Around the World
DURRES
Members of the Durres, Tirana, Elbasan, Vlora, Oricum and Pogradec churches attended a Men’s Day at the Durres church Oct. 30, said minister Alfred Zike. The theme of the event was, “The Leadership Pattern of the New Testament Church.” It was part of a five-day training seminar. John Massie, minister for the Alamo City church, San Antonio, was the guest lecturer. The Adams Boulevard church, Bartlesville, Okla., sponsors Zike.
AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE
About 230 people attended the 12th Saving Light lectures Nov. 11-14 in Melbourne. Speakers Jarrod Thomas, Warren Holyoak, Marvin Ancell and Brett Christensen presented lessons on “Life’s Mysteries Revealed in Scripture.”
Mark Davison and Ryan Thomas led Sunday morning worship, and the Sunday evening service was broadcast live on a local radio station, said Stephen Randall, who reports news about churches of Christ in Australia and New Zealand.
PERTH
The Perth and Westchurch congregations, on Australia’s west coast, hosted a joint worship service at a local community center in later July. Church member Mark Carlton taught classes. The combined attendance was 130 people. The worship was part of ongoing efforts to increase fellowship between the congregations, church leaders said.
SYDNEY
The Eastside church celebrated its 30th anniversary Oct. 17. About 140 people attended. About 95 were visitors, including many former members who have since relocated, church leaders said.
Peter Mandalitis made a presentation recounting the church’s history, focusing on the work of Ron and Edna Wallace, who helped launch the church.
CANADA
QUEBEC
Quebecois minister Jean Grenier and missionary Bren White made new contacts and encouraged church members in several cities in Quebec during October.
They visited Baie-Comeau, where a small church is forming, and hosted gospel meetings in Jonquiere and Chicoutimi. The pair also worked with the Saguenay congregation.
The Frederick, Md., church supports White’s ministry, Operation French World.
FRANCE
LYON
In late November 34 workers – including missionaries, ministers and teachers – from French-speaking Europe met near Lyon for their annual retreat, said missionary Charles White. Church members from France, Belgium and Switzerland attended. The Lyon church organized the retreat.
THE GAMBIA
BANJUL
The School of Religious Studies hosted a graduation ceremony Dec. 4. About 240 people attended, including guest speaker Dzah Arnold, minister for the Dakar, Senegal, church. Lawrence Oshoreiame, minister for the Central Serekunda church, in the Gambia, chaired the event.
“Twelve students graduated today, bringing the total graduates to 68 in six years,” said local minister Isaac K. Daye. The Center Street church, Fayetteville, Ark., supports the work.
Dzah Arnold speaks at graduation.
INDONESIA
MEDAN
Missionaries and members of the Medan church hosted a Nov. 8-9 seminar at the church in Sidikalang. About 20 people attended. Missionary Collin McKee taught from the Gospel of John, said Medan minister Andrew Banjarnahor. McKee also taught a home Bible study Nov. 8 attended by about 30 people. “Our mission team continues to help the ministry at the Sidikalang church once (every) three weeks,” Banjarnahor said.
NEW ZEALAND
TAURANGA
South Pacific Bible College, a ministry training school in Tauranga, on New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, hosted a graduation ceremony for nine of its students Dec. 4. Four students will continue at the school for their third year of study. The school trains men and women from countries throughout the South Pacific.
PHILIPPINES
NUEVA VISCAYA
Churches in the Philippines are gathering support to help victims of two recent typhoons, which claimed hundreds of lives, missionary Salvador Cariaga said Dec. 7. In the region of Nueva Viscaya, “many brethren were left homeless and a few of our church buildings were damaged” Cariaga said.
Church member Chito Cusi and Medical Action for Relief, Counseling and Healing (MARCH), a medical ministry, are assisting church members in the affected areas. The Central Baguio church made a special contribution for the flood victims in early December.
TAIWAN
TAIPEI
The church in Chungho/Yungho hosted its first English-language worship service Nov. 28, said missionary Kenneth Hsu. The church, which traditionally worshipped only in Chinese, hopes to “minister to the English-speaking and English-learning community in the neighborhood,” Hsu said. About 40 people attended, including 17 visitors. “This is a big encouragement to us personally and to the church,” Hsu said. The Park Row church, Arlington, Texas, supports Hsu.
