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| CENTRAL AMERICA: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador |
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It is exciting to see what God is doing in Central America through the TC ministry under the leadership the Latin America Regional Director José Martinez and notably, the Central America Sub-Regional Directors, Gerardo and Stella Pola. There is so much we would like to share as have finished there and leave for Africa on 14 February to join Johannes Amritzer and MISSION SOS. For now we want to give you a brief update and share a short video.
Thank you for praying for us. We have been blessed to travel to Teen Challenge centers in San Jose, Costa Rica then from the Atlantic to the Pacific to TC Limon. From Nicaragua to El Salvador, the power of the Holy Spirit is at work on every campus. TC has innovative sustainability projects in full swing including bakeries, woodwork, and even a chocolate factory in Limon. (You need this chocolate!) But more than that, lives are being changed and God is being glorified. |
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Join us for this brief 3 minute video of some of the sights and sounds of MISSION Central America 2024 as Gerardo and Stella Pola, along with staff and students of TC treat us to a quick overview of the power of God at work in Central America. |
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We cannot say enough about the quality of the leadership that we see in Gerardo and Stella Pola. I think their greatest gift is empowering the incredible leaders that we visited in each center and encouraging them to find their vision and pursue it with excellence.
A graduate of El Salvador Teen Challenge, Gerardo has been serving, rescuing the lost, and leading for over 25 years in this region. Even with the massive preparations for the arrival of the ATC Minnesota team, he drove tirelessly, translated faithfully, and prayed powerfully as we crisscrossed the region ministering to staff & students. |
| It was a busy and challenging schedule, 33 hours of driving, but with such great fellowship with Gerardo and Stella, so worthwhile and so blessed by God.
In week 2, we drove from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, over mountains and through the rain-forest, and then more flights. With your help, we ministered in 3 nations, 6 TC centers, we crossed borders on foot and by air, heard gunfire, saw volcanoes (one active) and had 3 earthquakes (highest - 5.5). But all the time, covered by His grace, empowered by His love and blessed by your prayers as we were wonderfully hosted by Stella and Gerardo and the TC Family. |
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| TC SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - Men & Women |
We had a wonderful time ministering to the students in TC San Jose. We visited their bakery, and ministered in both combined chapels and individual chapels for the men's and the women's homes. God moved in every service with salvation & freedom.
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With innovative sustainability projects including bakery, landscaping, and cooking, students still always find time for their group studies and personal studies. It was such a blessing to spend time with them. They work hard, pray hard, and seek the Lord diligently. |
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| COMMUNITY OUTREACH- with ATC Minnesota |
The MISSION wrapped up with a powerful community outreach in the main park in the centre of San Jose. In partnership with ATC Minnesota's mission team, headed up by Steve and Mary Stadler--TC San Jose brought the gospel to the center of the city.
Amidst playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts as well as a soccer field we were blessed to share the good news of the gospel.
Games, prizes, piñatas, face painting and skills training in soccer were a great tool to gather the people
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As effective as the games and soccer to draw the crowd, music, ministry and rap, the most important part of every night was the clear presentation good news of the gospel. Every night people came to the altar to confess their deed Christ. One night when I ministered the word, and an entire soccer team prayed receive Jesus Christ. |
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| TC LIMON - Men & Women |
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A breathtaking drive through the mountainous rain forest of Costa Rica with Brother Gerardo was a highlight of our travels in Central America. The 4 hour drive one way-6 hours the other, took us through the mountains to an elevation of 6,000 feet. Then, descending to sea level, we reached the Atlantic Ocean and headed inland to the TC men's and women's facilities.
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We had such an amazing time of ministry at TC Limon. It was so refreshing to see their hunger for the Word and the wonderful times of spontaneous praise and worship with the staff and students, gathering to sing enthusiastically, with mostly homemade instruments, a broom/bucket bass, percussion and hearts on fire for Jesus Christ. |
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In Limon, Max & Tara Martin, with their 4 terrific children, and staff team, have pioneered a bakery, chocolate factory, and continue to build with outreach and sustainability. They are piloting this program in excellence. We had delightful a spiritual impact with the students and quality staff training time with their truly visionary leaders. Please pray as Max has a vision to raise up leaders for the nation of Columbia.
