Thanksgiving Update, October, 2024

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Merle Doherty

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Romans 8:28 (NIV) says,“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God knows what He is doing and there is nothing accidental with God.
We are Thankful that only good can come to those who are wholly His.
I often say, “God gives His very best to those who leave the ‘choice’ to him.”

Family:

Mary and I love to be in the mountains that we are privileged to have close to us, and we had some special times out camping this summer with our family and friends. We enjoy our family and they are all doing well. We now have 11 Great-grandchildren and our grandson Reggie and his wife Johanna are expecting their first child this month. Pray that all goes well for them.

Good News!

With the DCI Board of Directors, we have been working toward the selection of a new DCI International Executive Director. We have two options before us, and we ask you to pray as we seek to know “God’s Choice” for DCI as we go forward.

Global Report:

I continue to be amazed by all the opportunities God is opening up for us and am happy to bring this report to you for your encouragement and prayers.

The DCI Team in Malawi filed the following report on their travel of last week:

We had a successful follow-up trip to Mpherembe and surrounding areas where Life Groups have been established. It was so exciting and encouraging to see the great results of this work. We also visited Life Groups at Emgazini, Changoma and Mangombera.

At Emgazini the leader of the Life Groups is Kumbukani Mgemezulu. He began the work by training leaders and establishing 4 Life Groups. We heard encouraging testimonies of changed lives and of people discipling one another. In Emgazini, lives a man named Nyirenda who was a witch doctor, but he has been saved and he burned the uniform and all other paraphernalia which he used for his magic. He said, “Now I believe in the Lord Jesus, I don’t need these demonic items anymore.” This man is now passing on to other people what he has learned about his new Life in the Lord Jesus. God is using his testimony of a changed life to reach many more people. When Jesus sets one free that person is free indeed!

At Changoma, the Life Group leader is Wisdom Chima. Most of the people who live there belong to the Pundi clan, which has a history of drinking and violence. But through the Life Groups many are saved, and lives are changed.

The leader of Mangombera Life Group is Nellie Botha who was trained by pastor Brown Chilongo who started some Life Groups which became churches. Nellie is one of those whose family was being cursed by the witchdoctors. Her children were suffering from being attacked by demons. This was difficult for the family. However, the Good News of Jesus came to her, and she has been saved and Jesus has set her and her family free from these demonic attacks. They are now living a joyful life. She is also reaching out to neighbors and friends who are also finding salvation in Jesus! Believers in Mpherembe are very thankful for the free New Testaments, Dynamic Basics and other DCI discipling materials. These are great tools for spreading the Good News. Also, leaders are being trained and Life Groups are reproducing. Hans and Elly Timmermans for the DCI Malawi Team

Change of Plans!

Note: In our last Global Report, we said that we were planning to bring Dr. Simeon Oyugi to Canada to plan for the future expansion all across Africa. This has not worked out at this time, because he was not able to complete the visa process on time. This has been postponed to a later date and we will let you know at that time.

Africa – Simeon Oyugi: Reports that what we shared in the last report continues to expand: Ethiopia: “As they keep the momentum going and plant many new churches. Uganda: “Are just getting started with the new curriculum. They plan to take it to the neighbouring countries like Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern DRC Congo Refugees living in Uganda.

11 Countries in Southern Africa: “They are, Southern DRC Congo, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. I am proceeding with Spontaneous Disciple Making Workshops to equip the Church to train their people to reach their communities and make disciples.

250 University Students in Kenya: “The multiplication of leaders is happening as the 110 equipped Community Trainers are now equipping other university students to be trainers in their home churches and reach out into their communities.

Just in: Simeon says, “Together with me here is Henry Christopher Moore, the DCI National Director and Regional Trainer living in Liberia. He is also a chaplain in the Military and their chaplaincy co-ordinates Liberia, Siera Leone and Guinea with over 500 men and women of God. He is going to train them using the Discovery Group model for leadership. I have taken him through our new model covering the 4 levels and he has a great passion for DCI to explosively expand in Africa. Henry is going back to train the chaplains in the three countries who will each equip and disciple a few to do the same, so that DCI is expanded into their churches and communities. Please keep Head Chaplain Henry Moore in prayers! I am very happy I have found another great champion ready to carry the DCI vision in his heart for Africa. Back in Liberia, he is also involved with rescuing orphan children from the streets and giving them temporary shelter. A number of them have been rehabilitated and are now reaching out to rescue their friends from the streets and they are being welcomed and cared for in the local Churches”. Simeon & Anna Oyugi.

