December 2011

We praise God that Mary Lou was able to lead the pastoral couples of the North Coast Region in a day of retreat and then joined them, and their children, for a year-end celebration on the Caribbean coast.  Pray for Mary Lou and Gary as they lead the pastoral couples of the South Coast Region in their final gathering, December 2-4, in Monteria.  We will be celebrating this year of ministry with the pastoral couples and their families in the Antioquia (Medellin) Region on December 12.  We celebrated our year of ministry in Cundinamarca (Bogota) in November.  We praise God for this year of ministry with these special groups of those who minister in the Covenant Churches of Colombia.

Praise God for Yvonne DeVaughn, the Director of AVA: Advocacy for Victims of Abuse, her husband, William, and Teresa Hillis, who came to Colombia and taught 50 people/coaches.  These coaches were trained to be AVA advocates on behalf of those who have been hurt and shamed because of abuse, and to share these teachings in their churches, in their homes and in their communities.  Praise God that this international partnership took some big steps forward.  It was a very blessed and special conference.

Pray for the Men’s Ministry work/mission/outreach team from First Covenant of Sacramento who are busy planning their time to work and minister in the La Ye, Cordoba area, January 6-14 of 2012, encouraging the men’s ministry and building onto the Church.  This next month of December is key to planning and to putting the details together.

November 2011

We praise God that Gary was able to attend the Covenant World Relief Associate meetings held in Chicago in October.  The Colombia Covenant and Covenant World Relief have many projects that they have worked on together and that they are working on currently.  This partnership is vital for ministry in reaching the communities where the Covenant is located in Colombia and we pray for further development and growth of this partnership.

Pray for Yvonne DeVaughn, the Director of AVA: Advocacy for Victims of Abuse, her husband, William, and Teresa Hillis, as they will come to Colombia on November 14-21, to teach 40 people/coaches.  These coaches are be trained to be AVA advocates on behalf of those who have been hurt and shamed because of abuse, and to share these teachings in their churches, in their homes and in their communities.  Pray for this international partnership as it moves forward.

Praise God for the good gatherings of the Colombia Covenant FIPEC Executive board and the Colombia Social Projects training and equipping workshop.  These were important gatherings as the Covenant moves forward in reaching the communities through the Churches and the community ministries and in their future planning and preparation for the next two years of ministry.  The Covenant of Colombia is preparing itself for some big events and possibilities and covets your prayers.

Praise God that Gary was able to spend a few hours with Covenant Project missionaries, Julio and Katie Isaza, who now have their visas in hand for their arrival in Colombia in the first days of January 2012.  As Gary and the Isaza’s were sharing together, it was clear that God has been preparing this partnership in ministry for many years and we look forward to accompanying God as he puts this partnership into action in Colombia.

October 2011

Praise God for all the blessings received by the more than 150 people who attended the intensive two-week Prayer and Ministry Workshops that the Colombia Covenant Ministries and Abide Ministries partnered together put on in Bogota, Medellin and Barranquilla.  Everything worked out for God’s glory.

Praise God that our time together in retreat as a Mission staff blessed each of us with a few days of meditating on our faith walk and our commitment to our call to Missions.

Pray for the Colombia Covenant FIPEC Executive board meeting, October 11, and for the Colombia Social Projects training and equipping workshop, October 12-14.  These are important gatherings as the Covenant moves forward in reaching the communities through the Churches and the community ministries.

Praise God that Covenant Project missionaries, Julio and Katie Isaza, have their funding needs fulfilled and will be joining us in ministry in the first days of January 2012.

September 2011

Pray for the intensive two-week Prayer and Ministry Workshops (September 14-28) that the Colombia Covenant Ministries and Abide Ministries are partnering together to put on in Bogota, Medellin and Barranquilla during this month of September.  (Check out our blog of last year’s event – http://www.pactocol.org/pactocol.org/Blog/Entries/2010/12/6_Six_praying_women.html)  Mary Lou, and our co-missionary, Cathy Campobello, have been working for many months to plan, organize, and coordinate this event in the three cities, which includes site preparation, scheduling, travel arrangements and housing for the 10-member ministry team, accommodations for the attendees, etc.  Pray that God blesses this event to the max!

