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 December - 2011 |
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December - 2011 |
 Greetings
from CHM Director David Byrne!
One of the things that encourages me most about ministry is the way the body of Christ cares for its diverse members. Recently, in Bolivia, I was sharing with a young lady who learned that my daughter was serving as a church-planter in Aguascalientes, Mexico. It turned out that her parents had been recruited by Edwin and Marie Cammack to pray for that new community of believers and had been praying specifically for a family that I knew. Bolivia is a long way from Mexico geographically, but not spiritually. Praise be to God for His care to each of us through each of us. We are so dependant on each other and on Him! For any of us to be fruitful in ministry, we depend on those who will be supportive in prayer and in giving for God’s specific works in the world. The Hispanic churches around the country rely on this partnership and, really, the English-speaking churches of this country also need that support from the rest of the body. It is not at all a one-way participation. As we celebrate the blessing we have in Christ, let’s remind ourselves to participate in that great privilege of mutual ministry. Pray for those who are around you in Christ’s service and for those who are carrying out distinctive ministries that may never touch you directly. Remember that the many members of Christ’s body can only accomplish God’s purposes as we do it together. Sincerely, David C. Byrne Director: CHM (--See a previous newsletter--) (Read a Special Appeal letter from our CHM Board Chairman - Tom Hoke) (For an easier to print & share "Acrobat Reader" Version of this Newsletter click HERE) (Read the Byrne Family Newsletter) |
CHM Board: Thomas Hoke Michal Alexander Rev. Craig Davis Paul Feaster Jacob Estrada Kay Griffin Dora Gutierrez Kerr Dr. Karl Newman Dr. Jack Rea William Roeh |
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Sharing
with Bolivian Friends
 Pastor Angel Díaz, of the Newberg Iglesia Amigos and also the executive secretary of AMANA joined Dr. David Byrne in Bolivia to share in a youth conference that was held to challenge the up-and-coming leaders from several of the Evangelical Yearly Meetings to move toward greater commitment and service. It was a blessing to work along with the EFCI leader for Latin America, Sabino Chipana, in addressing the needs of the young leaders. There was enthusiasm about their identity as servants of God and optimism about the work that God still wants to accomplish in Bolivia.   Instituto ALMA News The Instituto ALMA continues to see fruit internationally as students join us from across the Americas. The improvements that Jerry Clarkson put in place provide the structure for students to join us over the internet to take advantage of this strategic training that focuses on relational growth in Christ more than on any “tricks” of ministry. Pray with us for the development of new courses in the coming year and for the students who will be expanding their Christian service. |
AMANA
Conference
(Alianza Ministerial de Amigos - Norte América)  During the North
American Hispanic Friends gathering in Baltimore this year we were able
to celebrate both the 15th Annual Conference of Hispanic Friends and
the 18th year since the Mendez family (Hermógenes and Bertha)
began working diligently to plant the Baltimore church. It was a
good time of celebration with an emphasis on Christian simplicity in
response to the materialism in the world that has infiltrated the
church. There were workshops, messages and times of sharing that
will help set the tone for ministry in the coming year for the
participating churches. Our thanks to the Baltimore Church for
hosting the event. We look forward to meeting next year in Mexico
City (Yes, indeed, check your geography, Mexico City is part of North
America!) from the 9th to the 12th of August in 2012. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1) It has been good and pleasant to see the Hispanic churches coming together in conferences and celebrations over the last months. The fellowship is sweet and the growth in numbers and maturity is exciting. |
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 Special services in honor of Felipe Vásquez
were held in September in Texas and October in Mexico with incredibly
moving
testimonies about his life and ministry. Pray for
Susie Vásquez as she adjusts to life without her partner and for
the Coahuila, Mexico Churches as they continue Felipe’s legacy of
service. |
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CHM is once again in
need of your help as we close out this financial year. In spite of our
cutbacks, we need our partners in Hispanic ministry to step forward to
help as the Lord leads. |
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Pray for the Byrne
family and their ministries. This has been a transitional
year
and the Lord has been good to allow us to regroup and gather our
strength for further service. We praise Him and thank you for
your support. See our online end-of-year newsletter by clicking here! |
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Pray for the growing
church plants in
Indianapolis, Marion, IN and San Antonio, TX. and for other groups that
are forming. Also pray for the Lord's grace as all of the
Hispanic Churches in this country face growing hostility to immigrant
groups and the instability that has brought to those communities. |
| Dear Friends, Thank you for your interest in CHM and our ministries. Our hope is to inform you about some of the things that are going on in the Hispanic Churches and in our outreach in order for you to pray and get involved with the people from many cultures around you. Missions is not just something that is done far away. We can reach out in Jesus’ name to people from many different cultures who are living in our neighborhoods. In fact, that is our calling as Christians and in many ways, that kind of effort locally is more difficult than sending missionaries to do the work elsewhere because locally, we are all involved in welcoming the stranger and adjusting to his “strange” ways. The Coalition for Hispanic Ministries is your servant and the servant of the Hispanic Church in North America to help bring the training and resources needed for the task of building up Hispanic ministries. Please let us know how we can help you and your church to do Hispanic outreach and to partner with nearby Hispanic churches. The Coalition for Hispanic Ministries is a coalition made up of all those who want to assure that Hispanic ministries are going forward with the necessary tools and training, and now, more than ever, we need individuals and churches to join us to assure that this ministry continues. CHM is only a small part of God’s work among Hispanics in North America, and our primary work is to support others who are involved. If this seems important to you, we would like to hear from you. We hope that you will pray with us that God will unite His Son’s body to help us all proclaim that “Jesus is Lord” to the Glory of God the Father. May your celebration of Christ’s birth be rich and blessed in Him. Sincerely, Dr. David C. Byrne Director: CHM David@InstitutoALMA.org 713-922-3113 |