World Renewal International
Monday, December 17, 2007
Frank Nick
We at WRI are very grateful for our staff. We are a de-centralized organization meaning that our staff does not all come to our headquarters to go to work. That is a good thing. That means we do not have to demand that our employees or staff live in central Indiana. We are able to have a high quality of people this way. That is certainly true for Frank Penna. Frank Penna lives in Wichita, Kansas. [Pictured Janet, Julie and Frank]
Frank joined our staff two years ago. I first met Frank in 1979, when I interviewed for the pastor position at Haviland Friends Church, Haviland, Kansas. Haviland Friends is the host congregation to Barclay College, then Friends Bible College. Frank had graduated from the college with a degree in church music and the church had retained him as Minister of Music. Hubert Nolen, now of Brookville Road Community Church, was still in college and the Youth Pastor. When Carol and I accepted the position I was asked if I wanted to keep the existing staff and I am so thankful that I said, "Yes." It has proven to be a great decision on my part that has given much support to my life and ministry. Hubert and his wife Tonya have helped in the building of World Renewal Intl. and have been life long friends.
Frank and his wife Janet served several congregations as pastor in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. They were involved in church planting as well as being known for their music. Janet is an awsome singer and keyboard player. They have two boys and two girls. Their oldest, Joy is a stay-at-home mom in Wichita. Her husband is the worship leader at Cornerstone Missionary Church and they are friends of Caleb Bislow, our new Africa-Maasai Project partner. Joy and Chris have two sons. Julie is their youngest and attends Barclay College and spent the summer in Nepal as a student missionary. She will be married this summer and plans a career as a missionary. Jessie is the Youth Pastor at Northridge Evangelical Friends in Wichita. Jacob is married and builds computer accessories. They are all wonderful Christians and a credit to Frank and Janet and our Lord. I had the blessing of being in their home and celebrating a birthday with all of them two weeks ago.
Last week, Frank drove to San Antonio, Texas and met Pastor Samuel from Mexico. This was a long and unselfish "St. Nick type" trip to ensure Christmas for needy children in Mexico. Pastor Samuel is a gifted church planter for Evangelical Friends in Mexico. Frank was delivering Birthday Party for Jesus gift bags for all the Mexico parties. They shipped from the Mexico side all the gifts to Mexico City. Pastor Samuel also received the gift bags from two Friends Churches in Kansas for his own new church plants. All churches will have parties inviting the poor and unchurched. It is proving to be a wonderful ministry. 
[Frank has his tree for the Zaachaeus song at the World Renewal Banquet Celebration.]
Pastor Samuel also had Frank minister to some of the groups in his churches. Frank started playing and singing some of the songs he sings in both Spanish, Portuguese and Creole as well as English. Soon a recorder came out and the song was recorded so that in the future the choruses can be sung in these languages in Mexico. This has been typical of Frank's ministry. His story songs of Zaachaeus, Moses and other Biblical stories have endeared him to congregations around the world. People embrace his ministry and love his international flavor.
I just want to say that I am thankful to Frank and Janet for putting themselves on the line for God to bless us in this ministry. It has not been easy for Janet to carry the burden at home while Frank is ministering in Haiti, Brazil, Mexico and the USA. It is what she gives to the Lord as well as what she does for her family and others. Frank will lead our partnership with Caleb Bislow in the Maasai Project 2008. World Renewal is blessed to have the Pennas. Blessings on all and to the Penna Family.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Something Special!
[RENEWAL MEMBERS Mike Cruse-keyboard and vocals, Steve Cruse-lead guitar, fiddle and vocals, Doug Newnum-keyboard and lead vocal, Dan Downer-video tech, Gary Jones-bass guitar, acoustic guitar and vocals, Steve Lindley-drums and vocals, Gary WrightThey all attended the Tangier School then Turkey Run High School. As boys they all had attended VBS at the little country Rush Creek Friends Church north of Rockville, IN. They all remember attending revival services that Carol and I led when they were children. However, the paths they chose in life were quite different. Steve and Mike Cruse along with Steve Lindley formed the Cruse Brothers Band.to experience this on a weekend, they would come to Christ!” I am sure they were right. Doug even invited Steve Cruse to a couple of events in 1991 and also in recent years, but it did not happen. God still had a plan.
In November 2002, Mike Cruse alone in his parents bedroom, under house arrest for his second DWI, knelt by his bed and invited Christ into his heart. “Fire shot into my body,” Mike tells. Mike has never turned back from following Christ.
In 2005, Doug asked Mike to join Renewal. Mike’s high energy expertise on the keyboards and testimony have propelled the ministry of Renewal to a different place. Doug, Steve Lindley and Mike Cruse also over the years have returned to the little country church, Rush Creek Friends and lead the worship team when not on the road with Renewal and Gary. Several months ago, Steve Cruse walked through the door of the little country church. Soon he joined the worship team and is walking with the Christ he heard and knew about from his youth.
Doug Newnum says that he remembers "when I prayed with my little boys before they went to sleep that the Cruse brothers would know Christ. Now they are all part of our church and Renewal! My boys are now all adults and were there that Sunday morning we played together for the first time. It is really something special!” said a smiling, teary-eyed Doug Newnum.
Hey, Guys! It is time for the new CD!
“Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth to all.”
