~Mexigram - May 2011

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From the email desk of Missionary T.Wynn Drost - General Superintendent UPC of Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico

BIBLE SCHOOL IN MEXICO CITY. Here are some pictures of the students that are part of one of the Bible School programs here in Mexico City.

These are the students in our Tuesday ngiht Bible School, that goes from 7 to 10 pm, every Tuesday night. Those classes take place during the whole course of the year, having started the end of January and finish the end of November. This is a four level program, after which they graduate, with a total of 160 hours of classes per level, or year. On Tuesday we have four different classrooms filled with students. In that format we have over 135 students.

Above, the 1st Level students - this was taken two weeks ago.

On Saturdays we also have Bible School from 9 am to 12 pm. There we have another 35 students, which also is a 10-month class session,. At pressent they are only going to the second level, but eventually will also go all the way through to the fourth level.

Then, we have the Summer Bible School, which is also a four level program, but with intern students from all over Mexico. Last year we had 76 students. That is an intense course that lasts for five weeks, during the summer school vacations. The classes go from Monday to Friday, six hours a day; and then three more hours on Saturday, which also works out to over 160 hours of classes per level.

Pictured below are last year's Summer Bible School students - all four levels.

 

In all, last year (2010) we had 216 students in our Bible School programs here in Mexico City.

Although it represents many hours of teaching, since I teach in all the formats and, at least one subject in each level, I enjoy it, for we are pouring into all these students important Christian principles and teachings.

We have a total of 23 teachers involved in our Bible School in Mexico City - all of them Pastors. That also is tremendous training for those who have graduated from the Bible School program.

In all of Mexico, we have a total of eight Bible Schools in that many different cities. In all, last year (2010) we had 410 students - which includes the Mexico City Bible School.

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE UPCM! Below, is a picture of the Executive Board of the UPC of Mexico, which was taken in March 2011. On the front row: Rev Luis Vasquez (Legal Representative), Rev Martín González (Vice-President), Rev. T.W.Drost (Bishop President), Rev. Steven Drost (National Secretary), Rev. Jose Andrade (National Treasurer). Back row: Rev. Jesús Varela (Bishop Zone 1), Rev Fermín Díaz (Bishop Zone 2), Rev. Mario Villalta (Bishoip Zone 3), Rev. César Pérez (Bishop Zone 4), Rev. Scott Guinn (Bishop Zone 6). Our "Zones" are equivalent to Regions in North America, which here are made up of three or more Districts.

Aside from the Executive Board, we also have the National Council, which is made up of the Exeutive Board plus all the District Supervisors (Superintendents). The UPC of Mexico now has 28 Districts. The National Council, in all, are 32 members. Here they are pictured below:

The Districts in the UPCM are also divided into Sections with their corresponding Presbyters.

Thank you.

Bro. T.W. Drost - Obispo Presidente IPUM
http://www.ipumex.net/ 55-5519 0783

Please continue to PRAY for our missionaries, churches, pastors, and saints in the country of Mexico! They do need and desire your prayer and it is much appreciated!

~CSI Relief for Southern States - Please HELP!

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CSI NEWS

Tornadoes tear through Southeast!

4/29/2011

April 27, 2011 is a day that will long be remembered by those living in the paths of the tornadoes that swept through several Southern and Midwestern states. Vehicles, homes, businesses and as well as human lives were taken by the storms. The devastation left behind is beyond words or imagination. Put yourself in their place. Where will you sleep? How will you get food for your kids? How can you get to your job, or does your place of work even exist anymore?

Compassions Services International (CSI) is assisting with bottled water and food to help those affected in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Missouri. We are coordinating our efforts with the district superintendents and will do all that we can to be a blessing in each of these states. We will be sending finances through the districts as well to assist families in putting their lives and homes back together.

Yes, they need our contributions but most importantly those affected by these storms need our prayers. Please mention them in your prayer time today.

