David Giles, Director of Church Catalyst Ministries, sent us an email with this introduction: “Dad died on Ascension Sunday. A good day to go home.”

Ray Giles, 75, died May 16, 2010, at his home in Johnson City, TN. Although not a surprise since he had been battling pancreatic cancer for quite some time, the reality of his home-going is impacting family and friends around the world.

Ray and his wife Effie served as Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF) missionaries to Ethiopia for 32 years, in rural areas where the Gospel had never been heard. Most of that time was spent in pioneer evangelism among the Oromo and Gumuz tribes of western Ethiopia. During the years Marxism ruled and the missionaries were forced to leave, Ray served on the CMF home staff in Indianapolis as the Fields Director. When the country opened again in 1992, Ray and Effie returned to work with the Church that had survived the Communist years. They found that the church had grown through the fiery trial of persecution but was in desperate need of discipleship. Ministry grew and more team members made up a new team. After 7 years they retired, but Ray and Effie remained involved in ministry to Ethiopia, in missions through the local church, in the Perspectives course, and through mentoring young people who desired to be missionaries. Ray enjoyed serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher at Lone Oak Christian Church, Johnson City, TN.

Ray was born and reared in Chatham, VA, the ninth child of Jerrie and Minnie B. Giles. He attended Roanoke Bible College (Elizabeth City, NC), graduated from Milligan College (Milligan College, TN) and Southern Baptist Seminary (Louisville, KY), and had additional training at the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA). He and Effie ministered to churches in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina before leaving for the mission field.

Ray and Effie have been married for 55 years, always partners in the Gospel whether in Africa or the USA. Effie would appreciate your prayers for her and their four children and families: Deni Dainty and husband Tom of Waynesville, NC; Donna Swart and husband Dick of Omo River, Ethiopia; Jerry Giles and wife Jeannie of Branson, MO; David Giles and wife Linda of Indianapolis, IN; 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren (16th on the way).

Visitation with the family will be at Lone Oak Christian Church (914 Lone Oak Rd., Johnson City, TN  37604-3462; 423.928.2361) from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19. The Memorial Service will be at Grandview Christian Church (300 University Parkway, Johnson City, TN 37604-7375; 423.928.7866) on Thursday, May 20, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF), PO Box 501020, Indianapolis, IN  46250-6020 designated for grandson Marshal Giles, whose family is preparing for service in Ethiopia; or, to the Ray and Effie Giles World Mission Scholarship at Emmanuel School of Religion, One Walker Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601. Cards for Effie Giles and David Giles may also be sent in care of the same CMF address.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Eastside Christian Church in Fullerton, California, has embraced the challenges of the urban poor in Nairobi, Kenya in a big way: its members recently signed up to sponsor the educations of 909 children in the Mathare slums. In his weekly newsletter senior pastor Gene Appel commented on how this emphasis on global compassion is reshaping the life and future of Eastside Church:

“Once in a while something happens in the life of a church that re-writes its future. Once in a great while there will be an experience in the life of a church that collectively re-defines its heart and reshapes its destiny. I’m confident that I’m not over-stating matters when I say we are witnessing such an event during our current global compassion emphasis.

“God is capturing our hearts, opening our eyes, and moving our hands and feet to respond to a broken world in unprecedented ways. In the past two weeks Eastsiders have personally taken on the responsibility to support more than 600 additional children in the Mathare Valley of Nairobi, Kenya, through child sponsorship, bringing our total to 909 kids who now have a future and a hope.

“I’ve seen first-hand with what a difference child sponsorship makes in the life of a child. The rippling effects are felt in a family, a neighborhood, a village, and eventually an entire community.

“It’s just been extraordinary. We are witnessing church at its best. I am so proud and grateful to you.”

Naomi Kouns, Director of Globalscope, CMF’s international campus ministry was honored by the Board of Directors for her 34 years of faithful service at the semi-annual meeting held in Indianapolis May 2-4. Naomi began her career at CMF in June 1976 and will retire at the end of May. Naomi has been vital at CMF, developing church partnerships, equipping recruits, and pioneering our campus ministries. The following tribute, written by CMF staff writer Kathy Harless, was shared with the board members and guests at Naomi’s celebration.

