Coker United Methodist Church
Friday, July 30, 2010
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A mission outreach opportunity is featured each month.August's Mission Focus:SAMMinistries
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Heart for Guyana is a volunteer organization established in 2005 by Coker members for the purpose of:
Please visit their website at heartforguyana.com and consider how you might support this wonderful ministry.
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From Coker to Cameroon and Back
by Mike Ford
Then I heard the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for me?’ And I answered, ‘Here am I; send me.’
--Isaiah 6:8
It is a small, thirty-member congregation of blue collar men and women and their children and grandchildren. They meet in an unlocked rented room, without electricity, partially open to the elements, lighted only by sunshine and the members’ spirits, located in Yaounde, Cameroon, W. Africa. In mid-January 2008 six Coker UMC members blended with those saints at Peniel UMC to witness God’s love and grace to Peniel’s surrounding community -- one team, one church.
For three full days visitors to eye clinics, dental hygiene classes, and first aid and CPR classes were warmly greeted, respectfully treated, assisted by patient Christian translators, comforted by caring Christian souls, and invited to worship in Peniel Church. Children who could not see a blackboard now can. Grandparents can see their grandchildren’s faces once more. Seniors can again read their Bibles. Mothers can save choking babies. Friends can help save friends’ lives. A community recognizes a loving, active church.
Africans and Americans prayed, sang, danced, worshiped, ate, and talked and worked together as sisters and brothers in Christ. Our hearts overflowed with joy and our spirits were lifted high by Peniel’s members. We traveled to answer prayers and to be a blessing. We returned blessed with greater understanding of God’s call to us to be in service to others.
Experience the joy. Take the next step on your spiritual journey. It is not as difficult as you may think. All you have to do is show up. God does the rest.
It is a small, thirty-member congregation of blue collar men and women and their children and grandchildren. They meet in an unlocked rented room, without electricity, partially open to the elements, lighted only by sunshine and the members’ spirits, located in Yaounde, Cameroon, W. Africa. In mid-January 2008 six Coker UMC members blended with those saints at Peniel UMC to witness God’s love and grace to Peniel’s surrounding community -- one team, one church.
For three full days visitors to eye clinics, dental hygiene classes, and first aid and CPR classes were warmly greeted, respectfully treated, assisted by patient Christian translators, comforted by caring Christian souls, and invited to worship in Peniel Church. Children who could not see a blackboard now can. Grandparents can see their grandchildren’s faces once more. Seniors can again read their Bibles. Mothers can save choking babies. Friends can help save friends’ lives. A community recognizes a loving, active church.
Africans and Americans prayed, sang, danced, worshiped, ate, and talked and worked together as sisters and brothers in Christ. Our hearts overflowed with joy and our spirits were lifted high by Peniel’s members. We traveled to answer prayers and to be a blessing. We returned blessed with greater understanding of God’s call to us to be in service to others.
Experience the joy. Take the next step on your spiritual journey. It is not as difficult as you may think. All you have to do is show up. God does the rest.
The Joy of Service
by Sharon Ford
May the Lord’s name be praised for all the faithful disciples and kind acts of service lovingly given this year!! Over one hundred and twenty-five new volunteers experienced the JOY of service this past year through opportunities encouraged by the Mission Outreach Committee. Many of God’s children were blessed through this service. To all those who participated, we say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In Guyana, Amerindians of Capoey received clean water, medicine, eye glasses, and Communion. Ladies at Holy Family Home received new dresses, fresh paint, a garden, music, reading glasses, and friendship. Children of Hope Home and Rumsveldt Children’s Home received medicine, clothing, school supplies, and quality time with Texans who love them. In Cameroon, W. Africa, new relationships were established with missionaries and Penial UMC in Yaounde through an eye clinic and the dental hygiene and CPR demonstrations we conducted. In Piedras Negras, Mexico, we continued outreach to House of Mercy Orphanage through building projects, food, clothing, toys, a swim party, worship, and pizza parties. New ministries were extended to Alleyluia Methodist Church and Casa Bethesda, a home for disabled orphans, where we supplied food, toys, diapers, and school supplies. The Boy Scouts joined us in Piedras Negras, making a big impact with a hydroponic garden at Alleyluia Church so they can feed their congregation and their neighbors.
Locally, Coker disciples worked through Church Connections to paint and tile the narthex at Highland Terrace UMC and support a kitchen shower and yard sale at Manantial de Vida UMC. Coker youth helped paint the exterior of Browning UMC, and adults painted the exterior of Sanford Chapel UMC. Our Angel Food “angels” continued our host site to help feed our community and stepped up to make Coker a regional distribution site. Many had compassion for the paralyzed and traveled to Luling every month to make Personal Energy Transport vehicles (PETs). Once again the faithful came together to build Coker’s fifth Habitat for Humanity house this fall. Others have donated gifts, supplies and money to make all these projects a reality, and they have supported all of the ministries highlighted through our Mission Moments. We truly thank you for your service to the Lord and the blessings you bestowed in the name of Jesus.
If you have not yet joined in the JOY, watch your Courier for new opportunities to experience faith in action in 2009.
The Joy of Service
by John Estes
I would never have thought that I would find some of the most wonderful Christians in prison! Serving God in prison is one of the most wonderful things that has happened in my life. Having some small part in helping a man turn his life over to Christ and away from crime is just too joyful to explain in words. If you have been thinking of looking for a new place to serve the Lord, the KAIROS ministry needs you, and this might be the perfect place.
95% of our Texas inmates will leave prison on parole or "served time." Around 85% will go back to prison. They will do this by committing more crimes, and they are living in our communities! Less than 10% (in some prisons less than 4%) of those men that accept Christ re-enter prison. The answer is so very simple. When Christ dwells in all of us, we are changed forever. If you are interested in a new opportunity to serve God, please call me (John Estes) at (210) 481-1927. We need you. There is a man behind bars that is waiting to find out about Christian love.
Jesus said, "I was in prison and you came to visit me," and "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:36; 40)
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Mission opportunities abound in our local area and beyond. Have you or someone you know felt God’s call to participate in a Coker mission trip, but felt you could not afford the cost of the trip? Now, thanks to special gifts from members, Coker has a mission scholarship fund to help. This fund is intended to help cover the costs of children, youth, and adults participating in mission trips. For more information, please contact Cathy Johnson (charles_cathy@sbcglobal.net; 494-3915), Mary Anne Waldrip (maryanne.waldrip@coker.org; 494-3455, ext. 269), or one of the pastors (494-3455, church office). |
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Our address:
231 E. North Loop Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78216-1896
231 E. North Loop Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78216-1896
210-494-3455
FAX: 494-8537
FAX: 494-8537