Praise God for the visit to Colombia by Pastor Randy Murphy, of the Trinity Community Church in Cincinnati, OH.  This is a new Church to the Covenant and we were blessed to show him all that God is doing through the Covenant in Colombia as he visited ministries and churches in Barranquilla, Bogota and Medellin.

August

Praise God for the ten-member University Covenant Church ministry team, from Davis, CA that was able to minister in the Covenant Elementary School in Medellin, putting on an intensive English Bible school, as well as begin building the fourth floor Community meeting room.  They also ministered in the Fountains of Peace Covenant Church plant.

Praise God for the three different Regional pastoral couple retreats that Mary Lou and Gary led in Cundinamarca, South Coast and North Coast.  Special breakthroughs were experienced in Cundinamarca with the Covenant pastoral identity that each couple is being faced with, and in the South Coast with the constant tensions that the pastoral couples are faced with in their daily family lives and church ministries.

Praise God for the new Church plant in the pueblo of San Antonio del Prado, which has continued to extend its ministry after four months since their launching as a Church.  Pray for them as they adapt and solidify their leadership team now after a few months of working together.

Praise God for the eight-member Bayside Covenant (Granite Bay) ministry team that was able to minister in each of the eight Covenant Churches of the South Coast Regional Conference.  They were successful in training Children’s ministry leaders and ministering to Youth and Adults who are wanting to have God heal the hurts and habits and hang-ups in their lives, through the presentation of the Celebrate Recovery ministry.

Praise God that Short Term missionaries, Sam and Kassie Posladek, were able to get their apartment and are now beginning their ministry with the Covenant in Barranquilla and the South Coast Region.

Praise God for the successful training seminar for the Medellin area leaders of the AVA program (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse).

Praise God for the 19 Colombia Covenant Churches which have now received their operating licenses from the Colombian government.  Pray for the national Executive Board meeting this month, which will work with these Churches to incorporate them fully into the Colombia Covenant Federation.

Pray for Short Term missionaries, Sam and Kassie Posladek, who are finishing up their Spanish classes and planning to get settled in to Barranquilla and begin their ministry there during this month.  It has been quite difficult to secure an apartment for them and we are praying that in June everything will come together for their housing and move.

Pray for Mary Lou as she will continues her series of training seminars, June 11th, for the Medellin area leaders of the AVA program (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse). They will be implementing what they received at the April training and receiving the next session.

Pray for the eight member Bayside Covenant (Granite Bay) ministry team which will be in Medellin, Monteria, San Carlos, La Ye, El Hato, and San Marcos, Colombia, June 15-28. They are focusing on training Children’s ministry leaders, ministering to Youth and Adults who are struggling with different addictive challenges in their lives, and doing a small work project.

Praise God for the beneficial beginning of the series of training seminars, for the Medellin area leaders of the AVA program (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse).  They are looking forward to implementing what they received and planning for the next seminar,

Praise God for the time that Mary Lou and Gary spent with the Regional leaders and the pastoral couples of the Cundinamarca Region in April.  Very positive steps were taken on the Regional level and amongst the pastoral couples to communicate better and open up to one another regarding misunderstandings and false assumptions. Check it out at:

http://www.pactocol.org/pactocol.org/News/Entries/2011/4/19_Tough_Day_at_the_Office.html

Pray for Mary Lou as she will begins a series of training seminars, April 2nd, for the Medellin area leaders of the AVA program (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse).

Pray for Pastor Axel Arteaga, who was named the National Director of the Education Foundation CEMPEC theological study ministry.  The Covenant of Colombia would like to get the FE Cempec programs out to those who are ministering in the rural Covenant Churches and in the Regional Conferences where it has not yet been able to be implemented.  Pastor Axel is being asked to be the person to get this done.

