Missions in Guatemala – God’s timing and provision are miraculous

Pastor Kerry Rainey (Seneca & Walhalla) has a heart for missions, and Guatemala in particular.  While attending the Wesleyan Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and while pastoring in Oregon, Pastor Kerry made several trips to Guatemala.  When Pastor Kerry came to SC, his passion for Guatemala came with him.  He began talking about a trip shortly after his arrival.  This past winter (09-10) Pastor Kerry asked the members of his two congregations if they would like to go.  Ten people signed up, a date was set and plane tickets were reserved and fund raising began.  One member of the Seneca church, Faith Rosenberger (my daughter) wanted to go, but couldn’t because the June trip conflicted with her July 4 wedding plans.  As our fundraising progressed, I began to be concerned, because I was a long way from my goal.  Pastor Kerry encouraged all of us saying that God would provide.  He told us to send out letters to our friends and family telling them about our trip and our needs. I had sent my letters, but had only received a few hundred dollars of my goal of approximately $1500 when one Wednesday night Pastor Kerry came up to me with a big smile on his face and handed me an envelope.  Inside was a check for over $1000 from a couple who had attended our church several years ago with whom I had stayed in touch.   I was amazed.  I emailed them to thank them for this support, and they told me another check for the same amount would be coming the following month.  Not only did God meet my need, he exceeded my need and provided additional support for the team.  Another example of God’s provision was the shoes we wanted to take.  Pastor Kerry contacted Soles4Soles.  They said they had about 200 pairs of sneakers for us, but they were in Alabama.  What a coincidence, Pastor Kerry was going to Alabama to visit family and was able to pick them up, thus avoiding shipping costs. Everything was going along smoothly, but Pastor Kerry started having pains in his shoulders and shortness of breath.  He went to the doctor and was diagnosed with major artery blockage.  About the same time another team member went to the doctor and was told he needed open heart surgery.  Both were told they couldn’t travel.  About the same time, a volcano erupted in Guatemala, they had major rain storms and mudslides blocked many of the roads.  We had to postpone the trip, originally planned for June until August 7^th.  In the meantime, Pastor Kerry had several stents inserted into his clogged arteries and was given a clean bill of health.  Also Faith Rosenberger got married (now Faith Castillo), had enough points to get a free roundtrip ticket to Guatemala, was between jobs,  and was encouraged by her new husband, Nexsi, to go.  Did I mention that Faith is the only one in the group who is fluent in Spanish?

We ended up with 7 on the team.   They are: Pastor Kerry Rainey, Todd, Kathi & Katie Owens, Jane Smith, Faith Castillo and Jeff Rosenberger.  The member who needed open heart surgery had several bypasses and is recovering well.  He and his wife hope to go to Guatemala in November to help with VBS.  One couple could not go do to scheduling conflicts.

But you ask, “What about the trip?” Read on to find out

Teamwork Results in Canada’s First Hispanic Wesleyan Church

Aug. 13, 2010

The teamwork between districts of The Wesleyan Church in Canada and South Carolina has resulted in the first Hispanic Wesleyan church in Canada. Pastor Dumar Camacho, a Wesleyan pastor and former district leader from Colombia, South America, moved to the Palmetto State to assist with Latino and Hispanic ministries. When a Hispanic pastor friend told Camacho that he was moving to Canada to start a church, Rev. Comacho advised him to start a Wesleyan church. Several years later that advice, along with prayerful support and several conference calls and meetings, Light on the Frontier was birthed. The growing Hispanic congregation includes many professionals in Montreal, Canada.

Comacho’s friend, Rev. Heriberto Carmona, began holding a Bible study in Montreal that soon outgrew the home where it was being held.  A second Bible study began and the core of a new congregation started to form. Pastor Carmona wanted to start a Wesleyan church in Montreal, so he contacted Rev. Comacho, who then met with South Carolina District Superintendent Rev. Buddy Rampey. The District approved cooperation and then contacted Rev. Donald Hudgins, Central Canada district superintendent.

Soon a church plant strategy was designed. Rev. Frankie Rodriguez, pastor El Camino Wesleyan Church in Greenville, SC., and son-in-law of Rev. Carmona, was enlisted to serve as a liaison between the districts and the new plant in Montreal.  He describes the series of conference calls as an interesting mix of languages, including English, Spanish, and a bit of French. He also accompanied Rev. Comacho to Montreal at the invitation of the Central Canada District. In return, church leaders invited Rev. Carmona to Central Canada’s 2010 district conference.

In teamwork, South Carolina and Central Canada provided training and information on The Wesleyan Church’s beliefs, organizational structure, and ministries. The new church was planted in June 2010, with fifty people. Pastor Rodriguez said that on its first Sunday a family rededicated themselves to live a life of holiness. The church now averages sixty in worship.

With Spanish-speaking Latinos and Hispanics continuing to move to Montreal, even more opportunities for multi-cultural ministry are opening for the new church, Central Canada District, and subsequently for the entire Wesleyan denomination.

Healing Waters Ministering in HIV/AIDS Community

Aug. 10, 2010

Some of South Carolina’s “least of these” have found a place to call home.

Healing Waters Ministries in Beaufort, SC, is ministering to those with HIV/AIDS in the community. The predominantly African-American Wesleyan church is led by Rev. Brenda Singleton.

The volunteer pastor knows much about the HIV/AIDS community; she works as a medical case manager and prevention specialist at ACCESS (AIDS Counseling Community Education Supported Services) Network, an HIV/AIDS community agency.

With her professional background, it seemed natural that Pastor Singleton would make ministry available to HIV/AIDS individuals on a regular basis. S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritually-based HIV/AIDS Prevention Education) began in 2005 through a community grant from the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council and provides programs about prevention and also offers free HIV screenings. S.H.A.P.E.’s mission is to “provide spiritual and mental support to those diagnosed and living with the disease and to their families.”

Pastor Singleton believes in a “come as you are” policy and wants everyone who enters the church doors to know they are welcome.

Currently, eight members of Healing Waters have the HIV virus. Those members are regularly encouraged by their church family.

“I am dealing with cancer, lupus, HIV, and Graves’ disease,” says one woman. “God has shown me that this [Healing Waters] is the place to be.”

The church is also using other forms of ministry to care for those in its community, including marriage counseling, annual couples’ retreat on Valentine’s Day, summer nutrition programs, food and clothing assistance, youth activities, and other community outreaches.

“Even with minimal resources, Healing Waters continues to provide many programs and services to the community,” says Pastor Brenda. The church’s openness to loving others in the Beaufort area daily holds true to the “come as you are” policy.

2010 District Journal

2010 District Journal (Click to Downlaod)

The 2010 District Journal is now available for download!