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While the cartels of Columbia garner international attention, Limon is truly ground zero for cocaine distribution, as 900 metric tons of "coke" flow across 168 miles of unprotected beach of the Costa Rica coastline on narco subs and speed boats. |
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Historically, locals were paid well to transport cocaine over the mountains, but in recent years, having created dependency, the cartels now demand that smugglers accept payment, not in cash, but cocaine. This has created a crisis of crack cocaine addiction and drug abuse that now permeates the region as the smugglers are turning Costa Rica into a destination rather than a pipeline. |
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| PRAY FOR EL SALVADOR |
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In week 3, Cathy remained in San Jose with Stella to minister to the women's home staff and students and Gerardo and I flew to El Salvador.
In America, cities have been terrorized by the brutal murders in New York and California by MS 13. Here in El Salvador, MS 13 & MS 16 (2 brutal rival gangs), who have their roots in San Salvador, tried to re-insert themselves into the narrative because they were being over shadowed by MS 13 in the USA.
The President of El Salvador clamped down on the gangs. He jailed men for even having a gang tattoo and in one case, for even knowing someone with a tattoo.
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As communities became safer, the president's popularity skyrocketed and he instituted bold new initiatives to break up the gangs. Two years ago, authorities even raided the TC Center and took staff and students who had been gang members and jailed them.
Authorities even detained and threatened to arrest the TC director Gerardo Pola for associating with known gang members and allegedly facilitating violence. Because of the legacy of the "Cross in the Switchblade," by God's grace, Gerardo was released. Over 85,000 gang members have been jailed along with 10,000 individuals who have been alleged to have gang ties. |
On the right is a picture that I took my last time in El Salvador. These 3 men came forward to confess Christ. I remember praying with the man on the left. He graduated TC and became a staff for 6 years. Two years ago, under the new law, he was taken away by the police, jailed, and sentenced to 20 years in prison, for his past. We do not know where he is, or if he is even alive. These are the consequences of this campaign.
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Danilo is a 2007 graduate of the San Salvador program. God powerfully delivered him from addiction and he continues to serve TC, 13 years later. As Academic Dean, he sees the power of God at work in the students' lives. Facing incredible opposition, they continue to soldier on against insurmountable odds with cartels, government, & spiritual warfare. |
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The political pressure to crack down on the gangs continues to result in extra-judicial arrests, detentions, and arbitrary actions against so many, including the students wanting to enter Teen Challenge. I have had incredible times of ministry in the prison in San Salvador with TC, but the police would not permit it for this visit. We are praying with Gerardo, Danilo and the staff for a breakthrough which only God can give.
We appreciate your prayers for San Salvador. |
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THIS IS THE DAY |
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READY for AFRICA |
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Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for is lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let Israel say "His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalms 118:1-2
This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and
be glad in it. Psalms 118:24 |
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This Psalm certainly speaks to the amazing things God has been doing as we have traveled through Central America. The heart and vision of the workers here is encouraging. Their dependence is not on program, but on God's power and His lovingkindness.
David starts Psalm 118 with thanks, celebrates God's lovingkindness and faithfulness and then ends with the refrain --
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 118:29
LOVINGKINDNESS is a powerful Hebrew word "chesed" that speaks of the covenant love of God. More than "God is good, kind, and loving," there is an aspect of covenant that says…
"His grace will never abandon you, He won't change."
In Spanish, they say obstinato amore--HIS stubborn love. I am so grateful for that stubborn love and you need to know that you can rest in it.
I fear that people often misrepresent the gospel, offering snuggles, not struggle. While I am trusting in HIS faithfulness and the promise of HIS warm embrace, I know there is more to the gospel than feeling good & blessings. |
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We all face difficulties.
Not every day is
good, but God is
good every day. |
In John chapter 16, Jesus faithfully declares:
33 “These things I have spoken to you,
so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus alway spoke truth, the whole truth. He is the truth, so He promises peace, but warns of tribulation in the same sentence. He reminds us that He has spoken to us (HIS word) so that we could find peace, not in circumstances, but in HIM. The truth is that we will all face difficulties! Not every day is good, but God is good every day.
That is where we land as we look at
verse 24.
For years as I read "This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it ," I thought it meant, let's just praise the Lord every day--praising because it's today and we are rejoicing in "the day."
Then the Holy Spirit revealed
it to me-- the key to this verse is discovering the truth behind the "it " in let us rejoice and be glad in "it." … King David was sharing a truth so much deeper than rejoicing because we had another day to live, but in the fact that God is at work in every day. I am not just praising "the day," I'm praising GOD because He made the day. No matter what may confront me, I have peace in HIM, because He made the day so I know, He has everything under control.
