Newsletter | Dec 2022 | Encouragement

NEWSLETTER | ISSUE NO. 02 | DEC 2022

AN ENCOURAGEMENT
REV. WALTRUDE DANTES

Luke 2:10-11 (NIV) reads, “[…] Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” There has never been greater news destined to fill the hearts of men with hope and abundant joy. After this wonderful news from the angel, a great company of angels appeared suddenly, praising God saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”—Luke 2:14 (NIV).

A dear friend of mine pointed out the fact that there are places that are overly saturated with the Gospel and therefore may not need to hear the good news because they would have heard it before. This brought be back to the moment when I heard the gospel and responded to it. At that time, I remember saying to myself, “Wow! Where was this gospel all along that I had not heard of it?” I Would like to remind you that though this may be true in certain areas, not everyone will respond immediately to the gospel.

In my world view, it appears that the church of Jesus Christ has adopted a similar posture when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel, as many believers have eased off on sharing the good news in a world that seems ‘gospel saturated.’ To get a better sense of this, one can simply listen to the news to notice that we are surrounded by darkness.

Many hold to the ideas that Missions should only take place in countries, regions, or areas where the Gospel is not being preached. Some have even concluded that missionaries should not be sent to countries like the USA or Canada, but I would like to reiterate that as long as darkness exists in the world, there is need to share the good news of the Jesus Christ.

I have made all these points to emphasize the fact that there is a great need for Missions. We must be intentional and deliberate in sending persons to various parts of the world, armed with the good News.

Garry Friesen defines missions as “Christian missions is the spread of the Gospel to those who are non-believers of Christ around in accordance with the command of Christ. God’s mandate for the individual saints is the Great Commission in Mathew 28. The body of Christ must never become secondary unfortunately many churches have lost their way. Social issues become the main purpose for existence. Our mandate is to call people to the kingdom of God.”

The ECWI Family must continue developing its Missions arm—Advance International—as a means of preaching the gospel and reaching the lost.

Let us keep actively Praying, Giving and Going. Let us herald the Good News of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!!!

Rev. Waltrude Dantes
Moderator
ECWI Saint Lucia

Purpose of Avance International

THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL. Our purpose is to promote a missionary vision and mindset within the Evangelical Church of the West Indies (ECWI) and other churches throughout the Caribbean. To recruit, evaluate, train, and place prospective missionaries for effective ministry service. To provide the cross-cultural training missionaries need to serve effectively in diverse cultural settings. To provide spiritual, emotional, financial, and administrative support for missionaries throughout their ministry journey. To send and receive missionaries in partnership with other missionary agencies and organizations around the world. To pursue any other ministry objectives that align with our vision, mission, and purpose. Advance International continues provide support to missionaries to won establishing relationships with the island missions coordinators and their teams to promote missions and provide training. Mark 16:15-Mark 16:16 KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, an...

Newsletter | Aug 2022 | President's Message

NEWSLETTER | ISSUE NO. 01 | AUG 2022 A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM PRESIDENT REV. CARLOS CEPEDA Dear Friends, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is with great joy that we present the first issue of our newsletter. The primary purpose of this publication is to bring glory and honor to God by sharing what He is doing around the world through His people. Our desire is that this newsletter will be a source of encouragement and blessing to every reader. We hope to inform, inspire, and challenge God's people to take an active role in proclaiming the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. In these pages, you will find inspiring stories and testimonies from missionaries, pastors, ministry leaders, and believers who are serving the Lord Jesus throughout the Caribbean and beyond. You will also discover articles on missions and evangelism, insights into our history, interviews with retired missionaries, and much more. It is our prayer that these stories will motivate you to ...

Newsletter | May 2023 | God's Transformational Agenda

NEWSLETTER | ISSUE NO. 03 | MAY 2023 GOD'S TRANSFORMATIONAL AGENDA REV. ALFRED HORSFORD Society today needs to transform. God has a transformational agenda for society. It is found in the Holy Scriptures. It has nothing to do with infrastructure. The hearts and lives of men and women need to be transformed. When that happens everything else will be transformed. The ministry of Advanced International is to proclaim God's Agenda of Transformation. 1. THE RATIONAL OF THE AGENDA Man is sinful, Rom. 3:23 Man is separated from God, Gen. 3 Man is subjected to Satan. Man needs salvation. 2. THE STRATEGY OF THE AGENDA God sent us a Saviour, Matt. 1:24, 25 God's Son suffered for our sin, Rom. 5:6-9 God requires that we repent and receive him, Acts 4:19 God gives us his Spirit to transform our lives by faith and obedience, Acts 2: 38, 39 3. THE OUTCOME OF THE AGENDA Our thoughts are being transformed, Rom. 12:1, 2 Our desires are being transformed. Psalm 37:4 Our attitudes are being t...

Newsletter | May 2023 | President's Message

NEWSLETTER | ISSUE NO. 03 | MAY 2023 A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM PRESIDENT REV. CARLOS CEPEDA Today, we invite you to explore the latest issue of our magazine. In an increasingly connected world, the Church has a unique opportunity to serve with a broader vision as we fulfill God's Great Commission. We are called to be Christ's witnesses—from our own "Jerusalem" to the ends of the earth. Whether through sharing the Gospel, praying, sending missionaries, or going ourselves, each of us has a part to play in God's mission. My prayer is that this issue will encourage and inspire you as you discover more of what God is doing among the nations. May these stories strengthen your faith and remind you that lives are being transformed through the power of the Gospel. May God richly bless you. Stay connected, keep praying, and join us as we continue reaching the lost for Christ. God's grace be with you, Rev. C. Cepeda President (Interim) & PRO, Advance International

History of Advance International

THE HISTORY OF ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL In 1986 Pastor Nazaire Georges became the first foreign Missionary sent by the Evangelical Church of the West Indies (ECWI) onto the Mission Field. Pastor Georges and his Family commenced their ministry in French Guiana in July 1986. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Pastor Nazaire Georges was well settled as the Pastor of the Castries Evangelical Church when he began sensing the call of God to serve in French Guiana, his home country. He struggled with this for a while before bringing it to the attention of the ECWI leadership. With assistance from their World Team Pastor at the time, Pastor Georges and his family were sent to French Guiana in July 1986 as ECWI’s first foreign missionaries. Although there were other believers serving as missionaries, this would be the first time they were sent and supported by the ECWI. During their first term, the Georges, faced many challenges due to the lack of a structure geared towards supporting them spiritually, financi...

Newsletter | Dec 2022 | Missionaries

NEWSLETTER | ISSUE NO. 02 | DEC 2022 MISSIONARIES AROUND THE WORLD CLEMENT AND FIONA HUNTE – MISSIONARIES IN ALBANIA Pray with us for the young men to come back to church and for the church to grow. We want to see genuine believers and not just those who come looking for aid. Community development and children going to school more. A praise point is that several Romas in the area have now taken regular full-time jobs. Pray that they will continue in their work and others will have the desire for full-time work. Pray for more men to come to church so it's not just seen as something for ladies and children. Pray for the pastors and churches in our town (Elbasan) to be united and work together. Pray for more people to come as missionaries (especially from the Caribbean) and for financial support especially for those from the Caribbean. SHAROL AND WAYNE MITCHELL – WITH YWAM GRENADA We give thanks to God for a successful year more specifically that 14 persons were motivated and given th...

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