When a baptistery becomes a lifeboat
ITAPETINGA, Brazil — A mobile classroom used by Churches of…
Around the World: Baptisms, Bible studies, prison ministry and more quick takes
Around the World is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ all over the globe. Got an idea for this column? Email Erik Tryggestad at [email protected].
Featured image (above): Minister Hafley Rey Caa prays as 19 people prepare to give their lives to Christ in baptism in the Philippines. The baptisms took place following a gospel meeting sponsored by the Lobas Church of Christ in the province of Cotobato on Mindanao, a predominantly Muslim island in the southern Philippines. “We give all glory to God,” a church member said.
Spotlight: ‘Woman of God’
Elizabeth Halale
KALOMO, Zambia — Nurse. Clinic administrator. Bible teacher. Women’s ministry leader. Medical mission liaison. Mother of 10.
Elizabeth Halale has served in all of these roles, said administrators of Namwianga Mission, describing her as “a woman of God who has touched countless lives through her ministry and example.” Namwianga is part of Zambia Mission, an educational, humanitarian and Christian leadership ministry supported by Churches of Christ.
BRAZIL
SALVADOR — Churches of Christ are growing in this northeastern Brazilian city, said Tim Brumfield of World Bible School. The Bonocô church hosts groups of visitors who gather to study the Portuguese-language “Let the Bible Speak” course produced by WBS. Church member Daniel Amaro works with students online.
“The church in Itinga (a part of greater Salvador) and the church that meets on Bonocô have together planted many other churches in greater Salvador as well as around the state of Bahia,” Brumfield said.
Related: When a baptistery becomes a lifeboat
CUBA
HAVANA — Prison ministry is yielding baptisms around the world — and creating a dire need for baptisteries.
Kings Crossing Prison Ministries recently sent its sixth portable baptistery to Cuba — the 460th sent by the ministry since it began in 1991. They are in use in prisons across Texas and in 41 countries, the ministry reported in its newsletter. Workers assemble the portable baptisteries in their offices, but the rising price of materials has increased the need for donations.
The Kings Crossing Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, Texas, oversees the work.
HONDURAS
Miguel Oswaldo Aguilar Juarez
TEGUCIGALPA — Christians across Central America are mourning the April 18 death of Miguel Oswaldo Aguilar Juarez. He was 67.
Aguilar was one of the first Hondurans baptized by missionary Dan Coker and had worked with the Baxter Institute since its beginning in Mexico. He served in multiple teaching and administrative roles with the institute, which trains ministers across Latin America from its facility in Tegucigalpa. He launched Baxter’s Missionary Learning Program and served as president of the board of directors of the Amicus Association. He also served on the boards of medical mission Predisan and Youth on the Way.
“We will miss his hugs, his jokes and above all his love for everyone,” Baxter administrators said. “We extend our appreciation and condolences to his wife, Rosa Chirinos, to his daughters and other relatives. We pray to God for comfort for the whole family.”
MAURITIUS
Stephanie Subarayadu
NOTRE DAME — Stephanie Subarayadu works with a ministry for low-income women in this village on Mauritius, an island nation east of Madagascar with a population of 1.2 million. Subarayadu helps the women learn skills to earn income for their families.
“Creating hope for the vulnerable, increasing awareness in their potential skills and encouraging them to dream and hope helps them out of the poverty mindset,” said Subarayadu’s husband, Canden, who ministers for a small Church of Christ in Mauritius. “Knowing all of these contacts has brought us many opportunities to serve and to preach the Gospel.”
THAILAND
BANGKOK — Partners in Progress is working with the Somprasong 4 Church of Christ in this southeast Asian metropolis to produce five-minute YouTube videos featuring Scripture and messages of hope. More than 30,000 viewers have watched the videos.
“We have never seen this kind of response to the Gospel,” said evangelist Glome Weerakit.
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