Even if where you are, doesn't look like you thought it would … God IS at work, don't worry! He is not done yet. No matter what it may seem that people do to you, what God is doing IN YOU is greater. You're not a victim. You are victorious!... REST! Move forward, God is not done yet.
There is none like You, O Lord;
You are great, and
great is Your name
Jeremiah 10:6 |
We are back in the US and on the 14th, we leave for Africa for MISSION SOS in Nakuru, Kenya. Our team from five African nations, South Africa to Uganda, will join us with Johannes Amritzer and 100+ mission SOS missionaries for major street outreach, schools, and nightly festivals.
There is much more we would like to say about SOS but we will give you an update when we get home in March. We truly appreciate your prayers. God hears you and your prayers really make a difference. |
| NICARAGUA |
In Nicaragua, a communist nation, God gave us amazing favor, walking across the border safely, in ministry and in outreach. |
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The director of Nicaragua, Bizmark is an amazing leader, navigating restrictions, political opposition & spiritual warfare to battle a drug problem in Nicaragua that no one wants to admit exists.
That narrative was soundly contradicted as we walked across the border and saw this man on the street. |
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Evangelism is also a challenge. By law, more than 10 people cannot gather at one time, yet they continue to reach out strategically. They got special permission for a family and community gathering at the TC center. |
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NICARAGUA continued co |
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In addition to chapel services, over 150 gathered to hear the Gospel at TC. We had a wonderful gathering with the staff, students, family and community. After we sang and ministered the Word over 59 prayed to confess faith in Jesus. What a blessing to see TC students and parents and kids praying together while others, praying for the 1st time, confessed faith in Jesus. |
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TC Nicaragua is about more than statistics, programs and buildings, stories like Cesar and his journey from addiction and bondage for freedom. Cesar went through TC El Salvador. He not only graduated the program 2 years ago but is now is serving in Costa Rica. He was ourour tech advisor for the mission and provided the just to support for all of the audio and visual needs. |
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Today Cesar is married to a lovely wife Carolina and they are expecting their 1st baby in the next 2 weeks. Across the Central American region, we saw such a shared vision and close partnership between centers that was truly encouraging. continue to stand with them in prayer as we believe for miracles Nicaragua.
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We continue our mission to reach the lost, bound, and broken with the Good News of the gospel. The nightmare of addiction continues for over 273 million people worldwide trapped in the relentless death march of addiction, and in Central America, a generation of young people is being lost to the gangs, violence, and crack cocaine.
Your gifts make a difference--you are a hero for hope & FREEDOM to the hurting and those in desperate need of the hope only found in Jesus.
Thank you for your partnership. Because you GIVE, we can GO!
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or give by phone through Global Teen Challenge
706-576-6555 (Designate Bernie & Cathy)
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Join us for this brief 3 minute video of some of the sights and sounds of MISSION Central America 2024 as Gerardo and Stella Pola, along with staff and students of TC treat us to a quick overview of the power of God at work in Central America. |
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JOIN US EVERY THURSDAY FOR OUR WEEKLY CELEBRATION OF PRAISE & PRAYER
 WITH OUR PARTNERS, FRIENDS, AND TC CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD
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If you can’t join us, PLEASE share your PRAYER
requests & PRAISE reports.
CLICK FOR FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/
BernieCathyGTC
ALSO on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bernstuff (click LIVE) Watch live or re-stream for 7 days. |
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UPCOMING
2024
INTERNATIONAL
SCHEDULE |
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2024 STATESIDE
SCHEDULE
HOW ABOUT YOU? |
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But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24
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We have a tremendous sense of excitement for 2024. We are not getting any younger. Our focus is to finish our course "strong." We are coordinating visits to Africa, Europe, Eurasia, and Latin America as we write. Pray with us as we balance our existing invitations with our financial resources and places of greatest need.
