Church Blog

June 2 2011 at 12:48 pm

A Call To Pray for Michael Oh’s Ministry

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Michael Oh was here at Covenant Life on January 9 to describe his missionary work in Japan through Christ Bible Institute and his church, All Nations Fellowship, both located in the city of Nagoya. That Sunday, he also led us in prayer for the nation’s 125 million people. We didn’t know then that in early March a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami would devastate much of northern Japan.

Michael recently e-mailed to say that CBI is starting a prayer campaign related to some critical ministry needs between now and July 31. Over the past year, God provided the means to purchase a building in downtown Nagoya that will serve as CBI’s ministry campus and a center for the work in Japan. But in response to heightened concerns resulting from the Tohoku quake and the fact that Nagoya lies near the most dangerous fault line in Japan, engineers are calling for the first two floors of the building to be structurally reinforced at a cost of $130,000.

The next few months are a crucial time to begin repairs and renovations (hopefully to include earthquake reinforcement) and seek final governmental approval for religious
non-profit use of the building.

Michael has asked us to pray that they will be able to raise the needed funds, complete all the work, and go forward with an August move-in and building dedication in September.

He also requested that we post to Twitter and Facebook, encouraging people to pray. The URL to share is cbijapan.org/campus.wordpress.com. An easy way to point others to this blog post is by using the “Share this” links below.

Also, feel the freedom to download Michael’s letter (PDF) describing the earthquake reinforcement project and share it with others.

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March 26 2011 at 10:07 am

Updates from Mexico Mission Team

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Above: a departure photo of the team that has served at Rancho 3M Christian Orphanage in Guadalupe, Mexico, over the past week. Pictured left to right: Luke Chamberlain, Devon Chamberlain, Eric Conroy, Dave Leo, Nate Somerville, Andy McPhillips, Grant Layman, Milt Hendrickson, Lou Stavely, John Luhman, Robert Johnson, Bob Merryman, Art Shenk, and Nick DeCarlo. Not pictured are team members Sherry and Van Van Orsdel, Sam Hoffman, Jack Anderson and Andy Tvardzik.  Below: a digest of several updates from Art Shenk on behalf of the team.

Day 3 Update
Another gorgeous work day, sunny, mid 80s, warm dry breeze.  We started the day with Sherry and Devon’s tasty egg breakfast burritos, made using four dozen eggs from Taylor Adamek’s (Dean’s and Denise 13 year old son) chicken farm at the Ranch.  Taylor charges 10 cents per egg, and the budding entrepreneur is now considering moving into the market for chicken meat, too.


Luke’s worship song selections of “Let your Kingdom Come” and “High Above All Things” led into Lou Stavely’s excellent devotional on propitiation (God’s wrath-removing sacrifice of sending his son Jesus to die for our sins), reminding us of the incredible blessing it is to live each day with the knowledge that our sins have been forgiven and that we no longer live in fear of God’s wrath.

All the teams were in full production today starting at 8:30 a.m. and worked thru until 6:30 p.m. when we enjoyed a meatball sub dinner and reflected on the day’s activities and the excellent progress made on all fronts.


Painting crew team leader John Emelio reported that the upstairs wall and ceiling painting was totally done, thanks to the steady endurance of John, Bob Merryman, Luke Chamberlain and Jack Anderson, all very quiet but extremely focused on the task at hand.  Meanwhile in one of the back rooms Jon Luhman and partner Sam Hoffman were knocking out door after door with prime and finish coats. Grant’s color selections are superb ... they’re beginning to create a warm and inviting haven for the newborn and toddlers that will soon be arriving.


The framing and trim team is rolling along with the daunting task of trimming over 60 windows and 19 doors. But Van Van Orsdel came up with a “jig” that has really reduced the time it takes to assemble the window trim.  The “shop” set up is quite impressive with some serious power tools ... There is no question in our minds that this team of Van, Lou, Milt Hendrickson and Eric Conroy will meet the challenge of completing the trim.