Pray for our time with the pastoral couples of the Cundinamarca Region, April 9,10.  This Regional Conference is being challenged with unity and how to work together amidst the challenges of meeting ministry budgets, communicating well amongst themselves and the Churches and ministries, and encouraging each other in their areas of need.  Pray that Mary Lou and Gary can accompany these couples as they talk and pray through these issues.

Praise God for the days spent with the pastoral couples of the South Coast Region, and the North Coast Region.  We were able to spend quality hours together, praying the names of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, focusing on hope and talking through how to continue to partner with these servants of Jesus Christ as they look to the future and to the expansion of their ministries.

February 27

Pray for Sam and Kassie Posladek, Covenant Short Term missionaries for Colombia, as they get themselves settled in Colombia during the first week of March.  They need to officially get registered in the country and get their bearings as they begin their ministry in Colombia.

Pray for the Covenant Social Ministries Association (APC) that will have its Annual Meeting in Barranquilla, March 20-22.  Pray for this meeting, as it will be receiving two new ministries from the El Shaddai Covenant Church in Itagui, Antioquia, and setting goals for further growth among the social ministries of the Covenant.

Praise God for the great days that Gary and Mary Lou had as they ministered to the pastoral couples of the South Coast Region and as they participated in the South Coast Annual Meeting.  Pray for Pastor Luis Barrientos who was elected as the new conference president.  Pray for him as he brings new life and vision to the conference ministries.

We Praise God that our daughter, Leslie, and her husband, Philippe, will be spending some time with us in Colombia.  We look forward to sharing our ministry with them as they accompany us in our travels and ministry.

Pray for Gary and Mary Lou as they minister to the pastoral couples of the South Coast Region, March 24-26 and as they minister to the couples of the North Coast Region, March 27-28.  Pray that we can continue to be of great encouragement to these Regional Conferences as they look to the future and to the expansion of their ministries.  Our goal is to bring hope to these servants of Christ.

January 31

Praise God for the 18 member Men’s Ministry work/mission/outreach team from First Covenant of Sacramento who ministered and worked on construction projects in four different Covenant Churches in San Carlos and La Ye, Cordoba.  They were also able to see hundreds of people to help them with dental and eyesight needs.  God did a lot through this team in eight days.

Praise for new Short Term missionary, Holly Meyer, who arrived and is now getting settled with the Colombian family that she will be living with.  Pray for her as she gets acquainted with the children’s ministries where she will be working and ministering.

Praise God that Sam and Kassie Posladek, Covenant Short Term missionaries for Colombia, received their visas and are now getting ready to arrive this month.  Pray for them as they need to find renters for their home and as they make all the necessary arrangements to begin their ministry in Colombia.

Praise God for the blessed time had by all at the Colombia Covenant all-country Pastoral Couple Retreat, January 22-24.  Everyone was blessed by the good fellowship in Jesus that was expressed in various ways for these few days.

Pray for Gary and Mary Lou as they minister to the pastoral couples of the South Coast Region, February 10-12.  Pray that we can be of great encouragement to this Regional Conference as they look to the future and to the expansion of ministries as many of these couples are involved in training as church planters.

January 1

Pray for the 18 member Men’s Ministry work/mission/outreach team from First Covenant of Sacramento who will be arriving January 14 to be with at least four different Covenant Churches in the San Carlos, Cordoba.  These next three weeks are key to putting the details and logistics together.

Praise God for the successful and blessed “Abiding in Prayer” School of Prayer in which 65 people attended in Medellin, November 30 - December 3.  The Covenant Intercessory Ministry and the Women Ministries in Antioquia coordinated this ministry. Each one in attendance fully received all that God had for them during these days together.

Praise God for the five Covenant Churches who received their operating licenses during December.  In recent years very few licenses have been granted and we praise God that these five found favor. This will allow the Colombian Covenant Church Federation – FIPEC – to continue to expand through working together.

Praise God for the successful visit of Covenant World Relief Director, David Husby, and his wife, Ronna, who, along with David and Wendy Mark, Latin America Regional Coordinators, visited four of the more recent Covenant World Relief partnership projects here in Colombia.  We were able to further explore how to best partner together here in Colombia.

