Missionary John Doroshuk Reports From the Country of Georgia

Yesterday was a very full day. We were at one refugee camp and two refugee centers. I fought back tears most of the day as we listened to the tragic stories.

One young mother with three children still does not know where her husband is. Another young mother with four children last saw her husband as he went to work in the morning on the 7th of August.

One elderly couple fled for 8 days on a small farm tractor through forest, mountain paths and fields to get away from the Russian front. They have received word that their house, barn and fields have been completely destroyed.

A little boy slept with a coat as a covering. We bought him his own blanket.

We were able to help 37 families with fruit and vegetables as well as some daily necessities.

Some or most of these people have not even seen an apple since the war. One little boy, before he ate his apple, put some apples on a small plate and wanted to share them with us.

These people are worried about what is going to happen when winter comes. Those in the tent city are already cold at night as it is located close to the mountains. They are all begging for warmer bedding and of course for winter clothing and footwear.

Then there is the great concern of what will it be like when and if they can return to their homes. They will need funds to restore their homes, at least walls, roof, windows and doors.

There are so many young mothers with babies with only a little water and a small wash basin to do all of the laundry. Pampers would be a God send to them.

If there is any way you can help, or if you have questions, contact missionary John Doroshuk at mincoordinator@attglobal.net.

Only 15% of Pastors Consider Missionary Outreach A Top Priority

Leaders of the Church of God Theological Seminary and World Missions teamed up this week to celebrate the annual Seminary Missions Week, turning the spotlight on the missions calling of the church.

"Our work is cut out for us," said Bill George, coordinator of education for World Missions. "A recent national survey of pastors indicated that only 15 percent of them considered missionary outreach to be one of the top priorities of the church. We believe the Bible gives it much higher precedence."

The weeklong observance, planned by Dr. Grant McClung of the seminary faculty and a committee from the school and the missions office, included a panel discussion in the Tuesday chapel service, a luncheon on Wednesday, and a preaching event in chapel Thursday. Displays depicting missions ministries remained up near the chapel throughout the week.

Roland Vaughan, general director of World Missions, spoke in the Thursday chapel on the subject, "Finishing the Great Commission." He told students and faculty that it now seems possible within the coming few years to ensure that the message of the gospel will have reached all people throughout the world. This would not have been doable until now, but advances in technology and people movement have made it possible, he said.

The Tuesday panel explored the dimensions of the church's mission and included a focus on local church outreach and foreign missions activity. Panelists were Carl Caffrey, pastor of evangelism and discipleship at Westmore Church of God; Kirk Walters, pastor of missions and discipleship at Mount Paran North church in Marietta, Georgia; Brenda Hughes of the Bradley Initiative for Church and Community; and Dan Howell of the Center for Spiritual Renewal.

A special missions project was the collection of books for a Bible institute in Mongolia. Two June graduates, Bayarjargal Gombosuren and his wife, Mendbayar Nansandorj, will return to their home country and set up the new training school.

Dr. Steven Land, president, hosted a luncheon of seminary and missions leaders and students from other countries who are studying at the school. "Our partnership with World Missions helps us keep a focus on the importance of having a world vision," he told the participants.

[Source: Church of God World Missions]