Give Thanks to God for all that He is doing in Africa!

Your tax-deductible donations can be made:

Thank you for your investments and prayers. God bless you all!
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Al and Mary Middleton
Executive Director

Dynamic Churches International
164 Stonegate Close Airdrie, AB T4B 2V2
Canada : Phone/Fax (403) 912-4438
USA: PO Box 3431, Vista, CA 92085-3431
Email: dcioffice@shaw.ca
Web site: http://www.dynamicchurches.org

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August, 2024 Update

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Merle Doherty

Dear Ministry Partners,

I hope you are having a good summer. Here is a review of ours so far. It started out with a family get together in Red Deer to celebrate my (Mary) 80th Birthday. Then in late June, we got to go to Twin Lakes, Idaho for the first time since 2019. Al (82) was happy to be able to get up waterskiing after a 4 year break.

In July we went camping at our church family camp and then went to Pigeon Lake to spend a week camping with our son Mark and daughter Joan and their kids and grandkids. We survived the record-breaking heat and are thankful that more seasonal temperatures have returned. Last weekend, Zizina (mother of the family we brought from Africa) graduated as a Health Care Aid, and we were happy to be there to celebrate with her.

Al is busy looking after ministry details and mentoring 4 men on a weekly basis. I am kept busier than I want to be with office work and family responsibilities. We are so grateful for the good health God has blessed us with.

Also, find our August Global Report attached. It includes updates on God’s work in India and Africa. Despite the world events happening around us, God is in charge and our future is in his hands.

Blessings on you,

Al and Mary Middleton
Dynamic Churches International
164 Stonegate Close NW,
Airdrie, AB T4B 2V2
H: 403-912-4438 C: 403-620-0414

Download the August DCI newsletter here:

August 1 2024 Global ReportDownload
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Global Report: May, 2024

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Merle Doherty
 

Dear Friends and ministry partners,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The Christian life is not complicated. We can:
Rejoice always – Get excited about what God is doing!
Pray continually – Live each day in communication with God! Give thanks in all circumstances – Have an attitude of gratitude no matter what you experience! WHY? Because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus! What an awesome way to live. 

Rejoice Always. There are so many reasons to rejoice:


Bob our Daughter Lynn’s husband: Bob had a 4.5 hour TIPS procedure to insert a shunt to bypass some of the blood flow from his liver. This would take the pressure off the blood vessels in his esophagus and prevent the loss of blood he has had for the last year.
Bob says: “As with all surgeries there are risks but, the risks of not proceeding vastly outweigh the risks of going ahead. I had complete peace about that. God knows I’ve given Him complete control over whatever happens. We prayed: 

– that God will surround Bob and Lynn with his peace through the night. – for the surgical team as they perform this potentially risky procedure.

– for God’s wisdom as He guides their thoughts and hands”.


– for a speedy recovery and a good prognosis for the future. 

– that God will be glorified as we thank Him for His love and care. 

God’s Answer: Thank you for your prayers for Bob. Mary got a call from one of our prayer partners saying that while she was praying for Bob, she had a vision of many angels in the operating room watching over the surgery. Mary phoned Lynn to tell her this and Lynn said that that was exactly what she had been praying for Bob! Lynn had been focusing on Psalm 91:11. It says, “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” That vision and this verse gave us all great peace that God was looking after Bob and answering all our prayers. 

The doctor who performed the procedure said it was “a 10 out of 10 success!”. Bob says, “thank you all for your prayers. The peace I had this morning was truly God’s peace. Praise God! This is a complete and undeniable answer to prayer!!!!” He came home the next day! To God be all the glory! 


Pray Continually: Lawrence T. Bergreen 1936 – 2024: He was a man who Rejoiced Always! He passed away on April 23, 2024, at the age of 88. Lawrence dedicated his life to supporting those around him, in ways both big and small, and was a constant pillar of joy and love for those in need. Lawrence was a dear friend personally and of Dynamic Churches. He Prayed Continually for Us and DCI on a daily basis for many years and told me he will pray for us, in Heaven and organize a team of angels to join him in continuing to pray for us and DCI. Lawrence lived a full and meaningful life, leaving a lasting impact on all those he encountered. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community. 