Pray for the Colombia Covenant all-country Pastoral Couple Retreat, January 22-24.  The theme is, “The Minister and Her/His Identity – in the home, in the social-political arena, as a follower of Jesus Christ, and .

Pray for new Short Term missionary, Holly Meyer, who will be arriving in Medellin to begin her two years of ministry on January 22.  Pray for these last few weeks for Holly as she gets everything ready to come and as she says her goodbyes

November 28

Thank you so much for your faithfulness in lifting us up in prayer over the past year.  We look back and see God at work around us and we see your strength and faithfulness in prayer for us.  We want you to know how much you are loved and appreciated for partnering with us in this way.

Pray for the School of Prayer, whose theme will be, “Abiding in Prayer”, and will be held in Medellin, starting Tuesday, November 30 through Friday, December 3.  The Covenant Intercessory Ministry and the Women Ministries in Antioquia are coordinating this ministry. Pray for the six women from Abide Ministries who will be directing this school, pray for safe travels for the Colombians who will be traveling to Medellin tomorrow, and for each one to fully receive all that God has for them through these days together.

Praise God for the 3 Covenant Churches who received their operating licenses.  In recent years very few licenses have been granted and we praise God that these three found favor.  Keep praying as there are still more than 10 applications pending that we hope will find favor with the new government. This will allow the Colombian Covenant Church Federation – FIPEC – to continue to expand through working together.

Pray for the visit of Covenant World Relief Director, David Husby, and his wife, Ronna, who, along with David and Wendy Mark, Latin America Regional Coordinators, will be visiting four of the more recent Covenant World Relief partnership projects here in Colombia, December 11-16.  Also pray for the luncheon meeting, December 14, with the APC Colombia Covenant Social Ministry board, the Norwegian Covenant Social Ministry director, Viggo Koch, and Covenant World Relief.  We want to continue to explore how to best partner together here in Colombia.

Pray for the Men’s Ministry work/mission/outreach team from First Covenant of Sacramento who are busy planning their time to be with at least four different Covenant Churches in the San Carlos, Cordoba area during the 2nd or 3rd week of January of 2011.  This next month of December is key to planning and to putting the details together.

November 1

Pray for Mary Lou and Gary who will be enjoying their final times with the pastoral couples in their ministry of spiritual mentoring during this month – November 3-4 in the North Coast region, November 5-7 in the South Coast region, November 12-13 in the Cundinamarca region, and November 2, 16 in the Antioquia region.  Pray that God’s wisdom, insight, discernment and vision will direct us during these times together.

Praise God for the 206 women who were blessed by the national Covenant Women Retreat held in Cartagena.  Pray for the new leadership under the new national representative, Martha Aguilar.

Praise God for the 13 Covenant Churches who turned in their papers to the Colombian government seeking their operating licenses.  In recent years very few licenses have been granted. Pray that these applications will find favor with the new government, which came into office in August, so that the Colombian Covenant Church Federation – FIPEC - can continue to legalize itself and expand through working together.

Pray for the School of Prayer, whose theme will be, “Abiding in Prayer”, and will be held in Medellin, November 30-December 3.  The Covenant Intercessory Ministry and the Women Ministries in Antioquia are coordinating this ministry. Pray for the five women from Abide Ministries who will be directing this school, pray for safe travels for the Colombians who will be traveling to Medellin and for each one to fully receive all that God has for them through these days together.

Praise God for the wonderful first few days that Short Term Missionary, Hauna Ondrey, enjoyed as she joined our Mission staff on October 18 to do her seminary internship working with FECempec – The Colombian Covenant Theology Study Center.  Hauna is jumping right in to her ministry.

Praise God for the October visit of Sam and Kassie Posladek, Short Term Missionary candidates for Colombia, who were able to see where they will be ministering, meet the brothers and sisters in Christ with whom they will work, and get to know them as they plan to come to Colombia in early 2011.  Praise God for good interaction, good insight, and a good time.