Epic poems and classic literature regale us with stories of heroism and exploits. Naomi Kouns rightly deserves at least a poetic line or two, but she would be the first to shush any listing of heroic deeds.

It isn’t mere years that bring us to celebrate her time with CMF, although they are significant nonetheless. 34 years – doing anything, anywhere – deserve at least a thoughtful sentence. We aren’t celebrating mere dedication … it is life-investment in the work God has given her. It isn’t mere love for her job … it is passion for Christ’s world mission.

Almost three decades ago, Naomi embraced a new job and molded it with her own personality. Churches regarded her as a reliable friend as she extended CMF’s invitation for them to join in harvesting the white fields globally. From pulpits and homes, classrooms and convention workshops, she delivered thoughtful messages with finely crafted words. Printed pieces, displays, and slide sets told the CMF story in creative, colorful ways. CMF Annual Meetings became Prayer and Praise Services with careful attention to every detail. [How fitting that her birthday, the Annual Meeting, and the spring Board Meeting coincided more times than not over these last years. Yes, today is her birthday.] Recruits were well-trained to develop individual and church partnerships, securing prayer and financial support for hundreds of ministries (and thousands upon thousands of dollars).

Naomi sweeps people and projects into her personal whirlwind, and Globalscope serves as a vivid example. With tenacity coupled with the excitement of young people in an international endeavor, she threw her energy into seeing that campus ministries and campus ministers would thrive. Students in Thailand, Chile, Mexico, Spain, England, and Germany now hear the Gospel in a relevant way and see Christ lived out before them.

Our heroine, however, is not perfect. She doesn’t know when to leave the office or she comes in too early. She takes phone calls and trouble-shoots while on vacation. She forgets to eat lunch. She celebrates the joy of the moment even when the work piles high. She is available when her door should be closed. She entertains people in her home when she could be relaxing. She actually enjoys international travel. But these flaws have not deterred her from the tasks at hand.

Naomi, there is no epic poem to celebrate you, but it doesn’t matter because your heartprint throughout CMF and around the world provides an impact that goes beyond all words. You’re a force to be reckoned with, and God will yet use you in countless, joyful ways for His purposes.

“First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.” Proverbs 31, The Message

CMF International, May 2, 2010

Jesse and Sophie Bentley (Globalscope Spain) and their teammates are excited to see their hard work and prayers bearing fruit in the En Vivo campus ministry in Salamanca, Spain, recently, particularly with three students who have made huge steps in their commitments to Christ.

Antonio, a former student, made the decision to be baptized earlier this semester. He will complete that commitment next week in Madrid, where he now lives and works.

Catarina, a student who has been involved in the En Vivo leadership group for the past two years, recently expressed her desire to “try to be a Christian.” Although she is moving slowly, Jesse Bentley reports that “the change we have seen in her the past month…is nothing short of God-sized! She is praying for our events, reading her Bible every day, and is telling her roommates and friends at En Vivo about her ‘decision.’ ”

Most recently, Gabrielle, a Portuguese student who has been coming to En Vivo for only about two months, shared with a staff intern that she “converted to Christ at our retreat” about two weeks ago. The staff was absolutely amazed at her decision and are doing follow-up with her.

“We just wanted to let you know that after sooooo much waiting and prayer, God is doing some cool stuff right now at En Vivo,” continued Jesse. “Last night’s worship service went on for more than two hours as our closest students, including Gabrielle, sang praise songs into the night. Thank you for keeping En Vivo in your prayers!”

(Pseudonyms have been used in this article to protect the students’ privacy.)

Pam Akihiro (Mexico), a former member of the CMF team that was expelled from their work in a small Muslin country in Northeast Africa, recently received bad news from some of the Christian nationals they served with there. They report that persecution of Christians is on the rise once again, and that about 7 to 8 Christians they know have been imprisoned so far. Her contact, Abraham, writes, “I am trusting God but also ready for the worst. Please pass this on to the Family for prayer.”