January 12, 2010 – Great devastation resulted from the 7.0 earthquake, which struck the region around Port au Prince, (the capital city,) in Haiti. Many have died and multiplied thousands are missing, trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings and infrastructure. Haiti - the most impoverished nation in the western hemisphere – is struggling to cope in the earthquake’s aftermath.

Note: The above slides from United Nations and the Red Cross.

Update Saturday/January 23, 2010 – Haitian government today shifted their focus from search and rescue to demolition and clean up. Please see entry (right sidebar,) under Prayer Requests/General Needs/Haiti.

In Haiti, the UPCI has more than 56,000 members, 764 ministers, and 586 churches and preaching points. Many of them in the area surrounding Port au Prince. Last year 12,952 were baptized in Jesus’ Name and 17,439 received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Resident missionaries, the Ron Brian Family, are currently on deputation in the western U.S. [Note: To see the Foreign Missions Division Poster in PDF format, click on this link...  FMD Poster - Haiti .]

Update Wednesday/January 20, 2010 – Bro. Scotty Slaydon, Director of the UPCI-FMD’s Compassion Services International issued the following statement: 

“The CSI First Response Team has completed their tasks and returned safely. They found all the national leaders safe, but there has been some loss of life among the saints. We still do not know the full extent and probably will not have full details for at least the next few weeks. The main compound outside Port au Prince has sustained damage and will need repairs. Further assessment is necessary. The task is made more difficult due to limited communication and transportation.

CSI will launch the first medical team (3 Paramedics/EMT’s) within the week. They will enter via the Dominican Republic and establish a medical aid station and assess the continuing need, preparing for at least 6 months of continuing medical and recovery operations in Haiti.

Additional CSI Response teams will need more than just medical personnel. Mechanics, box movers and hard laborers are needed now. Future teams will require builders, brick layers, plumbers and electricians. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the online application found at this link.

Current CSI priorities and objectives:

1. Establish a safe and secure staging site in the Dominican Republic.
2. Secure the main compound in Haiti as a forward staging area.
3. Distribute immediate medical and humanitarian aid to the Haitian people.
4. Establish long term medical operations.
5. Reconstruction and repair of buildings.

Update Thursday, January 21, 2010 – from CSI First Response Team CSI_Team1_Assessment [Link to PDF file.]

A heart-felt “Thank You!” to all who have responded; in prayer, in donating, and in volunteering. The need is great and your generosity is much appreciated.”

Preliminary report from our First Responders Team – January 17:  Below are some of the first photos received from the CSI Team. We will publish additional reports as they are made available.

Note: The first seven slides above from Compassion Services International’s First Response Team. The final slide is from the Red Cross.

The UPCI Foreign Missions Division’s “Compasssion Services International” is coordinating our aid to this overwhelming need.  The above link provides direct access to Compassion Services International’s Earthquake Relief Fund website. If you want to contribute medical supplies, which will be sent on to Haiti directly, please use this link:  CSI_MedSupplyList – to see a PDF list of needed supplies and the mailing address for Compassion Services International.

Additional prayer focus and information is available on the World Network of Prayer website.

Enjoy some memories from our 2009 Christmas Banquet…

Nona Freeman
1916-2009 

Went home to be with the Lord on December 26, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. at her home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sis. Nona, a veteran missionary and friend to Africa, was an able minister of the gospel for 70 + years, a prolific writer of articles, columns and books, and an evangelist who loved this glorious gospel message. She was both mentor and encourager of many, a faithful friend to missions and missionaries around the world, a beloved “mother in Israel,” and an example to the believers in word and in deed. 

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:25-31)

Funeral services to be held January 5, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at Emanuel Pentecostal Church (Pastor Rick Flowers) in Mesquite, Texas. Interment will be in Minden, Louisiana – where she will be buried next to her beloved husband, Bro. E.L. (“Bug”) Freeman.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:14-18)

Christ the Lord is Come!

   “Fear not! For behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
(Luke 2:10-14)

Throughout this blessed, holy season, let us remember the reason why He came … to seek and to save that which was lost. 

“…We pray you in Christ’s stead, Be ye reconciled to God!” (See II Corinthians 5:17-21.)

 We welcome you to come and worship with us!

Congratulations to

Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir!

Winners of both the People’s Choice Award and Grand Prize - Saturday, November 7th at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit - in the 2009  Gospel Choir Competition Finals . . .

The Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir! (Pastor Darrell Johns) did a fine job of representing the Lord Jesus and ministering in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Click on the link below for a video clip of this choir singing when they won the regionals in Atlanta earlier this year. (Requires RealPlayer.) They were also winners in 2008.

\”How Sweet the Sound\” Gospel Choir

What a joy and a thrill it is to present this “YouTube” clip of the baptism of Bro. Chuck Zucal – with Pastor Ken Foreman doing the baptizing…

Click on the link provided:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHxnvy_9u2I&feature=player_embedded

Update!  Rejoice with us and Praise the Lord Jesus!

As he was baptized, Bro. Chuck spoke faith…  he said he knew he would receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost!

Our “God is not slack concerning His promise…”  Thus, when it comes to the promises of God, Biblical Faith utters what will be in advance of the fulfillment.

Bro. Chuck received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance (just like they did in Acts, Chapter 2!) on Monday evening (October 12th) at his home. We join with Bro. Chuck, his wife and daughter, the angels in heaven, and the Body of Christ in rejoicing and celebrating the goodness, mercy and faithfulness of our God!