September 28

Pray for our Colombia Covenant Mission staff as we take a few days of retreat, October 3-7, to look at and evaluate this past year of ministry and to plan for the upcoming year.  Pray that God’s wisdom, insight, discernment and vision will direct us during these few days.

Pray for the national Covenant Women Retreat, October 7-10, which will be held in Cartagena.  Pray for the more than 200 women who will be coming from around Colombia to praise God together and learn together about, “Living as Women Chosen by God.”  Pray also for these women as they elect their next national Women’s Ministries president.

Pray for the members of the Colombia Covenant National Executive Committee, who will be meeting October 14, to determine the steps that the national Covenant Church will be taking to receive more churches into their Federation, planning for their Annual Meeting in February of 2011, and strategizing together to plant more churches and strengthen the current and future church leadership.

Pray for AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse), a vital part of the Women Ministries of the Evangelical Covenant Church.  Since 2004, AVA has been advocating for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and childhood sexual assault. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  During this month AVA has set a goal to raise $31,000--$1,000/day to help break the silence about domestic violence.  Want to help?  Check out: www.firstgiving.com/marylousander

Pray that all the details, fund raising, and plans come together for Short Term Missionary, Hauna Ondrey, who will be joining our Mission staff on October 18 to do her seminary internship working with FECempec – The Colombian Covenant Theology Study Center.

Pray for the October 21-28 visit of Sam and Kassie Posladek, Short Term Missionary candidates for Colombia, who will be visiting the ministries in Colombia and getting to know the country and the people as part of the plan to be ready to come to Colombia in early 2011.  Pray for good interaction, good insight, and a good time.

August 4

Praise God for the mission teams, totaling 23 people, from the Bayside Covenant Church of Granite Bay, CA, who ministered with the Covenant here in Colombia.  They were in Bogota, the Medellin area, and in San Carlos, Cordoba.  God impacted all those involved in this mission experience with the depth and width and height of his mercy and love, both Colombians and the members of the mission team alike.

Praise God for the Vision visit Covenant Pastor, Peter Park, who experienced the Covenant in Bogotá, Barranquilla and Medellín. (Check out his blog at: http://parkwoodcommunity.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/vision-trip-day-siete/)

Praise God that the during the Sabbatical time of Covenant Pastor, Jamie Crook, and his boys, they have been able to serve the Covenant Elementary School in Medellin, as well as the outreach ministry of the Shalom Community Covenant Church in the El Pinar neighborhood. Keep praying that these experiences and exposures to the Covenant in Colombia will open their hearts and eyes to how God is calling them and their churches to further partner with the Covenant in Colombia.

Pray for Mary Lou and Gary as they minister to the pastoral couples in the two coastal regions of Colombia, August 5-11.  They will be treating the themes of Marriage Intimacy in the South Coast region and Standing Firm in the Faith in the North Coast region.

Pray for the August 21-31 Vision Visit to Colombia of Karen Hallberg and Kim Crawford, Covenant World Mission Mission Mobilization and Connection directors, Becca Slomiany, ECC Executive board member (and Gary’s sister), and Dave Scherrer, Pastor from Christ Community Covenant Church of Arvada, CO.  Pray that this experience and exposure to the Covenant in Colombia will take these four people, who are already involved in the Mission in Colombia, to new deeper partnerships and to new and expanding visions as to how to partner further.

April 25

Praise God for the good Social Project Association (APC) meeting and the positive Colombia National Executive board meetings held recently.  Praise God that the Covenant is moving ahead and together in ministry.

Steven Herrera will be operated on his right eye on April 28.  Pray that all goes as planned in this delicate cornea surgery.

Pray for Mary Lou and Gary who will be with the pastors and pastoral couples in the North Coast and the South Coast Regions, April 26-30.  They are looking forward to this week of ministry with these cherished brothers and sisters in Christ.

March 28

Pray for Steven Herrera, Covenant youth leader in Medellín, who is undergoing cornea transplants in both eyes during this month.

Pray for the Women Ministries Leadership team of Colombia as they plan together this week for national events during this year.

Continue to pray for the Covenant leadership of Colombia as they will be following up on their Church and Social Project annual business meetings, held in February, with project and ministry specific meetings on April 20th and 23rd.

