I spent some time talking with missionaries Pat and Suzanne Hurst at General Council in Phoenix. Here are some highlights from their ministry to HIV/AIDS victims in the Congo.

“Local churches are ready to move in the area of HIV/AIDS ministry. I can’t explain why…..but after 4 years of building relationships, speaking about the need for church involvement at every opportunity, and teaching the biblical basis for a local church response, suddenly churches are asking for training. Well, I guess I can explain why – it’s just time! We plant the seeds and God brings about the fruit. What a privilege to be here long enough to be involved in both the planting and harvest! Suzanne spent much of the month of May traveling around the city and speaking to groups of pastors about the issue of HIV/AIDS and how they can be involved, on a local church level, in education and ministry.”

Steve and Pam write,

“We have been here in the West Indies now for ten months and have completed our first full school year. We had five students graduate this year. The end of June brought our National Conference where the executives were up for election and workshops are held. Steve was asked to be one of the workshop speakers on ‘Confidence in Leadership’. “

Just a note from the Halls’ latest newsletter:

“Health Update: Terence’s June 30 cardiologist appointment had the best result possible! His heart is healed 100%! Praise God! As we reflect on the upheaval of the past 3 months following Terence’s heart attacks, surgeries, and hospital stays, I thought you might be interested in taking a peek at one journal entry Jill made: “April 13 standing alone at the foot of Terence’s bed in his tiny room at Moscow Russia’s Endo-Surgery Center. The half green, half white walls give the typical institutional feel to the room as a Russian orthodox icon calls to me from the window sill. The tall, lean cardiologist came into the room and shook my hand. Then, he told me (in Russian) that if Terence had not received treatment when he did, he surely would have died. Hearing those words from the cardiologist who had viewed Ter’s heart on the angiogram (so he knew what he was talking about!) was a sobering moment for me – I never picture my life w/o Ter (of course!). Now – I’m thanking God for Terence – for each day we have together!”  Thank YOU for praying”

Thanks for your monthly missions giving that allows us to have “feet on the Ground” in many places around the world. I just received this update from the Campus Ministers we support in Berlin, Germany.

“A professor stopped at our “Coffee to Go” table recently on a university campus in Berlin, Germany. He was not only thirsty for the free coffee but also spiritually hungry for conversation about God. The campus pastor working the table began talking to him and noticed the professor kept mentioning that groups were important. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he began to tell the professor a story from the Bible about a young man who asked Jesus what was the most important thing in the world and how Jesus answered “love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second most important thing is to love other people, to love groups, the community, your neighbor.”  He then told the professor “You’re on to something here. But to really love people you need to love God and to truly love God, you need to be loving people. You’re on the right road.” The professor was obviously moved and began to tear up and the pastor was able to put in his hand a copy of the university edition of the NT, printed with LFTL funds for Bibles in Germany. He showed the professor where to begin reading in the book of John and the man full of smiles and wiping away tears thanked him and had to run to teach his class… Pray for the seeds that have been sown.”

New doors of ministry are opening for this young couple from Sunnyside. They send this update.

Our New Assignment…

Our new ministry roles will consist of developing a Chi Alpha university ministry here on one of the main college campuses. We will be mentoring university leaders & having outreaches on the campus. We will also be working under our new mentor missionar- ies (Steve & Lori Potutschnig) and supporting them in their minis- tries. They are Bolivia’s country coordinators for Latin American Child Care (LACC) schools, involved in Bible school training, pastoral development & church planting. We are very excited to work with the Potutschnig family, and are eager to see what God will do as we team up with them to change Bolivia!

Hi Stone Church Family,

I would like to keep you updated on what is happening with our world outreach partners. I will began posting parts of  newsletters that are emailed to me to keep you informed about what is happening around the world. It will help you see the results of  your prayers and giving. There will be reports of victories, what is happening in their life and area of the world, and prayer needs.

Pastor Larry

It is great to be back home and enjoy the services at Stone Church. I had a great week of ministry to church leaders, teaching every night for a week in Exuma, Bahamas. I’m glad we are a church committed to missions and reaching the world with the love of  Christ. Thanks for your prayers while I was there. Pastor Larry