Grant Layman remarked that the tile team (led by Nick DeCarlo…with help from Grant, Robert Johnson, Nate Somerville and myself “made a comeback” from yesterday’s slow start in some of the small rooms in the front of the building by breaking out into the large room in the center of the first floor and making some serious progress.


The most fun to watch is our electrical team of Dave Leo and Andy McPhillips ... both seasoned tradesman who fly around the building (and all the other teams as a matter of fact), kneeling down, going up and down ladders—you name it they do it—to get in positions to install power outlets, lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, smoke detectors, etc.  If all goes well we could have power to the building as early as this Wednesday.


Last but not least we are grateful for, as Nick DeCarlo put it, Grant’s spiritual leadership and Andy Tvardzik’s construction leadership.  The entire team recognizes that Andy has planned and prepared for months for this trip—arriving the middle of last week to buy supplies, figure out team assignments, etc.  He find’s his name being called all the time for counsel on “what to do”—that is, unless he is off on another two or three hour trip across the border to get more supplies for his appreciative band of workers.  Andy is a gift from God … as nothing ever seems to upset him; you couldn’t pick a better project manager and exemplary leader to follow.


Finally, we are sooooooooooooooo grateful that after three days we have no sickness or accidents/injuries … and we are having a blast!


Day 2 Update
The day began with breakfast at 7a.m. Grant has each team member share why we signed up for the mission trip, followed by Luke Chamberlain leading us in worship using the smallest guitar ever made, and Nick DeCarlo sharing an inspiring reminder from Philippians 2 about our call as men to humble servanthood, being ready to do whatever it takes to see the baby home built … as this week we would not be “writing a check to a worthy cause” but putting our “boots to the ground,” working side by side to see this work of the Lord established as an act of “pure religion”—the kind spoken of in James 1:27, which includes visiting orphans in their affliction.

We put in a full day:

• painting of doors (Jon Luhman, Jack Anderson, and Sam Hoffman)
• painting of the upstairs level (John Emelio, Luke Chamberlin, and Bob Merryman),
• tile work in the front entrance (Nick DeCarlo, Grant Layman, Robert Johnson, Nate Somerville and Art Shenk)
• window framing (Andy Tvardzik, Lou Stavely, Eric Conroy and Van Vanorsdel) of the over 56 windows
• wiring electrical power outlets, installing lighting fixures and smoke detectors (Dave Leo and Andy McPhillips)
• Over dinner we recounted with gratefulness the joys of the first day of work.

Day 1 Update
Our team of 19 arrived at Rancho 3M to a grand welcome by the children … smiles and hugs for all as we got out of the vans … including special greetings by name to Señor Layman and others who have been to the ranch for many years.  The children went on to immediately lug our big suit cases to our bunk room, the cutest group of little porters you will ever see.

The baby house looks great!  Dean Adamek (Rancho 3M Director) shared his vision for the ministry and all that will be taking place soon in the new building (projected for occupancy as early as this fall). The house is spacious, inviting, and brightly/naturally lit …attractively designed and so functional.  Dean expressed his deep appreciation for the folks at Covenant Life and our continued partnership with him and his staff.

Andy Tvardzik shared an overview of the ambitious but doable goals for the week: completing the lion’s share of the interior finishes, including window and door trim, painting, tile/wood flooring installation and electrical work.  We enjoyed our first meal prepared by Sherry Van Orsdel and Devon Chamberlain serving in their all important role of keeping our little band fed—a band now known as “Grant’s Mighty Men” (a phrased coined by Nick DeCarlo as he recapped the privilege of being able to serve using our God-given skills and abilities for His glory).

By their displays of spontaneous joy, happiness and gratefulness, the kids of Rancho 3M continue to motivate us all the more to do our part to get the “walls built” of the baby home as soon as possible, so that Dean and his staff will be able to serve even more children—”rebuilding of the walls” in the hearts and minds of the children thru Gospel-centered care that points them to their need for a Savior, Jesus Christ, and to know and love their Heavenly Father who loves them with an everlasting love and who will never fail or forsake them for all of eternity.