Most importantly, we want to be in the places that God wants us to be. |
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January 23- Feb 15, 2024
TC COSTA RICA/NICARAGUA/
EL SALVADOR
GERARDO POLA
Central America Regional Director
February 17-27, 2024
MISSION SOS Nakuru
Nakuru, Kenya
Johannes Amritzer
June 2024
TC ALBANIA/ MACEDONIA,
Orges Hysenaj
September 22-28, 2024
The Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation
Seoul, S. Korea
OCTOBER 2024
Côte d'Ivoire
Dr. Emmanuel & Angela Ekezie
details pending
PENDING INVITATIONS
2023-2024
working on logistics now
Sudan, Lebanon, Haiti, Romania, Slovenia, & Belarus
(return to top)
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BOOKING SERVICES FOR 2023
email: Bernstuff@aol.com
call Cathy @ 757.869.2812
MINISTRY. MUSIC .TESTIMONY
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March 3-10
VICTORY CHURCH
Winchester, VA
Missions Convention
WE NEED YOU TODAY !!
As you look at all of this blank space, we need to fill it with ministry to help support our continuing international work.
I wonder, would you please consider talking to your pastor about hosting us for a power packed service to share the Good News of God's love and the life transforming power of Jesus Christ. USA services are a life line to provide funding for these trips but more than that, we want to share this message with our own nation.
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| PRAYING |
Cathy and I are so grateful to all who are a part of our Global Teen Challenge Mission Family. We rejoice as we reflect on tens of thousands of people that enter 2024 FREE in Jesus Christ because your partnership has sent us around the world.
More than that, in a season of uncertainty, we are grateful for the certainty of His love and His promise. We pray His richest blessings as we walk into the new year. |
PARTNER
PRAYER
FOCUS
Again I say
unto you,
that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask,
it shall be done
for them of
my Father which is in heaven. |
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1) Please pray with us together for Central America Gerardo and Stella Pola are doing a wonderful job and we are believing for God to continue to move.
Please pray for:
Costa Rica: continued growth after chapels, a special Sunday gathering with TC students & families, staff training, outreach at night to the homeless and street festivals with Minnesota TC
El Salvador: follow-up on chapels, outreach, staff training.
Nicaragua: this is a communist country so please pray for favor as they continue to pursue strategies to reach out in this close nation. Pray that God will satisfy the hungry hearts of staff and students as we ministered there.
2) Please pray for the upcoming Mission SOS in Nakuru, Kenya. Nakuru is the home of one the largest TC centers in Kenya and we are looking forward to ministering and working with leaders from South Africa to Uganda Tanzania and Burundi.
Pray for safe travel for team members coming from across Africa and around the world.
Pray for open doors in the schools, open hearts on the streets, and the nightly festivals as TC graduates, and International Evangelist Johannes Amritzer ministers the Word with his amazing team Julia, Miriam, Fernando, and all the rest.
3) Pray for Japan TC as they continue relief efforts to the earthquake devastated areas in Japan.
4)
Please pray for the innocent, and the families of those who have lost loved ones in Israel and Gaza as well as in the Ukraine. In a time of war, may the Prince of Peace send HIS angels, love and grace.
Even as we come to God with our grateful hearts, as we enter this new year, join us to pray for the Global Harvest!
Pray with us for the global advance of the gospel. Pray for workers for the Harvest ... Teen Challenge Centers in 132 countries need staff and we currently have invitations to start Teen Challenge in over dozens of nations. They are crying out for help. They need the power of God to meet a pressing social need ... but we know the SPIRITUAL ROOT.
We offer SPIRITUAL RESOURCES to meet PRACTICAL needs.
MATTHEW 9: 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. |
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LOOK WHAT GOD DID in 2023. YOU WERE A PART! |
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ROLE TO
MAKE THIS HAPPEN |
MINISTRY |
Over 150,00 miles traveled in outreach & training. |
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42 OUTREACHS |
Reached over 288,000 people with the Good News. |
| SALVATION |
Over 35,000 first time confessions of faith in
Jesus Christ, in schools, churches, TC Chapels, sober houses, Mission SOS Festivals |
| 4 CONFERENCES |
Ministered in the word and music to leaders
from over 50 nations on 4 continents, |
| 9 Leadership Trainings |
Training staff, student, TC leaders & graduates |
TC Worldwide
Prayer & Praise |
Weekly ministry on Thursday.
48 live-stream outreaches on
FACEBOOK,
You Tube & Instagram reaching more than 500
viewers each week. Praying for hundreds of needs, reaching tens of thousands with prayer,
praise & encouragement |
| SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY |
Space does permit us to
the
share all of the healings, deliverance & victory over addiction we saw this year, but our E-nteression archive of 2023 emails will remind you of the miracles.
For a quick video overview, come around the world with us through
"Silent Night 2023" |
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