Meet Valera Terpak and an Update From Ukraine
In this month’s CIM’s Ministry News Update, we introduce you to Valera Terpak, one of our supported ministry workers at the Piragova Uzhhorod Roma Settlement in Ukraine. He married Esmerelda (Meely) in 2018 and they gave birth to a wonderful girl, Alice, and a boy, Artem. They live at the church in the Piragova camp.
In the past, Valera lived a sinful life without God. One day, God showed His grace in the life of Valera. His father was very ill. Valera was concerned about his father and they went to the hospital to get help. It was through this experience that prompted Valera in his search for God.
In 2016 he accepted Christ and in 2017 he was baptized. He has dedicated his life to serving the Lord, caring for people in the camp, and serving as a leader in the church.
(Valera Terpak)
Please remember to pray for Valera and his ministries.
The war in Ukraine is now over 2 and a half years and does not look like it will be over anytime soon. In fact, as of August of this year, Ukraine has launched an offensive into Russia. Our hearts continue to break as lives are still being lost every day. But through it all, God is still in control and there is hope.
Pastor Vlad, sent me the following message in September with the latest update at that time.
…”Thank God we are still alive. The Lord gives us the opportunity to continue to serve the Roma population. Thank you very much for your prayers and financial support. Every Roma leader thanks you for not abandoning us and supporting us. Thanks to the support, the Lord works by His grace, so it is possible to serve people in the camps and preach the Gospel.
For two months now, I have been meeting with Roma leaders every Wednesday. Every week we study the Bible and pray for the Roma population. Each leader has his or her challenges in life and ministry. Please continue to pray for us…”
“… Pray for my family and I. We have a lot of challenges, so we hope for the Lord’s guidance. We are praying for the adoption of a child, that the Lord would provide the necessary resources (finances) to repair the rooms for the children…”
(Pastor Vlad leads Bible Studies with Roma leaders)
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. To donate to our Roma ministries and aid for refugees, you may click here. https://www.cimcanada.org/donate
In November, in partnership with other missions’ organizations, CIM is co-hosting “From Being Move to Being on the Move” tour with Pastor Nelu (Roma pastor from Romania). He will be speaking in churches in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Please make a point to attend if you can.
To read our International Worker Janice’s blogs.
https://www.cimcanada.org/janice-ministry-updates
Rev. Isaac Quan
Executive Director for CIM Ministries
September Financials 2024
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar
Pray With Us:
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. The invasion rages on and innocent lives are lost each day. Pray for House of Mercy as they take care of refugees, physically and spiritually. The war has intensified as Ukraine has invaded Russia. As winter settles in, pray for those that will be severely affected by attacks on the power grid. Pray for Pastor Vlad as he ministers to the Romas. Pray for Valera Terpak as he ministers at the Piragova Roma Settlement.
Pray for guidance and direction for our next steps for our Roma Ministry. After attending the Roma Network Conference and subsequent visits to Roma communities, we have been presented with different opportunities.
Pray for the pastors and teachers that we support in Ghana. Inflation is still greatly affecting their lives. Pray for wisdom to know how to empower church members to support their churches in these economically challenging times. Pray for peace as it is an election year. Pray for rain for the farmers who are greatly affected by drought conditions.
Praise God that Pastor Isaac’s visit to Ghana and Togo in September was fruitful. He met with the leaders of EGCT in Togo and the leaders of ECG in Ghana. He also had meetings with all our 9 supported ECG pastors and 3 missions school coordinators. A new grant agreement was signed with ECG for 2025.
Pray for Janice in Ghana as she continues with her ministry after her maternity leave. Pray that she can find balance between her work with CIM, schooling and caring for Lucy. Pray for the process of obtaining an indefinite residence permit.
Pray for our Annual General Meeting on November 1-3 in Montreal. Pray for guidance, direction, and God’s wisdom.
Pray for the “From Being Moved to Being on the Move” tour. In partnership with CCCOWE, Global Great Commission Centre, Gospel Operation International and COCM Canada, CIM will co-host this tour with Pastor Nelu (Roma pastor from Romania) to speak at churches in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver in November.
Pray for the finances of CIM Ministries. Pray for new donors and a healthy general fund to run our ministries. In order to run our ministries effectively, we are currently seeking monthly donors. Click here to donate.
Pray for CIM USA as they are still looking for an Executive Director and Director of Ministry.