April 2020 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Thank you for your faithful support of this missionary Bible teaching ministry.

Revival In Brazil: On Saturday, February 8, 2020, more than 150,000 young people packed out three stadiums in Brazil to commit their lives to Jesus and send out missionaries to the world. The average age of the youth was twenty-four. 1.7 million watched the twelve hour event, “the largest Christian simultaneous event in Brazilian history.” Another 560,000 watched in English. There was a twin emphasis on evangelism and social justice - adoption of vulnerable children and teens. “The millenials aren’t too impressed with megachurches. They are impressed with an authentic faith that actually transforms their neighborhoods, their schools.” Teo Hyashi, is founder of university Dunamis Movement, and pastor of Zion Church in Sao Paulo. “We had 18,500 young people in Brazil say they want to be trained to be sent to the nations as missionaries.” Teo Hyashi “It was like being in the cradle of revival - it was like being born. When you’re in revival, it’s effortless. People were getting out of wheel chairs. People were being healed all around us. It was beautiful.” Steve Chong, founder of RICE Movement. There has been pictures on Facebook of people kneeling in the streets praying. Joseph Mugo, Omega Pentecostal Churches, Kianyaga, Kenya: Last month, Mugo was able to visit the Meru town church, All of their churches in that region came together for two days of ministry. He also visited Meru south churches which came together at Muchatha for a seminar. Plans are being made to build a permanent building for the local Omega church that will accommodate conventions. Mugo is thankfull for all those who have supported him faithfully, so much. Mugo believes that God is in control (in this Corona crisis) and nothing escapes His ever watchful eye. Their government continues to announce that the corona virus is spreading fast, especially in Nairobi, and other areas. They have been ordered to stay at home and a curfew has been ordered from evening to morning. The church doors have been shut. Community of the Assemblies of God in Africa, Bukavu, Congo: Aoci Ebongya, the director of the Assemblies of God Bible College, reports that there were 25 students at the end of the Second Trimester 2019-20. Students meet each day for one hour for prayer and chapel, and for four hours of classes. Students are ministering in local churches each Sunday. One student testified that she was saved from a life of incarceration in prison. She had become handicapped from torture in prison. She was baptized in water. She has been transformed by the life in Christ. Funds were sent to pay the teachers, staff, and student tea for the month of March. The college is closed by the Corona virus. Jeremie Kamimbi, the head representative of CADAF, thanks us for the funds sent. He reports that food prices are increasing because of the Corona virus. Lutho Mboko, the former head representative, says, "my wife, Christina, and I would like to thank you for the help just received when we were really in need. This allows me to buy medicines to treat my diabetes, as well as some food." Ralph & Shirley Hagemeier, and Stephanie, Bible Outreach Ministries, Kalemie, Congo: Ralph reports that there are seventeen students in their International Bible College. Construction on the Christian university is looking good. Mounds of dirt are leveled and the foundation is being filled to floor level. So the first wing will soon show up. Because of the Corona virus, there are no schools in session nation-wide. No churches. Shops have to close early. No groups of more than ten people. Malanda Ubonga, Association for Biblical Ministries, Bukavu, Congo: Malanda says a big thank you for the funds sent. The Corona virus is a big problem for the churches. People over sixty years old are asked to stay in doors. Masangu Lwanyeke, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lubumbashi, Congo: Masangu is thankful for the funds sent. He is preparing portions of the Bible to encourage all his pastors. These will be sent by short wave radio or email. They cannot worship in church. They cannot go anywhere. Ruth Scott Kellie, Matumaini Children’s Center, Molo, Kenya: Ruth writes, Your kindness is much appreciated specifically during these difficult days. Ruth is very disappointed that just a few days before their lawyer could distribute the land certificates, the meetings were stopped, owing to the pandemic. Ruth will save our funds to pay the lawyer’s fees. Earlier in March there was a freak thunder storm. The rain flooded inside houses. The roof was blown off the Matumaini Center Church. Samuel Chibini thanks us for our support especially at this time, when we are forced to stay home. The funds will be used to buy sanitizer, especially for children and people visiting my home

Chris Franz, Christ Is the Answer Ministries, Lake Mary, Florida: Chris writes that four days before they arrived in Gedeb, Ethiopia, the tropical rains had started. In their early prayer meeting, Yonas, their coordinator, read James 5:17, “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” Can you imagine ... two hours before the first service started, the rain stopped, and not a drop was felt for the five days of the crusade! The pastors told us that they were so surprised to hear children confessing their sins openly to them after the altar call. The Holy Spirit was doing a deep work in their hearts. Over just five days, 129,130 people attended the meetings! We recorded 78,604 decisions for Christ. This was our biggest crusade to date. Stephen Pinto, First Assembly of Zion Church, Bangalore, India: Stephen is thankful for the funds he has received so that he can give support to all the pastors and widows that he supports ... to help (them) pay their home rent and for provisions. With the churches being closed because of the Corona virus, pastors are destitute with no support from their churches. Also, extremists are burning hundreds of churches in India. Pray for the ministry in India. Thank You for Your Prayers and Financial Support: Thank you for your prayerful support for this missionary Bible teaching ministry. You may send your donations to one of the post box addresses in the signature block below. Designated funds are forwarded entirely. The Lord bless you. Yours together in His harvest, Charles Willner

_______________________________ 172 North Phillips Road, Harrod, Ohio, U.S.A. 45850 email: charleswillner@yahoo.com home phone: 419 649-6022 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