March 7

Praise God for the blessed trip that Mary Lou and Gary had last week.  The time with both sets of pastoral couples was very blessed and plans were set to return at the end of April.

March 1

Pray for Gary and Mary Lou as they to Monteria for two days with the pastoral couples there.  The themes they are working with In Monteria are the Compassionate Life and the Life of Forgiveness.  They will be traveling to Barranquilla  and will be with the pastoral couples there.  The themes they are working with in Barranquilla are Confrontation, Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Conflict Resolution.

Praise God for the successful Annual Meeting of the National Church and the beginning of the implementation of its infrastructure and goals now that it is an official Church Federation. Praise God that Dr. Klyne Snodgrass, from North Park Seminary, served so well the Colombian leadership as he spoke and shared about the tensions that one finds in the ministry. And Praise God that David and Wendy Mark, Latin America Regional Directors, had a fruitful visit with our staff and with the Colombian leadership at the Annual Meeting. 

Pray for the Colombian delegation traveling to Argentina for the Confraternidad of Latin American Covenant Church meetings, March 4-11.  The delegates begin traveling on March 2.

February 14

Praise God for the successful Women’s Ministries gathering at the Sander home, yesterday, with 25 women in attendance.  Wendy Mark’s devotional teaching to the women was very special.

Don’t forget to raise up the Colombia Covenant Church Federation -- FIPEC, who begins their first legally official Annual Meeting tomorrow. (See below)

Praise God that Klyne Snodgrass arrived safely (the weather in the U.S. did not delay him).  On Tuesday, February 16, he will begin his sharing with the leaders gathered for the Colombia Covenant Annual Meeting.

February 1

We are coming to you this month with some very special prayer requests.  Thank you for joining us in prayer, right now, for the following.

Praise God for the blessed time that Mary Lou and Gary have had with various pastors and ministry leaders already this year.  Praise God for the blessed start to the monthly Fasting and Prayer gatherings with the Pastors from Antioquia and for the great start to the biweekly discipleship gatherings with the youth leaders of Antioquia.

Pray for the Colombia Covenant Church Federation – FIPEC as it begins 2010 as an officially recognized Church body.  February 15-17 will be the Annual Meeting of the National Church and the beginning of the implementation of its infrastructure and goals now that it is an official Church Federation.  Pray that this time will be a blessing for the entire Covenant as they work together as a body of churches.

Praise God that Dr. Klyne Snodgrass, from North Park Seminary, will be in Colombia for a week to speak and share with the pastoral leadership, ministry leadership and national church leadership.  Pray for his time as he addresses the tensions that one finds in the ministry.  Dr. Snodgrass will be the featured speaker at the Annual Meeting of FIPEC.

Praise God that David and Wendy Mark, Latin America Regional Directors, will be able to be with our staff and with the Colombian leadership at the Annual Meeting.  We enjoy these times with the Marks as they are integral in keeping us up to date with all that is happening through the Covenant around the world.  Pray for Wendy Mark as she will be addressing the Covenant Women leadership of Antioquia on Saturday, February 13.

Praise God for each one of you, for your prayer support and for your financial support toward our ministry in Colombia.  In these challenging times we really appreciate and feel blessed that you are a part of our team extending the Kingdom of God and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world.

January 1

As we look forward to the coming year, we thank God that we have people like you who join us in prayer.  So much is possible with fervent and faithful prayer, and we thank God that we can share these prayer and praise concerns with you.

Praise God for the blessed time that Mary Lou and Gary had with the pastoral couples of Bogota in December.  Pray with us as we make plans to continue this ministry with the pastoral couples in all the regions of Colombia in 2010.

Praise God for the wonderful time that our family has been able to spend together during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season.  We pray that this time has been a blessing for you and your family and loved ones as well.

Pray for the Colombia Covenant Church Federation – FIPEC as it begins 2010 as an officially recognized Church body.  Pray that the implementation of its infrastructure and goals will be a blessing for the entire Covenant as they work together as a body of churches.