You can help by sending your offerings to:

CSI-Tornado
8855 Dunn Road
Hazelwood, MO 63042

Or, TEXT your donation today!

As needs develop and become more defined we will keep you posted on how you can help.

Blessings,

Scotty Slaydon
Director CSI

**Below is a list of supplies needed to HELP in these storm devastated areas. PASTORS and LEADERS please make an appeal to your church and appoint a coordinator to receive and send the supplies to the address listed below. Thank you in advance for showing compassion to those whom you will probably never meet or know.

CSI NEWS

SUPPLIES NEEDED IN ALABAMA!

4/30/2011

Alabama Disaster Relief Central base

Feel free to ship supplies or take them personally. Any questions, please contact the coordinator Greg Brock at 205-441-2809.

Church address is 1321 4th Ave South West, Bessemer, AL 35022

* Bottled Water

* Toothpaste

* Toothbrushes

* Bar Soap

* Deodorant (men and women)

* Lotion

* Toilet paper

* Baby diapers (all sizes)

* Baby wipes

* Canned foods (Vienna sausages, potted meat)

* Washcloths

* Towels

* Fruit Cups

* Hair Combs

* Hair Brushes

* Crackers (peanut butter, cheese crackers, etc.)

**The cooridnator will be Greg Brock. Phone number is 205 441 2809.

P.S. An idea just came to me before sending this e-mail – if there are fruit or food facilities, manufacturing plants or businesses who produce any of the above products you could ask them for a donation. Also, you can ask UPS or FedEx or any other transportation company if they would be willing to ship these donations free of charge.

~Missionary Prayer FOCUS - May 1st - May 15th, 2011

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Sunday May 1st, 2011 - Bennie and Pat Blunt, Tonga/Samoa/American Samoa

Monday May 2nd, 2011 - Louis and Martha Johnson, Ethiopia/Rwanda

Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 - Richard and Patricia Porter, Swaziland

Wednesday May 4th, 2011 - Howard and Vonda Smith, Spain

Thursday May 5th, 2011 - Brad and Regina Thompson, Guatemala

~ Disaster Relief...A message from Alabama District Supt. J. Stanley Davidson

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Note! I received the following in an e-mail and I am sure many of you did also. The severe storm system that devastated the southern states over the past few days has caused many deaths and numerous injuries. As you will read in the letter below some of our pastors and their saints have been affected.

Emphasis in this letter are mine; pictures, bold, underline and text color to highlight certain portions of this document.

The letter is as follows:

Friends,


It is still impossible to tell how hard Alabama has been hit with tornadoes and storms.  We know the massive storm that plowed through Tuscaloosa and Northern Birmingham was devastating, but other areas of the state have been hit hard also.  Cullman is once again reeling from natural disaster.  These are not the only places.  In fact, they are so numerous that we cannot mention them all here.

Reports from our pastors in these hard hit areas are not good.  There is still much death and devastation being found, and there are still many people missing in these areas.  Two deaths and several injuries were sustained by United Pentecostal people across the state.  At this point, it appears that there is no significant damage to our church buildings, but several of our members have lost homes.  The tornado that hit near Redeemed Apostolic (Pastor Matt Edmonson) in Tuscaloosa skipped over the building and there appears to be no significant damage.  Of course, there is still much to be discovered.  Please keep praying for our people and for the people in Alabama in general.

Rev. David Hall had surgery last evening to fuse some broken vertebra in his back. He lost his wife in the storm, which, to quote one of our area pastors, was not survivable.  I have seen pictures of his home and it is indeed a miracle that anyone could survive.  We really need to keep praying for him and the family in Moulton who lost their 12 year old daughter.  We also have some people hospitalized from injuries.