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March 26 2011 at 9:41 am

More Updates from Ethiopia Medical Team

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Here are more updates from Greg S. on behalf of the Ethiopia Medical Mission team now in Addis Ababa:

Update #5
We had a wonderful last day today. We saw about 100 patients, including 15 orphans who came in a group. We were able to give each one a personal copy of the Bible in Amharic. One of the nurses prayed with a Muslim man to receive Christ as his Savior. We are going to be donating a large quantity of leftover medicine to Mission to the World. I know the whole team would say that we are so privileged to have gotten to serve the Lord in this place, to serve these wonderful and needy people. We could not be more pleased with the way that God has blessed our labors here and the fruitfulness of this trip. We attribute so much of this to the prayer support we have received from all of you back home and we thank God for each of you. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel.

Tomorrow will be a down day to do some sightseeing and buy some gifts. On Sunday, we will attend church in the morning, then have lunch with Pastor Wonde before packing up and heading for the airport.

Update #4:
We’ve just completed our fourth day of service in Addis. Yesterday, we were able to visit people in their homes—a very emotional experience for the team. We divided into four different teams and were able to visit 40 homes in the poorest areas of Addis. These homes were small structures made of tarp, poles, mud and sticks. They were probably 5 x 6 feet or 6 x 8 feet, barely enough room for a husband and wife and one or two children. These were people who participate in the HIV support program, and we were able to visit and share the gospel with them. Today, we set up a clinic in the same neighborhood where the You Go church is located and see 90 patients with a range of needs. We were able to play with the kids and give away toys. We were even able to lead one man in a profession of faith in Christ! What a great experience for the team.

Everyone here is in wonderful health; we are really experiencing the effect of your prayers. Andy, the director of the Mission to the World program here in Addis, encouraged our team by saying we’re one of the best teams they’ve ever worked with. Praise God! We would ask for prayer for our final clinic tomorrow, where we expect to see 50-60 more patients. Saturday will be a free day, and Sunday we will attend the You Go church, before packing up and heading to the airport for our overnight flight.

Thank you all for your prayers—we know they are carrying us.

Update #3
It is an absolutely perfect Wednesday morning in Addis. Our team has arrived at the Mission To The World branch office in the Bole neighborhood of Addis where we will be doing home visits to families who participate in their HIV outreach program. We also get to lead a support group meeting for women in the program, sharing from Scripture and praying for their needs. As we have the privilege of entering these humble homes (not uncommon to have a single mother and three or four children living in a 6’ x 8’ structure), we remember with amazement the Savior’s willingness to leave his heavenly home and come to dwell among us.

On Monday and Tuesday we conducted clinics in the You Go City Church of Addis (a church which Covenant Life helped to plant seven years ago). Church members had passed out invitations for free medical care within the community. As we arrived at 8:30 each morning, people had already gathered. Two triage nurses from our team checked vital signs and then directed patients to one of four tables where our medical providers were teamed up with nurse-translators. Ailments ranged from itching and irritated eyes (a common ailment due to the amount of dust and pollution in the air) to vertigo and blindness. After patients got a diagnosis and free medication from our pharmacy, many received prayer and spiritual counseling as well. One woman was powerfully affected by the Spirit when team members prayed for her. Over the course of the two days we saw two hundred patients.

We have felt the impact of the church’s prayers in so many ways. Though one team member needed to stay home and rest because of a migraine headache yesterday, we have experienced remarkably good health and good spirits. We are honored to be here in the name of Jesus—and we thank you for your generous support!

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March 21 2011 at 8:03 pm

Word from the Ethiopia Medical Team

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This word from Greg S. on behalf of the Ethiopia Medical Mission Team came in on Sunday:

The team has landed in Addis Ababa! After a smooth 13-hour non-stop flight on a jumbo Boeing 777, we touched down in Addis at 8 a.m. local time. Most of the team members made it through customs without incident. A few of the more suspicious-looking individuals (including the pastor) had their luggage searched and medications confiscated. The airport staff were very courteous and have assured us that we can reclaim the medications on Monday morning. (Please pray!)

