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 End of Year - 2009 |
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End of Year - 2009 |
 Greetings
from CHM Director David Byrne!
“…when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Gal. 4:4-5) Each day is a gift from God. In a recent systematic theology class in Mexico City we talked about time. It is interesting to me that there is no biblical example of a time when God changed something that was already in the past. God’s blessings and help come in the present and He has been faithful in 2009. We may not be able to go back to do things better, but we can thank Him for the many good things He has done and the opportunities He has given to honor Him. I thank Him for coming at just the right time to bring His salvation to the world in Jesus Christ. I also thank Him for His presence with us in “making Hispanic ministry the priority” in 2009. May He grant us wisdom and grace in carrying out His call in the days to come. Joy to the world! (--See the Byrne Family Christmas Newsletter) (--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 |
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Counseling
Class in Kingston, NY
One of the changes we
made at our 2009 North American Hispanic Friends Conference held in
Kingston, NY this year was a special intensive “Instituto ALMA” class
held the two days before the conference. Dr. Luis Gavin taught
the class on Pastoral Counseling that focused on giving church leaders
the tools they need for ministering to families and individuals in
crisis and for avoiding those crisis situations. Institute
Director Jerry Clarkson will be putting together the videos and notes
from that class to offer it over the internet so that pastors
throughout the Americas can better care for their church
congregations. We are praying with Dr. Gavin that his ministry
will be extended through these classes. If your church would be
interested in sponsoring an “Instituto ALMA” class on pastoral
counseling (in Spanish), contact our office so we can coordinate with
Dr. Gavin to present this important class in your area.
 Recognizing
LeadersDuring the EFC-ER conferences we took a few moments to recognize some of the leaders who took online classes in the Instituto ALMA program  recently. A
whole group from Blue Island and a couple of other pastors including
Pastor Jaime and Flor Herrera (right) and Daniel Morales from Toronto
were recognized. |
Taking Note  We are very thankful for what Jerry Clarkson has accomplished while working to direct and teach in the Instituto ALMA this year. Here, Angel Diaz from Newberg, Oregon is presenting at our conference in New York while Jerry is busy at work. Jerry has been responsible for the integration of class materials and videos on the internet to make classes even more accessible across the American continents. Check out his handiwork at institutoalma.org!  Mexico
City Systematic Theology Class
It was a privilege to be called on to teach Systematic Theology to a group of teachers who are part of the churches in Mexico City established by EFM. Originally headed by Socorro “Coco” Horta, the Mexico City Bible Institute is led by Elizabeth Gomez (Ramirez), the wife of Pastor Ernesto Ramirez who is Superintendent of the churches. They appear on the left of the group picture. The course was only open to students who serve in a teaching role in the churches with the expectation that they will take the training they receive during the sessions to share it with other students in the program. Their enthusiasm for learning and for ministry was clear and refreshing. |
After our North American Conference was held in northern Mexico during
October of 2008, Mexican Friends were inspired to start meeting
together for motivation and encouragement. This past summer
Friends from different regions of the country gathered in
Aguascalientes to help with the mission there with a working conference
dedicated to evangelism. Each day there were children’s classes,
youth meetings and street evangelism with special services each evening
in the Pocitos community. In this picture national leaders gather
around to pray for the ministry of Aristoteles (“Aris”) Gonzales a
young man from Aguascalientes who is working with the mission team in
sharing his faith. (By the way, you might notice more about him
in the Byrne
Family Christmas Newsletter for 2009 that is now online!) God
is gathering new leaders to serve Him and
CHM is privileged to participate in His outreach to the world.News & Prayer
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--Pray for the 2010 North American Hispanic
Friends Pastors' Conference to be held in Friendswood, Texas this
spring. Dates are to be announced. |
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--Praise God for the North American conference held in Kingston, New York and for the Friends there who warmly received the group, We appreciate their hard work and hospitality! |
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--Praise God for Jerry Clarkson's health and strength being restored after a very serious anemic condition sent him to the hospital for four days. Also, pray fervently for the financial burden of that essential treatment. With job changes for Kerri, they found themselves without medical insurance at that time and, as you can imagine, are receiving bills for tens of thousands of dollars. Pray that God will supply the means to lift this financial weight. |
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--Pray for CHM’s financial support. Programs and salaries will be drastically cut unless we have strong giving at the end of 2009 and new commitments for the coming year. Pray that God will provide and that we will have wisdom. |