Give thanks in all circumstances: Our DCI Team in Malawi, Africa report: “Nkhweta was a violent village. Most of the people of this village were so cruel and the village was full of gangsters. One day, a man from this village was
killed by a businessman who had a shop at Mzambazi Market. When the people of
Nkhweta heard about it they set the whole market on fire including the innocent
people’s shops. By the grace of God, one young man from Nkhweta, Nkhata and
his mother received Jesus, and this was the entry point of the Good News into this
village and as they were being discipled, they established a Life Group by the help
of the Coach Mr. Manda. People in the village saw that the Lord had changed their’
lives. Many received Christ in Nkhweta and the whole village changed.” Sande also received Christ and said that he is so thankful to DCI for the gift of the New Testament and the Dynamic Basic Booklet. They help him and other participants of the Life Group learn to live their new Life in the Lord.” 

Philippine Ministry Trip February 2024: Ron and Barb Nelson report:

The combined missions team from Grace Baptist Church and Bow Valley Christian Church, (in Calgary) joined together in Bagabag, and travel up into Batad, Tabuk and several other churches in both the Ifugao and the Kalinga provinces in the Northern Philippines. We were there to encourage the people, and we had numerous opportunities with church members, church leaders, new Christians, mature Christians, and even the Governor. 

Years ago when I (Ron) met the first Christian among the Ifugao tribe who had planted over 100 churches, I asked him; “What would you do different as a church planter/missionary? His 
answer was “I would teach my people how to make disciples!” We taught them how to make disciples back then, and on this trip we saw the evidence of disciple making among the next generation young people. Some even joined us as we travelled. There have been 147 effective churches planted in the province.
We were warmly welcomed by the young Christians who are following Jesus and applying the training they have received. On Sunday the Canadian team divided into 7 teams going to various churches in the Tabuk area, sharing testimonies and disciple-making messages in seven churches. Praise God for using each of us and His protection for the whole trip! 

Africa, Ethiopia: Dr. Simeon Oyugi reports, “the Great ComMissionaries that have been trained to go out and start Discovery Groups are continuing to reproduce these groups well and have planted hundreds of new churches. The leaders met recently to look at how they can plant even more churches as they move forward”. 

11 Countries in Southern Africa: Simeon is setting up to equip the main leaders as Community Trainers for each of their countries. As they each develop model churches, these churches will be able to establish a network of Disciple-Making Churches in each community and eventually across each country.
I will admit that what was happening in Ethiopia seemed overwhelming, but now the potential of 11 countries in Southern Africa working together to do the same has the potential to be even greater. 
250 University Students: (these students are highly respected by the pastors), Simeon is equipping 10 of these students to be Community Trainers. Each one will equip a network of the other available students to develop several churches. These equipped leaders will be a great resource for Simeon. 

Do you want to be a part of something so big that only God could do it? 

You can! Because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!
The Harvest is ripe now, and the laborers are few, but many more are wanting to be equipped to be laborers!
Please pray and donate so we can get them developed! 

Your tax-deductible donations can be made: 

• By mail to the addresses below. Cheques payable to Dynamic Churches International or DCI 

• By setting up DCI as an e-transfer recipient either one-time or monthly to: dcioffice@shaw.ca 
In the Note box, include the purpose of the gift and your address (if not on file) 

• By donating online via credit card in Canada through Canada Helps https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/dynamic-churches-international/ 

• By donating online via credit card in the US through Network for Good

• By signing up for pre-authorized debit (PAD) from your bank account. Ask us for a form Thank you for your gifts and prayers. God bless you all! 


Your brother and sister in Christ, 


Al and Mary Middleton
Executive Director 


Dynamic Churches International 
164 Stonegate Close Airdrie, AB T4B 2V2 Canada : Phone/Fax (403) 912-4438 
USA: PO Box 3431, Vista, CA 92085-3431 
Email: dcioffice@shaw.ca
Web site: http://www.dynamicchurches.org 

The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. 

PDF edition with photos:

May 3 2024 Global ReportDownload
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Global Update – Feb. 2024

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Merle Doherty

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

2023 has been a very interesting year for Mary and me! We are very much aware of our age, and after 50 years of ministry it seemed that God was preparing us to cut back. I have prayed for years that God would bring us someone to continue the work He began through us, and it seemed He did give us Sunday Abidogun. Mary and I appreciate him and are grateful for all he has done, but it has not worked out, and now we are back continuing the call that God has put on our lives.

Wanting to hand the ministry over to the new leaders I have spent countless hours refining and reformatting the process and method of delivery for equipping leaders. God has been faithful and continues to give insight, as we expand the ministry into the future. We are trusting that God will use these resources so that DCI will be even more effective and efficient.

