Around the World

Czech Republic
Prague

Gary and Danita Jackson, missionaries in Moscow, visited Prague in February, discussing challenges of evangelism and leadership training in young churches with Prague missionaries Allen and Laurie Diles, who are sponsored by the Sylvan Hills church, Sherwood, Ark.

Gary Jackson preached at the Prague church and 16 visitors attended, Allen Diles said. Most stayed for a potluck after services and talked with the missionaries until 4 p.m. ‘We thank God for the blessing Gary and Danita brought us,’ he said.

France
Lyon

Arlin and Pamela Hendrix reported in March that the church in Lyon had to apply to the prefecture — comparable to a county seat in the United States — so members could have tax deductions for contributions given to the church.

‘(The) police asked to interview me and go over the church finances,’ Arlin Hendrix said.
‘Besides being granted the right to have the tax benefits, we learned that the police and the prefecture are well aware that we are not a cult, but a recognized church. This is very important because in France there is almost a paranoia against cults.’

In February the Hendrixes were invited to the Deodat-de-Severac congregation in northern Paris, where Arlin Hendrix spoke on ‘Knowing Jesus in Order to Serve Him.’ More than 100 attended.

The Hendrixes are supported by the Poplar-Warner church, Guthrie, Okla.

Honduras
El Encino

In February, eight women graduated from a health care training program at the Predisan clinic in El Encino. The women, ranging from 13 – 18 years old, studied for one year about diseases and first-aid.

‘Along with the health classes, they have been taught what the Bible teaches about each health topic,’ said Charlie Walton, spokesman for the medical mission project. Each student received a diploma and a Bible.

El Encino is the location of the newest Predisan clinic, and this is the first health care worker class to graduate, Walton said. The Northlake church, Atlanta, oversees Predisan.

Submitted:Charlie Walton
Bibles in hand, health care workers in El Encino pose for for a graduating class photo. 

Tegucigalpa

In March Continent of Great Cities and the Baxter Institute, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, trained an all-Hispanic team to begin work in Bogota in early 2003. The team is comprised of five single men, two couples and one child.

‘We are very pleased to be able to work with The Baxter Institute,’ said Gary Sorrells, executive director of Continent of Great Cities. During the training program, which continues until their departure, the missionaries will learn important church development skills such as team formation and effective team operation, strategies for urban church planting and personal ministry skills.

Based in Abilene, Texas, Continent of Great Cities is overseen by the Central church, Amarillo, Texas, and has placed 179 individual missionaries since 1976. The Baxter Institute trains local Christians and missionaries for ministry.

India
Mumbai

Indian Christian Daya Prakash led training sessions for missionaries in early March on basics of Hindu thought and literature and strategies for helping Hindu intellectuals find Christ, said missionaries. Prakash also taught sessions in Hindu-style religious lecturing called ‘satsangs’ (‘truth-gatherings’).

‘He is amazing at 88 to be able to go day after day to meetings all over the city,’ a worker said of Prakash. The Wilkesboro, N.C., church supports the work.

Mexico
Cuernavaca

The Cuernavaca congregation sponsored its first ladies retreat March 8. Thirty women attended the retreat at Oaxtepec, a recreational park, said missionary Lupita Partin.

‘During the retreat we had the opportunity to study woman’s role in the church, in the family,’ Partin said. The guest speaker was Betty Zepeda, the wife of Roberto Zepeda, an elder at the Toluca church.

‘Some of the ladies had never been in a spiritual retreat before and now they are looking forward to the next one,’ Partin said.

The Southside church, Killeen, Texas, sponsors Partin and her husband, Joseph.

Philippines
Manila

Charles Smith was scheduled to officiate at the fourth graduation exercises of four Philippines preacher training schools March 22. The four new graduates join 13 others who have completed the schools’ three-year program, which began in 1996.

Smith and wife Mary Ann left March 11th for Manila. Mary Ann Smith trains women to teach children’s Bible classes. Charles Smith teaches Bible seminars and evangelism in the three cities where the Smiths have established preacher training schools — Olongapo City, Naga City, and Angeles City.

The Odessa, Mo., church sponsors the work.

Tanzania
Chimala

A group of missionaries and church members, led by Robert and Marcia Stapleton, traveled to Chimala on short trips in January and February to preach at training schools, sort supplies at a hospital and even work with an HIV outreach program.

Accompanying the Stapletons on the Chimala Mission were Charles Harrell and Debra Reymundo of the Northside church, Temple, Texas; Robert Harrell of Bedford, Texas; Harold Cook, elder at the Bell Shoals church, Brandon, Florida; and Wanda Peeples, nurse and member of Bell Shoals.

There were 15,019 people treated at Chimala Mission Hospital in 2001, he said. The hospital also treated 88 HIV patients.