Back From Africa

  My sincere thanks to Bishop Sandra Hanna, Minister Melody Ussery, Bert Saavedra, Pat Vela,  Sue Sabas and many others who extended their support and prayers for my trip to Africa in February. Your prayers worked! The trip was very successful and the Lord continues to be faithful in all His ways.  My wife, Cheryl, had a good time for her first time in Africa.  She met more of my relatives than we could count. For me it was a good time of reunion with old friends and relatives.

   It was not however all play and no work.  We moved our housing project to the final stages that include the  installation of electricity, water and painting the building.  All internal wiring and plumbing are already done. Join us in prayers as we endeavor to complete the project in the next few months.

   The Lord in His infinite wisdom gave us a new insight into our concerns about the learning environment (public school system)  in the western part of Nigeria. The Lord answered our prayers and the government has partly recognized that it has to do something about the public schools and has replaced the two worst buildings in each school.  Thank God for this but there is still a long way to go to improve the learning environment for the children.

   The Lord showed us something else.  One of our sightseeing took us to Christian For Christ International Church (CFCC) at Ikorodu, Lagos.   Dr. Alfredo Noble the founder is a pastor based here in Los Angeles.  Dr. Noble had the same concern for the children of Africa during his visit several years ago and accepted, just as we have, the challenge to do something to bless the children.  His brilliant project comprises of a  school that has about 100 children and a church, both housed in the same building.  It is a simple concept yet the children and the entire community are blessed in Jesus name.  The joy we saw in the faces of  these "Noble's Kids" meant a lot and has encouraged us to appreciate a simpler yet comprehensive plan to bless the poorer children of Ikirun, Nigeria.

   Rather than waiting for the puzzles to be completely put together, we'd work the project one puzzle at a time. The new plan includes a school, church and few simple housing units for the senior staff. I will share the detail of this plan with those that have expressed the desire to extend their love and God-given resources to bless the children of Africa.  If you are interested, even to join the prayer team, please get in touch with me. You will find out that with little you can bless a lot of children with superior education and a better quality of life.

323-309-0233

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Volunteer Opportunity

Call 323-309-0233

Office Representative, duties include attending to ministry partners and general office management, Flexible hours

Gifts-In-Kind Coordinator, duties include scheduling of ministry partners for pickup, volunteer recruitment, record keeping. Flexible hours,

For Your Prayers

  What I meant to be a short visit with Sister Carolyn Hall turned out to be a one and a half hour visit.  This was because Carolyn was having her best day since November 2005 when she became ill.  She ate very well and was able to be herself, jovial and loving, again. I enjoyed the visit.    However, keep her in your prayers as she is in the second round of her treatments that would last for days. Pastor Hall is holding on very well but needs our encouragement. You may reach the Halls at 323-291-1584.

   Pray with me: Father, we remember our Lord Jesus who tells us of your love and shows us that your heart is moved by our need.  You give us strength when we are weak; you lift us up when we are down; when we are lonely and afraid, you are there to comfort and protect. Just now we ask for strength, health, comfort and joyous recovery for our sister and your daughter Carolyn Hall through the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen!

Nazarene Urban Ministry Conference

  Hundreds of  pastors and lay leaders from Nazarene Churches in the US and Canada gathered on April 3 to 5 at downtown Philadelphia for a three-day first Nazarene Centennial Urban Renaissance Conference under the theme "To the City with Love."  It was a refreshing time as speaker after speaker challenged the participants to accept the call back to the urban centers of America and Canada. "The whole world has come to the cities," said Oliver Phillips,  the Mission Strategy director, "and the cities present tremendous opportunities for those desiring to make a difference for Christ."

   I was at the conference as a member of the steering committee and was able to bless several people with two workshops on urban ministry design and church-based community leadership development.

Visit ACCD for a comprehensive list of web resources at www.accdonline.org/links.html

Azusa Pacific University Intern

Joshua Canada, Azusa Pacific University (Los Angeles Term) Intern has completed a semester of services at ACCD.  Joshua  made significant contribution to our ministry.  Among other things, Josh reproduced our promotional package, updated  membership information and conducted internet funding research.  Many thanks to Joshua. We also extend our appreciation to APU for lending him to us and Lilly Endowment for funding the program.

ACCD Welcomes New Members

TYME Foundation, Keiko Foundation, Tower of Hope, Living Legacy Community Memorial

Missionaries to Baja California, The Bridge of Deliverance Church, James Padgett Ministries, In HIS Habitation Ministries

          ACCD welcomes churches and church-based organizations to join us in bringing hope and wholeness to the neighborhoods of Los Angeles in Jesus name. We also provide consultations to church groups anywhere in the country. We'd love to serve you.

Successful Meeting   

ACDD directors had a very successful quarterly meeting. We laid the plan for the rest of the year and prayed for God's grace.  At this meeting Ms. Pat Vela was elected as the Chair for 2006.  Many thanks to Mrs. Darrel White, our 2005 Chairperson, for her services and contribution to the progress of ACCD.  Keep ACCD and its leaders in your prayers.

   Cheryl Beyioku was nominated as the Chair of ACCD 10th anniversary cruise to Catalina Island at the end of July.  Please watch out for further information regarding the celebration.

CCCU Offers $30,000 in College Scholarships

   Do you or someone you know need money for college? Christian Community Credit Union's $30,000 Focused on the Future Scholarship Program is open to any CCCU member enrolled in an accredited college, university or seminary. Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000. Applications are due June 30, 2006. Call  323-309-0233 or 213-387-9604 to join CCCU and be qualified to apply.

  Reaching New Heights in Ministry!

 Christian Ministries Training Association, 54th annual GLASS Convention 2006, Friday, May 5 & Saturday May 6

Pasadena Convention Center, Register at www.cmtaconvention.org

ACCD trainers: Pastor Mark Garcia, Mrs. Cheryl Beyioku, Mrs. Karen Hirst, Mr. Roger Schrage and Rev. Dr. Jolly Beyioku, are presenting workshops at this conference.  Workshop topics include disaster preparedness for churches; establishing ministries for the drug and alcohol abusers; housing as a ministry in a church; community partnership for effective outreach ministry; cultural sensitivity in church ministry; and biblical principles and practice of community outreach ministry.