June 2017 Newsletter

Dear Supporters and Friends,

Thank you for your support of this missionary Bible teaching ministry. The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit Are for Today: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. ... And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:12,13,30)

What a reassurance to know that the operation of the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit have not ceased. The gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit will be manifested right up until the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit was given to sanctify us from the lusts of the flesh. (Romans 7:24 - 8:1) Jesus commanded us that we should seek the Lord for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16, Acts 1:5,8) Then, the apostle Paul declares the purpose of the ministries of the Holy Spirit, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:12) Let us press on into the life of the Spirit so that these manifestations of presence of God in our lives may be made manifest. Joseph Mugo, Omega Pentecostal Churches, Kenya: Mugo writes that in May he ministered in Omega churches in; Nairobi, Tharaka Nithi, and Kirinyaga counties, and held a pastor’s seminar. In Nakuru, they are building the church shown in the picture. They are persevering many hurdles, but the work of God must continue. Mugo asks for peace and stability as the country goes through election time. Again, Mugo wants to thank us very much for our untiring all around support.

Contributions Are Coming In for the Purchase of a Newer, Better, Vehicle for Mugo’s Ministry: So far, $2,879.27 has been donated, and $1,500 has been pledged. Mugo has been asked to start looking for another vehicle. Hopefully all the funds will be received soon, so that a more dependable vehicle can be purchased for $6,000 or more. Will you join us in this exciting project?

Kalembelembe Bible Institute, Fizi, Congo: Ekyoci Eciba reports that fifteen students finished the Second Trimester 2016/17. There are now eight students who will be graduating with a three year diploma at the end July. Luonga Ebwata, the head instructor came to Bukavu to collect the support that was sent for the teachers and staff. Eciba has been encouraged to teach his subjects from his home in order to minimize the pain to his deteriorating hip joint. Luonga asked to pray that the school will go forward and more students will come. Please pray for the civil unrest caused by national elections. Ralph & Shirley Hagemeier and Stephanie, Kalemie, Congo: Ralph writes that the month of May is a special anniversary for the Hagemeiers. He became an active believer in May, 1954. In May, 1958, he graduated from high school. In May, 1959 he met his wife Shirley and they were married in May, 1961. In May, 1967 they completed raising their budget of $585 per month. On May 20, they flew from New York to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. So this May, 2017, they have been in ministry for fifty years. And Stephanie began her ministry in Congo in May, 1986. That makes thirty-one years of ministry in Africa for her. Radio Kahuzi, Richard and Kathy McDonald, Bukavu, Congo: The Dem. Rep. of Congo is a large as the United States east of the Mississippi River. There is one thousand miles of jungle between the capital Kinshasa and Bukavu on the border of Rwanda. Most of the regions’s inhabitants still live in small villages in the jungle, mountains, or savanna, although many have moved into the cities. Radio Kahuzi reaches 500 miles west to Kindu. Kathy shared an amazing testimony. She had been sharing the Gospel with their neighbor for twenty years. When the neighbor visited Bukavu recently she contracted pneumonia. The Catholic priest came to give her last rites. At the appointed time, we walked down and prayed with them for her recovery, and she did recover. When she returned to Europe, her daughter led her in the sinner’s prayer. After all these years of witness God’s word has not returned void. Thank You for Your Prayers and Financial Support: Thank you for your prayerfully support for this missionary Bible teaching ministry. You may send your donations to one of the post box addresses in the signature block below. The Lord bless you. Yours together in His harvest, Charles Willner _______________________________

Open Word Ministries: P.O. Box 625, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2E 6V5 P.O. Box 5001, Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A. 65801 www.openwordministries.com www.facebook.com/openwordmissionsministries