So, 2023 has been a year to reboot, and 2024 appears to be the year to build on the foundation God has put in place to accomplish the vision He gave us from the beginning which is:

“To have reached every person with the gospel of Jesus Christ through the reproduction of equipped witnessing disciples.”

In our last Global Report, I shared about what God is doing in Ethiopia. You may have been puzzled by the number of 27,000 Missionaries who were sent out. I was amazed by such a large number myself, and so I have gathered the details on what has happened there. Let me explain: Simeon equipped leaders there in 2017 in 1. Arbaminch 2. Hawassa 3. Jimma 4. Oromo Weleda 4. Jinka and 5. Addis Ababa in the southwest region of Ethiopia who trained many other Leaders.

127 areas of Ethiopia were reached from 2020-23, many Missionaries (those who were equipped to begin Discovery Groups) were trained. They did exactly what they were trained to do and invited their family and friends to discover what God has done for His creation, as it is explained in the Bible. As these groups reproduced, these new equipped people reached out to their community by sharing their story of how God has changed their lives and by showing the Jesus film. All this has resulted in hundreds of new Churches being planted. God is doing something quite amazing in Ethiopia, but we shouldn’t be surprised. It is what we have been praying for and believing God for, for years! The vision is to see this happening in each country of the world!!

“The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

This coming year we will be using the materials that God had me prepare this past year and focusing on preparing leaders in places like Ethiopia to facilitate what God is doing! Henry Blackaby said it well: “Watch to see where God is working and join Him in His work.”

Urgent Need for Prayer! Just on Tuesday Simeon said, “Kindly, keep me in prayers, I have had very strange attacks on my health since yesterday. I have had Malaria, severe headache with vomiting and diarrhea simultaneously. I did not sleep last night. I visited the Doctor this morning who immediately put me on anti-biotic drip to suppress the infections.” He has Malaria and flu. Pray for his quick recovery.

Malawi:  Hans and Elly Timmermans report on the amazing work God is continuing to do through their team: “The Good News is being passed on and they pass it on to others and so the kingdom keeps growing. We praise God for the increase we see in Malawi. John, George and Caleb are so excited to see all this happening before their eyes. Please take time to read the following reports. They share:

Wadilika Village: “We visited Wadilika Village where the village headman is Eliyasi Nkosi, a man who loves God and has a very humble heart. He was discipled by Pastor Nkosi, and followed up by Pastor Manda, the coach for Euthini where he lives.

The beauty of true Christianity is that leaders understand they all work for one God. This understanding has really brought unity among believers, and this is happening all over where leaders have been discipled through the DCI material.”

Chamunguma: “In this village many people had never heard about accepting Christ into their lives. One lady recently started a Life Group. This new group now has more than 26 people and the Good News is spreading like wildfire. Neighbours who had been hearing what had been happening came to the gathering. Caleb taught on the meaning of salvation and more than 10 people accepted Christ as their Savior. They are being discipled through the One-to-One Dynamic Basics by the group.

Many people want a personal relationship with God through receiving Jesus – and becoming born spiritually. All they have heard is to stop sinning and trying to do good, so they can secure their place in heaven. We helped them understand that if you believe and are “in Christ” you do the works God prepared for you to do.”(Eph. 2:10)

If you are contributing financially – Thank you so much! You are making a huge difference!
If you would like to partner with us in the great work that God is doing – Please join us today!

Your tax-deductible donations can be made:

  • By mail to the addresses below. Cheques payable to Dynamic Churches Intl or DCI

  • By setting up DCI as an e-transfer recipient at: dcioffice@shaw.ca  In the Note box, include the purpose of the gift and your address (if not on file).

  • By donating online via credit card in Canada through Canada Helps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/dynamic-churches-international/

  • By donating online via credit card in the US through Network for Good: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/

  • By signing up for pre-authorized debit (PAD) from your bank account. Ask us for a form Thank you for your gifts and prayers. God bless you all!

Your brother and sister in Christ,
Al and Mary Middleton
Executive Director

Dynamic Churches International
164 Stonegate Close Airdrie, AB T4B 2V2 Canada : Phone/Fax (403) 912-4438

USA: PO Box 3431, Vista, CA 92085-3431
Email: dcimiddleton@shaw.ca
Web site: http://www.dynamicchurches.org

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DCI Leadership Update

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Merle Doherty

Constituency Communication
January 31, 2024

This communique is sent by the Board of Governors of Dynamic Churches International (DCI) to advise the donors, praying partners, DCI staff and partner ministry constituents that Al Middleton will regain leadership of DCI effective February 1, 2024. This action was arrived at by mutual understanding between Al Middleton and Sunday Abidogun. In the transition period Sunday Abidogun has made himself available to assist Al Middleton in serving the interests of DCI.

