A member of Calvary serves in Central Asia with Athletes In Action, a ministry of Cru, that desires to see lives changed through Jesus Christ. Central Asia is considered an unreached area of the world with more than 96% of the population that does NOT know Jesus. Athletes in Action desires to use the universal language of sports as a platform to reach the lost with the love of Jesus. Please pray for those who are unreached with the Gospel and for those ministering in this area of the world.
Note: For security reasons the location and name of the member have not been posted; if you would like more information please contact the church.
You can provide financial support to this Calvary member and become a ministry partner at this Cru website: www.give.cru.org/0676313. (Note that for safety reasons the member's name will not appear on this Cru giving page.)
Calvary supports a missionary couple serving in West Asia doing Bible translation work. This couple lives in a country with no churches. Even though they live in an apartment in the capital city, they still only have electricity about 50% of the time and lack some modern amenities.
Spring 2019 Update: They have been doing well and staying pretty healthy this year, for which they're thankful. The spring means removing coal and wood stoves and enjoying the warmer weather. It also means picnics with friends and co-workers. Please pray for fruitful conversations during these times of visiting.
In addition to language and culture learning, which is essential to their witness in their personal relationships as well as their office work, they've been researching a group of language varieties. It can be hard to imagine, but they're actually not sure how many languages are spoken in their country! They've been transcribing data from several villages and towns who claim the same ethnic identity and ancestry. They're trying to evaluate if the people speak dialects of the same language or different languages altogether. This is important because it lets them know who will need a separate Bible translation. It also helps them know where and how to distribute these resources once they're available. Currently, another organization is running primary schools in one of these languages. Their research will also show them in what ways this curriculum will need to be altered for the other regions and how much, if at all, the writing system would need to be adjusted. They're hoping to finish this particular research project by the end of the year.
To join them in bringing God's Word to the people of West Asia, you can give at wycliffe.org/partnerteam. Enter #242586. For security reasons, their names are not published on our website or the Wycliffe website, but money will still get to them.
Rev. Dr. Steven and Cynthia Schumacher serve the Lord as career missionaries in Ghana, West Africa.
Steven teaches courses in Lutheran theology and serves as Dean of Academics and Student Activities at the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG) in Accra, Ghana. He also assists with the ELCG's deaf ministry.
Cynthia assists the ELCG as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher at their seminary.
You can find detailed information about the Schumacher's ministry at lcms.org/schumacher. Or click here to view their most recent newsletter.
Thank you for your support of the Schumacher family through Calvary's mission budget.
The Missionary's Voice March 2020 Newsletter
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Lord be with you!
As we continue in the Penitential Season of Lent we come before God seeking His mercy and thanking Him for the loving forgiveness won for all people through the death of His only Son, Jesus Christ. We also look forward to the joyous celebration of Christ's victory over the grave as He arose from the dead. In His death we have died to sin and in His resurrection we have risen to a new life.
At the time of this writing, we have made the decision to return to the U.S. The Covid-19 situation here has doubled overnight with confirmed cases. The international airport in Accra closed this past Sunday. The port is closed, as well as all of Ghana’s borders. All worship services and schools have been canceled for four weeks, but will most likely be extended.
Cindy and I are not afraid, for the Lord is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in all times, places, and situations – even a pandemic. Trusting in His mercy we have made the decision to return based on our age and medical needs. The U.S. Embassy has scheduled a repatriation flight direct to Washington, DC, where we will then proceed to our home in Fort Wayne, IN. We do plan on returning, as soon as we can to continue the work the Lord has given us to do here.
We ask for your prayers as we travel and that the Lord of all mercy would spare us from contracting this horrific virus. You, are all in our prayers. We trust in the Lord and are confident in His promise of protection and most of all, His wonderful gift of salvation won for us through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We are truly thankful for each and every one of you. We pray God's blessings upon you during this Lenten Season as your hearts are prepared for the joyous celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
Thank you for your prayers and support as they are all greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to share or forward this newsletter to your friends and family or to print and post in your church or school.
Serving Christ together,
Rev. Dr. Steven and Cynthia Schumacher
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