We have settled into a lovely guest home where the staff is treating us like royalty. They have briefed us on the history of their ministry in this beautiful but needy city. They will be providing translators with nursing experience to assist us as we care for patients in the community over the next five days.

It’s 6:30 p.m. now in Addis. We are organizing the medications we brought so that we will be ready to leave first thing in the morning. Once we’re prepared, we will be looking forward to a much-needed night’s rest.

Thanks for sending us and for carrying us in your prayers. We will update you as the week unfolds!

—Greg

Another brief update came through today (Monday):

Everyone is in good health and spirits but still tired from jet lag. The team set up a clinic today at Covenant Life Church Addis, also known as You Go Church. They saw 90 patients and will go back again tomorrow. They’ve seen a lot of poverty today and are honored to be able to serve these needy people in the name of the Lord. The team is reading and praying through Philippians together.

Prayer requests: discernment for the doctors, strength and continued health for team members, and more opportunities to share about their hope in Christ.

Also, the team members pass on their love to their families!

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March 17 2011 at 3:07 pm

Giving To Help Japan

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Update (Monday, March 21): To give to Covenant Life’s “Japan Disaster Relief Fund,” visit our Online Giving page and select the “Japan Disaster Relief” option under “Fund.” Monies collected by Covenant Life will be divided equally among the four ministries mentioned below.

Original post:

We will receive an offering this Sunday, March 20, to support ministries that are providing aid to the Japanese people in the aftermath of devastation from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11 and the ensuing tsunami.

The offering will be divided equally among four ministries:

Samaritan’s Purse
Asian Access
CRASH (Christian Relief Assistance Support and Help)
Michael Oh’s Ministry (Christ Bible Institute)

These four ministries were selected because they do ongoing work with and through local churches in Japan.  In addition to or in lieu of contributing to the offering this Sunday, please feel the freedom to give directly to any of these ministries.

To give on Sunday, please write a separate check with “JAPAN” in the note.

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Video of tsunami devastation and prayer by John Piper as posted on the Desiring God blog:

The power of moving water is greater than most of us can imagine. Nothing stands before it. We are driven to our knees:

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures’ pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

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Ways To Pray for Japan

Excerpted from a blog post by Tom Kim of Churches Helping Churches:

Endangered people. Pray for those that are stranded or stuck somewhere. Pray that search and rescue teams would reach them.

Relief workers. Pray for more workers. Pray for skilled workers. Pray for their strength and safety. Some are working in areas where there are still aftershocks and nuclear danger. Pray for their mental and emotional health.

Assessment teams are needed to successfully gather information regarding the status of churches and communities hit on the coast. This information will be the starting point for many organizations.

Japanese leaders. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they coordinate the country’s efforts.

Resources. Pray for food, water, blankets, gasoline, and other supplies to reach those in need. In Tokyo, some grocery stores were out of bread yesterday.

Energy rationing. The greater Tokyo area has begun energy rationing via rolling blackouts. This may be due to the shutting down of the two Fukushima nuclear plants. This is going to bring hardship on many people and obstruct communication.

Wisdom and discernment. Pray for guidance for all the aid organizations and churches as they consider how they can best serve people.

Faith. Pray that believers everywhere would trust in the Lord, especially during these times.

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March 14 2011 at 2:55 pm

Medical Mission to Ethiopia

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Covenant Life Church is sending out a medical mission team (pictured above) to Ethiopia from March 19 to 28. They will be partnering with Covenant Life Church Addis Ababa pastored by Mo Tegene, and the medical organization Mission to the World. The team will provide medical and spiritual care to the poor in the Bole area, a few miles south east of Addis Ababa City Centre, through medical clinics and home visitation.

Please join the team in their endeavors by lifting them up in prayer. Pray for safety, good health and that the relationships they build in the community would lead to future ministry opportunities in Addis.

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