By now, I'm sure you've heard about the 8.8- magnitude earthquake that devastated Chile in the predawn hours on February 27. The television images of damage to Santiago, Concepcion, and the coastal area of Constitucion are heart breaking and reveal incredible damage and human suffering. Over 800 people lost their lives in this catastrophic event. Countless churches, homes, buildings were destroyed. Some estimate that it will take three years and as much as $30 billion to rebuild the nation. I'm writing to ask for your help in bringing relief to a special group of our ntecostal brothers & sisters in Chile!
Forty-three years ago, the IPHC signed an affiliation agreement with the Pentecostal Methodist Church (PMC) of Chile. Since that time we have enjoyed a flourishing ministry partnership and full communion with over two million Chileans who share our values, history, and worship style. A short history of the relationship between these two historic pentecostal denominations is included below. You will be edified as you see how God has put us together and has made the relationship such a mutually beneficial relationship!
Since the earthquake, my office has been in regular contact with the church in Chile. In response to these conversations, I have issued two prayer alerts via our worldwide prayer network for the nation of Chile and for our brothers and sisters in the Pentecostal Methodist Church (PMC). I have also personally corresponded with the Chilean leadership to express our love, concern, and desire to help.
Though the assessment continues, we have learned that at least fifteen PMC buildings were destroyed; many others damaged to varying degrees. The famous Jotabeche Church in Santiago, one of the largest in the world, experienced an estimated $75,000 in damages to the primary entrance. There is growing concern for the countless number of PMC pastors and church members who lost their homes.
After Haiti was devastated by the recent earthquake, People to People Ministries sent out an appeal and has received to date, over $312,000 to help this nation steeped in poverty, destruction, and desolation. This is the largest amount ever received through IPHC World Missions for a special overseas offering. We give thanks to God for this excellent response and we proclaim, “marvelous are Thy works”! We also are deeply thankful for the wonderful men and women of the IPHC who have manifested the heart of God with such outstanding generosity!
Now we find ourselves confronted with another unimaginable disaster and another great challenge for the IPHC! As Christians, we are called to help those in need. Our Chilean brothers and sisters need our help as they begin to rebuild their lives, their homes, their churches, and their communities. The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops feels strongly that we should establish a fund to help the Pentecostal Methodist Church as they reach out to those who lost everything in this catastrophic earthquake. We have done so and ask that you please give generously to this important cause.
Please make checks payable to IPHC and mark all donations for Chile Relief #58001P
Mail donations to
IPHC Ministries
PO Box 12609
Oklahoma City, OK 73157
All donors (individuals, churches, and conferences) will receive credit for World Missions giving through IPHC World Missions Ministries.
By giving to this fund, you will touch the lives of countless Chileans with the love of Christ, and you will further strengthen the bonds of communion between the IPHC and the Pentecostal Methodist Church of Chile which have been so beneficial to all of us in the past. Thank you for giving to this important cause!
Sincerely,
Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr.
Presiding Bishop
The IPHC and Chile - A Brief History
In 1967, three Pentecostal leaders from Chile came to Oral Roberts University to seek help in starting a Pentecostal university in Chile. There, they met Dr. R.O. Corvin and Vinson Synan and made a connection with the IPHC. Later that year, Corvin and Synan flew to Chile where they learned that the Pentecostal Methodist Church, the oldest Pentecostal denomination in Latin America, was so similar to the Pentecostal Holiness Church that an agreement of affiliation was signed to be ratified by the leadership of both bodies. The affiliation was officially signed at the July 1967 World Pentecostal Conference in Rio de Janeiro.
This affiliation brought over 600,000 Chilean Pentecostals into full communion with the IPHC. Soon, Chilean students came to study at Emmanuel College, Holmes Bible College, and Southwestern Christian University.
One of these students was Eduard Duran, who now pastors the Jotabeche church with over 300,000 members. Today, the Chilean Pentecostal Methodist Church has over two million members in 8,000 churches.
In September 2009, Presiding Bishop Carpenter and other delegates from America joined in celebrating the Centennial of the Pentecostal Movement that began in Chile in 1909. Bishops Carpenter and Beacham will be traveling to Chile in May to participate in their Annual Conference. Pray much for this trip and for our brothers and sisters in Chile!
©2010 Communications | PO Box 12609| Oklahoma City, OK | 73157 | 405.787.7110
[Editor's Note: Hugh's News continues to be the electronic flagship of communications
serving IPHC Ministries and the body of Christ worldwide.
This is a fast-breaking news story that our Presiding Bishop needs to get out in a hurry. Although I am on the road in Fairfield, NJ. I have my laptop computer with me. Therefore, wherever I am, if I have that computer or any computer with access to the Internet, I can publish the news and maintain my mission to this great church of ours.
In keeping with the Word that God spoke to me concerning my life and ministry last September, Martus Solutions, LLC, has come alongside to design a professional website and newsletter, plus a new e-mail system for me through G-Mail, and a distribution mass mailing system through Mail Chimp. I can tell you God provides and He is extravagant in His giving; and, I want to praise His holy name, and give Him all the glory, honor, thanksgiving due to Him.
I am honored and pleased to serve our Presiding Bishop Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr. He is a man of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. God has given us this anointed man of God to lead us in these difficult times. Good leaders offer solutions to problems. I can tell you we are in good hands. God has given us the best in leadership.]
Posted on
Sat, March 13, 2010
by Hugh Morgan