Relief efforts are under way.  Two relief groups from out of state that are either UPCI or connected with us are bringing truck loads of supplies into the state.  Our Disaster Relief Coordinator is Rev. Michael Markham.  Office Max has agreed to work in conjunction with us and will be supplying some relief for the area.  We are hoping to reach into Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Cullman with these goods.  We will need some manpower to help in distribution.  You can reach Bro. Markham at (205) 938-0182.  He is working diligently to arrange delivery of these goods at this time.  A special thanks to Reach Out America from Dallas, TX, a UPCI based Relief Organization, for a quick response.  We will give credit to the other sources as the information comes in.

Meanwhile, if you are aware of any area disaster that may have missed our notice, please let me know.  The high volume of calls may require a return call from me, but I want to be aware of any way that we can help our brothers and sisters in time of need.  There are severe power outages from Birmingham north and shortages of gasoline in some areas.  These power outages are expected to last from 7 to 10 days in most areas.  Please let us know if we can help in any way.

The Work Week for the Campgrounds scheduled for next week is still planned.  We can use as many workers as possible, but we make the disaster relief a priority.  We will take care of all essential maintenance issues and tackle the other issues based on available manpower.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support.  Our Disaster Relief Fund in the District is available to help purchase items needed if necessary.  Keep praying and supporting, and God will bring blessing out of the rubble of ruins.

J. Stanley Davidson

Please PRAY for all the people in every state that have been devastated by these severe storms which according to some news sources are the most severe in four decades; especially PRAY for those families in our United Pentecostal Churches who have suffered loss during this crisis.

**If there is any pastor or individual who would like to help please call Bro. Michael Markham at the number listed above and he will advise you on the best way to accomplish your desire.

Thank you for whatever you can do as it will be much appreciated.

~Featured Missionary and Country of the Week - Steve Willoughby/Singapore

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Steve Willoughby

Region(s): Pacific

Field(s): Singapore

Website: click here to visit 

Bio: Steve Willoughby received his missionary appointment to Malaysia and Singapore in October 1986. He wrote: “God promised that if we would go to World Conference in Manila, Philippines, we would receive direction for our life. It was on our return from Canton to Hong Kong that we were recruited by the regional director of Asia to be AIM furlough replacements for Allan Shalm in Karachi, Pakistan. "Thus began our missions journey. Pakistan, Thailand, and Malaysia seemed to be an around-about way to get into the perfect will of God, but that is what we believe happened when we moved to Singapore.” After receiving their missionary appointment and completing deputation, the Willoughbys lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, until God miraculously provided resident visas so they could live in Singapore. The growing Singapore church reflects the Willoughbys’ joy, sincerity, and evangelistic zeal.

Singapore:

Republic of Singapore

Area Coordinator: R. Steven Willoughby

Superintendent/President:

Population: 4,500,000

Area: 239 sq. mi.

Capital: Singapore City

Languages: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, English (all official)

Religions: Buddhist, 29%; Christian, 19%; Islam, 16%; Taoist, 13%

The Republic of Singapore encompasses one main island and some 63 smaller islands off the tip of the Malayan Peninsula. It is the smallest country in Southeast Asia. Singapore is one of the world’s largest ports and has become an international banking center. Since gaining independence, Singapore has seen its standard of living rise dramatically. Foreign investment and government-led, island-wide industrialization have created a modern economy based on electronics and manufacturing. In terms of gross domestic product per capita, Singapore is the eighteenth wealthiest country in the world. Dale and Josephine Starks were the first United Pentecostal Church missionaries to Singapore. They arrived in November 1981. The Singapore church has 1,120 constituents, seven licensed ministers, and two churches and preaching points. Steve Willoughby stated, “Tiny Singapore is in the crossroads of nations. Lying about halfway between India and Japan, it is a hub of commerce, transportation, and prosperity. It has, in only three decades, gone from third world to first. Jesus impressed us that what was done in the natural is a mirror of what He has destined for the spiritual. He put in our heart to believe that Tabernacle of Joy is the ‘Antioch of the East,’ a Book-of-Acts teaching, training, sending, and receiving station for the nations of the 10/40 window. The ‘Deep Calleth Deep’ conference plunged Southeast Asia into the depths of revival. Singapore’s Tabernacle of Joy through their ‘Barnabas Project’ gathered more than 60 apostolic leaders from 17 nations along with hundreds of saints into five power-packed days of revival. It was awesome!”