Going forward DCI will continue to pursue its historical vision – “Our Vision is to have reached every person with the gospel of Jesus Christ through the reproduction of equipped witnessing disciples”. Thank you for your past and on-going involvement, prayer and financial support of Dynamic Churches International.

Sincerely Kervin Raugust
DCI Interim-Board Chair

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Christmas Greeting and Global Report

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Merle Doherty

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We pray this finds you well and enjoying the festivities taking place leading up to Christmas. We always enjoy taking is special concerts, and driving around the community to take in all the beautiful Christmas lights and displays. We got about 5 inches of snow today so it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas now.

Please find our December Global report attached. It contains just some of the stories of what is happening around the world. We praise God for our faithful workers who keep presenting the news of the arrival of our Savior and inviting them to believe in Him and the salvation He came to provide through His death on the cross.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support! These things wouldn’t be happening without you!

May Jesus and special times with family be the center of your celebrations this year.

With love from the DCI Leadership team,

Sunday & Elizabeth Abidogun and Al & Mary Middleton

Dynamic Churches International
164 Stonegate Close NW,
Airdrie, AB T4B 2V2

H: 403-912-4438 C: 403-620-0414


Here is our PDF Global Report newsletter:

 

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Ministry Update: September, 2023

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Merle Doherty

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

Thanks to our God for the beginning of another month (September 2023). As we look ahead to fall season, I wish you all a season of peace and refreshing.

We are grateful and thankful for the support you continue to give to Dynamic Churches International (DCI) in Canada and around the world. Your prayers, support and financial contributions are greatly appreciated. We “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Prayer points for September 2023:

We pray for Rev. Paul and Priskila Paksoal in Indonesia, that God will give them grace as they continue to expand their ministry to the people of Indonesia. We are praying for volunteers in Indonesia who are working with Priskila, that God will encourage them as they plan to start new discipleship programs for men.

We pray for James Angihan, that God will meet his needs as he continues to plan for all evangelistic and discipleship work in Northern Philippines.

We pray for new volunteers and resourceful people in Canada and USA, who will be devoted to the callings and assignments of God for DCI. Jesus said to his disciples “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38

Giving:
Become a dynamic partner and support DCI with monthly donations of $50 , $100 or other $ . Thank you all for your continued generous support.

E-transfer: dcioffice@dcimiddleton

Contact me on dcievents1@gmail.com

Blessings to you and your family
Sunday Abidogun

Executive Director: Dynamic Churches International
Empowering Churches to Transform their World
Dynamic Churches International
164 Stonegate Close, Airdrie, AB CANADA T4B 2V2
Ph/Fax (403) 912-4438
Email: dcioffice@shaw.ca
Website: http://www.dynamicchurches.org

PDF copy:

dci-september-monthly-letter-2023Download
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Urgent Request

Posted on August 20, 2023 by Merle Doherty

Please find our latest report attached.  Would you pray with us that these needs will be met?

Your brother and sister,

Al and Mary Middleton

Dynamic Churches International
164 Stonegate Close NW,
Airdrie, AB T4B 2V2
H: 403-912-4438 C: 403-620-0414

 

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August 2023 Ministry Update

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Merle Doherty

Please find attached the August prayer letter from Sunday Abidogun.

Be encouraged by the Scripture promises and join us in prayer for the various requests mentioned.

God bless each of you,

Al and Mary Middleton

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July 2023 Update:Executive Director’s Letter

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Merle Doherty

A note from Al and Mary:

It’s hard to believe 6 months have passed in 2023 already!  It seems time goes by faster and faster with each year that passes.

Canada Day is upon us!  We are grateful for all the blessings of living in our beautiful free country and especially being so close to the mountains.  Last week we got to take our 3 oldest great-grandsons from Nashville out to Banff for the day. It was a beautiful day, and we packed a lot of special things into our time there.  Memories were made!

We are looking forward to celebrating Canada Day with an Airdrie Pancake Breakfast and Parade and then a neighborhood party in the afternoon. Next week we plan to attend our church family camp from the July 6-9th and then go on to Pigeon Lake for a week with our son and daughter and their families.

We hope you all get to enjoy the summer weather and special times with family and friends.

God bless you all,

Al and Mary Middleton

Please find a July greeting from our Executive Director, Sunday Abidogun, attached.

 

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