Thirty-eight years before (as a third-generation student), Doug received his bachelor’s degree from then Northwest Christian College, part of a graduating class heavily involved in social issues. “We were going to change the world! Our role models were dynamic leaders,” he commented. Doug’s leadership in global missions and CMF provide testimony as to the impact of that on his life.

Later in the service, Gary Pierpoint, NCU Board of Trustees chair, conferred upon Doug the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity – a complement to his PhD in intercultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. We extend our congratulations to Doug Priest on this honor from his alma mater with appreciation to NCU for its partnership over 6 decades.

“We estimated that we would plant 59 churches in 2011,” said David, “but I just got the numbers from Kenya so I have the total – 80 church plants in 2011 in CC fields!”

Highlights worth noting:

• There were 13 church plants and 1,026 baptisms in the Turkana, Kenya, churches in 2011.
• The Community Christian Church of Kenya planted 38 new churches in the Maasai and Turkana areas.
• The Maasai churches added 661 new members in 2011.
• Ten churches were planted in England through the Church Planting Task Force; three of the Great Britain field team members work with this partnership.
• Eighteen churches were planted in Ethiopia – 13 among the Oromo people and 5 among the Gumuz. There were also 200 baptisms in the Gumuz area in the last six months of 2011.

Other Church Catalyst fields such as Tanzania (5 new churches, 300 baptisms), Ivory Coast (1 new church) and Ukraine (8 new churches) also experienced significant growth in 2011.

“I’m thrilled with these reports,” said David. “These are the results of the Holy Spirit working through CMF missionaries, national church leaders and effective field partnerships.”

“All of us are a part of such an amazing ministry. The other day we were sitting in an office working through some paperwork and a young boy was sitting with us. His name was Martin and even though the students were on break, he was coming to the school most days. You see, he is an orphan and his guardians aren’t very kind to him so he comes to the school where several people love on him all the time. Sometimes he just sits at a desk and writes compositions! Because of the love he is shown here, he comes to school during a vacation to do school work! Tim and I enjoyed spending time with him and even more we loved watching people love on him. We loved that in the midst of a life that presents challenges daily, a life where he feels unloved, abandoned, and unwanted, God has so lovingly provided him with a place to feel safe and wanted.”

Members of CMF’s Board of Directors will meet in Indianapolis May 6-8. Please pray for safe travels for all the meeting participants and for productive board discussions.

Two couples, Preston and Kristin Coursey and Caleb and Christy Phillips, will be commissioned for service by the board members on Sunday evening. Both couples will be working with the Urban Poor in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Please pray for 220 individuals to respond to the learning opportunity of three classes of the missions course, “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement,” that will take place in the fall in the Indianapolis area. Classes will be held at Outlook Christian Church (East), Traders Point Christian Church (NW) and OMS Chapel (South).

Turkana, Kenya

CMF missionary Gene Morden and his water team have stepped out on faith to publicly announce their goal of drilling 48 wells in 2012. Ten of these have been completed so far. Please pray that the resources — $2500 for each hand-dug well and hand pump – will be available to complete the additional 38 wells this year. Church Catalyst Director David Giles reports that the 13 new churches and more than 1,000 baptisms in Turkana in 2011 were directly linked with the water project outreach.

Southeast Asia

Some national Christians who are well-known to our long-time missionaries in this country have been suffering dire persecution for their faith and evangelism efforts and had to evacuate from their homeland this past week. Please pray for guidance in their next steps.

Tanzania

Scott and Annelle Price continue to forge ahead with the task of launching the BUV (Basic Utility Vehicle) business as mission project in Arusha. Five of the BUVs have been purchased and are awaiting shipment. Right now the Prices are waiting for the release of their business visas (hopefully by May 20) and looking for a site to complete the BUV assembly in Arusha. Please pray that God will bless their faith and hard work on this project.

Spain

The Globalscope EnVivo team, led by Jesse and Sophie Bentley, held another successful spring retreat recently. The team took a busload of 40 students and staff to a site outside of Madrid for a weekend of fun, learning and community-building, built around the topic of God’s view of love, romance and sex. The students were visibly impacted by the weekend, report the Bentleys. They ask for your prayers for these young people who are just beginning to learn more about the abundant life available through Jesus Christ.

A large part of the success of the church planting movement in Turkana, Gene believes, is due to CMF’s heavy involvement in community development projects.