Introduction: 

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Please continue to PRAY for Bro. Willoughby's healing, health, and strength.

~Suriname News Flash 3: Spring 2011 - Rhoads Family Newsletter

The Rhoads Family

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Missionaries to Suriname

United Pentecostal Church International
Foreign Missions Division
8855 Dunn Road
Hazelwood, MO 63042
RhoadsMission.com

Spring 2011

 

Prison Baptismal Service

 

A few years ago we baptized our first contact from the central prison of Suriname. Since that time sixteen more inmates have been baptized in the same facility.

Last year the original contact, along with another one of those baptized, was transferred to a different facility. They began witnessing to prisoners in their new location, and informed us that two men were ready for baptism. Later the number grew to four or five and we wrote a letter to the authorities requesting permission to hold a baptismal service.

Permission for the service was granted for February 25, and as the day grew closer the number of baptismal candidates grew to six. We arrived at the prison, set up the portable baptismal tank, and found nine people ready to be baptized.

As we taught about baptism, one of the inmates asked a question. When we gave him a biblical answer he got up from his seat and went to sit with those awaiting baptism, making the number ten. Another joined the group before it was over, and a total of eleven people were baptized that day!

(One of the eleven inmates being baptized in the portable baptistry)

 

Recent Happenings in Suriname

 

God is doing great things in Suriname. A few events from the last few months are mentioned below.

• Ministers in Training meetings were started in the capital city church.

• Friend Sunday was held in Paramaribo, with twenty visitors present.

• One inactive minister was reinstated and one transferred from the UPC of Guyana. The UPC of Suriname now has four licensed ministers.

• Men’s retreats were held in the western and central regions.

• A new congregation was started in the Saramacca District. The UPC of Suriname now has three churches.

• A twelve-year-old boy, who first started attending church in 2003, was baptized.

• Fifty-six ladies attended the western and central region ladies’ retreats. Three ladies received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Monthly Bible school classes were continued at the central prison.

• A seventy-six-year-old man, the father-inlaw of an Amerindian captain, was baptized in Jesus’ name.

We Appreciate You! Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. We appreciate your faithfulness.
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~Barcelona Commentary - the Nathan Harrod Family

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Barcelona Commentary

Rev. & Mrs. Nathan A. Harrod
Missionaries to Spain
United Pentecostal Church International

Revival Report...


A Time of Harvest In Barcelona

We are excited with what God is doing here in Barcelona. In the month of January our church began a 30 day fast for greater revival in 2011. We have fought many spiritual battles since the beginning of this year but God has been faithful, and we have been reaping a harvest. Since the beginning of this year we have had 33 receive the Holy Ghost just in our local church and many more throughout our region of Spain. Strongholds are being pulled down in Jesus' name!

Los Pentecostales De Barcelona

 

New Building for Our New Church Plant in Tarragona

In December we opened a new church in the city of Tarragona. We began by having services in a hotel meeting room, since then the Lord has opened the doors for us to rent a building and now we are averaging more than 30 souls on Sundays in this new city. After many bible studies we now have many that are ready to be baptized in Jesus' name!


Lincoln Andrew Harrod

On April 12, 2011 at 8:40 p.m. our son, Lincoln Andrew Harrod was born here in Barcelona, Spain. We are thankful for God's help and protection during this time and are grateful that both mom and baby are doing great and were able to leave the hospital two days later.


Thank you for all your prayers and support. Together we are claiming Spain in Jesus' name!
God Bless,
Nathan, Tanya, Alaina and Lincoln Harrod
 Prayer Request:
We are in the process of looking at several buildings for our new church. Please pray that God would give us favor in obtaining all city permits that we are required to have.