instalations of the DBA
Mexico: 2010 Ibero-America Wesleyan Women's Conference By: Missionaries Bob and Susie Gray
On February 18-21, 2010, more than 300 Wesleyan women from the GP Ibero-America area descended upon the town of Cholula and the Wesleyan Bible Institute just outside Puebla, Mexico. About half of the women attending the conference were from Mexico, with the others coming from Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. They enjoyed great fellowship, inspirational messages, and practical seminars, as well as checking out some of the local sights in and around Puebla, Mexico.
A lot of hard work and planning went into making the conference a success. Graciela Ramirez—our campus church pastor, chairperson of the Bible school board, and wife of Mexican National Superintendent Martin Torres—was in charge of planning and receiving the conference in Puebla. Most of our Bible school students were involved in hospitality, registration, information, ushering, transportation, etc. We're so proud of how hard our students worked and how well they performed as leaders in training!
Overall, the conference was a tremendous success as the Ibero-America Area moves toward becoming a Regional Conference and then a General Conference. Establishing a Department of Women's Ministry similar to Wesleyan Women in the North America General Conference is a big part of that development.
Photos: Top: Rev. Martin & Graciela Torres, Martin is the National Superintendent; Bottom: Martin Torres and Luis Azofeifa assist Dr. Jo Anne Lyon lead the Communion Service as Rick West translates.
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon leads the Communion Service as Rick West translates
Ibero-American Wesleyan Fellowship ◊ Rev. Richard West -- Coordinator Global Partners, as the international arm of The Wesleyan Church, partners with Wesleyan churches in the Africa, Latin America, and Pacific areas while expanding ministry in Asia, Europe, and the Muslim world.