“When I talk to church leaders they tell us that wells, farms, and CHE training have had a major impact on the church,” said Gene. “In the last three regional council meetings of the church I have seen the attitude of the church leaders change from ‘what do the missionaries want to do?’ to ‘how we can work together using our resources first and asking the missionaries to join us?’ ”

CMF has developed a reputation among the Turkana for having a genuine interest in the long-term physical and spiritual well-being of the people. “When the local Minister of Parliament comes around to woo them, for example, the people say, ‘You don’t care about us. Look what CMF has done. They care about us,’ ” said Gene.

This care extends to other areas, too. “The number of nursery schools has increased, and through CHE (Community Health Evangelism) the Turkana are developing life skills in the village and in business,” he added. “They are learning how to organize and plan. But the key in everything is that Jesus is always praised, petitioned and thanked.”

The well-drilling team, for example, is strongly evangelistic, and has a one-hour Bible study every day for village volunteers and anyone else who cares to attend. “Before the team even begins to drill,” Gene said, “they dedicate the well to God, and when it is finished and the pump is bringing up fresh water, the team and community commissions the well to God’s glory.”

The irrigated farms, also, are begun with prayers to God and thanks for the American church (seen there as CMF) that provides the funds. “Farms are begun with Bible lessons about God’s part in the farm and proper stewardship of the farms to God’s glory,” said Gene. “This has increased with the incorporation of the ‘Farming God’s Way’ lessons that were begun last July.”

“I think the best farms are the ones where the local pastors are part of the (cooperative) farm,” added Gene. “They make the farm the center for Bible study, literacy studies and the Church. They also distribute their produce to their needy friends and neighbors, who ask, ‘When can we have a farm so our children aren’t hungry?’ We are working hard to get local pastors immersed in the biblical teaching at the farms because we know it makes better farmers and Christians, while lending credibility and respect to church leaders.”

Of course, Gene hastens to add, not everything is “peaches and roses,” as he puts it. “We have a long way to go for the church to get the upper hand over the traditions handed down by the forefathers that bring glory to Satan, but with prayer and preparation, the church will continue to grow.”

Attendees at the event were Laura Clancey, New Mission Systems International; Rick Jett, International Disaster Emergency Services; Doug Lucas, Team Expansion; Greg Pruett, Pioneer Bible Translators; Mike Schrage, Good News Productions International; Tony Twist, TCM International; and Doug Priest, CMF International.

Doug described the retreat as a “non-agenda event,” although Bob Russell, former minister of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., attended as a speaker on the subject of transitions.

“We really had no agenda other than encouraging one another, praying together and sharing what is happening in our organizations,” said Doug. “I noted that we laughed more at this retreat than at any previous one, because the trust level between us has lowered our defenses and we just enjoy being together. I was thrilled to hear of what each of these organizations is doing to advance the Kingdom of God.”

The BigDent website is a one-stop spot where you can learn about CMF’s microfinance and development efforts in Nairobi, Kenya, read the stories of the entrepreneurs and make online donations to assist them in starting their new businesses. The blog will be yet another facet of the total experience that features photos, stories, videos and information to help you connect with this unique project.

“The new blog is designed to inspire and further inform you about our microfinance and holistic development efforts in Nairobi,” said Kent Fillinger, CMF’s Associate Director of Projects + Partnerships, and one of the blog writers. “We anticipate that it will be interesting, thought-provoking and enjoyable to read. Regular post contributors will include CMF team members plus occasional guest bloggers. We hope you will connect with our blog each week and share the message of BigDent with your network of friends and family.”

Please pray for Greg Klass (Globalscope Chile), Anna T. (Asia) and Brent Vokes (Globalscope Chile). All of these young missionaries served 1-2 years as Missionary Associates and are currently raising support to return their fields of service as soon as possible as Missionaries.

These recruits are working to raise the last quarter or less of their support and are requesting visas for spring departures:

Ted and Jennifer Bertleson – Urban Poor, Ethiopia

Amber Holland – Globalscope Spain

Mike and Joann Noel – Catalyst Church Planting, Tanzania

Cody Spencer – Globalscope Spain

England

Aaron and Diane Lincoln are developing a partnership with other Christian leaders in their town of Rugby to launch a new, three-pronged ministry plan: a missional community, a Park Pastors outreach in a centrally-located, popular park, and an outreach to the local Warwickshire College. “We feel as if God has given us a positive reputation with the Rugby area churches so that new ventures like we have planned are welcome,” said Aaron. “Also, my wide involvement in community and discipling ministries has already paved the way for connections for a new church—a new missional community.” Please pray that God will continue to direct both the vision and the details of these new ministry endeavors.

