Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings from the Christian Witness Center in Warsaw, Missouri. May the grace and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your family!
Blessed Discipleship Training in May
We thank the Lord for the May Discipleship Training and the Memorial-Day Weekend Lay Minister Training. Many people came from different places and devoted their hearts to learn to be disciples of Christ. God used Pastor Timothy Lin, Pastor Daniel Shen and Rev. Phil Chiang to deliver many good messages. Their messages encouraged many brothers and sisters to follow Him and serve our wonderful Lord.
(1) Youth Discipleship Training (June 10-16)
Due to too many snow days and delayed school schedules in some states this spring, we decided to postpone the Youth Camp for one week. However, some youth could not come at these later times. So, we expected fewer youth would come this year. But God has His perfect will. Thirty-five young people are training in this Youth Camp. We thank God that he prepares His servants: Pastor Peter Fong, Pastor Jason McCray and Mr. Barry Edwards (Warsaw High School teacher) are the speakers. When you get this newsletter, please remember those youth in your prayers!
(2) Paul’s Missionary Journey Holy Land trip (June 17-28)
So far, we have 36 adults and children signed for this trip. Praise the Lord! This number is more than we expected. It almost can fill up the Tourist Bus. Brothers and sisters who attended are not only from the areas we usually serve, but from Boston and Dallas, too. We will hit on the road on June 17 (yes, one day after the Youth Camp). All of the participants are very excited and are almost ready to go. When we recall the whole preparation process, we only can give thanks to God for everything He has done to us—for example, four sisters got their home countries’ visas smoothly; two brothers and sisters got their US passports in time. Our guides in Israel will be either Pastor or Mrs. Shih-Hsien Chang, who studied and live at Jerusalem for more than 20 years. Please pray for not only a safe trip but a fruitful Bible-learning journey. Pray for strength for all the CWC coworkers–we need to share–and all the participants, especially youth.
(3) August Bible Camp (July 29-Aug. 4)
The goal of Bible Camp is to edify brothers and sisters to learn the Bible and to share what they learn. In this August Bible Camp we will study the Epistles of Paul. Those Epistles are not easy. Last-minute preparation is not possible. If you plan to sharpen your Bible-studying skills, please apply immediately. Most attendees turned in their forms in January and have studied hard since that time. The strict application due date is June 13!
CWC Ministers Update:
- Sister Cindy Chiang—Has been busy preparing the training camps in May. She is working hard to prepare for the Youth Discipleship training, Holy Land Trip, August Bible Camp and the Discipleship Training. She also has her regular weekend campus ministry in Kansas and Missouri. Please pray for her wisdom on time management and having an intimate relationship with the Lord daily despite her heavy schedule. When she comes back from the Holy Land, it is another time for her to turn in the CWC financial report for CPA auditing and filing the tax return with IRS.
- Pastor Joel Li—It is a blessing from the Lord that Lawrence Chinese Evangelical Church found a Christian church to move their Sunday service time from the late afternoon to Sunday morning so that many more people can come. Pastor Li needs your prayers on the wisdom to adjust the ministering schedule in Lawrence and Manhattan. Currently he is busy with the preparation for all the sermons for the Holy Land trip, August Bible camp and August Training besides his routine church ministries.
- Sister Vivian Tsen—She is ministering in the state of Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Davenport etc). .She needs your prayer support on the wisdom to help these dear people. Her father will be coming to visit her in July. Please pray that her whole family will be blessed.
- Sister Ching Chun Kuan—Stationed in Columbia, Mo. Thank God that through her ministry, many have turned to Christ. Pray that she will receive more wisdom from the Lord to lead them in the Spirit.
- Brother Alan Stephan—Alan is working hard with mowing and repairing. Most of his work is under the hot sun. It is not easy. Please pray for him and his family.
- Pastor Billy Ko—Summer is very busy for me too. Besides preparation for all the training camps, I also have to plan and arrange for the short-term mission teams in August and September. Those tasks are very challenging. Leading a study tour to Holy Land is not easy either. Please pray for me. My son Sam just married two months ago. Please pray for this new family.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (2 Cor. 2:14)
God bless you all.
Serving God together with you,
Billy Ko
Director