December 2013 Newsletter

Dear friends of this ministry,

“But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of you shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6)

When the wise men came to the palace of Herod to ask where the Messiah was born, he had to gather the priests and scribes to ask them. They told him that Jeremiah had said that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. But after the wise men gave their gifts to the Christ child, an angel warned them to return home another way. Herod was so offended when they did not come back to report to him that he ordered the slaying of all the children under two years old in Bethlehem. This is the world where God sent his Son Jesus to be born. So today, as world conditions seem to becoming more tense, we are to announce the birth of Jesus Christ to the world for it is good tidings of peace on earth and great joy to all peoples.

Mission Ministry:

Ken and Barbara Pinto, First Assembly of Zion, Bangalore, India:

On Wednesday, December 18, Kenneth Pinto went to be with the Lord. He had suffered for several years from high blood pressure and diabetes. He leaves his wife, Barbara, their three sons, Shawn, Stephen, and Samuel, with their wives and children. His father had already installed Stephen as pastor. $300.00 was sent to help with the funeral expenses.

Ken and Barbara received their call into ministry in 1977, and Ken was ordained the next year. They started a church in their home in 1979. Ken has planted more than six local churches and was overseer of several other churches in his “Assemblies of Zion”. Ken was a church leader in several religious organizations in Bangalore; past president and adviser to the “Pentecostal Fellowship” with 250 churches, on the boards of several Christian organizations, a lobbyist for Christian minorities, and the campaign manager for Reinhart Bonnke and Benny Hinn and others. Ken had traveled extensively across India holding pastor’s seminars, and in the Singapore, Malaysia, U.S., and Canada.

Construction on the First Assembly of Zion in Bangalore started in December 2001. This beautiful church was dedicated in December 2009. The basement is the church hall and Sunday School rooms, the main floor is the sanctuary, the second floor is a balcony, and the third floor is offices and pastor’s apartment. The Lord spoke to me to minister in India in 2006. I left on March 28, and returned home on April 29. On the way, I visited Pas. Dennis Balcombe and the Revival Christian Church in Hong Kong, and Pas. Kong Hee and the City Harvest Church in Singapore.

Ken Pinto warmly welcomed me to minister with him for three weeks in India. After Marikuppam, Ken’s son, Stephen, took me by bus to minister for a weekend in Kannur for Leslie and Beverly Pinto, Ken’s brother. The next week, Ken arranged for me to minister in the Bangalore minister’s fellowship, the Bumanhili fellowship, and the Messiah Full Gospel Church. On Easter weekend, Ken’s son, Samuel, took me to speak at the Gospel Prayer Church, and the Glory Gospel Church. On Easter Sunday, at First Assembly, several new Christians testified about their conversion to Christianity.

The next week Ken took me to the Karnataka Worship Rally, to speak at the Shekinah pastor’s seminar, and the National Pastor’s Fellowship. The next weekend Ken and Barbara took several of us to the Indian Christian Assembly in Chengam where I taught in a pastor’s seminar.

Joseph Mugo, Kianyaga, Kenya:

Mugo is so happy with how far they have been able to go with the construction of their temporary headquarters church for the Omega Pentecostal Churches. With the $500 we sent, and the proceeds from Mugo's harvest, they have completed the walls and roof, with the windows and doors. Another $1,500 has been sent to buy 100 plastic chairs. Mugo is thankful for the $300.00 support he receives each month.

Yajaira Calero de Gomez, Oakville, Ontario, Canada:

Gomez is a missionary evangelist who has ministered for two weeks at the youth camp, and in several churches of the Omega Pentecostal Churches. She reports that many of the youth were filled with the Holy Spirit. No one could leave the presence of the Lord for an hour. It was so beautiful seeing the children with their arms stretched out in praise and speaking in tongues. Some even prophesied.

She wrote that Mugo’s ministry is so impacting and powerful in planting so many churches. Mugo’s ministry is good for overseeing the work, training overseers and leaders and great for letting preachers preach. Yajaira began ministering as an intern for her Master of Divinity degree from Mac Master University, in Hamilton, Ontario. She has had great results on several missions in the Congo. She is now completing her Doctor of Ministry degree at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Ontario.

Ralph & Shirley Hagemeier, and Stephanie, Kalemie, Dem. Rep. of Congo:

Ralph writes that the Christmas season are days of great anticipation. Ralph says he still remembers feeling like shouting, Hallelujah, when their pastor was leading him into their swearing in ceremony. Their next anticipation was his call to becoming a missionary. In August, 1958, he was told the process of becoming a missionary. It took nine years to reach Dar Es Salaam; four years of Bible college, a year and a half as assistant pastor, and three and a half years in deputation. They are anticipating laboring as missionaries until they reach their finish line.

Thank You for Your Prayers and Financial Support:

May the Lord bless you for your prayerful financial support for this missionary Bible teaching ministry.

Yours together in His harvest,

Charles Willner