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 Winter - 2008 |
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Winter - 2008 |
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Greetings
from CHM Director David Byrne!
There was a fascinating little piece in the Thanksgiving edition of the Houston Chronicle on illegal immigration. Rick Casey wrote that he was giving thanks for illegal immigrants! He wrote: “I have a particular group of illegals in mind, but I confess that my gratitude to them does color my view of most other illegals. I refer to the liars, debtors, opportunists and criminals who flooded into Texas in the first half of the 19th century, and then wrested the land from Mexico.” Yes, he is serious and provocative at the same time in drawing attention to the dynamic aspects of immigration over the years. Many voices today deliberately overlook the benefits of the people who come to live in our communities, like the thousands of immigrants who are rebuilding New Orleans and now Galveston. As we enter into the Christmas season, let’s not forget that our Savior’s escape as an immigrant to Egypt was not exactly approved by the authorities. In God’s sight, the value and potential of a person is not determined by immigration status. (Click here to read Casey's article in the Houston Chronicle.) (--See a previous newsletter--) (For an easier to print & share "Acrobat Reader" Version of this Newsletter click HERE) |
CHM
Board: Thomas Hoke Michal Alexander Rev. Craig Davis Paul Feaster Jacob Estrada Kay Griffin Dora Gutierrez Kerr Dr. Chuck Mylander Dr. Karl Newman Dr. Jack Rea William Roeh |
Instituto
ALMA News
During November, the Instituto ALMA
hosted class sessions taught by Pastor Oscar Toledo who has his Masters
degree through the Hispanic program of Houston Graduate School of
Theology. The class was an intensive “Introduction to
 the New Testament” course.
All the sessions were videoed in preparation for
a new Biblical Studies track which will
be offered online and through Institute cell
groups along with our regular leadership track classes. New
Instituto ALMA director Jerry Clarkson is doing a
good job of updating the Institute program technologically while
developing new curriculum and classes. The challenge is to make
quality Biblical and Leadership training available to Christian leaders
wherever they are serving.Coming
Together in Mexico
Rich fellowship was
enjoyed at the latest North American Hispanic Friends conference in
Northern Mexico. Friends from around Mexico commented (in
Spanish), “we need to do this again!”
 Click on the
picture to see Jerry Clarkson's pictures of the conference.
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Mexico
Blessings
--Building Each
Other Up in Love
 One of the interesting stories that came out of our latest North American Hispanic Friends Conference in Coahuila, Mexico was from a small rural community made up of Kickapoo Indians and African immigrants who fled American slavery to Mexico. Pastor Sulema (that’s her above with her hand raised in their old sanctuary) praised God for offerings that were raised out of a previous conference that led to building their new sanctuary. In  the new and
beautiful sanctuary (below) she thanked some of the leaders who had a
part in those offerings and recognized the many hours of work by other
Friends from EFC-MAYM in working on the building project.The village church of Nacimiento illustrates the importance of Christians coming together to fulfill God’s calling. Just as every Christian needs the fellowship within a church body, each church glorifies God in a fellowship between churches. In this case, the Nacimiento church received a new worship building, but in the process, many believers have been discipled and inspired as they worked with Sulema and others who don’t let material resources stand in the way of serving the living God. That fellowship is a priceless gift. |
A Few Things Left!!News & Prayer
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--At this point near the end of 2008, CHM is operating in the red by about $10,000. We have expanded our ministry and the economy has made funds scarce for everybody. Please pray with us as we watch for God to provide and please be obedient as you are able to give. |
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--Both CHM director, David Byrne and Instituto ALMA director, Jerry Clarkson will be more available in the coming year to share the vision for Hispanic ministry and leadership training. If your church is looking for ways to do cross-cultural missions in your own community, give us a call (713-922-3113) and begin to pray for God’s opportunities for service around you. |
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--Pray for the 2009 North American Hispanic Friends Conference and the AMANA ministerial fellowship. Our conference location is still to be announced, but we’ll let you know! |
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--Praise God for His blessings as we reflect on this
great year he has given us. Click here
to read the Byrne
family newsletter for 2008. Please pray for them
in their ministries. |