World Renewal International

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.