Burkina Faso

Brian and Tabitha Hauser traveled to the nearby country of Mali to have their new baby and ran into a government coup. They are in a relatively peaceful area of Mali and have experienced no problems so far, and their new daughter Elanor has made her appearance on schedule. However, teammates Ken and Anita Hoch are also planning a trip to Mali in the very near future to wait for the birth of their firstborn, but the borders have been closed. Please pray that the situation settles down quickly and that all remain safe.

Turkana, Kenya

Chad and Kara Harris are happy to report that all 70 students in Kangagetei Primary School have now been sponsored. Four new teachers were hired, a desk was provided for each child, and all the students received new uniforms. “We started counseling with the families of students and have the local pastors teaching biblical lessons weekly in the Turkana language,” wrote Chad. “We have seen an amazing impact in the community even in this short time. Hope has changed the perspective and the community members are working together to build a better future for their children.” Please pray for the continued success of Child Sponsorship in Turkana. 

Central Asia

Twenty-two students recently graduated from the School for Street Working Children where CMF Marketplace Ministers Mr. & Mrs. A. work. They will now be allowed to enter the public school system in their city. In addition, nine mothers of children in the school have received sewing training and machines, enabling them to make a small income for their families. Pray that the team in this country will continue to find creative ways to share God’s love in a difficult environment.

The Park Pastors program grew from the local involvement that Aaron, pastor Matt Caldicott and other Christians have had in the weekend Street Pastors ministry in Rugby, where volunteers patrol the streets to help people stay out of trouble on a night out. The town’s borough council has expressed support for the Park Pastors project and offered the group free use of an unused café in Caldecott Park, which is located right in the center of the town. The park is the most visited destination in Rugby, with about 650,000 visitors each year.

Rugby Councillor Mark Williams is excited about the plan. “Having safe, experienced volunteers on hand to help out will make the park an even more attractive place to visit,” he said.

Aaron, Matt and their ministry team plan to engage people through a regular Dads & Kids ministry, with organized games and activities for families and refreshments in the cafe.

“We especially want to connect with dads who bring their children to the park,” said pastor Matt Caldicott.  “There are lots of gathering places for mums and kids, but not so many for fathers.”

Participants were inspired by Mary Kamau’s update on the ministry’s exponential growth, energized by the focused conversations with other church leaders, and encouraged through devotional thoughts and supplied with fresh ideas. Key updates were also shared regarding the expansion of the child sponsorship program, the launch of the BigDent.org microfinance website and the introduction of a new VBS/Children’s Ministry program called “Good News for the Poor” featuring Hope Partnership projects.

Joe Oettel, missions volunteer from West Side Christian Church (Springfield, IL) said, “I really enjoyed meeting several new people, building relationships and sharing ideas.  In my opinion a lot was accomplished at the meeting, both in discussion groups and one-on-one conversations and I hope we can continue the dialogue.” Tom Moen, Outreach Minister at Mountain Christian Church (Joppa, MD) added, “It was a GREAT couple of days…thanks for hosting…need to do it annually (at least).”

The Hope Partnership continues to grow by epic proportions from 185 children in 1 school in 2006 to nearly 7,000 children in 14 schools plus 7 new churches today. The growth of the Hope Partnership is exciting, but it also calls for a concerted effort, an ongoing commitment and an expanded circle of partner churches and individuals.

This cross-cultural partnership focuses on holistic ministry to transform lives and communities in the Mathare Valley slum of Nairobi, Kenya and is now starting to reach beyond to other areas of Kenya. The success of this partnership is due to the vision and leadership of Kenyan nationals, Wallace and Mary Kamau working collaboratively with a team of CMF missionaries. Another critical component creating the sustained growth of the Hope Partnership is the involvement and investment of over 40 churches and over 5,000 child sponsors that continue to sacrifice and serve to fuel the ministry’s growth. During the event, one partner church demonstrated their investment in the ministry by presenting Mary with a $100,000 gift toward finishing the multi-purpose building at Joska, our boarding school outside of Nairobi.

To learn more about how you or your church can get involved in the Hope Partnership, contact our Projects + Partnerships team at projects@cmfi.org.