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 June 2017 |
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June 2017 |
 From CHM Director David Byrne -
TWO DEATHS – LESSONS IN HISPANIC MINISTRY
Once in December and once in May I was instructed by a friend’s death. In December it was Maralea Kessler
who had worked with me in a church-planting situation along with her husband
Phil. Together they had pastored a number of churches, had retired
and had been married for over half a century when I met them. They
faithfully supported the church plant, but their real passion was the Hispanic
congregation that shared a facility with us. They didn’t know much
more Spanish than was necessary to order tacos, but they loved the people
and shared in their lives. Even after Maralea suffered years of dementia
and could not hold a conversation, the people from the Spanish-speaking church
loved her and her husband. I was amazed when that congregation on her
death honored her by dedicating the entire Sunday worship service to her
funeral. Missionary living does not require years of training or a
large budget. A heart full of Jesus’ love is enough.
The second friend was a Hispanic pastor I have worked with for decades -
a man who threw himself into life with abandon much like the way he threw
himself from my parents' boat on a visit and realized afterward that he hadn’t
taken off his glasses. We never recovered them. Pastor Jaime Herrera
began a Friends Church in Virginia and has had his share of struggles and
blessings. At his funeral hundreds of Christians from all over that
region celebrated his life in recognition of the power of God that worked
through him. It was a glimpse of “eternal life” to see how the church
continues to worship God and to see all of the lives that have been touched
by God’s power through Jaime. Hispanic ministry is carried out by God’s
people. Imperfect people, but given over to God’s will. Some immigrants
are here with documents, and others have nothing more than a sense of
mission. It is God’s work and it is amazing.Sincerely, Dr. David C. Byrne Director: CHM (--See the previous newsletter--) (For an easier to print & share "Acrobat Reader" Version of this Newsletter click HERE) |
CHM Board: Dr. Karl Newman (Chairman) Drew Davenport Kay Griffin Dora Gutierrez Kerr David Jaimes Christopher Johnston Eric Royle Dr. Richard Tomm |
A New Pastor in Toronto!In mid-April CHM director David Byrne was blessed to be a part of the pastoral installation of Abner Gálvez along with EFC-ER Superintendent Wayne Evans. It is an important time of transition for that church that relied on part-time leadership for many years and is now seeking to expand its ministry. Pray for Pastor Abner as he lives in Canada without his wife Renée, who continues to pastor a church of her own in Guatemala with their two young sons until they can finalize arrangements to move to Toronto sometime later this fall. Pray too for the Hispanic Churches in Eastern Region as they are accommodated and integrated into the new Yearly Meeting structures that are still being defined. This is an exciting time for refocusing Friends’ efforts on multiplying ministries, and the way that the ethnic churches are brought into the body of churches will be a key part of how the multiplication of churches reaches beyond established patterns. Making Friends
One part of the heritage from Pastor Jaime
Herrera’s ministry are others who have associated with the ministry of Hispanic
Friends through Jaime’s influence. Among them is the family who helped
start a church just north of Jaime’s church. The Cruz family comes
from Mexico and after experiencing God’s saving grace they have dedicated
themselves for the last two years to starting a new church. They celebrate
their second anniversary in Virginia in July. As we share the vision for
being Friends of Jesus it is only natural that others on that path will join
us. May God’s ministry be multiplied! |
AlianzaMinisterialAmigosNorteAmerica 2017
The North American Hispanic Friends Conference is now set for this year and will be held in Phoenix, Arizona from the 12-15th of October. When AMANA leaders met together 
in Phoenix (including one member who attended through Skype) plans were
put in place and the promotion will soon begin. The theme is “Volviendo
a la Cruz” (Turning to the Cross). Get more information from conference
leadership and make your reservation at: AMANAphoenix17@gmail.com The ministerial alliance of Friends in North America continues to develop in character and mission. Pastor 
Amílcar Sosa gives leadership to the group as
president even as he pastors the Bell Friends Church and heads up the Southwest
Hispanic ministries. AMANA gives a platform for pulling together the
diverse groups and including ministries that are looking for a spiritual
home as part of the movement of God among us. |
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Pray
along with Jesus (John 17) for unity and love among those who follow him.
This is a fallen and hurting world with tremendous need, and it is a
challenge for God's family to stand up to the constant pressure of living
as light in darkness. |
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Pray
for Pastor Emilio Sánchez and his new location in Oklahoma. The
church he led in San Antonio for 2 years is excited about some new opportunities,
and the church in Oklahoma City is glad to have Emilio's help. Both
groups are seeing healthy growth. |
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Pray for conferences and Yearly Meetings being held over the summer, that God will do a new thing among His people. |