The Patriarchs Message for the Missions Offering 2019

If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day; If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

MISSION SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2019

Since the early days of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, we have
taken an annual offering to support international missions. Over the years, this money has supported
numerous projects and missions, including equipping the church in developing
nations in becoming the three streams.
After several years, we have been led to assist the church in Africa in
becoming self-sufficient. This led us to
develop micro-businesses in various regions and financially support a multitude
of projects.

The generous offerings from people throughout the North American
Church have built and supported cathedrals, churches, a seminary, schools,
orphanages, and ministry to poor children.
This is in addition to the phenomenal work already done by our Diocese
in Africa. Not only does the work
continue to be self-supported, but there will be additional projects that I
will be able to see in my 2020 visit.

Perhaps the most exciting thing in the life of our communion is
that I will install the first Kenyan CEC Archbishop in Kenya. The Most Rev. Joshua Koyo will be installed
during my visit in August 2020. Bishop
Koyo was one of the first CEC Bishops in Africa. He is a holy man of God who has a heart not
only for convergence but for bringing the Gospel to the least, lost and the
lonely. He is a man highly respected by
his brother bishops, by area clergy, and by secular leaders.

Africa continues to have many difficulties. There are civil wars, corruption, disease,
lack of medical services, hunger, HIV/AIDS, child soldiers, and the
ever-present danger of terrorism or war.
Our bishops and clergy are in the center of this. They are where the conflicts and struggles
are the most evident. Many are
struggling to spread their message without transportation, materials, adequate
housing, and in some cases, food for their families. Yet, they never complain. They look to the Lord for Him to provide and
rejoice in their relationship with the CEC.

These men are our brothers!

I pray that we can even be more generous than we have been in the
past, If we can purchase some more fields for growing crops, more rice culling
machines, pigs, cattle, and buildings to store the crops. If we can expand our present micro-business,
we will see a people who trust in God being able to feed their children
physically and spiritually.

Join Cathy and me in giving the most generous amount you can
imagine. Every penny will go to
ministry. No money goes to
administration or travel. It goes
directly to the ministry.

Be assured of my prayers.

Under His mercy,

+Craig W. Bates,

Patriarch, ICCEC